We’ve teamed up with Flight Centre who’ve got an Earlybird Sale happening HERE for 2017 Euro experiences. Whether you want to do it with ya’ squad or on your own, the time is now, you guys.
Some things in life are just better when done on your own – being hungover, assessing your life choices, figuring out how to reach the big O, for example.
Travelling the world can also fit into this box (for lack of a better word), should you grab the opportunity by the balls instead of categorising yourself as a loner.
People who choose to go it on their own overseas are the ones who come back having not only discovered the world, but themselves as individuals as well, you know? While having friends alongside you is all well and good, the truth is that they can hold you back, or direct your itinerary to a place far from your favour.
They can also look at you all weird-like should you deter from the familiar, close-minded person you were in high school, and ain’t nobody got the time, money or annual leave for that.
A (platonic or otherwise) ball and chain can impact your chance to take the mental and physical scenic route. That being said, logistics can be a little bit more complex, so here’s how to make the most of your next solo expedition:
JUMP ABOARD THE TOUR GROUP SITCH
Just because you’re on your own, it doesn’t mean you have to be on your own. This experience is about meeting people and nothing helps that along more than others in exactly the same boat as you, usually found in the form of a tour group, where you can all be solo BUT TOGETHER. We’re guess you’ve heard of Topdeck, Contiki and Busabout – they’ll sort you out + hook ya up with friends5eva.
BE LOOSE AS A GOOSE (WITH YO’ PLANS)
“Do you wanna see my itinerary?”
“Do you wanna see my balls?”
You want to be prepared and organised, but don’t be getting around with a strict schedule.
You need to have room to make spontaneous decisions and all that jazz, something that arises more often that you think in backpackerville. If you don’t take ’em up? People won’t really dig you, unfortch. You’ll be like the sad, old man in the corner of the pub while the woo girls are dancing on pool tables. Personally I don’t like woo girls (why u woo tho?), but, ’cause analogy.
CHOOSE YOUR SHELTER WISELY
Solo travellers need to be aware of the fact that their costs can’t be split in two, three and so on. This applies to accommodation too – you’re better off staying in a hostel, an Airbnb or couchsurfing, where you pay per bed etc rather than for a hotel room that is typically priced for two.
Sure, in a hostel there’s a risk of how well you’ll sleep every night, and in an Airbnb or couch surfing there’s a chance you’ll despise the host, but what even is travelling if you don’t take a chance every now and then? Read up on the online reviews beforehand, and let the memories be made.
“I’m a big believer in staying at hostels – for the most part they’re relatively cheap,” P.TV‘s Jobs Editor and former solo traveller Paigge Warton says.
“They’re the perfect way to meet people (or make lyf-long pals) and they’re the best place for word-of-mouth, from people who are looking for the same vibe as you in a trip.”
“You can rock up to a hostel, have nothing planned, and within a couple of hours, have an entire itinerary to refer to.
I’ve had some absolute legends who I’ve met in hostels write me down a day by day guide before, with all the things worth checking out, best places to eat and all the overrated things that I should skip.
“I tend to pick ‘party’ hostels when booking – not necessarily because I wanna go out alllll the time, but because these types of hostels usually attract the social sorts and the solo travellers.The last thing you want is to rock up to a hostel full of families (something I’ve definitely done), or couples, which can hinder the whole meeting new people sitch.
Which is why I’ll only ever book a couple of nights at a hostel max, just so I can suss the vibe before committing to staying there.”
BECOME A STRONG INDEPENDENT HUMAN WHO DON’T NEED NO FRAND
If you don’t have a pal by your side, you can’t be asking to borrow their towel, jumper, socks and whatnot throughout your trip. So, pls, be organised and…
P.TV Project Manager Kristy McNally recommends having two copies of everything (photocopies of your passport and IDs, as well as your itinerary, money etc) when your in a new / unfamiliar place – one on you and one at home with someone you trust. That way is something goes missing, you’re not completely screwed. In the same token, she says a cross-body bag (or fanny pack lel) will keep your possessions safe. “Always have one hand on it. Bags with zippers are the best to avoid pickpockets.“
P.TV’s Head Of Editorial, Vanessa Lawrence, echoes the safety sentiment, saying:
“You need to be extra vigilant / conscious of your surroundings, because no one has your back but you. It’s mostly common sense stuff: don’t wander around dodgy areas alone, try to make it to your accommodation before dark when arriving in a new and unfamiliar and make sure you’ve told at least one person what your plans are for any given day (you can leave a note with front desk of most hostels, or email your family back home).”
Peace of mind gives you more room for the good stuff.
REMEMBER WHAT YOU CAME FOR
When you’re throat deep in escargot, it can become pretty easy to forget how truly miserable you were back at home and how good you’ve got it abroad.
With no one to remind you, you become relaxed and sometimes even complacent. No. Stop that. How, ya’ ask? Write down what you want from the trip before you jet set and refer back accordingly.
Jordan Gelbart, P.TV’s Advertising & Partnerships Manager says:
“When i got on my flight to travel to Israel by myself, I took a moment as the plane was lifting off to visualise how I wanted my experience to be. I wanted to come back with no regrets, and to throw myself into as many cultural experiences as possible and say yes to everything. I really set the tone for my trip and if I would go to say no to anything, I would think back to that moment and remind myself it’ll all be over soon and to be a lord.”
Your last step? BLOODY BOOK THE TIX. Get a head start on that spontaneous living, yo’. Flight Centre‘s Earlybird specials are on rn HERE, and you’ll never feel alone with their support and guidance upfront.
Excuse me for that upcoming poetry, but flying solo is the ultimate yolo. You’ll never be the same, but in the best kind of way.
Photo: Titanic.
