This lone traveller has an opinion as to whether travelling solo is all it’s cracked up to be… Absolutely.
Want to step outside your comfort zone? Head off on a solo trip for a weekend or longer. You’ll be surprised how being a lone traveller makes you feel.
But no matter your age, there are some things that are just harder when you are travelling solo.
The highs are extraordinary but then so are the lows.
Do the highs outweigh the lows? Is being a lone traveller worth it?
You be the judge.
Survive this Low: Thinking on Your Feet
Sometimes two heads are better than one! Right?
One travel partner is better at directions. The other is better at learning the local language.
Being a lone traveller, you have to do all the fast-thinking yourself. Kudos to you!
However…
I think 2 heads might have been advantageous when I arrived at the Santiago Chile airport to fly to Colombia. Oops. No proof of onward travel. I was definitely thrown for a loop purchasing a ticket at the last minute.
If I had arrived in Medellin with a buddy, possibly we wouldn’t have got off at the wrong stop in Centro where a wildly drug-induced stranger tried to grab my phone right through the taxi’s open window.
Thinking on your feet while travelling solo means being alert all the time and tuning into and trusting your intuition. Should you go on a hike with a stranger who shared your ride? Should you spend the day with someone you met at the hostel? All that thinking. All those decisions, large and small. As a lone traveller. It can be overwhelming.
Embrace the High: Empowerment
All the little wins add up to big wins.
As a lone female traveller, your gut and intuition are going to power together to make for some unforgettable experiences. Getting out of a tricky and confusing situation completely on your own can leave you feeling pretty badass.
Survive this Low: Who’s Got Your Back?
Travelling solo means watching your own back and having faith in the stranger that steps up to help you.
ATMs, metros and bathrooms are three places where it would be beneficial to have a travel buddy. Another set of eyes scanning the area as you withdraw money. A reminder to switch your backpack to your chest on a crowded metro train. Someone to watch your belongings while you use the loo.
In South America, I would have appreciated a travel companion in all those situations but particularly the bathroom!
Travelling alone, bathroom visits can be a challenge. Bus stations. Train stations. Airports. First, manage to find loose change to pay and then awkwardly enter through the turnstile with your luggage. Phew! No hooks on the door. The backpack hits the filthy floor for the umpteenth time. Eye roll.
Embrace the High: You’ve Got It
Give it a minute and the eye roll shifts to an indomitable sense of satisfaction and independence. “Yup. I managed this. I’ve got my own back and I’m an independent lone traveller!”
Survive this Low: Being Sick
Where’s the Gingerale?
It is a Canadian custom to crave ginger ale when you are sick. Bubbly or flat it is a soothing comfort when feeling ill. When travelling alone who is running around getting you drinks and snacks? You are.
Recently, I hauled myself out of bed and wandered down the streets of Jardin, Colombia searching for ginger ale. After 2 or 3 corner stores I gave up and settled for Gatorade and water. I think I hit an all-time low sitting in my very average hotel room eating plain rice cakes with chocolate pieces on top.
Eventually, I made my way to a clinic. After paying for the visit, I was told to enter room #3. But the door was shut. Bewildered and sick, I stood there. Had I misunderstood all the Spanish? Seeing my confusion a nurse passing by knocked on the door for me. Lo and behold, sitting behind the desk, glasses perched on his nose, was an older gentleman. A Colombian doctor. Ready to hear my health woes.
It’s definitely harder to navigate sickness when travelling alone. Would have loved a Spanish speaking travel buddy right about then.
Embrace the High: Anonymity
Being sick in a country where you are not fluent in the language and alone is definitely not fun. Let’s just chalk it up to the lone traveller’s experience.
Travelling alone and arriving at a new destination where nobody knows you can be exhilarating. That’s right. Nobody. Knows. You. Complete anonymity. You can shed all preconceived notions of yourself. Just for a breath of time, you are just you. No set identity. Not a parent. Nor a sibling. Not a partner. Nor a friend. Just a lone traveller. An Observer. With a grin. Take up your space. Be who you want to be.
Survive this Low: Travel Burnout
Travelling alone involves tons of planning, scheduling and organizing. Upon arrival at your destination, you need to know where to find the hotspots and the off the beaten path gems. And as a lone traveller, you can adjust those plans to suit you. This is travel at its very best. It is a privilege and a joy to be out discovering the world. So how can it be a low?
As a long-term lone traveller, all the decision-making can wear you down. The odd time, it would be SO nice to have someone else figure out the accommodation, plan a picnic or search out the tucked-away local coffee shop.
Embrace the High: Freedom to Explore
The flip side? Traveling solo is the ultimate in freedom. When travel burnout hits, you can make the call to stay in one place and rest up. No decisions for a day or two. Rejuvenate. Revel in the decisions that led you to where you are – that hike, the hilltop town you had never previously heard of, that bus ride with all the locals. Marvel at what you have accomplished. The lone traveller. It’s you and the world, hand in hand.
Survive this Low: Loneliness
This lone traveller’s low is addressed over and over again. But it is very real.
Even if you are the biggest extrovert around, it is possible to get lonely when travelling alone.
Even when there are meetups, language exchanges, dance classes, and digital nomad groups to reach out to. You actually have to go.
I know. I was definitely lonely in Medellin. I didn’t push myself to meet more people. I stalled.
Embrace the High: Connections
Alone time is necessary but when loneliness persists, it is critical to reach out. You have to push yourself. Stay in a hostel. Take the walking tour. FaceTime with family.
As a lone traveler, connecting with other travellers and locals is the best part of solo travel. Being alone, you are more open to meeting others. The joy of a total stranger becoming a lasting friend is immeasurable. After my lonely spell in Medellin, I met amazing travellers. Maybe my energy had shifted. Maybe I was more open. Maybe the universe conspired.
How to be a lone female traveller is a hot topic. Survive the lows because, in this lone traveller’s opinion, the highs endure. Do some travelling alone and you just might find yourself sailing along with a secret grin, holding the highs in your memory and your heart while the lows are barely a whisper.
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Further Reading:
It was Tales of a Female Nomad that provided much inspiration to me changing my life.
Let me know how your solo travels go and I’d be happy to answer any questions.
Until next time,
Alison. You are very inspirational and BRAVE and your photos are amazing. I loved the one iof you standing between 2 triangular stone walls looking out at the view with your prayered hands behind you.
Have a fun trip with Pam.
Trish M
Thanks, Trish for your kind words. That picture is in Bali, a very inspirational temple to climb to! I climbed there with 2 semi-strangers! I have a few non-solo trips coming up which should be amazing!
You’re one brave lady! Thanks for honestly sharing the ups and downs of solo travel! Enjoyable read 🙂
You are welcome! Gotta balance out all those highs with a few lows! xx
I’ve only done a short trip solo and backpacked around the world with my husband. Along the way we’ve met many people who travel solo and I have to say I find them inspirational. I had so many ups and downs on my short trip as you said, I think I would still travel if I was alone but there are many times I’ve been grateful for having someone with me, but also times when it’s held us back too. It’s harder to make friends in the hostel or just having to compromise here and there. It’s important if you do have a travel partner to be sure they are on the same page as you I think.
Yes, so important to be on the same page as your travel partner. I think there are pros and cons to both scenarios and so making the best of every situation is the way to go!
Very brave lady!!! I have never trie4d solo travel since I have been married for 37 years, but you never know maybe one day I will go out and explore on my own…for a little bit 🙂
A little bit is the way to start! It is a completely different mindset than travelling with a partner and one that is worth sampling!
Great post! I’ve never really traveled solo, except for business trips before. But based on those times, I always felt that it was better to have a companion when I do travel. Kudos to those who travel solo and endure the lows. 🙂 I can tell from your post that you do enjoy it too. Love your honesty. Enjoy more of your travels!
Thanks Marvi! Yes, I love my solo travels!
With everything there’s pros and cons but nothing beats the feeling of solo traveling and being able to say you’ve done it!
I’m with you there! Euphoric energy abounds with a successful solo trip in the bag!
Great post and cool pictures!
Thank you!
I love your list of ‘Survive’ and ‘Embrace’! As a mom who travels regularly with a husband and kids in tow, I do dream of embarking on a solo adventure, even if it is only once in my life. In fact, I think everyone should! I think just the sheer freedom to explore as I wish without anyone else’s needs coming into play would be such a recharge for the soul.
You are right about solo travel. There is an absolutely euphoric feeling that comes with the success of a solo trip! I think everyone should try it at least once!
Yep, I hear you. The safety concerns are huge for me. And getting sick is the worst-I got sick in Morocco and was so glad to have a friend with me. That’s why I make the compromise to travel within US/Canada solo (and a select few countries outside) and everywhere else with friends or other travel bloggers 🙂
Oh, that is a very interesting compromise/ solution. Good for you! All of us “do” travel the way that best suits us or what is possible at a point in time! The more I travel solo, the more comfortable I am with it! And those sick days? Well, they pass by..!
This hits home, I can definitely relate to the highs and lows of both traveling with friends and traveling alone. Loneliness is real – but sometimes it’s more of “I want to share this amazing experience with someone” or “I wish I had someone with me to talk about the things we did today.” In all cases, it takes a bit to figure out what you’re comfortable with, solo traveling isn’t for everyone!
Travel is definitely something that is so personal and can look different on each trip. I do think that everyone should try a solo trip at least once. They might be surprised!
Great post about sharing the highs and lows of solo traveler. Accomplishing alone to some unique place is a great advantage. But it has some lows also like loneliness and sometimes safety also.
So, so true! Pros and cons, and highs and lows. Real life!
I found your post so interesting. Having not started to travel until we were travelling with three kids, I have no idea what it would be like to travel without having to consider what everyone else wants to do and when. I’ve always wondered about when the kids fly out of the nest whether travelling on my own or with just my hubby would be fun. Considering all the pros and cons you mention, I still think it’ll be fun to try!
So interesting how and when we come to the travel journey! There is great value in travelling with a partner and a family. Great memories and adventures together. I think trying a solo trip is in the cards for you! It is a very liberating experience!
I think you are an OUTSTANDING writer, finally, a blog where I can feel someone’s unique voice and words shine through! This was truly a unique piece and I enjoyed reading it. I’ve never taken a solo trip. I’m good at some things here (like connecting with others easily) but I’m SO bad with directions and preparedness. I’ll arrive in a new country and hop in the 1st cab I see with no cash…disaster. I don’t yet have the confidence to travel by myself, but maybe one day! I have two really great travel partners and I like to think we balance each other out. Great post!
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Travel partners are also invaluable in so many ways when travelling. Maybe your travel buddy has the cash for that cab! Try a solo trip sometime, even a short one, you might find you love it!
So gutsy of you to do the solo travel on such a grand scale! Your sense of purpose and bravery and inspiring!!
You are stil a teacher, carving out a new path for others….. BRAVO XO
Hi Alison, just wondering are you Aussie or American? I am a 62 year old now that has been travelling solo for 10 years. Everything you say resonates, and as I get older my luggage seems to get heavier, even though I pack light. Loved your stories, Ruth Green
Hi Ruth! Oh yes, the luggage feels heavier each year!! I am Canadian. So glad you enjoyed the post! Happy travels to you!
I have never travelled solo before so this was an interesting post to read. It’s something I want to do eventually though! I didn’t consider the loneliness when getting sick but if other solo travellers can overcome this hurdle, I should be able to as well.
Travelling solo is something everyone should try at least once! It really is about mindset and can be very empowering.