Traveling by yourself? Here are 3 tips.
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After our expert solo travel panel shared so many great tips at our May Eat, Dance, Travel networking event, we’re sharing our 3 best solo travel tips. These are helpful for both solo girls and guys, so let’s take a look, shall we?
Take your phone
Okay, this one sounds like a no-brainer, but stay with us here. We know you’ll take your cell phone, but here’s what you do with it before and after you take your solo trip.
Before you leave
- Call your service provider. Most service providers have affordable international options these days. Be sure to get a roaming plan that has data capabilities, because you can use calling apps like Skype or WhatsApp to keep in touch with family and friends back home. If your service provider doesn’t have options that are within your budget, research options for a local phone and SIM card when you get to your destination. Please note: this option is usually cheaper than relying on your local service provider.
- Pack your cell chargers. Yes, chargers. We always travel with multiple cords – AC and USB – just in case 1 gets lost or left behind somewhere. Also, invest in a portable battery to recharge on the go, so you don’t get stranded in a foreign country with a dead cell phone. This one from Amazon has a great battery life, is easily portable and comes a connection cable for iPhone, Android and other models. Bonus tip: also purchase the lightning cables to charge your devices super fast!
After you arrive
- Take pictures. But especially, take a picture of your accommodations (or the street signs where your accommodation is located). This will come in handy especially if you’re traveling in a country where the primary language isn’t your mother tongue. Just show the picture to a driver to take you back! We have also gotten into the habit of taking a business card from the hotel’s front desk staff as well (in case our phones die).
Call ahead
Making contact with your accommodations’ provider before you arrive is highly recommended. You can find out so much in advance, but especially you want to work out how you’re going to get from the airport to your accommodations. Uber is widely available in Europe and some parts of Asia, but if you’re not traveling to these destinations, then call your accommodations’ provider ahead of your arrival. They’ll be able to provide you with a wealth of choices and may even be able to recommend you to a trusted driver to transport you safely. And safety is key with solo travel right?
Go easy on yourself
Traveling by yourself can be extremely rewarding but if you’ve never done it before, it can also be filled with stressful moments (especially as a solo girl). However, breathe. This will be a helpful mantra as you go about your adventures! Don’t make things more stressful on yourself by panicking. When confronted with something that doesn’t go as planned, breathe. Look around you and call a trusted source to ask for help. Depending on where you are, chances are you’re close to a reliable help source if someone’s unable to help over the phone. Just don’t panic; stay calm. Staying calm and breathing will enable you to think clearly and get your plans back on track.
Now over to you: what are your solo travel tips? Share below!
For even more travel tips, grab our virtual Carnivalista Goodie Bag! It’s a full video of tips from us PLUS, get your bonus of resources and a checklist to help. Click here to get it.
As always, thanks for reading!
Til de next lime,
Esha and Tarik
About us: Founders of Events by Ashé, a company that provides unique and life-changing Caribbean Experiences, Esha and Tarik are passionate about the Carnival Lifestyle. They even met during Trinidad Carnival back in 2006! They are so passionate about Carnival that they created Ultimate Trinidad Carnival and Ultimate Crop Over to share these experiences with hundreds of clients around the world. To learn more about them, click the links below:
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I am a Solo traveler for the past 30 years. No one to make arrangements for or argue about things to do and see. I can sleep late and stay out as long as I want.
1. I always check for a list of the top 10 things to do in a location.
2. I love visiting markets to get a sense of the foods of the location.
3. Visiting religious monuments in all my locations, have fostered an understanding of many friends both near and far.
4. I visit the strips where local foods are sold on carts. Fresh and tasty morsels have been eaten around the world.
5. Visiting pop-up markets ha e yielded many unique artworks and souvenirs for friends and family.
6. As a female solo traveler, I begin learning the Lange 6-12 months in advance to communicate. It shows that I am interested, and I get more advice from local citizens, were I not understanding the basic language.
7. Invest in a sturdy selfie stick. It makes for priceless pictures when no one is around for that memorable shot or sunset.
8. Become best friends with the concierge, chefs, and front desk, you always get the insider tips.
9. Become a loyalty member for hotels, airlines and dining clubs. You will get inside information once you make reservations.
10. Always carry a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fee. You save a lot and never have to worry about currency exchange and being fleeced or obtaining counterfeit money.
11. Walk with an open mind, a great smile and the ability to say thank you in the local language. You will have great memories.
Amazing tips Gail! Thanks for sharing!