Tips for Travelling Solo

We are free spirits who embrace adventure and are curious enough to explore the unknown. We see that solo travel presents a new way of looking at the world, and we believe that it can be an eye-opening and sometimes even a life-changing experience.

As solo travellers, we decide what we want out of our day. No one influences our schedule unless we want them to and we are free to do only what we feel like doing. This spontaneity leaves us open to meeting new people, learning about cultures around us, and experiencing true freedom. When we travel solo, not only do we learn about the world, but we also learn about ourselves and our place in this world.

This depends on several factors. As a starting point, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is your budget like?
2. How much privacy do you want?
3. How open are you to meeting new people?

Some of the options you can consider are:

If you want to meet lots of new people easily and you are comfortable sharing your space with people you don't know, then you may want to look into dorm-style hostel. This means that rooms can range from a 4person same-gendered space to a 20-person (or more!) mixed-gendered space. If you choose this option, keep in mind that people will be coming in and out at all hours and privacy is limited. This can also get tiring if you are more introverted, and you crave some time away from people. But it is a good way to meet people!

If you are on a tight budget, this is usually the most affordable option. Locals that run and work in the hostel can usually provide recommendations and guidance on what to do in the city. Most hostels even offer organized nights out and trips to sights (for a fee) where other hostel-stayers will also be present.

If you want the luxury of being able to retreat into your own room – but still want to meet people, then you may want to get a private room with an ensuite bathroom that's in a hostel. This might be the best of both worlds, but it does come with a price! Generally, this option will be more expensive than a dorm-style room but in some places, it may still be cheaper than a hotel or a Bed and Breakfast.

The amount of people you meet will depend on how much you put yourself out there. Every hostel will usually have a lobby or common space where all the other backpackers and travelers hang out. If you bring a book and hang out here, it can be easier than you think to meet people. Hostels will usually provide organized activities for a fee, so if you sign up for the things that interest you, you'll have more opportunities to meet people.

Hotels and B&B's are less "solo travel friendly" options. Since there is no one for a solo traveler to split the cost with, hotels and B&B's could be more expensive. Couples, families, and friend groups usually choose these options for short-term vacation. Without a common space to encourage mingling, there may be less opportunities to meet other travelers like yourself. On the plus side, with B&B's, you can find some cool, unique, and trendy spots!

• Pack light

  The less you have the easier it could be to pack up and move quickly from destination to destination. However, make sure you take everything you need.

• See the place by foot, bike, or car

  An economical way to explore a new city could be by foot or on bike. Moving at a slower pace, you may run into hidden gems located on side streets that you may normally miss. Download maps on your smartphone so you have some sense of direction when you are offline. Then, walk around and take in what the city has to offer.

  If you are in a rural area, rent a car or bike and explore the place that way. Consider adding a mobile WiFi hotspot to your rental car. That way you can connect your smartphone to it if you need to use an online map. Charges can vary depending on your service provider so, it’s a good idea to check the roaming charges with your provider before stepping out of your service zone.

• Meet the people

  The best way to learn about a new place is to talk to locals that are from there. You will get a feel for the culture and people that live there. You can even practice conversing in a new language! The people that live there will usually know where the best places are to eat, areas to avoid, and places you should consider checking out

• Eat local food

  One of the best things about travelling is getting to try new, different food! Try not to only stick to the type of food you know. Discover new flavours and learn some new recipes to take back home with you. You may also want to consider eating where locals eat. You could receive better prices and sometimes even better food. "Touristy" restaurants are usually modified to suit North American cuisine and taste buds – it's not the real deal!

• Do things that locals do and enjoy as part of their culture

  If you can, attend local festivities and events that are happening in the country you are in. This may also provide more insight and perspective into the culture as a whole. In Belgium, you may want to attend one of several music festivals. If you're in Nicaragua, you may want to go surfing and see a bull fight. When in Thailand, check out a Muay Thai fight!

• Stay true to who you are but explore who you could be

  This means weaving your personality and interests into the trip. If you love history and museums, then go explore that. If you love graffiti art and artisan markets, then find an art district and look out for marketplaces. Whatever you do, add your own element and explore for you!

You should always look into cultural norms when travelling solo to a new place. Some places may have strict rules when it comes to dress and conduct. You don't want to cause unnecessary attention to yourself, be in trouble with the law, or unknowingly show disrespect to a culture. Know what the do's and don'ts are so you can easily immerse yourself.

You should check to see if you need any vaccinations or a visa to enter the country. Check out this travel checklist for more information.

• TD Insurance¹

  Prepare for the unexpected while you're away. While you are out exploring the world, you may not think about having a medical emergency while travelling but it could happen. . We offer travel insurance options like the TD Insurance Single-Trip Medical Plan and TD Insurance Multi-Trip Medical Plan for eligible medical expenses. We also have options that provide coverage for eligible non-medical expenses under TD Insurance Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance and TD Insurance Multi-Trip All-Inclusive insurance.

• TD Insurance Single-Trip Medical Plan: If you are an occasional traveler planning to travel for less than 2122 days, the Single Trip Plan might be for you. Review the TD Insurance Single-Trip Medical Plan page to learn more and get a quote.
• TD Insurance Multi-Trip Medical Plan: If you travel often, then the multi-trip plan could be more cost-effective than buying a single-trip plan each time. This plan provides you with up to $5 million in emergency travel medical coverage for each covered trip up to the maximum trip duration selected within one year. Review the TD Insurance Multi-Trip Medical Plan page to learn more and get a quote.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: This will help you protect your trip investment. Before you go, we'll cover eligible non-refundable travel expenses like trip deposits and flight change fees, if your trip is cancelled because of a covered cause. While you are on your trip, and your plans change due to an unexpected, covered cause, we’ll cover your trip home or to your next destination. Review the TD Insurance Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan page to learn more and get a quote.
• Multi-Trip All-Inclusive Insurance: TD Insurance Multi-Trip All-Inclusive Plan is the most comprehensive plan we offer. It provides you with multiple benefits, including up to $5 million in emergency travel medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage and more, for multiple covered trips up to the maximum trip duration selected within one year. Review the TD Insurance Multi-Trip All-Inclusive Plan page to learn more and get a quote.

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