Don’t Let Travel Anxieties Take Over
Traveling alone for the first time can be intimidating. You may have endless questions racing through your mind, like where to go, how to get there, whether it’s safe and easy to get around, and if you’ll get lonely while traveling solo. This article will give you 10 Ways to Decrease Travel Anxieties.
Solo travel may seem impossible but when you learn how to step out of your comfort zone, the world is yours to explore.
Traveling alone is just like any new experience—there can be fear of stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. But as they say, when you step outside of your comfort zone, that is where real growth and adventure happen.
The top tips for traveling alone for the first time will help get you ready for your big trip. Once you push your fear of the unknown aside, you can start taking active steps to prepare yourself for your first solo adventure.
By planning and learning from experienced travelers, you’ll build your confidence, settle your nerves, get inspired for your first solo trip, and feel fully prepared to spread your wings on your own. Don’t let the Travel Anxieties stop you. You’ve got this!
If solo travel is new to you, you may wonder how to travel alone for the first time without any hiccups. There are a lot of things to consider when traveling internationally alone for the first time—from the destination to travel logistics to safety while exploring a foreign place.
Not every destination is the same when it comes to solo travel, so it’s best to take extra precautions and set plenty of time aside to do your research so you can feel confident before you go. Here is everything you need to know if you’re traveling abroad alone for the first time.
1. Choose a solo-friendly destination
One of the top tips for traveling alone for the first time is to choose a solo-friendly destination that is going to be easy to explore on your own. Some countries are much easier to navigate as a solo traveler than others. Consider places with booming tourism industries.
Typically, this means the country is set up to host travelers. You’ll find it easy to navigate and get around by public transportation (so you can avoid getting lost). English is widely spoken in many of these places, so you can communicate to some extent even if you don’t speak the native language.
Popular tourist spots also mean there are tours, and lots of other travelers—all key when it comes to meeting new people.
2. Consider the local language
Put your skills to good use by ordering your daily snack in the local language. Do you speak any foreign languages? If you do, you might find it exciting to visit a destination where you can put those language skills into practice. If English is your only language, it is a good idea to stick to a destination where English is widely spoken if you’re traveling alone for the first time.
There are a few tools you can use if you want to get a full translation for someone. I use this translator device. It’s compact and comes in handy when I want more than just a couple of words or if the word is not something I use often.
If you want to avoid a language barrier, consider popular English-speaking destinations like Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, and England. But remember that English is common in a lot of countries even if it’s not the native language, and many big cities have English speakers. When in doubt, brush up on the local language with an app like Duolingo so you have the basics to help you get by.
3. Plan ahead
Once you know where you’re going, start planning your travels. It’s never too early!
Start looking at flights and comparing flight prices to get a good deal on airfare. If you’re traveling internationally alone for the first time, know that planning involves more than getting from point A to B.
You’ll also need to prepare your travel documents, navigate airport security, and figure out how to get to your accommodation when you land. Ideally, you’ll want to plan to get to your destination before dark and have a good grasp on your transportation options in your destination.
4. Make a backup plan
The truth is, when you travel, things don’t always go to plan. It’s common for flights to get delayed or canceled and for public transportation to fall off schedule. Only the naive believe they can predict everything in travel plans.
Once you have your plan, write it down and keep it handy. Make sure you have all your flight information and accommodation contacts, and then make a backup plan.
Is there public transportation if you can’t get a taxi? If your flight is delayed, do you have an extra pair of clean underwear and a toothbrush? Remind yourself to stay calm: Don’t let the Travel Anxieties spoil it. You’ve got this.
5. Make sure you have a valid passport
Step one: Get your passport. Step two: Discover the world.
If have never flown internationally, you will need a passport. Passports can take up to six weeks to obtain, so it’s important to plan well ahead to ensure you have your travel documents in time to fly.
If you already have a passport, check the expiry date. Most destinations require you to have a passport that’s valid for at least six months after your trip ends. Make certain you meet the requirements, so you don’t run into delays when it comes time to travel.
6. Check Visa Requirements
What are the visa requirements for your destination? Visa requirements vary from country to country and are also determined by your nationality.
Some countries don’t require a visa, some allow you to get one on arrival, and others require you to apply for a Visa in advance and wait for an extended processing time. Do your research to ensure you have a valid visa for the duration of your travels and apply in advance so that you don’t run into immigration troubles when you fly.
7. Buy travel insurance
If you’re traveling internationally alone for the first time, it’s important to know your insurance in your home country doesn’t cover you abroad. If you get hurt, fall sick, have to be hospitalized, or experience loss or theft while abroad, you’ll want travel insurance already squared away.
Ideally, you won’t get injured or robbed while traveling solo, but it’s always a good idea to plan for the worst-case scenario so you can put your mind at ease.
8. Pack Light
Packing strategically will help take some of the stress out of traveling abroad alone for the first time.
One of the top tips for traveling alone for the first time is to pack light. Traveling solo means you won’t have someone to watch your bags for you throughout your journey. You’ll need to carry them with you and have them easily accessible through the airport, on buses, trains, and in taxis. You will get quite a bit in a carry-on if you consider what you really need and use compression cubes.
It’s best to pack light and adopt a minimalist mindset. Pack basics that you can mix and match and get a backpack that is lightweight and comfortable. It’s such a small thing but packing light will make you feel more comfortable when traveling alone for the first time because you will not need to worry about carrying extra weight.
9. Get a local SIM card
Technology makes it easy to stay connected while traveling abroad alone for the first time. Most countries offer flexible SIM card options that you can buy on arrival before you even leave the airport, so you can access your phone while overseas.
With a SIM card, you can access maps to easily navigate a new city, order Ubers, and taxis if needed, look up public transportation timetables, translate foreign words, and make plans to meet new friends you meet along your journey. You can keep in touch with loved ones at home so that they know where you are and that you’re safe.
10. Listen to your gut
Traveling solo is often the smartest thing you can do for your personal growth. If you’re following your inner knowing and saying “yes” to traveling alone for the first time, remind yourself that your inner knowing is strong.
Listen to your intuition and let it guide you. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it—even if that means an awkward conversation or stating your boundaries to someone you don’t know. Your gut will keep you safe and guide you for the best solo travel adventure.
Traveling abroad alone for the first time doesn’t have to be scary.
Don’t let your fear of traveling alone hold you back from the adventures of your dreams. Yes, traveling alone for the first time can push you outside your comfort zone, but it doesn’t have to be scary. You have everything you need inside of you to make your solo travel experience what you want it to be. Be smart, plan, listen to your intuition, and remember—you are never truly alone!