Do you hear the sleigh bells ringing and the holiday symphony playing its merry tune? We hear too. For it’s that festive season of the year- it’s December! And we can already picture the frosty air, tingling our noses, the waft of those freshly baked cookies, and the promise of winter wonders. The most enchanting time of the year has returned, and we're just as excited as elves on a sugar high in a toy factory!

10 Things To Keep In Mind If You Are Traveling Solo

You have decided to give the solo travel thing a go, haven't you? Well, good for you! But before you set off to book your tickets and pack your bags, here are ten things to keep in mind. Let us see what they are:

1. Safety first

I know this goes without saying, but safety is the most prominent aspect to take care of when you travel alone. One can never be too careful when it comes to travel. Start by doing deep research on the place you are planning to visit. Read about the reviews people leave about the place and try to get an idea of the neighborhood. Mark places that people have deemed to be ‘not so safe’ and steer clear of them. While booking hotels to stay in, repeat the drill. Also, make sure to book a room above the ground floor but which is close to the lobby. This makes sure that you can reach someone when in need of anything. Apart from these, make sure that you don't spend alone time with strangers in places that are not public. And try to get a better understanding of the locals and the place itself before you venture deep.

2. Plan your money efficiently

Getting stuck in a different country with no money can be a nightmare for most solo travelers. Even when we have multiple new ways of handling money, carrying loose cash (but not too much, of course) still comes in handy. So spend your money judiciously. Plan your trip by allocating a budget for each day. You can divide it into categories like food, stay, and shopping. This way, you can mark a limit to each category and make sure you never run out of money. And while you are shopping in a different country, make sure to ask for VAT refund forms because there is a chance you could get a refund of tax paid for the things you bought from their shops that you are planning to take back to your home country.

3. Pack lightly

As you are traveling alone, there won't be anyone else to help you with the luggage. I know that you won't be hauling all the luggage everywhere you go, but just to be on the safe side, pack lightly. Always keep a first aid kit with you at all times. It should have painkillers, anti-inflammatories, bandages, cleaning, and other important things. When I say pack lightly, I don't mean that you don't put in necessary stuff like these. But when it comes to clothing and accessories, try to be as ‘bare minimum’ as possible. Keep in mind that you might be doing some shopping at the travel destination as well. So if the luggage you bring back is too heavy, maneuvering around it could be a difficult thing to do.

4. Do not shy away from the locals

When it comes to traveling solo, picking the right locals and interacting with them is the best way to experience the country in all its authenticity. This is why your research game must be on point. Do a prior study of the neighborhood and ensure that it is safe. Then, once you are in the new place, walk around and try to make some friends. Rather than relying on local guides to show you the place, ask the locals about the best places to visit and good places to have food. And also, since these people know the place better than anyone else, they will be able to tell you interesting details of the place moe than even travel blogs can. So try to talk to the locals and have a good time by enriching the whole travel experience.

5. Keep your documents handy

You never know when and where your documents might be needed. So be proactive and call the necessary authorities to confirm the number and type of documents you might have to bring for the trip, apart from the usual ones like your visa and passport. Carry documents of identification as well. Above all, make sure to carry a few copies of these documents because there is no telling how many places you might want to give them. Place them in a folder or file and keep them handy at all times in your travel bag.

6. Try to keep the schedule light

I know that you are super excited to go on that solo trip. And you should be as well! But make sure that your plans are doable and not exhausting. Rather than trying to visit all the places at once and tight-fitting your schedule, leave some room for spontaneity. You must remember that you are doing this alone, without a travel partner. This means that everything you do, you do by yourself. This might leave you tired and exhausted if you make an elaborate travel list and schedule. So take it easy and leave plenty of room for improvement and flexibility as well. This will make sure that you do not burn out or just stay in your hotel room the whole day.

7. Make the most out of tech

There are tons of groups and social media pages dedicated solely to people traveling alone. You can get in touch with such groups and get fits-hand information about the experience of others traveling alone to your destination. It can be extremely helpful to just ask them for any heads-up related to specific concerns and tips to keep in mind to make the journey even more exciting. This will also help calm your nerves because you get a chance to talk to people who have actually been to the location and is there to offer you their advice.

8. Keep your emergency contact list ready

When you reach a different country, if you have to use a different number for communication, make sure that you let your people back at home know of the same immediately. Or else, when you call, they might not know who is calling. Include the names, phone numbers, as well as the emails of people back home who you can call in an emergency in your emergency contact list. Make certain they know they are your contact. Also, keep your credit card toll-free number in handy because we never know what situations might present themselves during the period of travel. By doing so, you can lift a heavy weight off your shoulders.

9. Have a backup plan in place

Since traveling solo has a lot of variable elements attached to it, always have a backup plan in place. If anything goes differently from the things you planned, by creating a backup plan, you can remain stress-free and calm. Now how you plan the backup plan and what you intend with it, is all up to you.

10. Don't be afraid to go with the flow

Just like what I said a few points before if at any time you find your schedule to be overwhelming, do not refrain from ditching it and going with the flow. This lets you find out hidden gems and have a more authentic experience of the place.

Best Of Luck, Solo Traveller!

Now that we have come to the end of the list, you have a rather good idea of things to do and not to do while you prepare for solo travel. Here is an additional tip: book a travel assistance service. This way, you have a great time at the airport as you have a representative by your side at all times, making sure you depart from the airport without any hassle. AirportAssist.com is here to help you with all your travel assistance needs, so keep us in mind when you plan to go on a solo trek across the globe!

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