How to avoid feeling alone during a “solo” trip: advice from an experienced traveler

The reasons why you might choose to travel alone vary greatly. Maybe you just can’t find the right company and decide not to put off your dream and go out on your own? Or are you looking to escape the daily routine and get out of your usual social circle? Or maybe you want to be alone with yourself and enjoy harmony with the world around you without unnecessary conversations and compromises?

I had the idea to travel alone after spending several weeks traveling through Kenya, South Africa and Botswana, which proved to be a real challenge and eye-opener. There was a special moment at the Cape of Good Hope – I stood at the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and for the first time I clearly felt that a solo trip is not just a travel format, but an opportunity to get along and discover a special depth of perception of the world.

The paradox of solo travel is that you are rarely truly alone. If you are open to communication, you will easily find company. For example, in African safari lodges, communal dinners become a space for sincere exchange of impressions; during expeditions to Antarctica, conversations begin from the first hours – people are united by the experience of an unusual route; and on the mountain trails of Peru, shared fatigue creates a special closeness.

If you are traveling alone, but are not averse to new interesting acquaintances, choose destinations and travel formats that involve bringing together people with similar interests. If you find yourself on the same route or in the same lodge with a stranger, you likely have common ground and a conversation will easily strike up.

Remember that the format of your stay either creates silence and the opportunity to concentrate, or immediately opens the door to communication. It is important not to make a mistake in your choice here. Boutique hotels and secluded lodges are ideal for privacy and immersion, while hostels, expedition cruises and safari lodges with communal tables are ideal for meeting new people.

When traveling alone, making new connections often comes naturally, but for conscious networking, follow a few simple rules. First of all, respect the culture and traditions of the places you are coming from. Even a few words in the local language can break down barriers and inspire sympathy.

This doesn’t just apply to residents of the country: be considerate of travelers like you. We meet all kinds of people on the road, and simply respecting their rhythms, habits and limits facilitates communication as much as knowledge of languages. Finally, balance is important: openness to communication must be combined with the ability to withdraw in time and maintain personal space.

One of the most common mistakes when traveling is blindly copying someone else’s experience. You shouldn’t follow the crowd and choose destinations just because bloggers recommend them or they’re often featured on social media. Don’t forget: it’s important to listen to yourself and choose the places you really want to go, and not follow fashion.

Another serious mistake is going on a trip “for show”, just to take a nice photo or put a mark on the map. This attitude is especially dangerous if you travel alone: ​​without deep internal motivation, your trip will quickly turn into an empty formality – you simply will not get the pleasure and impressions on which you were counting.

And one more important point: never ignore local traditions and culture. Each country, each region lives according to its own rules, they have their own customs and behavioral characteristics. If you respect the local culture, your trip will be much more enjoyable and interesting. But neglecting these rules can lead to awkward situations and spoil the whole impression of the trip.

First, think about the travel itinerary and logistics in advance. Read specialized sites, forums and blogs. Choose only proven transfers, guides and tour operators.

Keep in touch with your loved ones. Leave information to your family about your routes with contacts. Even short messages about the movements will add peace of mind and confidence to you and them.

My travel experience shows that safety largely depends on the travel format. For example, in Africa, peace of mind was provided by the safari system: experienced rangers and clear organization. In Antarctica, safety was guaranteed by the structure of the expedition: even in conditions of isolation, everything was calculated so that the participants felt protected.

The most striking example of force majeure for me was Iran. There were protests during my stay in Tehran. My guide and I were riding our motorcycles and found ourselves at the epicenter of the shooting. The roads were blocked, the situation was unpredictable! Therefore, before any trip, be sure to check the latest news and take into account the political situation in the country or city concerned.

It is important to be prepared for the fact that plans can change at any time. You should have an alternate route and be clear about who you can call if you have a problem. And even in the most stressful environment, remember the essential: respect for culture and people allows you to maintain contact and feel more confident.

Don’t forget about financial security, even if there are situations that cannot be prepared for. In Peru, in Cusco, an ATM ate my bank card. At that point I only had a small amount of money left and I still had several weeks of scenic driving to go.

We had to look for a solution: the hotel helped us with money from the account, and what ultimately “saved” was a money transfer, which we managed to receive a few days later in another city – in Pisco. This situation is a reminder that when traveling alone, you need to be flexible, have a backup plan and a financial cushion.

Independent travel can be different: expeditions and safaris, climbing and sea cruises, cities and deserts. But in all cases, they give a common feeling: the possibility of getting along and seeing the world without intermediaries.

The main thing is to think about safety, respect those you meet along the way and choose a format suited to your abilities and desires. When you feel confident and open to new things, each journey can become a story of how you not only discovered the world, but how you found your place in it.