In my recent travel tale about my solo birthday trip to Paris, I talked about the important lessons I learned. The greatest gift of all was getting to know me better. I learned to overcome travel obstacles, make new friends, try new things like city tours and new foods, and most importantly, become a better version of myself through struggle that ultimately made me a stronger person. Here are five things I learned from solo traveling abroad.
1) Be Flexible
Work through things as they happen and remain calm. If you stress yourself out, it’s not going to change a situation that is out of your control. My first solo trip out of the US was to Medellin, Colombia during the summer of 2015. I remember everything seemed scary and such a big deal. For example, if a stranger tried to speak to me in Spanish, I would freeze up and not use the language. I had the hardest time using my second language (Spanish) and I had studied to use it exactly for this purpose. Eventually, I mellowed out but still remained in my American mindset while there.
After years of travel and living abroad in Spain, I recently returned to Medellin in 2019. I couldn’t believe how relaxed I was and how much I had grown. I was using the language without hesitation and not doubting myself like I did in 2015. It’s in these moments, even though it’s not the typical “instant gratification” we’re used to, that we can smile on the inside and feel good about all the travel blunders we went through to get there. Believe me, I did just that. My heart smiled and I felt so happy.
2) Plan, but Don’t Over Plan
I have learned to look up the things that are my top two-three ahead of time. I book them in advance and then I leave time in my schedule for personal downtime. In case there is a local show or event happening that I would like to see, I have some time to see it at my leisure. When I first started traveling, I used to overbook things. By the end of the trip, I always felt exhausted.
I have learned there is a balance between travel planning and activities. You want to see it all but in reality, there is too much to see in one trip. You will more than likely be back if you like the city. Since my last article about Paris, I have actually been back twice after that birthday tour with Chris. He helped me identify the spots to see via his tour and his excellent knowledge of his hometown. After that, I knew when I returned where to focus my time for my next visits.
Tip: For large cities, scratch the surface on your first visit and get a feel for what you will want to see when you go back. You will be back.
3) Decision Making
When traveling abroad solo, you are in control of your time. It’s important to be as decisive as possible. I’ve learned through trial and error how to get better at making decisions on the go. Before I started traveling, I felt aware of the things I liked and did not like. But, it was while traveling abroad that I realized I didn’t always have the things I wanted. It was in these moments where the true adventure began.
You must step out of your comfort zone and try something new. For example, when I first moved to Spain, I lived with a family in order to practice my Spanish. There were days that I felt so mentally exhausted that I felt like I couldn’t process anything else. Not to mention, it was August in Madrid and the family I was living with did not have air conditioning. Of all of my travel experiences, this experience gave me the most understanding of how other cultures lived and handled life on their terms — not on my terms — their terms.
Tip: Solo traveling is not easy but once you do it a few times, you will get used to your pace and everything else falls into place.
4) Travel Efficiently
When I traveled to Colombia in 2015, an agency greeted me and gave me support while I did my internship there for the summer. This meant that if I had questions or concerns, I could ask them for help pretty much 24/7 and call them on a local cell (the flip-phone kind) that they had provided me. I will be forever grateful because they gave me solo traveler floaties and by the end of the summer, I was off on my own. I began booking my own airfare in Spanish to places like Cartagena and San Andrés. This was the precursor to what began my solo travel adventures in Europe, which ended in a full-circle trip back to Medellin, Colombia in 2019.
Some Tips for Efficient Travel:
Sign up for Global Entry and download the app.- Download your airline-of-choice app.
- Keep a pre-packed toiletry case with the essentials.
- Pack your suitcase so that you know where your jeans are so you don’t have to dig!
- Travel with a hotspot.
- Always carry a copy of your passport, visa and birth certificate.
- Pre-think out your travel arrangements from the airport to hotel.
- For Uber/Lyft users, ask around about this and see if the country uses it.
5) Meeting New Friends While Solo Traveling
When I travel solo, I make new friends probably because I ask a lot of questions. I have taken wine tours by myself and have been the solo person added onto a group of five to make it an even six. The group I toured with was already acquainted and knew each other but welcomed me with open arms.
It turned out that we were all from Florida taking a wine tour in Bordeaux, France. I had traveled to Bordeaux with my friend from Madrid, who is also an avid solo traveler. She had decided that day to do a nature tour and so, there I was with new friends. That’s one of the many examples I have of making friends. I would have to say that I typically make friends when food and/or city touring is involved.
On my recent trip to Colombia, I took a solo trip to Comuna 13 for a tour. Backstory: Comuna 13 in 2015 when I visited was not a tourable community. It was still considered a dangerous neighborhood. I hadn’t heard of this walking tour until 2019 and decided to visit it during my most recent trip to Colombia.
Wrap-Up
If you are thinking of solo traveling and might have doubts, the only way you will overcome that doubt is by doing it. Book your trip, start slow, and do your research ahead of time. For female solo travel travelers, be cautious of where you go at night and have fun. I like to think about it like this: we have crime in the US, so would you behave the way you would in the US? If the answer is no, then it’s a smart idea to not do it where you’re visiting.
27 Comments. Leave new
I read this and wondered how I ever survived travelling solo before Uber, GPS, cell phones, and even the internet. But I did survive and I learned the same valuable lessons, that planning a research are paramount, and that the locals are your best source of information. We all make mistakes and bad choices while travelling but that’s where the adventure comes in. Today’s technology helps us to make better choices, especially with resources like tripadvisor, where we can learn from the mistakes of others. Travelling is all about learning and growing. I think it makes us better people.
That’s a good question. How did you survive? You probably made as many wrong turns as I did because in Colombia– there was no cell phone GPS in 2015 either. I used a flip phone to call the locals. They did not have Uber as of November 2019 either. Times are still a bit delayed down there. I would like to hear about your solo travels, Ed! What adventures you must have had!
Thanks for your comment,
Leesa
I love this. Solo traveling can teach you a lot. You have no one to rely on except for yourself. Whatever challenges you face, you have to solve them. Whatever places you want to go, you have to figure it out on your own. It’s an adventure.
Traveling is the best way to learn about yourself and the world around you. I’ve found that the more I explore the world, the more I learn about myself.
I LOVE TRAVELING ALONE!!! I did it back in 2014/2015 and it was AMAZING! So refreshing!
I have always told my friends that everyone needs to get out there and see the world to grow as human beings. To rediscover yourself and to know who you are.
I love your blog! Excellent tips to get out there and discover the world!
What a great share on your experience traveling alone. Hopefully it will encourage others to try it as well. While I love traveling with others, there are times that I love to travel by myself.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for reading! I enjoy solo travel most of the time but traveling with others is fun too.
Thanks for sharing and reading!
Leesa
I love to solo travel. That is the only time I learnt a thing or two about myself. Cheers to more solo travel..
Hello and thank you for reading! Yes, cheers to more solo travel!
Leesa
Hihi….flexibility and keeping our documents close by matter so much, if you are to move around the world. I learned that the hard way, back in 2015 and 2016 while on a trip to Tanzania.
Wow, I am glad you figured it out and have since made backups of your documents. Thank you for reading – Tanzania must have been a great trip!
Leesa
I’ve not really travelled alone very much. I do a lot of family travel. And a lot of girls getaways. That’s what I write about here. You convinced me that I should actually try doing some independent solo trips one day soon. Great tips too on how to make that work!
Hi Paula,
I think there comes a time in your life as a traveler that you should go on a solo trip. The first time it’s a bit nerve-wracking (maybe the first 24 hours or so) but then, you ease into it. It’s good to put yourself out of your comfort zone.
Thanks for reading!
Leesa
I have never tried or done a solo trip/travel, it sounds interesting but so scary for a first timer like me.
I will definitely keep these tips in mind, thank you for sharing this with us.
I had been for many business travels alone but not solo for leisure travel or for a vacation. Who knows I may attempt solo one day. Your tips will be much helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Solo travel is definitely a great learning experience! I especially find being flexible super important … you never know what may present itself.
Travel is such an amazing experience and a great way to learn. I think it is wonderful that you are an independent, solo traveler! A lot of people lack the skills to do so.
Hi– thank you! It took me quite some time to get that way. I was not always so free-flowing and flexible. I have learned over time and also, learned from other cultures and from friends who are from those cultures.
Thanks for your feedback and for reading!
Leesa
As many things as I’m happy to do on my own, I’d never feel confident enough to travel alone, you’re so brave, love the pictures
Hi Stepen,
I appreciate you reading – it means alot. I try to do something that scares me and puts me out of my comfort zone at least once a day. I don’t like living inside the norms. They can be small things but I still like to grow as much as possible. This means going beyond what is “normal” to my everyday life and routine. We have one life– live it!
Thanks for reading!
Leesa
great tips. you can definitely find new travel companions when you take tours! i met some lovely people on a tour in Berlin and we all went to dinner afterwards.
I agree! Tours are very fun- and also a great way to make friends.
Leesa
I travel solo as well. That’s the biggest reward of solo travel. Solo trip is something that reminds all your senses that you are the leader of your journey. Live the present moment. It teaches you things that you wouldn’t have learned if traveled in a group or with a friend.
Those are all cool things that you learned. Traveling solo isn’t really for me, but I do see some advantages to it. haha
Great article, Leesa! I highly recommend solo travel to everyone because at different stages in your life, you learn smething new about yourself. You also have a higher appreciation of where you are and the people you meet.
Thank you, Tiffany! I appreciate your input and reading the article.