I suppose in a way I was always been destined to travel solo. Full of independence, leadership, and curiosity, I took my first solo trip when I was 18. That was over 6 years ago and I have been traveling solo every year since. It fuels me, keeps me engaged in my surrounds, and opens my eyes to the world around me. Here’s why I love solo travel.
Solo travel allows me to see the world differently.
Traveling solo opens my eyes to the world in a way it doesn’t when I travel with friends, family, or a significant other. I find myself more focused on my surroundings rather than having the distraction of a travel companion.
When I travel solo I find myself going on aimless wanders, spending extended time people watching, and getting to know a destination in a more intimate way.
Think of it like this: If you only spent time with your partner while others were around, would you really know your partner? Probably not. It’s that alone time that really allows us to connect and get to know one another. The time can be said for travel.
I find myself meeting more locals.
Traveling solo pushes us out of our comfort zone and encourages us to strike up conversations with strangers… because, well, who else are we going to talk to?
I’ve found myself sitting at a bar in Prague getting to know the locals on both sides of the bar. I look back fondly on exchanging banter, talking whisky, and picking songs for the playlist during those nights.
On the other hand, I’ve been in Marrakech sitting with a souk employee sipping mint tea and chatting for two hours straight.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to solo travel. I’m always surprised by the wonderful encounters I have. Plus, I probably wouldn’t sit and chat with someone for two hours if I were traveling with someone else. It would feel inconvenient to the other person, you know?
Traveling solo doesn’t mean I’m alone.
Some people think of solo travel as this lonely way to wander the world, but it’s often not lonely at all. Like I said before traveling solo pushes us out of our comfort zones, so I end up chatting with more strangers and fellow travelers than ever before.
It’s another reason why I love staying in hostels as you have access to other travelers longing to explore the city and go on adventures. Plus,you’ll find many who are also traveling solo.
Beyond staying in hostels, I also love solo travel because of apps like Couchsurfing make it easier to meet other travelers and even locals. The app now allows you to “become available” to hangout, explore the area, or grab a drink. You can add others to group and meet up with others that way.
I even used the app on NYE in Kraków and it was a blast! Basically, you never have to be alone if you don’t want to be.
I love the way solo travel challenges me.
Solo travel isn’t always a breeze, but honestly what fun would it be if it was? Travel, for me, is focused on stories and if everything went as planned, I’d hardly have a story to share!
So, it’s those moments when you book a flight for the wrong month and end up spending an extra day in Dublin where you have to find a hostel by asking locals on the street because you also don’t have any data on your phone. Or those moments when your phone gets entirely stolen in Marrakech’s chaotic square and all you can do is laugh at yourself and find a secret bar to drink your sorrows away.
You grow. Solo travel isn’t always beautiful, but you come out of it stronger, wiser, and bolder than before. Isn’t that what a lot of us long for when we travel anyways?
I get to know myself better.
By the end of a solo trip, I find through reflection that I’ve gotten to know myself just a little bit better. It might be cliche, but it’s true.
For example, having control over my itinerary allows me to see what I prioritize most when it comes to my travel style. I also learn what makes me happy: photographing landscapes, finding the best specialty coffee, exploring a place by bicycle, and befriending locals.
Without a doubt in my mind, I’ve grown more into myself through solo travel. From widening my tastes to picking up new hobbies, there’s so much solo travel has taught me about myself.
Stay curious and keep exploring!
