Here’s everything you need to know for your first solo international trip

Planning for your first solo international trip?

I often asked by the person who knows me if how did I survive my first solo international trip, they asked me If I got scared, If it’s safe to travel solo?  

Well, Traveling solo international trip has its pros and cons and for me; Pros is more significant than Cons.  Traveling solo is one of the amazing experience I ever did in my life. When traveling solo, it gives us chance to be the mastermind of our own adventure, to see the world in our own way, We meet more people,  we more likely to experience the kindness of strangers. and to get to know more our self. Other reasons also I do love when traveling alone; I can do the things that interest me,  I don’t need to wait for my other company to pack up and ready, and I never need to negotiate where to eat, what to do or when to call it a day. Traveling solo can be scary, exhilarating, overwhelming all at the same time.

In another area, disadvantages of traveling alone might quite expensive, As a solo traveler, we have to pay a single room supplement if you’re going stay in a hotel without having someone to split the costs with, and in some parts even have to pay more to eat alone in a restaurant. We may also struggle with issues of loneliness. Not having someone to share all those amazing experiences.

Here’s Everything you Need to Know for your first solo international trip

1.Make a research and Itineraries for your trip

Number one rule when traveling solo international trip ALWAYS makes a research for the place you wanted to visit. Safety is the key for an unforgettable trip! Know ahead what’s in that place, list down the things you wanted to do, the food you wanted to taste, in short, list down your bucket lists for the place you want to visit and finalized your Itinerary after.

2. Download These Apps

There are a bunch of apps that make a solo international trip a lot easier than it ever has been before, including Currency Converter, Create Trips, Skyscanner, Airbnb,  Hostel.com, Booking.com, Grab or Uber for private cars, Google translator, my favorite app Tripadvisor.

3. Copy or Scan your passport and important documents

When doing solo international trip,  make extra copies for your passport and important documents, scan and save it in your email or device. Put an extra copy in your suitcase or backpack in case you lose your purse you have an extra copy, give an extra copy for your family also if possible.

4.Pack Light

The lighter the easier. When traveling solo we don’t have someone to help us carry our big, extra suitcase. If your trip is going to be 1 month or more in Europe, be aware that major city and countries in Europe are made of cobblestones it’s so hard to drag and carry our bag. Even in Asia carrying big suitcase is really hassle.The best thing also when packing light no excess baggage especially when you take a plane.

5.Social Media

Solo international trip sometimes makes us feeling nostalgic at home. We really need to keep people at home updated on your journey so they know where you are at all times. That way if things go wrong, you can easily be traced you and it’s more fun when people interacting your photos when you upload.

6.Learn how to asked strangers to take your photos:

One of the major problem when doing a solo international trip or even couple trip is who will be going to take our photos. I remember one of my best friends asked me how in the world I take beautiful photos of myself without someone I know. It’s so simple asked politely to strangers and tips, you need to ask strangers who have a camera in their hand so for sure they’re not a thief and they know how to take photos also. Check my beautiful photos in my solo travel in Phuket Thailand mostly taken by a stranger; WHAT TO DO IN PHUKET THAILAND FOR FEMALE SOLO TRAVELER

7.  Keep a Journal

Not only is this a great way to reflect on each day, but it also serves as a permanent memory of all the little things that took your breath away that day, all the people who made you smile, all the thoughts that swirled around your head and all the confrontations of culture shock you encountered.

8. Walk Everywhere

Aside from you Itineraries, it’s more fun if you explore and walk the other areas unexpectedly, challenging but a lot of surprising things will happen but always be vigilant in your surroundings.

9.Dress like a local

Results in a much better travel experience, whereby you become a part of the city or country you are visiting, dressing like a local result in a safer experience make as away from the target on your back for pickpockets,

10. Meet other travelers

Making friends is easy as you both have that one thing in common: that you’re both solo and eager to meet other people. It’s so interesting also when you make friends with other traveler, chances if they live in another country when you plan to have a next vacation you might bump in with them again and become friends for good.

11. Be aware of Scams and Pickpocket

Even you live in a safest and honest place in the world. There are always scammers out there and I even encountered scam in Paris. Always be aware on your surrounding and the people around you don’t trust directly.

12. Don’t be afraid when saying “No”

Being a polite person will never make us a bad person when we say no. If someone will offer us for a drink at night and you have a gut feeling that it’s not safe; say NO. You are the most responsible person for your own safety.

13. Don’t go out late at night

Don’t go out late at night if you are still new in your surrounding if you are not yet aware of the safe street you going to cross. Better safe than sorry.

14. Bring power bank or extra battery

We know that our mobile phone and cameras are so important right now. Keeping the battery up will make as hassle free and less stress

15. Always be prepared every day

The best idea as a solo female traveler is to always have a map of the city with a big mark the spot of your accommodation. That way you can always ask a local to point out where you are on the map so you can find your way home. Or as I referred to number 14 don’t drain your battery just in case you will lose your home you can just open your GPS and track your way.

16. Attend free walking tours with other travelers

There are free walking tours in major tourist destinations, especially in Europe. Not only you can explore the city for free but you can learn more about the history of the place also.

17. Take millions of Photos

We only have limited chance to see that place and we don’t know when is next so better to bring a backup memory card.

18. Always bring your headphones

When we are in our solo trip, at the end of the day when we are on our way to our accommodation we became lonely so your headphone will be our best friends, listen to music or watch a movie or your video so you will be entertain.

19. Eat local food

For us to avoid food poisoning be selective for a place to dine. It’s really nice to experience and taste the local cuisine of the city even once in a while.

20. Bring medicine kit, personal kit, and basic tools

This stuff matters the most! When we are in a foreign place we adjust everything, even food, climate and our self. There is always a chance we get sick so always be ready for basic medicines, paracetamol, for diarrhea, etc.. For girls there are times we forgot to bring our feminine thing, especially if you have unpredictable menstrual period always put tampons and napkin in your purse. For basic tools don’t underestimate the power of scissors or nail cutters if we need something to cut or rid of.