How To Start Traveling Solo, But Never Alone
Solo travel continues to be a fast growing travel style. According to data collected by Solo Travel World.com. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of people who traveled alone increased by 42%
After traveling to seven countries as a solo traveler, I like to think back on all the experiences. It is very clear, that although I arrived alone in the country, I left with new friends from all around the world.
So lets explore the idea of how even while traveling solo, you don’t actually have to be alone.
What is Budget Backpacking?
Let’s first define what is means to travel as a solo budget backpacker.
Backpacking in this form, means traveling on a budget. Usually for longer distances, seeing many different countries for a longer time than normal vacation or holiday.
A Few Main Points To Make:
Here is my webinar on this subject with the Nomdaic Network and Nomadic Matt.
1: Accommodations and transportation are going to be you main point of focus for your budget. This means being more open to staying in hostel dorm rooms. Even taking those longer bus journeys around the country.
2: Budget backpacking sometimes allows you to stay in in one place for a longer period of time. As a solo traveler, you have the freedom to make spontaneous travel decisions that feel right for you.
3: Making connections with other travelers comes a lot easier when you spend more time in one place. These connections open the door to new locations that you did not plan for.
Things To Know Before You Go
Don’t Fear The Unknow
Before each one of my trips on the day of the flight a little bit of doubt and fear creeps into my mind. Once you are on the plane and headed to your destination, the fear goes away. Instead you begin to feel a rush of excitement and anticipation. Solo travel is scary, so you must harness the fear and use it to drive you forward and to step out of the comfort zone. That is where the magic happens on solo backpacking trips.
Slow Down, Take It All In
Traveling makes everyone anxious, especially when you have no idea what to do next. Solo travel is about taking time to pause and be present. Slow down and appreciate where you are and how you got there.
Go With The Flow
Be willing to pivot your travel plans at any moment. As a solo traveler you can do what you want when you want. So embrace that and see where the adventure takes you.
Meeting Other Backpackers
It can be intimidating trying to meet new people, especially while you are traveling alone. Yet, you are one of an entire community of like-minded travelers. Here are some of the best places to make those connections and create new friendships.
In The Hostel
The hostel is where travel tips are shared, stories are told, and future travel plans are made. Often times hostels are designed to bring each guest together by having common areas for all of them to share.
Common Spaces: Hanging around in these spaces can introduce you to the other travelers staying in the hostel. It is easy to strike up a conversation about what people have seen so far and what they are planning to do. Before you know it you and a group of people are headed for drinks or dinner in town.
Community Kitchen: A lot of budget friendly hostels provide a kitchen space for meals to be made. Making your own food is a common thing for budget backpackers who plan to stay in one place for a long amount of time. It is common for a group dinner to get arranged. Sometimes people will invite you to join them for dinner because they made too much food.
Dorm Rooms: If you are on a budget you will also be staying in dorms. I found it easy to get to know by bunk mates, and and other roommates.
Day Tours and Treks
When backpacking in a new country, a great way to get to know more people and to experience new surroundings is going on a group hike or overnight trek. On my first trip to Guatemala I signed up for the 2 day trek of the Acatenango Volcano on my second day in Antigua. When in Colombia I was on the four day trail to the Cuidad Perdida on my third day in the country.
Treks are such a great way to make friends on the road. Not only are you spending a lot of time together, you are also overcoming challenges and holding each other up. Once the adventure is over, it feels very natural to consider making future travel plans with your new friends. If anything you have made a friend that I guarantee you will see again later on as your trip continues.
Free Walking Tours
As I traveled my way through each countey, I always made sure to join a free walking tour whenever it was available. Most of the tours are operating in major backpacker city hubs like, Mexico City, Oaxaca City, Medellín, and Quito.
Joining a free walking tour has countless benefits to your travel experience. The tour will open up the city to you. The guides are filled with local information and tips on what to see and where to go. On the tour will be a group of like-minded travelers who are also staying in the same city as you. After the tour most people stick around to hang out at one or two of the tour guides recommended food and drinks spots.
Take A Class or Workshop
If you are planning on staying in one place for a long period of time you can look into taking some classes in town or through your hostel. I have seen cooking classes, language immersions classes, yoga, and much more. These classes are a huge benefit to you and a great place to meet interesting new people.
Lessons From Solo Travel
You Are Never Truly Alone
As you have seen throughout this guide budget backpacking is all about community and the sharing of ideas and experiences. Connecting with like-minded people is what this travel style is all about. Although you may arrive alone you will leave as a part of this travel community.
You Will Catch The Travel Bug For Life
So you faced the fear and got on that plane. As your first solo trip comes to end it is already time to start planning the next one. That is because the travel bug is with you now. You will start to see the true value of what budget backpacking provides. As you begin to shift your life towards having more freeing experiences.
Grow Confidence and Inspiration
After each trip took my confidence grew. Especially when just thinking about all the people I met, the roads I traveled and the challenges I faced. This confidence can play a huge part in your everyday life, helping you grow even more and find your purpose in this world. In willl also help inspire new ideas, future career paths, and of course more adventure.
People With Backpacks & Podcast
My Inspiration after years of travel was to start the People With Backpacks Project. This project is a collection of travel stories from the people I have met from around the world. These stories will inspire future travel, and keep the backpacker travel spirit alive. All told by travelers from all over the world
