Travelling solo can be overwhelming as well as a daunting experience. It can give you a chill down your spine, especially if you’re traveling alone for the first time. But leaving the extreme emotions aside, you can take out a lot of time for your personal growth, reflection, and learn about different cultures and local practices.
Before you pack your bags and head for your first “me” trip, let’s take a look at some simple tips that can allow you to make the best out of your trip:
1. Safety comes first
Self-safety should be your top priority when you are traveling with no one but yourself. Opting for travel insurance is a very safe choice to fall back on. Most travel insurance plans will take care of the basic things like covering you in case of missed flights, lost luggage, medical emergencies, etc.
A lot of travel insurance companies go one step further and offer solo traveler cover and even travel insurance for women travellers. So, buying a travel cover can be a very good idea to keep yourself secured against the adversities that may arise during the trip.
Also, you must always keep your loved ones informed of your location. You could either give them a detailed copy of your itinerary or use apps to share your location. Additionally, you should keep an emergency contact number so that you can immediately seek help when required.
2. Adopt the local practices
‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’ – seasoned travellers swear by this tip on their solo travels, especially when it comes to language, interaction, and stay.
Learning a few basic terms in the local language like “please, thank you, sorry, excuse me, pardon me” goes a long way in convincing locals that you’re genuinely interested in exploring their city. It also makes a difference in the way they treat you, thereby making you feel at home.
Do not miss out on a chance to interact with the locals while sipping a cup of coffee, a quick bite or a beverage. Strike a quick chat about local places to visit. You never know the gems you might discover or even might get invited on a local tour of the city.
You can give fancy hotels a miss and book your stay at local AirBnBs or B&B or Zostel if you’re planning to travel within India or Nepal. This way, you will not only save money but also get to see some familiar and welcoming faces at the end of your day.
3. Planning is key
No matter if you’re undertaking a long trip or a short excursion, it is very crucial to have a robust plan in place. You should be able to designate the mode of travel to and from the destination, the places that you’ll be visiting, clothes that you’ll have to carry depending on the weather, means of transport within the city etc.
With so many information now available online, you can now efficiently plan for your trip without breaking much sweat. There are videos and blogs that can precisely tell you about things to do at each place. All you have to do is just browse through the websites and create an itinerary as per your likings.
On a well-planned trip, you can enjoy the true essence of freedom and liberation that comes with solo traveling. You get absorb every experience fully, learn about the culture and come out of it feeling fulfilled and energized.
A Solo Traveller Cover from Bajaj Finserv Pocket Insurance can enhance your experience completely. With an annual premium of Rs. 699 you get coverage up to Rs. 3,00,000.
In addition to the cover being extremely affordable, it includes emergency assistance for hotel and travel requirements, a 24-hour toll-free helpline to block credit and debit cards, roadside protection and support in case of a broken vehicle and even a complimentary insurance cover in case of medical emergencies. So, don’t wait, insure yourself, and get ready to travel.
