Why Jasmin Bhasin loves solo traveling: ‘This is a time when I’m 101% doing only the things I want’

“I get this a lot, a lot of our friends are like, ‘you go solo and he doesn’t mind?’ and I go, No, he knows the kind of person I am and I was always like this. It’s not like I became like this because I was suffocated or wanted breaks. I was always this person and he accepts it. That space is very important,” she recounted.

When you are traveling solo, a bunch of questions can pop up in one’s mind — will I be safe? what if I fall sick or lose my way? what if I end up feeling terribly lonely? To help you make the best out of your experience, indianexpress.com brought to you a curated guide in accordance with TripAdvisor’s best tips and tricks:

Plan ahead

The first step is to plan it all out before heading out for the trip. This does not mean that you have to give up spontaneity. You can simply create a rough outline of which places you will visit and prepare for the important bits such as accommodation, travel costs and food.

Pack light

Packing light not only saves on time, but effort as well. You won’t need to lug around a huge suitcase or spend hours deciding on the perfect outfit. However, keep all the essential items like medicines, water bottles, comfortable clothing and most importantly–walking shoes.

Solo travel can be daunting and rewarding at the same time (Source: Freepik)

Safety first

One of the top concerns for people travelling alone is safety. Picking the right destination which is more suited to solo travel can make a huge difference. Additionally, travel insurance is always a good idea. To make sure your friends and family are notified of your whereabouts, you can download applications on your phone.

Look for shared housing options

Be open to shared accommodations, as a single-occupancy hotel room can be heavy on the pocket and lonely as well. Staying in hostels and Airbnbs is good way to meet people and save on costs!

Mingle with the locals

Talk to locals at every chance you get. They have a lot of knowledge of the place, more than any article on Google can help you with. You will not only learn about the local culture, but also get good company. Moreover, the locals you will meet can offer advice that will greatly enrich your trip.

Learn the local language

Making an effort to learn some popular phrases in the native language can make a huge difference in how you experience a country. It is important to learn some key phrases to better communicate with the locals who might not know English or any other language than their own.

Start enjoying dining alone

Don’t be put off by dining alone. Much like travelling solo, dining alone makes you more aware of your surroundings, the flavours of your food and you embrace your own company.

Sign up for organised tours

Organised tours are your best bet at getting other people’s company. Not only will you enjoy meeting like-minded individuals, but it is also a great way to explore a spot and have fun bonding time.