Planning a solo trip? Solo travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience but tourists will need to take a few precautions.
Abi Hanks, a travel expert at StudentUniverse, has shared her top tips for tourists looking to make the leap and travel the world alone.
She said: “As a female who has travelled solo, I can personally confirm the experience can be truly transformative for young women.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone in such an adventurous way helped me to develop a whole new sense of self-confidence and gave me amazing feelings of freedom and independence.
“That said, one of the main barriers to travelling solo is concerns around general safety. Whilst it’s important to be sensible and remain vigilant when travelling alone, that’s not to say you can’t have an amazing time meeting new people, learning about other cultures, and making lifelong memories.
“A little forward planning and some common sense goes a long way for anyone considering travelling alone.”
Abi recommends thinking carefully when it comes to booking a flight. Although it might be tempting to grab a cheap late-night flight, it might not be the safest option.
She said: “Late-night flights often come with a lower price tag which can be attractive when travelling on a budget, however, arriving in an unfamiliar destination late at night or in the early hours of the morning isn’t something we would advise when travelling alone.
“It’s much harder to navigate a new city under the cover of darkness so opt for a daytime arrival instead.
“And whilst you don’t need to pre-book accommodation for the duration of your stay make sure you’ve secured a room in a nearby hostel or hotel for your first night as a minimum. This will allow you at least one night to get your bearings and work out your next steps.”
If there are no morning flights available, Abi recommends booking a transfer with a reputable company which a tourist’s accommodation might be able to suggest.
