Solo Travel Essentials For The Newbie Globetrotter

It doesn’t matter whether you are fresh out of college or whether you are of a more mature age, it is never too late to embark on a spot of solo travel. Taking a sabbatical from work or heading off on a gap year to see some of the world is life affirming. While you might feel like you have to fit the mold and begin a job, get a mortgage and start a family, there is a whole world out there for you to explore. Many people don’t have the chance to go backpacking around Thailand when they are young, and yet, when they reach their thirties, they find that they have a wanderlust itch that needs scratching. Whatever your age, it is never too late to go traveling.

Solo travel can be a scary concept for many. The thought of traveling the world on your own with no company and only your own wits to rely on can be daunting. However, going it alone also means that you have no one else to please. You choose where you go, when you go, how much you spend and you plan the exact itinerary that you want. Having your own plan to follow means that your spot of solo travel can turn into your dream trip. Heading overseas requires a lot of planning. You might be tempted to hand over the responsibility of all the planning to a generic tour company. However, you won’t end up with the bespoke trip that you deserve. Instead, take the time needed and put in the effort to create your dream trip.

Before you head overseas, you may have some loose ends to tie up at home. Take a sabbatical from work or launch yourself into a gap year and dedicate some time to yourself. Travel is one of the most incredible experiences in the world. It doesn’t matter whether you want to head to Goa, Japan or South America, you can formulate your perfect itinerary. If you are tempted to take a jaunt overseas, take a look at these travel essentials for the newbie globetrotter.

Documentation

Before you start planning the fun stuff, it’s vital that you have all of your documentation in order. The chances are that you will be hitting a few countries on your trip, so investigate visa requirements of each nation. Visa applications have become more rigorous in recent years and may require a visit to an application center or an embassy. Check when you need to apply, the evidence you need and the amount that it will cost.

As well as your visas, you need to ensure that your passport is up to date. Ensure that you have at least six months, if not a year left on your passport. Any less and you may get stopped at customs or passport controls. If you need medication, check that you can take it into the countries that you are planning to visit. While it may be a common cream, tablet or ointment in your home nation, other countries have different legislation regarding imports and exports.

Packing

Forget about taking a hard backed wheeled suitcase with you on your travels. You need to consider the flexibility you require. While a suitcase is secure, it is not the easiest thing to transport. They are fine for package holidays, but not for more vigorous pursuits. Consider the joys of a front loading backpack instead. By taking a forty five liter backpack that you can pack in a similar vein to a suitcase, you won’t have to check your bag into the hold of any plane. All airlines will allow you to take your bag into the cabin with you. This means that you can keep your belongings with you at all times. This eases any potential stress that comes along with being a solo traveler.

Front loading backpacks are also easy to carry. Ensure that you choose one with padded straps and plenty of hidden pockets. These are perfect for tech or gadgetry that you want to take on your travels like a digital SLR camera or your GPS handset. When packing your clothing, roll instead of fold. This frees up more space within your backpack. Forty five liters may not seem like a lot of space, but you should be aiming to travel light. You won’t need more than five days worth of attire, as you’ll be washing and drying your laundry as you go. Any more and your backpack will get heavy. Pack a pair of shoes and wear one. If you are considering taking a large duffel style coat, don’t; it will take up way too much space. If you are heading to a cooler climate, think layers. Vests, tee shirts, thermals and thin fleeces are perfect.

Packing really is an art form to master. However, after a few Tetris style tries, you will pack your bag perfectly. Just ensure that the most important documents that you need are easy to get to so you don’t have to rifle through your backpack to get access to them.

Travel

When considering how you will traverse the globe, you are probably thinking about flying. This makes sense as you will have large distances to cover. However, there are other options. Many people are now concerned about the environment and about how much their carbon footprint is contributing to climate change. If you are concerned, why not consider offsetting your carbon footprint or travel by train instead. Traveling over land can be the best way to see the authentic side of a nation that you are visiting. If you are traveling on a budget, this can also be the perfect way to save a few pennies.

If you have the cash to splash, why not consider a trip on a private jet like those used in the royal fleets or for celebrities. This won’t be to travel over the Atlantic, but you could enjoy a short private jet jaunt for a half hour flight. This could end up costing less than a business class seat on a commercial flight. If you do have a healthy budget for your travels, you could embark on more luxurious pursuits such as personal tours of a region, hot air balloon flights or first class train tickets.

Your budget will dictate how you travel and where you stay. If you have a strict budget, consider opting for the early bird deals direct with airlines and hotel websites. Venturing to a third party site can result in good deals, but going direct with a hotel can result in cheaper reservation rates. When considering your flights, think about going indirect and flying at unusual times. A two PM flight will be infinitely more expensive than a two AM flight.

Tying Up Loose Ends At Home

If you are venturing overseas and you have a mortgage and a decent job, it can be a scary prospect to give all of this up. However, if you let out your property, you can secure a monthly income for while you are away. This should be enough to cover your home loan payment and give you some extra readies for your travels. If you have a decent job and a steady wage, you might not be keen to give this up. Ask your boss if they will be willing to let you have a sabbatical. Take it unpaid, and they will be more than willing to allow you to take some time off. Your boss won’t be out of pocket, and they will end up having a refreshed and reinvigorated employee on your return.

If you are tempted to hot foot it to pastures new, immerse yourself in new cultures and meet new people, follow this guide and embark on a spot of solo travel.

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Free image 2 by Jan Vašek from Pixabay CC0 License