Backpacking solo can be a huge adventure but at the same time, many struggles come with it. Being on your own and independently navigating through unknown terrain can be both frightening and confusing, especially if it’s your first time doing it. These tips will aid people with travel fears.
Be Prepared
While some of the beauty of backpacking can be living in the moment and leaving room for spontaneity, there are still a few things that must be planned ahead. When traveling, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and make sure you have a return ticket (or a ticket flying to a different country.) Being stuck with airport bureaucracy can be tough even when you’re sure your paperwork is all sorted out so try to make sure your end of things is well taken care of.
Checklist
Making sure you’re all packed is also essential. Make a checklist of all the things you need to take with you, such as good hiking shoes, a quick-drying towel, and a reliable bottle of sunscreen. During the days leading up to your trip, you will probably think of certain items you want to have with you, so keep a note (either physical or on your phone) where you write all of these until it’s time to pack. If you’re hopping through different destinations, refer back to that note whenever you’re switching locations to make sure you have everything with you.
Insurance
Nobody plans on getting hurt, let alone on a trip that they’ve been waiting a long time for. However, as uncomfortable as it may be to get sick or injured, it’s a lot more uncomfortable when it happens while you’re away. So, before embarking on your journey, making sure you have travel insurance should be at the top activities to tick off your list. Making sure you have good and reliable travel insurance will help ease worries about potential speed bumps.
Get Social
You may be going out on this trip on your own but that doesn’t mean you have to stay on your own throughout it. One of the greatest joys of traveling solo is creating new and interesting human interactions. Find a crowd and make sure you’re comfortable with them. Traveling means that you’ll encounter all types of people. These people may not be your cup of tea, but being with a team can help build new foundations and personal skills.
We hope those tips help you on your next adventure. Now go book that plane ticket!