10 Tips for Introverts Traveling Alone
Traveling alone is an amazing way for introverts to explore the world while taking care of their need for alone time. Even if they plan to spend a lot of time in public with other people, traveling alone is an exciting and empowering way to enjoy and experience new things.
The following are our favorite ten tips for introverts traveling alone.
1. Take time to plan.
You don’t have to plan every last minute of your trip, but you should still take time to plan before you take your first solo trip. Pick out your destination and book your travel plans.
Once you’ve taken care of those big details, start filling in the blanks by planning activities and picking spots to enjoy your meals. Try to balance planned activities with unstructured time to explore.
For example, you might plan a trip to a museum in the morning and keep the afternoon open to explore the city. This way, you can always spend more time at the museum if you’re really enjoying that spot.
Strategic planning will help you make sure you see the things you want to see while leaving space for spontaneous exploration.
2. Share your plans with a trusted friend or relative.
There are some risks to traveling alone. While traveling alone can be a liberating experience, it’s important to take precautions.
Share the details of your travel plans with a friend or relative and regularly check in with them.
This allows them to act in case no one hears from you. Even if you just send messages to confirm that you’ve arrived safely, you’ll put your loved ones’ minds at ease by taking this extra precaution.
3. Put together an emergency travel kit.
Make sure you have all the emergency supplies you need to take care of any issues during your trip. A small first aid kit is an important inclusion, especially if you plan on spending any time out in nature during your travels.
If your travel includes plans to hike, make sure you have everything you need for safety on the trail, including plenty of water.
Other emergency items include a small flashlight, extra cash, sanitary products, pepper spray, and extra snacks. These will help you deal with any unforeseen events, such as a travel delay or a minor medical emergency.
4. Let yourself be you.
Many people will have opinions about the “right” or “wrong” ways to travel. When traveling alone, remember to be true to yourself and your desires.
For example, pick activities that you know you’ll enjoy instead of only going to popular tourist destinations.
This also means allowing yourself to enjoy introverted activities during your travels. Feel free to put in your earbuds on the plane and listen to your favorite album or your latest audiobook.
Spend time on the quiet things you enjoy without worrying about what others think about your preferences.
5. Read hotel reviews to gauge staff friendliness.
When you’re traveling alone, the hotel staff will be a valuable resource to help you figure out how to get around the city.
They’re also a great resource for recommending nearby restaurants and attractions, so it’s important to pick accommodations with friendly staff.
It will be significantly less intimidating to ask questions when the staff is helpful and friendly. While it’s not a requirement, it’s something that can make your journeys a lot easier.
6. Explore nearby nature spots.
Hiking and other outdoor activities are great introvert activities. The time away from crowds offers introverts the opportunity to be truly alone while enjoying the amazing sites and sounds of nature.
Whether your journey takes you to a nearby beach or put you close to a local park, take time to explore local nature spots.
Spending time in nature is a great way to reduce stress levels, especially if you’ve had a rough time getting to your destination. When planning your trip, put trips into nature between visits to more populated areas to help you balance your need for quiet with your desire to see new things.
7. Indulge in your favorite solitary entertainment.
Traveling isn’t just about seeing new things. Take time to enjoy your favorite solitary activities during your travels to make the experience even more enjoyable. Pack a book or download episodes from your favorite podcast.
Even when you aren’t actively traveling, you can enjoy these activities from the comfort of your hotel room at the end of a long day.
We recently talked to an introvert who shared about her recent trip to Oklahoma City. After spending time exploring the area, she enjoyed returning to her hotel and crocheting to unwind. The balance between exploration and quiet entertainment helped her feel refreshed and energized.
8. Purchase noise-cancelling headphones for your travels.
Sometimes you just need peace and quiet, especially during long days of travel. Noise-cancelling headphones are a great way to enjoy peace and quiet during your travels.
While you should always stay aware of your surroundings, they can be a great way to block out the sounds of other travelers on airplanes, buses, and trains.
You can get a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones for around $200. For that amount, you can block out the extra noise and focus on your own entertainment.
Whether you enjoy the silence or tune in to watch Netflix on your phone, they’re a worthy investment.
9. Book a tour (or two).
Although some people mislabel introverts as anti-social, many introverts enjoy spending some amount of time with other people. Booking a tour or two allows you to balance spending time with others (even strangers) with your need to enjoy a solo trip.
There’s something powerful about sharing great experiences with other people. Planned tours give you a great opportunity to start easy conversations with others without needing to spend an entire day with others.
As an added bonus, you’ll get great insight into the sites and history of a place by booking a tour!
10. Keep a travel journal.
You can keep a record of all the great things you’ve seen by starting a travel journal. Whether you jot down notes between activities or write out long reflections at the end of each day, a travel journal is a meaningful way to remember everything you’ve experienced.
Even if you don’t journal much (or at all), a travel journal is a great way to enjoy a new introverted activity while embracing your sense of adventure with a solo trip.
Best of all, you’ll have a long-lasting record of your adventures to look back on down the road.