Regardless of whether you identify as a social animal or a lone ranger, we all have entertained the idea of travelling to a new place or country by ourselves. Solo travel is often done for a handful of reasons – experience new thrills, meet new people or even contemplating one’s life purpose. Regardless of the reason, solo travel is an exciting yet intimidating endeavour as you most probably are used to going on a vacation with friends or family.
If you’re planning to travel solo in the near future but don’t quite know what to expect, read on as we have gathered some of the things you need to know before embarking on that solo journey.
1. Socializing is needed
Some people don’t have trouble socialising with people they just met. But if you are one who does, you should know beforehand that solo travelling will inevitably get you to start even the most lighthearted conversation with other people. Things like asking a random stranger to take a picture of you standing in front of that famous monument, asking for directions to the nearest Chinese restaurant, to name a few.
While you can definitely opt for just taking a selfie or checking your phone’s navigation app to find your way through the city, there will be some situations when these alternatives just wouldn’t do. So if you’re not fond of talking to people but still want to travel solo, knowing this will help you prepare and strategise a way for you to enjoy that trip without draining your social battery.
2. You probably don’t need that much stuff
The thing that most people do during their first solo travel experience is that they tend to overthink things because they are all by themselves. As a result, they end up packing more than they should simply to make sure that they are always prepared. If you’re planning to go on a vacation that’s rid of any company whatsoever, pack only what is needed – clothes, your devices and their chargers, toiletries, and a comfortable pair of shoes, among other things.
If you have a chronic condition and are taking maintenance medication, you should best check with your doctor first to see if you are fit to travel in the first place and, if you are, what items you need to bring. Your doctor will advise you on what you should eat, what you should avoid, and what you need to do so you wouldn’t have to pack your nebulizer or blood pressure monitor inside your luggage.
3. Expect the unexpected
You can prepare for it all you want, but when it comes to travelling solo, there are some instances where you might go off course. For example, you might have a shortage of cash because you underestimated the cost of food and transportation in the city you’re visiting, or you might not be able to visit one of your itineraries due to inclement weather. In both scenarios, you should try coming up with a solution, so your entire vacation isn’t ruined.
Also, it might help by checking out services for medical evacuation in Singapore ahead of time, so that if a situation that calls for it arises, you know who or what numbers to dial on your phone. At EMA Global, we are Asia’s leading integrated assistance company that specialises in repatriation services. We are also one of the few air ambulance companies to be based in Singapore, with overseas offices in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. So if you want your first solo travel to be stress-free, engage in our services today.
