Going Solo: Tips to Keep Your Travel Plans Simple

Going solo keeps travel plans simple. This is the time to really focus on what you want to experience. Over the years, I’ve learned that traveling alone doesn’t necessarily mean traveling lonely and that it can lead to chance encounters you may not have when a companion is always at your side.

I have traveled to some destinations where I had a friend meeting me a few days after my arrival. It was those times that I was far more outgoing than when I had a travel buddy to lean on. If you are not good at keeping plans simple, a travel agent can be beneficial.

They love to curate your travels and have you come back with incredible stories. Here are some tips to keep your solo voyage simple. Thanks to AARP for the great ideas. Don’t forget the safety tips in my article Solo Travel and Safety for the Woman Over 50

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1. Consider package tours

If you’re not comfortable making a trip totally on your own, consider a package tour or cruise with a theme that fits your particular interests, whether history, art, food, gardens, nature, or any of countless other topics.

You won’t have to worry about logistics -— and there’s a good chance you’ll make friends during the trip. Though most tour operators and cruise lines charge extra for solo travelers (the dreaded “single supplement”), the amounts vary greatly. It pays to shop around. 

2. Take reading material

Always carry something to read or a puzzle to work on while eating at restaurants or even while waiting in line for museums or other attractions. That avoids deadly, loneliness-inducing silence at times when you might normally be used to conversing with someone.

It may also lead to a welcome conversation when people notice what you’re reading or doing and want to chat about it.

3. Consider informal dining

Speaking of restaurants, solo travelers are most often subject to pangs of loneliness during meal times, with some developing what one pop psychologist has dubbed solomangarephobia — the fear of eating alone.

Consider outdoor or informal cafe dining as you peruse the local paper. For finer dining, pick restaurants that offer patrons the choice to eat at the bar, where it’s often easier to talk with staff or fellow diners.

4. Stay in the heart of town

Book yourself a nice place to stay right in the heart of where you want to be. Figuring out everything for yourself while traveling and having no one to watch your back can be draining. But having the ability to freshen up or recharge your batteries between bouts of touring makes a huge difference.

Staying in the boonies may save a few dollars, but you could end up dreading the long days of sightseeing without being able to take a private breather at your hotel.

5. Be web social

Join a social website, such as the Hospitality Club or Couchsurfing. Think the latter is only for college kids looking for a place to crash? Think again. Many retired people are looking to share coffee and local touring tips with interesting visitors.

Especially if it’s going to be a long stay, you could also do some pre-trip online sleuthing to connect with local groups — bridge players, golfers, quilters, hikers — who share your interests. Contact them before you leave to have ready-made, occasional companions when you arrive.

6. Consider day trips

Even if you don’t want a full-blown package tour, consider joining guided walks and day trips. In addition to getting some great local insight, you’ll also have the companionship of a guide and probably many like-minded individuals for at least a short time. Sometimes a few hours of guided touring is all it takes to stave off solo-traveler blues.

7. Keep it simple

Keep your itinerary simple. Dashing city-to-city or country-to-country can be physically and emotionally exhausting, even for experienced traveling couples. Instead, consider picking one destination and one lodging and making that your base for the trip duration. And think about taking a class during your stay. You’ll get to recognize people, know your way around without a map, develop pleasant routines and maybe even start to feel a bit like a local.