10 cons of solo travel, and why they shouldn't hold you back

I am a huge advocate for solo travel. In my opinion, there are few things that compare to the thrill of venturing out into the world alone, and few ways in which one can better grow and improve oneself. However, as with all things, this sort of adventuring comes with its downsides. Today, then, I’m going to be running through some of the less glamorous aspects of travelling unaccompanied – the dangers that may present themselves, and the sacrifices that will have to be made – so that you know exactly what to expect if you embark on a trip like this, yourself. Along with each potential problem, I’m going to be offering solutions, so that you can walk away from this article feeling prepared and not scared!

Problem #1: It can get pretty lonely

If I had to guess which one thing put the most people off travelling solo, I’d say, without a moment’s hesitation, the fear of loneliness. It’s great fun going out and discovering new places, but it’s always that bit more special when you’ve got someone to share these moments with. Plus, it’s all very well distracting yourself with sightseeing during the day, but there’s always going to be that cut-off point when you have to go back to an empty hotel room.

Solution

Travelling is only as lonely as you make it! There are so many ways to meet new people while you’re away – in fact, I dedicated a whole post to this – and while these friendships may only be fleeting, the memories will last forever. As for dealing with feelings of isolation during your downtime, entertain yourself with a book or film, or use these free moments to call people back home and update them on your trip.

Problem #2: It’s more dangerous

Women especially may also worry about the potential security risks of travelling unaccompanied. Not only will you be an easier target for criminals, but also you won’t be able to rely on anyone to help you out if something goes wrong.

Solution

There is truth in the old “safety in numbers” saying, but that doesn’t mean that being alone equates to being in danger. Again, I’ve got a whole article up on this subject, but my basic advice would be to stay aware of your surroundings, to be on the constant lookout for potential hazards, and to trust your gut at all times.

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Problem #3: It’s more expensive

Travelling is an expensive hobby, no matter how many people you’re with, but it is true that keeping costs down is trickiest when you’re alone. There won’t be anyone to split food and accommodation bills with, and you certainly won’t be able to take advantage of any group discounts.

Solution

Budget, budget, budget! The more you plan, the happier your bank account will be. If saving money is a big priority for you, you’ll find ways to make travelling more affordable (yes, I’ve got an article on that, too), and if you’re by yourself, you won’t have to deal with any of those awkward ‘how much are you willing to spend?’ conversations.

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Problem #4: You’ve got to do all the planning

One great thing about travelling solo is that you’ll be able to set your own itinerary: you can wake up as early or late as you like, and you won’t have to run your plans past anyone else. However, this can be a bit of a daunting responsibility, especially if you’re used to having someone else set your schedule.

Solution

Just embrace it! Very rarely in life will you be able to do things exactly the way you want, so enjoy it for as long as you can. If you’re really struggling, make use of travel guides, or simply Google “3 days in *your destination*” to find out how other travellers have managed their time. If the worst comes to the worst, and you don’t manage to get through everything, at least you’ve only got yourself to disappoint!

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Problem #5: You’ll have to sort out problems alone

Phone low on charge? Struggling with directions? There are all sort of issues that may arise while you’re out and about, and on solo trips, you won’t have anyone there to lend a helping hand if and when this happens.

Solution

Trust yourself! You’re cleverer than you think, and when you have no choice but to solve problems alone, you’ll be challenged in all the best ways. Overcoming obstacles will boost your confidence to no end, and will help you prepare for future dilemmas. Having said this, it’s always a good idea to carry a charger with you (preferably a portable one), just in case there's an emergency, and you need to reach out for help.

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Problem #6: You won’t have anyone to take photos of you

In today's world, there's an enormous amount of pressure – especially among younger generations – to document your life and share the highlights online. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’ll probably be hoping to snap some great photos during your trip, and you’ll probably also want to feature in some of them. However, when there’s no one around to be your personal photographer, things can get a bit tricky.

Solution

There are actually quite a few ways to solve this issue. You can ask strangers to help out (obviously be slightly wary when doing this), make use of self-timer features on your phone or camera, get yourself a remote shutter, or just resort to taking some good old selfies. Cheers to fulfilling your millennial duties!

Problem #7: If you oversleep, you’re screwed

We all know how stressful it is catching early morning buses, trains, and planes. Will you wake up to your alarms? Will you sleep through them? It’s all a bit of a lottery, especially when the only person you can count on is yourself.

Solution

As somebody who finds it very difficult to get up in the mornings, travelling or not, I’ve definitely had my fair share of oversleeping episodes. However, it’s been a while since my last one, and I think that’s largely down to the fact that I now set an average of ten alarms a morning. Take after me, and you’ll annoy your neighbours to no end, but at least your travel plans won’t be ruined! In addition, I’d recommend switching up the tune (sometimes when I’ve had the same one for too long, I become desensitised to it), or asking hotel receptionists to give you a wake-up call.

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Problem #8: You won’t have anyone to guard your belongings

Need to pop to the toilet in a café or on a train? If you've got no companions to keep an eye on your luggage, you’ll have to take all of it with you. This may be a bit of a faff if you’ve got a lot of bags with you, and you may lose your seat in the process.

Solution

When this sort of problem arises, I tend to seek the help of strangers. Obviously, you never know who you can trust, but the majority of people aren’t looking to steal from you, and will be happy to help. If you’re not willing to take the risk, just make sure to pack light, so that transporting your stuff is as easy as possible.

Problem #9: You’ll have to adjust to travelling with others again

Travelling solo is a wonderfully liberating experience, but it can make future holidays with friends and family feel a bit restrictive. You’ll have to go back to considering other people’s wishes and making compromises.

Solution

It may take a bit of time to adjust to your former ways, but if you can separate your ‘solo travel’ mindset from your ‘holidays with others’ one, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty in bouncing back. Learn to negotiate, and remember that if you and your companions have really different preferences, you can always go off and do your own thing during the day, then reunite later on.

Problem #10: There’ll be people who doubt you

I am planning a solo trip to Turkey later this summer, and I can’t tell you how many people have told me not to go. If you’re jetting off alone for the first time – and especially if you’re a woman – you’ll have to expect some criticism from others. Nine times out of ten, they’ll just be looking out for you, but this can get frustrating and make you doubt yourself.

Solution

No matter how many friends and relatives try to hold you back, if you’re a legal adult, the decision is ultimately down to you. You can choose to lead a comfortable life, pleasing everyone around you, or you can go out into the unknown and fulfil all your wildest dreams. The more you stand up for yourself, the more people will actually start to respect you and your decisions, so get out there and prove all the doubters wrong!

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Live life to the fullest!

So there we have it: ten of the cons of solo travel. Seeing the world alone won’t always be glamorous – in fact, you may find you struggle a great deal along the way – but I promise the advantages will totally outweigh the drawbacks. I’ll be posting an article very soon detailing all the pros of such experiences, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, create goals for yourself, and don’t let anyone get in the way of you achieving them. You only have one life, so jolly well make the most of it!

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