No One To Travel With? Travel Solo With A Tour Group
No One To Travel With? Travel Solo With A Tour Group
Published on April 18, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes
The idea of travelling solo sounds exciting, but it can be an intimidating prospect for many. And when it comes to international travel, nervousness can often dissuade one from making a plan. Thanks to organised tour groups, travellers can feel safe and supported while exploring new places on their own. A tour group gives you the best of both worlds; you can enjoy the freedom of being alone while enjoying the safety of being in a group. So, if you have been postponing your travel plans because there’s no one to travel with, maybe it's time to go solo. Read on as we discuss the benefits, as well as some tips for travelling solo, such as buying the right international travel insurance , to make the most out of this unique experience.
Tips for travelling alone
Here are some of the most important tips for travelling solo that can help you make the most of this time-out.
1. Choose a travel plan that best suits your needs.
One of the top tips for travelling solo is to first do your homework. You need to be clear about your expectations from the trip. You would have to spend some time focusing on what you need. Make sure you choose an itinerary that best suits your interest. Go through the activities that an itinerary offers and choose something that best attracts you.
2. Choose the right group.
Another very important part of planning your trip is the group that you are going to be with. For example, if you are looking at indulging in adventure sports like river rafting, trekking, paragliding etc., choosing a group of senior citizens might not be a good idea. Similarly, going out with newlyweds or a romantic-couples group would turn out to be an emotional disaster if you are trying to get away after a breakup.
3. Carry your essentials carefully.
Whether travelling alone or with a group, you need to list your paperwork and be careful to carry it all with you. Be careful with your valuables like wallet, phone, camera and official documents, like passport and tickets. Keeping your medicines and a small emergency kit with you at all times is always a good idea.
4. Take the initiative to make friends.
One of the most important tips for travelling solo is to be friendly. An estranged traveller might not be able to make the most of the trip. Opening up to the group members is a simple thing to do but can have many advantages. Smiling is a great way to break the ice.
5. Stay connected with friends and family.
Travelling gives you the freedom to be on your own, but at the same time, it is recommended that you stay in touch with friends and family. It is a good idea to share a copy of your itinerary with someone back home. Calling someone once in a while to inform them about your well-being is a good idea.
6. Be prepared to spend some me-time.
One of the main reasons that people choose a solo tour is often to spend some quality time with themselves. Even on a group tour, you do not have any obligation to spend time with other travellers if you don’t want to. You can enjoy eating, exploring, shopping, or just sitting around quietly. While doing all this can be pleasurable for some, some of you may find being alone rather daunting. If you wish to enjoy being alone, but not too much, you can always interact more with the people around you.
7. Avoid over-planning.
There are going to be a lot of things and events that happen along your journey that were nowhere on your schedule. Delays, bad weather, and cancellations may affect your plans, but remember that sometimes going with the flow can be the most exciting part of your trip. While being safe is always suggested, taking it easy and not going overboard with the planning can be quite satisfying.
8. Meet the locals.
While you may have enough people in the group, connecting with the locals of the place is important to carry the memories for life. After all, the purpose of travelling is to meet new people and explore places. Talking to the locals can give you a better insight into the country/ city’s traditions and culture. Sometimes the things you learn from locals are far more enriching than from a travel guide.
9. Being flexible will go a long way.
When you travel with a group, it is only possible that suggestions will arise from all directions. While the itinerary is fixed, there are many things that may require you to be flexible and adjust. Being too rigid can easily highlight you as a spoiled sport, which can be a difficult thing when you are part of a group. Try to be patient and enjoy the journey.
10. Be safe.
A holiday is indeed the best way to relax and break the monotony of everyday life, but when travelling alone, you are responsible for your safety. Indulging too much drinking/ other forms of intoxication is something you should surely abstain from. Being alert is the best way to be safe. Looking dazed can easily give the impression that you are vulnerable and ready to be taken advantage of.
11. Get comprehensive travel insurance.
Be it a domestic or an international trip, one of the best tips for travelling alone is to invest in travel insurance . There are many countries where international travel insurance is mandatory. Before you buy one, make sure you understand what is travel insurance, and what is covered under the particular policy. Try opting for a comprehensive policy when travelling alone.
Conclusion
International travel can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it is important to remember that it can bring with it a range of risks and possible hazards. One way to mitigate these risks is by taking out appropriate insurance coverage. Individual travel insurance protects against many unexpected events that may occur when travelling overseas, such as medical expenses, lost or stolen luggage, flight delays and cancellations, legal problems and more.
You have the option of choosing from a wide range of options, as a wide range of travel insurance plans well-suited for different kinds of travellers is available. That's not all, buying a travel insurance policy online makes things all the more simple and easy. So, if you are all set to travel solo with a tour group, make you start by buying comprehensive travel insurance. The right policy will let you enjoy freely even when you are miles away from home.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
RELATED ARTICLES
Are You a Solo Traveller? Here’s Why You Need to Have Overseas Travel Insurance
5 handy tips for solo women travellers
Travel Tips for Solo Travelers
Single trip travel insurance v/s. multi trip travel insurance
How to Process Your International Travel Insurance Claim Right