The Golden Rules of Solo Travel | Cond Nast Traveler – Cond Nast Traveler

The joys of traveling solo are endless. It is freeing to explore new places aloneyou can go where you please, eat when you want, and enjoy quality time with yourself uninterrupted. The interest in solo travel has been slowly rising for a while, in tandem with the desire for deeper, slower, more connective travel. For many, solo travel is the perfect way to achieve thisit provides an opportunity to trust your instinct, go with your gut, and get lost in the experience. You rely on yourself rather than on others whims or desires.

But, if youre not a seasoned solo traveler, it can be a daunting prospect. In an age of constant connectivity, the idea of being alone for an extended period of time is stark. Below, we spoke to travelers who frequently book solo trips about their golden rules for traveling alone.

For most people, the thought of dining alone is one of the biggest barriers to traveling solo. But once you get past the conviction that everyone is noticing or judging you, its a totally freeing experience. Dining alone isnt as uncommon as you might imagine, says Este Lalonde, a creative director and influencer with a passion for solo travel. I personally find it empowering! Sometimes I bring a book with me or watch an episode of my favorite show on Netflix with my headphones on, but other times I just enjoy the atmosphere and end up chatting to the people at the table next to me.

If you are someone who does feel uncomfortable about dining alone, opt for a bar or counter seat. Its much less intimidating than having a whole table to yourself, and you are more likely to end up chatting to the staff or the person sitting next to you. "The first time I went out for a meal alone, I went to JG Melon on the Upper East Side of New York City, Sarah James, Cond Nast Travellers deputy digital editor, says. I took a book, and nervously shuffled onto a bar stool for my burgerbut ended up chatting away to the charming bartender and the women sat next to me. Now I often opt for a counter seat when eating alone, and no longer take a book with me. Either I end up talking to someone or just enjoy the peace. A general rule I live bywe're all so wrapped up in our own lives, no one is paying much attention to other people."

Not only are hostels affordable, but they're also great places to meet fellow travelerswhether they're in the same solo boat as you or not. Many have a cheap bar onsite that allows you to fall into natural conversation with compatriots who may become friends, or at least will have great tips for things to do.

Most people feel nervous about meeting new people, and introverts especially struggle to make the first move when in a new place. But remember that everyone is in the same boat, and most solo travelers will have experienced those same emotions. The first five seconds are the hardest, but once youve introduced yourself, youll quickly realize it wasnt as big a deal as you originally thought. Youd kick yourself if you let a bit of shyness ruin your trip, so use that as the motivation you need to approach a fellow traveler. And remember, if you present with confidence, that will showfake it til you make it is a reliable life rule to follow.

This is a lesson that I learned the hard way after getting pickpocketed in a crowded Jerusalem marketplace, says global digital director Arati Menon, I had stupidly carried all my credit cards and cash with meluckily no passport!in a single wallet and as a result, had no way of paying the hotel bill later that day when I checked out. Now, I always split my cards and cash (and IDs) across various places: wallet, purse, luggageand if possible, store at least one of these in a locked safe back at the hotel.

Remember that a bit of loneliness can be bracing and character-building, says Toby Skinner, Cond Nast Travellers features director. My experience traveling is generally that people are decent, kind and interestingand you found that out most acutely by being alone (whereas everyone leaves couples well alone.) Some of my most memorable travel experiences have been on my ownlike when I was stranded in Nanjing at 2 a.m. by a delayed train in 2001, and a local student let me bunk in his dorm room for the night.

While even the most extroverted of travelers avoid chit chat like the plague on a plane, I have found traveling by train to be a much more social means of transport," says associate editor Hannah Towey. "Last summer, I traveled solo on the Amtrak Coastal Starlight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco and spent the entirety of the 9-hour journey in the communal observation lounge, where fellow travelers rotated in and out, sharing tables and playing cards while admiring the views. As the sun set on the second half of the trip, a few musically-inclined passengers formed an impromptu band complete with an acoustic guitar and mandolin. Word slowly spread and others trickled in from other parts of the train to take turns singing songs in different languages. It might take a few more hours than a flight, but who knows, you might even find the Ethan Hawke to your Julie Delpy and spend a spontaneous evening together in Vienna.

Arriving at a destination just as the locals are gearing up for an important cultural event can be an incredible way to immerse yourself straight away. Look up religious festivals, bank holidays, and street parties to see what time is best to visit and plan accordingly. Youll get a real flavor of the people, the food, and even the music, and you might end up making friends along the way.

As obvious as do your research sounds, its an important step to remember. Look at online forums and speak to people who have previously visited the destination. What safety precautions should you be taking? Is it safe to walk between locations, or is it better to use taxis? Are taxis easy to find? What is the destination's culture like after dark? For women, in particular, it is best to plan ahead to avoid getting stranded in remote neighborhoods after dark.

It can feel daunting waking up in a brand new destination and not knowing where to start, so make sure to create vague itineraries for your trip. What are your non-negotiables in this destination? Any big attractions you want to tick off? Restaurants youve been desperate to try? Beaches youve always wanted to visit? I like to have 3-5 little activities in mind for each day, like visiting a particular store or trying the local cuisine, Este tells us. If you have a bit of direction you can leave space in between each activity to be spontaneous and discover the local area.

Booking tours and group events is a great way to meet other travelers. Most hostels have a list of activities available for guests to sign up for, and if not, then there are walking tours or live music events at local bars. Try to see people as opportunities," Toby advises. I'd build in communal activities to your itinerary and remember that youll probably never see these people again, so you have nothing to lose in almost any interaction and possibly a lot to gainthough there might be a touch of male privilege in that.

Sometimes when I travel to a new place, I can be nervous to leave my bed as a solo traveler, Este admits. As soon as I get outside and start walking I feel betterlike Im part of the city and that I belong there! Exploring by foot is a great way to get to know the bones of a destination. Youll soon create a mental map of the area nearest your accommodation and might stumble upon some hidden gems you wouldnt have come across otherwise.

On that note, try to allow yourself some spontaneity. Having a rough plan is definitely advisable, but dont stop yourself from following your gut if you have a sudden urge to pop into a shop, follow the sound of the crowds or head for the beach. Its often the spur-of-the-moment decisions that result in the best experiences.

Its easy to whip out your phone and rely on scrolling when youre by yourself, and while that is a great way to decompress if youre feeling jittery, there are few things more romantic than settling in at a street-side cafe and getting lost in the pages of a good book.

Journaling has become a popular pastime of late, and keeping a travel journal is a great way to combine the mental health benefits of getting out your thoughts and feelings with the memories and emotions of traveling solo. I find all of that time alone enables me to clear my head, and journaling is a great way to regulate those emotions, Este explains.

Sounds old school, but in lieu of printing out paper copies of all your bank details, phone numbers, and accommodations details, try keeping a document of all your information and emailing it to yourself. This way, if you lose your phone, you can ask the reception of your accommodation or staff at a hotel/restaurant/bar to borrow a phone and log into your email account to access anything you need. Its also worth memorizing your card details and any emergency phone numbers (both personal and local emergency service numbers).

There are plenty of ways to protect yourself when traveling alone. Sharing your location with your friends and family back home is a lovely way to keep in touch without having to actually message themthey can watch your journey from afar and keep track of your whereabouts if you havent contacted them for a while. Remember to bring a padlock for your backpack and lockers if youre staying in hostels, and study basic phrases in the language of your destination, just in case you get lost and need some help.

Theres always something that doesnt go to plan on any trip, and as a solo traveler, youll want to make sure you mitigate any stress that comes from changing itineraries. Buying travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself from any transport cancellations and unforeseen circumstances, and will cover any costs from injuries or thefts. Sounds scary, but itll be worth it if the worst happens!

A version of this story originally appeared on Cond Nast Traveller.

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The Golden Rules of Solo Travel | Cond Nast Traveler - Cond Nast Traveler