Travel the world alone without expat anxiety

The expat lifestyle is challenging for everyone, even when travelling with friends, a partner or family.  Quite often, making the move to another country can awaken our wanderlust leaving us with a burning desire to explore the world. Which is great, but what if you are lacking a companion or you fancy upping sticks and travelling alone? The simple answer is, the more you prepare the safer you will be. If you’ve been gripped by the travel bug, keep on reading because we’re about to give you some tips on how to travel alone, stay safe and make some fantastic memories.

1. Choose a destination you’re comfortable with

• Choose a destination that you are a 100% comfortable with, it doesn’t need to be the safest place in the world, but you need to be confident that it won’t ruin your trip going there alone. It’s all very well stepping outside your comfort zone, but not if it means you’ll spend most of your trip locked in your room.

2. Buy good international insurance

• As an expat you should already have expat health insurance but you need to check that it will cover you whilst you’re travelling. Whether you are confident or nervous about your solo travel, the right cover is a must. Hopefully you won’t need to use it, but if you require medical assistance or hospital treatment, it could be an extremely costly mistake if you don’t have it. The answer is to spend a little on insurance to save a lot if you need help.

3. Plan your trip thoroughly

• Planning is crucial when traveling by yourself and want to make the most out of your trip. Of course, you can go off track sometimes if you find something interesting, but having a clear plan is the best way to go. Pick solo friendly accommodation that don’t penalize single travelers with fees and make sure they have good reviews. Plan your transport so you can avoid any unnecessary unpleasantness and complications. Pack light and only take the necessities. The more you prepare the less likely you are to be taken in with scams. Remember to leave an itinerary, even if it’s vague, with your friends or family so if the unlikely event that something was to happen to you, it would be easier to track you down.

4. Be proactive

• The proactive, get an early start and try new things. What’s the point of travelling to a new and exciting country only to speak to people who are from your home country and eat in McDonalds every day. Arriving with an open mind, talking to the locals, trying new food and gaining an understanding of local customs will help you see the beauty the country has to offer. Most people will be friendly and helpful, so don’t reach for your phone every time you have a question about something or feel the expat anxiety creeping up on you. When you go to a café or a restaurant, sit at the bar or at a communal table for an opportunity to meet new friends.  It’s also very useful to learn the key phrases in the local lingo as this will make it less likely that you’ll be taken advantage of or get stuck by the language barrier.

5. Take precautions and stay safe

• Travelling alone can be scary and lonely at times, so it’s important that you take some precautions to make sure you feel as safe as you can. First of all, be a little bit low-key, there is no need to flash smartphones, expensive cameras and other possessions around. Do some research before leaving and keep your eyes and ears open when you arrive at your destination, so that you don’t overstep any cultural barriers. Double check with the locals at your accommodation if there are any no-go areas that would be advisable for solo travelers to avoid. Other general tips for staying safe is to always have a portable charger with you so your phone never runs out of power and to stay sober so that you can keep your wits about you and make sure you make it home safe.

Last but not least, always trust your gut feelings. If you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself from it as quickly as possible, there is no need to push your luck.

The final word has to be… remember to have fun! The world’s a big place and it’s yours to explore, with or without a companion.