A man alone in the beach
While it’s wonderful to share a special trip and new experiences with friends, a partner, or family, there’s a compelling case for travel alone from time to time. Solo travel can work for anyone, whether you’re single, in a relationship, extroverted, or introverted, and here are 9 good reasons why you should try it. This entry is a re-post from lifehack.org since I found this one pretty awesome and on the spot! Enjoy reading.
1. Simple logistics
It can be challenging to coordinate a trip and time away from work with another busy person in your life, and it’s even more difficult when you try to make plans with a group. Usually, these challenges can be overcome by simply planning far in advance, but if you find yourself with some down time and you can’t find a travel partner on short notice, it may be the perfect time to pack your bags and go anyway.
2. Work on your bucket list
Is there something you’ve been dying to try that no one is willing to try with you? Maybe you’d like to go skydiving over the Grand Canyon, see ancient Mayan ruins, or simply eat real Maine lobster. When your partner and friends don’t share every one of your interests, that’s OK, but it’s not OK to sacrifice your dreams, especially when all you have to do is get there.
3. You’re great company
If you rarely spend significant time alone, you may be surprised at how enjoyable it can be. When was the last time you truly listened to only your thoughts and entertained only your dreams? Depending on the destination, a solo trip can be a powerful, introspective, life-changing experience. Imagine sitting on a peaceful beach at sunset or taking an invigorating morning hike without having to make conversation with anyone.
4. Meet new people
If you’re a born extrovert, traveling alone can be a wonderful way to meet locals and make new friends. Often, people who are alone appear more approachable to others. Before you know it, you could be chatting with some interesting folks at a sidewalk cafe or even joining a group of like-minded people for yoga on the beach. The key is to keep an open mind while keeping safety in mind, especially in a foreign land. Chances are, when we travel alone, we also meet another traveller who is alone who would seem to be really interesting.
5. Do everything you want and nothing you don’t want
Have you ever been hesitant to do that half-day at the spa you were longing for because you felt bad leaving your travel partner with nothing to do? When you travel alone, you are not obliged to entertain anyone but yourself. If you want to “waste” the day sitting at an outdoor bar drinking mojitos instead of sightseeing, you won’t have to answer to anyone.
6. It’s empowering
If traveling makes you a better, smarter person, then traveling alone makes you super-better and super-smarter. For any of you who may feel uncomfortable even sitting alone at a diner to have breakfast, taking a trip by yourself might seem daunting. Once you take the plunge and get over your fears, you’ll feel a sense of empowerment. A successful solo vacation can inspire you to tackle even more things in life you’ve been afraid to try.
7. Great service
For some reason, service at hotels and restaurants seems better when you’re traveling single. People tend to admire those who travel solo, and it’s possible that when you make it known, you could be in for a sweet room upgrade or a cocktail “on the house”.
8. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
I don’t suggest you spend every vacation opportunity away from your partner, but doing so once in a while can be refreshing for a couple. When you set the precedent in your relationship that it’s OK to pursue individual interests, trust is enhanced. Coming home to your partner after a solo trip can remind each of you why you dig each other in the first place. As a bonus, if you find a favorite place when you’re alone, you can always bring your sweetie along another time.
9. No drama
Sometimes, when you’re single, you wait until you’re dating someone before you take a vacation away, and these trips can either make or break a fledgling relationship. If things don’t go well, the entire trip can be a miserable, drama-filled time you’d love to forget. When you get good at traveling alone, you can stop waiting for “someone” to take on vacation. Instead, you can continue to go alone until someone really worthy comes along to help you make some brilliant new memories.
Now, let me ask you, WHY WOULD YOU PREFER TO TRAVEL ALONE?
(special thanks to lifehack.org – http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/9-reasons-why-you-should-travel-alone.html)
The Travel Monster 
Great post! I can totally relate. I am on a 4-month sabbatical in Europe right now – alone! It certainly has pushed my comfort zone to new levels – different language, different home, different time zone, no car, but it’s an adventure and I’m loving it! Cheers! Deborah
Hi Deborah.. Wow that is definitely awesome! Euro Trip would be every traveler’s dream, and to travel alone in Europe with varied languages is brave. Hope you have a fantastic journey in Europe! Looking forward to more of your posts
I’ve traveled quite a bit locally and abroad–I often think that one day I would like to try it solo and I keep telling me, myself and I that we will indeed do so one day 🙂 —but I do tend to feel a little lonely in a country that is not the easiest when trying to find some form of mutual grounds for communication—I can get by in many European places, but some of the slavic regions can be tricky –thank you for sharing and encouraging me to continue with the dream 🙂
I appreciate your post Julie. Yes, you should definitely try traveling solo some day soon, I think it would really push you to your limits, and of course, there are moments when you would just wanna be all by yourself, reflect on things that happened in your life, and meet new people. In my case, ill be going to Siem Reap and Thailand beaches alone soon. Of course, it is still beautiful to travel with family.. Its priceless 🙂
Great post! I love(d) travelling solo, did my first solo trip from Australia to New Zealand when I was 23 and never looked back. Met my (now) husband on a solo trip through Europe 2 years ago and now the two of us are about to embark upon a trip around Australia. I certainly won’t be travelling solo again any time soon (which has it’s own bonuses), but I’m glad I did when I had the opportunity!
That is a great story! I literally smiled like this – 🙂 while reading your post. That is truly inspiring for singles out there. Lol. Like what they say you will never know what to expect when you travel solo..you can even find love. 🙂 so happy for you. Next thing would be traveling together with your daughter and son. that would be lovely. You both have a wonderful journey! Cheers
I just talked to one of my husband’s students who had not traveled much but took a couple of weeks after an internship in Ireland to go to Europe. What he loved was meeting other students in hostels and sharing the time with people with similar interests. I would never have the nerve to do it. . . ..I am sure it is generational. Keep travelling….. namaste. . . .Anne Go to Incredible India! Many thanks for the follow!
Yeah, it really depends on the person if he/she wants a companion or none. Traveling alone or with someone have its advantages and disadvantages. The primary thing youll get when traveling alone is meeting new people, that is for sure. Thank you Anne for commenting. I appreciate it. Namaste!
Interesting and thought provoking…thank you .. . . .namaste . . .. Anne
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No worries anne. Ill be visiting your wonderful blog 🙂
En realidad, es mejor, pero para la mayoría de ocasiones, teniendo un compañero sería mucho más fácil. pero si te gusta la aventura, entonces viaja solo iba a estar bien
Eso es correcto, pero de vez en cuando quieres viajar solo. Have a good day and keep safe on your travels.
This is so true! I traveled round Asia last Summer with my two sisters, and by the end of it I ended up not speaking to one of them for about 3 months afterwards, and things are still tense between us.
But I went to South Africa solo this Summer and I can honestly say I have never ever had a better experience. Met so many awesome new people, and now I really can’t see myself going back to traveling with people..who knows, maybe one day this will change..maybe..
Hi Anna, your post is much appreciated. Actually I do enjoy traveling with my family, but sometimes, due to clashes of personalities, a travel adventure with someone would be problematic. In my case, I have different wants and likes when I go to a particular country, like I wanna try some extreme sports and stuffs, go to bars etc., but of course my family don’t really feel it. So traveling alone, just by your own would make you feel so free, do things you haven’t done in your life yet, giving you some things to remember forever. I hope things between you and your sister would be better. Happy traveling!!
Great and inspiring post! :-9
Hi Dina thanks so much! 🙂 Im happy you liked it
Good one. It’s concise, unpretentious, and very pragmatic. A pinch of humour was in there as well. I like your style.
Hi Martin, I appreciate this. All the best, Cheers!
Reblogged this on a journey of sorts… and commented:
An excellent post. Here’s to those who take their dreams, and fondness for discovery and exploration and make it happen. Perhaps you should read through these and adopt your own adventure plan. I have mine.
Thanks so much! 🙂
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I like your post because so much of it’s true. I am the queen of solo traveling! I enjoy my own company but it makes me more accessible to approach for conversations from other solo travelers or wait staff in restaurants. Thanks for visiting my site and liking, ‘Meet me at the Corner Restaurant’. Also, welcome aboard as a new follower of my site. Thank you and I hope you enjoy my future posts.
Hi thanks! I appreciate it 🙂 Traveling alone is quite nerve wracking at first, but when you get used to it, you will really enjoy it and might try it again and again. I am looking forward to more articles from you as well. 🙂 Happy blogging!
I love this post and can so relate to it. I have travelled with friends and family and that’s great because it takes me to places I may not have thought of visiting before. But personality differences arise and let’s face it, I am just plain moody, lol! Recently, when my husband was away for a month, I decided to take the plunge and travel on my own, and it was such a liberating experience! I especially can relate to #3, because after a year of going back and forth on this, I finally decided to attend a Vipassana session in Chennai, India. That solitude was a gift to myself and I enjoyed those 10 days to myself, which brings me to # 8. Absence DOES make the heart grow fonder! That month I had to myself was a great reminder of what my husband and I share. Thank you for this post, I’ll be sharing this with a few friends =)
Cool! I was smiling while reading your post because it is really insipiring and I am sure that experience of yours would also inspire others to travel on their own. It is really great to travel alone once in a while because the time with yourself is just priceless. And like what you said, when you are away from loved ones, it also makes the heart grow fonder, so by that, it really adds spice to our life when we travel alone. It makes our lives more unpredictable, and not just doing the same things over and over. And to top that, we really learn a lot fro the experience and makes us get out of our comfort zones
Was out of town, so I’ll reply now! Yes, exactly, and what’s more, I was so inspired by your post, I forwarded to three of my friends who sometimes get a little down when they travel on their own. So, I sent this post as encouragement =) Thanks, Ron!
Great positive comments and could also apply to anyone who may have lost their partner and are left wondering if they can do it alone. I think anyone who travels solo is very brave – it would be a bit scary the first time, I think…..
Im actually quite scared for my Thailand-Cambodia backpacking but well, it would give me much more learning experiences in life. And yes, it is perfect for those who have lost their partner or who have broken up with their partner. 🙂
So right. I do like the Nine Commandments. I hope they’re set in stone.
Haha. Thanks for visiting Roger. 🙂
Nice article here. But i dont want traveling alone, scared 😉
Haha, same feeling. Guess we are not brave enough. But I do have some friends, who like to travel alone. Guess once you done it, you will like it and repeat to travel alone.
Yes, you nailed it. Once youve done it, you would repeat it all over..
Hi RonEvan, thanks for visiting and following my blog, and thanks for sharing this great list. It’s great to travel with friends or family when they have the same time off, the same interests, and the same budget, but often we don’t have those things in common. I’ve had a fantastic time on my solo trips, and I’m very happy that I’ve discovered the joys of camping alone. I couldn’t find out where you’re located, but it looks like you’re in Asia? Happy Travels!
Yes, right now I’m here in Asia. Thanks Ellen for that insightful comment. Indeed, it is really great to travel with family and friends because it makes the bond stronger. But solo trip can be very rewarding for ourselves. All the blessings and have safe travels!
Ron
Love this! I just moved to a new country for a year and have already made so many new friends from all different cultures. I plan on traveling a lot with them but also on my own as well.
Another thought – for those times you do travel with others, I find it’s always good to spend a day or afternoon apart and pursue your own interests. Then you can meet up for dinner and swap stories!
Thanks Rachel. I appreciate your ideas as well.. Traveling alone is really priceless, but to be honest, it also gives a certain amount of joy traveling with people most especially when you enjoy their company. Me as well, when I travel with someone, I find some time to find some time alone – just simply going to a mall, or a park in that country that I am visiting would do. Happy traveling!
Thanks for the follow! I”m excited to read more of your blog. This post was very insightful–I want to travel and I”m torn between traveling with my partner and/or by myself. It would be more challanging to travel solo, but it’s nice to read the benefits of solo travel!
awesome post! I’m traveling solo to Japan in two days. Everyone thinks I’m crazy. They’re the crazy ones for not trying something new ;-D
That is so right. To each his/her own. You will not regret traveling alone
Yes… I do now think i’llbe ok travelling alone 🙂
Haha, thats good!
Thanks for following my blog “longitudes.” I just did a solo hike on the Appalachian Trail, so I can relate to all that you say here. Thanks again!
Really enjoyed your post. I am an introverted trainer so traveling alone has been my bread and butter for several years in the states. Several months ago I was offered the opportunity to go to the Philippines for 6 weeks and I am currently 4 weeks into that trip. I love to travel and when things scare me I tend to hold my breath and make myself jump in – I don’t want to miss opportunities because I was afraid to grab them with both hands. Traveling abroad alone was definitely one of those hold your breath situations. I am the one that feels weird eating alone in a restaurant. But I have come to enjoy the chance to live a different life and be part of a culture different than my own and do things alone I never would have if I was home. I really enjoyed your post and found myself laughing and nodding my head throughout. Here is to another 2 weeks in the Philippines and my own personal side trips to Bangkok and Hong Kong. If you haven’t traveled because no one can go with you, don’t let that stop you! You can be your own best traveling companion 👜.
Thanks for sharing! I definitely love your statements as well as I really agree on all your points. I myself enjoyed traveling with friends and family, it is really fun since you get to share the experience with them. However, the turning point was when i travelled alone (just locally), and I dont know, though i felt alone (a feeling that i dont like since when I was studying), I felt responsible for myself, and a bit stronger. Those were the moments that I just care about myself and nothing else. I understand your feelings that it is really awkward eating in a restaurant alone, walking alone with no friends with you but it is quite fulfilling in the end – when you got home and realized “I just did all that?” Philippines is lovely and hope you are enjoying your days. You ask me if you have questions about Philippines.
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it can indeed be empowering
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