Things to know for your first solo backpacking trip
So you’re entertaining the idea of going on a solo backpacking trip… you’re in the right place! If you’re looking for someone to convince you, look no further! And even if you’re not hoping to solo travel but just travel in general, these things will be helpful to you.
I could sit here and tell you all the wonderful, amazing, fantastic, unreal things about solo backpacking, and I will over the next few posts. Butttt I’m also going to keep it real with you and say it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Just because I did it doesn’t mean I wasn’t scared as F*%#.
I’m not going to lie to you. I started to freak out before my first solo trip. In the months leading up to it, I was chillin’. I was making bags at my bartending job, enjoying the Minnesota summer, and getting excited about my plan to go back to explore Europe. When people would say to me, “You’re going ALONE?” I just said “Yep!” Unphased.
That last week before you leave is crunch time. All those things you thought “Ehhh I’ve got plenty of time to do that” you don’t have so much time to do anymore. It’s when you make sure you’ve got everything in order. You check that you’ve bought everything you need, you face the daunting task of packing (my enemy), and you start saying goodbye to friends and family.
About a week before my departure date, I remember sitting down to eat a nice meal I just prepared and all of a sudden losing my appetite completely. I was hit by a wave of anxiety with thoughts of every warning anyone had ever said, every possible thing that could go wrong, and the fact that I was a person with crippling anxiety going to a different continent alone for an extended period of time.
I feared that I could get robbed or assaulted or snatched. I feared loneliness and that the only person I had was myself. I feared the length of time I would be gone. I feared being in a completely different culture and sticking out like a sore thumb. Those were fair fears.
I’m going to tell you, every one of those fears were challenged/addressed while I was away. Either by not happening or by learning that whatever happens, I’ll figure it out. Once I actually got to Europe, my mindset changed. Anytime something unfortunate happened I was just like “Aw man. Shit happens. Whatever. I’ll figure it out. I always do.”
I wasn’t assaulted or robbed and took extra precautions to prevent that. I did get lonely, but never for long. I was constantly surrounded by new people and new adventures and it wasn’t long before I shook it off. All those things I feared, I faced. I learned that they weren’t the big scary monster I had played them up to be. Shit happens and I always figure it out.
When my dad dropped me off at the airport, I thought I was going to cry. I thought I was going to get scared. But really, I just felt this wave of calm. I had this knowing that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I just knew this is what I needed to be doing at that time.
In reflection, there are a few things I’m really glad I did and some that I would do differently next time…
Things I’m Glad I Did
Travel insurance
Just do it. It’s so inexpensive and you never know what could happen. I used mine! If you’re going to cut corners, don’t do it here.
Brought cash in the local currency
It’s always a good idea to have some cash. I had to pay for my week in a hostel in cash after I walked a mile to get there…I’m very glad I had it on hand.
Booked a hotel for my first 3 nights
This gave me a bit of time to get acclimated, sort myself out, and adjust to the time change before jumping into the adventure. I totally freaked out when I got there and having a place of my own to ~cry & panic~ with a door to lock was nice. It was also very helpful because my luggage got lost and I had a solid address and hotel staff to help me sort that out.
Travel apps
There are some that I LIVED by and it helped a lot with booking transportation & accommodation.
Stayed in hostels
So much fun. It’s like going back to Freshman year of college in the dorms but 1000x better. It’s how I met people!
Check on visa requirements…then check again
You don’t want to get in trouble with this one.
Wrote down emergency info & left it at home
I wrote down a page of all my passwords and tucked it away in a drawer in my dresser back home. That way I knew that if I ever got my phone stolen, laptop broke, bank account hacked, etc. I could ring up my dad and have access to my accounts.
I also wrote down the names & numbers of the people I talk to most. My closest friends, family, & my boss. I sent a picture of it to them. It’s always best to make sure your loved ones will have people to contact if they’re concerned. If one person hadn’t heard from me, maybe someone else had. Again, this could also be helpful for me if my phone had been broken, lost, or stolen and then I could contact my closest people to let them know I’m alive.
Shared my location
This gave my parents peace of mind more than anything. It’s just good practice, especially as a woman traveling alone, that someone knows where you are.
Bought a flexible ticket
I had peace of mind knowing I wasn’t stuck anywhere and coming home early wouldn’t put me out $600. I thought, “Okay 6 weeks is a long time, but if I’ve had enough after a month I can just come home. No problem.
It’s funny because I ended up using this to extend my trip an extra 2 weeks.
Texted my parents where I was going next
It takes 5 seconds. They’re already mad worried about you, help them out a bit. If you can remember, do it. (sorry mom + dad for all the times I forgot)
Had a flexible itinerary
This allowed me to stay places as short or long as I wanted and even explore some places I never planned on going! Some destinations on my list had horrible weather at the time I planned to go, so I was glad I hadn’t booked anything and could just chase the sun somewhere else.
Made sure I was aware of any and all scams or threats, the safety level of the country, and made myself aware of cultural practices.
This wasn’t too big of a deal where I went this time, but in some other countries it’s super important that you’re aware of dress codes, religious practices, etc. Being culturally unaware/ignorant could get you in some serious trouble.
“Alexa Safety” shared Google Drive
Here I uploaded my uber info, accommodation, taxi driver license plate, flight/bus/train info, etc.
This way I wasn’t constantly blowing up my loved one’s phone with this info but it was in a tucked away place that they could access if they needed to.
Practiced the language of the place I was going
By no means did I become conversational, I just learned a few basic words and key phrases. It helps you navigate and feel more comfortable. I also think it’s just a respectful thing to do rather than expect everyone to speak my native language.
Saw my people before leaving
I know, all in all, 6 weeks (ended up being 8) isn’t that long. But if something were to happen, I’m glad I saw my peeps. I missed them a lot while I was gone so tending to those relationships & still checking in while I was away helped combat that loneliness.
Arrive during the daylight
I tried to only book flights and such when I would arrive during the day. Finding a hostel in a city and country you’ve never been to before, at night, with 15 kilos on your back…super not fun. And also, super not safe! It may be cheaper to fly at a less convenient time, but to me, sometimes the extra $$ are worth my peace of mind.
There were a few times I arrived at night and I had to “fake it till I made it” with the confidence and lack of fear thing. Ultimately, I’d advise against it. One time I ended up running into my friend Poh Chuen at the airport (more to come on that story), but he walked me to my hostel and made sure I got checked in safely. Shout out to Poh Chuen! Such a gem.
Things I’d do differently in the future
I LOVE my first solo backpacking experience. I loved it so much so that I KNOW there will be many more in the future. But that’s not to say I did everything right. There was some money & time wasted & I got myself into a few pickles. Funny pickles in retrospect, but not so funny at the time. Here’s what I’d do differently:
Research the places I was going
It’s so much more enriching when you know the history and top things to do in a certain destination. I could have done a better job at doing this for some of the places I went.
Drank $2 LIDL wine
Just…don’t. My savings on the wine cost me extra in accommodation. I had to stay in a hotel so I could be ill in private with a bed I didn’t have to climb a ladder to get into. Splurge on the $10 bottle and thank me later.
Use my little black book
Before my first big travel, my sister gave me a little black notebook with the idea that you have other people fill it up for you. Ask each person you meet/spend time with to contribute. They can write a note, share a travel story, sign their name, draw a little picture, or whatever they want. It’s the ULTIMATE souvenir. Kicking myself that I didn’t do this.
Jumping around different climates in one trip
I started on a Greek island and ended in snowy Bavaria. These are entirely different wardrobes.
How I packed my airplane bag
My luggage got lost and all I had was a plush avocado and a phone charger but no adapter. No toothbrush, no underwear, no change of clothes. DO THIS DIFFERENTLY. What I recommend now is a small reusable bag, super easy to roll up that then you could use as a grocery bag, beach bag, whatever, or a little daypack with some earbuds, a change of clothes, underwear and socks, toothbrush, medications, chargers+ adapters.
Going out alone [certain times]
Obviously, since you’re solo traveling, you’re going to need to do things alone. Some places or times you just need to make a judgment call to not go out alone. I’m a big “independence, don’t let fear hold you back, don’t NOT do things just because you’re alone” typa gal, but avoid going out at night alone. Did I do it sometimes? Yep. Was it smart? No, not really.
If you’ve read this far it likely means you’re considering going on a solo venture of your own. In that case, I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU. All in all, solo traveling has changed me and how I view life. Don’t let the nerves stop you. GO.
