Ever dreamed of heading out to explore the world? Recent research from ABTA shows that solo travel is becoming more popular, and that might be due in part to the fact that it’s easier than ever before to do so in safety and convenience.
Taking off on your own, whether for a few days or a few months, can be incredibly freeing and rewarding, and you don’t have to cut yourself off from a support network to make the most of it. Here are a few tips to make things easier, so charge up your power pack and let’s go!
Use free Wi-Fi hotspots
If you’re going somewhere where you don’t have access to mobile roaming data (or reliable service), it’s important to know where you can go to connect to the Internet. Many places like cafes, hotels, libraries and even public transport will offer free Wi-Fi connectivity, and it’s worth doing some research before you arrive so that you know where to go in a pinch.
You can also look into renting portable Wi-Fi devices that can give you a connection wherever you need it, or make use of apps like WiFi Map to get a quick look at your options.
Social media and games
There was a time when going off on an adventure would mean saying goodbye to your loved ones for a while – but not anymore. It’s easy to stay in touch with your friends through apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, and you can even come together to play games. Enjoying a round of online bingo together can make borders melt away.
Prepare with offline maps and guides
No matter how easy you anticipate your access to Internet connectivity to be, it’s always wise to plan for every eventuality. Before you arrive, look to download offline versions of maps from providers like Google Maps or Citymapper so that you know you’ll be able to navigate even if you’re without signal or data.
If you know in advance what locations and attractions you’ll be going to, you can plan out specific routes and prevent yourself from feeling any stress or panic about getting there on time.
Travel apps
It’s not just people from home you can stay connected to – it’s now easier than ever to link up with like-minded travellers and locals alike. As well as solo traveller groups on Facebook, you can use apps like Travello to line up day trips and the likes of Couchsurfing to find friendly faces to put you up and show you the real face of your destination.
