Female Planning to Travel alone

Hi, i've wanted to travel for as long as I can remember, however, petrified to go on my own. Few friends ahve said they'd come but when it came to plan etc they dropped out or ecided to settle down... so decided the only way im going to do it.. is if i do it alone.... So help. Where do i start?? I've applied for my working holiday visa but have no idea where to start... What to book etc. Im looking to go after April 2012.. the reason for that is i can't get a career break from work until this point. Please any advice would be extremely grateful.

Hi

I was in the same boat as you last January.....just keep reading through each post and it'll slowly fall into place, try not to put yourself under pressure having answers for everything, just try and take your time and you'll eventually decide what date in April, what route and for how long etc... Might not make sense now but it's exactly what I did. I'm even going with 2 people I have never met on this website so there ya go!

I still have my insurance, backpack, storage of personal stuff etc to sort so I'm having my own panic but its hard to plan everything so far in advance. I only started my vaccinations last night.

Just remember...as petrified as you are, keep reading these posts as you'll notice there are others just as scared. You'll get that excited feeling once you relax into it, it's just because you've bit the bullet and thought i'm doing this, its true why wait around and fro what I've read going solo is just as good as you'll push yourself more and met more peeps. Totally understandable your worry but you'll be fine.

Sorry for ranting, just know how you feel,even I have to calm myself down sometimes as it's overwhelming!

Happy planning!

Hi there

I too am going by myself in Feb 2012 and am really excited! I know it sounds scary going alone, but from what I have read and been told, it is the best way to do it. Just think, no one to hold you back. You do what you want, when you want and don't have to worry whether your friend wants to do it as well. I am sure you will make friends in no time. People are more approachable when the are alone as well so I am sure you will meet plenty of people.

My advice would be to first get your budget sorted, like how much money you have to spend and how long you wish to go travelling for. Then obviously, choose the places you wish to go. Is there anywhere in particular you wish to travel? New Zealand? Oz? Thailand? Then maybe search the internet and book a round the world ticket. There are various companies that do these and will sort everything for you. Or, if you want to be really flexible, just book yourself a one way ticket to your first destination and see where the wind takes you.

Im planning on doing 9 months starting in New Zealand for 1 month, then off to Australia for 2 months, followed by the rest of the time split in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. I can't wait!

The great thing about travelling is that it is your choice. You do what you want to do and go where you want. I am sure you will have a great time and will not regret it!

Hope any of this helps!

Alex

Thank you for IOU comments. I think it's just the getting there, stepping off the plane and been a million miles from home and knowing absolutely nobody. How do I get over that?

the best way is to travel alone, u meet so many more people and its amazing how much confidence it gives you. i travelled austrailia last year, altho my bf at the time joined me things didnt wrk out but i had the most amazing time anyway. if youn need any tips or any contacts just let me know. dont be scared its going to be one of the best experiences of your life :-) xx

Quoting bunt1207

Thank you for IOU comments. I think it's just the getting there, stepping off the plane and been a million miles from home and knowing absolutely nobody. How do I get over that?

Im sure it will be a strange experience at first, especially the realisation that you really are on your own in an unfamiliar place. But if you stay strong, I'm sure you will be over it in a day or two.

Encourage yourself to speak to people and engage in conversation. This should be easy once you get to your hostel or wherever you are staying. There will be plenty of people in the same boat as you and looking to make friends. It will be brilliant to mix with people from different countries and backgrounds, and I am sure you will all get on fine. Once you start making friends, and seeing new sights and taking in the culture, you will wonder what all the fuss was about and will probably wish you did not have to go home!

Don't worry about it, there are loads of people who are having or have had the same concerns as you are having now, myself being one of them! But I know that if I don't go and do it, I will regret it for the rest of my life. The worst case scenario would be that you go and realise you hate it. If this is the case you can simply just book a flight straight back home. At least you will know you gave it a shot. As they say, only regret what you have done, not what you have not done. But I bet it will never come to that, I bet you will end up having the time of your life and realise it was the best decision you ever made!

Alex

Hi

I too, am looking at travelling on my own next year to Europe and a little bit aprehensive, but on the same note, looking forward to it. I think you are doing the right thing - all I can say is be safe and have fun!

Hey!
Im planning my big getaway to Oz at the moment too...and will also be travelling alone! Thinking about it is definitely intimidating and scary but Im gonna go for it. Im looking into flights for January 2012 and am hoping to get some work in Perth and Darwin and then travel around. I really think that once we get there we'll be fine, its just like you said...the part when we actually land there and it hits home that we really are by ourselves is gonna be tough. I read on another blog though that you only need to meet one person and you're no longer alone and in my experience, most of the time strangers will be only too willing to help you. I wish you the very best of luck...its a very brave thing to do, just go for it xx