Solo travel is fashionable today. It is presented as the ultimate Nirvana. Solo travelers (real or fake) think of themselves as elite in a way, putting themselves above the mere mortal travelers who do not have the courage to travel alone.
Magazines, especially those focused on women, are full of taboos associated with traveling solo. They glorify those who claim to travel solo, sometimes even forgetting to verify if the travel was indeed solo.
I have traveled alone all my life. No, this does not mean all my travels were solo, but most were. Having said that, was I choosing to travel solo or I happened to travel solo – it was later more often than not. It happens when your urge to travel is bigger than the urge to travel with someone. It is practically challenging to match the choice of places to visit and dates with the people around you.
I feel pushing the ‘Go Solo’ too far is pushing a very individualistic model of society. Traveling with others demands adjustments, but it can be an emotionally enriching experience to have shared travel experiences.
Given a choice, would I like to travel solo – sometimes yes, mostly no.
What is Solo Travel?
Solo travel means traveling alone to a destination, and exploring it on your own. However, in this age of hyper-connectivity, unless you are heading to a place with no connectivity, there is no way to be absolutely solo. You are connected to your friends and family on million different messenger apps. Maybe You are connected to the rest of the world through instant news. You can reach out to social media if you need help.
Read More – Vagabonding – Art of Long Term Travel
I remember traveling to Bhutan in the pre-smartphone era and I knew that if I am stuck, I have to deal with the situation myself. I did get stuck at the Indo-Bhutan border due to a bandh and I had to find my way. Today, I would pass time watching a film on the phone or talking to friends, or even outraging on social media.
Are we really traveling alone then?
We do meet people on our travels, whom we become friends with, whom we share our meals with or chat up with. They become our fellow travelers for that one trip. When we travel in groups, we may be traveling alone from home, but we are not really alone.
Solo Travel – 10 Reasons Not To Travel Alone
So, after years of traveling and writing about travel, here are a few solid reasons for not traveling alone.
Enjoying the Food Vs Filling Your Tummy
Believe me, it is not fun eating alone for a long duration of time. Once in a while, you enjoy eating all by yourself, but not always. I can enjoy my breakfast all by myself, a cup of tea in one hand and a newspaper in the other, keeps me engaged.
Maybe, the anticipation of what I plan to see through the day keeps me occupied. Lunch is usually on the go, more to fill the stomach than to sit back and enjoy a meal. Tea stops are fun places to interact with the locals and local culture, the best places to see how the place interacts.
Read More – Traveling In, Travelling Out Ed by Namita Gokhale
In the evenings, I yearn to share my day with someone. I hate to sit alone and eat. Especially, when I am staying at luxury hotels and I am being pampered, it is much better if I have someone to enjoy it with.
Not to miss the fact that portions are usually too large for a single person and most restaurants refuse to give smaller portions, even if you tell them to.
Food has to be enjoyed, especially when you are trying new cuisines in new locations. You have to react to the new sensations on your tongue. It is easier done when you have someone sitting opposite you.
Washroom
I know a washroom is a place where you always go alone. However, when you travel solo, you have to take your handbag or whatever you are carrying with you inside the washroom along with you. I cannot tell you how much I can do without that.
Most toilets do not come with hooks where you can hang your heavy bags containing laptops, cameras, kindles, and what not. Not often one carries something that can be easily hung on a hook. The surfaces of washrooms are obviously the last place where you want to park your luggage. I have yet not learned the art of holding it in my hands or on my back and using the washroom.
My most comfortable washroom visits are the ones where I can leave everything with my trusted companion, without worrying about what it might touch, and from where it may fall.
Single Supplements
Many places charge single supplements or simply put you end up paying more for traveling solo. As a woman traveler, I often book better hotels and transportation when I travel alone, as psychologically it adds a layer of security for me.
Many costs get spread across people like cabs, food, and guides. As a solo traveler, it all comes to you.
Boring Evenings
I am not a night person. On my travels, I like to start early for multiple reasons. Morning is a good time to take photographs. I like to see the places getting up before they wear their masks for the day. It is the most peaceful time of the day. Above all, I like taking a morning walk.
By the time it is dark, I like to be back at my hotel or wherever I am staying. I am tired by that time and I have no inclination toward typical nightlife activities unless there is a night market to explore. So, I am usually all by myself, full of all-new observations, and new experiences that as a natural instinct you want to share.
Missing conversations
I have innumerable accounts of conversations with people I meet during my travels. They could be guides, drivers, tea stall owners, temple priests, random fellow travelers, or people you know through social media. These conversations are highly educative, but they stay a lot formal unless you meet a few times.
At the end of the day, you want to talk to someone who knows what you mean without the need to explain it. Someone to have a cup of tea with or a late-night coffee maybe. Someone to share a pizza with or just laugh at funny things you saw during the day. It is easier to laugh with people you know well.
Shopping Partner
I am not a big shopper. In fact, I hardly shop apart from picking up some destination-specific books. However, a lot of times I do not shop because I don’t enjoy shopping alone, especially for my wardrobe. You want someone to suggest, validate what you choose, and help you decide. Haggling during shopping is more fun with friends.
That is why despite so many trips to Varanasi, only once I have bought a Banarasi Sari, when I was with a dear friend.
Missing Family & Guilt
When you travel, you do miss your family and your better half. There are times when I really wished he was with me. I remember when I stood at the Buda side of Budapest overlooking the lovely Danube lit with bridges connecting it to Pest, I almost had tears in my eyes.
There have been times when I felt guilty about traveling alone, even when I know I am traveling alone because my urge to travel is more than anyone else’s urge to travel.
No Shared Memories
Travel memories are the most precious memories most people have. They like to go back and talk about what they did in the places they visited. If you travel alone, it is all in your head and no one can relate to it. People may hear your stories out of politeness, but to enjoy them, they have to be a shared experience.
Lately, I also realize that travel is a great way to bond with family and friends and to create memories that you would cherish for a long time.
Safety
Most people think Safety to be one of the biggest concerns for not traveling alone. My experience does not say so. As long as you follow the general rules of safe travel, you are safe. Safety issues for solo or couple travelers are not very different.
Read More – Travel Safety Tips for Solo Travellers
Getting Sick or Meeting an Accident
This is a no-brainer. A medical emergency though can happen in a group too, but chances are that someone would be there to take charge of the situation. Falling sick can really make you feel helpless while traveling. In fact, Good Health is the only thing you need to travel well.
Read for – Stay fit and Travel More
No photos
I have done 10-15 days trips alone and come back with almost no photo of mine. I know you can take selfies. However, nothing matches a well-framed photo with the destination clearly visible in the backdrop. You need some such photos for memory’s sake.
Even when I have handed over my camera or phone to someone on the road to take a photo, rarely has someone clicked a good image. They have no skin in the game, they are just being good humans by doing you a favor.
Find yourself a trusted partner – you are blessed if it happens to be your spouse or partner. A best friend as a traveling partner is good fortune. A travel group that can find you willing partners to travel with, with matching interests is a gift. Treasure them.
