traveling alone .... worries ....
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Mar 22, 2012 12:38 PM Last Post By: neverwinter
jump to
traveling alone .... worries ....
I am hopeing to go traveling in 2013 (still saving up)I will be traveling alone, by that time i will be 21 , female on my own,
I just want advise as I am hesitant to go on my own and a little scared because I have not been on my own
(still unsre where to go)
but any advice / experience or tips would be grate and any advice on the best way to go about travelig for the first time alone.
I think my main worrie is if anything happend like i got realy ill because I wouldnt have anyone to rely on
also I dont have anyone in the UK that would help me if i needed it when away traveling (Parents seperated but didnt actually want kids so they do as little as possible for me :s)
Any advice and tips would be grate , places i have been looking into so far are newzealand, australia and canada (working holidays)
1
Do a search and you'll find plenty of posts dealing with this issue all telling you the same thing about how you'll plenty of people to travel with and should just go for it. If you're feeling nervous you could start with a short 2 week tour just to get you rolling and then head on off by yourself afterwards. In these 2 weeks you'll learn that the world is not that scary dangerous place, you'll also meet travellers who will have already gone off by themselves and will have plenty of tales to tell which will reassure you. It's normal to get a little nervous before you go travelling. Heck, even when you've already been travelling alone in the past you get a little nervous before heading out by yourself again the next time, at least for a few trips, but you'll always just get into the flow and realise there was nothing to be worried about.2
hivery common for first time long term travellers to have a few nerves and second thoughts....it can be a daunting prospect. you need to stop thinking about all the negatives and what if's, focus on all the great things that are bound to happen....seeing new places, amazing sites, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people from all over the world. dont be worried about going it alone...there will be hundreds if not thousands of other travellers travelling alone all looking for travel partners....if you are any way socialable meeting people will not be problem. Hostels are the best place to meet people, before you depart i suggest doing some research and book a well recommended and popular hostel for 3 or 4 nights to give yourself a few days to settle in and meet people. In terms of you saying you will have no one to help you out if things dont work out for you......have enough money saved and if possible stash some emergency money away just in case...also paying for decent travel insurance is a must.
NZ, OZ and Canada are the 3 most popular working holiday destinations for english speakers so again plenty of potential travel partners there.
hope this helps a bit
ger
3
If you are utterly terrified, follow #1's suggestion...in Ireland. If that seems absurd or condescending ("Too close!" "It's not that different!" etc.), you are psychologically ready to go further from home. Make sure you are properly insured.Also, it is your travel. There is no global backpackers' authority that will condemn you if you decide, after 2-3 weeks, that you're homesick and you want to return to a more familiar place. Last, if you plan on a year-long stay in 1 country, do some research on "culture shock" so you understand what is going on if it happens to you.
4
come to Sydney and book into one of the better backpacker hostels for a few weeks to kick off..you wont be lonely for long..
5
Hi,We really should get some of these responses turned into a sticky or something, your worries are very common, and questions regarding this exact issue are 100 a penny on the TT.
You will be absolutely fine, and with common sense precautions you will be absolutely safe too!
I have travelled half way round the world and back for long periods at a time (and some short), and have done it almost always alone, I think it is absolutely the best way to travel, and have met many many others, both male and female, doing the same.
Travel insurance is essential, if you get sick, that is what will cover you, not family back home. Also, have an extra budget for an 'emergency' (ie a ticket back home) if needs be, over and above your travel budget. These two things will do a lot to reassure you when you go.
6
Hi Jade,I'm in the same boat as you but a bit further ahead with my plans (and my age :-( ). I'm taking a years career break, booked my ticket and am now nervous. But I know in my heart (as you will do too) that it is more scary to not go away and to give up on your dreams. You just need to remember why you want to go away and although it is daunting, the excitement of seeing new places, people, culture etc is so much more appealing and should hopefully overcome all negative thoughts.
I've never backpacked before but plan on going in September for just under a year and I think being nervous is a totally natural response to something that takes us away from our comfort zone of our day-to-day lives. But they are also what awakens us from exactly that and prompts us to make a change, enjoy planning and researching where you want to go and just remember what prompted you to do it in the first place...
7
I have recommended this movie several times here on the Thorn Tree, especially for solo world travelers. (I just loved the movie, and have no connection with the film, by the way.)Anyhow, it's called A Map for Saturday, and it's a documentary about long-term solo travel. Seriously, see this film!
http://www.amapforsaturday.com/
11
I rarely buy DVDs/Blurays, but I did buy 'A Map For Saturday' and have watched it 3 times and also lent it to friends. If you can afford it, I think it's worth buying. It's also a good way to make non-travellers understand that backpacking around the world is not some irresponsible dangerous thing to do.13
if you get ill (and you will if you are away a long time, even just a cold) it doesn't mean you have to up sticks and go home. You carry the basic medications with you so you don't have to go find a chemist for the cold medicine or stomach medicine, and if you feel rough you book into a single room in a comfy hostel until you are better. You make sure you have enough money to do this.if it is really bad, that is what travel insurance is for, and they have 24 hour helplines for advice and assistance.
no-one should be relying on Mummy and Daddy anyway if they are on the other side of the planet - it is called 'independent travel' for a reason. Remember that where you go on holiday is up to you; if you want go somewhere nearer, that is quite all right. You can always leave the big trip until later in life, anyone who says you'll never get another chance is quite wrong.
good luck.
