The pros & cons of solo travelling
“But what are you going to do there all alone?" my Mum asked, perplexed. Five days in Barcelona surely warranted company, but I didn't want any. Travelling solo had become a bit of an escape for me.
I'm not the only one, either. A Travel Trends Report by Trekk Soft found that 'The average monthly search volume for the term “solo female travel” grew by 52% between 2016 and 2017, averaging 2,900 searches between October 2016 and September 2017.'
Why is this even important? Well, it shows a shift in the travel industry and signals to operators and travel companies where untapped consumers are.
That's not to say I don't enjoy going on holiday with family and friends, but since my sabbatical, I've come to really enjoy disconnecting and taking time for myself.
Whenever I tell people I've travelled alone, there's this assumption that it's either a scary or lonely experience, which couldn't be further from the truth.
Barcelona, albeit close to London, was a slightly different experience to the USA. For the first time, I had a language barrier to contend with. Thankfully I remembered enough Spanish to get me by and hearing locals speak definitely jogged my memory back to my school days.
If you're contemplating a solo trip, there are some clear pros and cons – some are obvious, others are more from experience.
The pros
You make all of the decisions
If you're an avid planner like myself, then you'll relish this task. I spent my free time scouring travel blogs, YouTube and Instagram, which proved to be my secret weapon in shaping my five days in Barcelona. Recommendations from people who had previously visited helped a lot too, so be sure to reach out to your friends and network for any tips or advice.
You get a real sense of independence
Without no one else to turn to, you really start depending on yourself and learn how to navigate alone, how to use local transport, observe the best places to eat etc. The less you look like a tourist as well the better. I dressed down and wandered around the local area as soon as I put my bags down to get my bearings, which set me up for the next day.
You're likely to socialise with other people
I can't say I came back with new lifelong friends, but I did encounter people and had conversations I wouldn't have otherwise had if I was travelling with someone else. It was great to hear stories of people moving to Spain, setting up their own businesses and just how the way of life differed compared to their previous homes.
It's good for your wellbeing
Being alone with your own company is something I believe many people struggle with. I'm a social person, but there are times when I crave solitude. It helps me relax and recharge. I also find myself with the time to do things for myself that I wouldn't normally do during downtime at home. I read more, reflect more, and write more.
The cons
You need to stay alert
Being in a new destination alone is thrilling, but you also need to stay vigilant. Lone female travelers can sometimes be a target, so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings. Walk along well-lit, busy roads in the evenings and ensure you have mobile coverage for friends and family to check in with you. I share my location with a couple of people, which allows them to periodically check where I am and, if necessary, send a message to make sure I'm okay.
There’s no one to take photos of you
This might seem like a first-world problem, but my biggest con has to be the challenge of capturing good pictures of myself. Ironically, this can also be a pro because it pushes me out of my comfort zone to interact with unfamiliar people. Fellow tourists are usually willing to help and take a few snapshots of you. There's also a chance you might come across a skilled photographer who knows how to angle and focus your camera to capture that perfect shot – just like I did!
