NAVIGATE: Solo Travel...Where To Begin

Let me preface this by saying…

I don’t claim to be a travel “guru”, “influencer” or whatever fancy name my generation calls it. My first time stepping on a plane was at the age of 23 and I have more blank space in my passport than not. I’m just a regular girl who wants to see the world and share my experiences with someone who was in the same position as I, not too long ago. 

If you would have asked me 5 years ago, would I go somewhere solo?, the answer would have been a strong NO. But over the years, I grew tired of planning trips with people that never happened and being bored on vacation because my friends only wanted to abuse substances and party. I used to have anxiety about being in an airport by myself, so believe me when I say, I get it. Solo travel can be very intimidating. The thought of being alone in an unknown place can bring on plenty of “what-if’s.” This is especially true when it comes to safety, my biggest concern. 

As a Black woman traveling in America’s current climate, I am much more diligent about researching my destinations than I have ever been. Google-ing and keeping up with current events helps me decide if a particular location is what I deem to be safe. The harsh reality is that things can happen right outside my doorstep. So with that, I found ways to calm those “what-if’s” and began to love moving around alone. Now to be clear, you won’t find me in the backwoods of the South or in a country where women’s rights are lack thereof, with or without a travel companion. I have to be a realist about certain situations.

Let’s start with the basics; get comfortable with being alone in your own city. When was the last time you went to a restaurant by yourself? How about the movies? An art museum? There is a stigma surrounding going out by yourself, but here’s an unpopular opinion; everything does not have to be a shared experience. Have a drink at the bar or catch a matinee; avoid high traffic times if you're not quite ready for that. You’ll soon realize that no one actually cares that you are by yourself. But if you are not comfortable with doing activities alone in a place where you are daily then traveling solo may be a bit premature.

I became comfortable with solo travel by happenstance. My previous employer required frequent travel and after a long day, the last thing I wanted to do was spend my personal time continuing awkward conversations with coworkers, unable to unwind how I needed after a stressful day. So, I would venture off; getting “lost" in the city, finding hidden gems and of course, indulging in food. After realizing that being alone somewhere new wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought, I began to desire for more.

I started small. Most of us know someone that resides in a different state. Go visit them, but let them know they don’t have to clear their schedule to accommodate you. This gives you the opportunity to roam around, even if for a few hours, but still have that comfort of having someone near that you can connect with later. This is my preferred way to travel and was the set up of the majority of my trips this year. If that doesn’t make sense for you then visit a place where you have been before and generally feel comfortable. It’s always best to start with something familiar. 

The best advice I can give about solo travel is to do your research. Look up accommodations, places you want to visit, restaurants, etc. and read the reviews, especially the negative ones. If there is a reoccurring comment then there may be some truth behind it. Also, plan out your transportation method; ride sharing is not popular everywhere and driving in certain places is just…no. I won’t bore you with the generic “Top 10” tips for solo travel because let’s be honest, it’s all about common sense and probably things that you already do daily. Blend in, trust your gut and keep your head on a swivel.