Independent Travel
Facing the World Alone by Traveling Independently… but Smartly!
Student travel while abroad is a huge temptation. Student travel is not only a memorable experience, but can be an empowering and life-changing experience if you are traveling alone.
Independent travel is more popular with study abroad participants than any other group of travelers because most study abroad students go to a foreign country without having close ties with the other students in their program. Whereas you can make friends abroad with the people you study abroad with, sometimes participating in independent travel can be one of the most worth-while experiences you do.
Preparing for Traveling Alone
Many things should be considered when planning a solo travel experience. First, research current events in the study abroad location you are traveling to. Make sure there is nothing going on that will negatively affect tourism. Only participate in solo travel to well-known developed countries; places that have a high tourism rate like Florence, London, or Paris. Along with being safer, these places will most likely have independent travel deals that will make your travels more affordable.
Talk to your study abroad supervisor and tour companies about where they recommend traveling alone. STA Travel is a good source for student travel, but also check out tour companies specific to solo travel, listed below.
Always remember to have your proper documents ready: a passport, ISIC card and drivers license are all well respected forms of photo ID that might be needed when traveling alone.
Know the transportation available in the location you are visiting. If trains are the most popular form of transportation, but maybe not the safest for independent travel, stick to taxis. Know what to expect and your trip will be empty of unwanted surprises.
Solo Travel Safety
Safety is the most important facet of traveling alone. Make sure you take in account your surroundings wherever you go, including the people who are around you. These tips are from SoloTravel.org, a site dedicated to solo travel:
- 1. When taking cabs from an airport to your hotel, travel in the more expensive airport taxis and ensure that the drivers have official identification.
2. When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go with a cab recommended by the hotel.
3. Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night.
4. Travel in a group if possible if you are going somewhere considered dangerous.
5. Keep your valuables hidden.
6. Avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourist would be expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide.
7. Read the guide books and talk with other tourists to find out which areas are best avoided.
8. When leaving discos late at night take a taxi home no matter how close your hostel is. Outside most discos you’ll find a street vendor selling cigarettes. Usually these people know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.
9. When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan and stay in the hostel that you have decided on. Don’t let the taxi driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he knows a cheaper and better one. He’ll be working on commission and the hostel probably won’t be in a safe part of town.
10. Don’t wear expensive looking jewelry.
11. On public transport have your day pack close to you at all times, preferably with the straps around your legs or padlocked to the luggage rack. On buses your backpack will normally go outside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggage compartments. On long distance buses ask for a receipt for your bags. On short rides just keep a careful eye out each time the bus stops to off-load bags.
12. If the pavements are really crowded, especially in market areas, walk in the road.
13. If you suspect someone is following you, stop and stare them in the eye until they go. If you really get a bad feeling about a place, go with your first instincts and leave. Bag slashing is rare nowadays but for added safety you can wear your day pack on your chest.
14. When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo or just to sit in a café, remember to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also won’t forget it! This is the most common type of theft – tourists forgetting bags in cafes and on returning to ask if anyone has seen it, you’ve guessed it, it’s gone.
15. Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day trips or longer tours. Obtain a receipt not just for your money belt/wallet etc. but for its contents, with each item listed.
Independent Travel Tour Operators
When traveling alone one of the smartest options is to book your housing and activities through a tour operator. This insures the area and hostel are safe while also giving you the option of participating in group activities. Traveling alone is a wonderful experience, but sometimes being able to share experiences with others, even strangers, makes the trip more worthwhile.
Here are some tour operators that specialize in solo travel.
- Contiki Holidays offers solo travel options for younger people (18-35) and offer them the option of paying a single supplement for a private room or avoiding a surcharge by being matched with a roommate
- G.A.P Adventures and Intrepid Travel are not solo travel agencies, but are independent travel friendly because they do not charge a single supplement
- GOGO Worldwide Tours is a tour agency marketing to activity based travel; they have a series of packages tailored to solo travel that involve things like wine tastings and dance lessons, all activities
