In my blog thus far, I've covered topics to prepare for a trip of this magnitude: self-defense, footwear, endurance, short solo trips, and taking time to study your destination of choice. And now, we focus on one of the most important topics of this blog about solo traveling: how to make the best of your first day alone!
If this is your first time reading my blog, I would highly advise reading my posts about travel hacks first. There are several points I have made that I believe are the best ways of preparing yourself regarding safety, and safety should be your priority wherever you go. So please check those blogs first before continuing with this one.
And now, on with the post!
Absolute Musts Before You Leave
Share Your Itinerary
Let's get started with the most important thing you should do when you're planning to travel by yourself. Make sure that a family member or a close friend has a copy of your itinerary, even if you're planning on just flying to this country and exploring the country at your leisure and booking hotels as you need them. If you're planning on your trip being the latter type, keep your contact updated every time you find a place to stay.
I always come back to this point, which is your safety is most important. When your family or friends know where you are, or at least the area you'll be traveling in, you will be easier to track in case of a worst-case scenario. Solo traveling may be liberating, but you need to be intelligently liberated. Even if you want to be completely cut off from everyone and everything that's familiar, keep this one link active. It's best for you, and it'll give your loved ones peace of mind.
Cell Phone Plan
I almost forgot to do this once before I left for a trip, but ensuring you have the right cell phone plan before you board that plane is tantamount to your trip's success. Contact your cell phone provider and discuss with them the travel plans they have available and add them to your current plan for the duration of your trip.
Now the travel plans with my carrier changed each year, but I've found that ensuring you can make international calls and receive text messages. Most hotels across the globe offer free Wi-Fi now, but you may also want to add a data plan just in case. Do the research on the cell phone coverage in your destination before you leave so that you don't unexpectedly find yourself in a country that has almost no coverage.
Know How You'll Get from the Airport to Your Hotel
My dear readers, if you're visiting a country you've never been to, and you arrive at the airport just expecting to catch a cab to your hotel, you're going to find yourself with a massive fare before you can even begin enjoying your experience. There are many major cities out there with international airports that have other modes of transportation to and from the terminals that are easy and cheap to utilize if you're not planning to rent a car and drive yourself.
For example: when I went to Italy last year, I made sure I knew exactly how to get to the hostel where I would be staying. I landed at the Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) airport. Thankfully, my trip itinerary had suggestions on how to reach the hostel, and pointed out that it was a few blocks from the Roma Termini Railway Station, which had a line at FCO. The fare to the Termini was €14, and the distance was just about 20 miles. If I had taken a cab, I would have paid about 3 times that amount!
Now not every airport in the world will have that convenient train or rail line to bring you to your destination but will have bus lines instead. If neither of these options are available, check to see if Uber or Lyft are available in the area. As of right now, their futures are undetermined, but they are still cheaper than a regular taxicab. In case of this scenario, have between 30-50 of the local currency set aside for transportation purposes.
Pack a Change of Clothes
On any international flights you take, regardless of if you're traveling solo or not, make sure you have a change of clothes on hand. After spending all this time on an airplane, you're bound to be a little unfresh. You will likely be allowed to have one bag to put under the seat in front of you and one carry-on in the overhead bin, so pack this spare change of clothes in the bag being stowed above.
This is important for another reason: the odds that your luggage may be lost. The likeliness of this scenario is low, but if the worst does happen, you don't want to spend your time at your destination in the smelly, wrinkled clothes you flew in with. Pack just a casual outfit: jeans or slacks, a nice top, underwear, a light jacket, and bring along your toothbrush and toothpaste. And keep those wet wipes I've mentioned before handy just in case!
Arrival!
Most international flights from the US, thankfully, leave later in the afternoon or evening so that you can try to sleep on the way and arrive early enough so that you can start enjoying the day at your destination. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who doesn't sleep well on flights. When you arrive by yourself, you will want to do at least two things that will help you take on the world after sitting for however many hours at a time.
1. Enjoy Energy Boosts
I've said this before, but the human body is a fascinating thing. Even if you aren't able to sleep very long, or even at all, on the plane, you can sometimes trick your body into adapting to the time change by eating a breakfast-related snack if your flight doesn't offer breakfast (highly likely now due to Covid). Thankfully, most airlines will still allow you to bring your own food, so pack a muffin or a pastry that can survive a flight (fruits, sadly, usually won't).
By eating a small breakfast at an hour when it is normally partaken of at your location, you can gently force your body to accept that it's time to start the day. It's not guaranteed to work, depending on your body's metabolism, but it's worth a shot.
Regardless, this morning snack should definitely be followed up by some caffeine.
Coffee or Tea
It's a no brainer, I know. Depending on your preferences, try to score a beverage full of caffeine as soon as possible. If it's still offered by the flight crew at the time that you take this trip, only take the options available from the beverage cart that are pre-packaged. And if it's not available, wait until you land and seek out a coffee kiosk.
Your best bet would be to go for the iced coffee if it's available. As a former Starbucks barista, I can confirm that iced coffee is brewed on double strength because the added ice, when melted, dilutes the drink and weakens the caffeine. If you come across a kiosk that sells iced coffee, order a cup without the ice so that you can experience the full boost you need.
Natural Energy Boosts
You should be aware by this point that you can bring liquids through the TSA checkpoint so long as they're 30 ml or less. That's the perfect size for a natural vitamin energy boost to pack! Natural energy boosts are usually made of various pressed juices and superfood spices, such as cumin and turmeric. Depending on the brand, some may have caffeine, others may have ginseng and taurine instead if you're not one to consume caffeine.
It's very unlikely that these will be available in any airport, so if these are your choice of booster, bring several for jet lag purposes. Some of the brands you can look into are Vive, Suja, and Kor, all of which are organic and lower in sugar. Depending on your taste preference, you may love these flavors, or you may only tolerate them for the boost purposes only, but they're a healthier alternative to sodas, Gatorade, and other soft drinks.
GU Energy
These packs are usually utilized by backpackers and athletes when they need a quick boost. These packets of GU, which are quite literally the consistency of goo or even frosting, are fortified with caffeine, sodium, and amino acids with less sugar. This product is available in the packets, as candy-like chews, other snack forms, and even as dissolving capsules to add to your water. If you aren't a fan of caffeine, some products are sold without the ingredient.
What's awesome about these snacks is that they're small and easy to stow in your bags. They also won't leave you feeling a caffeine crash afterwards.
Avoid the Red Bull!
You can find energy drinks like this all over the world, but despite them being readily available, you really shouldn't go for these with your jet lag. After you've acclimated to the time change feel free to knock yourself out with these, but when you first arrive, your body is going to be exhausted in more ways than it's used to. With all the sugar in energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar, you will do yourself more harm than good.
Sugar heavy energy drinks will help you with your energy quickly enough, but once the rush wears off, the crash is worse when you're jet lagged. Coffee can sometimes leave you in a bit of a crash, but not at the level that energy drinks will. If you're still having jet lag issues after a few days, then it would be a better time to start downing those bad boys. Just not after landing!
2. Social Media is Your Friend!
In this day and age, social media can be more of a curse than a blessing depending on which platform is your favorite. However, if you have all privacy settings enabled on your favorite platform, utilize it by checking in to your city, hotel, or a famous landmark so that your family and friends can keep track of you.
I have briefly touched on this topic, but as soon as you have internet access on your phone, take a selfie and post it. Not only are you announcing that you've made it safely, but you're also letting everyone know what you are currently wearing, especially if you've just changed clothes. While solo traveling is a marvelous experience, it does come with a degree of risk, especially depending on the country you're visiting. Post a selfie so that, if you should go missing, the local authorities know exactly what you look like.
It doesn't need to be too flattering, it just needs to focus on what you looked like when you walked out the door!
Checking in at famous landmarks too will help to leave a trail so that, if the worst should happen, your family and friends will know where you last were. As long as you are smart about your safety, you should be fine, but it's better to take every precaution just in case.
Don't forget to make sure that your privacy settings are enabled so that only people you can trust can keep track of you. If you have a public account, and you leave updates like this, you risk people being able to know that you're not at home and can possibly break into your home, or worse, can follow if they're in the same area. You can be both smart and secure at the same time!
Taking on the City or Town
So, what's your personal preference? Are you the kind of traveler who would rather follow an itinerary, make up the day with whatever you come across, or a little bit of both?
Believe me when I tell you, once you arrive at your destination, all of the sudden there's going to be so much to do and you're going to want to do it all. I for one am the one type who is a little bit of both having an itinerary and going nuts and have found that it suits me. So, here's what you should consider depending on the type of planner you are.
Sticking with a Plan
Sticking to a plan is a particularly good way to take advantage of your time in the city, whether it's for a day or two, or for a week. By creating a plan, you can utilize what time you have so that you can take advantage of every minute you have!
However, having an itinerary can backfire. Once you arrive at your destination, you'll soon find that there's so much to do! Major cities tend to have tourist shops that have agents trying to hawk deals to everyone. Some of these deals are legit and save you tons of money, and some aren't so kosher. But one thing that I learned is also that most other countries out there aren't as dependent on the internet as Americans are. So, you can do research on day trips and other special deals online before you go, but when you actually get there, you'll find there's far more to do because these opportunities aren't posted online.
In the case of the former, you may come across a place to visit that you hadn't considered before arriving. If you have an itinerary, changing any part of it can mix up your whole plan.
Ultimately, having an itinerary can be beneficial, but be ready to change your plan. You never know what you may come across that you may want to try instead!
Footloose and Fancy Free
Taking on a foreign city by yourself is an extremely exciting thing! Instead of having a plan, maybe you want to run out into those streets and just absorb everything.
Now for a truth about this kind of mindset: there's going to be so much to do and try. There will be museums, restaurants, historical sites, day trips, festivals, city tours, and much more. Honestly, there will be so much to do that if you don't have a plan, you may find it hard to put one together. If you're indecisive, or just overwhelmed by the whole experience, venturing into the country can sometimes offer so much that you don't know where to begin.
On the other hand, you may be able to thrive without any kind of plan in place. Just be prepared to have so much to do and be ready to accept that you won't be able to do it all.
Best of Both Worlds
I personally have found that I like to balance my day between plans and improvising. What I normally do is pick about 3 or 4 things that I absolutely plan to do during the day, and then I spend the rest of my time exploring and try to find lesser known activities to do.
The last time I was in London, I had a full day to myself before I left. There were dozens of places I wanted to visit that I hadn't been able to on my last trip, but I only had the one day. So I opted for these four: Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, The Shard, and seeing a West End Show.
Sure enough, I managed to make it to all four of these attractions. I also managed to drop by the Globe again, crossed the London and Tower Bridges, found the official Buckingham Palace gift shop (where I bought a tiny stuffed Corgi, of course), explored some areas still bearing damage from World War II, and even found a docked pirate ship along the Thames, among other things! I had an extremely full day from planning on doing only 4 things.
Only you can determine what type of an explorer you are and how you will tackle this foreign country you're exploring. Trust your instincts and be ready to learn and adapt as you go!
Set a Hearthstone
This point most deals with if your hotel isn't in the city center. If you're familiar with the MMORPG World of Warcraft, every character has the ability to transport to any preset area of their choosing by activating a hearthstone. In the event that your lodgings aren't within the immediate area of all the attractions and historical sites the city has to offer, then it's best to set a place to return to in the event you lose your way or get lost.
It's also a popular game, but it was a magical item first!
For example, when I spent my first day in Dublin by myself, the hotel I stayed at was about a mile from the city center. Since I didn't want to return to the hotel if I got lost, I chose to set my metaphorical "hearthstone" at Trinity College. It was one of the most popular landmarks, was directly in the middle of the city, and it was easy to return to no matter which direction I went. Sure enough, there were a few times where I did lose my way. Any time I did, I just went right back to Trinity College. From there, I would then decide where I would go next.
Trinity College makes for a great hearthstone!
Now setting your own personal hearthstone should always be a popular landmark. I learned that when I had my day in London. I set my hearthstone at the Globe Theatre, but that landmark is well outside the city center. While it can be reached easily by walking, it's harder to get to than the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, or Buckingham Palace. Trying to find my way back to the Globe was a bit of a trek until I figured out how to that the Embarcadero would eventually lead there. If I had set it as the London Eye, I would not only have had an easier landmark to track down, it would have also eventually led me to where I wanted to go. I wasted a lot of time trying to find my way to the Globe because it was out of the way of everywhere else I wanted to go.
Unfortunately, we won't look this cool returning to our point of origin
The more popular the attraction, the easier it will be to return to. And when you know where you are, it'll help you feel more secure and not so alone when far from home. A little familiarity goes a long way on solo travels!
Talk to the Hotel Employees
When visiting a popular city, the people working the lobby of wherever you're staying will often be the best resource you can go to if you're feeling a bit helpless. In popular cities, these employees are used to dealing with people out of their element and at the very least can point you in the direction of a good restaurant. From hotel employees, I've gleaned historical information on the general areas, suggestions on places to visit, instructions on how to ride the London Underground, advice on how to take advantage of what the city or area had to offer, was given directions on how best to reach venues, and learned that one of the bandmembers of the band The Pogues had stayed at that same hotel a few weeks before, among other things.
Here's one of the best I learned about!
One of the advantages came from a hostel worker in Italy. As I was ready to venture out into Rome, she pointed out to me that the fountains in the city spurt drinkable water!
Only the pumped water from the fountains is good, not the stuff in the pool!
Considering how this was when Italy was experiencing a massive heat wave, and water being one of the most important things you can keep on your person when you're traveling, her advice was most welcome and helped me stay hydrated in that oppressive heat. Now she wasn't talking about the decorative fountains that you find in any major city, she was referring to drinking fountains with water that's filtered through iron pipes all over the place.
In this age of Yelp and TripAdvisor, good hotel employees will go above and beyond to ensure that the guests that pass through their doors have the best possible experience they can offer.
Getting Around
I've mentioned many times how important walking is, mostly because in other countries, walking from place to place is not only doable, but part of everyday life. However, even if you have a good pace, walking will eventually wear you out, especially if you've just gotten off a plane. I've mentioned main modes of transportation, including trains, Ubers and Lyfts, and buses, but are there other means of exploring the city?
YES.
Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
This means is my absolute favorite when taking on the town. There are usually several lines of different two-tiered Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour companies in major cities and using them is usually far cheaper than utilizing public transportation for the day. They are also follow strategic routes so that you can experience the best parts of the city, stop at the best attractions, and have either a live host telling you of the historical significance of the places you pass or a prerecorded track in multiple languages.
What many people don't realize though is that by purchasing tickets for these buses, they also come with many perks. Most will have maps of the city and bus lines that include coupons to popular attractions and discounts at restaurants, others will include free admission to certain venues in town or have night bus tours included. And not every type of tour will have the same perks; some lines will have better ones than others!
That's the Colosseum in the background!
Then, there's my personal favorite. One of the bus lines in Dublin had a coupon for a free Guinness at one of local pubs. All I needed to do was show up the next day after 3pm and show my ticket to collect it. And you'd better believe it, I collected!
These buses are one of the most cost and time effective options you can utilize while exploring foreign cities. And if you're the type of traveler who prefers to follow an itinerary, one of the best ways to make your plan timelier is to plan by one of these bus lines. Or if you're the type to improvise, here you can just hop off the bus if you see something that interests you!
Rental Bikes or Scooters
Prior to Covid, you could find these electric rental bikes and scooters all over the place. Thankfully, it appears that they're beginning to make a comeback, and if they are, then you have an amazing way to see the sights! You can find popular companies, including Jump, Jolt, and Lime, all over the world!
Now before opting for this means, check to see which brands are available in the area you're visiting, and the prices for the usage. And check the weather because this may be a lousy option in the rain. Regardless, with walking being a primary means of getting from point A to point B in other countries, cycling is also a very popular option, and they have bike lanes all over the place, which can also be accessed by scooters!
Also take time to practice. This is what I looked like trying the Lime Scooter the first time.
I was able to experience Paris while scooting around on a Lime Scooter. I'm telling you, that was an amazing experience. Being able to pass the crazy traffic and still see all the sights was so cool! Now the fees for using these wheels can stack up quite a bit, but they can be worth it. If you do plan to try one of these, make sure you have the appropriate payment method saved so that you can afford to do so.
Skip the Partying and Clubbing!
For your first day or two, you may be tempted to go out to a club or rave to see what it's like in another country. While fun, you should absolutely not do it when you first arrive. Your holiday will be dependent on how much your body can endure and crossing time zones really does screw with your whole body, including your mentality. You are going to be tired, and you'll be forcing your body to adapt to a schedule it's not used to.
After the end of a day of arrival, or your first full day in a foreign country by yourself, you need to keep your wits about you. Going out on the town to party and/or get drunk is one of the dumbest things you can do by yourself. Even if you have an amazing alcohol tolerance, drinking too much on your first day will lower your tolerance level, thereby bringing you under the influence faster.
And, if you're out in a club or party environment while drunk and tired, you can also be a target. I've mentioned before that pickpockets are everywhere, and clubs and raves are good places for you to become a victim without realizing it. Don't trust your tolerance level, just plain don't do it. Your safety could depend on your level of sobriety when you're alone. Partying too hard too soon could result in you losing your wallet, or worse, being taken advantage of.
Wait at least two or more days before indulging in the crazy night life. You need to adapt before taking risks like this. Believe me, the risks to your safety aren't worth it.
And finally...Take a Power Nap!
It's going to be so exciting and scary to take on a foreign country by yourself. So, you know what you should do? Find time to take a nap.
If you're lucky enough to land at your destination early enough to where you can check in to your hotel right when you arrive, set a timer, and get a little shut eye. Taking between 10-30 minutes to catch a snooze will allow your body to rest in a more comfortable position, and it'll give you just enough time to recover some energy. Try not to sleep any longer than 30 minutes, because if you do, it'll be harder to wake up when you do try to, and you'll be more lethargic during the day.
No matter how tempting it is to just run out into your city when you get there, your body will thank you for giving it a chance to really rest. It'll provide you with a little bit more of natural energy to sustain you through the day.
Live It Up!
One of the best parts of traveling solo is that this trip is yours. You make all the plans, you go where you want, and you call all the shots. Yes, it will be frightening and a little overwhelming at times, but if you were meant to be a solo traveler, you will never be the same again. The levels of independence and self-reliance you'll develop are just as much worth the trip as all the experiences you'll have.
Now that the year is finally coming to a close, countries are starting to open their borders, and hopefully it'll be safe to travel again soon. I know I'm keeping close tabs on winter trips I can take just as soon as we're given the go-ahead. As for you, dear reader, start looking for yourself too! After all everyone's been through this year, you deserve to treat yourself to the best experience possible. If you've never traveled solo, maybe take this time to start planning!
This brings my post to a close. Next time, I'll be posting about what I think is one of the best ways to experience culture in a foreign country. In the meantime, please stay safe, and be ready to take on the world again!
Gifs courtesy of Giphy.
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