10 Must Haves for Solo Traveling

Last time we talked about your first solo road trip, and before then about how your walk is your most important asset when traveling by yourself. So, what about the whole of your trip, regardless of if you're traveling by car, bus, train, or plane? What other things are important for safety, comfort, and saving cash?

Well, here's a list! Now most of these items will be geared toward women, but there's plenty here for men too. This isn't just a list of physical things you should bring with you, it's also an extensive list of skills that you should adopt or simply take a basic training in.

Everything listed below is something that I have tried or used firsthand so that you, dear readers, can be assured that I know what I'm talking about. Now there are going to be other hacks and techniques out there that I haven't listed, but if you have some feedback or suggestions, please feel free to leave me some comments, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Learn How to Defend Yourself

While this list is in random order, this is definitely the first and most important point. And the lengthiest.

The moment you make a choice to travel by yourself, especially outside of the country, find a class that teaches self-defense. I don't care if I'm beginning to sound redundant at this point, but I will say it again: your safety is most important. And when you're out in the world by yourself, you must be ready to protect yourself anywhere and everywhere.

In my post about developing a strong walk, I made a point to be aware of your surroundings and to not be distracted. That is merely the first step in keeping yourself safer. The next step would be to take the time to learn at least basic hand-to-hand combat so that you can give yourself a fighting chance. You don't need to go out and earn yourself a black belt in a form of martial arts, you just need to learn what to do if you find yourself in a hazardous situation. Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a hidden edge against anyone who may want to take advantage of you.

Before I go on though, I would like to acknowledge that you can find many of these classes for free on YouTube. While they do help, going to a physical class and not only having your instructor or sensei show you in person what you need to do and having you partner with someone else in the class to practice is the experience you need. There's only so much a good YouTube video can teach you.

Women's Self-Defense

This is the most likely option available out for women to take, and likely cheaper. A good women's self-defense class will not only teach you how to fight defensively, but it will implement several other subjects that you wouldn't normally take into consideration.

Falling

One of the best ways an assailant can overpower anyone at all is to get them on the ground, especially women. Usually the first thing an effective instructor will teach their students is how to fall properly. When thrown to the ground unexpectedly, you can expect to be temporarily disabled with the amount of force slamming into your back, or worse, your head. If your head is struck, you could not only be dazed, you could suffer a concussion or lose consciousness altogether.

By teaching you how to fall properly, your instructor will help ingrain into your head the ability to take a fall regardless of it being an attack or a simple trip. They will teach you how to turn your body so to take the least amount of damage, how to absorb the shock of your body hitting the ground, and how to keep your head up. That last one has stayed with my all my life and now it's almost natural for me to raise my head up if I even feel like I'm starting to slip and fall.

Wrestling

Even if you learn how to fall properly so the minimize any damage you may take, you may still find yourself very quickly with your assailant trying to pin you down. An effective instructor will teach you basic wrestling moves and holds so that you can escape. They will take into consideration your size and weight up against a likely bigger person and show you the necessary moves you can use on a person of any body type or training.

But you won't look like this.

One of my favorite movie scenes of late is the scene from the new Tomb Raider movie where Lara Croft has her first kill. Lara does have some combat training, but she is overpowered by a man who is stronger than her and has more training than she does. The clincher of her overpowering this man is how she is able to wrestle her way into the aggressor position and eventually kill him. If you want to see a movie realistically (gasp!) show how wrestling can save your life, then check this scene out.

But of course, in the real world the goal is to survive, so don't end it the way Lara did.

Pressure points and places to hit

Your instructor will make a point of doing what you must to escape from your predators and show the fastest way of doing so. We all know the comedic affects that a good groin kick can to do men, though it is also effective with women, especially if it's their time of the month. Never thought of that one, did ya?

You can research this one yourself, but a self-defense instructor will demonstrate to you the places in real time so that you have a more visceral reaction. If you're a physical or kinesthetic learner, being in a class environment learning about these areas is invaluable. Some instructors have been known to deal a non-damaging kidney shot (with your consent, of course) so that you can experience for yourself the pain you can cause by the simplest strike to the right spot. There is nowhere else you can have that properly done in a safe place if it's something you agree to have done.

Other things you would learn about would be to use anything and everything to fight back against an attacker. In the previous clip from Tomb Raider you'll remember that Lara was able to get the edge on her attacker when she grabbed a rock and hit him in the head. Learning how to use any item to your advantage can sometimes be covered in your classes depending on your instructor.

Extreme measures

Most instructors out there will have a final exam of sorts in which you'll need to demonstrate what you've learned. This will often have them pairing you with another student or even a group and creating a scenario where you are the aggressor and your partner need to defend themselves, or vice versa.

However, sometimes they can be especially sneaky in ensuring that you've learned what you need to properly defend yourself. I had an ex-boyfriend whose mom took a class where, in order to pass, the students went outside the studio where the instructors hid and would spring out and pretend to attack the student when they were least expecting it so that they would have to rely on what they just learned. Of course, this was done in a professional manner so the students weren't in any danger, but this is a more extreme measure that some instructors will take.

Always remember that a good instructor has your safety at the forefront of their teachings. If they chose to be that extreme, they will do everything they can to ensure that no harm comes to you. Make sure to do your research on the best instructors in your area and find one that meets your comfort level.

Boxing

This is another easily accessible form of combat that has more perks that you'd think. In addition to teaching you how to fight methodically, properly punch inflicting the most amount of damage while taking minimal damage yourself, and light movements to help you evade attacks, it also focuses on your stance. A boxer's stance is just as important as the blows they land.

Focusing on your stance assists you in self-defense as it will help you to keep your balance as you keep yourself protected from any blows coming toward you. I've mentioned how important balance is when you walk in a previous post, as well as at the beginning of this section, and the same concept goes toward any situation where you may be in danger. Boxing lessons will help you to stay on your feet as long as you are physically possible. For more thorough information on the benefits on having a good stance is in combat, check out this website.

If you'd like a demonstration of how boxing does give you an edge, check out this clip of a boxer I'm acquainted with, Mike "The Menace" Guy, as he makes his debut in the MMA ring. His opponent, Tramain Smith, has far more experience, but Mike has the power and the footwork. Mike's win shows how a properly trained boxer can edge out over someone who appears to have the advantage.

Kenpo

Kenpo is the martial art of choice for actors and stunt performers. This form utilizes the typical punches and kicks you would expect from any form of martial arts, but this one is different because the fighters react to one another. When studying any form of combat, most will focus just on the actions and the damage you can deal. Kenpo, on the other hand, is taught where your opponent is trained to react in a realistic fashion.

Be forewarned, in order to react in such a way, you will need to be prepared to take more blows here than when training in different forms. However, the kenpo style does take into consideration that human reactions will be different from what an instructor will generally teach and does their part to best prepare their students for the reality of self-defense.

These classes may be harder to come by and a little more costly, but everyone I've spoken to has highly recommended it.

Escrima

Escrima and karate are the two forms of combat I have the most training in. Escrima is a Filipino form of martial arts, also referred to as kali or arnis de mano, that focuses on close hand-to-hand combat with the intention of disarming the assailant. Many of these techniques use the simplest method of just slapping the assailant's hands away.

This form is also opened to learning how to fight with a knife, a single stick, a staff, or duel-wield sticks, which will eventually upgrade to machetes if you train hard enough. Although it's unlikely that you'll find yourself in a melee weapon situation, this form focuses on angles of attack. If you find yourself in a situation where you do have to grab something near you as a weapon, the tactics that escrima employs with their angles and physical positioning can help you deal the most damage.

For more information regarding the benefits of escrima, check out this website.

Be ready to make a fool of yourself

One of the best ways to avoid trouble at all is to just go crazy and bring attention to yourself. In my blog about walking aggressively I mentioned the perks of skipping to confuse your potential attacker. This is also a tactic to bring people's attention to you. If you make a lot of noise, act like a cartoon character, or even dance in the street it will make people notice you. An attacker is less likely to follow through on his target if there are people focusing on them, especially with social media influencing people across the world to take out their phones to record odd behavior. The odds are extremely high that if you make a scene of some kind, someone will record you doing it, and you can use that to your advantage!

Interestingly, I've heard stories of women who started loudly singing songs from church that managed to scare off the men who were following them. If you aren't familiar with any church songs, maybe learn something as simple as "Jesus Loves Me" just to be in the safe side.

Most importantly: get out of there!

The main point of self-defense is to do what you must so that you can escape your assailant. My first self defense instructor made it 100% clear what needs to be done once you have incapacitated or dazed your attacker: "run away, run away, RUN AWAY."

Learning any of the above martial arts or combat styles to its fullest is a worthy endeavor and I would highly recommend it, but when it comes to travel, just know what you need to so that you can effectively escape. Learn what you have to, and if you choose to continue pursuing it, do so. But for the short term, just learn enough to make it count.

Drive a Manual Transmission

Truly, American drivers have lost a great skill. The majority of other countries use manual transmission cars over automatic, whereas in the States almost everything is automatic. I drove a manual transmission for over 10 years and had no idea I would need those skills when I first went to Ireland.

My Ireland trip had been booked through Groupon and it included in the vacation package a rental car. Since my sister had never driven a manual transmission before, and this was a rental, all the driving was left up to me.

Other side of the street!

When traveling solo, make sure you know how you're going to get around. Public transportation is normally the best way, but you may want to get around by driving since you will have full control over where you want to go and your schedule. If you opt to drive, learn to drive stick before you go. Automatics are available in other countries, but they are usually in low demand and can cost more. 

Make sure that if you do learn to drive a stick to allow yourself at least 6 month's worth of driving experience before your trip. In my experience, some of the rentals you can get may work oddly and having more training with a manual is far better than having just learned. Especially if you're going to be driving on the opposite side of the road!

Also, roundabouts! They may be becoming more popular in the States, but they have been highly utilized in other countries. If you know of any in your area, practice driving those too!

And if you're going to a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road, well...there really isn't much you can do about that here in the States. However, the next best thing you can do is practice on one-way streets and keeping to the left-hand lane as much as possible. It won't give you the exact experience you may need but it's something.

Witch Hazel

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you should skimp on your skin regimen. But...what if there was a miracle elixir that did more than just cleanse your face, but took care of other potential problems?

Look no further than your grocery store and buy a bottle of witch hazel! If you take a look at the active ingredients of most facial toners, the number one ingredient after water is witch hazel. Not only do you get far more toner for your money's worth, witch hazel provides several other major uses that help with your well-being and even minor first aid!

Here are some of the other issues that witch hazel can rapidly assist with while you're traveling:

Blisters

Chafing

Minor bug bites

Rashes

Small cuts

Acne

These are the issues that you will most likely encounter while traveling. Isn't it amazing that one little astringent can do so much? And this list isn't even everything! Here's a list of 40 uses for witch hazel and why you should bring at least 30 ml. worth with you when you're traveling.

Quality Shoes and Insoles

Guess what you'll be doing for most of your traveling? Walking. Even if you rent a car, you'll still be going to sites wherever you've traveled to and be on your feet for at least an hour, probably more. And let me tell you, nothing will ruin your trip faster than if you have a lousy pair of shoes.

The first time I went to Ireland, I bought a pair of shoes that appeared to be a good type for travel. I made sure to break them in before I left, but I apparently didn't walk in them long enough. It was also around this time that I unknowingly developed plantar fasciitis.

SO. MUCH. PAIN!!!!!

Those shoes didn't offer the right type of arch support, and after my sister and I hiked along the Cliffs of Moher trail from Hag's Head to the visitor's center, I began noticing a pain in my feet unlike anything I'd ever experienced that made it difficult for me to walk. Thankfully, I'd brought along a spare pair of flats with decent arch support, and they helped, but they weren't made for hiking or walking long distances. So, I kept wearing the other shoes when exploring and had horrible pain in my feet and lower back. My trip was nearly ruined because it hurt so much to walk!

It wasn't until I went to a doctor that I learned I had plantar fasciitis and had to switch to quality shoes and insoles that I realized how important footwear is, especially when you're traveling. Nothing will cause more frustration when you're traveling on your own than having to deal with foot pain that can be avoided.

So ladies, this one's for you: buy the quality shoes before you leave.

Now I'm not saying buy the cutest shoes you can get; I'm saying buy the best quality shoes you can find. What you'll want in a good pair of shoes to travel in are the arch support, strong tread to keep you from slipping all over the place (especially if you're going somewhere temperate with rain year-round), and durability so that they can withstand all the elements.

My personal favorite shoes are Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots. I found these boots when I went to REI and I would recommend going there to find the right shoes and boots for your trip. If you already know where you're going to be vacationing, like Switzerland, talk to a shoe representative at REI or any other sport equipment store and they can help you find an appropriate shoe for that type of terrain.

And now for the insoles. If the shoes you have or purchased already have good arch support then you can probably skip insoles, but I personally would still say go the extra mile and buy them regardless. And I'm not talking about Dr. Scholl's inserts, I mean high quality insoles that not only have the support you need, but also cushioning. If you would like to have a look at the different types available, you can check here. I prefer The Walking Company but it's up to you to determine what's best for your feet.

The point is that you're going to be on your feet a lot. On my two weeks traveling NYC and Europe, I walked 117.42 miles, which comes out to walking an average of 8.39 miles per day. I will say it again: nothing will ruin your trip faster than foot pain. Pay the extra money for good quality shoes and insoles. It's worth it to have comfortable footwear when you're on your own!

Rock those shoes!

And, for the record, do bring along a cute pair of shoes for when you're going out to enjoy the night life. 

Dry Shampoo

This isn't just a travel hack, this is a life hack. Dry shampoo is a Godsend because, in addition to saving time washing and drying your hair, it also acts as a deodorizer!

First of all, when traveling, you want to do as much as you can wherever you are, so you need to find ways of cutting time. Dry shampoo is the perfect way of doing that because often hats will only take you so far before your hair is clearly greasy. Using dry shampoo instead of washing your hair every 1-2 days takes only about 2-3 minutes, as opposed to however long it takes you to wash your hair depending on its length and texture, and whether or not you allow your hair to dry with a blow dryer or naturally.

So now, what's this business about it being a deodorizer? Well, when I went to Europe last year, I happened to go in the middle of the massive heat wave sweeping through Europe and I was in Florence, Italy at the time. I wound up sweating far more than I thought I would and since there was no laundry services at any of the areas we were stopping, I had a serious problem!

Then it hit me: my dry shampoo! I quickly sprayed it on a few articles of clothing, and viola! The smell was virtually gone! Even better, when I wore the shorts I'd spritzed the day before, the odor was STILL masked since the dry shampoo also prevented the bad smells from returning!

Pack at least one full-length size of odorless dry shampoo if you're traveling with a stow-away suitcase, or a minimum of two travel-sized canisters if your luggage will be carry-on. Some of these brands come with very potent aromas, which isn't necessarily bad, but when traveling you want to keep the strong scents to a minimum. Believe me, after seeing firsthand how wonderfully this product works while traveling, you'll start carrying it with you for everyday life!

Wet Wipes

This one won't be as important now that all airlines and buses are taking new measures to ensure that they employ sanitary travel conditions, but it is still something you should bring. Bringing wet wipes like Wet Ones or even baby wipes can help to give you a little more piece of mind when it comes to traveling.

One thing I would use wet wipes on would be the food trays on airplanes. I wouldn't just clean the tray; I would clean the back of the seat in front of me where the tray rested because there was usually some food residue there.

Another reason to bring them would be for the same reason as the dry shampoo: saving time when you get sticky. When I get off the plane or a long bus or car ride, I like bringing the wet wipes to sponge myself off, especially when there aren't any showers nearby. They can at least help you get decently refreshed until you find the opportunity to rinse off.

Messenger Bag

I don't know if you've heard this before, but one of the biggest issues for tourists anywhere is pickpockets. They can be exceptionally skilled in nipping off with your wallet in crowded areas, public transit, or even if someone just corners you on the street to chat about charities or trying to sell you souvenirs.

In many countries, people can be specially trained to make a living at stealing the money and personal information from anywhere on a person and especially the bags they have. No purse or bag is completely thief-proof, but one of the best bags to bring with you as a defense against pickpockets is a messenger bag. Messenger bags are generally worn with the strap across the body and can be easily slid onto the lap for you to keep it physically away from anyone sitting next to you.

This gif may be directed at gents, but this goes for everyone!

Take a look at the gif above for a perfect example of a messenger that is ideal for solo traveling: the long strap that goes across the body, the locking flap over the bag's opening, and the sides can often have spaces for water bottles. On the inside, there are usually several pockets or compartments and plenty of space for what personal affects you want to bring with you or to leave extra room for any trinkets you may want to buy. Or snacks, those are always important!

As stated, you can easily slip the messenger bag onto your lap when sitting or directly in front of you if standing so that you can protect it yourself. Of all the bags or purses you can bring, the messenger bag is the most secure. If you're looking for ideas on good messenger bags, a few brands I can recommend include Puma, Timbuk2, and Police Gear. If you want to browse for yourself, I highly suggest selecting one that has a water bottle pocket.

But wait, what about totes and purses? I would skip the tote altogether because that one would be quite easy to break into. As for purses, I would say bring one, but find one with a long and adjustable strap so that you can wear it across your body like you do a messenger bag. It may not be as secure, but hey, you're probably going to visit some nicer restaurants and venues where a purse is much preferable for your outfit.

And what about backpacks? Honestly, nothing will make you stand out as a tourist more than a backpack. With it being on your back, it can be easily opened from behind with you none the wiser. Bring one with you for storage if you're flying and use it to pack your messenger bag in, but unless you'll be hiking at any point on your trip only use it for extra space and do not wear it in public.

A Plastic Sheet Case

You probably have one of these things hanging around your house, or if you don't, you probably have some friends who do, especially if they have kids with twin or bunk beds. The reason why you'll want one of these is because it is the best means of carrying all of your makeup and toiletries.

Yes, there are makeup bags you can bring, but a plastic sheet case securely closes with a zipper and can contain any liquids that may leak or even explode. Even better is that they're clear, so if you're flying with carry-on luggage, you don't have to empty it out into a plastic baggy for TSA to inspect! It saves time, keeps your items dry, and it's easy to clean for multiple trips!

Seriously, who knew you could upcycle such a random item?

A Bikini

Yes, you read that right.

Now I don't mean that you should bring a bikini strictly for the use of swimming. If you're like me and prefer one piece suits, that is totally fine. The thing about bikinis though is that they can double as underwear.

Swimsuits overall are made from synthetic materials that dry very quickly, whereas most underwear is made of natural fibers like cotton, which takes longer to dry (I made a similar point with workout pants in my last post). You probably already knew that but take into consideration the weather where you'll be visiting. I already mentioned being in Italy during that heat wave; before then, I'd been in New York when they'd had record high humidity. It was so brutal that I'd switched to wearing a sports bra. Once I got to Italy and found it almost as humid, my first instinct was to buy a bikini for the reasons I've listed.

In the end I didn't, and that was a mistake on my end. If I had, I probably would have been far more comfortable in that insane heat. Lesson learned!

You may ask why a regular one-piece swimsuit wouldn't work but take a moment to really think that one over. That's just a bad idea. If you want to go swimming and are more comfortable in a one piece, bring that along for swimming only. Or, if you prefer, you can try a tankini instead, though it would work better under baggier clothing or if you're traveling to a colder country. And a sports bra is a good alternative.

Still, I highly recommend the bikini as an underwear substitute. It can also be hand washed and dries quickly!

A Wedding Ring

Creeps are everywhere.

However, if there's one thing that many men across the world understand, it's that a woman wearing a wedding ring is off limits. There will be slime balls who will still try to seduce married women or ones wearing rings, but as long as you have a ring on that one finger you should draw fewer creeps.

You don't need to find yourself some fake rock at a pawn shop or thrift store, all you need is a simple band to go on your finger. If you're going to a poorer country, go for a simple metal band for the same effect that will also prevent thieves from trying to steal it from you as they're known to go for previous jewelry.

For me, I wear a claddagh ring on my right hand. If need be, I will switch it to my left. Even if you're not a fan of wearing jewelry at all, bring a simple band just to be on the safe side.

Bonus: Highly recommended but not must haves

Water Bottles

Remember how I mentioned water bottle pockets in messenger bags? Bringing your own water bottle is one of the most highly recommended items for travelers. Now tourist areas are going to have plenty of kiosks and peddlers selling water bottles, but they will be in plastic bottles that aren't reusable and can be ridiculously priced depending on how hot the area you're traveling is. And when you're finished with your bottle, you now have to dispose of that bottle, and who knows if there's a recycle bin nearby?

In order to save cash and waste, bring your own water bottle and fill up wherever you can. My personal favorite brand is Contigo because it can survive being dropped (due to my personal klutziness), it has a protective spout, is BPA free, and has a straw on the inside. Also, remember how I mentioned back in the self-defense portion about using whatever items you can to defend yourself? A solid water bottle is just the thing!

Immune System Boosters

I don't know about you, but whenever I travel, I tend to get sick afterwards, or sometimes even during my trip. This is also likely to happen if you travel with a group of people in a bus, or if you're on an airplane and some moron won't cover their mouth when they cough, causing their germs to circulate throughout the cabin.

Even if you have a solid immune system, I would still bring boosters with you and start taking them if you spend a good deal of time near someone who is coughing or sneezing too much. There's Airborne, Emergen-C and Zinc supplements you can bring, and the one I just discovered: Sambucol.

Sambucol is primarily made from elderberries which, aside from being primarily known for its application in one of the funniest movie lines ever, is high in antioxidants. When I traveled to Scotland, I suffered from horrid allergies due to being allergic to something in the air out there, but at the time I feared I was getting sick. I went to a bar and asked one of the bartenders if she could make something for me to help, and all she did was heat up some elderberry juice for me. Although that was the only time I was able to have any on the trip, it most certainly did the trick for me for at least an hour while I explored Edinburgh, which is why I tried Sambucol when I saw it on the shelves at my local grocery store.

Oh come on, I couldn't reference the line without this!

Traveling while sick is almost as annoying as traveling with foot pain, and with this fracking pandemic going on, tourists will probably be encouraged to bring supplements with them from now on. So, bring them if only to give yourself peace of mind.

Toothbrush Protector 

I'm sure you already plan to bring one of these for your toothbrush anyways, but did you know there's something else you can put in a protector for safe transport?

How about makeup brushes?

I had an epiphany!

I'm not one for bringing a lot of makeup when I travel. I prefer to only bring a small eye shadow palate, mascara, a natural colored lipstick and sometimes foundation. If you want to bring a larger eye shadow palate or blush and need to pack to appropriate brushes, certain sizes can fit conveniently in a toothbrush protector!

Not only will your brushes be safe from being crushed, but if you need to rinse them off at all, they have those small holes so that they can dry out. Even better, they're super cheap too!

And now you're prepared!

So now you know some of the best things I personally have found to have and/or bring with me when solo traveling. One of the things about solo travel is that it does prepare you to adapt to your situations, and you never know what kind of solutions you'll personally come up with when you find yourself on your own.

Something to take into consideration as well is that you will always be adapting when traveling on your own. I will probably come up with new must haves and hacks in my next adventures, and other solo travelers have probably come up with their own tactics. If you have any tips, feel free to comment below.

In the meantime, I would like to thank my friend Jon for his help with the self-defense section. Coming up next, since everyone's affected by a lack of income by this quarantine, I'll be going over ways you can save up for your solo trip without going broke.

Stay safe out there!

Images courtesy of Giphy

Taking Your Solo Self on the Road!

I've been posting about solo travel for a while, but some of you may be wondering if it's still for you. Well, here's a good way to try out solo traveling: take yourself on a road trip!

Traveling your country or state by yourself is a good way to acquaint yourself with long periods of traveling alone. Now traveling your own country and traveling a foreign country are two completely different things, but the point of this post is for you to get your feet wet. If traveling by yourself is something you really want to try, this is a more comfortable means of doing so.

Always remember though that solo travel isn't for everyone. So, if you take a road trip on your own and you find you don't enjoy it or can't handle it emotionally, there's nothing wrong with that.

And now, let us begin!

Selecting Your Destination

There are a variety of places you can choose to go to, but if this is going to be your first time, perhaps you should try a place somewhat familiar.

Is there someplace your family visited when you were a kid that you wanted to return to as an adult? Do you want to visit a friend or family member who moved across country and make a journey out of it? These are some options that are a good place to start.

If you want to take it a step further, you can go somewhere you've wanted to go to but never have. Is there a city you've always wanted to check out but your family or friends never vacationed there? Is there a national landmark, museum, historical location, or a sight you saw in a movie or TV episode that you want to see for yourself?

When making your decision on where you want to go, consider a few things, such as distance, gas, if you know anyone near the area you wish to visit, the time of year you're planning to travel, and weather patterns at your destination. Let these considerations help you zero in on where you want to go. And if you already have a region picked out, then start making your plans!

Consider Renting a Car

For this portion, I'm going to use my own experiences for examples. I drove to Las Vegas and back again by myself a few times. Being from Northern California, it was a trip I was able to make in the space of a weekend, only taking about 7 hours to get there and about 8 to get back. Since Vegas isn't that far out, driving there in my own car wasn't that big of a deal.

Now, if I had wanted to take a road trip across the country to someplace like New York, I wouldn't take my car. With a few thousand miles between the West and East Coasts, that drive would take quite a toll on my poor little car!

If making a long road trip like this is what you decide on, seriously consider sparing your car and splurging on a rental. Here are a few reasons why:

Mileage 

How many miles have you already put on your car? Do you have a newer car that you've driven over 100,000 miles already? Or do you have an older make and model that's barely over 50,000 miles? If the former, your car has already been through too much. If the latter and your car is from before 2010, potential car repairs are going to be more costly.

Take a good long look at how many miles you have on your vehicle and consider the terrains you've driven that car over. Only you know your car, so you need to judge for yourself if taking a trip that's over 500 miles one-way.

Tires

I'm sure you know this already, but I'm saying it anyways: tires are expensive. Before taking a road trip of any kind, you should make sure they are properly inflated, have been rotated within at least the last 5000 miles, and are at safety standards with the tread. When planning a long-term trip, you may want to replace those tires before you go.

The thing is, if you do plan a cross-country trip and replace those tires, depending on how far you go and the kinds of roads you'll be driving over, it's possible that you may need to replace at least one of them again when you get back.

In this case, we'll use a hypothetical scenario courtesy of Google Maps: you plan a road trip from Los Angeles, California to Miami, Florida, and you need your tires replaced before the trip. You will be driving 2802 miles for the shortest route, and that route will take you through the southwestern states where the roads are rough. By them time you return home, in just getting there and back again the round trip miles (not including any driving around any cities you'll need to stop in for food, gas or visits) is 5,604 miles.

For this hypothetical situation, we'll estimate that the tires you buy prior to the trip are good for 65,000 miles and use the average price provided here of $139, plus a protection plan of an additional $25. You're looking at forking out $581 for tires before your trip, and an oil change would be highly advised, or maybe even a tune up if your car hasn't had one in a few years (gotta make sure those spark plugs are still good!). That's a pretty high bill when you want to get out of town!

Now if you chose a rental car instead, for which case I selected that it would be picked up at LAX airport using Expedia, you can rent a decent car for as low as $5 (likely subject to go higher after the current Coronavirus situation). If your road trip goes 9 days, you're looking at a $79 including all fees and taxes but not including collision protection. Even then, the price is still a steal compared to the price of tires and any other maintenance or repair jobs needed beforehand.

Crazy at how much those tires can set you back, huh?

Gas

It's pretty nutty, but there's a huge difference in gas prices across the USA. Depending on the model of your car and how old it is, the variation on how good your gas mileage is cannot be calculated. One thing though: car rentals usually have decent gas mileage on them. When traveling through North Carolina with a friend for 5 days last year, we drove our rental car all over the western side of the state (and accidentally went to South Carolina at one point) and only filled up once. Had that been my car, we would have filled up twice at the very least.

Gas prices vary by the states, and if you're on the West Coast, you're looking at some of the most expensive in the country. Then there are remote states like Nevada where you can go 100 miles between gas stations. You may be driving a hybrid vehicle, but a rental would still probably decently match that type of mileage.

Try to calculate how many miles will be driven round trip when you're selected your destination. If your own car averages 30 MPG, holds 13 gallons of gas, and your round trip is estimated to be 2000 miles, you can expect to fill up at least 5 times. Let's say that the average for gas at the time of your trip is $2.59, you're looking at approximately $33.67 each time you fill up, with an estimated total of $168.35 for gas alone.

Using this website for our next example, the best rated rental car was a 2013 Nissan Altima averaging 42.5 MPG. If we go based on the gas tank reported to hold 18 gallons, you can expect to fill up at least 3 times for a 2000 mile round trip. As used in our previous example, if the national average for gas is $2.59, the amount you can expect to pay for gas is $139.86.

That amount may be just under $30 cheaper than if you had to fill up 5 times, but it also saves time. When your gas tank is getting low you need to actually find a gas station to fill up at, and if you're in an unfamiliar area it could take you a few minutes to find a place to refuel. When it comes to travel you want to spend as little time as you can on things that will detract from your trip, and filling up your gas tank is one of those things. If skipping time to fill up is doable, I say go for it.

Ultimately, a rental car may be better for you in manner of time and finances. Take the time to consider if this is the best course of action in your vacation. Time and money are most important when you're on holiday. And, in the unlikely event there's an emergency and you need to get home pronto, you can take your car to the local rental lot of the same company you got yours from and fly home!

Booking Your Lodging

If you're not used to being on your own, be prepared to experience some extreme loneliness. Driving by yourself can open your eyes to the loneliness of the open road and staying at an unfamiliar hotel so far from home can sometimes amplify those feelings. If you're lucky enough to have friends living along the route you're traveling, I'd definitely say go for it, but if you want to train yourself to become a solo traveler, the best way to become ready for that is to spend time in a hotel alone.

When booking your hotel, select your favorite booking site, but also open a few more tabs on your computer and pull up Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google Maps.

Now that you have your tabs open, consider the type of lodging you want to stay at. There are several options available, and you'll need those tabs to help you with your research.

Airbnb

I personally have never tried Airbnb but I do plan to give them a try in the near future just so I can post about my experience. The only thing I would suggest doing since I have heard both rave reviews and complete horror stories about people who used Airbnb, I would highly suggest looking at all the comments on the property.

One of the major perks of this site though is that many of these properties offer the same amenities as hotels and you don't have to share with so many other people. You can even book entire homes through here if you're with a group! That kinda goes against the point of my entire blog, but it's still a cool tidbit of information. Moving right along...

Hostels

Hostels tend to be the cheapest of the options available, but it's mostly because that you're sharing one room with strangers. I myself have stayed in a hostel both on my own and with tour groups, and all the other solo lady travelers I've spoken to who have stayed in hostels had mostly positive experiences.

The accommodations are usually simple: the rooms usually house 4-8 people with bunk beds and secure lockers for your belongings, and a bathroom for each room. Hostels also promote social activities, and will often times have game rooms, rec rooms, bars, or even escape rooms (that one may just apply to the one I stayed in when I visited Rome though). Kitchens are also usually part of the experience.

Though it's very understandable to be iffy about hostels, they are almost always an extremely cheap alternative. If you're strapped for cash, consider a hostel as the primary option. For any additional questions about hostels, check out this website here.

Bed & Breakfasts and Inns

Now these are different from hotels and motels, mostly due to the fact that they are usually run independently and have a homier feeling about them. B&Bs are up front about what they're offering: a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning. Inns are much the same but also offer more services, such as more meals and options for local attractions.

Both types of lodging are perfect for a single overnight stay but tend to have fewer rooms available and can cost just as much as a regular hotel room. However, if this is your first time traveling alone, these options are more than just a business, they're family run. There's nothing wrong but being apprehensive about staying by yourself for the first time, so if you want to find a place to stay that is meant to feel a little more intimate, you may want to select one of these two options.

Camping and Cabins

If you're feeling particularly gutsy on your first even solo road trip, how about booking a campsite or a cabin?

Reserving a camp site by yourself is essentially the most hardcore you can go if you're looking to start solo traveling. If you have the room in your car, bring a tent! Or just a sleeping bag and sleep under the stars (yes, I've done that before!)! Or, maybe you've decided to rent an RV for your trip (why not?), book that site and experience nature firsthand. Just keep in mind that the bathrooms tend to be drafty, showers aren't always available, and there could be bears in the area. This is seriously badass if you opt to do this!

On the other hand, some camp sites offer cabins. Cabins are usually charged based on occupancy, so renting one for just yourself may be a bit costly, but it's private and remote, and there are usually facilities with decent plumbing and showers.

If your trip is going to take you through more remote areas, consider camping to fully immerse yourself in the feeling of being truly alone. This is a good way to mentally prepare yourself if you choose to travel by yourself outside of your home country.

Hotels and Motels

These two are the most popular options (which don't need much explaining) mostly because they tend to be cheaper in the long run and sometimes have rewards programs that can open you up to exclusive perks for your current or future stays. Motels tend to have fewer amenities and the rooms are easily accessed, whereas hotels have more security, nicer arrangements, and sometimes waffle makers. Waffle makers are always worth it!

For the most conventional choices, the tried and true lodgings are the standard hotels and motels. But seriously, it's the waffles that sell me every time.

And now, making the selection...

I'm back to the point I made earlier about using your computer and opening up tabs for Yelp, TripAdvisor and Google Maps. For the sake of this example, we'll go with a hotel as the choice for lodging on the road trip, and I'll continue using Expedia as the booking site.

One thing I would like to point out: there are several application extensions that you can use while searching for your ideal hotel stay. You can use Swagbucks, Honey, Wikibuy, or any other add-on to find the best deals and earn some rewards for yourself! For the record, some of these applications have access to the same booking sites, and you can only use one, so make sure to check all the discounts available to find which one will bring you the most savings.

So now, we take a look for a hotel on Expedia. The reasons why you'll want to extra tabs open is to double check on the reviews. No hotel, motel, B&B, etc. will have all glowing reviews, and sometimes there will even been hotels that will scam their lodgers. Check the reviews for your selected hotel on Expedia (or whichever booking site you prefer to use since Expedia's not paying me to promote them), then check them on Yelp, and next on TripAdvisor. This may take some time, but you want to get the best deal.

And no unexpected surprises!

The reason why you'll want Google Maps as well is to check on the location. You want to take into consideration any shopping centers, restaurants, movie theaters, bars, clubs or other local attractions that are nearby depending on your tastes. You can also use Google Maps to see how close the hotel you're looking at is to the route you're taking and cross-reference to find if it's in a good or bad part of town.

If you must choose between location and reviews, I highly suggest opting for the reviews to make your selection. And make sure to look at both the positive and negative reviews. I've found that if an establishment is particularly well-received but has some bad reviews, sometimes those reviews are for petty reasons, such as there being construction happening at the time the person stayed and they didn't like that the hotel looked bad with all the work being done. Also, if someone did have a legitimately bad experience, better management will address the issue and respond with an apology and take their feedback to heart. 

Once you've made your selection, most websites will also offer an optional protection plan. I would suggest purchasing this as it's similar to traveler's insurance (covered in my last post) and it's always better to be prepared in case the unexpected happens and you need to postpone or cancel your trip.

And always, always....check all the fine print. Make sure you know exactly what you are and aren't paying for!

Things to Consider Before You Leave

Your route is planned, your car's ready, your hotels are booked, what else should I be prepared for?

Driving by yourself is probably something you're used to, but if you're going across country for the first time, it'll soon become very evident that you're all alone. Everyone will have their own way of dealing with this intense loneliness in their own way; it could hit right away when driving, when you take your first top, bedtime at your hotel, a few days later, or it may not sink in too deeply and it's something you can manage. Be sure to be very aware of how you're feeling emotionally and be ready to experience emotions you're not used to. You will have a reaction of some kind, but the type and intensity can only be known by you.

Being away from everything familiar can be extremely disconcerting and you made need emotional support along the way. Here are a few tips on how you can stay mentally and physically healthy while on your first solo road trip.

Have a support team

Just because you're on your own doesn't mean you have to cut yourself off from everyone. If you're concerned about loneliness and whether or not you'll be able to handle it, talk to your family or close friends before you go. Let them know that you may need to talk as you're gone or ask them to check up on you.

Believe it or not, sometimes traveling by yourself does require some help from your loved ones. Not everyone is mentally equipped to handle solo traveling right away. Reach out to the people you love and trust most to be behind you 100%.

Don't drive for too long of periods at a time

If you're not used to driving for a few hours at a time, set an alarm or timer on your phone to find a place to pull over every 2 hours or so. Having your right foot in the same position for an extended amount of time can cause extreme cramping to your ankle that could also affect your knee and even your hip. Find a rest stop, park, or gas station to get out and stretch yourself out. Walk for a few minutes until your blood flow feels normal, and then continue.

Pulling over is also a good way to deal with any emotional responses you're experiencing. It's not safe to drive when your emotions are heightened, so it's best to get off the road and take the time and actions you need to bring yourself to a calm state.

I've said this multiple times in this blog, and I'll say it again: your safety is the most important part of solo traveling. Make sure that your body isn't stiff from driving too long, and if your feelings are taking over, find the nearest available area to get off the road and take care of yourself.

Snacking

I don't know about you, but when I get emotional, I tend to snack. Road trips are a perfect time to load up on junk food and munch with zero judgment.

While I would definitely discourage you from snacking while driving, I would still say to load up on a few snacks before you go so that you can save cash along the way. Whether you choose healthy or junk food, it's all up to you. Pack some of these and bring them out when you're pulled over somewhere.

I hate to say this though: beware packing chocolate. Chocolate melts too easily, so opt for chocolate pastries or candies that have chocolate chips in them, but don't bring any chocolate candy. Not only will it be melted, but it'll get all over your clothes. Ick!

Dress Comfortably

Since you'll be going somewhere new or unfamiliar, it'll be tempting to drive out dressed up nice. Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. You're probably going to be sitting for a very long time and sweating, so wearing a cute top and jeans isn't the best thing to wear when cramped inside a car for hours or even days on end.

Instead, I would highly recommend wearing workout or yoga pants when you're driving. Workout pants tend to be made from synthetic materials that dry quicker and are airier for your lower body.

I would also highly suggest driving wearing a simple pair of flats. When driving for long periods of time your feet can start to swell which is exceptionally uncomfortable when wearing tennis shoes or boots. Wearing lace up shoes overall can constrict blood circulation in your feet causing additional swelling, which will lead to more stiffness.

When you get to your destination is when you can shower off and dress to the nines if that's how you normally dress. But until you get there, don't be afraid to look like a slob.

And finally...be ready for a life changing experience!

Your destination, what you do, and how much time you spend on your road trip is all up to you. That kind of freedom is rarely experienced and will either cause you to crave it more, or it will prove that solo traveling isn't for you. Either outcome is fine because you're at least taking the chance. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And don't be disappointed if you do your solo road trip and it's not for you; it's nothing to be ashamed about. You tried it, and that's more than many women can or will do.

As covered in my second post, there is a type of independent strength that can only be learned when you're on your own in an area foreign to you. Be ready to experience hardship, participate in activities that no one will ever witness, take in the sights and environments, and overall, have fun. Anything can happen, and if things don't go right, you can still find the fortitude to overcome the trials you endure.

I hope you enjoyed this post! It's a bit intense, but let's face it, solo travel is intense. I hope you've gleaned some helpful tips from this post that will better prepare you for your journeys.

In the meantime, since I have so much time on my hands right now, my next post will be about travel hacks. I'm sure you've read several articles or blog posts about these, so you'll probably see a few on this upcoming list that you'll recognize, but there will probably be a few unorthodox ones that you had no idea about! Keep on the lookout for it!

Stay safe out there and get ready to take on the world.

Images courtesy of Giphy.