How To Plan A Solo Travel Itinerary – This Beginner’s Guide to Travel Planning is a practical tool to help you plan your first solo trip, including pre-trip logistics, to get to your destination like a pro. Let’s get started!
Planning a single trip doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. However, there are several logistical aspects to consider before booking a trip. Don’t worry, once you get the hang of it, these things will become second nature.
How To Plan A Solo Travel Itinerary
Make sure your passport is up to date and doesn’t expire 6 months before you plan to travel abroad. Also make sure it has enough blank pages to accommodate new stamps and visas (I made this mistake and had to renew my passport abroad in Kenya).
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You will want to have a digital copy of your passport handy or keep a photocopy of it in your hand luggage; in the worst case scenario, if it’s stolen or lost, at least you’ll have a record of your identity and passport number.
Depending on your nationality and the country you are traveling to, you may or may not need a visa. You can often check this on your government’s travel website or you can check on the iVisa website. If you need a visa, you may need to apply for one in advance, so it is recommended that you do so online before booking your trip, as unfortunately there is no guarantee that your application will be approved.
The exception is if the visa is offered on arrival, which means you can fill out a visa application form and pay in person at immigration when you arrive in the country. Again, this will depend on the country you are coming to and your nationality.
Considering how you will manage your finances is important when planning a solo trip. Some sources recommend that you call your bank and let them know you will be using your debit or credit card abroad so they don’t activate the identity theft protocol.
I’m Using Notion To Help Me Plan My First Solo Trip Around The World.
As for how you’ll actually handle your finances when traveling internationally with the new currency, there are a few options:
ATMs usually provide the best exchange rate for the day and are usually conveniently located at airports upon arrival. However, most ATMs charge a fee to use them, and some financial institutions charge their own fee; this can add up to a whopping $10 in fees per withdrawal.
Check with your bank to find out what your options are. Some bank accounts offer reimbursement for international ATM fees, and if you’re lucky enough to receive this benefit, your best bet is to use an ATM to withdraw money.
Cash exchange kiosks are notorious for charging high exchange rates, which means you’ll lose money on the exchange. It is better to exchange cash directly at your financial institution and only contact commercial cash exchange companies if you are desperate. For example, you are left with foreign currency and need to get rid of it at the airport before returning home.
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If you don’t want to walk around with large amounts of cash, your best bet is to have a travel credit card. Look for one with a 0% foreign transaction fee so you don’t pay more on every purchase, ideally with a travel rewards program.
Some travel credit cards also offer travel insurance, so be sure to read the fine print to see what you’re covered for.
If you don’t have a lot of experience planning solo trips or creating a travel itinerary, or you don’t have the time to plan a trip, working with a travel agent can be very helpful. Agents can help you with everything from booking flights to planning ground transfers, accommodation and tours – basically the whole package. They can also be very helpful in solving problems in the event that something happens while traveling, such as a flight cancellation or delay.
However, those on a tight budget or who want a more flexible travel schedule can plan their own trip. These days, there are various low cost airlines and search engines that can help you get to your destination for less, report sales or even research all destinations by price. I usually use Skyscanner for this reason (I have a whole post on how to use Skyscanner to get cheap flights if you’re not familiar with it).
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Once you’ve booked your flights, the next step in planning your solo trip is deciding where to stay. In general, you have three choices: hotels, hostels, or Airbnb.
Hostels are economical and usually conveniently located in city centers, close to bus or train terminals. They usually have kitchen facilities and some even have an indoor bar! Staying at a hostel is a great way to meet other travelers and participate in group activities while traveling alone (although there is hostel etiquette to follow). Disadvantages include less privacy and the potential for noise or dirty shared environments.
Hotels may seem like a more expensive option, but it really depends on your destination. In some parts of Asia and Africa, a basic hotel room can cost less than a bed in a dorm room. There are many great sites to explore your options, such as Hoteltonight.com or Booking.com (just be sure to read the reviews to determine the accuracy of the listing). Sometimes booking a hotel directly on their website can be cheaper, so it might be worth comparing costs. Use this link to get $25 off your Hotels Tonight booking!
Finally, Airbnb has become a popular choice for travelers looking to find a home away from home on the road. If you want to have your own kitchen or workspace while you travel, booking an apartment through Airbnb may be just the thing for you. You can also rent a room in someone’s home through Airbnb, which means you’ll be sharing the space with the host. As with anything, check out the reviews and trust your gut. Use this link to get $30 off your first Airbnb booking!
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We all know that life is unpredictable, so even the best-planned trip can go wrong.
Travel insurance covers the cost of your trip (e.g. missed flight due to unforeseen or emergency circumstances), your belongings (e.g. lost luggage by the airline) as well as your health (e.g. hospitalization or medical evacuation).
The costs associated with medical consultation and treatment abroad can be very minimal in some countries and astronomical in others. If you need serious medical care, you may be evacuated to your home country. A comprehensive health insurance policy through a legitimate company like SafetyWing will cover astronomical medical bills in the event of an emergency.
Before buying insurance, always read the fine print to find out if it is covered and how you will need to make a claim. I have personally used SafetyWing for travel insurance, which covers unexpected illness or injury and emergency travel benefits such as emergency medical evacuation, bedside visits, travel delay and lost checked baggage. I personally like that they cover travel in over 180 countries, so their nomad insurance is pretty versatile and unlike other companies, SafetyWing covers adventure sports (like diving) and scooter rental accidents for a reasonable price $45.08 per month rate.
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Finally, leave a copy of your insurance policy with a family or friend and keep an electronic copy on your phone.
You may want to check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health website to determine if there are mandatory vaccinations required to enter the country you are traveling to. For example, entry to East African countries requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, and you may not be allowed to enter without an immunization card. Conversely, vaccines or pills such as rabies shots or malaria pills may be recommended for your destination.
If you have a prescription drug that you need to take with you on your trip, talk to your pharmacist about getting it in bulk so you don’t run out while abroad. Also, it’s important to ask for a prescription to carry with you, as you may or may not need it while traveling.
It’s also important to consider whether your medication is legal in the area you’re arriving. For example, some forms of the drug are illegal in certain counties. You can check the status of your prescription medications on the CDC’s travel medicine website.
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Air travel doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated with a little preparation. Be sure to check with the airline about baggage requirements and fees, including the weight and dimensions of checked and carry-on bags. If you’re not sure about luggage, you can read about the best travel accessories.
No one wants to show up at the airport and pay an unexpected expense, so weigh your luggage when you’re done packing (although be sure to leave a little extra room for items you might want to take home). You might want to read my tips on how to pack lighters