How to overcome the fear of traveling alone – 5 Practical Tips

At the beginning of 2013, I got on a plane to go to the other side of the world. It was my first time traveling alone, I didn't know anyone at my destination and I confess that I cried during almost every flight.

It's amazing to think that I consider this trip one of the best experiences of my life.

Even so, I have to admit that I'm still nervous when venturing out without company, even if it's to the neighboring state. I think about everything that could go wrong, I think I'm going to get lost, I'm going to be embarrassed, my anxiety is high and I want to give up always appears.

The good part is that, after going through this several times, I ended up discovering what helps me relax in these tense moments. As I imagine you might go through the same situation, I decided to share it with you!

If you want to lose your fear of traveling alone, I'm sure these tips will help you! They will make you feel prepared and build your confidence to visit even the most distant places.

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How to overcome the fear of traveling alone – Practical tips

1. Start by visiting nearby places

No one waiting return home in the early hours, but it's always comforting to know that you can do this in case everything goes wrong (unlikely).

Starting by visiting cities or even neighboring states is a great option to test if traveling alone is your style. You may realize that you actually prefer to be accompanied by a guided group or friends. It's best to find out if this is the case before going too far.

Besides, even though it's close, you'll already pass through some perrengues traveling and will have to work around it. It doesn't seem like it at the time, but they will help build your confidence in yourself, and you will be more confident about venturing into other countries, even those where you don't speak the language!

2. Research a lot, a lot, a lot!

If there is something that always calms my anxiety is obsessively researching my destination. If I think I won't know how to take the metro, I find out how it works, how much it costs, whether you need a card and look at the terms in the local language. The same goes for attractions (Will I like this thing? Is it far from my accommodation? How much does it cost?), neighborhoods (Is it safe to walk there alone?) and so on.

With this approach, you also guarantee that you will see the best tourist attractions. Think about your favorite type of outing (nature, shopping, museums) and search on sites like TripAdvisor or even in the Quora.

In the travel resources section of the blog you will find other sites to help you with this part of the planning.

If you plan to walk a lot, familiarize yourself with the Google Maps – I explained how app works in this post. It shows how to get from point A to B using public transport, informing you from which bus to take to which direction, at which point to get off, how many stops, etc.

To familiarize yourself with the region, you can also use the Google Street View. It reduces my anxiety when I am there, as it is already “familiar”. 

Take advantage and also create an itinerary, so you know what you need to visit each day. You don't necessarily need to follow it exactly, but it's good for orienting yourself. I taught you how to choose tours and fit them into each day of the trip in this post.

3. Take all information with you while traveling

It seems obvious, but there's no point in researching too much and leaving the information at home. Take them with you to consult during the day to day of your trip, so you can be more relaxed about following the itinerary and not getting lost.

My suggestion is to create a document in Google Docs, with your plans, hotel address, bus or flight information, your document number and travel insurance details. In addition to being easy to consult through the app, you can share it with your family or friends, so they have access in any emergency.

Speaking of travel insurance, I highly recommend that you take out one if you are leaving Brazil. With it, you are protected in medical emergencies, and also in situations such as lost luggage or flight delays. If you need assistance, most of them cover expenses in advance, so you don't have to take anything out of your pocket! I always contract with Seguros Promo, and prices for international destinations start at just R$9 per day!

Remember that some information must be printed, as your cell phone may run out of battery. The hotel address and a telephone number for a reliable taxi cooperative (if you don't have a car) are essential, so that you can get back to your accommodation whatever the situation.

4. Stay in hostels

Despite the bad reputation among some people, I love staying in hostels. Ok, sometimes you have to share a room and bathroom with strangers, but this is much easier than it seems (most of the time), and the advantages are immense.

Like many people traveling alone, staying in hostels, it's easy to make friends and find people to explore the destination with you. It helps a lot to lose the fear of traveling alone, as you realize that you will only be really Só if you want. 

I used this technique on almost all of my trips alone and it worked really well. I met super cool people and I'm sure the adventures wouldn't be the same if I hadn't stayed in hostel. One of my favorites to this day is Rado Boutique Hostel, in Santiago de Chile (a great destination for first trips on your own).

Book your hostel through Booking to guarantee the lowest price!

5. Ask the locals

Lastly, if you are still unsure about going out alone, ask the locals. Unfortunately, it is possible that the information on the internet is outdated and it is always good to check with someone who understands the subject. Normally the people who work at the reception desk hostel or hotel has great recommendations.

It's worth asking about places, tour, if it's okay to walk around certain places alone and anything else you think is important!

6. (Extra!) Don't listen to criticism

Lastly, this is not a practical tip, but a recommendation: Don't listen to what people say! Many people are still prejudiced against traveling alone and will discourage you, saying that you accurate a friend to go with. Do your research and, if people who have already been to your destination confirm that it is safe to go alone, take advantage of the chance! 

Every woman I know who travels on their own has heard that destination it was super dangerous, even from people who barely know where such a place is on the map. Angie from Apure Guria has a hilarious post with cthings no one can stand to hear anymore about traveling alone, it's worth reading for a laugh!

Stories from women traveling alone

Practical tips are great, but it's also cool to read reports from people who have already put theory into practice and had a great experience, right? That's why I've put together some stories from bloggers who travel alone that will give you even more courage:

• Liany, from the blog Mochilão a Dois, has an incredible post about What was it like traveling alone to India?;
• Patti from Tripping Unicorn wrote about What was it like traveling alone in Mali?, a destination little sought after by Brazilians in Africa (the photos are sensational);
• Lu, from Turistando com a Lu, has a super important post about mothers who travel alone, showing that just because you have children doesn't mean you can't have an adventure like this anymore!

I hope these tips help you lose your fear of traveling alone! How about starting planning your next adventure?

Have you had this experience? Tell us how it was in the comments to encourage people! 🙂

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