​7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking My First (International) Solo Trip

Hey, HIS fam! So today, we’re talking about things to know before you book that first (or next) solo trip. Here are some insights I wish I’d have known sooner and I hope they help you too! 

• If you plan to make solo travel a thing, do yourself a favor and get you a good travel credit card to avoid those travel transaction fees! From what I’ve seen so far, you will likely have to pay a yearly fee for the card but that will all be out-weighted by the fees you avoid and the free nights/flights the accumulated points will earn you if you plan on traveling frequently enough. I cringed every time I remembered charging my card after I saw the first statement with those foreign fees. Grrrrr!  Pro tip: Consider how frequently you plan on legit traveling because certain cards will require you to spend a certain amount each year in order to not lose your status! You don't want to feel pressured to go out of your way to rack up debt just to hold status.

• ALWAYS research the entry requirements for the different countries you’re going to, especially if you plan to visit more than one during one trip (country hopping). You want to make sure if a visa or any other process is required you have time to clear the long lines and make your connecting flight. From what I’ve seen a lot of airports (Europe) have a kiosk or some electronic device where you can easily apply for a visa. But you won’t know how long the lines are until you get there! Keep this in mind when booking flights to ensure you have enough time to fulfill any entry requirements and make your connecting flight. See if you may be able to purchase the visa online if you can find a verified website.

• Here’s something I did learn before making my first trip that is helpful. Research packing light. Avoid bringing checked baggage, especially if you are country hopping. The biggest problem most people have is their baggage getting lost with all their valuables. Compression packing cubes are a lifesaver and will have you packing up to two weeks’ worth of fresh clothing or more. I prefer a backpack because it allows my hands to be free vs. a rolling carry-on. Another thing to note is that different airports have different weight requirements for carry-ons. I feel a backpack is much easier to pass through airport checkpoints without being questioned on whether you need to check the item or not. Look for a travel backpack that can be carried like a suitcase handle as well and possibly have wheels for when you don’t want to stress your shoulders. Pro tip: If you live close enough to the airport you might want to do a drive by to see if your packed bag will fit. If you want a less extreme method, practice packing for a local upcoming trip to see how much you can/can't get away with. EXTRA Pro Tip: For airlines that charge for a carry-on definitely pre-pay before you arrive at the airport! It's cheaper and they seem more lenient if you've already pre-paid. 

• You don’t need to book a bunch of tours that have you stuck all day at various sites you’re not interested in staying at for long. Instead, you can find a smaller tour guide company or hire a private car to take you to the places you want to spend time at. This may be pricier than just going with the flow and dealing with larger crowds, but if you’re like me, you value your time and won’t want to waste a precious minute. It’s not every day you find yourself on the other side of the world so far away from home. Private, smaller options may be more expensive, but they are more convenient, more tailored to your requests, and often offer faster mobility and flexibility than the others. It also comes with more personal, undivided attention to your needs.

• When booking hotels (preferable over Airbnb in areas you’re not familiar with unless the host is willing to play chauffeur and tour guide) look to see if they offer transfers to/from the airport as well as to attractions. Especially with island resorts, you want to use the hotel’s transportation and avoid using the local cab/taxi. BONUS Pro Tip: Always ask and negotiate the price of a cab fare if using a local cab BEFORE getting in. Locals have a reputation for taking advantage of foreigners and charging you more than they should. You can research to see if there are any city laws in place that set a standard fare. For solo female travelers, some laws in European countries say women can get free rides during certain hours of the night (although it’s not advisable for you to be out alone in unfamiliar places too late at night. But if you have a late-night flight this is good to know!).

• I learned this as well before leaving, but once you’re in an airport there will be loads of locals posing as “official” cabs and asking if you need a ride. This is why it’s important to coordinate your transportation needs in advance of your arrival if you’re not familiar with the country. I’ve read it’s best to avoid people like this altogether and I’ve seen other influences share stories where the cab driver they hailed down refused to drive them for a number of reasons (they were trying to charge too much and the traveler refused to pay, the driver literally said "I'm not heading the same direction" the traveler wanted to go/drive, etc). When traveling, especially as a solo woman you want to do so with reputable companies, not individuals who you will have a harder time holding accountable. Pro tip: Research and purchase self-defense alarms, lipstick tasers, etc that you can keep on you at all times for your safety. We not taking those kind of chances in these streets, ok?

• Booking with an agent or trip guide/group is great for first-timers or those who absolutely hate planning details, but it’s also probably TWICE the cost. Now I’m not mad about paying for an experienced, well-organized travel guide host to provide a great experience. BUT I do take issue when said hosts are not organized and leave me with more questions than answers or provide conflicting information, leaving me confused on what flights to book, etc. I’m like I can just take care of all that myself and not have to stress about being left unread because the host is too busy to respond to me. If I’m paying you a lot of money, then I will need you to be responsive and provide accurate, detailed information at the time you take my money. Just know when you use a host or guide who is doing a group tour or offer you may not get the timely or personalized experience you need, leaving you at their mercy. If you are a well-organized, on-top-your-game person like myself, who is already comfortable with solo travel in your local city/country, you can skip the travel group tours for areas that are friendly towards women and save more of your coin for things you want to spend on. You will have complete control of your schedule and no need to hunt down someone who is serving other travelers as well. Once you get the hang of it you can save the group travels for places where you’re not comfortable going alone or want the added company. Trust me, you can do the same or better planning your own trip for FREE!

 
​If you found today's blog helpful, please drop a comment below and let me know! Also, any good group touring companies you've experienced and where did you go?