🌍 10 steps to the perfect solo trip
If you are tired of ready-made tours and you decide to take everything into your own hands, then this article is just for you. We will tell you how to plan your trip yourself and what nuances should be taken into account.
Planning
Plan ahead as this may take much longer than expected. First, decide which country or city you want to visit. Find out whether you need a visa there and how long it will take to obtain it, as well as what documents you need to submit. Unfortunately, you need to be prepared for failure and have a backup plan just in case. Don't forget to take out insurance.
Buying tickets
The earlier you buy your tickets, the higher the chance they will be cheaper. Many companies raise prices closer to the departure date. During peak season, tickets are always more expensive, this is also worth paying attention to. Compare offers on different sites and look for favorable conditions. We recommend Trip.com. Also consider whether there will be transfers, where and how long they will take. Check the restrictions on hand luggage and baggage so as not to overpay.
Accommodation reservation
The same principle applies here as with tickets. The sooner, the cheaper. And there is even less chance that you will end up on the street. You can see the options here: Booking, Airbn b, Hotels.
If you want to feel a little local, you can try CouchSurfing. In this case, get an overnight stay at someone’s home for free or for some kind of service. And if you make friends and find a common language, then they can arrange a small excursion around the city for you.
Read reviews, look at photos, so that there are no misunderstandings later. Also look at the location of hotels and hostels to make it convenient to move around.
Calculate the remaining budget
After you have paid or set aside money for the items listed above, let’s move on to other expenses. Think about how much you are willing to spend on food, souvenirs, and attractions.
Be sure to set aside some amount for unexpected expenses.
Find out what the currency is in the country you are traveling to. If possible, it is better to exchange money in advance so that you have some of the money in cash and on the card. The main thing is that the card is international.
Get to know the country
They don’t go to someone else’s monastery with their own rules—it’s the same with the country. To avoid misunderstandings, it is worth studying local rules, laws and customs. After all, ignorance can lead to deportation or even imprisonment. Watch various videos about the country on the Internet, read articles to form an idea of what, as a tourist, you will be allowed to travel and what not.
Plan your route
Once you have explored the country and city a little, it will be easier to decide what you want to see. You can use various online resources, guidebooks and maps to plan your route in advance. Find out whether the attractions you are interested in are open during your trip, whether admission is paid or free, and whether there are discounts or promotions to make it more profitable. And when you are already in the country itself, don’t be afraid to talk to the locals and ask questions. They can advise where to go and what to see.
Weather
Check the weather for the period of time that you will be in the city so that you don’t have to take a bunch of unnecessary things with you. We recommend reading travel forums. Perhaps they will tell you how changeable the weather can be during your trip.
Learn a language
If you've been waiting for a sign to learn English, here it is. Knowing at least basic words and sentences, it will be easier and more comfortable to solve everyday issues. Agree, explaining something on your fingers is much more difficult, although not impossible. You can learn basics like “hello”, “thank you”, “please”. The locals will be pleased.
Connection
To stay connected, you need to think about mobile communications. This could be purchasing a SIM card on the spot or connecting to roaming. Find out all the rates and choose what suits you.
