A look at the pros and cons of going it alone.
Hi. I went to South America last year, and was supposed to meet my two friends upon arrival into Chile. To my dismay, they were delayed in Bolivia and I had to spend the next 10 days travelling alone without them, ... and without any spoken spanish or any clue about travelling. It was my first time and I was terrified. My fear was short-lived, lasting only a couple of days. My sense of adventure was awakened. We fear what we do not know. Sometimes the worst things in life turn out to be the best things, you just don't know it at the time. To my surprise, I had the time of my life during these few days alone. When I was reunited with my friends, they were too tired to go south to Patagonia, as we had originally planned. I didn't want to miss out on Patagonia...I'd had such a great time without them, I decided to separate from them and go solo. My only concern was spending Christmas alone in the middle of nowhere. Along the way I met a local boy... then the next day, there I was in the middle of nowhere having dinner with him and his Chilean family on Christmas. I had many amazing experiences like this during my first trip, which filled me with that Wanderlust! All I could think about for the next 12months was my next trip.... And here I am again, flying solo, living the dream! I'm currently on a 1year round-the-world trip. So far I've spend 3months throughout South-East Asia and I've only been alone for 1.5 weeks maximum. I'm making friends along the way. I'm having the time of my life and I can't wait to meet the next adventurous free-spirit. If you think Lucky, you'll feel Lucky... and everyone around you will feel it too. Keep up the adventures!
Reply to this My response is to Conor though I realize that his responses were put up last year. He worried about REALLY explaining his travels. I'm lucky to have friends and family that support my travels, solo and otherwise, and some are even travellers themselves. One thing I've realized though, and about myself, is that most people have a general interest in where you're going but arn't going to remember where you went or how fabulous a certain scenic point was. When my cousin went 6 years ago on his honeymoon to SE Asia, I thought wow, these pictures are pretty but had no concept of where these places were and didn't imagine myself really going there. It was only when I decided to go to these same countries, I took another look at his pictures and got him to tell me stories and thats when I really understood. Likewise, when I came back from Peru, people flipped through the pictures including my friend Katie. It was only when she decided to go there herself, she asked specific questions on the places I had gone to and what my experiences there were like.
Reply to this Hi Zoe V M,
I just have a quick question: I'm about to embark on a two month solo journey to Argentina and Chile (and maybe Bolivia) and was wondering how you coped?
I've travelled through Europe fine by myself, but I'm a bit worried about travelling in South America.
Any tips or hints?
I'm going to focus my travels on Patagonia- how much time did you spend down there?
Thanks.
Reply to this Hello Connor 😊
Unless I have a travelling companion who is an experienced traveller and independently minded, I prefer to travel alone.
An ideal companion would be one whom I would enjoy doing things we have in common with, while doing what we dont have in common individually.
I find that boyfriends made the best travelling companions, becasue we already knew each others travelling and other needs.
Friends were the worst travelling companians. There was always conflict about the way the travelling is done. I like to relax and hang out, while they often want to rush around looking at tourist attractions. I used to feel harassed about the lectures about what am I doing here if I dont want to do this and that. Also if a travelling companian does not accept that I dont want to get drunk and use drugs all the time while travelling....
Mel
Reply to this I think the is always a good case for traveling with someone or solo, going solo you meet more people and have your own freedom, traveling with a companion who have someone to share adventures and someone to look after your bag while you visit the toilet.
I think a list of Pro's and Con's would be fairly equal, as per science for every action is an equal and opposite reaction and for each pro always a con............lol.
This debate could go on for forever😊
Thx Mike😊
Reply to this I'm trying to be very objective on the subject, taking into consideration the non-romantic issues when traveling alone (even being quite pesimistic), especially for long time:
- you can get ill and need some help
- you lost your credit card!
- yes, who is looking after your luggage when going to the toillet?
- especially for a woman there are many places where she shouldn't go alone
Then:
- when I see a special, wonderful place I want to have someone with me to share the hapiness with
- I have seen lots of pics but never realized the real beauty until I saw those places by myself. Photos and words are not able to recreate nature to its utmost details
My conclusion: one is not enough, three is already too much...
Reply to this In my opinion, every travel experience is what you make it. I've traveled with people and have also traveled alone. Lately, I've been traveling more alone because the vast majority of my friends are married and tend to take family vacations.
As others have mentioned, as a single female you need to be smart when you travel alone but don't let fear stop you from the experience. You will really get to know yourself and I'd encourage a journal so you can look back someday at any fears or insecurities you recorded that are no more as you've ventured more on your own. The fun part is you set the pace and make the decisions. You decide what you want to do that day, when to stop and rest and when to proceed on. I agree that when I've traveled alone, I've tended to get more into the culture and area than when I've been with others. When you are with others, even 1 person, you tend to have someone to fall back on or chat with and don't have to make yourself reach out and try things as much.
The more I've traveled the more I've found other single female travelers as well. There are more and more of us out there and some have published books as well which are inspiring and make me want to get right back on a plane to a new adventure (if only my wallet allowed it).
It is what it is. Traveling with people has its perks and traveling alone has its perks. Each one is enjoyable and will be as wonderful as you allow it to be.
Reply to this Hey Guys, thought Id put my input into your forum! I am an Australian Travel Agent that specialises in Backpacker travel everywhere in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. I am part of an exciting travel company called Peterpans Adventure Travel, that offers the best rates for fantastic backpacker holiday packages. I have lived in Australia my whole life, done loads of travel and am a great source of knowledge on whats great in Australia! Please don't hesitate with ANY questions you may have about Beautiful Australia!
My experience is that most backpackers ARE solo! You would be suprised how quickly you will make travel buddies. Backpacking is one thing many people have in common and there are many people always in the same 'boat' as you. A pro about travelling alone is that you can do WHATEVER YOU WANT!. You don't have to worry about pleasing others with what you do and once you have finished travelling know what interested YOU the most. The amount of disagreements I see at my travel desk between travel buddies is incredible. It is slightly safer to be with someone, but if you choose your places/ tours well, you are most of the time guided and expected to be places. Almost like you have guardians at the next accommodation you have booked, because if you don't turn up, they will be calling.
As far as splitting costs etc, it doesn't work out any cheaper with a friend unless you are wanting to hire campervans or cars. If you choose your agents wisely and book more tours at once rather than just 1 or 2 each time, you will make huge savings.
Catcha guys, happy travells!!
Reply to this 
