Many travelers rave about the freedom of solo travel, but I always thought I’d feel lonely without my friends and family.
Yet when a friend and I booked a dreamy, 10-night cruise to the South Pacific from Sydney, I knew I wanted to explore more of Australia before our ship set sail.
Work commitments prevented my friend from arriving early, so I hesitantly planned a seven-day trip around the country by myself. I didn’t want to waste any time, even if it meant traveling alone.
Not everything went smoothly, but I still loved the freedom of traveling by myself — and I learned a few valuable lessons on my first solo trip that I’ll use on my next one.
I’m glad I planned activities to meet other travelers
My biggest concern during my solo trip was feeling lonely. To combat this, I researched ways to connect with other travelers.
In Queensland, I booked a two-night scuba-diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
Not only was it a fantastic way to discover the world’s largest reef system, but I also met dozens of other travelers on board the small boat. With shared meals and group dives, it was impossible to feel lonely.
Later in my trip, however, I missed having company while exploring Sydney for two days.
I regretted not planning another group activity, such as a walking tour or bar crawl, so that I could meet other travelers and locals.
Food poisoning was not part of the plan
I spent weeks planning my solo adventure, but a sudden case of food poisoning threw a wrench in my plans.
Halfway through my trip, I felt lightheaded on a flight to Australia’s Outback. Out of nowhere, I was struck with food poisoning on the plane … while in the middle seat.
I was grateful for seatmates, as they expressed genuine concern for my well-being and even offered to give me a ride to my accommodation. This made me feel less alone in such a vulnerable situation.
Nonetheless, getting sick on a solo trip was stressful. I missed having my support system nearby to help.
I’m fortunate that I didn’t need to seek further medical care, but this was also a great reminder to always purchase travel insurance before leaving home.
I saved money by booking a 20-person dorm room — it was a mistake
When I travel with friends and family, we split accommodations among the group. However, as a solo traveler, I was responsible for these costs myself — and they quickly added up.
Australia’s Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, for example, offers limited accommodation options. Most nearby hotels charge around $300 per night. So, during my visit, I booked a bed in a $25 hostel dorm room to save money.
Despite the substantial savings, I regretted my decision almost immediately. My bunkmates were nothing but friendly, but I missed having my own private space to unwind.
Hostels can be a great place to meet other travelers, but I’ll stick to paying more for private rooms next time.
Despite a few setbacks, I loved the freedom of traveling by myself
Not everything went perfectly on my first solo trip. I occasionally felt lonely, and getting food poisoning was far from glamorous.
Even with these drawbacks, my week of solo traveling in Australia exceeded my expectations. I cycled around the Australian Outback, scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, and took in spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
If anything, this trip gave me the push I needed to try something new. I still love traveling with friends and family, but I realize now that I don’t need to wait for others to explore the world.
Now, I won’t hesitate to book another solo trip in the future, and I’ll take my lessons learned in Australia to make the next one even better.
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