Written by Matt Browne
Posted, 4th September 2022
A solo adventure is like a movie where you’re the main character, scriptwriter and director all rolled into one. It’s exactly what you want it to be and the opportunities are endless! It’s your own tailored adventure that gives you the best chance at ticking everything off your bucket list.
If you haven’t started planning your new exciting trip yet then here’s everything you need to know… for those that have already made it that far, here are all the things you have to look forward to 🥳.
Warning: Expect excitement levels to hit new peaks, and be prepared to start booking flights & getting packed immediately!
A sense of freedom unlike anything else 🗺
The freedom you get when on your own solo adventure is in a league of its own. Nothing beats the ability to drop everything at a moment’s notice and pursue something exciting you’ve just been told about. Even if you find you don’t fall in love with a particular place then not to worry – it’s on to the next one!
You can stay, go, try everything, eat it all, join groups, leave after a while, sleep in late, get up for sunrise, party, fly, sail, drive, run and walk. Better yet… do it all… why not?! 🙈
The world is your oyster 🌎
As a Solo traveller, the entire world is at your fingertips just waiting to be explored! You plan the destinations, when you should go and what happens when you arrive. Start by getting inspo on the places you’d like to visit, then think about a route and start planning how you’re going to do it (if that last part sounds like too much work then check out these Group Tours for Solo Travellers). Don’t let your bucket list find its way into a junk drawer and get dusty… use it as motivation to see everything you’ve always wanted to!
If you’re unsure which countries you want to visit then think about foods you want to try, or animals you want to see and that can help you plan your route too!
Get out of your comfort zone 💪🏼
Whether you’re a first-time traveller or well-seasoned explorer you are sure to be thrust out of your comfort zone when backpacking. It’s a nervy thing at first but soon you will become the most adaptable, confident and resilient person you know that thrives under unexpected changes. Never underestimate the ability to go with the flow, and what amazing outcomes it can lead to! 🙌🏼
No need for compromise
Want to skydive over Sydney harbour? Awesome…do it! There’s no one to hold you back, and nothing you can’t achieve if you set your mind to it. Sometimes travelling with a friend or a partner from back home can be a little difficult, this is usually because you find out a little more about each other and realise that you’re not so similar after all. When you travel solo it’s super easy to make your own decisions without the worry of upsetting somebody you’re travelling with… #doityourway 💪🏼
If the idea of going alone scares the hell of you, why not jump on a group trip. Feel Free Travel isn’t like your traditional tour companies and more like travelling with a bunch of friends that all have similar interests 😃
Meet a tonne of awesome people 👯♀️
This is the EASIEST thing in the world when you’re travelling. Everywhere you go there will be a bunch of other like-minded people all doing similar things who are just as eager to meet you as you are to meet them. As a solo traveller, you’re weirdly in the best position to meet the most people…because you have to. Couples and groups can sometimes stick together because they don’t have that need to get out and talk to people. You, on the other hand, will quickly evolve into a beautiful social butterfly who meets the most amazing people 🦋.
Travelling solo does not mean travelling alone 🤙🏼
There are tonnes of backpackers out in the world, and you would have to go pretty far out of your way to not bump into a bunch of them. Travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to stay on your own, or that you’re not allowed to jump on a Group Tour to start your adventure. It just means that you’re the captain of your own ship! If you meet an awesome group of other backpackers that you connect with and decide to join them for a while! Convoy to incredible places together and after a while, say goodbye and head off to your next destination ready to meet a bunch more!
You hold the purse strings 🤑
Splurge where you want, save where you want…it’s all down to you. If you want to go island hopping in Thailand, cruise around Ha Long Bay in Vietnam or join a surf school in Sri Lanka, no problem! The best thing about money is that you can always just make more of it. I can’t think of a better way to spend it than on experiences that will stick with you for a lifetime.
If you’re looking to do a lengthy trip you should consider a Working Holiday Visa in Australia. Here you can find a way to fund those epic adventures by doing a bit of work along the way 🇦🇺
“Find yourself”
It’s a classic for a reason. Most people will ask you whether this is why you’re setting off, or what you managed to do when/ if you decide to head home again. It’s usually accompanied by a wry smile and snigger. While you may or may not “find yourself” you will definitely discover a lot about yourself. You may unlock a hidden passion for rock climbing, a strange ability to pick up surfing quickly, get drawn into yoga, scuba diving…anything! Maybe you find a whole new purpose in life, anything is possible 😍
Inspire all your friends back home…or at least make them jealous 📸
Your Instagram account will be a thing of beauty. Your friends back home may begin to resent you when they check their feed at 9 am on a Monday morning while sitting at their desks sipping their morning coffee. You’ll be seen hanging out in the Khao Sok National Park, cycling through the rice fields in Vietnam and living your best life on the road!
Top Tip: If you really want to capture jawdropping pictures and videos then start researching drones. If you have the cash to get 1 you’ll definetely be able to capture some really great shots!
No regrets 🙌🏼
As a solo traveller, you can act on a whim and let no opportunity pass you by. You can rest easy at night knowing you are doing exactly what you want, and when you want. You’ll be able to comprehensively work through your bucket list one thing at a time and tick off all your dreams, goals and ambitions. When you get to the later stages of your life you’ll be looking back with fond memories rather than regrets. That in itself is worth its weight in gold!
You’ll be safe ⛑
This is something that probably plays on people’s minds the most as they see various awful news stories. The truth is that there are dangers out there, but no more than you face commuting to work every morning. The chances of something happening to you are very slim especially if you just use a little common sense when a crazy idea springs to mind 🤣
When it comes to safety it’s SUPER IMPORTANT that you get yourself covered with Travel Insurance, it may look pricey and eat into that budget but I can assure you it’s something EVERY traveller should have.
Learn to live a minimalistic lifestyle
You can take as much stuff as you want…but remember that you need to carry it all! Living a minimalistic lifestyle is a benefit to travel for sure. Cut out all the unnecessary things that you don’t need. When you eventually return home maybe you won’t hoard all the useless stuff that fills up cupboards, drawers & your grandma’s loft!
Learn to be respectful of people, cultures and places 🙏🏼
Being exposed to different people, ways of thinking, cultures and even foods is something that helps build respect for customs, people and places. Not only do you meet the locals on your travels, but also other adventurers from all walks of life. One day you’ll be sipping a beer with a couple from brazil around a campfire, next it could be sharing a sunset with a girl from France, and then wind up playing a game of pool with a guy from Norway at a random bar. All these experiences are opportunities to learn about a new culture and are opportunities to grow.
Check out our recent blog on how to be a responsible and respectful traveller here 🙌🏼
Broaden your mind 🧘🏼♀️
If you decide to return home, then you will come back a different person from the one that left. It doesn’t matter which continent or country you visit. You will have experiences and meet people who change your perceptions of life and the world around you.
It may be as subtle as a newfound love of spicy food from your time in Asia, or it could be entirely new religious beliefs. Embrace it all, and leave no stone unturned! 🕵🏼♂️
You’ll be a hit at parties after your awesome adventures 🏄🏼
You’ll be the type of person I would certainly want to speak to at a house party! I want to hear all about your adventure white water rafting in New Zealand, hand feeding elephants in Thailand, Kayaking around Ha Long Bay and driving offroad vehicles on the beaches in Australia. It’s a hell of a lot more entertaining than hearing about someone’s awful week at work that’s for sure! 🥱
You won’t have to wait 🟢
The best part about being a solo explorer? You can head to the airport the moment you decide the time is right! No need to wait for a friend to get some money together, have second thoughts and back out at the last minute. You work to your own schedule so the moment you can go…do it… what’s stopping you!?
If you’re unsure where to start your adventure then Southeast Asia is always a winner! It’s where many backpackers have caught the travel bug…I know I did! 🎒
Join a Group of other like-minded solo travellers! ✌🏼
Joining a group of other solo travellers is the perfect way to dip your toes into the life of a single explorer. You get the best of both worlds by having the time and space to do your own thing, but also the companionship of a group! You can figure out if it really is the life for you, and then take your expedition onwards after that if you chose. Join us on one of our awesome trips to Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand or Vietnam and start living your life as if you’re the main character of your own epic adventure movie 🎬.
Whether you’re looking to travel solo or bring a friend along for the ride, our group tours in both Australia & South East Asia are the perfect balance of culture, adventure & party nights out. You’ll arrive as strangers and leave as the best of friends. There really is no better way to travel than with Feel Free Travel 🤙🏻
Here are a few useful links to help with that planning;
👉🏼 View all Trips
👉🏼 Frequently Asked Questions
👉🏼 Check out our Reviews
👉🏼 Why choose us?
👉🏼 How does it all work?
If you’ve got any burning questions or just need a little travel inspo… jump in the DM’s with the team via either Whatsapp or Facebook.
