Traveling to a new city alone takes time, research, and diligence. A solo traveler’s job is staying safe, informed, and aware. You are your best resource and protection when faced with a world that is unfamiliar. Traveling alone is both scary and thrilling: you have the ability to expedite to any place you choose right at your fingertips. Every street is new, every building a mystery, and every monument has a secret to share with you.
This guide will teach you about what cities to go to, how to build confidence about exploring unknown roads, risks associated, what locals you meet might want from you, and how the overall experience can be rewarding. Each section in the paper will give you an often detailed description of the dos and don’ts residing in and in between each location in order to maximize your experience in every new city you visit.
Researching the City
In order to make the most of traveling solo in an unfamiliar city, it’s important to research it beforehand. Armed with this information, you can spread out your sightseeing in order to maximize happiness and minimize loneliness. The first task is figuring out where things are in relation to each other. What neighborhoods, streets, or areas are adjacent to each other? Many cities are laid out on a grid, and if you understand the layout of even just one neighborhood, you can navigate vast stretches of the city. The next task is to learn about the public transportation system, whether by bus, train, subway, or tram. Also, figure out how people walk around. After considering routes by transit and foot, look into bike-share services if the opportunity is available. Finally, consider what’s available in each borough or at each subway stop as you do your planning. Choosing points of interest within a small area and visiting them in rotation can provide a week’s worth of entertainment. In addition to ‘must-see’ attractions, plan to spend some time in lesser-known areas such as ethnic enclaves or areas with many students or artists, where you might find cheap eats, quirky shops, or public activities such as dance meet-ups, mural walks, or craft fairs. Various resources are available for collecting the information you need. The staff at your accommodations are an excellent resource for area guides, city maps, event listings, and information on local landmarks. Many cities also have excellent forums; threads and information about your destination are easy to find using a search engine. There are apps that feature multimedia tours, which can be very educational, and many sightseeing blogs are an absolute treasure trove of travel tips. Apps and websites with different types of city maps and travel blogs are a helpful way to increase familiarity with any city.
Understanding the Layout and Transportation Options
Before you arrive in a new city, it’s good to have an understanding of the city’s layout and how you’ll be getting around. The majority of cities have some sort of public transportation system along with rideshare options. Understanding the routes and schedules of the public transportation system can save you a lot of time as a solo traveler, as can learning some basic driving directions or considering the distances when planning your activities. Walking can also be a great way to explore the city — make sure the city you’re visiting has the infrastructure for safe pedestrian traffic, and consider whether you’d rather walk on your own, join a walking tour, or explore with a guide.
As you research, review, and plan, be sure to make use of maps and navigation apps to get a sense of the city’s layout. These apps can give you an idea of where attractions are in relation to your hotel or home base. On public transportation systems, study the route system and learn the major stops. Familiarizing yourself with these things can be very helpful and could save you some frustration down the road. Plus, it will save you the worry of “Oh my God, am I going the right way?” A few additional transportation tips include the following: glance over the public transportation’s fare system, and consider purchasing a multi-day or day pass if you’ll be using trains and buses frequently. Look over the schedule and hours of operation to be sure you can get back at the end of the day. If you have any physical limitations or use a wheelchair, verify what options are available for accessibility within the public transportation systems.
Identifying Key Landmarks and Points of Interest
What makes you want to explore a city solo? For some, it might be immersing themselves in the local culture by visiting art galleries, museums, cultural centers, or historical sites. For others, it may be the appeal of amusement and relaxation, such as beaches, parks, or even a local café. We encourage you to do a little preliminary research and write out a personal list of places and activities that you want to do in a place. That way, you will have a rough guide on what you want to do to make the most out of the availability of your time and, most importantly, your interest. Just because you went to the city doesn’t mean you can’t prioritize traveling to remote areas. Blend the well-known sites with the lesser-known ones. Lesser-known sites are growing in number, and occasionally, you’ll be able to return to more well-known sites. Make sure you take local recommendations and various travel insights into account before you start exploring a particular attraction on your itinerary. Even if something does not pique your interest on paper, take a chance on it. Blend your urban morning by visiting local cafés, local markets, or relaxing in the center of local parks between moves or activities. This adaptability can have a significant impact on your trip, as you will not only feel more engaged and appreciated, but you will also get to know the area’s culture and help develop your own tastes to make your travels more special to you. In addition to amazing landmarks, knowing the landscape adds an extra layer of protection.
Planning Your Itinerary
As exciting as extreme spontaneity feels, too much of it can also leave you feeling scatterbrained and disorganized. The first step to acing an efficient solo exploration is to plan your itinerary, at least loosely. Here, I strongly encourage doing a ton of research on the destination and setting a few priorities. Ask yourself, “What have I been dying to see?” based on what you’ve read and talked to others about. Setting these must-see attractions as a priority will ensure that you at least get to do something you love.
That said, share a little affection on the spontaneous side of things. Don’t over-plan your trip, though a skeleton itinerary will help you understand how much you can fit into your days. Always try to plan in “buffer time” between activities or add flex days to your itinerary. Traffic jams happen, tours get delayed, and you sometimes have more energy at the beginning than you realize. Planning in a little downtime also ensures you don’t burn yourself out too quickly. As an extreme extrovert, I have this problem of pushing myself, loving a destination at full pace, but losing energy by the end and feeling overwhelmed or down. Remember to always afford yourself time to rest and recharge. Tools can help you schedule your days and mark your priorities, as well as add flight, tour, and lodging information to help you keep track.
Setting Priorities and Time Management
Priorities: Before embarking on a trip, whether short or long, one must establish priorities. What does one absolutely wish to experience or see while in a new city? For some, this might be outdoor attractions. For others, perhaps visiting a stadium, shopping, and attending concerts or any other activities are what make one excited about a new place. More often than not, knowing what you would like to do or experience in a new city can fall in line with the purpose of your trip. Are you going to a place for a concert? Is there an event scheduled that piques your interest? Perhaps, like myself, you are drawn to the beauty and ambiance of certain cities. With a set purpose or destination goal in mind, it already narrows the type of activities you want to do while in a new place.
Time Management: Once you have a general idea of what you would like to do or see, the next goal is to estimate time. This can be somewhat tricky as everyone enjoys a location at their own pace. The times that I list below for certain attractions, shopping, or dining experiences are not to overwhelm you but to give you a more realistic idea of how much time you should set out to dedicate to each location if you want to include something special in your itinerary. Do keep in mind that sometimes, even though you planned on only spending a short amount of time at a certain destination, it is okay to be flexible with your plans. Setting time constraints on every little thing can undoubtedly lead to a rushed trip. Also, any seasoned traveler will likely tell you the need for some extra time as a buffer, for things hardly ever go as planned. For example, I have many times happily spent two hours in a bookstore or boutique that I had limited myself to thirty minutes in! Typing out a small or longer list of all that you wish to do and experience gives you an outline of how to navigate your trip, and more so for any solo traveler facing a sea of new territories.
Creating a Flexible Schedule
Creating a flexible schedule is a fantastic way to ensure a relaxed, decision-free day. Typically, it’s for families, but why not for the solo traveler as well? It helps small children avoid feeling overwhelmed by things they don’t want to do; the antsy teenager has impromptu solo adventures, and you get to relax in the knowledge that you’re probably going to make it to your dinner reservation. People fear over-scheduling, and with good reason. Who wants to hear “no” and “that’s not a part of our itinerary” on their limited time off? Overexerting yourself is a great way to faceplant in front of your hotel’s concierge desk, and no, they won’t be impressed. Instead, not only will creating an itinerary and then throwing in a ton of “free time” encourage more than just discovering the Peninsula, it actually opens the door to discovering the real wonders of Chicago, such as a farmers’ market in Lincoln Park, break dancers performing at the pier, or delicious treats at a bakery. Of course, this “free time” can also be used for its original intention: to give you a breather, somewhere to grab a snack or sit down with a book. Again, including your children in this itinerary creation opens everyone’s horizons. Sure, you may want to hit the beaches at the aquarium in the morning, but who’s to say that the afternoon can’t be spent just wandering the city? Be open to change, and free time is always that much more enjoyable when you haven’t had a chance to become homesick for your hotel room.
Navigating Safely
Safety is the number one concern for anyone navigating through an unfamiliar city alone. The good news is that there are many practical steps one can take to ensure safe travels in a foreign city. The first thing solo travelers should do to ensure their own safety is pay attention to their surroundings. Potential dangers can be minimized if you are able to alert yourself to strange occurrences. Avoid dark, empty streets. It is important to take only well-lit pathways. Similarly, avoid tourist traps. These commercial areas are perfect for pickpockets because people are too busy seeing the sights to notice people stealing their belongings. Additionally, being a traveler alone can put you in a vulnerable situation. Try to blend in as much as possible.
Make sure that all bags are secure. When possible, use bags that close or can be zipped shut. Additionally, do not put wallets in your back pocket; backpacks that can be opened by someone besides the owner should also be avoided. Finally, do not make yourself a target. Do not wear flashy or expensive things. Keep valuables hidden whenever possible. Being prepared for an emergency is always best. Make sure to keep all important phone numbers and information with you. Keeping this information on your person at all times is a very good thing to do. Even better is to have some language skills. Calling an embassy can also be a way out of a tricky situation.
Personal Safety Tips
When traveling solo, it is important to prioritize personal safety. Use this guide as a starting point for understanding and mitigating common risks as a solo traveler. Traveling solo requires awareness that you would not need to prioritize with a buddy. Implement the following safety tips before you travel and take action on them to protect yourself when you are away. Personal Safety Tips for Traveling Alone Make sure your phone, battery pack, and any other electronic devices are fully charged before you head out for the day. Share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member who can check in on you. Delete all social media posts about your location until you have moved on to your next destination. Always trust your gut. If a person, situation, or location feels even the slightest bit ‘off,’ immediately remove yourself from it. Avoid dangerous situations. This means no excessive partying, late-night strolls through dark alleys, or engaging with sketchy street vendors. Invest in your personal safety by visiting reputable travel groups, using vetted tour guides, and staying in secure accommodations. Destinations are only as dangerous as the individuals populating them. While petty theft or inopportune muggings are possible in any travel destination, it is generally up to the individual to minimize inherent risk. One of the best strategies is to blend in with the locals. Dress like them, speak quietly when in public, and keep your money hidden on your person. Avoid sharing information about your personal wealth, belongings, or travel plans.
Emergency Contacts and Resources
In case you are on a solo vacation, it is extremely important to feel secure and know you have a list of emergency contacts and resources in the city where you are residing. As a traveler, you should be aware of the local level of law enforcement. Get a good understanding of the emergency numbers of the place if they are different from the one you previously knew. In case of travel emergencies and need of assistance, it will be good if you have contacts for local police stations, medical centers, fire departments, and the local embassy.
Store the contact information in your phone in a format that you can easily access, such as ICE (in case of emergency). You could also store it in your photo gallery in names that are easily recognizable. Keep in mind that you should not rely upon technology as anything could mean no electricity or a broken phone. Have a physical copy of the contact numbers or download an offline app on your phone and store the contacts. Additional sources of help can be available at the local tourist information center or at your hotel. If you are traveling, always carry a copy of your passport and other essential travel documents safely; even better if you have travel insurance to cover loss or theft. Prior to leaving, try to have a map of the city marked with the police stations, public hospitals, and all other places that you might need to access in case of an emergency.
Exploring Local Culture and Cuisine
Traveling to a new city on your own can be a phenomenal experience that allows you to soak in the city’s distinctive character, its essence and traditions, its soul, and the everyday challenges of its residents. Becoming part of the neighborhood organically is what sets solo travel apart. Dive deeper and experience the range of human tradition, both old and new. India is rich in historical and cultural features; enjoy the architecture, attend local parties and celebrations, dine daily in cafes and coffee shops, and capture fascinating photographic moments as often as possible.
The cuisine of every city has some special element and should be sampled! You can go to local markets, where you can sit and watch the vendors bargaining and see the country’s everyday life. There are still a plethora of visitors benefiting from participating in cookery classes and visiting slum and city tours to meet residents and get to know the common individuals’ lifestyles. A traveler must understand that showing respect for the customs and traditions of the place visited is always appreciated by the visitor. Reasonableness, rather than uniformity, is the signature! This supplemented and broadened their individuality and engagement greatly. The moment I learned to appreciate local culture and the countless facets of marriages across the world, I was in every position to adapt. Even minor adjustments supplement our individual encounters.