Five tips for solo travellers

I came across this article on the Lonely Planet website about ways to combat loneliness when traveling abroad. Whilst some of the tips were handy, they were a bit geared towards older travelers, so I thought I’d add a few more student-relevent ones of my own:

1: Stay in hostels: hostelbookers.com is a really useful website for finding a good hostel. It lists user ratings, so you can see which hostels are most popular. Not only does this mean you can pick the nicest hostel, but it means that you will stay at a busy hostel, thus ensuring there are plenty of people to make friends with.

2: Network: Talk to everyone when you travel, locals, tourists, backpackers, whatever. Don’t ever be afraid to start up a conversation with people. I often find people are very enthusiastic to talk to you when they learn you are travelling by yourself. Find out from other travellers where the best places to stay are, and ask locals what they recommend you see whilst you are in their country. They are sure to be able to give you some historical information and tips that you wouldn’t have had otherwise, don’t just follow your guidebook, it can’t tell you everything.

3: Use an alternative to your normal cashcard: If you are travelling by yourself, one of the main concerns is getting robbed. If you have all your money taken off you and you are completely by yourself, it really puts you in an awkward situation. STA travel have come up with a great solution to this problem, with their travel cashcard which allows you to top it up with credit, and then use it just like your normal cashcard at any ATMs which accept mastercards. It’s not linked to your bank, so if its stolen, you will only loose the money that is on it, and you can block it instantly should you need to. Just make sure you carry your actual cashcard in a different place to the STA card. Money belts are useful for storing things that you need to keep secure.

4: Organise group trips/tours: Sandeman’s new Europe tours offer free walking tours throughout most of the capital cities in Europe. They are very popular, and give a great introduction to the city, as well as being a good way to meet people.

5:Arrange to meet people along the way: Ask everyone you meet where they are going next, and if they are moving on to any of the same places as you, get their email and arrange to meet them. Also TravBuddy is a social networking site for people looking for people to travel with. You can create a profile and search for people who are travelling to the same places at the same time as you. Be warned that there are a few weirdos on the site though, and if you do arrange to meet anyone, make sure you meet in a safe, and crowded place in case anything should go wrong.

travel kit essentials

Last year, whilst working as the travel editor of my student magazine, I decided to do a travel-health special, including a list of travel-health essentials that you should always take on the road. A group of my writers teamed up to make their suggestions, and the results were quite funny. As it’s nearly summer, and a lot of people are probably planning their next trip, I thought I’d share my writer’s tips with you. So here is a list of travel-health essentials that you should never be without:

(Compiled by Eliott Fellinger, Anthony Lock, Sam Langan and Venetia Stefanou)

Condoms – Because STDs don’t take holidays (unless they’re intermittent).

Sunscreen – This will stop you getting skin cancer whilst making you look all shiny and sexy, everyone’s a winner (except cancer).

Malaria tablets/injections – Because death by mosquito bite sucks.

Honey – Apparently it can help heal small wounds and burns whilst doubling up as a tasty lip balm. On the other hand you might get mauled by bears.

Antibacterial wipes – Because the best places in the world don’t have washbasins or showers. They are perfect substitutes whether you’re in Glastonbury or Guyana. Contains alcohol too!

Alka Seltzer – This is the simplest way to cure hangovers and headaches and you don’t even need to use frying pans or squeeze grapes!

Tiger Balm – A Chinese health medicine that breathes new life back into muscles and aches and is also great for soothing insect bites. No Tiger included in the ingredients.

Clothing – Long sleeved and long legged clothing is appropriate in any weather condition, attractive I know, but you’ll be laughing when some fool in your tour group is in sunburn hell because they didn’t cover up.

Mosquito Clicker – Or “the Zapper,” or the Frank Zapper if your feeling funky. This little baby gives you a small electric shock to rid you of that annoying itch given off when a Mosquito decides to feast on you. Available on Amazon.

Lemons – Apparently spiders hate them so get your juicers at the ready if you’re off to the jungle!

Tampons – Obviously a necessity for girls. Trying to get hold of these where you don’t speak the language can turn into a horribly detailed game of charades in front of a foreign chemist. Guys – I hear they are also good for nosebleeds…

Energy snacks – Keeping your energy levels up is always a good idea whether you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or going on a wet walk through Wales so don’t forget to prepare with a packed lunch!

Magicool –Spray it in the car on a hot day, in your pokey little hostel room with no air-con or even on yourself. It instantly cools you down, which is a Godsend in really hot countries.

Sense of humour – Essential for getting on with locals when traveling, because you can get (nearly) everything else on the road!