How to Travel Solo as an Introvert (8 Essential Tips)

I have been an on and off nomad for about a ten years and a 50 % now, transferring to Taiwan when I was 21, traveling solo through Asia at 26, and exploring considerably of the globe alone all the way up until finally now as a 36 yr outdated. The nuts factor is, more than that time I went from a bona fide extrovert to an introvert, and the way that I travel solo has altered as a consequence.

Even though I’m introverted, I’m outgoing. I delight in getting social as perfectly as remaining on my own. To me, introversion relates to the creator of the term, Carl Jung’s, definition. Introverts, Jung mentioned, transform to their own minds to recharge, although extroverts seek out other persons for their strength requirements.

These are all the techniques that I appreciate traveling solo now as an introvert:

1. I decide group visits but get my own home

Despite the fact that I enjoy traveling by myself, some trips have to be carried out with a team except you’re shelling out 10x for a non-public expertise, like sailing on a liveaboard dive ship or island hopping by way of the Galapagos.

But in each of these scenarios, I get my have sleeping room.

Due to the fact I recharge on my personal, I enjoy getting equipped to have my individual space to retreat to whenever I want it. That produced this Galapagos excursion great, as the boat I was on made available one rooms with no charging a solitary nutritional supplement cost.

Not each tour helps make it doable to have my personal space, but I often try out to search for out some solitude even on a shared vacation.

2. I indicator up for day outings so I’ll fulfill folks

When I want a blend, I have a tendency to keep in solo accommodation like a hotel or Airbnb, but I’ll signal up for a working day excursion so that I however get some social interaction.

The vital is that I indication up and shell out for it in advance of time, so that I’ll in fact go and meet up with other men and women when the time arrives. I can transform into a hermit with some relieve, so I like committing at minimum a working day right before!

I equally appreciate getting ready to come back to my accommodation and be on my possess when I want to.

4. I take a look at locations with a common interest

No matter whether it is scuba diving, climbing, surfing, yoga, or some other shared desire, if you pay a visit to a place that is recognised for one of these items, possibilities are really superior that you will satisfy other solo vacationers who are there for the exact same purpose.

I adore that this has a developed-in network of individuals who you can conveniently satisfy. Even if you are the shy style, having a frequent desire to bond around will make it effortless to have discussions with folks. You have currently acquired items in typical!

5. I pick journeys exactly where I’ll be alone

On the other facet of the coin, I normally consider wilderness outings in which I am unlikely to operate into any one else for substantially of the time. My frequency has elevated above the past couple of yrs, acquiring mother nature a perfect companion.

Previous summer season I solo camped in Lassen Volcanic Countrywide Park, spent pretty much 2 weeks solo truck camping in Utah, almost completely in the center of nowhere with no people about, and I regularly enterprise out to the desert by myself to stargaze.

I would not have savored visits like this in my 20s when I was extroverted, since I acquired my vitality from remaining all over other individuals. But now, genuinely get pleasure from solitude. Solo journeys make it uncomplicated for me to recharge.

6. Seek advice from Fb groups

Facebook teams are one more excellent way to meet up with men and women, even for a transient meet up with up, which is ordinarily all I want. I created just one for solo woman vacationers, the BMTM Solo Woman Traveler Link, which several women have made use of to locate vacation companions over the a long time.

It can be a regional one particular dependent on where by you are heading, can be for solo vacationers in particular, or any other interest team you could be a portion of. I advise conference up for a food, a daytime action, or something very similar that has a fixed time restrict and occurs in general public.

Tapping into my network of pals of good friends has also been a terrific way to fulfill other individuals on the highway.

7. Make a 1:1 pal

As an introvert, I’m equally joyful solo or hanging out with another person whom I get along with nicely. As lengthy as they’re a great travel companion, I can vacation one particular on a person with anyone for days or even weeks without having feeling energetically zapped.

There have been numerous persons alongside my solo journey, from sharing a rental auto in South Africa with Callum to splitting expenditures and traveling with Jen in French Polynesia very last fall that the two labored out good for me.

I have also achieved two magnificent girls at the commence of very long hikes in Nepal and Peru that I initially supposed to do by yourself, but was delighted to share. Ending the trip with a hiking buddy, when it is the correct man or woman, normally makes it even better.

I meet these individuals on the road, or through a mutual buddy, and we vacation alongside one another until it’s normally time to element approaches. Then I get my on your own time again. I enjoy acquiring this solution readily available.

8. Hang by itself in a crowded house

In some cases, browsing a park, museum, industry, or some other populated area on my possess feels like adequate social conversation for the day. I may strike up a dialogue with a person, or I may well not. But I can nevertheless persons look at and get a feeling of the local tradition. At times it’s even nicer this way, without having anybody else to distract me.

I still get out and do issues, but there’s no pressure to make it into a social situation. I’m open minded to whoever I could possibly satisfy, but it is Ok if that doesn’t transpire, too.

The very best factor about solo travel is the opportunity for serendipity. I like that I could meet up with anyone at any time at any location, but that I can also get pleasure from my solitude as properly. There’s no stress. For this introvert, it’s the greatest of the two worlds.

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