Thread by @Ravisutanjani

How to travel solo? ⛺️✈️

A Thread 🧵

Bonus : Feel happy to shoot your questions, RT if you find this insightful. 🙏

Why I prefer solo travelling?

• Recharges the mind/soul and helps in unlearning things/people.

• Helps in managing the burn out, reduces stress

• Improves Self-Confidence/Personality

• Avoids unnecessary debates with parents.

• Can give time to myself/self-pampering

It’s very important to move out of our comfort zone, experience new things in life.

So how do you start?

First of all create a spreadsheet and Install Google Sheets in your phone.

Make a journal of your travel plans and research data, this is a very important exercise!

https://twitter.com/ravisutanjani/status/1422921109733662723

Budgeting

On the same spreadsheet, create a new tab, allocate budgets for each expense head say Tickets, Accommodation, Food, sightseeing, shopping etc!

It will give you a better control over your spends.

Planning the Journey

If you haven’t traveled solo yet, start with a nearby destination (say 500-1000KM) from your home.

Documenting your itinerary is very important, travel and reservation tickets, day wise plan etc.

Accommodation

Unless you’re looking for absolute comfort, Don’t go with hotels.

I’ve stayed in more than 60 different hostels, they’re cheap offers clean toilets, lockers and it’s fun with other travelers.

Also sleeping around in hostels, homestays and Bed n breakfast places are a good option instead of the luxury hotels.

I highly recommend @hostelworld @ZostelHostel and @gostopsofficial

Ticket Booking

You’re going to explore the world, never restrict yourself to a class or transport medium,

Taxi, Bus, Train, Flight you may want to experience everything according to your plans/budget.

You can save good bucks by booking at the right time, use offers/good OTAs.

For Train Booking, IRCTC/Amazon Pay Offers good convenience,

For Flight Bookings don’t go with any other platform, just book directly via Airline or Skyscanner.

For Bus Booking, try arranging a direct reservation.

Prefer the public transport for intra-city travelling.

Pack and Travel Light

The most common mistake people do, you aren’t relocating so try to keep your packing as light as possible.

Prefer Night Travel in the Train

Saves time and unnecessary accommodation costs, also avoid arrival at the destination in late nights or early morning.

Also you may find this Thread Interesting 🧵

https://twitter.com/ravisutanjani/status/1421839259061817349

Observe and Explore

Meet local people, try cuisine and go see new places. I often go for movies, pubs, business events while travelling if I get an opportunity, the experience is incredibly exceptional.

Dining

Favourite part, first of all learn to dine alone. Carry ready-to-eat foods, research a bit about restaurants nearby. Check their offerings, pricing, reviews for better experience.

I’m a vegetarian so sometimes it becomes difficult to manage,

Thanks to Zomato/Swiggy, you will find them delivering foods from Mountains to Beaches and India to many of your international destinations.

Also explore street foods but while being cautious about hygiene standards,

Carry your Essentials

Make a checklist, handbag, electronics, power backup, documents, first aid box, note, camera, cash/card, lockers and whatever is needed for you.

Buy Travel Insurance

Kind of underrated in India but I never travel without an insurance for longer itinerary, it’s cheap and saves you from trouble.

Make Friends but Trust No one

Start with the staff of hotel or Train attendants, they can take your back if you’re kind to them.

Be careful about sharing details, share only what is needed.

https://twitter.com/Ravisutanjani/status/1421112681608613889

Use Technology Maximum

Download offline maps, save things in your device, be part of active travel communities.

Take complete advantage of apps available, it will make your experience more smoother.

Convincing Parents

I’ve been extremely lucky in this case but in most cases I’ve found it’s difficult to convince Indian Parents, the ‘Solo’ word hit them hard.

So share your plan, detailed itinerary with them, where you want to go and how you will manage things.

Be confident.

Solo travelling made me a better person, Whatever I’m today, it has a significant role in my overall personality.

You get a new perception, start seeing things from a different point of view.

India is full of opportunity yet we’ve underprivileged majority who lack even basics.

You will find huge diversity in culture, food, language, socioeconomic, geography and what not?

Again travelling isn’t easy, you need to prepare your mind for new challenges and uncertainties!

Get your bag ready, carry a blanket and go travel, you wouldn’t regret this.