I’m going on my fifth solo travel. Three months all over east asia.
Questions for the solo travellers:
Why do you travel solo?
How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
How do you deal with the loneliness?
For non solo travellers: What keeps you from travelling alone?
I travel alone because i like to get away from normal routines, not have to talk to anyone or compromise. I like being anonymous in a new place and deciding everything as I go. Also its how I like to spend my hard earned money.
Its changes what I do once I get back home: switch job, new hobbies, more energized, appreciation of what I have.
I will talk to randoms when I feel good vibes and be friendly to everyone. Im quite confident so theres always people to talk to and learn something from.
are you a bot?
Sorry, I'm a language model developed by Open AI.
Seconded
>being away by yourself for long periods of time?
i live away for work all alone too - but start making work friends, then move cus contract is up
I travel to supress the urge to kill myself
I've lived alone in a city away from family for years. Solo travel is just my regular life but without work.
i normally stick to boards like /n/, but im considering a vacation (everyone at work keeps telling me i need to take a vacation somewhere), so i am weighing my options. i live in the US, but im considering traveling out of the country to a place like indonesia. are there any places i can go where ill do fine as a tourist who only speaks english? i dont have anyone to go with, so it will just be me. i was considering japan but im not getting the shot
Most places that get tourists are fine for mono linguals. It can be polite to learn basic phrases buy you can get by with hand gestures more often than not. English is a very common second language around the world anyway.
Start with Canada
where should i go? ive never been out of the country. i live in the very rural deep south
Try out BC. If you can afford it, whistler if you're the outdoorsy type or want a lot of adult theme park style adventures. (4x4 offroading, ski/snowboard, saunas etc)
>Why do you travel solo
Because my friends don't like to travel the way I like to travel. When I stay in hostel dorms, they want an airBnB or a hotel; when I take the bus or walk, they get a taxi; when I bring one backpack, they bring a suitcase; when I go to the supermarket, they go to a fancy restaurant. It's too tiresome having to negotiate everything all the time. When I'm alone, I'm in charge.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
Vastly, in ways that I cannot bother to explain.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
By meeting people, or, by living with the loneliness.
I am not from the US but I have always imagined that for US citizens a trip to central American countries such as panama would be pretty ideal. It's culturally different enough that it will be interesting, it's not a 30 hour plane flight, getting into the country is quite easy for you and booking dot com shows plenty of accommodation options including hostels which I recommend especially since you'll be alone. A place like Indonesia or other SEA countries are good choices, but the distance might be an obstacle if you're short on time (flights can easily take 2 days out of your trip length).
>Vastly, in ways that I cannot bother to explain.
Imagine being too much of a homosexual to participate in a thread that you're participating in.
It's literally a thread on SighSee that has 20 other replies I'm sure you'll find at least one person who answered that question and the answer is probably extremely similar to what I would have said anyway; implying you actually care that much about what I have to say, I am just a random internet person and my answer to such a question is most likely irrelevant to you in the grand scheme, so get over it.
Yeah that dude is a fucking loser.
>Why do you travel solo?
I like being alone, I like not having to consult with anyone about plans for the day, week or whatever. If I don't like a place I can go, or stay if I like. I find it peaceful, I like that is makes it easier to meet other travellers and join them if I feel.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
It hasn't. I just wish I could maintain the lifestyle permanently. I'm looking down the barrel of a career now, with limited time off. I have 2 weeks off a year. WTF will I be able to do in that time?
>How do you deal with the loneliness
I never really get lonely. I fucking love being alone.
same exact situation
>Why do you travel solo?
Don't really have a choice in the matter. None of my friends have money or time or both. I'll literally die before the stars align if I wait for others.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
I've only done a big trip solo once, so not really. At best, I'm more aware of the things I like to do alone versus not alone.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
Just kind of have to roll with it. I found that careful planning works best for me since it's very easy to stay inside the hotel if I have no plans.
>tell my parents I'm going to solo travel
>first question is telling me not to take a bus so I don't get stabbed and mugged
>None of my friends have money or time or both.
This. Some normalfags never understand why solo travel is a thing because they don't have friends who aren't poor and/or leaching off mommy and daddy's Amex card.
>Why do you travel solo?
no friends right now , did some travelling with few in the past. also seems more adventurous going solo.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
Made me even more independent if this makes any sense.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I do not get lonely. Maybe once in a while i wonder how it would be having a female companion alongside..a female companion who can travel with just a backpack and walk for hours seems unattainable to me so the thought goes away fast.
>Why do you travel solo?
My friends either do not have time or money or both.
I travel a lot with gf but she doesn’t have as much time as me. She’s a wagie, I am my own boss.
Also we have extremely different interests. I do birdwatching and can spend the whole day in some mudflats looking for birds.
The last time I traveled with a group of friends it didn’t end well. We lost a friend in the process (because he was an autistic retard who only wanted to eat fastfood and do theme parks).
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
Over the years I learned that people don’t give a shit about you at worst as long as you pay and you don’t look like a creep. Being alone is not a curse. Talked to many more people when I am alone, people are often curious (what brings you here? where are you from? do you like it here?), especially as I usually do road trips and stop in very small towns and villages.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I am my own best friend and I appreciate my own company. Learn how to love yourself. It took years but here we are.
A variation of this for me.
I'm old enough so that I figured out with which friends we can travel together and have good synergy throughout our trips. We all have our dedicated roles during planning and travel and post-travel routines.
But we are all grown-ups with our very different schedules, so we can only do one trip per year together. The rest of the year I still travel, and I'd rather travel solo than having to deal with some of the bullshit I had to deal with in the past when traveling eg. with family or other friends. I also enjoy solo travel as I get to know way more people along the route. We barely get to know people when traveling as a group of friends.
I travelled solo and couldn‘t take the heat. Duo travelling with a nice indepent companion is the perfect thing IMO
I travelled for the first time to east asia alone this year for 2 months, while I did see alot and occasionally met some people, I'll admit it has been one of the most lonely experiences of my life. I don't think I liked hopping from city to city. I think my future plan if do want to leave for a while would be just to pick 1 city, stay there in an apartment or something and become an expat for a period of time. Hop scotching all over a country and continent over time allows you to see alot but I never felt like I could create a genuine connection with anybody or make any true friends. Plus I was just exhausted from constantly moving around. But I have learned now from the experience what I want.
Did you stay in hostels or private accommodation?
A mix of both, it was like 60% hotels, 40% hostels, I just couldn't break out of my comfort zone for some reason.
>why do you travel solo?
I fucking despise being dragged down by someone else while traveling. Been there done that traveling with a friend it’s fun for a few days then just meh. I’ve met friends and had a night or two going out which was nice and more my speed but overall not having to account for someone else’s interests or pace is much better for me.
> How has it changed your life being
away by yourself for long periods of time?
I definitely realized a ton about myself and gained confidence. For example I flew into Switzerland and my phone wouldn’t connect to wifi cause they aren’t in the EU and I ended up making it to my destination (some remote village) just by using a map of their public transport system. No one knew what I was talking about and there was a huge language barrier going on as well. I had no phone that whole time and being totally disconnected it was the most free I ever felt in my life very happy that happened. I’ll always look back on that trip and yearn for that feeling.
Now though I kinda walk into any situation and don’t get overwhelmed really. I feel if I survived that Switzerland fiasco I’ll be fine. Ive actually started enjoying being alone and over the summer will be going solo in the EU.
> How do you deal with the loneliness?
I actually enjoy it. I’ll just normally FaceTime someone or my friend group chat is normally active so just talk in there. I kinda travel at this point to disconnect from my life anyway. Which having to settle down and get a career limits it but I just try to make the most of it when I get the chance to go away.
The no phone thing is a big one. I started deliberately turning my phone off or leaving it back at the hotel. Not always, but often. It makes things harder, but harder often leads to more interesting experiences
>bragging about successfully reading a map and not using a cell phone
LMAO @ zoomies
>my phone wouldn’t connect to wifi cause they aren’t in the EU
Not a solo traveler anymore, but was one for awhile and met my wife while doing so. The best way to experience a new place and culture is if you show up on your own, without anyone else to tie you to where you’re from and embrace being somewhere alien and new.
how 2 get qt wife?
>Why do you travel solo?
Because i have no friends 🙁
I used to travel with a girlfriend but she was annoying and unhelpfull in decisive moments, so traveling solo seems less annoying and equally safe.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
I'm less reliant than a lot of people i guess. I never needed emotional support.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
Loneliness is a negative word. I'm alone by choice because there's only a few people i can relate to.
A better question would be how do you deal being with other people?
Solo travel is absolutely miserable compared to traveling with a friend/friends/girlfriend. If you actually enjoy being alone for extended periods of time in an environment where genuine relationships are impossible you are autistic, and that's okay, but it's not for anyone who enjoys social interaction.
huh, so this is what it's like to be a normie
more like someone devoid of social skills tbqh
what it's like not to be a shut-in*
>NOOO IT'S JUST LIKE BLADERUNNER WHERE I'M IN THE HECKIN CYBERPUNK CITY BY MYSELF, I EVEN HAVE A TRENCH COAT IT'S SO KINO
keep coping
when you lash out like that, it just proves the point bro.
>you see akshually when you say I'm wrong it means that you're akshually saying I'm right
I want to travel alone on my next big trip because no gf and all of my friends are tied down and can't do the long term adventure shit. got any tips on meeting people while solo travelling? I am somewhat introverted but no social retard.
Do things you like to do and it will attract like minded people. I always find metal pubs, microbreweries, or concerts and meet people no problem. Or go full npc and just stay in hostel dorms the entire time, that will give you a plethora of other #solotravelers to hang out with.
>Why do you travel solo?
I explore at a pretty fast pace and don't like being told to slow down.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
I think its made me a lot more self-sufficient and also a lot more sociable. I wasn't completely devoid of social skills before doing the solo travel thing, but I find it easier now just to pick up conversations with whoever seems interested.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I've genuinely never felt lonely. Like I said above, I find it pretty easy to talk to almost anyone about anything these days. Big picture though, I don't use travel as a way to fill the social meter so that expectation of loneliness is low to non-existent.
"but I find it easier now just to pick up conversations with whoever seems interested."
This is where we differ, I travel solo, stay in hotels and I just don't talk to or have conversations with anyone
But how would we ever become friends?
🙁
>Why do you travel solo?
It is just better for me. I have friends that like to travel too, but my way of travel is IMO very incompatible. I dont like to plan much, dont really do the whole day to day itinerary. Also if I am solo, I can get more chill to talk to other travellers. When I travelled with my friends, I just talk to them, I wont try to communicate with other people.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
I am more outgoing and talkative with other travellers than I am at home. They dont know me, so if I fuck up something, I wont probably meet them again. And I realise, that people forget my fuckups at home too, but still cant really get that in my mind.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I will admit, that my first big solo travel (3 months) went really bad. I went to New Zealand and travelled only north of auckland and then got really depressed that I spent 2,5 months just in Auckland and did nothing pretty much for the whole time.
Only went to local library or gym, sometimes to a party and that was it.
I had to fake my travel photos by downloading them from the internet just so I did not have to admit my family that I literally did nothing on the opposite side of the earth for that long.
Nowadays I really regret not pushing through that and travel more through this country, because I might not get another second try to do that in reality.
After that my solo travels went better and I deal with being solo much better. For me, even short talk with people during the day gives me more energy to travel more.
Where were your other trips and how many countries you going this time? Plans?
>Why do you travel solo?
Because you have the freedom to do whatever you want, if you want to rest that day, want to see a place, eat a certain food, go meet people to hang out, change your plans last minute, even find work abroad you can just do it.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
I've always been alone even when I had family and friends, I just always felt alone, and often ventured on my own, into the woods and such, and I liked being there with my thoughts.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I spent time meeting people at hostels, weekly classes, language exchange, and through work to develop better socially, it helps with anxiety and sense of lonliness that I get sometimes too, people who listen and understand me despite us just meeting as travelers are great memories. I still talk to a few of them.
> Why travel solo?
Sense of adventure/freedom to do whatever, whenever
> How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
Grew used to isolation after being a caretaker for a terminally ill parent/during covid. It’s fine with regular social interaction, without it is miserable and can lead to some rough times
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
Tbd. Naturally more comfortable being introverted, but can larp as extrovert whenever. Just need time/space to balance the two
>Why do you travel solo?
I like being anonymous. Imagine that.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
I'm addicted. I'm less satisfied with my friendships and relationship back home. I don't feel alive unless I am exploring some foreign land.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I'm making short-term best friends. I'm fucking. I don't get lonely.
I much prefer solo travel than traveling with friends, family, or girlfriend. That is just stress. Creates conflict in routine relationships where there wasn't any. It's actually a risk, not a reward often times.
>travel with friends
always deal with stupid petty bullshit
>travel solo and meet up with friends
kino
Solo travel or bust
solo and meet up with friends
Some of the best nights ever
Any blogs or websites that show itineraries for solo travel in Cuba that doesn't involve staying in a resort?
im trying to force myself to travel solo, i came to italy for other reasons and i would specially like to visit russia, but if not possible i would like to go to a balkan country, like albania monteBlack etc, the thing is i am not very motivated, i think of the travel and i think it doesnt make sense, but now im not working so its the perfect time, but i just think i wont enjoy it.
so i guess my question is how do you solo travelers have fun when traveling? right now all i care about is girls, i just want to be around them, have fun with them and the rest, im so lonely.
Personally I travel in general because I like seeing cool shit. I don't use it as an excuse to get my dick wet for cheap or fill some other emotional void.
Don't take offense to this but I don't think travel will fill the void of companionship you're looking for. The one night stands will just depress you even more because you're just passing through that city and probably won't form any meaningful relationships, but that's my POV. Good luck to you anon.
>i would specially like to visit russia,
why?
since i was little i had put russia on a pedestal, but right now i think i want to go to russia to find a gf, there is something so captivating about the girls there, and your question is making me think a lot, i love the language and how everyone seems to have a very rich vocabulary, i guess because they read a lot, even the women, i watch those videos where they interview russians on the streets and they all seem so nice and good people, and smart too, i like that they are old school still, that the queer shit has not made its way there, i hate the cold so i dont think i would live there though. and i dont know how day to day life is there
I only traveled solo once for a few days and it was so, so much better than the times when I traveled with friends or family I will never go back to forcing myself to go anywhere with anyone. I'm French and went to Paris for a few days in July for Japan Expo and to visit the city at the same time. Not sure if my 6 months long stay in Tokyo counts as solo traveling since I was often hanging out with a friend of mine who moved to Tokyo at the same time for her internship.
In September I traveled with a friend of mine in London and Cork and it was very fun overall but it was fun despite her presence. She ruined a lot of plans, acted like a spoiled baby, was so obsessed with food and obese that her health declined overnight and she begged me to take breaks all the time when going anywhere. Fuck that, never again. She also was only available to travel at a time that was super inconvenient for me but I accommodated her anyway and I really shouldn't have because of some issues with our plane, and I had to go back to work a few hours after landing in ou city. Actually today she told me she can never imagine herself traveling solo and that's why she was glad she came to London with me and I wanted to strangle her so much.
A few years ago I also went to the beach at the Côtes d'Azur with another friend who forced herself to come with me because she pitied me for planning to solo travel. She's an obnoxious extrovert who thinks she has to annoy everyone all the time for their sakes. I barely talk to her for unrelated reasons and I only knew she forced herself to come with me after we already arrived. I wanted to swim often but couldn't because my periods came early and she was so happy that my plans were ruined because she hates the beach and only told me she hates the beach EVERYDAY after we arrived. That was the very first time I traveled somewhere, and the first time I traveled in general in like 5 years so you can guess how annoyed I was.
>Why do you travel solo?
Freedom. I can do whatever I want whenever I want. No friends or family members complaning or wanting to do one thing. I tend to just find the people I travel with insufferable at a certain point. Many of them complain too much, they have really shitty attitudes or they just outright act arrogant and disrespectful towards the locals. Meanwhile, I can just decide my own itinerary and I like being my own boss. I also find it easier to socialize and meet new people when you’re alone. When I travel with friends I just tend to stick with them while when I am alone, I have to push outside of my comfort zone and meet people along the way.
>How has it changed your life being away by yourself for long periods of time?
Didn't really notice anything different. Again I never really solo travelled for a long time. I think its something everyone should do once in their life.
>How do you deal with the loneliness?
I like being alone. I can cope pretty well with it. I do feel lonely every now and then so I still go out and socialize every day. Trying to talk to the locals, learn their language a little bit, learn about their cultures, trying to meet some qt women and bang with my white man card.
Overall though, I still like some balance. For example, my friend will join me for 1 week in Japan so we’ll visit together, but I have another 3 weeks by myself. I like it because I can have a part of the trip by myself and another one with a friend. Its just a perfect balance imo. I know many people in Japan so i’ll always meet different people.