Are you a Christian single who has always dreamed of exploring more of God's creation? Do you long to meet and understand a variety of cultures first hand, taste different cuisines, and immerse yourself in the beauty of natural wonders? Or perhaps you are just seeking a little more one-on-one time with yourself and God. If so, solo travel may be just be a calling for you.
I hear your hesitations, because I have heard so many of them when people ask about my own solo adventures. So in this article, I address those fears and I will provide you with a few of my top solo travel tips so you can start considering your own journey of discovery, growth and wonder.
Solo travel can be a transformative experience that builds confidence and new sense of wonder. As you navigate unfamiliar territories, overcome language barriers, and practice divine discernment you will see how strong and resilient God has made you. Embrace the challenges and setbacks as opportunities for personal growth, and trust that God is guiding you every step of the way.
Embrace the Adventure Solo travel can be an incredible opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and embrace adventure in a new way. As a solo traveler, you have the freedom to design your own itinerary and pursue the experiences that resonate with your faith and values. Whether it's embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, visiting historical sites in Europe, or exploring the lush beauty of jungles in central America, solo travel allows you to deepen your connection with God and explore your gifts and faith in a unique way.
Yet I hear all the time "But aren't you scared?" or "You are so brave". I personally feel the answer to both is "no". The following reasons allow me to step out solo with confidence...
1. Plan Ahead While spontaneity can be exciting, it's important to plan ahead when traveling solo. Do diligent research on your destination, including local customs, safety precautions, tours and transportation options. I love searching YouTube because you get a visual sense of your destination from several perspectives. You can always find the does and don'ts on here as well.
Do diligent research on the different areas within your destination as well to ensure you are booking accommodations in safe and reputable area of the city/town. Additionally, create a detailed itinerary that you can share with your loved ones about your travel plans and keep your family and friends updated throughout your journey for added peace of mind. I always print everything out, because you never know what can happen to technology. In this case you still have maps, schedules, reservation numbers, contact names, phone numbers and addresses of places you are or need to be.
2. Stay Safe Safety should always be a top priority when traveling alone. As a solo traveler, it's important to be extra mindful of your surroundings, trust Godly discernment and have strong boundaries (see my article on confidence).
Avoid outings that will have you walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas. This should be for US or abroad. Taking an Uber so you can careful tracking the route the driver is taking on the app and don't be afraid to speak up or ask the driver to stop if they veer off course.
Be cautious when interacting with strangers, be friendly but do not over share about yourself and utilize discernment.
Consider carrying a personal safety device such as a whistle, Birdie alarm or pepper spray and always have emergency contact numbers readily available. Pepper spray may not always be legal where you travel so check first or skip it!
Remember to stay connected with God and pray for protection and guidance throughout your travels.
I discourage you to post on social media in real time, even if your accounts are private. You never know who is sharing your information and whereabouts. Keep status reports on social delayed and only share real time with your closest friends and family. I know it can feel tempting to boast, but resist this temptation to be prideful and instead try being present and mindful in the experience that God is blessing you with instead.
I have many more, so if you want more safety tips, consider subscribing to my email list for new posts and newsletters
3. Seek Meaningful Experiences I call solo travel "choose your own adventure" because you don't have to create your itinerary around any one else's likes and dislikes. The world is your oyster and you get to explore the special adventures and unique stories that God has waiting for just you.
Solo travel is also the opportunity to have personalized meaningful experiences. Personally, I find the most connection and fulfillment in seeking out experiences that personally align with my faith and values. Experiences that teach me about the local culture and more authentically immerse me in local every day life. Such adventures may include visiting historical or religious sites, taking a cooking class, doing a walking tour with a local guide, taking a food tour, or participating in volunteer work that supports local communities. I also prefer to stay at locally owned boutique hotels or Airbnb's, especially if I have the opportunity to meet the host and learn about the location from them personally. Your host may even turn out to be you new friend!
By merely paying attention to those around me and not being afraid to say Hi and start a conversation, I am always amazed at the people God puts in my path when I travel solo. You will find that many other people traveling are on the same journey, they want to meet new people as well. They want to connect and learn from others, share stories and have great travel memories. Sharing stories can deepen your connection to other people while creating lasting memories that you wouldn't always find if traveling in crowd or with a companion. You may even find that these conversations allow you to naturally share your faith with someone who needs it.
4. Take Small Step Your solo travels do not have to start with some whirlwind tour of South America, you can start off with a weekend road trip and slowly add on length of stay and miles. My first couple of international solo trips were not 100% on my own. I did book them, plan them and travel to them on my own but one was to visit a friend I had living in Mexico and another was to join other solo females at a retreat. These trips involved some time with other people I knew and some time on my own. A great way to get confidence up while slowly stepping out on my own. If you would be interested in retreats let me know in the comments because I would love to host one for newbie solo travelers.
Solo travel can be a life-changing adventure for Christian singles. It offers the opportunity to explore the world, deepen your faith, and deep your connection to all of God's creation. By embracing the adventure, planning ahead, staying safe, seeking meaningful experiences, and building confidence, you can embark on a solo travel journey that will leave a lasting impact on your life. So, pack your bags, step out in faith, and let the world be your playground. Happy travels!
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