Pin ItPowered By:
Android Advice
The Solo Traveler Blog

Tips for the Shy Solo Traveler.

Published March 10, 2010 | By solotraveler

It might be easy to conclude that solo travel is for gregarious, outgoing people. But, truth is, shy people enjoy traveling alone as well.

Solo travel is for the confident and to build confidence.
Just because one is shy doesn’t mean that one is not confident. I am a case in point. I am, by nature a shy person. But I am also a confident person. I like quiet but I’m also a social being. Respecting the fact that we all want everything, I give you 5 tips to allow you to solo travel in silence and 5 more to get you engaged socially when you travel alone.

5 Tips to solo travel in silence

  1. Go places where solitude is respected – parks, galleries, museums.
  2. Look lost in your own thoughts and don’t make eye contact with people.
  3. Dress or act a bit weird.  If you’re odd people are unlikely to approach you.
  4. Turn your back to the room in coffee shops and restaurants.
  5. On a tour, position yourself just outside the crowd.

5 Tips to solo travel socially.

  1. In a safe place, pull out a map and ask directions or ask someone to take your picture.
  2. In a restaurant take a picture of your food. People will definitely look. Comment that it is how you record your journeys. Many people will engage in conversation.
  3. Go on a tour where you will be with the same people for a few hours. You may find your travel mate for a few days.
  4. Use the lobby, common room or lounge of your lodgings to meet people. Don’t read. Watch people and enjoy the scene. Eventually something will happen that everyone can enjoy and comment on.
  5. If you are staying in one place for a while,  go to the same coffee shop, green grocers  or restaurant consistently. You’ll be noticed as a new regular and people will eventually chat with you.

Solo Traveler is published five times per week. To receive the weekly round-up of posts, sign up for the newsletter here:

 

Related posts:

Posted in How to Travel Alone
  • http://solotravelerblog.com Janice Waugh

    Hi Andrea,

    Yes there are times when a group makes sense.

    Cheers!
    Janice

  • http://www.facebook.com/andrea.e.leber Andrea Elizabeth Leber

    Before going completely solo a comfortable way to travel would be in a small group. Last June we were a small group of 6 solo/single travelers to PERU. This November we’ve put together a group of 6 for Buenos Aires and Iguassu. It’s safe, less costly in a group and you have more time and flexability to experience the destination.

  • Pingback: My Walkabout « mybrain2

  • Jay

    Great tips.

    Funny thing is that I live my life solo, and many of these tips are useful for life in general.

    For example, after living in the same town for 10 years, I’ve now moved twice in the last four years to places where I didn’t know anyone nearby.

  • http://solotravelerblog.com Janice Waugh

    Hi Brandon,

    Where do you live and what’s your budget? Those two factors will greatly affect where you could go. Please email at info@solotravelerblog or post on the Solo Travel Society http://facebook.com/solotravelsociety on Facebook and we’ll get the group making suggestions for you.

  • Brandon

    Im 27 and i’ve never been more than 300km from my home. I want to travel and experience new things. Do you have any suggestions on where I could go? I dont know if I could handle some crazy busy place as I am very shy and will probably be going alone. I want to go somewhere and see nature at its best, and have someone push me and make me do some great memorable life changing things.

  • http://solotravelerblog.com Janice Waugh

    Hi Vicki, I’m sorry for your loss. As a widow, I understand loss only too well. I’m glad you’re reading Solo Traveler and I hope that you find inspiration in it.

  • Vicki

    I do all of those things in your advice,all except the bike riding.Sadly,I have lost my mate this summer,so I’m into my 5th month of recovery.  My plans for the spring are to bike my own city,just to get back to biking. I feel there are amazing places  to be found if one doesn’t have a time line that is too strict. These are my immediate plans.More should be on the way.

  • solotraveler

    Absolutely, the bar is the easiest place for a solo traveler in a restaurant. It’s also great if you can find restaurants with communal tables. http://solotravelerblog.com/solo-dining-restaurants-communal-tables/

  • http://wendypgreene.blogspot.com/ Wendy Greene

    I too am introverted by nature and am sometimes afraid to venture to new spots – especiall restaurants alone. I have found the best plan of action for me is to find a seat at the bar instead of sitting at a table. Chances are better for meeting people there!

  • http://www.lodjee.com Jean

    I too am a traveler and tend to be on the reserved side of outgoing. If that makes sense!! I am confident but somewhat vulnerable I do like chatting and company, but I like to retire to my own thoughts when I feel like it. These tips are just what I needed as when I am traveling I tend to choose the tours or activities that are full of outrageous noise and I really do like the balance. I will take my camera to the foody nights. lol.

  • Pingback: Solo Travel Reasons and Resources | Brilliant Tips from BrilliantTrips.com

  • http://TourismPicks.com Mike Behnken

    I enjoyed the 2 separate options as I usually travel antisocially but when I want to be social I have done all 5 of your tips.

    Great list!

  • http://budgettravelerssandbox.com Nancie (Ladyexpat)

    Interesting article. I have probably tried all of these either consciously or unconsciously during my years of solo travel.

  • http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/ Trisha

    Excellent advice! I am also quite introverted and revel in the occasional trips I get to take by myself, simply to enjoy some rare solitude and serenity, but I do enjoy meeting people and find that just asking someone a question is a great ice-breaker if/when I want one. Thanks for this article Janice!

  • http://www.mybeautifuladventures.com Andi

    Great tips! I actually find solo travel to be the time where I meet the most people. Some of my best friends in life have come from my solo trips. :)

  • http://www.ClaiborneHouse.net Shellie Anne

    I believe B&B’s are perfect for solo travelers. Safe, comfortable and many innkeepers can recommend top places to hike, visit museums, etc. You will get more personal attention at a B&B.

    We have solo travelers here often – and one benefit is they often will leave a little note mentioning they will be going to such and such on a hike. This is just a great double check in place should they not return. Couples tend not to say where they are going, so if a couple went missing – none would be the wiser for the most part.

    If they prefer to dine alone – we have other options like eating out on our porch or having a different breakfast time or dining in their room. Innkeeper at The Claiborne House B&B in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

  • admin

    Glad you find them interesting JoAnna. Maybe you’ll share a story from your travels with us. I’m sure we’d all enjoy.

  • JoAnna

    I really appreciate your tips on how to travel solo but socially. I tend to be quite introverted but will be setting out on some solo travel this year, and these are all tips I’ll definitely keep in mind.

    Thank you!

About Janice Waugh and Tracey Nesbitt

I'm an author, blogger, speaker and traveler. I became a widow and empty-nester at about the same time. And then, I became Solo Traveler... Here's the full story. >>

Tracey Nesbitt I’m a writer, editor, food and wine fanatic, and traveler. On my very first trip abroad I learned that solo travel was for me. Here's the full story. >>

Get the Solo Traveler Newsletter…

Subscribe Now!

Sign up for the monthly Solo Traveler Newsletter and get the monthly Deals Advisory as well PLUS a free copy of "Travel Views: 9 Travel Stories by 9 Travel Bloggers.

As Seen In…

2nd edition of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook

The 2nd edition of The Solo Traveler's Handbook is part of The Traveler's Handbook series. Click on the book and check them all out on Amazon. Also available in iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo and more.

Follow Solo Traveler

Popular Posts

Archives

RESULTS MAY VARY (The disclaimer.)

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

©2011 Solo Traveler. All rights reserved.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Website design by Words2020, development by Aaron Fernandes