I feel that traveling alone can be a great stress-reliever. I don’t get as frustrated with minor problems when I’m traveling alone (i.e. when my flight is delayed). I enjoy trying out different restaurants and bars on my own. It’s fun to check out the souvenir shops without being in a rush. Most of all, you can make your own schedule as you see fit, as well as being able to take TONS of pictures. I have been to Spain and Mexico on my own, and they really changed my perspective on travel. It gives you a lot of time to reflect, so I am glad I have such a high appreciation for traveling, because it really is a hobby of mine that I never want to give up. This world is so magnificent, that I just want to discover all of its hidden treasures.

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I only ever travel alone. You meet more people that way. You go where the wind takes you. only way to go. Most long term travelers, or the die hards, I know tend to favor single travel.

Your timing is funny though. I just had a guest blog discuss this topic and i’m diving into it in a few days….

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I travelled alone a lot when I was in my early 20s and I loved it. It really pushes you to be more adventurous and make an effort to meet people. Plus there are no compromises to be made on where to go and what to do. The only thing I don’t like is having to eat alone in restaurants.

Now that I’m married, I go everywhere with my husband and it’s just not the same. The feeling of being on an adventure has gone.

I miss travelling alone.

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If I’m going on a package holiday for a week then I go with friends or family. As a backpacker though, I travel alone. I love it most of the time although sometimes I do wish I had a friend with me – someone I’ve known for donkeys years and can have a good chat with rather than having to start every conversation with “where have you been?” “where are you from?” “where are you going?”

Saying that though, I love being able to do my own thing and not having to answer to anyone. Next year I’m planning a trip with a friend and I’m just not sure how it’s going to work out….

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I find that traveling alone makes me a markedly different traveler. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. I feel more spontaneous about participating in “touristy” activities and am admittedly much less likely to head out on a 4 a.m. bender (nothing like waking up with a clear head.) Traveling solo seems to produce a more introspective experience for me and I agree it’s nice to just have time alone without any pressure.

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Great article Darren.

I have never travelled alone but you have made me want to try it out for myself.

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Darren – you have described the experience of travelling alone perfectly! I had the same awestruck feeling in Laos recently – it was breathtaking! Struggling to find another destination that lives up to the beauty of Laos .. any ideas?

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Darren was thinking of a beach getaway in Krabi..i never travelled alone except for this one time where i had to go to India alone on a business trip but then there everything was arranged for me.I seen so many people travelling alone and find it kind of interesting and always wonder if i would be able to do it someday.

You said you had most fun when you travelled alone.Any tips you would like to share?Would you encourage a single girl like me to go travelling alone?

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Thanks guys for sharing your opinion. I am scheduled to fly to Krabi with my friend on my birthday (on November 3rd) and last minute he canceled. I am kinda tick off with that but I thought to myself that I’ve got the plane ticket. Why not head on an adventure on my own ? i love meeting new people and when reading your article/ comments it somehow strike a chord . I’ll give travelling alone a try and what a better time then going on your 26th birthday ? The problem is who is going to take pictures of me ?

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I travelled to London during October 2007 by my self, had a fund time scaring the locals with my insane grin on the busses (busses and I don’t get along in Glasgow you see, and since I could make sense of the london ones, I was extremely happy!)

My work mates and family didn’t get it (still don’t) but when I told them about my holiday to New York during June this year, the accepted it, as now its part of my quirkiness But it has helped me with my confidence, which is severly lacking lol

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Heh, my moms been wracking her brain to think of ways to keep me in the UK, but nothing short of tearing my room apart and taking my passport will stop me. I went to New York in the summer of 06 with my school, but because I was the oldest by about 4 years to the rest of the kids, I had my own group to watch. Thats one think I love, the freedom to do what you want, when you want.

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I did my first major overseas trip solo (South America 6 months) and now I find having to work with a group to do what they want to do (holidays with friends or family) frustrating as it lacks the adventure that I experience on my own – the option to choose from minute to minute what I will do next or even what town/trip I will do next based on people I meet (either what they have told me, or wanting to travel onwards with them) – to be able to change my mind and go somewhere other than ‘planned’ without agreeing with anyone first. Love it.

BUT as a solo female I feel I have run out of places that have the infrastructure (good hostels for meeting people and good/safe transport routes and group activities to sign-up to like 3-4 days hiking, rafting etc.) After SA, have done East Coast Oz (underwhelmed) and Thailand/Cambodia (OK but hostels poor and as a solo female felt needed to upgrade to budget hotel but didn’t meet people as much this way – although very good mountain hikes/temples by moped etc).

Any suggestions? I’d love to do West Coast Africa but just not sure the infrastructure is there for me.

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