Dealing with Loneliness while Travelling Solo

Usually, this happens at the beginning of the trip – when it suddenly dawns on me that I am all alone in a strange land. And other times, it happens when I’m experiencing a beautiful moment that I’d much rather share with someone.

In any case, I’m not the only one who feels this way. When you travel solo, loneliness is bound to creep in. Here are some ways to cushion the effect and get out of that place quickly.

Making friends is one of the easiest thing one can do while traveling solo and this is coming from someone who is somewhat of an extreme introvert. You have to be open to meeting new people.

Smile and don’t be scared to start up a conversation

For the most part, people are friendly. When I go out to lunch or dinner and see someone (or sometimes, a group) sitting by themselves, I’d politely ask if it was okay to join them. I never got a negative response and I was also welcoming of other locals and travellers who wanted to share a table with me.

I once stayed at a hostel in Paris (St. Christopher’s Inn – I highly recommend this place by the way). It had a really cool bar downstairs that hosted both in house guests as well as people who weren’t lodged in. So even if you’re not staying in a hostel, you can still head down to one to hang out and make new friends.

 Join a free walking tour (or any other group tour)

There are free walking tours in many cities that provide the opportunity to meet new people while exploring many parts of the city center. I have been on a few walking tours which gave me the chance to interact with people who certainly added a bit of color to my day.

Don’t sit out your entire holiday in your hotel room. Go out and explore the sights and sounds of the city you’re in. The less free time you have, the less lonely you’ll feel. If it helps, you could make a list of places you need to see or things you need to do in a day. That way, you keep your mind preoccupied with achieving your objectives.

Do something you wouldn’t normally do or wouldn’t get the chance to do back at home. Take a cooking class or a dancing class. Go camping or fishing. Anything. Take reasonable risks, have fun and if you’re travelling longer and have some time to spare, consider volunteering or working pro bono.

Find ways to stay in touch with friends and family back at home. Where possible, get a local sim card with a good data plan. Also get an app like Whatsapp or Skype that allows you make calls over the internet.