Traveling alone cross borders is one of the most invigorating experiences one can have. But make sure you are the independent, free-spirited type or you'll be calling home the moment your plane lands at Heathrow.
Things You'll Need
- Passport
Tips
Have passport will travel
- This is the very first step, of course. Your passport will be valid for 10 years. There is a fee and a waiting period. You must begin by taking a passport photo. If you are in a major city such as New York, these photo shops are ubiquitous. Do a Google search and you'll be set. Then there is a waiting period of several weeks, so you should NOT put this off till the last minute. If this is your first passport, or if it's been more than 15 years since you got your last passport, you must visit your passport office in person. There are over a dozen regional passport offices as well as several thousand passport acceptance facilities in post offices, libraries and government facilities.
- Plan your finances. One of the trickiest parts of traveling alone is you won't have anyone to remind you that you've exhausted your budget -- the principal problem with international travel, especially now that the dollar-to-euro or even worse, dollar-to-pound exchange rate is so horrid. Right now, count on spending two dollars for every pound you spend in the UK; about a third less than that when visiting euro-participating countries such as France or Austria.Also, in addition to bearing in mind the exchange rate, remember that it's easy to lose your debit card or for the card to become blocked, for cash to be stolen or lost or goodness knows what. Have three forms of money with you -- your debit card, a credit card, and cash. Some people advise travelers'' checks.In the first instance, make sure you've called your bank so they can place a code in the computer that says when you'll be abroad and which countries you'll be visiting. The good news about travel to Europe and many other continents is that your ATM card can be used at any of their banks. The problem is that you'll get a stiff fine from your bank. You need to check on all these details in advance if you possibly can -- but don't go crazy. This is a vacation. Just save an extra $1000, throw it in your bank account, try to limit transactions (BofA charges about $5 per withdrawal) and have fun!
- Chart Your Course. Now that you've figured out how much you have to spend, figure out where that will take you. Some people do it in reverse (plan, then budget -- this is up to you, unless you are very limited with cash flow in which case you should always plan your budget first.)In the UK, you can try Host and Guest for cheap accommodations. Lots of fun to stay at other people's homes and this way, you will find too that you will learn about local cultures.Other countries outside England and Scotland will offer suitable B&B accommodations as well. Book Irish travel through Gulliver's, an online booking agency.Google for B&Bs in any other country and you're likely to find pensions, private homes and so forth in which to stay. These are much cheaper options and often are a balm for the solo traveler who is apt to feel lonely at times.
- Plan For Contingencies.This can mean whether or not to buy travelers' or health insurance, for example. In the first case, it's more of an issue now that airlines are folding like trousers at a Chinese laundry! That said, many people just wing it and it's not that crucial. Health insurance is an issue if you will be traveling for a long time, hitting myriad stops, and/or have a tendency to contract illnesses easily. Most US health insurance plans will not cover doctors abroad, but please check with your insurers before you go. Obviously, you can be seen by emergency rooms abroad, but you must pay them. Also, particularly if you are traveling to truly exotic locations you might not feel as comfortable going to a doctor -- though you may be pleasantly surprised!
- Enjoy your trip!While traveling alone, don't forget that this is about having FUN, not stressing out. Meet new people, flex your language muscles, stay out late and eat an extra croissant or two. If you are a lady traveling alone, please remember you could be as much of a target for predators as you are in the US. Avoid sketchy neighborhoods after dark. If you have any concerns, ask the hotel desk clerk where not to go.Bring a book, a sketch pad, your diary, a camera; anything that allows you to connect with your soul. Are you an accountant by day but artist by night? Venice will be a magical place to let your hair down as well as your calculator!
