Why I Think This Is The Best Place For First-Time Solo Travelers

From my own personal experience

Solo travel is a scary thing.

It is so daunting to travel to an unknown place on your own. You never really know what to expect.

It does take a lot of guts to make that bold step and push yourself out of your comfort zone. So it’s understandable that by making that move, you would want it to be a positive and memorable experience.

When I first traveled solo it was to Australia, but it wasn’t what I had pictured traveling to be in my mind.

I had this idea that I would meet people and instantly hit it off with them and travel around with them, adding more people to our group along the way and becoming friends for life but that was not the case at all.

It’s not like I didn’t meet great people or have a fantastic experience, it was more that I found you had to make a lot more of an effort to meet other people and it wasn’t something that happened with ease.

There was also a cliquey vibe too as there were more people traveling in groups or pairs than there were solo travelers which was something I was not expecting. I mostly expected to meet other solo travelers.

However, when I backpacked through Asia I found it to be exactly what I pictured traveling to be initially.

I found it easier to meet people and establish a connection; the other backpackers were much more open-minded and much less cliquey.

I also really loved the different types of hostels I stayed at; some were unique and are places I never thought I would stay at.

It may seem daunting to go to a place where there might be a bigger culture shock but Asia, specifically, South East Asia is quite a common place for backpackers.

As this has been established as a backpacker hub there are so many hostels catering to backpackers and getting around with transportation is quite easy.

There is also not much of a language barrier either as most locals are able to speak English too (though it never hurts to learn a few phrases in the language of the country you are in!)

I know it doesn’t seem so “off the beaten track” to go somewhere known for its backpacking culture, but as a first-time traveler, it is a great way to ease yourself in if you are nervous about your first trip.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no regrets at all about starting in Australia first but I think if someone were to ask me where they would recommend traveling as their first trip I would say Asia.

I think the mindset was different for most people in Australia, as others like myself were there for the long term and were looking to settle down for a bit as well as travel.

Whereas in Asia most people are passing through so there is a greater influx of people who are all open as they know they won’t be in one place for a really long time.

This is my own experience, and I know it could be a very different case for others.

I hope this has helped you in some way!

What would you recommend as your first solo trip? I would love to hear your thoughts!

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