There are so many great things about traveling alone. It leaves you open to possibilities, changes in your plans and new friendships. It teaches you a lot about how you handle situations and what you’re capable of. Some of my most rewarding travel experiences have been when I was solo. But there are a few things no one talks about. These moments are the few that bother me about being a solo traveler. Just don’t let them stop you!
Dining Out
I’m one of the few people who isn’t self conscious about eating at restaurants alone. It doesn’t bother me as I can usually keep myself entertained easily with a book or people watching. But the moments when being a solo traveler sucks is when you’re seated near other people.
One night in Frankfurt, I sat down for a quick dinner at a four top but the waiter told me I couldn’t sit there. Instead, he ushered me to a two top right in front of the door next to a guy sitting alone. It was like an awkward first date. I spent the entire meal quickly eating while avoiding eye contact with this gentleman, lest he ask me to join him. It also gets awkward when someone is waiting for a table and gives you the side eye about taking up a table to yourself.
Checking Into Hotels
“One key or two?” It’s bizarre to answer this question when I’m clearly traveling alone and am checking into a hotel. I realize that they’re just being polite, but I’m always unsure of how to answer. I usually say, “It doesn’t matter.” They look at me awkwardly, unsure of which they should do and end up giving me two keys.
Sometimes I stay in such beautiful hotels, like the cave in Cappadocia or the view of the church in Viana do Castelo, that I wish I had someone to share the views with.
On Transportation
When traveling alone, I usually want to keep to myself on trains, buses and the like. But traveling alone usually means that someone wants to talk to you and ask why you’re alone. No matter how many times I sit down where no one else is, someone will come and sit right next to me. Or maybe I’m just a grump.
Joining Tours
“You must be Caroline. I know that because you’re the only one not in a pair.” “Sounds about right,” I responded to my guide on a recent food tour in Savannah. I was quick to laugh it off, but this can sometimes be a bummer. It makes it much harder to feel like a part of your group when everyone is paired off.
I like signing up for day tours when visiting a new place as it allows me to learn more about it before exploring on my own. Longer tours are actually better as a solo traveler since the groups are likely to split off into their own fragments for part of the time.
I’m okay eating by myself, too, but occasionally, I get self-conscious, thinking people are staring at me and wondering why I’m by myself. The safety issue comes up too, though some of it is probably in my head. Once I got lost and ended up accepting a ride from a stranger, who turned out to be a little creepy. Not a good idea.
Totally agree, Bess! Getting lost while alone is the worst.
nothing better then traveling solo! as long as you don’t let those things bother you, you shouldn’t have a problem :-)
I love traveling solo. But I can totally relate to all of you’ve said. It happens from time to time that I feel self-conscious about traveling alone when someone draws attention to it. One thing that always feels weird to me is going to the movies alone. I don’t really know why. At least, I get hardly ask the how-many-keys-question. Another advantage of mostly staying in hostels ;)
I must be a grump too as I hate when people want to talk during a long plane or train ride. A wee bit of conversation is good, but not for the whole trip!
My least favourite part of travelling alone is having to stay in dorm rooms when what I really want to do is stay in a hotel. I like a mixture, but in big cities it’s often too expensive to stay in a hotel room by yourself.
Me too, Tracey! I like the option of meeting people when at hostels but also want my privacy.
Dining alone is the hardest especially when pretty much everyone else in the restaurant is in couples or groups.
I have never been asked the ‘one key or two’ question in all my years of travelling alone. Is it an American thing? Or maybe it’s just the hotels I’ve stayed at.
It does clear up something for me though. I used to wonder when I saw movies or TV shows and the woman would slip a man her hotel key how she’d get back into the room herself! But if she had two keys, it’d make sense. Now I just have worry about why someone would do that when the dude could use it to get into your room and steal your stuff!