There’s now an entire cottage industry devoted to solo travelers, including companies catering to solo women travelers looking to stay safe, solo millennials hoping to make friends, and even seniors wanting to get out and see the world on their own terms. Truly, I can tell you from first-person experience that traveling alone can be a dream. After all, you can get up whenever you want, eat whatever you want, see whatever you want, spend time doing whatever you want, and go to bed whenever you damn please without answering to anyone along the way (other than the voice inside your head). However, if you’re planning on taking your first solo vacation, here are nine travel tips to know before traveling alone. Before you leave, print out your trip itinerary, along with physical copies of all your hotel and rental confirmations, and keep them in a folder in your bag. You never know when your internet might not work. RELATED: 10 Steps to Ensure a Low-Stress Vacation

  1. Intentionally book a flight that arrives at your destination during the day, so you’re not attempting to navigate a new place in the dark.
  2. Don’t let strangers know you’re traveling alone. If you need to ask for directions try something like, “Do you know how to get to the beach? I am meeting a friend.”
  3. Indulge in alcoholic beverages responsibility at restaurants to always keep your wits about you.
  4. Remember that itinerary you created before you set off on your travels? Share it with a few trusted friends so someone always knows your general location and plan.
  5. Always trust your gut. RELATED: Here’s Exactly What to Do If Your Credit Card Gets Lost or Stolen RELATED: Attention Solo Travelers: A New Vacation Rental Platform Exists Just for Women