“Not all who wander are lost.”
Some simply are digital nomads and want to travel as much as they can.
And while taking a vacation with a couple of friends, family, or a significant other can be fun, have you thought about going on solo travel?
What’s more, it is now possible to combine work with pleasure due to technological advancements and changes in the workplace.
Remote working is not such a foreign concept anymore.
As such, if you are thinking about embarking on a journey by yourself, here are some tips for traveling alone to make your trip smooth sailing.
Make Copies of Important Documents
When traveling, you cannot always predict what will happen next.
And while you’re not likely to lose any of your essential documents, creating copies is often helpful.
Make duplicates of your plane tickets, IDs, passports, and other travel documents. It is easier to have them replaced if you can provide proof of your identity.
You can also produce digital copies of your documents and then e-mail them either to yourself or to a trusted friend or family member.
Buy Travel Insurance
Oftentimes, people neglect the importance of having travel insurance.
For some, it may just be an added expense that serves no purpose. But that’s not quite true.
Apart from being a requirement for some airlines when flying out from the Philippines, having travel insurance also provides you with peace of mind.
Again, anything can happen when you travel.
Thus, you would want to be prepared. Travel insurance, after all, can cover minor inconveniences like canceled flights or lost luggage and even worst-case scenarios such as injuries and illness.
If nothing else, it would be better to have travel insurance and not need it rather than the alternative.
Check In With Your Friends and Family from Time to Time
After making your itinerary, share them with trusted family members and friends.
Let them know the addresses of where you’ll be staying, the contact numbers of your hosts, and all other relevant information.
Doing so lets you have a backup plan in case anything goes wrong.
Further, if you are buying a local phone plan, check if it allows you to make international calls, which is extremely important in case of an emergency.
Lastly, before buying a plane ticket, make sure you do your research. Look up your destination and see if there are any safety risks and concerns.
After all, you will be alone in a foreign country, where you probably don’t speak the local language (if it’s a non-English speaking one).
Don’t Forget to Check the Weather At the Time of Your Trip
You might not think too much of it, but the weather can affect your plans.
For instance, if you plan on exploring the city after working hours, then it’s best to fly out during a time when it won’t be rainy or too warm, or too cold.
One of the more valuable travel tips for solo travelers is to avoid flying out during the peak season for tourists. This is especially helpful if you hate crowds.
Your trip might be spoiled if you don’t get to do the things you want due to these factors.
Stick to Your Work Schedule
It can be easy to get distracted by the interesting sights of a new country when you are working away from home.
After all, it’s the innate nature of humans to explore.
Thus, it is vital that you create a routine to keep you grounded, even when you aren’t on your home turf.
You might also want to check your client’s policy on leaves. This is so you can continue to stay on top of things, especially if you want to take a day (or two) off to explore or participate in day trips.
Scout for Co-working Spaces and Remote Working Communities
Cafes are places where people naturally gather.
As such, it probably shouldn’t be too hard to find coffee shops in the city.
However, it is important to note that sometimes, these spots are not too conducive for remote work because they attract all kinds of people.
Oftentimes, the noise can be too much and it might be difficult to concentrate.
So, it may be better to look for co-working spaces. These types of cafes can be great places to meet fellow digital nomads.
Keep Track of Costs
You do not want to spend more than you earn. That just defeats the whole purpose of working remotely.
As such, check your destination’s costs of living. If you think that it’s too expensive, you might want to pick a location that’s more affordable.
Again, do not go broke while on vacation.
Travel While Working Remotely
If you haven’t done it before, going on solo travel can be a wonderful experience.
But just like anything, make sure you do your due diligence and research before hopping on a plane.
On that note, if you are thinking of becoming a remote worker, then check out Remote Staff’s job listings. Our job board is constantly updated and has a wide variety of jobs. So, you’re sure to find something that suits you.
Remote Staff has supported and advocated for Filipino talents working remotely for 15 years now. Further, what makes Remote Staff unique is how they continue to fully support their remote workers even after recruitment and onboarding, so you never feel alone in your remote working journey.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, register with us today!
