Part two: five tips for international travel & safety

     So, here we are again! If traveling solo has ever seemed enticing, this is for you. Or, if you thought we were finished with this topic, then you clearly haven’t been around for long. If that is the case, then welcome, and I invite you to check out my previous blogs. Come back to this one once you have. Although my traveling journey has just begun, I’ve gained so much from it already. I believe these things are meant to be shared, so let’s get into it! I really picked my brain for this one, so there’s a lot of practical advice. If you’re the travel-hungry, adventure-seeking type, that probably won’t faze you. Picking up right where we left off:

    5.  PLAN YOUR PHONE SERVICE
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   Listen, this is short and sweet. The last place you want to be is outside of your home country with no cell service. Those of you that have done this before know what I’m about to describe. The feeling of being jet-lagged and tense while trying to speed through customs, read signs in the airport, and dodge hasslers is not a pleasant one. Go easy on yourself, and plan ahead. I would recommend an E-SIM over a physical SIM, but both can be cheaper than an international cell plan. I used Holafly on my last trip, and experienced no issues, but there are several other providers to choose from. 

   6.  PLAN YOUR AIRPORT TRANSFER
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    No matter how well-seasoned or how comfortable and confident you are traveling, when you step off a plane into a new environment, you are vulnerable. Even if the location is safe, taxi drivers at the airport will overcharge you for the shortest of trips. This can be frustrating while trying to maintain a budget. I would advise you to do some research if you plan on just hailing a cab at the airport. New travelers, female travelers or anyone that might be labeled as a tourist, I’m looking at you! Sometimes hotels in the airport area might offer a (free) shuttle, so always check for that! It might seem like an insignificant thing, but the less decision-making you have to do, the less overwhelmed you will be. 

However, if you do find yourself overwhelmed by the process of researching, planning, and booking one or multiple destinations for one or multiple people, it can be done for you! If this is you, stop reading here and check out this link: 

www.jotform.com/form/242735891715162

Tell me all the details, and I’ll handle the rest. I’d love to make the trips you’ve been waiting for possible.  

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​7. BE CULTURED

    My whole blog (and social media) might be centered around world travel, but I still have quite a few places on my list that I have yet to reach. While I haven’t experienced every culture, I make an effort to embrace and respect the ones I do encounter. Be aware of any important cultural norms such as dress code or other. Learn a few phrases in the local language (at minimum). This obviously applies if you'll be communicating with locals a lot. I even did this while in Turkey, but at the moment I could only remember hello and thank you —-- this takes a lot of repetition. I brushed up on my Spanish vocab for a couple of months before going to Costa Rica, which ended up helping me months later when I ended up in Italy. Google Translate will be your best friend in a lot of places. If you have previously learned the basics of a language, like me, the app Language Transfer was amazing for recalling vocab you don’t even remember. If you’re really trying to master it, or plan on being gone for a long time, start by looking up the 100 most commonly used words in that particular language. These are just a couple things I would use, but the amount of resources on language learning and mastering are pretty much endless.

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​9. YOU NEED MONEY 

     I am ALL for budget travel. Especially when so many places are in a cost of living crisis, and being in my early twenties. However, there is only so much we can control, and when an incident occurs, the last thing you want to reach for is an empty bank account. I learned this the hard way over the summer, when I missed my connecting flight from Munich to Izmir, for reasons beyond my control. Fortunately, this was able to be rescheduled, but since everything happened so quickly, I had to pay for food and hotel before I could make any complaints to the airline for compensation. You need to have a credit card (preferably one with travel benefits) or a good amount of savings to dip into in case something happens. I would also advise you to make some decisions before your trip such as: what do I plan on spending the most money on, what will I want to splurge on, what am I okay with skipping, and what will my overall budget look like for the entire trip? Some people can be given two hundred bucks and stretch it for at least a week’s worth of food, while others (like me) would be suffering. I love to try new foods, and don’t mind sleeping in an Airbnb over a hotel, but some people prefer hotels skipping the fancy meals. Make your trip your own because we are talking about solo traveling. 

 

​10. TALK TO PEOPLE

     I’m sure you’ve reached your word limit with me, but there’s more things to share that I think is important. Traveling internationally and solo is an amazing feat, so reward yourself by having the best experience possible. This is easily one of the most enriching parts of traveling the world. There is such beauty in learning from people that have never seen the city or country you were born in (and vice versa). There is also a beauty in knowing that at the end of the day you can still relate to them, even if you don’t have that much in common on paper. You will definitely have many opportunities to talk to people, interact with strangers, and listen to stories while going solo.



  Traveling solo can be one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences, but it comes with its own set of challenges. By planning ahead, being prepared for the unexpected, and embracing the cultures you encounter, you can make the most out of every journey. Whether it’s organizing your phone service, securing your airport transfer, or simply having enough funds to cover emergencies, these tips are here to set you up for success. Remember, travel isn’t just about the destinations—it’s about the people you meet, the lessons you learn, and the memories you create along the way. So get out there, explore with confidence, and let the world surprise you. If this blog, was helpful, let me know! And if you're looking for more content, my socials are linked below. Until next time!

 - Jordan