5 Benefits of solo travel
Ladhak is one of the countless places you can fully appreciate when you travel solo. Photo: Shutterstock
The benefits of solo travel begin with being selfish
Solo travel may be the only context in which selfishness isn’t really a bad thing, because traveling with others means making plans with others. And checking out local landmarks, museums, restaurants, and attractions can be challenging when each traveler has something different in mind.
2. You meet interesting people
When you travel with others, you typically stick together. In other words, you’re less likely to wander away from your group. But traveling alone brings something truly valuable to the table – you’ll be more likely to chat with locals, meet new friends and generally be more sociable.
3. You can devour as many books as you want
Two major perks of escaping day-to-day life while on vacation include sleeping inn and reading as much as you like. But when you’re traveling with others, you’re usually nudged to put your book down and come back to the group. Solo travel gives you the opportunity to read to your heart’s content.
4. You come to know yourself more intimately
These days, we’re constantly bombarded by stimulation – relentless connectivity to others, as well as the Internet. Rarely do we get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be.
Solo travel provides the opportunity to do just that. Being on your own in new places serves as a permission slip to slow down, without the distractions you’d feel buzzing around you when traveling with companions. Being alone, and really embracing it, is a wonderful part of solo travel.
5. You can rest without feeling guilty
Feeling wiped out from a long flight? Or from exploring new cities on foot? Let’s face it, there’s only so much running around you can really do. But when you’re traveling with friends, the pressure to keep going can be intense.
When traveling alone, on the other hand, you can head back to your room for a guilt-free mid-afternoon nap.