Booking flights in advance, pack light, eat like a local: What you need to know about planning a fall solo trip

As summer winds down, the jackets come out and planning for a fall holiday starts.. And solo-travel appears to be on the rise with the excitement of exploring destinations by oneself, at their own pace and within a given budget. While traveling solo can be exciting, Fareportal India weighs in on how traveling alone this fall can be safe, fun, and affordable and shares a few recommendations for solo adventurers to take into consideration when planning their trip.

Book flights in advance

 A good way to save some bucks is with advance planning. So book your air-tickets in advance to make the most of attractive airfares, deals, and you may be able to grab a cheap ticket as well. By reserving your airline tickets and hotel accommodations well in advance, you’ll have more left over to spend on actual experiences. For the 69 percent of Millennials who are motivated to travel out of a desire to try local foods, that’ll definitely pay off.

Plan extensively

A meticulous travel itinerary is the sign of an experienced solo traveller. But if you are having the first go, here’s a quick tip - Plan well and plan ahead! Have your route mapped out, the numbers of every hotel and airline available to you, and always share your itinerary with a loved one so they have an idea where you are in case of an emergency.

Pack light yet smart

If you’ve booked cheap international travel options or are boarding an especially affordable domestic flight, you might not have all the in-flight entertainment you’re accustomed to. Be sure to bring along a book, a magazine, your music player, your laptop, and other means to fight off boredom. You should also bring along some noise-canceling headphones, an eye mask, and a travel pillow to ensure your comfort and reduce anxiety on long (and potentially noisy) flights. Make sure you carry all your essentials in a backpack or a tote bag as taking public transportation and navigating crowds becomes much easier. Even while packing your bags, carry only those things you find absolutely necessary. If your hotel provides toiletries and bath towels, eliminate those items from your list. When it comes to clothes, you could wear layers or convertible clothes; that allow you to mix and match your clothes. And ensure you don’t carry more than two pairs of shoes unless its unavoidable.

Be at a place with free Wi-Fi and share your location

Other important safety measures to take into consideration is to share your phone’s location with a trusted loved one and making sure there is Wi-Fi and cell phone service at various checkpoints during your travels.

 Meet other travelers

Meeting other travelers is another way to break up the monotony of solo travel; your discussion doesn't have to end when you land and deboard the plane. Ask a traveler about the best thing they've done so far, or with a local about the best hidden gem restaurant in the region. The individuals you meet and the advice they provide you will considerably enhance your journey.

Blend in

In general, avoid dressing like a tourist. Refrain from wearing flashy clothing, jewelry, or anything that screams, “I’m a stranger in these lands!” Walk with purpose and confidence, but don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

Eat like a local

There's nothing like digging into the local food. It provides you with a fresh perspective on your destination's culture, history, and landscape. There is always a purpose behind a certain food, which may be investigated with your taste senses and your thoughts.

Take day tours and classes

Your independent trip can be enriched by adding social activities such as city tours, cooking classes, and the like, so that you can experience your destination better.

Fareportal India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fareportal, a global travel technology leader and the second largest flights OTA in North America, powering a next-generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 600 airlines, a million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. Fareportal India provides cutting edge software development, web design and digital marketing support services to its parent company. Fareportal India also provides back-office support services in the areas of sales, customer support, ticketing, and related services. Fareportal India employees 2,200 of the brightest minds in the field and operates out of 2 cities in India - Gurgaon and Pune.