What should i take with me on my first solo trip?

If you are getting ready for your first solo trip, then you will definitely be full of stress and many questions and this is completely normal. Is everything going to be OK? Will I be safe? Will I feel lonely? The questions are numerous, often different for each of us. I remember, just before my first solo trip I was thinking about what are these items that I should NOT forget so that everything goes smoothly. What should i take with me on my first solo trip?

If you are looking for courage and inspiration, read about my first solo trip here.

I do not consider myself an expert on solo travel, but I have made two such trips and I will be happy to share with you some tips that I found useful and may help you. First I want to emphasize that in this case less is more applies. And what do I mean by that.

Don’t over-pack

On my first solo trip to Italy in October 2019 I took with me a small backpack and a hand luggage with wheels. BIG MISTAKE. I ended up carrying things I didn’t need for five days and clothes I never wore.

When traveling alone, it is good to have your hands free. It should be easy to move, to take things out of your bag, to hold your cell phone, to run so as not to miss the train and whatever else happens. The ideal solution is a medium-sized backpack and inside it, a small bag, for when you leave your things in the hotel and want to move around the city.

Now, regarding what you will take with you, I have to suggest the following. Find the things you want to take with you and get exactly the half. Comfortable shoes and a good waterproof hooded jacket are the most important to me. Most likely you will leave the hotel in the morning and return in the evening. Where will you put so many clothes after all?

A mini pharmacy is mandatory

Being safe on your trip is and should be your first concern. Along with your travel insurance that I urge you to do before you start your trip, a small travel pharmacy with a few basic things is essential.

Read also before take-off: I got sick on a trip. What to do.

Powerbank saves lives

Just think about how much traveling now relies heavily on our mobile. We download our tickets, use google maps to orientate and find our hotel or this restaurant we liked. Objectively it is our main way of communication and what will save us if something goes wrong. It is not possible for your mobile phone to simply die of battery. It just can’t .

Padlock and earmuffs.

If you decide to stay in a hostel, note this. These two items (along with a towel that you should bring to avoid the extra cost) will save you. You will use the padlock in your closet to lock your things (some hostels offer it for free and others do not) and earmuffs are a key item if you are one of those who sleep lightly.

Secret waist bag

This has saved me from a huge degree of stress, since I know that I always have my most basic items hidden in my waist . For example. A photocopy of ID, a credit card and some money are always in my waist for an emergency. I never carry a lot of money in my bag and definitely not all my cards.

As much as we do not want to believe it , we can all fall victim to theft even in our hostel or hotel. By keeping some basic items on you, in any case you will never run out of money but also of proof documents that you will need to return.

Reusable water bottle.

Water should never be missing from our bag and the good thing about almost all cities abroad (but also some in Greece) is that you can find taps to refill your bottle, without constantly buying new plastic bottles. Those of us who travel, we love the environment and we must show it in practice.

Headphones

A new day just came, you leave your hotel and look for the nearest metro station. You find the route, hold the cell phone in your hand and move on looking lost. ANOTHER BIG MISTAKE. What is the right procedure? You find the route, put on your headphones listening to the route and move on without seeming like you have no idea where you are going. One of my biggest tips when traveling alone is that at all costs, it should seem like you know where you are going.

So these are the main items I always carry with me on my solo trips. I hope you find them useful!

Safe travels!

Evita.