Travelling with People Sucks
Travelling with other people sucks, it’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter who it is – a boyfriend, your BFF or even Brad Pitt. Travelling and spending all your time with one person often results in everything they do annoying you in some way. The way they eat, speak or even breathe can be the cause of violent thoughts towards them. Even Brad Pitt’s damn perfect looks can become irritating after a while.
I’m not talking a week in Bali with some friends, or a Pacific cruise for 14 days. If that makes you want to throttle someone, then I recommend some anger-management classes, stat! I’m talking the type of travel where you are off on the other side of the world experiencing different countries and cultures for extended periods of time. And in my opinion there is nothing worse than doing it with other people.
There’s a lot to say about solo travel. I could get all deep and emotional about how good it is for growing as a person and how amazing it is to see the world without factoring in someone else’s prejudices – but it really comes down to this. Travelling solo is just better.
Don’t get me wrong. There are parts of solo travel that kind of suck too. It can get lonely. Some people find dining alone intimidating. Trying to navigate through a new city with a tequila hangover would be much easier if you had someone else’s brain that wasn’t clouded with alcohol and bad decisions. But as far as I’m concerned, the perks of solo travel far outweigh the negatives and these are my reasons why…
You meet rad people everywhere you go…
Unless you are the sort of person who is going to rent out a hotel room to themselves for your trip, chances are you are going to meet some cool people wherever you go. Hostels or shared Airbnb’s are a good place to meet like-minded people. Bars, tourist attractions or even airports can lead you to make new friends. When you are alone you are far more open to chatting to random people. When you already have travel companions there’s not as much inspiration to try.
You don’t need to do a whole lot of stupid things you have no interest in doing…
Ever travelled with that person that has to do every single tourist thing like the world is going to end if they don’t? Or maybe you’re that person, which is fine. When I travel, there are certain things I want to do but I don’t want to do everything. Travelling with other people makes you feel obligated to do things you have no interest in. When travelling solo, your time is your own.
You go on sporadic adventures…
When I was in Paris, I met a guy who knew some people that had a cabin in the French Alps. Alas the French Alps adventure began. This later turned into the Switzerland adventure and so on. When travelling solo you can make a decision on a whim without having to consider anybody else’s plans.
Holiday Romance Anyone?
If you are single and travelling alone, then there is a real possibility of a “fly by the seat of your pants” romance – yes pun intended! Is there anything better than a mid-night snog with a sexy Frenchman in Paris? Or a passionate couple of weeks in Barcelona with a Spaniard? Whether you are looking for something deep and meaningful or just a fun fling, travelling solo means you never have to consider leaving your friend behind if you meet someone special on your trip.
You’ll save money…
Travelling alone works out cheaper because you’ve got no-one to tempt you into dining at places that charge more for one meal than you’d normally spend for a week. Or going to a museums you have no interest in or even staying somewhere else than a shared hostel dorm. It can be awkward to say you don’t want to spend your money on certain things or you can’t afford it. It’s easier and cheaper to not have to deal with that at all.
No people no drama…
The more people you have with you, the more chance there is going to be drama. It doesn’t matter how close you are to someone or how much you normally get along with them – travelling together pushes any relationship to its limits. You’re often tired, hungover, lost and hungry and patience really does wear thin. Save the arguments and drama! Travel alone.
When travelling solo you should always protect yourself with travel insurance. This could save you massive amounts of cash if something bad happens and protect you for unlimited medical expenses, 24 hour emergency assistance, cover for your luggage and personal effects and much more.
Sydney Unleashed is one of Australia’s premier entertainment publications exploring the latest in lifestyle trends. From Sydney’s finest restaurants, cafes and bars to the hottest in gadgets, products, and home entertainment, Sydney Unleashed is your one-stop lifestyle platform.