How did you find the stomach for a solo RTW trip?

I was in bed last night and started wondering if I could wake up in a different place every few days. I got a bit nervous and wondered if I had the stomach for a RTW solo trip for about a year.

Anyone can share their experiences/thoughts? Thanks.

I've not been on a RTW nor will I ever be on a solo (just got married). However, I'm a guy that like eating out, wandering around, watching movies at the theater alone without issue.

If you can't entertain yourself or don't enjoy doing things alone you may have some times that are depressing. As I understand things though, you aren't often alone on your RTW. You have many others with at least one MAJOR thing in common that they like. Especially if you stick to the backpacker trail when moving about it is entirely likely that you will almost always be with new friends along the route.

What part is making you queasy? The solo part, or the long-term aspect?

I think that something that often gets glossed over on these forums is that solo travel, and long-term travel, is not for everybody. But before you give up, you need to decide whether you're just getting a case of nerves (everyone does), or if the thought of doing such a thing is actually unappealing to you.

If you're worried about the time alone, take a shorter (2-3 week) trip by yourself, and see how you like it. You will meet people, but meeting people on the road - and the short-lived intense friendships you make - is an emotional roller coaster just as much as spending a lot of time with nothing but your thoughts. On a long trip, you'll probably do both, particularly if you head off the beaten track at all. If you find you don't enjoy the shorter trip, then you really have to focus on finding a compatible travel partner that will come with you.

I've done 2 months solo, and 5 months with my girlfriend. Both have their own appeals. Traveling with someone, it's nice to be able to share the experience and reminisce together years later. Though you meet people solo, it's not the same as you'll usually part ways after a week or two, and will not return home together. Traveling solo is a wonderful feeling of absolute freedom, something there really is no other way to experience.

As for the nerves for a long term trip...it's just a question of asking what you'll regret more. Delayed opportunities at home, or not having fulfilled a dream. Usually, if you've gotten this far, you'll probably answer that NOT taking the trip would be a bigger regret. Focus on that and the rest stops mattering so much.

I have no problems with being alone. I do lots of things alone and no problems with it. In fact, I like doing lots of things alone, I can do it my way at my own pace. I've also got an introverted personality, lots of internalized things.

I meant the aspect of sleeping/waking up in a completely strange place every other day. There is no secure feeling, no comfort zone, no place to call home.I guess there in, lies the excitement for some.

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.”
—Freya Stark

Remember, home is just a plane flight away.

As for waking up somewhere new, to me that is part of the excitement (something, as you note, I highly anticipate). You could plan to stay in places for a little longer, getting to know the areas better and possibly resulting in a more fulfilling experience there.

With the wonders of technology you have a vast world that is always there and can always be familiar. Using skype to talk with family and friends can help you keep in touch. You can continue to read the news for your home town. Just because the world around you is changing daily doesn't mean that you can't take in some of the comforts from a more familiar environment.

I'm a tech guy, so naturally I lean towards leveraging technology to solve problems. There are other ways you might achieve this, though I'm not sure I could say exactly what. Perhaps reading books from a favorite, familiar author, something like that.

Perhaps you decide not to do it solo, can you find someone ahead of time that is looking for someone long term to travel with? Perhaps there are others lurking these boards that would be up for going? There is also the off chance that someone you know might actually want to do with you as well.

I don't know how many ppl here actually do a RTW solo. Every thread I click, it's a couple going together.

I'm planning to go solo Part of the reason it's taken me this long to go is that I kept waiting for a friend or significant other to go with me. It never happened, since most of them are in their mid to late 20's and are settling down into a comfortable routine with their jobs and families. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, mind you, but I'd rather go alone than not go at all.

I meant the aspect of sleeping/waking up in a completely strange place every other day. There is no secure feeling, no comfort zone, no place to call home.I guess there in, lies the excitement for some.

It's funny, but I found that I created my own personal comfort zone within minutes of my arrival in a new place. I'd take out my pjs, sleepsheet and travel alarm clock, set-up my sleeping area, stow away my backpack and voilà! just like home! Little routines within a generally routine-less life helped to overcome the strangeness of it all.

I don't know how many ppl here actually do a RTW solo. Every thread I click, it's a couple going together.

I can't really put a specific percentage to it, by I certainly met a fair share of people traveling solo while I was on my RTW trip. Funny thing though, most people I met traveling solo were women. Men seemed to travel more frequently with their girlfriends/wives or friends. Not all, but a lot.

K2 wrote:I was in bed last night and started wondering if I could wake up in a different place every few days. I got a bit nervous and wondered if I had the stomach for a RTW solo trip for about a year.

While going the prospects of a solo RTW might appear daunting at first, the truth is that meeting other backpackers on the road is easy—whether you're travelling in a group or are rolling solo, there’s a real sense of community among vagabonders.

On a six-month solo stint through Asia, I quickly learned that the majority of solo travellers are on the lookout for other travellers to socialize with. Of course, you’ll be tempted to move in very tight social circles with other backpackers and ex-pats as you travel. Hence, I think it’s absolutely essential that you go out of your way to make local friends while travelling, as well. Indeed, you’ll learn a lot more about the country in which you find yourself from a local. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself hanging out at hostels trying to impress other backpackers with random factoids plucked from some dog-eared Lonely Planet guide.

You might not find the idea of sewing a flag on a knapsack particularly appealing, but it’s an easy way to meet others. Once, on a flight into Beijing I spotted a young couple with a Canadian flag on their packs. “Cool” I thought, “maybe they’ll split a cab with me on our way downtown.”

“What part of Canada, you from?” I asked. Smirking, they replied “Pennsylvania”.

Edit: Actually, K2 your question inspired a rather long-winded blog post—How to meet backpackers and influence peole—which all are welcome to check out here. Please forgive the blog—it's still a work in progress, only meant to launch in July. I've just been trying my best to generate some content. So thanks for the inspiration!

K2 I can understand your concern with a solo RTW as prior to my solo 6 month Central American trip I had the same feelings & being a bit introverted didn't help matters but I bit the bullet & went turned out to be the greatest experience of my life & can't wait until Aug 21 when I start my RTW.

Started off in budget hotels but switched to hostels to meet more travelers & found you can be alone or with people as the mood strikes you also it is a lot easier striking up friendships with fellow travelers than at home & yes most solo travelers are women.

Good advise in all the above posts, check my blog to see how I made out.

I find it interesting that most solo travellers are women. They are much braver than men it seems!

I'm a guy though. American citizen (born/raised in Asia), not sure what flag to use on backpack.

Thanks for the encouragement so far. I am waiting for my Rough Guide RTW by Doug Lansky. Can't wait to read it.

I've got a copy of Lansky's book. While the book is interesting, the information that you'll find on these boards is more up-to-date, more compelling, and more voluminous.

I preferred the more esoteric Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. Have you read it?

Kate and Dan wrote:I've got a copy of Lansky's book. While the book is interesting, the information that you'll find on these boards is more up-to-date, more compelling, and more voluminous.

I preferred the more esoteric Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. Have you read it?

I will be researching both in books and this boards. And I will definitely check out Vagabonding, looks interesting.

I did a solo RTW 2007-2008, and I'll be starting another in September. Really, I don't know what to tell you. It wasn't an issue for me at all... the solo part. You meet people on the road if you want to, or you do your own thing by yourself if you want to. It's nice to have somebody to hold your bag when you go to a dodgy toilet somewhere, but with a little creativity (and perhaps some extra flexibility) you can do it by yourself too. I'd go so far as to say that a solo RTW is one of the best things I've ever done in my life. One of the reasons for why it is so great is possibly what is so scary about it - you only have yourself to rely on, to congratulate, or to blame for every aspect of life for a long time. I don't know - I guess you just have to go and see if you like it or not... but like another poster said - home is just a plane ride away.