Alone in Milan.
Solo Travel: How Living in New York Prepared Me to Take the Plunge
I had not ventured on a solo trip until summer 2016 when I spent a few days traipsing around Paris and Milan. While I was nervous about solo travel and navigating on my own, I managed to find my way around both cities. In Paris, I walked everywhere exploring as many arrondissements as my feet would allow. One day, I covered about 10 miles. I knew then that I could handle solo travel, and that trip wouldn’t be the last time I trotted beyond the US by myself.
My biggest solo travel adventure so far was traveling through Switzerland last June. I flew into Zurich, rode a train to Bern, spent three nights there, then hopped the train to Gstaad where I met up with a group of journalists. After four nights in Saanenland, I ventured back to Zurich alone. I even had to switch trains and managed to make the connection. 🙂
Riding the train through Switzerland was one of the highlights of my trip.
I don’t consider myself a veteran solo traveler like some travel writers. In all honesty, a few years ago, the thought of traveling alone in a foreign country (or really anywhere) sounded terrifying. But now, I have the confidence to travel alone to many places. Here’s how my New York life has prepared me for solo travel.
Learning the ins and outs of the New York subway system.
When I moved to New York in 2007, I knew nothing of the NYC subway system. I had visited the city countless times, but never became an expert on public transit. When I began living here, I told myself that I would have to learn to take the train like everyone else. And I did. I bought a laminated Streetwise map (pre the MTA and subway apps) and always kept it in my city bag. I learned the lines and the stops and traveled all over NYC at various times of day and night and did it alone. I realized that I had the ability to do something I’d not done before, and that has only helped me accept new challenges, traveling alone included.
Navigating the city streets.
While taking the subway and traveling all over town, I also had to figure out which way to walk to get to a subway or which direction to turn once I exit the station. That, in itself, is no easy feat! Even after living in NYC for 11 years, sometimes I find myself heading east instead of west. Other than walking an avenue out of my way and wasting five minutes, that’s a fairly easy fix. I’ve learned to make a mental note of my whereabouts and which direction is north and south at all times. Trust me, that helps tremendously.
Eating, drinking and staying in hotels by myself.
I’ve been working with The Telegraph since April 2017, reviewing dozens of New York hotels. Not only do I stay in the rooms alone, but most times, I dine in the restaurants by myself. Because I’m so accustomed to that solo time, I don’t have any qualms about checking into a hotel or eating in a restaurant alone anywhere. I’ve grown to actually enjoy time by myself. I feel pampered and look forward to chatting with the staff and the interesting people I meet along the way.
Mingling with people from around the globe.
New York is a melting pot of cultures, and people move to NYC from just about every country in the world. Because I rub elbows with folks from so many places, I feel comfortable traveling to foreign destinations. The world comes to NYC, and in a way, living in New York has prepared me to take on the world.
Hearing dozens of languages spoken.
You’ll hear as many as 800 languages in Queens (I love riding the 7 train for that reason), and you’ll hear a bunch in the other boroughs too. Even walking through my Upper West Side neighborhood, I’ve listened to French, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and other languages spoken. Living in New York has helped me realize that just because I don’t understand what someone is saying doesn’t mean that I can’t communicate with them. Some languages are universal.
Observing different cultures and traditions.
Since I moved to NYC, I’ve observed Greeks partying at their annual street festival; Orthodox Jews marching to the temple on Shabbat; Muslim cab drivers kneeling on the sidewalk for their daily prayers, and immigrants from many other countries celebrating their heritage. The level of cultural stimulation in New York City has piqued my curiosity, motivating me to learn about other cultures and travel as often as I can.
New York has instilled a confidence in me and I’ll always be grateful. I have no doubt – if I hadn’t spent the last decade-plus living in this phenomenal city, I wouldn’t have the desire, know-how or moxie to explore foreign places alone.
Have you ever taken a solo trip? I’d love to hear about your experience!Â
Read about what my solo time in Paris taught me.
And Milan is so much more than fashion! Plus, my time in Bern, Switzerland – such a beautiful city.
If you’ve never traveled alone, I recommend starting small. Book a local trip, take a long drive, or fly somewhere domestically and spend a weekend by yourself. Solo travel can be incredibly liberating. If you don’t do it, you’ll never know if it’s for you. And if you try it and don’t like it, take your BFF on your next trip!
Would you travel alone?
7 train photo by Slam C. via Yelp.
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Scott McCulley says
When I started doing things alone in New York I felt that entire city opened up and gave me so much freedom. The ease of making plans and then stopping in somewhere local and having a quiet meal at the bar. Felt there there is so many things that I would have missed by trying to coordinate with other people. Might not be for everyone but something everyone should try at least once.
Tracy Kaler says
You are right. Over time, I’ve become more comfortable with exploring and doing things alone! Time by myself has been some of my favorite time. I encourage everyone to do it once. If it’s not for you, that is okay. But if you don’t do it, you’ll never know.
Tracita says
I started with a trip to Bocas del Toro, Panama and then to Montreal years later. That was my first time in Canada and I travel to Toronto tomorrow (not alone) which I’m really looking forward to. It really is an experience that I look forward to again, I realize one has to be intentional in planning it.
I think the biggest take away was the fear from judgment from others (when in reality, they probably don’t care. Lol) and being comfortable with the thoughts in your head…
Tracy Kaler says
That so great that you traveled solo. Once you go to one place, it gets easier, right? For me, the biggest concern with traveling alone is getting lost and not being able to communicate if the language is different! That happened to me once a long time ago in Italy. But I am a much more seasoned traveler now. 🙂
Lynn Marlborough says
I traveled to Paris for the first time, alone, to meet a group of strangers with a shared interest. While I wasn’t on my own most of the time, there were still many solo meals and street navigating moments that gave me the best of both worlds! I feel like organized experiences like this are a good introduction into solo travel or a good alternative if traveling completely solo isn’t quite what you’re after.
Tracy Kaler says
Hi Lynn,
I was in Paris with a friend for two nights and then two nights alone. But the last night, I met a colleague for dinner. It was nice running around Paris by myself all day, though. And that one evening I spent by myself at a very local place eating steak frites and drinking red wine was fabulous. One of my fondest travel memories!