So, your friends don’t want to go travelling, and, for some reason, you’re a student with enough money to still be able to. There are only two solutions: either travel with a second-choice mate, or on your own. I’m telling you now a semi-mate won’t hack it- you’ll rip each other’s head off faster than you can say ‘I thought you booked the hostel’. You must make the venture alone.
Between you and me, it’ll be better. Solo travel is much easier than you might expect (certainly easier than going with a friend). Tension is inevitable when traveling with others. You become responsible for them, and them to you, and eventually you both get tired of the responsibility.
Solo travellers have no horror stories; they have real stories.
But alone, things are easier. Problems are solved in the way you want and there’s no need to compromise your own fun. Hungry? Go and eat. Tired? Nap. No need to buy that €6 savoury croissant 'cause your mates hungry, or give up your bed 'cause they’ve found a tasty Mediterranean boy to munch on. Solo travellers have no horror stories; they have real stories.
Don’t be scared- it's easy. People will come to you. Most people outside the interrail circuit travel solo and are also looking for company. When you’re on your own, you'll become closer with the people you meet than if you were with someone else.
Alone, you are fascinating.
Solo travellers enjoy the company of locals who are bound to approach you at every corner. Alone, you are fascinating. With another, you become intimidating. There’s no way you’d be invited to someone's for tea, or on a stranger’s motorbike were you not alone. It’s amazing how hospitable pretty much every country is outside of Britain.
If you’re feeling lonely, just hang around in the hostel and before you know it you’ll be hanging out with people from all over the world, and locals will be shoving whatever their vile ‘delicacy’ is down you like it was keeping you alive. Basically, you can do it! If you’re willing to stomach a little deep-fried sea urchin.
