Gentlemen, if you’re looking for travel advice related to safety tips, personal growth, and the overall benefits of travelling solo – and perhaps on a budget –, then you’ve come to the right blog post.

When wayfaring around the globe, you’re going to stumble upon LOTS of opportunities for growth. These will be disguised as challenges, obstacles, and hurdles that you’re going to need to overcome if you want to become better men.

That’s why we’ve come up with an all-inclusive list to help you make the most out of each and every backpacking adventure you partake in – because such challenges will ultimately come to define you and your character (if your response to them is correct, that is, which – let’s face it – it will be after you read this blog post).

After all, travel – as with all areas of your life – requires planning, coordination, skill, flexibility, and most importantly, style. Things will never go smoothly all the time, and more often than not, your plans will be upturned.

That’s why it’s PARAMOUNT for you to know how to navigate the perils of globetrotting, all the while learning how to handle setbacks with ease, grace and elegance. Isn’t that what life is all about?

That said, and without further ado, here are 6 tips to keep you, gentlemen, looking fine, stylish, and confident (as well as safe) while backpacking solo, and with a sprightlier wallet:

1. Plan Thoroughly Yet Stay Adaptable

I’ll never forget the feeling of being homeless in Spain for 18 hours. After getting off at the wrong stop accidentally, the desert became my home. Somewhere on my way from Lisbon to Madrid, I got so caught up in jumping from train to train within minutes of their departures (literally like Matt Damon in the Jason Bourne movies) that I failed to realize I could’ve stayed on one of those trains, and arrived – safe and sound – at my destination.

Alas – I instead wound up crossing the border from Portugal into Spain, where I would get off in a ghost town (I want to say it was La Albuera, and I’m not 100% certain that my memory serves me correctly on this one) and realize that there was NO ONE around. Not a single person. All the buildings and windows were boarded up, and there wasn’t a single bathroom or café where I could sit down, grab a meal, and / or call somebody for help. I was stuck… or so it seemed.

You see, there was no reception, Wi-fi, or Uber service in the nearby area, and so I thought I was screwed for the next 20 somewhat hours until the same train (the one I should’ve remained on) arrived the next morning to take me to Madrid (where I should’ve gotten off in the first place).

Add to this the scorching heat, a lack of fluids in my water bottle, as well as my overall incompetence with the Spanish language, and my prospects seemed so thin that I thought I was… well… done for.

But you want to know what the funny thing about all this was? I was actually just getting started with one of the best adventures of my life, for when this kind of stuff happens to you, your body, mind, and spirit kind of just learn to… go with it. You’ve got to take the hits, and roll with the punches.

As with all areas of your life, whether it’s with work, your relationships, or your entrepreneurship & business endeavors, when shit hits the fan, you have no choice but to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Despite all of my planning, this one setback (as well as all of the uncertainty and fear that accompanied it) wound up being one of the coolest moments of my whole life; an opportunity for growth and experience. Instead of sitting back and doing nothing, I wound up learning how to communicate with a local (using non-other than Google translate of course… oh thank God for technology), as well as how to let the universe guide me to my next destination.

As it turns out, there was another train I could take that night. It wouldn’t take me to Madrid, and it would at least transport me somewhere a little more cozy - still in the desert, but with access to food, a wall socket to charge up my phone, and a park bench to sleep on. It’s all I could ask for that night.

I know it sounds corny, and honestly, as crucial as it is to plan ahead for your journey, setbacks like this aren’t just inevitable; they’re essential.

Let’s face it – in life, you are going to screw up in numerous ways many times. So why not learn how to make the most out of these challenging lessons?

You see, when you’re in the midst of chaos, sometimes the best thing to do is to sit back and go with the flow. Instead of becoming control freaks, learn to become adaptable to any situation. After all, stumbling blocks are chances to learn and love the voyage, am I right? How else will you learn to appreciate the journey, embrace the process, and come out stronger on the other side?

Warriors are formed through adversity, and you cannot become a travel trooper unless and until you learn to deal with the challenges that come with the expedition.

Relax, figure out what’s great about your situation (no matter how dire or frightening it may seem), and see it as an opportunity for wisdom and evolution. Then do the unthinkable: move forward.

You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll discover about yourself and others along the journey, as well as how fascinating the world can be when you let your life’s experiences unravel. Each and every setback is – in fact - a blessing in disguise… a chance to hone your proficiencies and wisdom.

And speaking of wisdom, remember to…

2. Embrace Minimalism & Pack Light

I remember how crazy I was about packing every single thing I use on a daily basis into my travel bag when I went on my first ever solo backpacking trip – it was a nightmare.

Gentlemen, it goes without saying that when you go out into the world for your first time, you want to look as great as possible. You also want to have all of your gear and s**t together (be it for keeping your clothes clean, your towels dry, hiking equipment, sanitation stuff, etc.) in order to ensure that you are manifesting the best possible trip on your journey to success. That said, when it comes to backpacking and solo travel, you have no idea how much it helps to pack light.

Sounds obvious, and when you’re in the thick of it, stuffing your entire apartment into your bag can become tempting. And don’t do it. Pack only what you absolutely need – the essentials (I’ll admit to forgetting my Jabra Elite Sport headphones at home on my way to the airport and driving all the way back just to get them…but other than that, don’t do it).

Your body will thank you, and you’ll have a much freer time throughout your expeditions (unless you go the spinner travel suitcase route, as I admittedly did… not sure I’d recommend this though as it becomes a pain after a while. It might save your back, and nowadays, there’s a lot of back support that comes with hiking backpacks regardless so I wouldn’t worry about it).

As with travelling, so it is with life. Don’t invest in items that you don’t need (remember, if you’re backpacking in Europe, there will be grocery stores, so you can always get what you want if necessary… except face wash as they don’t sell that in a lot of European countries so make sure to pack that with you on your trip). Get organized and make a list beforehand (I’d recommend getting started with your list and packing about a month in advance).

Also, make sure to roll your clothing items and towels instead of folding them. I discovered this trick about a week into my first journey, and it saved me so much suitcase space that it was ridiculous.

If you need a list of backpacking essentials, then make sure to check out our article about the top 10 travel things you’ll need to have with you.

Part of knowing what to pack and what to leave behind involves…

3. Listening To Your Gut & Following Your Intuition

Let’s be honest – a major component of travelling solo (and on a budget) involves following your instincts, even if they turn out to be dead wrong.

Learning how to trust your gut is how you gain wisdom, so you best get used to making a lot of quick decisions on the fly. Not only will you not have time for over-analysis when you’re on a tight schedule, but your budget will determine a lot of these decisions for you (not to mention you’ll also be exhausted from your travels, so you won’t really care about each and every decision that you make daily).

I always recommend having your flights and train rides booked as far in advance as possible – that way, you’ll eliminate scheduling decisions. Yes, you’ll make changes to your itinerary along the way (flexibility is a must after all). That said, it’s best to pre-determine the overall length of your trip (i.e. 3 months… 6 months… 1 year) (unless of course you want to roam the earth, like Jules in Pulp Fiction) because having a beginning, middle, and end to your journey provides you with a clear set of goals and guidelines.

These “deadlines” are critical when it comes to trusting your instincts. You must know where you’re headed before making the necessary decisions to get there.

Not only is this a critical component of travelling – it’s also essential in your overall lifestyle, hence why I recommend everyone try backpacking solo at least once throughout their lifetime. Whether you’re starting a business, training for a marathon, pursuing a career goal, or some other, major life event, the lessons that backpacking will teach you are insurmountable and extraordinary.

There will be times when you doubt your gut, and trust me - learning how to travel solo (and on a budget) will equip you with the courage to deal with this fear by training you to make choices quickly and efficiently, no matter the consequences.

Remember - no matter what happens, you’ll be okay. It’s all part of the journey.

As such, being intuitive also involves…

4. Embracing Solitude

I had never felt so alone in my whole life. As I walked across Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy, during the dead of night, I received a phone call. It was from my sister. We talked on the phone for a bit, and the whole time, I couldn’t help but realize that I was the only one in the whole square… not a single person stood nearby.

Gazing up into the star-filled sky (all of the celestial bodies were particularly visible that night as almost all of the lights in the city were turned off), I realized how alone I felt… not just on earth, but also in the whole universe.

And then it hit me. I wasn’t alone; I was simply embracing my isolation from others in an effort to understand who I was as a person.

Gentlemen, waking up, and realizing that your entire day belongs to you and only to you is what travelling solo is all about. It’s a truly blissful experience, and per se, there’s nothing like some much needed privacy to accompany you on your journey, allowing you to delve deep into the innermost corners of your heart and soul as you figure out what life is all about.

It might sound counterintuitive, and honestly, you have no idea how liberating it is to be free of what others expect of you. When you’re out on your own, you don’t have to cater to the whims of your friends, family members, co-workers, bosses, or strangers (or even your alarm clock for that matter… although sometimes it does help to have one). Indeed, you do what you want, when you want it, and how you want it.

As such, your entire experience becomes about doing what’s best for others by discovering that you truly are - deep down - a celestial being. Once you realize that -beneath the veneers of society and the world at large – you’re just another mysterious entity here to make the most out of your time here on this earth, all of the superficial things in life cease to matter.

You become reacquainted with the true, spiritual existence inside of you. And that, my friends, is what travelling solo is all about.

No amount of money or personal possessions can ever replace that void deep down inside of you… the one that yearns to be heard, freed from that crummy 9-5 job, only to experience your life’s true calling(s).

That’s why I recommend giving travel a major chance – it is out there, atop a freezing mountain, or on a quiet, warm beach in Barcelona overlooking the ocean, that you’ll find out what’s most important to you in the years and time you have left on this planet.

Now, there’s obviously a time and a place to travel with your peers, and have some major fun experiences while jumping from one location to another. But backpacking solo isn’t one of those times. Sorry to say it, and the only exception to this rule is when you meet up with some fellow backpackers or travelers taking part in the same activities as you. Otherwise, the goal is to stay solo.

In order to get good at trusting your gut, you must embrace the solitary lifestyle. This isn’t to say that you can’t communicate with friends and family members over the phone (as I did in the above example)– not at all. What I’m simply suggesting is that your independence will arise from getting familiarized once again with none other than… DING DING DING! You guessed it: your own spiritual beliefs and practices.

If fellow travellers are constantly bombarding you, and / or the whims of your friends or family members are regularly sweeping you up, you’ll never really have time to grow or discover who you truly are as a person. As with all aspects of life, you must make room to delve in and learn more about yourself - otherwise you’ll never discover what you truly want deep down, as well as how you can add value to others.

That’s why a large part of travelling solo involves knowing when to say yes and no to people.

It also entails safety, as we’ll talk about in…

5. Health & Travel Insurance

I’ll never forget how lucky I was when – after having my backpack stolen on a train ride from Florence to Naples – I realized my thyroid meds were gone, meaning that my travel insurance plan would need to cover the cost of purchasing those prescriptions in a foreign country.

Add to that the amount of flight delays I’ve had, as well as the overall number of sick days, and luggage postponements you might encounter, and you realize just how important it is to have at least some sort of travel coverage while you’re roaming abroad.

Gentlemen do not skimp out on travel insurance. It is by far one of – if not the most important – things you can purchase before you embark on your journey, regardless of whether you’re gone for a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. Make sure you have the right coverage in case something happens to you (it could be last minute flight delays, a medical emergency, overdue or lost luggage, you name it).

Money is not a factor here as there are plenty of affordable options to choose from out there; besides, staying safe is a top priority. You want to make sure that you’re well prepared, and have the peace of mind of going out into the world while doing your thing safely. That’s why it’s essential to ensure that you have some sort of travel insurance coverage before you head off on your journey.

And gentlemen, the great news is that - depending on where you are in the world - there are many different travel insurance options and companies to choose from. Most credit card companies and banks will offer them - I recommend doing your research, and looking thoroughly into as many possible choices in your country to find the most affordable yet comprehensive package for you as possible.

Here are some links to get you started with what’s out there (be sure to do your own examinations as well as there are a lot of options to choose from):

Canada:

· Worldnomads.com/ca

· coverme.com

· https://www.travelguard.ca/

U.S.:

· imglobal.com

· go.digg.com

· sevencorners.com

International:

· visitorscoverage.com

· medical.travelinsurance.com

· travelinsured.com

I cannot stress enough how important this is, gentlemen, so please, do your due diligence and thank me later. If there’s one thing you don’t want to skimp out on moneywise, it’s travel coverage. Your health, safety, and security are THE top priority; so make sure to invest in the right plan.

And finally, this takes me to my last point, which is…

6. Plan Rest Days

The amount of burnout I’ve experienced whilst on my backpacking trips is so plentiful it hurts to think about. Between hopping from one train to another, booking last minute flights, and trekking from city to city, plane to plane, and country to country, you lose energy quite fast. Nothing is more disappointing than being in a beautiful city or an amazing part of the world, yet you don’t have the energy to enjoy it. That feeling is not worth it.

It doesn’t help that your overall lifestyle and nutrition when travelling is subpar, since you’re constantly indulging in local delicacies (a MUST when you’re travelling abroad, no matter how much of a fitness freak you are – trust me, I know).

Aside from the constant walking and hiking, you’re probably not in the best shape of your life while travelling, and you’re sleep schedule is likely WAY off, since you’re jumping from time zone to time zone, planning around various transportation schedules, and waking up around hostel or hotel book in / book out times. You’re also likely missing your workouts (although some people somehow manage to hit up a local gym or a BJJ club despite their constant roaming around).

That’s why I highly recommend that you, gentlemen, make sure to take plenty of time off between your various exploits. It sounds obvious, but trust me - when you’re constantly wandering from city to city, country to country, and continent-to-continent, it takes a toll on your mind and body. It’s important to schedule lots of rest so that you can enjoy your time off at whatever place you’re currently staying in, as well as so that you could get your energy back for the next round of adventuring.

Try to plan at least an hour or two of rest and recuperation each and every day in order to get the most out of your trip. This means practicing mindfulness & meditation, waking up when you feel rested, drinking plenty of water, and constantly staying as present and attuned to your mind and body as possible.

One of the reasons I recommend having your itinerary and schedule figured out well in advance of your trip (even if you wind up improvising and altering your itinerary or timetable along the journey, i.e. if you really like a city that you’re in and you want to remain there longer than you initially planned) is because it frees up your mind and body so that you’re not constantly thinking or worrying about the future (a nice break from reality).

Staying present and being mindful of where you are in the world is crucial to your enjoyment and appreciation of not just one place, but also several. You can only be thoughtful and at peace when you feel alert and rested, so please, schedule some time each and every day to practice meditation, journaling (this should be particularly fun as you’ll have plenty to write about, from locations you’ve never visited before, to exciting, new people you’ve just met, to new foods that you’ve never tried yet have always wanted to, and are finally experiencing for the first time in your life), napping (if needed), looking out at the wonderful views and scenery the locations you’re in have to offer, and to smile more often.

It also helps to get to know the people around you, be it locals or fellow backpackers and travelers. We cover the social and cultural aspects of solo and budget backpacking in another article, so please stay tuned. Meanwhile, make sure to book plenty of respite on your journey, as you’ll be on the go most of the time.

Anyways, guys, thank you for reading this article – that about does it. I hope you enjoyed reading it; my goal is for you to get something out of these tips, so please feel free to comment down below or on our social channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter / X), as well as to like, follow, and share with others if you find value in this blog post.

Until next time, make sure to keep traveling, growing, learning, and staying resilient as you practice and apply all of the lessons you learn from our articles (as well as those from your own exotic adventures) in your daily life and experiences.

Make sure to stay safe out there, and have a great week!

Mastering The Art of Solo Backpacking: A Checklist For Resilient Budget Backpacking & Outdoor Enthusiasts

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