How to Travel Hack and Solo Trip through Thailand – Part 3

In Parts 1 and 2 we solved two problems: Not enough money and no friends.  The last tip is something you probably have never considered but you should try it at least once in your lifetime: GO BY YOURSELF.

I gave away the last tip in the title and that is how I ultimately made it to Thailand.  Most of my travel friends had already been to Thailand so my choice was to go alone or not go at all.   And since I’m a free woman, I went by myself.   Again, there are lots of groups and websites dedicated to solo women travelers and tips on how to do this safely.  And, my style of solo travelling is not “so solo.”  I did a number of things to prepare.

1. I told everybody I was going. In doing so, my friend from dance class gave me the contact information for her friend who  lives in Bangkok.  This lovely expat enjoys visitors and was happy to take me out to dinner twice and give me tons of information on navigating the city.
2. I announced on all the travel group Facebook pages I belong to, that I was going. I was able to connect with a group of ladies and a couple more solo travelers that would be in Thailand during my same dates. We also linked up for dinner, partying, and tours. So, I was really only alone for 2 days of my 10 day trip.  I felt good about having multiple people to contact in case I had an emergency and needed someone to call my mom.
3. I stayed at a hostel for the first 3 days of my trip. Hostels are where travelers stay who are on a budget.  They have different degrees of amenities like free breakfast, free tours, wifi,  and on-site cafes.  Depending on your budget, you can spend $10-20/day for a bed in a shared room with 6-8 people or pay for a more private double or single room.  Also, they are great for people travelling alone who would like to connect with other travelers.  It is a little more challenging to make friends at the hotel bar in the Marriott of a another country.  Hostels are organized around providing multiple spaces and opportunities for travelers to connect. I landed in Thailand and within 10 minutes of signing up for a free walking tour at my hostel, I met two ladies from Maryland. We were besties for the entire day  until they left for Phuket, another city.   And just like a hotel, the concierge at the hostel helped me navigate the city and sign up for cooking classes and massages the next day.

And that is how you travel hack and solo trip through Thailand. I hope you gained one tip that will help you on your next adventure. Which one will you try? Please tell me in the comments.