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To travel or not to travel, that is the question. For some, the only option to travel is to travel solo, otherwise one will be waiting a lifetime for one's friends to be ready. But what is it like to solo travel - and is it actually better? The answer is subjective and different travelers will have different preferences.

Solo travel is not for everyone. But it is also not nearly as dangerous, challenging, or lonely as many assume it is. These fears can be easily addressed by following some very simple tips. The most important and liberating thing to keep in mind is just because one can't find a travel companion to come along on one's round-the-world trip - that is no hindrance to just going ahead and doing it by oneself.

Safety In Numbers

One of the chief concerns about solo travel is the perception that it is dangerous. But that needn't be the case. Sometimes solo traveling can be just as safe as traveling in a group.

The reality for many travelers is that they actually don't spend all that much time alone if they stay in hostels (especially if one is flexible and spontaneous). Just rock up at the hostel and go for beers with other people there, join the others on the free walking tour, or there are always others going on that "must-see" day trip the next day.

That being said, there are some safety advantages of traveling with a companion. But only sometimes - particularly in more dangerous cities in Africa or India or in tourist traps. In these places, is much better to walk around with a friend (and often not at night - even with a friend).

Girls, in particular, may find it more relaxing to have a travel companion in many parts of the world.

Related: The Complete Guide To Traveling Solo For The First Time

One Is The Loneliest Number - Or Is It?

While it is true that one is the loneliest number, two is a company, and three is a crowd. But even so, solo travel is often anything but lonely. Instead, one has the option to take time out and get some much-needed time alone, or one can have the social time of one's life.

  • Hostels: The Best Place To Meet Other Travelers and Have A Social Life
  • Ex-Pat Hang Out Platforms: Internations, Couchsurfing.com, Facebook Groups
  • Lonely?: Doesn't Need To Be!

There are numerous ways to have the social time of one's life while solo traveling. There are numerous forums for ex-pats and travelers to meet up in places around the world - Facebook groups, Internations, and Couchsurfing.com to name a few.

Solo travelers can also stay in hostels - and if the hostel has the right hostel vibe, these places can be the most social times ever. Remember most other travelers in the hostel are solo traveling just the same and looking for friends. Hostelworld.com has even updated its app so that travelers and meet and get acquainted with the other travelers staying at their hostels before even getting there.

There are also numerous small group tours designed for solo travelers - e.g. Hostelworld.com's new small group travel tours targeted at solo travelers. These combine low cost with social hostel accommodation with an organized tour to some of the most exotic places in the world.

  • Advantage: Traveling Alone is The Easiest To Network

One secret of solo traveling is that it is normally the easiest to meet other people and be spontaneously invited to parties or people's homes when one is alone.

Related: Here's What to Know Before Solo-Traveling Europe

Taking The Leap Into Solo Travel

If one is uneasy about solo traveling for the first time, then two great places to start are New Zealand and Western and Central Europe. Both places are safe and hassle-free, with great tourism infrastructure.

There are scores of solo travelers in these regions. There are many Facebook groups for solo travelers looking to pair up with other travelers. Europe and New Zealand (also Australia and Thailand) are often the places new travelers first cut their teeth in international travel. Arguably these are some of the best places for solo traveling.

  • Best Places For Solo Travel: New Zealand, Europe

People do not have to worry about radically different cultures or ways of thinking of these destinations. And one can relax knowing these places are likely actually safer than back home.

Often the scariest things in life are the unknowns. But just because something is unknown - that doesn't mean it's dangerous. If one is nervous about solo travel, then consider a limited trip to somewhere with a friend to get the feel of international travel and solo travel from there. One could even invite a friend for the first week or two to get grounded and solo travel from there.