how boring is it to travel alone for 3-4 months?

Question

I am planning on traveling to maybe India or China in 8 months time.
How boring is it to travel alone?
I am planning on doing it.
what are the pros and cons?
I mean I can see myself getting pretty bored , say after a month, feeling lonely.
Anybody who has done this can share with me their experience with traveling alone to another country? how common?

Answer 1

If you're very outgoing and enjoy striking-up conversations with strangers, it will be a wonderful experience!

When traveling with someone, people tend to stay in their comfort zone of the companionship of that person. They don't spend as much time getting to the know the people, culture and customs of the country they're visiting.

When traveling alone, there's a great opportunity to meet people you may never have talked to otherwise. The key is putting yourself out there and being friendly to total strangers. Also, I find people are more helpful when they know you're alone...tagging along to give directions, inviting you to join them for a meal, etc.

The only downside is really the vulnerability of traveling alone. Even as a guy, protect yourself from being a victim.

But I'd say the pluses far outweight the minuses if you're up for the adventure!

Answer 2

I think it's a really wonderful idea, but I do think that no matter what after a couple months you're going to get lonely. Even if you are an extrovert, I still think you'll get at least a little lonely.

But you never know - you may meet some people who are doing the same thing you are. I know many people who have gone on trips and ended up making friends and (partially) traveling with them. You never know who you'll meet or what connections you can make along the way.

I would also suggest, just as a precaution (which you probably won't need) make it a point to keep in touch with someone from home on a regular basis, once a week my email perhaps.

Have fun, though! I'm sure you'll have a blast, just get out there and mingle!! :) Take lots of pictures!

Answer 3

as the others have said, it is only you that can determine and make the choices that will make you bored or lonely.

What I do when I travel alone (which is always) is try always to stay in hostels where I can meeet other travellers - and the first thing I do when I've dropped off my bag is walk up to a table of people, ask to join them and say hi...

I can't stand hotels because I am myself quite the introvert, so by staying in hostels I pretyy much guarantee myself that there will be someone to chat too, play cards with, share a few beers, and see the sights with...

I'd suggest if you are going somewhere that you can't stay in a social hostel, then try to hook up with a few other travellers for a short time before your paths diverge again...

In the past I've met people to travel with through the Lonely Planet Thorntree (link below) which is the worlds largest independant and backpackers travel forum...so you can always get in touch with someone who's journey coincides with yours for a short while.

Of course, there will be times when you are alone, and this is the time when you need a few words of the local language to chat to the locals on buses, trains, and to kick start a game of cards...which always helps.

No matter if you do get a little bored and lonely at some point, most places you can find a ninternet cafe (certainly hostels have free internet these days), and it's easy to chat online to your friends back home if things get really difficult.

If you go to China, make sure you try the Accross The Bridge Noodles in Kunming, trek the Tiger Leaping Gorge, and spend a few days in Yangshuo to decompress!

One more thing, try typing "travelling alone" into Google.com and you will find lots of articles, options, ideas to put your mind at rest!

You will have the time of your life...remember - stay in hostels, and share dorms with other travellers!

Happy Trails

Philip

Answer 4

It doesn't have to be boring and lonely at all. The only thing that can make it boring or exciting is you. You will be in some pretty fantastic places loaded with history and art. Traveling alone will give you much more freedom than you would have with someone else to drag around. You will be able to go wherever you want whenever you want. You will be able to really think about where you are and learn so much without someone else prattling small talk in your ear. If you are careful, you should enjoy yourself immensely. Before you go, educate yourself about the areas you will visit, so you will know what to expect and how to prepare. I reccomend you read a book called 'Yeh-Yeh's house before you go to China.

Answer 5

She's a woman in a man's field trying to keep up with the guys. Women generally can't have as many drinks as men can because our body mass is smaller, but some women feel like they have to try because they don't want to be seen as "dainty." When you're working in a man's field, anything that makes you seem feminine is a strike against you. She DOES need to go out to eat and drink with colleagues. Networking is clearly part of her industry, and you're just going to have to accept that she will ALWAYS be surrounded with mostly men, and that's just the way it is. However, that said, the closer you become with this woman, the more you're going to be concerned about her. It's only natural. So if you're worried, have a talk with her. Tell her you understand how her work is that that she's a big girl capable of making her own decisions, BUT that sometimes you worry she drinks a bit too much, perhaps because all these men keep ordering booze and she feels like she has to keep up. Truth is, she doesn't have to. It's totally okay to say, "My limit is two, boys, but y'all have fun. I think I'll get a cup of decaf next." Unless the men she works with are total idiots, they don't judge her for it.

Answer 6

Get out there and mix with people. Before you travel try to learn a little of the language. People are happy to talk to you, even if it isn't in (omg) English! You have to have an adventurous spirit and not be afraid to get off the beaten path. If you're going to eat at hotels and just see the sights, yes it's going to be lonely. Travel is what you make it. If you want to have fun you will, if you're having second thoughts, then save your money and buy a new car!

Answer 7

first of all.. i would never go to those places alone.. too much can happen in a foreign country.. it is a good thing to have at least one person with you on your travels....

Answer 8

Sounds cool

Answer 9

That depends on whether you're an introvert or an extrovert. If you're an extrovert you'll love it, but if you're an introvert you might get pretty lonely.

Answer 10

I loved it. Sometimes other peole just confuse and complicate the issue- own time is great