I'm looking for some advice for traveling alone

[Staralfur1999]

So I plan to fly to Kiev early next year to see my girlfriend, and I'm already going out of my head with worry about the whole process of getting there. I have been on a plane before; I went with my school when I was much younger, and my memories of flying only consist of how overly complex everything seemed to me. How simple is boarding a flight? It's not the flying I'm anxious about, it's actually getting on the right plane and getting to my plane on time without major panic.


This isn't usually something I'd do. Flying alone is a couple of million miles out of my comfort zone, but it's one goal I've forced myself to stick too, because I'm just so desperate to see my girlfriend.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

How simple is boarding a flight? Well, as simple as walking from point A to point B. The main thing is to give yourself plenty of time. Get to the airport way before your check-in time. Then you have a chance to look around. Don't worry about getting lost. There are plenty of people at the airport who are paid specifically to help you find your way around. You can ask the security guards. You can ask anyone at any of the counters. You can follow the signs which are all over the place. Don't panic. You can't get lost in an airport. Just make sure you get there ahead of time.

 

[Alex]

It can be nerve racking traveling alone, but once you have done it you will be fine. Write down an itinerary with times, flight numbers. Add check in times, and boarding times and book you transport to get to the airport early. Check your luggage isn't too heavy and padlock it, and then check in on line if your airline allows it. Double check your visas and passport in case of any changes, and print everything out and keep copies.


I always carry a plastic wallet with all things printed out such as confirmations as in some areas of the airport you are not allowed to have your phone on. Most airports are meticulous and won't let you get on the wrong plane, plus they also do a call out for you if you are running late. It's happened to me before.

 

[T2R43]

Well, travelling alone can be tension producing if you aren't use too it. The best tip I can give is to get to the airport early with your main flight details readily available for check in, boarding, etc but be prepared for being checked over before boarding which can be a bit of a chore because pat downs are the norm. Take copies with you of your main details and important data like passports, etc. Try to stay as calm as you can because it helps you keep your wits about you. Hope some of that will help......

 

[clair02]

I don't know about guys but as a lady traveling alone is certainly bound to induce a bout of anxiety in me. For me it's more of a safety issue. In fact, come to think of it, I've never traveled anywhere alone, that's how anxious I am about it. But if you really have to, then I might suggest planning your trip right down to the tiniest detail. The more things you prepare for, the more in control you are going to feel and that might help ease some of your anxiety.

 

[Novelangel]

Make sure that you have travel insurance, and that you keep the card with you at all times, but separate from your wallet and other valuables. Also it's good to know in advance where your embassy is in relation to where you will be staying once you get to your destination. If you ever need help that embassy is your best friend. It's important also, to have a good idea ahead of time precisely where you will meet up with your friend. Some airports will make her wait outside so it's a good idea to know this stuff ahead of time. A phone that takes international calls is an awesome addition to your list of things to take, so you can remain in communication with everyone involved. Have a great trip!

 

[fuzyon]

Boarding the flight and travelling to your location is easier than it seems. Go to the departures section and ask around for information, the process of going on the airplane seems hard because you have to stay in line for a lot of stuff. You can take friends with you until you get on the plane if boarding a plane still seems scary. Have fun on your trip.

 

[Staralfur1999]

Make sure that you have travel insurance' date=' and that you keep the card with you at all times, but separate from your wallet and other valuables. Also it's good to know in advance where your embassy is in relation to where you will be staying once you get to your destination. If you ever need help that embassy is your best friend. It's important also, to have a good idea ahead of time precisely where you will meet up with your friend. Some airports will make her wait outside so it's a good idea to know this stuff ahead of time. A phone that takes international calls is an awesome addition to your list of things to take, so you can remain in communication with everyone involved. Have a great trip! [/quote']
How exactly do you go about getting travel insurance and does this cover health? I'm also a Diabetic, so I have to carry a bunch of insulin with me on the plane, and if they lose my luggage I'll be in a bit of a mess, so it would be helpful if it covered that.

 

[Sue]

I have travelled alone quite a few times and I always stressed about it. I worried about missing my connecting flight or any flight for that matter. Really it wasn't a problem at all. The staff at the airports were so helpful and so understanding. I ended up with cancelled flights so I had to stay the night at two different locations. That caused me lots of stress but the airline handled everything. I had nothing to worry about. One time I just slept at the airport and another time they set me up in a hotel with all expenses paid. I don't mind traveling alone but it does cause is a lot of anxiety until I get to my destination and then back home. Best of luck to you. Everything will be fine!

 

[lexinonomous]

I felt this way when leaving to see my boyfriend in Newfoundland. I had never traveled alone before and was not looking forward to sixteen hours of traveling. I was super surprised when I enjoyed myself. Traveling alone was one of the most fun things I've ever done. It was relaxing not having to worry about anything but my flight. It gave me a lot of time to reflect and give my mind a rest. I felt the most relaxed when I boarded the plane, since there was nothing to worry about from there. The only worries you will have is finding your flight, which is very easy because they are not going to drop you off somewhere that is far from your boarding. I think you will be just fine. Make sure to bring some sort of reading material or entertainment.

 

[kelden]

You'll feel relieved knowing that airplanes are the safest known way to travel abroad, as long as you stick with the comercial travel routes and don't dare to take personal independent light planes to travel, those are thousands of times more unsafe.

 

[John Snort]

I travel alone all the time. In fact I prefer to travel alone most of the time. If your worry is about failing to get on the right flight then you should be prepared to get to the airport early and ask for directions. That way you'll be sure that you are boarding the right flight.

 

[Novelangel]

How exactly do you go about getting travel insurance and does this cover health? I'm also a Diabetic, so I have to carry a bunch of insulin with me on the plane, and if they lose my luggage I'll be in a bit of a mess, so it would be helpful if it covered that.

Travel insurance absolutely does cover lost luggage and contents, as well as health. This is why it's so important to always have the insurance card with you wherever you go and to protect it from getting lost or stolen. I got mine when I booked my itinerary through a travel agent. If you are booking your own itinerary, I'm not sure how you would get the insurance, unless the website offers a method of purchasing it.

 

[pwarbi]

I've travelled alone a number of times in the past, and for me the main thing you have to look out for is making sure you're organised.Travelling abroad via a plane is the same as travelling shorter distances via car or public transport in and around your own area and country and it's simply a matter of timing. You know when and where you are going, so just make sure that you take your time, plan in advance and most importantly include the travelling as part and parcel of the whole experience and last but not least, don't let your anxiety stop you from enjoying it.

 

[kgord]

Yes, I would try to make it as easy on my self as possible, and if you can have pre flight or curbside check in do that as well. It can be hectic to fly especially during a holiday season, so give yourself plenty of time, and take advantage of all the pre flight data information you can get so you know exactly what you are doing when it comes time to fly. It will make things alot easier when it comes to traveling and flying.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I can definitely understand your anxiety, because traveling can be stressful, and in some cases, scary. I agree with the others who've mentioned having all of your documents ready, and also having copies of whatever important items you need. If you're not familiar with the language, you could pick up a phrase book. There are often ones created specifically with useful travel related terms. You could probably look online for information about the airports you'll be in, and might be able to find a rough layout of them, so you can familiarize yourself with where security, the rest rooms, food courts, check in counters, etc. are located. I find that once I've done things like that, I can relax and enjoy immersing myself in the excitement of being in a new place. I also always bring reading material with me, since delays are to be expected when traveling these days.

 

[Staralfur1999]

Travel insurance absolutely does cover lost luggage and contents' date=' as well as health. This is why it's so important to always have the insurance card with you wherever you go and to protect it from getting lost or stolen. I got mine when I booked my itinerary through a travel agent. If you are booking your own itinerary, I'm not sure how you would get the insurance, unless the website offers a method of purchasing it.[/quote']
I'll make sure I get it for sure. I think it would be close to suicidal for me to go without it considering my health problems. A travel agent is probably a good idea to make it easier on me actually.

 

[SirJoe]

I'm sure that most airports have an assistant that can help you with this, if not there will most certainly be more then one help desk. The ideal is to go a little earlier so that you can find the right place to board.

 

[Staralfur1999]

I'm sure that most airports have an assistant that can help you with this' date=' if not there will most certainly be more then one help desk. The ideal is to go a little earlier so that you can find the right place to board.[/quote']
I was actually thinking of going three hours early haha. Might seem like a lot of waiting, but I'd rather that than the anxiety of only having 50 minutes or something.

 

[Novelangel]

I'll make sure I get it for sure. I think it would be close to suicidal for me to go without it considering my health problems. A travel agent is probably a good idea to make it easier on me actually.

Yes, I think it is a good idea. I've always had trouble trying to set up my own travel arrangements on these types of extensive trips anyway. Even though it's more expensive to use the agent, it's worth it to me to get what I need without going crazy. The insurance is just an extra peace of mind along the way.