Travel is often painted as an extrovert’s dream, yet many introverts feel strongly drawn to exploring the world beyond their doorstep. There are also many ways in which travel lends itself especially well to an introverted mindset. But this isn’t to say that travel doesn’t throw up a fair number of challenges for many introverts.
Below, I’ve compiled a few top tips for introverted travellers, especially for those travelling on a shoestring. The constraints of a tight budget can pose additional difficulties for introverted travellers, because money generally buys you comfort and all-important privacy, especially when it comes to accommodation. Other factors to keep in mind for planning an introvert-friendly trip include picking the right destination, taking the opportunity to recharge whilst on the move, as well as adopting a slower approach to travel.
Choose your destination wisely
Despite the diversity and beauty of our planet’s landscapes, the splendours of its history, cultures and architecture, along with the mouth-watering cuisines and intriguing wildlife, it’s often exclaimed that it’s the people that constitute the best part of travel. But like introverted globetrotter Sophia Dembling, I’ll confess that people are not the reason I travel and interacting with them does not usually form my favourite parts of a travelling experience.
Of course, it’s impossible to avoid encountering people pretty much everywhere you go, and encounters with strangers and new friends do often lead to some of the most interesting and memorable (though sometimes also challenging and draining) parts of the travel experience. However, if you are keen to try to minimise the emphasis on other people in your adventures, you might want to apply some of the following tips.
Most obviously, and especially if you’re a nature lover, plan a trip to a sparsely populated or remote area where you can immerse yourself in days of uninterrupted peace and solitude. Although our planet is becoming progressively more crowded and urbanised with each passing year, there are still vast tracts of people-free wilderness that are perfect for reconnecting with nature and leaving behind all the excess stimulation and drama of the human world.
How about trekking through the wilds of Torres del Paine in Chile, or embarking on a cycling expedition across sparsely populated Mongolia? It will take some extra planning and care to organise a trip to a remote location, especially if you’re going solo and unsupported, but it can be well worth going the extra mile for the guaranteed solitude.
At the other end of the spectrum, although it may seem a little counter-intuitive, opt for an especially touristy destination or a big metropolis. It’s much easier to blend in, remain anonymous and stay attachment-free in people-filled places. Being alone in a big foreign city, where no one knows your name or anything about you, offers a great sense of unrestricted freedom. For those craving some “invisibility”, Tokyo is a great place to start. You can blend effortlessly into the crowd and lose yourself – and others! – in the maze of streets and attractions. Plus, the Japanese are pretty respectful when it comes to privacy and personal space.
Another point to bear in mind centres around developing versus developed countries. To put it bluntly, if you’re white (and especially if you also happen to be female, young-ish looking and alone) in a relatively un-touristy part of Africa, Asia or Latin America you’re likely to stick out like a sore thumb and attract a fair bit of attention as a result.
In places like North America, Europe and Australia, on the other hand, it’s easy to pass as a local, especially if you make the effort to blend in by paying particular attention to things like dress, customs and body language. Day to day life is also more efficient, predictable and orderly in the richer countries, meaning both locals and visitors have an easier time keeping to themselves.
It’s also well-known that some cultures are more reserved than others. America is a famously extroverted nation, where enthusiastic greetings and cheery small talk are all the norm. More introvert-friendly nations where quiet, reserve and privacy are more highly valued include places like Finland, Japan and Laos.
Accommodation
If money isn’t a major concern, accommodation needn’t be a big issue as you can simply afford a private room in most place. But if you’re travelling on a tight budget this isn’t an option for most nights, unless you’re in a cheap country. Hostels are the answer for most travellers on a shoestring, especially in cities. But these aren’t always a good fit for introverts. After a long, tiring day of exploring, most introverts will be in need of some alone time and a quiet place to recoup from all the sensory and social stimulation.
So what are some good options for introverted travellers on a budget?
First, I would say don’t discard hostels altogether. There are a wide variety, and whilst some promote a partying culture, this certainly isn’t the case for all of them. Do your research, read reviews and ask questions online to learn more about a hostel you’re considering. From my own experience, large hostels or dorms lend themselves well to anonymity. So if meeting people and socialising is not on your agenda, it may be easier to keep to yourself and pass through relatively unnoticed in bigger places.
Camping is one alternative to hostelling for those on a budget. You’re guaranteed your own private space, and at a much cheaper rate than most other options. Granted, sleeping under canvas isn’t the most convenient form of accommodation for certain types of travel, especially city sight-seeing. You’re unlikely to be centrally located. It also means carrying a lot more gear around with you. But if you have your own vehicle, camping could be a cost-effective, enjoyable option which offers just enough privacy to keep your energy levels up. Perhaps better still, for maximum freedom, combine your vehicle and home in one and hit the road in an RV.
If you’re staying put in one location for a while investigate longer-term options that could well work out cheaper. Consider house-sitting or renting a small one-bed apartment for a few months. When planning a recent trip to North America I knew I’d be desperately craving some privacy upon arriving in Toronto following a hectic sequence of planes and airports. When I was researching accommodation I initially struggled to find a private room within my budget. But then I happened upon a university summer residence programme offering single rooms at a very reasonable price for anywhere between one and 110 nights. I’m sure many universities around the world run similar schemes. It can be well worth thinking beyond the standard options when it comes to finding accommodation that suits your needs.
Recharge whilst on the move
I’ll admit that this one isn’t always possible. In the developing world, especially, transportation is often crowded, hectic and noisy, and as a foreigner you’re likely to attract a fair amount of attention. In Madagascar, I spent a fair amount of time riding around in the national form of public transport known as taxi-brousses. Strangers half sat on each other’s laps, blaring Malagasy pop music, jaw-rattling roads, overheating engines, armed soldiers, motion sickness and squawking chickens, certainly don’t produce a calming experience. The good news – or not, depending on your perspective – is that this sort of experience is becoming more of an exception as things progress, even within poorer countries.
Still, the wealthiest countries are where transportation is at its most predictable, orderly and comfortable. Moreover, it’s generally the norm for people to keep to themselves. In many countries, such as the UK or Japan, talking to strangers on public transport isn’t really the done thing. In these circumstances, one of the best places and ways to recharge is actually whilst on the move.
Many people find looking out of a window and watching the changing landscape to be very soothing and conducive to thinking. When movement is fluid and rhythmical, it’s easy to sink into a relaxed slumber and state of dreaminess, whilst at the same time being able to think remarkably clearly and creatively. This is especially the case on trains, where the scenery changes often enough to keep our brain engaged, but it’s not so fast or haphazard that we feel overwhelmed or impatient.
Slow down: do less to get more
This is probably good advice for anyone in today’s hectic world. But a slower approach to travel is especially valuable for introverts who tend to enjoy observing, admiring physical beauty, proceeding at a leisurely pace, as well as having the time to explore their environment and form connections on a deeper level.
If you’re sightseeing or exploring a new city try picking just a few things and focus on doing them really well. Prioritise what you want to do most. Channel your energy into one or two things rather than spreading yourself too thin. And think quality and depth over quantity and only scratching the surface.
Do less, but also do things at a slower pace. Spread activities out over more hours, days or weeks to reduce overstimulation. Travel should not be a race or competition to go everywhere, do everything and meet everyone. Fulfilment from travel doesn’t really come from visiting as many countries as possible and checking off as many sights as you can whilst you’re there, especially if this means you can barely process or remember what you’ve done once you get home. Our most memorable travel experiences generally result from developing some kind of emotional or intellectual connection with what’s in front of us, which means investing time and energy. Introverts have smaller reserves of energy when it comes to dealing with the outside world, so investing time in a “less is more” approach might be the way to go.
Also, try just doing nothing on your travels. Some of the best moments can come from being still and pausing to take everything in. Become hyper aware of your surroundings; people watch; lie on a grassy patch in a park; wander the streets with no particular purpose. Engage all your senses in savouring the novel sights, aromas, sounds and tastes. Above all this means focusing on the present moment – making a special effort to do one thing at a time, without multitasking or worrying about what comes next.
This concludes my list of top tips for introverted travellers. If you value quiet and solitude, I hope it inspires you to get out and discover the world, but on your own terms. There’s certainly no need to leave all the exploring and adventure to the extroverts!
The post Top tips for introverted travellers appeared first on Sian Atkins.