Travel is exciting, but traveling alone brings a different kind of thrill. Whether it’s to iconic Philippine destinations or to wonders around the world, going around at your pace and on your own terms opens you to an entirely new journey of self-discovery. However, this also puts more pressure on you to be ready for anything, since there’s no one else you can rely on. Here are some essential travel tips to turn your solo trip into an unforgettable experience:
Always have a backup plan
Be prepared for any potential inconvenience. From departure, already think ahead. For example, even when you already have a visa for your chosen destination, try to anticipate if there are additional requirements or potential issues you may suddenly encounter and prepare ahead. Have emergency contacts and funds ready as well to cover emergencies. Go ahead and overthink your trip when doing contingency planning, so you’ll be ready for anything.
Be flexible
Since traveling solo gives you sole control of your itinerary, you’re likely to fill your days to the brim. Step back and consider how realistic your plans are given your time, budget, and physical limitations. Identify your non-negotiable places or activities and schedule them at the beginning of your trip, then be more flexible with following through with the remaining places and activities.
This applies to your budget for the trip as well. Solo travel can be more affordable in some respects and more expensive in some. For example, hotel rooms may be cheaper for solo occupancy, but still not as cheap as splitting the cost with someone. Research and adjust your budget as needed until you find the sweet spot that balances affordability and comfort.
Stay vigilant
When traveling solo in unfamiliar surroundings, remain vigilant against scams and tourist traps that target unsuspecting visitors. Research common scams in your destination and familiarize yourself with local customs to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
Book ahead
Solo travel puts you in command of everything. Lessen the mental burden of the trip by booking as many items ahead as you can. Flights and accommodation are the most crucial, but also make sure to book other essentials such as SIM cards and transportation tickets. You can also pay for items like your Philippine travel tax ahead to save time versus paying before checking in at the airport. These advanced bookings help give you more mental space to focus on other, more exciting aspects of your trip.
Embarking on a solo adventure is an empowering and life-changing experience. To help you securely save up for your trip, a reliable savings account like CIMB Bank PH’s Fast Plus and UpSave savings accounts allows you to easily manage your money while offering you better interest rates than most banks. Through CIMB’s dedicated app, you can have 24/7 access to your funds wherever you may be. Since CIMB Bank PH is a digital-only bank, you can easily perform your usual day-to-day transactions such as fund transfers, bills payments, and prepaid load purchases anytime, anywhere.
Opening a CIMB savings account is also easy on the CIMB app, with no minimum deposit required. You can also open a GSave account if you’re an existing fully verified GCash user. These accounts give you access to the full suite of CIMB products and services offered on the CIMB mobile app.
Other services in the CIMB app that can help you take charge of your finances are the free fund transfers to other local banks as well as the option to sign up for a CIMB virtual debit card. The virtual debit card can be used for safe and convenient transactions online, which is helpful when pre-booking things for your trip. Lastly, UpSave and GSave account holders are entitled to free life insurance, subject to certain terms and conditions, that gives them a cash benefit in case of death.
The world awaits! Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime with CIMB Bank PH. Visit cimbbank.com.ph to know more about CIMB’s products and services.
