Why You Should Travel Solo (In 5 Minutes)

Solo travel is intimidating but one of my favorite ways to travel. In this 5 minute Ignite talk, I discuss why people should embrace solo travel and share a few stories from my trips which really drive home the benefits of solo backpack/hostel travel.

If you're thinking about taking a solo trip, or are just tired of having friends who are unavailable, back out, or who are bad travel companions I hope this video will help inspire you to take the leap. If you're a veteran solo traveller - well, I hope you find the stories entertaining...I think they'll resonate with you!

This video is a remastered version which combines the official footage (which had horrible audio) with the audio (but bad footage) which my folks recorded and uploaded.

If you know people who need to watch this video I encourage you to share it with them!

The IGNITE format is similar to TEDx events and talks but on a shorter and more rigid time structure. Each talk lasts 5 minutes, has the same number of slides and the slides advance automatically.

[JenniferPerezBoza]

It has been some years since I started travelling solo, and yet, most of the times that it comes out in a conversation I get many strange looks and people asking me why? I guess that if you have never tried it you cannot understand the freedom, the possibilities of traveling solo. Anyway, good job trying to open people's mind to this type of trip!

[YucaTX]

Ive traveled solo all my life and I love it. I would never travel with friends because we've made plans before and they all have restrictions. Solo I can do whatever I want and plus, im always making new friends whereever I go :)

[BeiniWu]

I volunteered in Czech Republic at the end of last year and travelled by myself during the weekends and a week after my volunteering trip ended, it was such a rewarding experience. I mean of course it's scary and whatnot, but once you put yourself out there it's extremely easy to find travel buddies, I'd definitely recommend staying at hostels, the hostel staffs are usually really helpful and are some of the nicest people I've met, and the general atmosphere is just really great. I've going on another solo trip to Singapore at the beginning of 2015 and I'm super excited! :)

[AlexBerger]

Once you get over the initial discomfort of traveling on your own and being completely self reliant/that added responsibility it really is a great way to do it isn't it? I love it and I'm always amazed the incredible people I meet along the way!

[AlexBerger]

Thank you, and it is an incredible place for sure!

[bar]

Alex, you're my example! Your video inspires me to take on solo traveling adventures. It's funny, but I have time to travel overseas at least three times a year, I have the financial resources, but I don't have anyone to accompany me. Anyway, I'll try to travel by myself soon. Please keep sharing your great videos :-)

[AlexBerger]

Love to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you'll come back and tell me how the experience went when you get the first solo trip under your belt!

[nomadictravelerfromTx]

Thanks Alex.I've been a few places like Turkey, Thailand and Amsterdam but I've never traveled alone.Well, I broke out of my comfort zone and I'm traveling solo to San Juan, .Puerto Rico.I leave in 5 days and your video really helped my anxiety.

[alanmacnaughton]

Hey Alex nice video I have been watching travel videos about solo travel and most of them are about being safe and all that usual rubbish I like how your video focuses on the positive aspects and the experience....I hope you enjoyed your time in my homeland Scotland ;)

[mryohannn]

this just got me thinking, I really should travel alone, I'm 25 and happy go lucky. I'll start with my homeland, Philippines.
thanks man.

[TheNewTravel]

It's my favourite type of travel too :D

[mladenperisa]

Just a litlle correction....it's Plitvice lakes, not waterfalls, I live there, its really a hidden nature gem. :) Anyway...Good video, i hope our roads cross someday

[willowgrace]

I am sometimes told that because I am a female, I can't travel solo and I can't wayfare. (I'm fifteen) I have ALWAYS wanted to wayfare, and I am not going to let my gender get in the way.

[yousraghazouani]

I'm graduating from high school in two years and it's my dream to travel and see the world, even if being a solo female traveler scares me a lot I'll try. Really great video ! but how do you find other solo travelers or travel buddies with who you can go bungee jumping or skydiving or sightseeing or simply have a picnic and talk ? 

[kaitheramptruckman]

so i would love to get some help on planning my backpacking trip through Europe, I'm taking in the summer any advice on where i should start? 

[Miguel-lybm]

Im going to be traveling to china for the first time alone. And the last thing i want to do is run into or socialize with americans or any other foreigners.

[Loutjuh]

lol, valkommen till berlin is not german ... neither is the picture shown at 2:25, its amsterdam xD

[AlexBerger]

You definitely should not! There are a lot of incredible female solo travel bloggers as well that you can draw on for motivation!

[LMCrowell]

OMG! Stop wondering back and forth during your presentation.