19 hacks for traveling solo

Make sure you test to see if you can carry all of your luggage on your own. The good thing about traveling alone is that you don’t have to worry if anyone will notice if you wear the same outfit more than once. So pack only what you really need.

Attending a concert or any kind of performance is the perfect place for the single traveler. No need to talk! Getting solo tickets to any show is always easier than finding a group of seats together. In this photo, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons performs at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 30, 2015.

Companies for the single traveler can also help out. G Adventures and Intrepid will pair up solo travelers of the same gender in rooms with no extra charge. Exodus offers departure dates specifically for single travelers. Abercrombie and Kent offer travelers private accommodations each night.

It’s not a bad idea to show a little extra kindness when you are traveling alone. Tipping a helpful employee can get you reservations, transportation and even translation.

When you are by yourself, there is no need to impress anyone. So leave your designer purses, fancy accessories and even your expensive laptop or camera. Switching to the older wallet will also make you less of a target for pickpockets.

Practice the language with an app like Duolingo so that you can get down the basics.

Remember to live in the moment and post those photos later. The Tower of London will still be there after you have left and no one will know that you weren’t standing in front of the Tower when you posted the photos. It is also a safety concern to post your location so that strangers can see where you are.

You may get a little lonely and a little homesick when traveling alone. Bring along a favorite TV show or hometown snack to have something familiar with you.

Listen for anyone speaking your native language. They may be able to give you tips and share notes on your travel experience.

Do your homework before you get on the plane. Learn the general geography, main attractions, and local eats. You will also want to read up on the weather conditions, special events and political climate so you will be prepared. Making an itinerary will help maximize your travel experience by making sure you are at the museum when it is open.

Eating alone can be hard. But don’t let it scare you. Grab a seat at the bar and watch the game. Sit at a window and people watch. Or review your schedule for the next day. Don’t miss out on the great food.

Other benefits of traveling solo include quick lines at Walt Disney World’s Missoin: Space by using the single rider line, a last-minute ticket to a sold-out show and a single room in a fancy hotel.