6 Tips to Gain Travel Confidence

This fear of travel you have is all an illusion. You already have the confidence to travel, you just need to recognize it. Once the veil was lifted, I saw that the only thing holding me back before was myself.

Here is my own tried and true advice on how to gain travel confidence. And also a few stories to entertain y’all.

1. Get out of your comfort zone!

 It took me 23 years to travel internationally for the first time; I was always coming up with excuses. I am here to tell you guys: I KNOW IT’S HARD, but it’s worth it.

Imagine being in Mexico City alone and not wanting to leave your room to get food because you are too nervous to use your shaky-at-best Spanish skills. Imagine having an anxiety attack (instead of living your best life) from the culture shock of being in a house full of Brazilians that do not speak English. Imagine arriving in a small town where almost no one speaks English with a dead phone, no working charger, and you need to get to your Airbnb.

All these things have happened to me and have thrown me straight out of any semblance of a comfort zone, I promise! Yet they are some of the defining moments that encourage me to keep pushing myself into, and also to adapt to, new situations.

For my fellow introverts out there, accomplishing this does not have to be hard. Ways to push yourself outside of that comfort zone include: starting conversations with strangers, making a bucket list of small and big dreams (and start crossing things off), getting comfortable doing things by yourself (maybe shopping, going to lunch, seeing a movie), and changing up your routine by taking a different route or finding new food spots.

You can plan a trip, you can learn a language, you can solo travel… whatever goal you have in mind. The only way you will learn is if you try. And the best way to learn is from your mistakes.

2. Be positive, patient, persistent, and have an open mind

You will consistently hear me preach about how attitude is everything. We have to keep this same energy when coming across new situations and not necessarily knowing how to deal with them.

Learning Spanish? Be patient with yourself when you cannot get those pesky R’s to roll or you get confused with the differences between estar and ser.

Do you want to travel on a budget? Give hostels a chance. You’re in a new city or country? Try new foods and don’t just settle for something you can eat at home.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for adventure, so find it! The right mindset is all you need.

3. Do your research!

Nothing is more annoying than getting into situations that could have been avoided. Before you leave on your trip to see the world, make sure you know the rules for your airline, the airport, and the Airbnb you are staying at. Make sure you have a plan on how to get to these places.

Get advice from other travelers!

YouTube and other social media can be an invaluable resource for this. Use these networks of experienced travelers. Do not just stop at Spanish and Go, find a variety of sources.

I love using Facebook groups as a source of inspiration. Must Do Travels and Girls Love Travel provide networks of real everyday people – like you and me – with travel tips, answers to specific questions, inspiration for where to travel, and more. It’s as simple as joining these groups to have access to all this free information and also to share your own experiences with others.  

Meet other fellow travelers in person if you can. If you are also learning a language, join an immersion retreat. It helped break me into international travel. It’s like a little support group in a way, or just a baby step to bigger and better things.

Also, know your strengths and weaknesses. This can help you in your planning process. My strengths are organizing, planning, and motivating others to meet their goals. My weaknesses are over-thinking, and being uncomfortable in big crowds/being the center of attention.

I know these things, so when I am planning a trip I don’t have to worry about putting myself in potentially difficult situations. For instance, if I want to visit busier tourist attractions, I will do it earlier in the morning, when there are fewer people.

4. It’s OK to be alone

If solo travel is something you’re interested in (I literally did not have anyone to go with, so if you’re in the same boat, do not stress), you should be afraid – but only because you might fall in love with it. Honestly, the feeling is so liberating.

Many firsts will be involved. But by the end of your first trip, there will be this weight lifted off your shoulders. A sense of accomplishment. Independence. And the confidence and excitement to do it all over again.

Like I mentioned before, you will grow in confidence by being able to do things by yourself. When I told my family I was going to Mexico by myself for a week and then told them I was going back for a couple more weeks the following month, it was like I triggered an earthquake.

All their doubts about a woman doing anything by herself, let alone going to Mexico (because everything they see on the news is true you know), came crashing onto my shoulders. My family lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where I grew up, and if you know anything about my city, it definitely has its less than desirable parts. I could not comprehend how people thought Mexico City would be any worse than any other city. Every place has its good and bad parts. You just have to be smart.

The point is, their doubts almost made me hesitate on taking my trip, but ultimately I refused to let the comments stop me. Because there was so much encouragement I was getting as well, motivation from my open-minded friends and even people I did not even know on social media – the very ones that inspired my journey.

That’s why I need you guys to surround yourself with that positive energy. Do not let people hold you back.

5. Trust your intuition

When you are traveling, you have to trust your gut. It will save you.

I haven’t experienced anything that made me not want to travel, but everyone is different. I have experienced catcalling while walking down the streets in new places, so the next time I had to walk in that direction, I took a different route.

If you are carrying valuables, do not show them off. Keep them secured in your bag. Keep money in several different places on your body, not just a wad of cash in your pocket.

If you think someone is following you, immediately go in the direction of more people and better lit areas.

Also, it’s in the little things: if someone invites you out, but you have a bad feeling about where you are going, then do not go. It’s simple. Our intuition is our best friend. It helps us avoid sticky situations, and therefore find more time to enjoy ourselves.

6. Learn from everything and everyone

I made the move to Rhode Island on my own at 18 for college and lived there for 2 years. I learned to do everything on my own, not just running errands and making doctors’ appointments, but exploring a new city in general: seeing museums, finding cool new restaurants, turning strangers into friends. Making memories: that’s what life is really about.

When I had to do the same thing and start over in Virginia for my next college a couple of years later, I was not as scared or uncomfortable. I had gained that confidence in handling myself.

 And when this year I had to pack my suitcase and sprinted off to travel Mexico and California, so foreign and far away from home, I was almost fearless.

 I know that travel confidence is readily attainable because I went through it myself. We just have to keep in mind what? You guessed it… positivity, patience, persistence, and an open mind.

And lastly, not only can you learn from the wisdom of your family and friends, but in places you would least expect it: kids playing in the street, nosy neighbors who may have traveled to your next destination, strangers you meet while standing in line for coffee, followers on social media. Take a lesson when you can. You never know what life has in store for you.

Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, so take advantage of every opportunity you have to see the world. The money will come and go, but some of these experiences are once in a lifetime.

The more you do something, the more it will become normal. Go ahead and find that confidence. Plan something you are proud of!