No matter who you are or where you are from, traveling can open your mind to a wealth of new perspectives and ideas. Exposing yourself to a completely different culture and learning about the way the locals live every day is an experience that you can’t get from reading a book or watching a movie. While nearly everyone can agree that traveling is an opportunity to transform your thinking and challenge your views, the best way to travel is still a significant point of debate.

While many people view traveling as an activity meant to be shared with others, there are a growing number of adventurers who are beginning to discover the benefits of solo travel. If you’re eager to get on the next plane toward your chosen destination but prefer not to bring a companion, you’re in good company. Check out these top benefits of solo travel before you book a flight on your own.

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Traveling always requires you to leave what’s familiar, even if you travel with others. However, the inevitable challenges that you face when you head to a new land multiply when you’re alone. You don’t have a trusted friend or partner to guide you through the rough patches, which strips away that extra layer of security.

While this might seem daunting, it’s actually a wonderful opportunity for growth. You never know what you’re capable of until you take the risk of buying a plane ticket for one. Whether you’re having trouble finding your way around a new city or don’t understand the language, you’ll be forced to find a solution on your own, which helps you build strength and self-confidence. It’ll be difficult to find something you can’t handle once you master the art of solo travel.

Getting to Know Yourself Better

Along the same lines of leaving your comfort zone, traveling alone allows you to form a better relationship with yourself. When you throw yourself into a situation where you have to navigate unfamiliar waters on your own, you have the chance to unlock your full potential. You may even surprise yourself at how well you perform under pressure or how quickly you solve the various problems that come your way.

However, it isn’t just the presence of obstacles that helps you get to know yourself better. When you don’t have a companion with you, you have the chance to spend more time with yourself and understand what you like and dislike. While your travel partner may recommend a certain restaurant or try to lead the way during sightseeing, you can make all the decisions by yourself. This freedom grants you the opportunity to explore your own interests and discover what makes you happy.

Meeting New People

Solo travel may seem like a lonely experience, but it is often quite the opposite. When you don’t already have a friend with you upon arrival, you will naturally make more of an effort to interact with all kinds of people. Whether you chat up some of the locals or meet other fellow travelers, solo travel comes with endless opportunities to form meaningful bonds with the people around you. There’s even the possibility of forming a lasting friendship with one of the people you meet.

Connecting With Your Surroundings

When you travel with others, it’s often much easier to get distracted and miss out on the sights and sounds around you. However, traveling by yourself allows you to deeply connect with your surroundings and take everything in. It’s completely up to you how long you want to spend sightseeing or hitting the shops. Whether you prefer to create a detailed itinerary or to simply let the trip surprise you, you call all the shots when you travel solo. Plus, there are plenty of things you can pick up on when you’re alone that you may have missed if you’d brought a travel companion.

Dodging Disagreements

Unless you and your travel partner share the exact same interests and opinions, it’s highly likely that you’ll have a disagreement at some point. You could clash over the food, the schedule, the hotel room, or whether you should bring the best neck pillow on the flight. When you’re alone, none of these things become a point of contention. You’re the only person who has to approve of your choices, which means you’ll steer clear of any arguments throughout the trip. Take advantage of this luxury and let yourself enjoy anything you like during your journey. It’s your chance to treat yourself!

Enjoying More Flexibility

If you suddenly change your mind about visiting that museum when you see the record-breaking lines outside, you don’t have to consult with anyone. A change in plans can often be cumbersome for groups of two or more travelers, but there are no complications when you’re the one making the decision. While you might feel pressured to cater to your partner’s interests on a joint trip, you only have to worry about pleasing yourself when you travel alone.

Additionally, if you do end up making mistakes, you don’t run the risk of upsetting anyone. A travel buddy may stick to a strict schedule and complain if something doesn’t work out according to plan. When you’re alone, there’s no guilt to deal with. All you have to do is shrug it off and move on.

Making all the Financial Decisions

When it comes to making choices during travel, financial matters often cause the most disagreement between travel companions. Money naturally plays a central role in every aspect of a trip, from dining options to shopping. By making the decision to travel alone, you can exert complete control over your finances. That goes for both saving and spending. Whether you want to splurge on your solo trip or save as much money as possible, the choice is totally up to you.

Getting the Most Out of Solo Travel

No matter how you do it, solo travel comes with a myriad of benefits that you can’t experience with a companion. When you return home, you’ll find that your experiences have molded you into a wiser and stronger person.

Resources— Insight Guides, TripSavvy, Thought Catalog, Smarter Travel

Tom Gardner