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As a travel blogger, I most frequently write about destinations that I have been to and give travel advice and recommendations. I also like to write about how travel may be different for different people, especially introverts. You could ask yourself, do travel bloggers write about the act of travel itself or destinations? Maybe a little of both.
As I prepare for yet another trip, I have been contemplating the act of travel. There are several definitions of travel. It most commonly means a journey or movement from one place to another. It can specifically mean the movement of an object, or it can refer to what we love to do, which is moving from one place to a new destination.
I want to focus on that movement. How do we get from where we are to somewhere new? There are many modes of travel. Each one is unique, and many people have their own preferences when it comes to travel. I want to talk about each kind and how to best navigate them as an introvert, or as someone who likes to move seamlessly through what can occasionally turn into chaos.
Travel By Car
The most common mode of travel, at least in the US, is by car. We drive everywhere. I enjoy time in the car because it allows me time to myself to think and listen to music, podcasts, or sometimes nothing at all.
Travel by car is simple unless you don’t have a license or are unable to drive. In this day and age, we have ready access to GPS right on our phones. If you get lost, you can find your way. However, sometimes you will hit traffic and end up stuck.
If you are anything like me, you hate sitting and traffic and will want to keep on moving. Don’t be afraid to ignore Google Maps and make your own way. A good old-fashioned map helps with that, or just turn off the navigation and follow the map on Google. This has saved me from hours of boredom in the car.
Cars are good if you like to stop and see everything. When I took a road trip around the Ring Road in Iceland, we would go off course sometimes just to explore, and we found so many gems that way. If you like to go at your own pace when you travel, driving is the mode of travel for you.
Travel By Plane
For those of us who like to hop across oceans, it is hard to avoid flying. There is something mildly stressful about jumping into airport crowds and then sitting in a metal tube for hours. While some people are totally cool with crowds, others hate them and want to avoid them at all costs. I sit somewhere in the middle where I don’t like crowds, but I am good at tuning people out.
I have yet to find a time to fly where the airport is not crowded. You would think morning, but that never seems to be the case. I can say that holidays are the absolute worst times to fly, though it is sometimes unavoidable.
I have a few tips to help you move through the airport more seamlessly and hopefully with less anxiety, my quiet friends. The first is to stick with a carryon whenever possible. This eliminates one line for checking a bag, and if you check in to your flight with the airline’s app, you can head straight to security once you get to the airport.
My next tip is getting TSA Precheck or Global Entry if you are a frequent international traveler. This makes security a thousand times easier. Even if the line is long, because you can keep your electronics and liquids in your bag and your shoes on, the line moves way faster. Also, I have not used this yet, but there is a new program called CLEAR that is supposed to be even faster. If you are a frequent traveler, I highly recommend having at least one of these. They save you a ton of time and panic.
My last piece of advice is to always be prepared. Have your ID/Passport and ticket ready to go before security and your flight. Make sure that you already have everything you need out of your bag before you board the plane, that way you aren’t holding up the line. I have found that being considerate goes a long way when flying. It is stressful for both you and other people if you are the one holding up a line. It’s like putting your change away in a grocery line. (Is this just an introvert mindset?)
Travel By Train
As someone who lives in the Midwestern US without any access to real public transportation, I am totally jealous of people who can use it. Parking is a nightmare. Trains can be amazing relaxing experiences or kind of sketchy ones where you want to get out immediately. They are incredibly convenient for traveling since you cannot take your car everywhere with you.
I highly recommend having some knowledge of the train situation wherever you are traveling to. While many train systems are similar, they are different enough that you will want to understand the system in each new place that you visit. I like to find their website and peruse the routes and prices. I also like to figure out the easiest way to use one, whether that means to get a card or buy a ticket for each trip.
Check out this post to learn more about trains in Japan :
Train stations can get very crowded, but you can usually figure out a flow if you pay attention. Move with the flow of foot traffic, and always stand to the side to let people off the train before you get on. If you are a woman, pay attention to if there is a female-only car during rush hour. You may feel more comfortable taking that one during the most crowded times of the day.
I absolutely love the beauty of taking a train across a country. Sitting by a window and watching the countryside, small towns, and big cities fly by is poetic in my mind. Pop in your headphones and read a good book as the sights fly by.
Travel By Boat
This is by far my least favorite mode of transportation, but only because this one is the worst for my motion sickness. Once you have vomited off the side of a boat full of strangers, you kind of try to avoid boats as much as possible. Sorry, not sorry.
Sometimes you just have to take a boat to get to that island you’ve been wanting to see, or maybe you love to go on cruises. The lovely thing about boats is that you generally have that open-air, which can make it seem less crowded. If the waves aren’t jostling your insides around, it can even be pleasant.
My advice for boats is to know if you are prone to motion sickness and plan ahead. I am fine on larger boats and when the water is steady, but on a small boat with rocking waves, even Dramamine isn’t enough to save me.
Also, make sure that you listen to any safety explanations on boats so that you know what to do in case of emergency (I guess this goes for all modes of transportation). Make sure that you aren’t doing anything stupid that would allow to you fall overboard. Also, enjoy yourself if you are someone who loves boats more than me.
The Act of Travel by Foot
There is something calming about walking from one place to another. While travel by foot is most frequently short distance, some people like to take it further and make month-long treks through the wilderness. Kudos to those people.
When walking through a new place, I recommend stopping frequently to explore things that catch your eye. I love to take in the sights, smells, and sounds of a new place on foot. This is the most immersive form of travel, as you are right in the middle of all the life of a place. A few steps can bring you to a completely new place or experience.
Take your time walking and really enjoy each new location that you reach. Pay attention to the locals and see how they move along the street. Some places are particular about how their foot traffic moves, and it will help you out a lot to know these things.
If you are prone to getting lost, grab a map, or download one to your phone. You could even ask someone for directions if that doesn’t give you major social anxiety. Ultimately, do whatever you need to enjoy your time walking to your destinations on foot.
Getting Around the World
I know that you love to travel, otherwise you would not be on this website. Don’t forget about how you are getting to all of these amazing places when you plan for that next trip! Visiting a new place is fun, and the act of travel to that place can be fun too! You just need to be prepared, and hopefully, that reduces some of your stress.
What is your preferred form of travel? Is it something that I haven’t mentioned here? Helicopter? Horseback? Let me know in the comments!
Yes! Air travel is by far the worst. I really think that teleportation needs to be invented so I never have to step into an airport again. It is so busy, so much noise and chaos and you are basically trapped there. It is nice getting through airport security so you can relax a bit.
Having motion sickness is awful! I love ferry rides. I feel for you but understand!
I am so for teleportation or even some floo powder would be great! Someone smart should really get on that! It would make our lives much easier. I am always stressed at airports up until I am through security. Then I can relax when I know I will make it on my flight!
I have manage ferry rides pretty well in the past. I think they are big enough and short enough rides that I don’t get too sick. Heaven forbid I forget to take my medicine though!
No matter which option you choose to commute, solo travelling has its own charm! This was a good read, would love to read more pieces like this Keri 😊