Having just completed the first leg of my first solo backpacking adventure, a 30 hour bus journey from England to Slovenia, I’d like to share my first 5 basic lessons in solo backpacking travel.

1. Patience is your friend.

Getting from A to B is an adventure in itself and you can learn just as much from how you got somewhere as what you did once you were there. Whether it’s finding the right bus stop, sitting next to a noisy eater or perfecting your water intake vs. toilet stop ratio, patience, problem solving and a bit of creative thinking will help you to enjoy your whole trip, not just your destination.

2. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

I think we live in a pretty self-conscious society, or at least back home, I sometimes did or didn’t do something based on what I think that random stranger over there might think about me. You can’t afford to do that if you’re travelling. Firstly, it’s your trip and you should enjoy it. Secondly, I don’t think other cultures worry half as much about what other people think, compared to the British.

Someone in your seat (that you paid to reserve… just saying)? Ask them to move. Want to order food but don’t speak the language? Try it anyway. Embarrassed about drooling in your sleep? Drool away – sleep is now your new best friend when it comes to being recharged enough to actually enjoy yourself. Don’t forget that to someone else, you’re just a random stranger and them secretly judging you doesn’t make any difference to you anyway.

3. Your backpack is your house.

Your backpack is your new house – it’s your bathroom toiletries, your bedroom wardrobe, your kitchen snacks, your lounging entertainment, your outdoor shoes, your secret piggybank. It will carry everything you need for your months or more of travelling. (It will probably carry some things you don’t need too). Make sure it’s a good, strong pack and make sure you can carry it comfortably. My 50L pack is currently a bit on the bulky side but I have packed for Everest Base Camp and then 30°C Southeast Asia, so I’ll shed stuff along the way.

4. Listen to your intuition.

People will tell you to be careful and warn you about everything, but I just think you have to be as sensible as your are at home. Don’t leave your house unlocked? Don’t leave your backpack unattended (toilet cubicles get mighty cosy). Is that drunk man just irritating or could he cause some hassle? Is there a dark road everyone seems to be avoiding? Probably don’t go down there. I was warned against being too British/friendly/polite as some people will know how to take advantage of our politeness, which I think is a fair warning, but also, people generally mean you no harm and will even want to help you if they can.

5. Research local laws.

In Ljubljana, it is illegal to jaywalk (cross at an undesignated area or without the green man). You can get a 40€ on the spot fine! Other places will have their own local laws and customs – avoid getting in to bother by checking details on a tourist website or the Government’s foreign travel advice.