Traveling alone is best

Merchant

I LOVE traveling alone--not having to worry about someone else's comfort, being free to wander without a plan, setting my own schedule, looking for the next adventure. Traveling alone can be quite liberating. It's just you and the wide world. India is ideal for traveling alone.

Anyone agree?

fat freddy's cat

I can definately see your point about travelling alone but for me i much prefer to have someone to share the experience with.I know that if i see something amazing i want someone else to enjoy it too(and then you can have endless nostalgic discussions about it on your return!Bliss...!!)

Cat

slowbus

Both are good points, and it's a tough call. I really enjoy travelling alone, if only because I meet way more people that way, and the non-toutish locals are much more willing to strike up interesting conversations when you're alone. It's also so much easier to do spur-of-the-moment things. Simple things such as passing a neat-looking alleyway and deciding to go explore it, without having to discuss the decision first ("is it safe", "will we get lost", "I want to go eat instead", etc).

Regarding loneliness, I've actually found it hard to remain alone, even if I wanted to. There's always somebody looking for a travel companion for a few days/weeks.

On the other hand, I don't know how many times I've stumbled on some beautiful sight, and wished that somebody was there to share it with me.

I think the best approach is to travel with somebody, but agree to split up occassional for solo excursions, agreeing to meet up again in a couple of weeks.

jean-gab

I love it too- often do so. i think it's the best way to encourage meeting new people!

but it's fun to travel with friends as well.

(ps: what an amazing answer to your post! must be very interesting)

slowbus

Mala, the fear is only natural, and I don't think many people travel alone on their first international trip. It's really nice to have the support. But don't be too surprised if you decide you'd like to blow off your parents for a few days after you've been travelling with them for a month or so! Travelling can at times be stressful and really put a strain on your relationship with your travelling companions. Sometimes its easier to deal with the stress when you're alone, sometimes its easier when you aren't.

rab

I think this has been discussed before somewhere at length in a previous thread. I have been twice, once by myself and the second time with fellow member dreamingwombat.

While travelling alone was intreresting, enlightening and in some ways I saw more, sharing the whole India experience with someone I love was brilliant.

Surely it depends if you are single or attached doesn't it? I wouldn't dream of travelling intentionally anywhere, especially India, without my wife.

SHIMLA

Travelling alone is next best to travelling with a like-minded person.

And nothing worse than travelling in a heterogeneous group !

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Sahibcol

In India you are never truly alone. Mind you, stuck on a train for 48 hours, whilst in the throes of an acute bout of dysentery, certainly made me question the wisdom of travelling on my todd.

bijapuri

alone? India? maybe on top of Nanda Devi . . . . or on Sunday when they are in cricket test against the Pakis . . .
actually, it CAN get lonely if you are looking for shared experience kinda companuionship. Traveled alone for 30 years, now I have the Begum with me. Both good.

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Dakota

I prefer travelling alone as well. I had done it on my first trip, and had found out it really suits me. That was over 8 years ago; 6 months in Oz. The best!
I've travelled solo ever since (Australasia, 3 times in India, Egypt).
I like the freedom of going where I want to, when I want to.
I get to meet a lot of local people at most places I visit, and that's one of the charms for me.
I did share a bus trip with few other travellers, and it was fine. Of course I hang out with other travelers where I stop.
But until I meet someone I really click with, I'm travelling on my own. Having to rely on my wits makes it more special. I've learnt a bit about myself through it

vinayverma

I think it depends on time & place.
I would love to wander through the streets of Varanasi all alone but would hate to be alone in a place like Goa..

Alone riding Enfiled around Manali and Dharamshala, but with someone while riding the same machine to Leh or Kaza.

Alone during the day time while I relax on the beach in Karwar but with some company in the evening while having beer.

Alone when I'm trying read my map, instead of with a group, each with their own idea of the 'right' route/road..and getting no where. With a good group while trackking on Pin parvati especially if they are carrying good stock of Rum or Aara or Chang.

Alone when I want to try very basic rural food in the middle of nowhere, and with someone while having Thali and lassi..

I don't think it can be totally in binay....It depends u know (as we indians say)

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indiawise

Some other practicle ANGLES to company...

I eat better when travelling with a buddy. Like we can order a more balanced meal.
I drink better, like we can share an expensive bottle of wine which not possible on single budget.
The travel cost gets shared, and thats welcome. The fuel cost divided by 2! Or taxi.
The hotel room cost gets shared, making possible/affordable better rooms.
Somebody to look after the bags whilst I use the loo or run behind the bushes!
Having a divine and agreeable female companion, with all its setbacks(real and imagined) is spiritually preferable to being alone as that much less energy is expended towards spotting one s'where on the horizon.

Senthivalu

Its great to travel alone but it gets better if you have company. I have to agree with indiawise you see more, taste more, experience more and most of all the fun is quadrupled!!

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tstan

I often take holidays by myself, and occasionally with my adult children - because I get 14 weeks a year away from my students -and I go out of my way to take a lot of photos and make copious records in my diaries to show my good wife upon my return.

Ironically, when she can get a decent break, we invariably retrace the steps I took on some previous trip. This doubles my pleasure!

Merchant

Here, here trvl in!

Of course, as noted above, one is never truly alone in India (except for those people who are surly or menacing). Any time companionship is needed, it's available for a smile, as India is the most companionable place on the planet. Octavio Paz wrote that "Indians practice the ancient religion of friendship."