Gray Cargill is the author of SoloFriendly.com, a blog featuring advice and tips for solo travelers and reviews of solo-friendly destinations, lodging, and restaurants.
She is also the author of The Vegas Solo, a guide to help solo travelers plan their Las Vegas vacation.
Gray lives in Vermont and has been traveling solo since 1994, and she has taken the time to answer our questions to give our readers a little travel insight on her experience in traveling solo.
Cheapflights: What is your favorite kind of trip?
Gray Cargill: I’m a city girl. I like exploring cities that are compact enough that I can get around using public transportation and that offer a variety of activities to choose from. Places that offer night time activities, such as live music and shows, score bonus points with me. Coming from Vermont, where our winters are six months long, I also prefer traveling to warmer destinations. Nothing makes me happier than stepping off an airplane and seeing palm trees.
CF: What is your travel pet peeve?
GC: Two-for-one coupons that don’t offer a discount for people traveling solo. The high cost of airfare—it’s so expensive to just get somewhere, and you haven’t even started your vacation yet. Prices that are advertised low (for instance, cruises and tour packages), but then when you try to book you realize it was priced “per person double occupancy” and now the price is double. Hotel fees. 90% of the things the hotel fee covers, I don’t even use.
CF: Best destination you have ever been to and why?
GC: Las Vegas is the one I keep going back to. I love the variety of activities; there’s something there for everyone. I love how easy it is to get around without renting a car. I find it to be a very solo-friendly travel destination; people tend to be friendly, because they’re so happy to be there. But the truth is, I tend to fall a little in love with every place I visit, because most places have something wonderful to offer, if you’re open to it. A really important part of the travel experience for me is dining, so if I can find great restaurants there, I’m happy.
CF: Where in the world offers the best value for money?
GC: In terms of places I’ve visited, I find Las Vegas offers a lot of bang-for-your-buck in terms of hotel prices. I’ve never seen such cheap prices for such lavish hotel rooms – it’s pretty shocking compared to most cities in the US. I could only get a room the size of a prison cell in New York City for $159/night; in Vegas that would get me a spacious room in a 5-star hotel if I traveled mid-week.
CF: Where would you pay to stay? Is there anywhere you think offers great value and a great deal?
GC: I think Las Vegas offers great value. You can definitely get more hotel room for your money there. The one hotel elsewhere that I’ve stayed at where I really did pay more than I’m used to and I felt it was worth every penny was El Convento in Old San Juan. It’s a former convent in the heart of the Old City that has been restored as a small luxury hotel. It’s just gorgeous, has some nice restaurants on site, and offers so much in terms of convenience and excellent service, as well as a glimpse into the past of San Juan. It also has keyed gates between the public areas of the hotel and the hallways to the rooms, so as a solo female traveler, I could not have felt safer.
CF: If there was one travel nightmare trip, where would it be to and what would it involve?
GC: My nightmare trip is one where the destination doesn’t so much matter as the circumstances. As a solo traveler, I think the scariest of all possible travel scenarios is one where I become very ill or am involved in an accident in a travel destination and require medical intervention—especially if I’m not in any shape to advocate for myself. But I’m in pretty good health, so luckily haven’t had to deal with anything like that.
CF: What is an example of a great airport, and an insider’s tip on how to enjoy it?
GC: I’m a little biased, but I love my hometown airport, Burlington International (in Vermont). I wish it had more dining options and stores to browse, but what I love about it is how easy it is to go through check-in and get through security. Because it’s such a small airport, the lines don’t get very long most of the time, unless there are weather-related cancellations. It’s the most relaxed check-in I have ever experienced at an airport.
It’s a great way to start every trip. If you have time to grab a sit-down meal here before your trip, give the airport restaurant, One Flight Up, a chance. It has big beautiful windows looking out onto the air strip, so you can watch planes take off and land while eating.
CF: What advice would you give a novice solo traveler ?
GC: Before your trip, get comfortable spending lots of time alone and also get used to approaching strangers ; if you want to meet people, get directions, or find someone to take your photo for you, you’re going to have to get comfortable talking to strangers. During your trip, bring along a journal to jot down observations; this gives you something to focus on when dining alone and will also serve as your “backup memory” years from now when details from your trip start to fade.
If socializing is important to you, be sure to stay somewhere where you are more likely to meet people (a hostel, a B&B, or a resort with organized activities), take some organized day tours, and try dining at counters, bars, and communal tables, where you’re more likely to have opportunity to chat with others. Staying safe as a solo traveler is a matter of doing your research before your trip and knowing your destination—what to look out for, safe places to stay, how to get around at night safely, etc.
CF: What is one tip that you would share to improve the in-flight experience?
GC: Definitely book your seat in advance, check-in online before you go to the airport, and arrive two hours ahead of time. It makes a difference if you don’t start your trip all stressed out because you feel like you might miss your plane if you’re stuck in a long line at security. I make sure if I have a layover, it’s at least two hours long, so the odds are less of missing it in case my first flight is delayed.
I always bring my own snacks on the plane and buy a bottle of water at the airport to bring, too, so I’m not dependent on the airline for my basic needs. On long flights, I bring a neck pillow; it really does help me doze off more comfortably. I also have my mp3 player and something to read to keep myself entertained. I tend to enjoy the experience of flying anyway, so I may be a bit of a freak.
Cheapflights is proud to have guest voices express their opinions. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cheapflights Media (USA) Inc.
