When I lived in Oxford, I did a lot of solo traveling. At least once a month, I packed a small bag or backpack and headed off to explore a new city – Galway, Vienna, Valencia, Cardiff, Paris. Often I was traveling to meet friends, but I spent a lot of time on planes, trains and buses by myself.
These days, I tend to do two kinds of flying. There’s my annual Christmas trip to Texas, with J and at least two big suitcases in tow. We usually go for a week or so, and we make our way through crowded airports filled with tired families and long security lines. Everyone is hauling winter coats and lots of luggage, and the flights are always full. I am always thrilled to spend that time with our families, but the actual airport experience is exhausting.
The other kind of flying is the kind I indulged in recently: a solo trip to West Texas to visit my family, with only a small bag and a carry-on, at a non-crowded time of the week and year. On those mornings, I feel like a character in a Nora Ephron film, rolling my snazzy red suitcase up to the security line, my chic (if heavy) tote bag slung over my shoulder. The airport – especially if the employees are in a good mood – fairly sparkles with possibility.
When I arrived at Boston Logan for my recent trip, the security line was unusually short, and a cheerful TSA worker complimented my outfit. I had time, after I put my shoes back on, to browse the tempting racks of magazines at the newsstand, and buy a snack and a bottle of water. I even had time for a chai latte before boarding (though the nice, friendly lady spelled my name “Ketty” on the cup!). And I had a whole row to myself on the flight to Dallas. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
Air travel is less glamorous than it used to be: security is tighter, lines are longer, and the prices of everything, from checked bags to bottled water, continue to rise. But I still love walking down the terminal concourse toward my gate, pausing to scope out the week’s bestsellers at the airport bookshop or treat myself to a glossy magazine. (On my flight to Texas, I bought Yoga Journal; on the way back, I splurged on the newest InStyle.) I love glancing up at the arrival and departure monitors, which brim with the names of exotic places. Especially at a big airport like Logan, you could hop on a plane and go anywhere. The possibilities are nearly endless (as Serenity noted long ago).
After years of traveling alone regularly (if not frequently), I have a checklist of essentials: tissues, lip balm, hand sanitizer, a scarf, a water bottle, gum for takeoff and landing. I know how to pack efficiently (though I always, always bring too many books). I know my way around a number of airports, and I know where I can enjoy a last Tex-Mex meal before returning to New England (Pappasitos, in DFW Terminal A). And while my husband is an excellent travel companion, I look forward to these solo flights, where I can tailor my time in the airport to my own whims.
With the red suitcase, a yummy snack and a pile of good reading material, it can be magic.
What do you love (or not) about traveling alone?
cakes, tea and dreams 
I usually get scared when I’m traveling alone so I don’t do it so often. Even an hour drive scares me….sad, I know
I don’t mind traveling alone on occasion. It’s nice to only worry about oneself and, as you say, explore the possibilities. I was actually alone last Monday, short trip from Minneapolis to Chicago, but, I enjoyed it thoroughly and, Katie, you described me to a tee; from the magazine perusals, to the latte (though mine was a mocha). I met a lovely lady on the plane and we talked all the way, exchange grandmotherly thoughts, as we both have them, just in opposite cities. I also make the drive between these two cities alone, and, usually don’t mind it. Still, it is good to have someone with as well. Isn’t it grand to explore possibilities in both solo and companion worlds? Loved this post.
I find that the less busy an airport (or section of an airport) is, the friendlier everyone there tends to be. I took a flight not too long ago that left out of a little tiny section of a terminal in Logan (there were only three gates!), and as I was walking up to security (where there was no line!), the TSA agents standing there were joking around. They let me know that there’s weren’t a lot of food options in the terminal, and I might want to consider getting something before I headed through security. I took their advice, headed off to get something, and when I came back a little while later, they remembered me, asked what I bought, and wished me a safe flight. I was almost shocked – something like that would never happen at Newark, my home airport – it’s always so crowded and people are often too busy for basic pleasantries.
And I love traveling solo – even with the craziness of all the people around you, sometimes I feel like it’s the only alone time I’ve had in a while (especially when you don’t log onto wifi in the terminal and on the plane).
I love solo travel! And while I haven’t braved an overseas journey on my own, I’ve taken many trips to LA, NYC and Chicago.
And yes, travel certainly does contain its share of hassles. Long lines, full flights (usually), the “competition” for overhead space for luggage, (and I do consider it a competition–one of my major pet peeves, which I get almost homicidal about, is people putting their smaller bag, and worse, their COATS, up top before the long line of people behind them haven’t even stowed their suitcase yet, GRRRR…but I digress…), the ever increasing costs of tickets and lowering of perks (does any airline even have those anymore?), etc. But it’s all worth it. I always get a little thrill walking through the airport. The endless possibilities in that place make my heart sing.
My husband and I are currently debating where to go for a quick holiday. We could go almost anywhere! It seems nearly all the blogs I’ve checked in on today were about travel in one aspect or another. Travel fever! I love solo travel. My time is my own. I can go where I want, when I want, and totally change direction on a whim. Love it!
I love travelling alone. I guess that happens when you have kids. But give me a couple of hours on an airplane with no distractions and I’ll be happy reading. I also just love to aimlessly roam around new places – not so easy when kids get bored and have sore feet.
I like the freedom of wandering around and talking with people. I’ve had some great conversations that way.
The only time I’ve ever traveled alone when I wasn’t driving was taking a quick trip from Oxford to London to meet a friend (this was technically a no-no for ACU’s Study Abroad, but since I wouldn’t be alone the entire time, I figured it was okay). I had already been to London about 5 times at that point, so I knew to get off the bus at Notting Hill and take the yellow line to South Kensington. I read a book I had gotten at Waterstones in Oxford on the way up and back and just generally felt like a local, like someone who didn’t have to consult a map, instead of a tourist who had really only been in the country for about five months. And I was only 20 at the time, so it was a heady feeling, to be so in control of my own travel.
ooooooooh…I love to sit quietly, knit and “people-watch”…heaven!
Lovely. I had a hutch/desk in that same furniture style. Mine held my Anne books, too. 🙂
Solo air travel is pretty cool, though I haven’t done it in a while. Train travel is okay when you don’t have too much luggage, but I hate solo road trips, or driving with only the kids in tow.
I just booked a flight to DFW! Though it’s going to be very crowded, I’m looking forward to the alone time.
I like traveling alone because I can do whatever I want and don’t have to make compromises. I will have the chance to explore more and to interact with locals.
I totally agree with you that traveling alone is very enjoyable. Especially I love the flying part – there is so much going on at the airports and so many different people are walking around. It’s like sitting in a movie – you can watch all those different kind of behavior and appearances of the people. Your senses are fiilled with lots of impressions you can’t get anywhere else!