Many first-time backpackers worry about traveling overseas by themselves.  They often have concerns about whether they will meet other people and whether they will be lonely.  However, I am here to tell you that this should not be a concern at all, some of the best experiences I have had backpacking occurred when I traveled alone.

Traveling with friends can be fun, and offers a sense of familiarity and security.  However, in my experience, backpacking with friends works best only if you are traveling overseas for a relative short period of time (i.e. for a few weeks).  Longer than this and groups often run into issues and conflicts.  One problem is that after a few weeks, people often get tired of one another, even close friends.  This usually has nothing to do with the friendship itself, but even close friends have differing interests and personalities.  For example, one person may prefer to hike the peaceful countryside while the other likes to explore the bustling city.  While these different interests can be compromised over a short trip, any longer than this it becomes difficult to do. Another problem, is that people have different personalities which often do not come to light until one spends 24 hours a day with that person.

In addition, traveling with friends will often discourage you from meeting locals and other backpackers.  It is much easier to chat and make plans with your friends than it is conversing with or approaching strangers.  Groups can be intimidating to others and can isolate you.

If you are new to the backpacking / hostelling scene, I assure you that there is nothing to worry about if you plan on traveling alone.  Hostels are very social locations and it is very easy to meet people.  You will often make quick friends with those in your room or on your same tour.  It is typical that you will meet someone with your same interests and travel together for a short period.  In fact, you may meet so many new people you may tire of socializing after a period of time.  During my travels I have on more than one occasion gotten single rooms or just spent time reading books in a park by myself just to get away from all the people!

My recommendation is that for short trips, traveling with friends is fine. For longer trips lasting several months, I would definitely recommend traveling by yourself.  If you do start a long trip with a buddy, just realize that after a while you will both likely to go your separate ways. There is nothing wrong with that and it doesn’t mean you are not still friends. You may even want to plan it that way from the beginning, that after an amount of time you and your friends will go onto different destinations.

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