Elena NikolovaEver felt like you want to travel more, but something’s holding you back? Maybe you’re worried you’re not ready or don’t have what it takes. We’ve all been there! It’s totally normal to feel a bit nervous about your first trip and becoming a confident traveller. I remember my first trip – I was sure it would be a total disaster, but guess what? I survived! It was actually a blast.
Here are my top tips to help you become a confident Muslim traveller, whether you’re going solo or with friends.
Also read: 9 Life-Saving Tips for Solo Female Travellers
The ultimate tips to become a confident Muslim Traveller
Take your first trip close to home
I remember I used to love working and travelling since I was in Uni. I wanted a change of scenery but didn’t feel confident enough to travel abroad. So I booked a nice hotel room 1.5 hrs away from home and I took my first “working holiday”. It actually worked! I was feeling secure enough to explore on my own yet I knew the culture and the environment. Plus, if something happened and I felt unsafe I was close to home.
Visit a family member or a friend
Traveling alone can be a bit daunting, but it’s a lot less scary if you see a familiar face when you arrive at your destination. As a newbie traveler, it’s nice to have someone you know to ease into the experience. You’re stepping outside your comfort zone, but having a friend or family member in the same city can give you a sense of security. You don’t have to hang out all the time, but just knowing they’re nearby can make a big difference.
Also read: 17 Best Destinations for Solo Female Travellers
Visit a local mosque on arrival
Mosques are the hub of the community, you can meet Muslims in your destination and also get insider knowledge to help you navigate. They can advise you on places to stay away from, things to see and do, and also you might even make new friends. It definitely helps to know that there are people and a place you can go for help if needed.
Take a free walking tour
I’ve been singing the praises of free walking tours lately. I’ve tried a few myself, and let me tell you, they’re a game-changer! If you’re new to a city and want to feel like a local, these tours are the way to go. You’ll meet cool people, see the sights, and feel like you’re part of the scene—even if it’s just for a few hours. It’s the ultimate confidence boost.
Name your fears
There is no point in hiding. If you are afraid of travelling or for that matter anything else in life, you want to tackle it straight head on. So sit down and write the fears that stop you from travelling. Are you scared that you will get lost? Or that you will not be safe? Write down, for a continuous 5 minutes everything that stops you from travelling. Then logically go through your fears and solve them. Mitigate your fears with something that will help you feel safe during your travels.
Also read: Solo Travel: How to Make Friends While Travelling Alone
Use travel apps to make you feel safer and share itinerary with family
I love using Uber abroad because it makes me feel safer. I know that I will not get ripped off and I can track my ride. I can share it with friends and above all, I can pay with my card. So I don’t have to exchange money. I find this very liberating and much safer, so before I visit a city, I always check if Uber is available. You can research other apps such as Airbnb that provide you with a sense of security. Then download them and plan your trip.
Do some research and then do some more
Carry out a full blown research of the place you are visiting. Read blogs, take notes and make sure you are booking hotels in the safe parts of town. There is no better way to feel safe and confident than with your hotel. I always prefer booking reputable hotels even if this means sacrificing on other aspects of my trip.
Make your dua
As Muslims keeping up with daily dua (prayer) and dhikr (remembrance) is very important. If one can protect us this is the Most High. So before you start any trip, make sure you have recited your traveller’s dua for protection.
‘Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest, How perfect He is, The One Who has placed this (transport) at our service, and we ourselves would not have been capable of that, and to our Lord if our final destiny. O Allaah, we ask You for birr and taqwaa in this journey of ours, and we ask You for deeds which please You. O Allaah, facilitate our journey and let us cover its distance quickly. O Allaah, You are The Companion on the journey and The Successor over the family, O Allaah, I take refuge with You from the difficulties of travel, from having a change of hearts and being in a bad predicament, and I take refuge in You from an ill-fated outcome with wealth and family.’
Also read: Solo Travel Guide: 16 Travel Tips You Should Know Before Travelling to Hong Kong
Traveling’s a blast! It’s like unlocking a whole new world, filled with adventures you wouldn’t believe. After just one trip, you’ll come back a totally different person. You’ll be more confident, and it’ll show – not just when you’re exploring new places, but in your everyday life too. Stepping outside your comfort zone is the best thing you can do, take my word for it!
So there you have it, tips on how to become confident Muslim traveller. Now, it’s time to pack your bags and start travelling.
Contributed by Muslim Travel Girl.
