This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a leadership institute at my sorority headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. However, this meant I would have to travel there by myself. This past summer I flew to Spain, however, I had several other students traveling with me. This weekend, I had to navigate two airports for the first time without my parents or any friends to help. Traveling solo has its ups and downs, so it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into the next time you find yourself without a travel buddy.

When I arrived at the airport in Lexington, I made it through security insanely fast. I’m used to traveling with my two parents and two siblings, which usually slows down the process. Since I passed through so quickly, I had enough time to sit and read before I boarded my flight. Everything was going smoothly until I realized I needed to go to the bathroom. Up until this point, being by myself wasn’t a problem. However, I realized I couldn’t leave my carry on luggage and purse unattended so I took everything with me to the bathroom. Of course, when I returned another passenger had taken my seat.

We boarded the plane shortly after. I am a really nervous flier so it was a little intimidating being alone. However, the flight went really well and I got a lot of schoolwork done. I had carried my luggage onto the plane so I wouldn’t have to deal with checking it. Once we landed, I gave myself a pep talk in case I would have to navigate through the Atlanta airport to another terminal. To my surprise, the gate for my connecting flight was direct across from the gate we landed at.

I had a little bit of time between my two flights so I stopped for a little bit of lunch. This is when I found out how expensive airport food is. But, what was I supposed to do? I was trapped in there and had no other choice. The real drama began when it was time to board my connecting flight. They ran out of overhead space and forced me to check my luggage. Frustrated, I handed over my carry on. To my surprise, it turns out people actually do this on purpose. They will try to carry on their luggage but when the plane runs out of the room or their luggage is too large, the airline will check it for free at the gate. Luckily, I had no problems picking up my luggage at baggage claim.

Two days later, when I was returning home, I made it through security super fast again and had time to get some coffee before my flight. It was so much more relaxing to travel alone because I didn’t have to keep up with anyone but myself. However, I had to go to the bathroom again on the way home so I had to drag all of my luggage with me only to be told that they were out of overhead space and that I would have to check it anyway. Personally, I thought it was a pain to have a carry on with me in the airport because I had to take it with me everywhere I went. However, I wouldn’t want to pay to check it either so I’m not exactly sure what the best option is.

I made it home safely and I actually enjoyed traveling alone. It was a lot less stressful, however, I think if I were to travel alone again, it may be easy to just check my luggage. However, if you take your luggage to the gate you might just get to check it for free, which is the best of both worlds.