Solo travel is a life-affirming experience that allows you to explore on your own terms. There’s no better way to gain independence and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around you. 

For many, the idea of traveling alone can be daunting. But with just a little preparation and an open mind, you can embark on a journey that may just be the most rewarding of your life. 

The benefits of solo travel 

Of course, traveling with others has great appeal, from cost-sharing and a reduced planning burden to the sense of security and “strength in numbers” mindset. Plus, going on a trip can help create some of the most cherished memories between friends and family. 

However, if an opportunity for solo travel comes your way, the upsides include: 

• Flexibility — When traveling alone, you can go at your own pace. There’s no need to accommodate other people in your party, you can spend your time exactly how you see fit. You have the freedom to create your dream itinerary! 

• Growth — As with many other aspects of life, the challenges of solo travel can lead to some of the most profound self-discovery. Think about a time when you successfully stepped outside your comfort zone, and how impactful that change was. Solo travel, especially if you’re going abroad, is the ultimate “outside your comfort zone” experience.  

• Immersion — It’s much easier to be mindful and present in your travel experience when you’re on your own. Sometimes during travel, friends and family can act as a sort of buffer between you and authentic cultural experiences. By yourself, it’s a lot more likely that you’ll engage with local people.  

15 tips for solo travel

1. Plan ahead for solo travel  

Ensuring an awesome solo travel experience begins way before you depart. The best place to start is with some basic online research. The goal is to find a destination that offers a good balance of excitement, affordability, good transportation options, and tourist infrastructure. 

For example, this list of the best places to travel solo includes Barcelona for having nice weather year-round, being easy to navigate without a car, and offering tons of unique experiences all within the city limits. But if you’re visiting from the U.S., keep in mind that a trip to Barcelona would likely be expensive and may present a language barrier. You might consider a domestic trip to somewhere like Chicago, where you may not scratch that international vacation itch, but can still enjoy one of the finest culinary cities in the world. 

If you do decide on a trip abroad you could find a language exchange group like NYC Spanish/English Intercambio to help you prepare some helpful and polite phrases to open conversation with locals. 

2. Make an itinerary that suits your style 

Whether you’re a super Type A overplanner or typically more laissez-faire on vacay, it’s good to get some idea of the activities you’ll want to pursue. For starters, you can look up fun things to do in your destination city. 

Many of the lists you’ll find will offer activities with the most broad appeal, so if you want to discover things off the beaten path, check out Meetup’s local guides. These are full of unique recommendations that get updated every month—plus each activity already has a Meetup event you can join!   

3. Mark your phone map with where you’re staying so you’ll never get lost

Traveling to a new city can be disorienting, especially when the street signs are in a language that’s unfamiliar to you. By marking your phone with your hotel or hostel, you’ll be able to see where you need to get easily. Plus, you can find directions to and from different destinations with the click of a button. 

4. Keep an emergency stash of cash

It pays to be ready for an emergency. Having some bills in the local currency can help you make a quick move, like taking a cab ride or changing hotel rooms, without the hassle of finding an ATM or paying an exorbitant cash withdrawal fee. Keep your emergency stash separate from your wallet. That way, if you lose your wallet you will still be able to get around.

5. Practice doing smaller activities alone before embarking on a big solo trip

Traveling alone for an extended period of time is a big commitment. While it’s rewarding to be with yourself, it can take some getting used to if you’ve never tried it before. One way to acclimate yourself to solo travel is to start with a small solo activity like a day trip. Plan an outing to a museum, park, or concert. Go for a solo-hike. Take yourself out to a meal. Work your way up to an overnight trip to see how you like it. 

6. Check reviews before booking accommodations

Knowledge is power. Check for reviews of tours, hotels, and more so you can see exactly what you’re committing to before you make a purchase. Search for a specific keyword on a page. For example, if you’re a light sleeper, you should consider searching for the terms like “noise,” “loud,” or “busy” to see if the hotel will meet your needs. 

Remember, each review is one person’s experience. If a particular tour has hundreds of five-star reviews but a handful of one-star reviews, you can be confident that your stay is more likely to be a five-star experience than a poor one.

7. Keep your real-time location private, even while sharing your travels online

It’s common to share pictures of your trip while you are traveling, but keeping your exact location private is a way to maintain a measure of safety while traveling alone. If a scammer knows, for example, that you are traveling to Mallorca, he or she could send you a text message posing as a Mallorcian tour guide, and requesting advance payment for an excursion. Scammers know that people drop their guards when they travel and are therefore easier targets. Keep your exact location to yourself until you have left.

8. Do research about each destination you’re going to

Just as it’s helpful to read reviews of travel services before you book, it’s important to do a bit of research about your destinations in advance. Learning things like the climate during the time you are visiting, local customs around traveling, dining, or even dressing, help you pack and can help you avoid missteps on your journey. 

9. Invest in comfortable shoes

Bring a pair of comfortable shoes for a solo journey, your feet will thank you! Since you’ll be traveling alone, you won’t have a companion to pick up dinner or carry your bags when you are feeling fatigued. Taking care of yourself is important for any trip, but especially one where you are solo. Approach comfort from the ground up–purchase a comfortable pair of shoes for travel.

10. Allow yourself to be spontaneous

One of the most significant benefits of solo travel is the flexibility it provides. Say you’re traveling through Tuscany and you are inspired by Renaissance frescoes and want to see Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. You can easily make the move to Milan to see this masterpiece. Make sure you build free time into your schedule to reflect the flexibility you have.

11. Use wifi to download offline Google Maps

If you’re traveling abroad, you might not have consistent cell phone service, if you have service at all. To avoid using more data than you have to, download Google Maps onto your phone with wifi. This will make it so you can use many of the features of Google Maps in real-time without having to be connected or pay costly data roaming charges. Learn how to download Google Maps for offline use. 

12. Get comfortable dining alone

Going out to dinner without a companion can be challenging. Often a social activity, it can feel awkward to grab a bite alone. Figure out how to make it easier to enjoy your solo meal: sit at a bar if the restaurant has one so you can look at something besides an empty seat, or even chat with a bartender. Learn which activities you enjoy while you wait for your meal to arrive like reading a magazine, completing a crossword puzzle, scrolling through social media, or even listening to music. Just be sure your activity isn’t disruptive to other restaurant patrons. 

13. Take advantage of free walking tours

Free walking tours are an excellent way to check out the highlights of an unfamiliar city. By booking a free walking tour, you can get a look at some interesting neighborhoods and intriguing points of interest from a local expert while getting some exercise. Another advantage of walking tours is getting to meet fellow travelers. 

While many walking tours are free, keep in mind that tour guides lead these tours for tips, so be sure to bring some cash to give the tour guide when the tour is complete. If you hit it off with fellow tour takers, invite them to get a beverage or a snack after the tour–you can even ask for some restaurant recommendations from your guide. 

14. Be open to meeting new people

Traveling alone does not have to involve feeling lonely, especially if you keep an open mind about meeting new people. Book tours with other people, attend events, and find groups where you’re traveling so you can get your socializing fix during a solo adventure. Make sure you are taking steps to be open to conversation. Reply when people speak to you. Ask questions. Put your headphones and devices away so you appear approachable.

15. Hang out with locals and expats through Meetup 

There are thriving communities around the world that are perfect for solo travelers, if you know where to look. For example, if you take a trip to Mexico City, you could connect with the Mexico City Social Club. This Meetup group of more than 2,700 members is dedicated to hosting weekly events where visitors and locals mingle. You don’t have to feel like a stranger when you travel solo—you can create an unforgettable experience through day trips, parties, and more. They even have a Whatsapp group where you can make casual plans outside of group events.  

As you’ve read, when it comes to solo-travel a little research goes a long way. For advice and tips from fellow travelers, communities like Expat Freelancer Berlin and Berlin Expat Finance Meetup Group can show you step by step how to take advantage of remote work and become a serious globetrotter.  

To start planning your next vacation as soon as you get home, check out travel groups on Meetup. You can join a community for travel-lovers like Bold Travel Women Meetup (San Diego area). This Meetup group brainstorms dream vacations, offers “pack like a pro” online workshops, hosts a travel book club, and even takes trips together! 

Frequently asked questions

1. What not to do on a solo trip?

You shouldn’t spend all of your time alone. Try talking to fellow travelers. Take a class, join a hike, find a tour, or register for events on Meetup to get some social time in while you travel. 

2. How do I stop feeling lonely when traveling alone?

Do your best to have one conversation per day. Chat with someone at a coffee shop, book store, or socializing event. 

3. How hard is it to travel alone?

With proper planning, traveling alone is as easy as traveling with a friend. In fact, traveling alone can be easier because you have more flexibility with only one person and schedule to accommodate. 

4. What are the top tips for solo female travelers?

Keep safety in mind when you travel. Let someone at home know about your itinerary each day and stay in contact with them. Stay in low-crime areas. Keep an extra stash of cash in case you lose your wallet. Don’t over-share about your location on social media. 

5. How many days is enough for a solo trip?

The length of your trip is up to your preference and your schedule. Start with short solo adventures before booking a long solo trip to ensure you like the experience. Then, book a four or five-day solo trip, or even a week-long trip.

Last modified on November 14, 2023