Going on my first solo trip over 10 years ago was one of the most transformative things that I have ever done for myself. Looking back, although I had an amazing time during those first solo trips, there are so many things that I wish I had known before traveling solo for the first time.
It can be one of the most exciting but daunting things that you’ve ever done for yourself. This post is a rundown of all my top tips that I have collated over the years to help you prepare, enjoy, and make the most of your first solo adventure.
The Best Place to Start Is Exactly Where You Are
My first solo trips took me overseas, but before I travelled alone, I regularly did things on my own, like exploring locally and going to concerts by myself, which really helped me build my confidence for solo traveling.
So if you’re new to solo travel and the thought of going to distant locations is terrifying, just start smaller with destinations that are only a short flight, train,n or drive away. You could also start by doing things like staycations at a nice hotel that is close to home, or spending weekends visiting places that are within driving distance. It will make the experience feel a lot less daunting and more manageable. It will also help you build up your confidence to travel by yourself to more exotic locations.
Traveling Solo Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Travelling solo for the first time can be a daunting prospect, but being on your own doesn’t always mean that you have to handle all the planning yourself or put yourself in any risky situations. You have lots of options for your solo trips, such as using a tour operator to go on a group trip to somewhere that is further away or potentially more challenging if you are a woman travelling alone.
I’m a pretty confident solo traveler generally, but there are a few destinations around the world that I’m wary of doing by myself, so I’m researching group trip and tour options for them instead. These can be really pricey, though, and have rigid schedules, so you have to weigh the pros and cons of group trips.
Choose Your First Trip & Destination Wisely
When you are traveling solo for the first time, your choice of destination matters because it could be the difference between falling in love with exploring alone and never taking another solo trip ever again. So I’d recommend choosing a destination that is popular with solo travelers.
Personally I would also stick with a country where the locals can speak the same language as you. Visiting countries where you are not fluent in the language can be quite challenging, especially if you are someone who prefers to avoid places that are blatantly for tourists rather than locals, like chain restaurants or places where everything is only in English rather than the local language.
Alternatively, city breaks are a great option for your first solo trip. By starting with a shorter trip, you can ease yourself into being by yourself. It’s also really easy to explore cities alone safely by doing things like hop-on hop-off bus tours, walking tours, and city passes for popular tourist attractions. You will also find lots of options for things to do on sites like Airbnb Experiences, Viator, and Get Your Guide, so you don’t have to sightsee on your own if you don’t want to.
Quick Tips for Choosing Your Destination
Opt for destinations known for their safety and welcoming culture. Countries like Japan and New Zealand are often recommended for first-time solo travelers due to their safety and hospitality.
It Pays To Do Plenty Of Research for Every Solo Trip You Take
While I often travel spontaneously or leave my bookings until the last minute, I always do a decent amount of research on every place I go to through blog posts, social media posts, destination websites, and travel sites.
Things I Research For Every Destination:
- How safe and solo traveler-friendly is it?
- Any areas to avoid, regardless of whether it’s day or night?
- Options for accommodation
- How cheap or expensive it is so that I can work out a rough budget.
- Most popular things to do. I always check the price of entry, opening times, whether I will have to book in advance, best times to go to each place.
- Things to do beyond the most popular tourist spots.
- Options for tours, and how easy it will be.
- Transit options: How easy or difficult will it be to explore without a car?
- How to get to the key things I want to see and do.
- Food and drink recommendations that are not tourist traps.
- Nightlife: Where to go for live music, solo-friendly bars and pubs, and any areas I’ll have to avoid at night.
- Dress codes and any local customs or cultural norms to be aware of.
Depending on the destination, solo trips can require pretty careful planning. From being prepared for any potential issues that could crop up, to booking any tours and activities that have to be booked in advance, you’ll need to be reasonably organised. Trust me when I say that you will thank yourself later.
In your research and planning, I’d recommend also including things like sorting out some cash as a back-up to your cards, figuring out how you will get from the airport to your accommodation, and places to eat for your first day, especially your evening meal so that you won’t be faced with wandering unfamiliar streets at night to find a place to eat after traveling for several hours.
You Will Need More Money Than You Think You Do
Even after researching the cost of everything from activities and local travel to nightlife, meals, and souvenirs, I can pretty much guarantee that you will need more money than you calculate you’ll need. I haven’t been on a single trip where there haven’t been either at least one unforeseen expense or things costing more than I expected.
I highly recommend that you have more than enough money to cover the trip by setting your budget and then adding a decent buffer. Money, especially when funds are tight, can be a major source of stress, and it can spoil a trip if you are constantly worrying about running out of money. So, just play it safe and assume that everything will cost at least 15% to 20% more than you think it will.
Also, do not rely on just one bank card for your trip. Take at least two cards for accounts where you can easily move money around if one card is declined. Remember to have some cash handy as well. Traveling solo means no one can help you out on the spot if you have any issues paying for things. Tell your banks you are traveling as well. I’ve had banks restrict access to my accounts when I’ve been traveling, and going a few hours with barely any money is not a good time.
How To Set Your Solo Trip Budget
This is exactly how I set my rough budget for every trip that I take. The things I include are:
- Accommodation – Don’t forget to include any deposit you’ll have to pay when you check in. Also include any additional fees, like any resort fees or parking, if you’ll have a car.
- Travel to the destination – Airfare, train, or coach costs if I haven’t already booked and paid for them.
- Transportation – Including getting to your accommodation, getting to every activity in your itinerary, day trips, and transit passes.
- Meals – Set yourself a rough budget for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks (based on the average cost of eating out at the destination).
- Drinking – Happy hours, bars/pubs (based on the average costs of beer/wine/cocktails at the destination and how much you are likely to drink).
- Activities – List out the fees for every tourist spot and activity you want to do, and then give yourself a buffer in case other random activities come up, especially if you don’t have a full itinerary yet.
- Miscellaneous expenses – Set a daily budget for random things that will crop up, like souvenirs and soft drinks.
Create A Flexible Itinerary For Every Solo Trip
You don’t need to create a detailed itinerary for every single day of your trip if you don’t want to. However, you will see and do more with less stress if you do.
At the very least, planning your first 2 or 3 days in detail will help you to feel more confident and get excited for your trip.
This is the process I’ve established over the years to create my itineraries:
- Write out a list of everything you want to see and do, including the addresses and how long each thing will take to do.
- Use Google Maps to find out where everything you want to do is in proximity to each other.
- List out the days of your trip with arrival and departure times
- If you have already booked anything, add those things first; include the exact locations for every activity (this will be your meeting point for any tours or transport pick-ups), and for the start time, put the time they want you to be there by, not the actual start time of the activity.
- Now add in the remaining activities.
- I do this by location and the time things will take. For example, maybe a museum that will take 2-3 hours in the morning, and then a walking tour that’s close to the museum in the afternoon.
- If there is a hop-on hop-off bus tour or anything like that, I will put that as a full day, but include the places it will stop at that I’ll be able to fit into one day without rushing, based on the bus route.
- For meals, add in any cafes/restaurants/pubs, and bars that you want to go to. Organize those based on proximity to the other stuff you are doing.
When you’re done, you should have an itinerary that minimizes travel from place to place while enabling you to do the key things that you want to do. Also, incorporate a good mix of activities so that your days have some variety.
I’d also highly recommend that you don’t have your itinerary completely set in stone. I have never been on a trip where I haven’t had activities or cool places come up that alter my plans. As someone who loves random adventures and having stories to tell, there is also something particularly wonderful about being spontaneous and going with the flow sometimes.
Keep Someone Updated on Your Travel Plans in Case of Emergency
When traveling alone, especially if you are solo traveling for the first time, make at least one friend or family member aware of your plans. You don’t have to share your exact itinerary with them but I’d recommend at least telling them what places you will be on what days. Then on the trip just share daily whereabouts and any changes in your plans just in case of an emergency.
Just Because You Are on a Solo Trip Doesn’t Mean You Have to Be Alone All the Time
There’s a misconception that solo travel equates to constant loneliness. In reality, if you wish to socialize, it’s easy to do so. Booking a food tour in a new city is a sociable way to get to know a place. Additionally, numerous tour operators cater to solo travelers in larger groups, offering both companionship and independence.
When you are traveling solo for the first time, you may think and feel that you are completely alone, but that’s only true if you choose to be. There are always many ways to meet people. If you are open to it it’s also likely that you will just randomly meet the odd person just from being by yourself, especially if you go to tourist spots, on any tours, or to friendly local spots.
Try at Least One New Thing on Every Trip
One of the biggest tips that I can give you if you are solo traveling for the first time is to use solo travel as an opportunity to explore activities you’ve always wanted to try. Whether it’s something adventurous like canoeing or going in a helicopter, or just trying unusual cuisines, stepping out of your comfort zone usually leads to experiences you will remember forever. It may also boost your confidence when you do new things that you may not normally do.
Don’t Be Afraid To Take A Few Risks
On that note, if you are travelling solo for the first time – or at any time – take some risks. You are alone, you can do literally whatever you want, so let your dang hair down and do things you wouldn’t usually do, like go to a bar by yourself if that’s something that would usually freak you out.
I promise you that taking some calculated risks during your trip, even if it’s just doing things that make you uncomfortable, like talking to random people or going to an unfamiliar area, will likely lead to awesome memories and impactful personal growth. Some of the best times I have had traveling have been when I’ve taken a calculated risk.
Always Trust Your Intuition When You Travel Alone
Your intuition is your best friend, and that is especially true when you are traveling alone. Always listen to it and act accordingly. Any time that someone or something makes you feel even slightly uncomfortable, do not hesitate to remove yourself from the situation.
Your well-being is what matters most, so don’t worry about hurting someone’s feelings if your instincts tell you otherwise.
Small Group Tours & Day Trips Will Balance Socializing and Alone Time
Personally, there are few things I enjoy more than small group walking tours and day trips when I’m traveling solo. I think that they are just a great option when you want a mix of some company and alone time.
for solo travelers seeking companionship and independence. These excursions facilitate social interactions with fellow travelers while allowing personal exploration. Whether it’s a guided hike or a cultural workshop, such activities offer shared experiences without compromising individual freedom.
Walking Tours and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours Are Ideal Ways To Explore a New City
Embarking on walking tours allows solo travelers to intimately experience a city’s culture, history, and architecture. These tours often venture into hidden alleys and local neighborhoods, providing insights that might be missed otherwise. Alternatively, hop-on hop-off bus tours offer a flexible overview of major attractions, enabling travelers to explore at their own pace. Companies like City Sightseeing operate in numerous cities worldwide, offering convenient routes with informative commentary.
Enjoy Local Markets, Food Trucks, Food Tours, and Cooking Classes To Savor More Local Cuisines
If you want to learn about the culture of a place you are visiting, delving into a city’s culinary scene is essential. My preferred way of doing this is by visiting local markets, eating from food trucks, and checking out smaller locally owned cafes and restaurants in order to enjoy authentic tastes as well as interactions with residents.
For a more curated experience where everything has been planned out for you, a food tour is a great option. Although I haven’t tried it myself as yet, taking a cooking class is another fun way to enjoy local flavours and traditional dishes.
Guided Tours With Locals Are A Great Option To Venture Off the Beaten Path
If you’d prefer to explore beyond the typical tourist places and walking routes while learning more about the history and culture I highly recommend doing a guided tour with actual locals who live in the place all year round. Locals usually share personal stories while taking you to lesser-known sites, so you’ll learn a lot more about the place. You’ll often get the best food, drink, and nightlife recommendations from locals too. Many times I have gone to very cool spots after hearing about them from locals.
To Truly Learn About a Place, Go Where the Locals Go
On that note, the absolute best way to immerse yourself in the place you are visiting and local life is by going where the locals go rather than the tourists. Personally, I don’t think anything is better than checking out family owned restaurants, popular bars, neighbourhood cafes, community events and residential areas. Most of my best travel experiences have come from hanging out with locals. You might even make a friend or two in the process.
Solo Dining Can Be a Wonderful Experience
There was a time when eating alone was something that I didn’t really enjoy. I was always self-concious about being on my own and what I was eating or drinking. Over the years I learned that generally other diners do not care at all, and that there are actually many positive aspects of having meals alone especially when I see a couple or family blatantly fighting or forced to eat together. You will also find that servers often pay extra attention to solo diners, and may offer meal suggestions or other places to check out. If you are sociable when you eat out, dining alone can lead to unexpected social interactions.
Whether it’s starting a day of exploration with a good breakfast and a book or finding a cosy corner in a family owned pub, dining solo can be a delightful experience. The more you do it the more comfortable you will become.
If the idea of sitting at a table alone is not your idea of fun, choose places where you can sit at the bar instead. Another way to reduce the stress and anxiety of eating alone is by bringing a good book with you – or your journal if you keep one. There are many other ways that you can enjoy eating alone when you travel solo such as eating at off-peak hours or getting a little dressed up.
The Bar Is the Best Seat In The House When You Are Alone
Sitting at the bar when dining alone can make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable. It often leads to interactions with bartenders and fellow patrons, providing a social atmosphere without the pressure of a formal dining setting. Plus, oftentimes you will see other solo diners at the bar.
Evening Tours & Shows Are the Best Way to Go Out At Night Safely
If you enjoy going out at night but worry about staying safe, an evening tour or a show can be a great way to experience nightlife in a new place as an alternative to bars or just eating out. As tours and shows are group settings, and planned out events it reduces any risks that are usually associated with going out at night alone in a unfamiliar place.
Find Live Music Anywhere You Go
One thing to know about me is that I absolutely love live music. There are not many things that make me happier than listening to a great band or singer.
If you want to get a feel for the cultural tapestry or vibe of any place while socialising with locals, you can’t really go wrong with live music. It’s not always easy to find though; my usual methods are a mix of asking locals, doing google searches for live music near where I am, checking venue websites, and looking at sites like ticketmaster and eventbrite.
Random Adventures Can Be the Best Adventures
What is a solo trip without some spontaniety and random events? Over the years I have had some very fun random adventures which make for great travel stories. You just have to be open to unexpected connections and opportunities. Listen to your gut instinct as it will generally tell you when its safe to say yes to things last minute or from strangers.
Traveling solo means you can go with the flow and embrace randomness without thinking much about it because there is no one else with you to consider. Make the most of these precious times when you can literally do whatever you want.
A Solo Trip Can Be an Ultimate Alternative To Birthday Or Christmas
If like me you usually spend birthdays and Christmas’s on your own or the thought of spending them with family you’d prefer not to be around feels you with dread, a solo trip is the answer. The downside is that travel is generally significantly more expensive around Christmas and New Year though and places get booked up well in advance. So it’s just best to book travel several months in advance.
But skipping traditional celebrations and spending holidays like Christmas in a new environment means you get to do whatever you want rather than what society or your family and friends expect you to do. You’d rather be on a beach with a good book or a cocktail? Go for it. It’s very liberating to just go and do your own thing especially if it goes against the grain.
Always Say Yes to Taking Photos of Others
Offering to take photos of fellow travelers often leads them to reciprocate, so you’ll get some photos of your travels and exploring that aren’t just selfies. You never know, handing your phone or camera to a stranger could give you your favourite photos.
Not Everything On Your Trip Will Go Perfectly
One thing you are yet to learn when you are about to go traveling solo for the first time is that it’s almost a guarantee that something will go wrong. So you just need to be prepared with all potential issues and have some backup plans just in case. Everything can be figured out so go with the flow a little and do your best to stay calm if disaster strikes – it will be way easier to cope with an emergency and think on your feet if you don’t panic.
Curate Your Travel Essentials for Every Trip
Since you can’t rely on someone else to remember essentials, making sure you pack everything you will need and not forgetting anything that will be tough to get is important. Also, as a recovering overpacker, do your best to pack reasonably light because it will make your trip more comfortable, especially if you will be going to multiple places.
- Use packing cubes – Get compression ones as you will fit a lot more in. I used regular ones and regretted it.
- Use your hand luggage for toiletries, electronics, and makeup. Way easier at security than having to open up a carry-on suitcase to get stuff out.
- Keep toiletries to a minimum. Opt for travel-size versions for things like body scrub that you won’t use every day.
- Limit makeup to basics plus an eyeshadow palette that’s versatile to work for day and night.
- Use an electronics organizer for all your chargers, equipment, and any other electronics. They definitely take up less space that way.
Tips For Creating A Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Step 1 – List out all your planned activities and the types of outfits you will need for your trip (i.e. long skirts for religious venues, beach wear, city exploring, nights out, etc).
Step 2 – Choose a simple color palette that will give you lots of versatility.
Step 3 – Select pieces from your wardrobe that will interchangeably work together and keep doing that until you have a mini capsule wardrobe to start creating outfits from.
Step 4 – Start putting outfits together. I always do this by laying out my skirts/shorts/trousers and then going through which tops will work with which bottoms. If you’ve done this right, you should find that every piece can be used in at least 2 or 3 outfit options.
Step 5 – Add some pops of color, like a colorful dress
Step 6 – Do the same with shoes and accessories. For shoes, only pack shoes that go with at least a third of your outfits.
Traveling Alone Is the Ultimate Self-Care
Nothing beats traveling alone for a reset or boost to your mental health and wellbeing. Solo travel is addictive because it’s freeing and empowering in a way that nothing else is.
It can offer relaxation and escape, providing a reset even a spa day might not achieve. The adventure and independence experienced during solo trips can be incredibly freeing and addictive.
Solo Travel Will Change You For The Better
Traveling alone is empowering—you’ll do things you never thought you’d do, say yes more readily, and experience destinations in a whole new way. The lightness that comes with solo travel is incredibly freeing and can lead to personal growth and transformation.
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Gemma Lawrence is the creator of This Brits Life. Born and raised in England, she has been living in British Columbia, Canada as a permanent resident since 2016. A solo traveler for the past 9 years, she hopes to inspire and help others to enjoy solo adventures too. As someone who has always struggled with her self-confidence and mental health, she also shares tips and inspirational stories relating to self-love, self-care, and mental health.
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