After more than 14 years as a travel writer, I’ve picked up quite a few solo travel tips. While taking a trip by yourself might feel daunting, it’s often incredibly rewarding. Yes, there are a few extra challenges to consider, but don’t let these deter you from embarking on your grand adventure. Traveling by yourself forces you to be present in a way that few things do. And without a travel companion to talk to, you may find yourself much more open to meeting new people.
Above all, I love the spontaneity of solo travel. Not feeling that museum? Leave and go people-watch on a piazza. Hear about a really special spot you suddenly want to try? Ditch your plans and do that instead. Once you let yourself go off-script, you may find yourself stumbling across all sorts of surprises.
Here are just a few of my solo travel tips.
Bring a Journal
One of the joys of travel is sharing your experiences. When traveling with a friend or loved one, it’s easy, of course, to remark how delicious that gelato was or how beautiful the Northern Lights look. It follows then that one of the biggest anxieties first-time solo travelers have is: “But won’t it be sad to see all these wonderful things and not be able to say anything in the moment?”
Here’s the thing—you can. You just have to learn how to become your own company. Over the better part of two decades worth of solo trips, I’ve found a journal to be a real lifesaver in this respect. While bringing a book is great, literature transports you to other places while a journal grounds you in the here and now.
It’s become a ritual for me to jot down notes either at breakfast or dinner when traveling alone. How you do that is entirely up to you—it can just be rough bullet points about the day or just, “Wow, that dessert I just ate was amazing.” I find that it also helps me remember the trip better, since it forces me to organize my thoughts.
Pack Reading Material
A book often becomes your de facto companion when traveling alone. While you could absolutely bring a beach read, why not take this opportunity to pack a book connected with your destination? Reading Elena Ferrante in Naples or Franz Kafka in Prague adds a whole other layer to the experience.
Get Travel Insurance
Peace of mind is worth a whole lot and while you don’t want to dwell on the worst possibilities when traveling, it’s wise to prepare for them. Without insurance, an emergency medical evacuation can easily run into the six figures—particularly if you need to be sent to another country for care.
Kayaking in Alaska
So take out travel insurance that covers all eventualities, including emergency repatriation, loss of luggage, cancellation, and so on. If you want to try adventurous activities on your solo trip like ziplining or scuba diving, check that they’re covered.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Cruising Solo
Use a Social Media Blocker
One of the challenging things for me about solo travel these days is that it’s gotten a lot harder to really be alone. On my first solo trip, I didn’t own a smartphone, so I was fully disconnected throughout the day. It meant that I spent a lot of time struggling to navigate with a guidebook, but it also forced me to actively engage with the world.
With social media constantly at your fingertips, it can be easy to slide into a doom scroll when you’re feeling lonely on the road. While there’s nothing wrong with doing that occasionally, it’s all too easy to miss what’s going on around you.
To stay present, I like setting social media blockers for a good chunk of the day. I’ll allow myself to set blocks from time to time to reach out to friends and family back home. I personally use Freedom, but there are dozens of similar apps that will accomplish the same purpose.
Take a Cooking Class or a Food Tour
Cooking class in Tuscany
Just because you’re traveling alone doesn’t mean you need to be alone the entire way. I really believe you learn so much about the history and present of any place by engaging with its food. That’s why I particularly love taking a cooking class when traveling by myself.
Over the years, I’ve pleated dumplings in Beijing, pounded curry pastes in Chiang Mai, and scoured markets in Luang Prabang. Along the way, I’ve met some really great people and learned recipes to make for friends back home.
Of course, not all cooking classes are created equal. In general, look for cooking classes with small groups that are run by locals. The best cooking classes often incorporate a visit to a local market, as well as hands-on demonstrations.
Hoi An in Vietnam is a great place to learn to prepare Vietnamese dishes, while in Tuscany, you can discover how pasta and olive oil are made. If your travels take you to Mykonos, Greece, join a small group tour to learn how to make the local salty cheese.
Tapas
If you don’t like to cook, but you love to eat, another of my solo travel tips is to take a food tour. Food tours have taken me from small cheung fun shops in Hong Kong to tapas joints in Barcelona. One of the toughest parts about traveling solo is that many kinds of cuisines are designed to be shared. By hopping on a tour group, you can feast on dozens of dishes in good company.
Take a Tour Around Town
Bruges, Belgium
Much like a cooking class, a city walking tour gets you out of your own head and gives you the chance to meet people. There are dozens of walking tours led by local guides in cities all over the world and they’re often one of the best ways to get to know a city.
Alternatively, if you’re in a city that has historically relied on waterways for transportation, such as Amsterdam, Bruges, or Venice, consider a boat tour. Along the way, you’ll pick up all sorts of historical anecdotes and architectural details.
Learn a Bit of the Language
Japan
While it’s true that becoming fluent in a language takes years, you’d be surprised how far a few well-chosen phrases will get you. I don’t speak Japanese, but I picked up enough that some very kind strangers were able to give me directions to hard-to-find ramen restaurants in Tokyo. And while I don’t speak French, I was able to smalltalk my way through ordering at the boulangerie in Paris.
Most locals will appreciate that you made the effort rather than immediately resorting to English.
When it comes to quick language learning, Duolingo is, of course, the most famous easy option. I’m a fan of the app—especially since the free version works perfectly well—but there are other options. Coffee Break Languages has great short podcast lessons in several languages that are easy to sneak into your schedule.
Another great way to familiarize yourself is to listen to music or watch subtitled movies and television shows from the country you’re about to visit. Just getting used to the sounds and cadence of the language will boost your pronunciation. It’s also a fun way to learn more about where you’re going.
Solo Travel FAQs
Is solo travel safe?
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Yes! It’s absolutely possible to travel solo safely. That being said, it’s helpful to do a little bit of research about your destination ahead of time. What’s safe in one place may be less so in another. Especially as a woman traveling alone, pay attention to socially acceptable dress codes. Spaghetti-strap tank tops and short-shorts are fine in some places, but in others may be viewed as disrespectful or draw unwanted attention.
Above all, exercising a little common sense will go a long way. Carry your wallet and other valuables in a zippered purse or pocket to deter pickpockets. If walking around at night—particularly as a woman—try to stick to well-lit streets with other people around. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking with headphones on. Share your travel plans and contact information with a friend and family back home in advance. And always purchase travel insurance in case of a medical emergency.
What are the best destinations for solo travelers?
Athens, Greece
That depends a lot on the type of trip that you want. If you’re a nature-lover who is comfortable with solitude, you’ll love Alaska. Never have I felt more in awe of the natural world than when I watched humpback whales breaching in Kenai Fjords National Park.
If you’re dive-certified, consider a trip to Thailand. It’s easy to join a group snorkeling or diving expedition around Koh Phi Phi or many of the other islands.
Personally, I tend to gravitate towards cities when traveling alone, in part because it’s easier to meet people along the journey. I’ve traveled solo everywhere from Ho Chi Minh City to Athens, Kyoto to Rome with great success. In general, opting for cities that are reasonably safe and walkable makes things easier.
How do I meet people when traveling alone?
Whale-watching in Alaska
Meeting other travelers is part of the joy of solo travel. One of the easiest ways to meet travelers is to seek out group-oriented activities. That could be a sea kayaking trip, snorkeling excursion, city walking tour, cooking class, or crafting workshop.
Meeting locals while traveling often requires a bit of serendipity and a willingness to struggle through missing phrases with Google Translate. Often, the best way is to do a more ordinary activity in a city.
Find a drop-in dance or yoga class, or sign up for a running group for a couple of days. Look for Facebook and Meetup groups in different cities that align with your own interests. Above all, keep an open mind and heart. You may be surprised how easy it can be to strike up a conversation in the right restaurant or bar.
How do I plan a solo trip for the first time?
It might sound obvious, but think about what you want. We’re so used to compromising in much of our daily lives—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Part of the beauty of solo travel though is that you can just do whatever feels right to you.
Ask yourself what you’re most excited about seeing and doing. Is it incredible wildlife? World-class museums? Really great street food? Or do you just want to camp on a beach lounger with a really great book? There’s no right or wrong answers here. Once you have a sense of where your priorities lie, the rest of the planning gets a lot easier.
What should I pack for a solo trip?
Galapagos
The answer here really depends a lot on your mode of transportation and how comfortable you are with hauling luggage. I’m forever in awe of the solo backpackers who rough it for weeks with a couple pairs of socks and a few black T-shirts. I’ve even done it a few times—I once took an overnight train to Beijing for a long weekend with nothing but a very large purse. But the fact that that mode of travel works for some people doesn’t mean that it has to be your style.
A good exercise is to start by looking up the weather in your destination, then thinking about all of the scenarios you may find yourself in. Do you plan on going to fancy restaurants on one or more evenings? Pack a couple of going-out outfits and a nicer pair of shoes.
Are you visiting temples, churches, or other places where more modest dress is expected? Throw in a long-sleeve shirt or shawl. Do you plan on hiking? Bring moisture-wicking clothing.
Pulpit Rock, Norway
The reality is that you probably need less than you think. Prioritize comfortable, breathable clothes in neutral tones that don’t wrinkle easily when packed. Comfortable footwear is absolutely essential, as you may find yourself walking a lot.
Celebrity Cruises
A cruise is a wonderful and safe way to travel solo, in part because of all the fellow passengers you’re likely to meet along the way. Browse Celebrity’s worldwide itineraries and plan your next adventure today.
