Traveling solo is truly one of the most liberating things I have ever done, and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone! I remember my first truly solo trip (i.e., no volunteer or tour agency support) was to Paris, France, in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic. I was terrified to travel alone and having been raised in a painfully small town with just a few stoplights, I found the thought of flying across the ocean into an unfamiliar land paralyzing. Once I landed in Paris, my outlook on life and travel completely changed for the better. It's been a few years now and I am so grateful to share that I have been able to travel solo to over ten countries. Here are some of my top tips for traveling solo to give you some peace of mind and set you up for a transformative experience!
Know What Kind of Traveler You Are
What do I mean when I say "know what kind of traveler you are?" This is by far the MOST IMPORTANT thing to consider when traveling solo. What kind of a place do you want to travel to? What kind of place would you feel safe traveling to? What kinds of things do you enjoy doing while traveling? These questions all contribute to the goal of getting to know yourself better as a traveler. The most incredible thing about traveling solo is that you are truly only there for yourself -- you do not need to take into consideration what your family or friends want to see or do during your trip, you do not have to force yourself to wake up at 3am for a tour, you do not have to do anything you don't want to! For example, I know myself well at this point and understand that I get overwhelmed with too much "city" life. When traveling to large cities, such as Singapore, Paris, Bangkok, or many others, I know that I MUST schedule some trips or excursions outside the city to be immersed in small-town culture or nature completely. I know that I enjoy getting the most out of every day, and it is not irregular for me to have something planned every day (even on long trips abroad), but I am okay with knowing my limits and taking an afternoon (or even a whole day) to rest. Knowing what kind of traveler sets you up for an enjoyable trip that is intended and customized just for YOU.
Plan as Many Details as You Need to Feel Comfortable
Now this suggestion will certainly vary from person to person. I have met many people while solo traveling abroad who fly by the seat of their pants, unsure where they will be flying off to even the day before. I am the POLAR opposite, a proud Type-A organization freak who has a thirty-page itinerary weeks before I start a trip. For me, control over where I was going exactly, how I would get everywhere, and the local currency, language, and customs, make me feel more comfortable once I land in a new city or country. For new solo travelers with some anxiety about traveling alone for the first time, I would highly recommend mapping out what you want to do, where you want to go, and how you will get places, and looking up photos of everything beforehand so that you are more prepared once you arrive at your destination. Once again, the beautiful thing about traveling solo is that this trip is just for you -- you can plan as much or little as you please!
Book Stays Where You Feel Safe and Can Meet Other Travelers
First and foremost, your accommodation while abroad is going to turn into your haven while solo traveling. It is ESSENTIAL that you do your research on where you are staying, what part of the city it is in, and how safe the neighboring areas are. This is especially relevant for my fellow solo female travelers. A hotel or hostel can make or break your trip -- there have been far too many stays abroad where the entire trip was tainted by the quality of the room I stayed in, the area it was in, or my hostel mates that came close to ruining the trip. You can only plan so much, and sometimes life just happens and even though you thought it would be a nice stay, it ends up being miserable. Sometimes it is worth it to budget a little more money for nicer accommodation -- trust me. Additionally, one of the most incredible things about traveling solo is that you get the chance to meet people from all around the world! Hostels are a great way to connect with other travelers and make new friends. Some of my fondest memories while traveling are from going out with people I had just met in a foreign country. I truly could not recommend this experience more!
Learn to Let Go
One of the most difficult things for me to accept while solo traveling was the embarrassment of having to ask someone to take my photo, or set up my tripod to snap a photo of myself in front of a regularly visited tourist site. The beautiful thing that you get to learn and observe as a solo traveler is that people will judge regardless, and honestly, nobody truly cares. There are thousands of tourists around the world in your position, and they will forget you as quickly as they notice your existence in the first place. The only thing I have ever come to regret while traveling alone was not being brave enough to snap a selfie or ask to have my picture taken, never that I was glared at or stared at by annoyed international Karens. Judgment is all around us nowadays, and learning to let go and get the photos or experiences that you want while solo traveling is a gift.
Lie, Lie, Lie When Needed
This tip especially goes out to solo female travelers, but really for anyone traveling alone abroad, you are PERFECTLY entitled to lie when you feel uncomfortable -- you don't owe anyone anything! They want to know where you are from? I've said Canada more times than I can count. They want to know if you are married? My husband Ricky and I have been happily married for years. They want to know where you are staying? With friends in the area. They want to know if you are traveling alone? My family and I are on a group vacation and they chose to stay home today. People can UNBELIEVABLY nosey when you solo travel, and while sometimes it can be a great way to open up and meet new international friends, if you feel uncomfortable you do not need to share personal information about yourself -- heck, I encourage you NOT to! Listen to your gut, and don't be afraid to spread some misinformation about your life. You'll most likely never see them again!
Traveling solo will change your life, I can guarantee it! I think everyone should try it at least once in their lifetime, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to visit so many places around the world. Happy and safe travels, my friend!
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