10 things you need to know for your first solo trip

go confidently into the world with these solo travel tips!

So you have decided to answer the call and set out on your first solo journey. Excellent! Making the decision to solo travel is the first step to unlocking a new chapter of life. Solo travel can be extremely rewarding but also comes with its unique set of challenges. This list will outline 10 important things you need to know to set out confidently on your first solo trip.

1. Don’t Listen to Nay-sayers.

The benefits of solo travel are infinite. Exploring a new place alone is one of the most exciting choices you can make in a lifetime, because you can: wake up when you want. Travel however you want. Eat whatever you want, whenever you want! Read a book all day long, or join a group tour and make friends! There are so many positive draws to adventuring solo, so why does that always come with negative feedback?

When you told your friends, family, and coworkers about your plans, you probably heard at least one “why not wait until you have someone to go with?” But why wait? If you waited for someone else every time, a lot of life would be spent just waiting. Consequently, negative reactions are usually genuine concerns for your safety and happiness.

The best way to respond to the nay-sayers is to craft a respectful response that leaves them wondering: “what if I went on my own solo trip?”

You can do this, and I promise you will be surprised at how much you learn about yourself along the way!

2. Choosing the Right Destination for your First Solo Trip

Choosing the right place to go on your first solo trip can be daunting. With 197 countries on this planet, you could spend a lifetime traveling and never visit them all. Firstly, you need to answer a few questions about your trip, such as:

• How long will you travel?
• What is your daily budget?
• What type of climate do you want to experience?
• What types of activities will you do?
• What are some safety concerns about this area?

Secondly, choose an area of the world based on your answers to these questions. Let’s say, for example, you choose Thailand, which is a very popular solo backpacking destination. Thailand is made up of 1,430 islands and you could easily spend weeks, months, or even years in just this one country. The first order of business would be to research the best time of year to go to Thailand and which airport to fly into. Subsequently, this gives you an origin destination and you can plan a route from there. If you are flying into Bangkok, for instance, research accommodations in an area that is well-known for solo travelers.

Your daily budget may dictate the type of accommodation you can have while solo traveling. However, staying in budget hostels can set you up for once in a lifetime experiences! Many hostels offer meals, group tours, and generally have a more social environment, so make friends and don’t be afraid to join a group!

If hostels aren’t your scene, choose a hotel or airbnb in a great location and use resources like Viator, Airbnb Experiences, or Google Maps to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and see what’s popular.

3. General Safety Tips as a Solo Traveler

Personal safety is (and should be!) on the forefront of every solo traveler’s mind. If this is your first solo trip, here are some ways to stay safe and still enjoy yourself.

• Research. Do your research about every area you will be in before you arrive, including how you will travel around, which areas to avoid, if you will need certain dress. Familiarize yourself with the map of your area.
• Share your location with someone you trust. I share my location with 1-3 people every time I travel and make sure to check in daily with someone back home.
• Choose flights/buses/trains that arrive in a new destination during the daytime. Statistically, more crime happens at night, so avoid putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation by arriving in a new place after dark.
• Lock up and make copies of important documents. Make sure to lock up your important personal items, such as your passport, extra cash, expensive camera equipment, etc.
• Carry only what you need during day outings. Carry only the amount of cash and equipment you need for the day or tour as to avoid potential theft or being targeted as a wealthy tourist.
• Trust your instinct. If you have an uneasy feeling about a place or person, trust it and get yourself out of there. Chances are, your “spidey senses” are telling you something for a reason! As a solo traveler, you have only yourself to rely on and you are one hundred percent allowed to end a conversation without explanation or simply leave an area.
• Avoid drinking alcohol. Your chance of becoming a victim rapidly increase if you are impaired, so be careful about how much you drink and where you do it.

4. Keeping in Touch on your First Solo Trip

The best way to ensure you can stay in contact with your friends and family is to download an eSim. Airalo is an affordable and trusted eSim with access to hundreds of places so you never go disconnected. Alternatively, you can change your wireless plan to one that includes international data, but this can be pricey. If you are planning to be a digital nomad, it’s best to research locations with strong wifi connections for uploading and downloading while you work.

5. Download Apps for your Location.

Your research phase of trip planning should include transportation. In 2024, transportation booking comes in the form of apps and is easier to access than ever before. For example, before my solo trip to Washington, DC, I downloaded the DC Metro app and the Smartrip App. The DC Metro app shows me maps of the metro system and has a trip planner to help you get around. The Smartrip app is your digital reloadable metro card. Ryde and Lime are apps you can use to ride e-scooters and e-bikes in larger cities and can be found across the USA and other countries. Rideshare apps can differ from country to country, so be sure to research what the local options are.

Other useful apps are: Currency Converter which updates frequently, showing you the most current currency conversion rate. Google Translate and WhatsApp are very useful communication apps.

Booking apps such as Airbnb, VRBO, Hopper, Skyscanner, and Booking are all super helpful for comparing prices as well.

6. Packing for a Solo Trip

Packing for your first solo trip can seem overwhelming, but I’m here to tell you it doesn’t need to be! With the right gear and a bit of organization, you will be ready to head to the airport in no time. There are a few key things you need to know about packing for a solo trip:

• Pack light. Overpacking can make your trip frustrating and more difficult. Only pack what you will realistically use each day. Stick to the necessities and be practical rather than fashionable. The less you have to keep track of, the less likely you are to lose something.
• Use luggage locks for your bag as an extra layer of security when walking through airports and crowded places.
• Packing Cubes can help condense your clothing items and keep them organized. I use one for bottoms, one for tops, and one for underwear and swimsuits. I also keep a separate mesh bag for dirty items.
• Backpack only. You all know I’m a big fan of backpack only travel. One bag= less things to keep track of, but also makes it easier to move around in areas that have more difficult terrain. My trusted companion is the Kelty Redwing 50.
• Day pack/bag. Bring one small bag that can be worn in the front and keep your valuables in it on travel days. Choose a bag that can also be used daily on tours, exploring a new city, going to dinner, etc. such as this one from Amazon.

If you’re still unsure of what to bring, check out my post How to Pack for 5 Days on an Island for packing light tips!

7. Solo travel budgeting

Your budget is likely the top contributing factor in choosing where you travel and the length of your trip. Though it is helpful to have an overall budget for the entire trip, breaking it down even further can be useful too. Check the current conversion rate for the local currency and do a quick google search about how much daily essentials will cost. Then, divide your total trip budget by the number of days you will be traveling. If the number you get is lower than the daily cost of living, don’t panic. You have time to reevaluate and redesign your plan.

A great way to save money in your daily budget is grocery shopping. Instead of eating out for every meal, grocery shop and cook in your airbnb or utilize the hotel mini fridge for cold items. If you do not have a kitchen or refrigerator, stock up on dry goods that can be eaten for breakfast or snacks.
Pro Tip: Lunch is typically cheaper than dinner at restaurants. Eat your biggest meal at lunch and you can save a bit on dinner when eating out. Additionally, not drinking alcohol will leave more money in your pocket!

Another cost that adds up is transportation. To avoid overspending, walk or use shared public transport to cut costs.

Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to search flights. Be flexible and open to traveling in the off-season to grab the lowest flight and hotel rates.

8. Overcoming loneliness as a solo traveler

Traveling solo, especially for the first time, is both thrilling and overwhelming. Solo traveling can be a profound way to get to know yourself better, but can feel lonely at times. Loneliness is a completely normal feeling if you are new to solo travel or a seasoned veteran. Here are a few ways to combat loneliness while on the road:

• Exercise. Going for a walk, jog, hike, or just a hotel room workout can instantly boost your mood. Exercise is a proven way to combat anxiety and stress. Get out there and move your body!
• Reading. Grab that book you packed with the best intention, find a cozy spot and open it. Get lost in the story while sipping a warm coffee.
• Journal. Take a walk to a scenic spot and recap your travels. Write down what has changed within yourself as a result of taking this trip. Recount your favorite moments and experiences that will stay in your mind and soul forever.
• Join a group tour. Use a booking app or check with your hotel concierge or hostel staff to get involved in a group tour. If you are backpacking, there’s a good chance you’ll be traveling to the same places as the other participants.
• Ask friends if they know anyone local to you. Of course, never post your exact location or travel plans publicly on social media. Even if you don’t know this person personally, it can be comforting knowing you have a connection nearby.

The feeling of loneliness while traveling can be overcome with a bit of perspective. You have made the decision to go travel alone, so that’s step one. Accept that you feel lonely and you also have the power to change it! The most amazing changes happen when we are uncomfortable.

9. Dining alone is not scary!

It’s not scary and it’s not weird. As someone who has worked in restaurants most of my adult life, I’m here to tell you it’s actually normal to eat alone. If you know how, it can be an opportunity to meet new people and get information from locals about the area you’re in. People working in hospitality tend to take care of solo diners and give great recommendations for food, attractions, Insta-worthy photo spots, and more.
You can even practice the art of dining alone in your home city! Take a seat at the bar, order your favorite meal, and strike up a conversation with the person next to you. Before you know it, the stranger you sat beside is now an acquaintance. Enjoying a meal alone in your own city is the perfect way to practice being present and mindful during your first solo trip.

10. document your first solo trip

You will only regret the photos you didn’t take! Use different angles, camera settings, and take video clips of things you find beautiful and interesting. Chances are, others will too. One of my favorite parts of solo travel is eventually sharing it with my friends and family after returning back home. The fact that you are alone means no one is waiting for you if you want to stop to take photos. Likewise, if photography is a skill you’re keen to improve, solo travel presents the perfect learning opportunity.

Bonus: my top 5 solo travel destinations

1. Iceland. Consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world, Iceland has everything from stunning views to gourmet food. Check out my article 8 Days in South Iceland for an epic itinerary!
2. Copenhagen, Denmark. (Or any Scandinavian city) Friendly people in a beautiful, clean city with great food and possible fairy sightings. What more could you want?
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Mexico has a bit of a bad reputation, but it has long been one of my favorite countries time and time again. Mexican culture is vibrant and warm, and so is the weather.
4. Washington, DC. Yes, an American city has made my list. Getting to know my home country’s history was so fascinating and the city is extremely easy to navigate.
5. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I have been to Toronto on two solo trips. Both times, I have left wanting more time in this mixing bowl of a city. It is walkable, has beautiful views of city and nature, and offers countless culinary options. Plus, Canadians are known to be among the nicest people out there.

Dive into your first solo trip

If you have made it this far, thank you! You now have ten tips to help increase your confidence when stepping out into the world alone. Generally speaking, the more prepared you are before you leave, the more you will thrive. In conclusion, Solo travel has changed my life and I hope that it changes yours. With experience, you will feel capable of anything. Happy travels!