Alright, you magnificent lone wolf, you. The thought has finally crept in: What if I just… went? By myself? Cue the internal (and probably external) chorus of gasps from family, friends, and that overly cautious goldfish you have.
First off, breathe. Solo travel isn’t about becoming a wilderness-surviving, bear-fighting hermit (unless that’s your vibe, no judgment). It’s about finally eating where you want, when you want, without someone whining, “But I don’t like tapas!”
For over 16 years, we at Solo Traveler have been helping people ditch the entourage and hit the road solo. We’re basically the fairy godparents of independent travel, but with better advice and fewer impractical glass shoes.
Going it alone for the first time can feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with instructions in Swedish—daunting, confusing, and you’re sure you’ll end up with something wobbly. But it doesn’t have to be! We’ve got over 700 posts to help you navigate the wild world of solo travel, from “How to not look like a lost puppy” to “The best places to eat alone without feeling like a character in a sad movie.”
Consider this your starter kit, your Solo Travel 101, your “How to Not Die of Awkwardness (or Anything Else)” guide.
7 Existential Questions to Ask Yourself (Before You Flee the Country)
Before you max out your credit card on a one-way ticket to anywhere-but-here, ask yourself these deep, philosophical questions:
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Am I ready to travel by myself? (Translation: Can I handle making all the decisions, from life-altering to “pasta or pizza for the 4th night in a row?”)
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How challenging a destination should I consider? Maybe don’t start with a week in the remote Amazonian rainforest. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
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Am I comfortable with my own company? Or will I get sick of myself by hour three? Pro tip: You’re hilarious. You’ll be fine.
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Do I want to meet people or embrace my inner hermit? It’s the eternal struggle: “Friends!” vs. “Don’t talk to me.”
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What do I need to do to be safe? Spoiler alert: Don’t pet the wildlife, even if it looks friendly.
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How do I stop my mom from calling Interpol? A crucial step for any solo traveler.
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Group tour or fly totally solo? Do you want training wheels, or are you ready to yeet yourself into the abyss of independence?
Get Your Mind Right: A Pep Talk for the Paranoid
When you tell people you’re traveling alone, you’ll get questions. Mostly, “Why?!” said with the same tone they’d use if you said you were taking up alligator wrestling.
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Find your cheerleader. Glom onto the one friend who says, “OMG AMAZING!” and avoid Aunt Brenda who only watches international crime dramas. She will not help.
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Stop. Watching. Crime. Shows. The world is not an episode of Dateline. I promise.
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Plan how you’ll check in. A quick “I’m not dead!” text does wonders for family blood pressure.
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Embrace the six degrees of separation. Someone you know knows someone where you’re going. Creep on Facebook. Find them. Now you have a “local contact.” See? Less alone already.
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Be patient. Even the most seasoned solo travelers occasionally have a “what in the name of all that is holy am I doing here?!” moment. It passes. Usually after a glass of wine and a good meal.
Picking Your Playground: Best Countries for Your Solo Debut
Your first solo destination is like a first date: you want it to be easy, fun, and not in a dark alley where you don’t speak the language.
You want a place where you can confidently order a coffee without accidentally proposing marriage to the barista. So, consider countries where they speak your language (or a mercifully close version of it).
The “I-Swear-This-Is-Still-Abroad” Starter Pack:
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Canada: They’re polite, they speak English (and French, but they’re polite about that too), and they have poutine. This is a win-win-win.
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United Kingdom: No language barrier, just a currency barrier. Everything is charming, and they have pubs. Pubs are social lubricant.
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Ireland: See above, but with more breathtaking green scenery and even friendlier pubs.
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Australia & New Zealand: Everyone is outdoorsy and friendly, and everything is trying to kill you. JUST KIDDING (mostly). They speak English and are experts at making travelers feel welcome.
These places are like the training wheels of international travel. You get the thrill of a new passport stamp without the sheer panic of a completely alien culture.
How to Be Solo But Not… Lonely (A Masterclass)
Solo travel does not equal sitting in your hotel room eating stale crackers. In fact, you’ll probably meet more people because you don’t have a built-in buddy to talk to. You look approachable! Or lost! Either way, people will talk to you.
Pro-Tips for Socializing:
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Stay in social accommodations: Hostels, boutique B&Bs, anything that isn’t a soundproofed concrete bunker.
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Take a free walking tour: It’s like a first day of school for travelers. Find the other people looking awkward and say hello.
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Sit at the bar: This is the universal signal for “I’m open to chat, or at least to watching the bartender make fancy drinks.”
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Embrace the “solo traveler nod”: You’ll see others like you. Give the nod. It’s a sacred bond.
Safety Third? (Just Kidding, It’s First. But Don’t Be Weird About It.)
Look, the world is mostly full of wonderful people. But don’t be a dummy.
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Trust your gut. If a situation feels sketchy, it probably is. Your spidey-sense is your best travel accessory.
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Don’t get blackout drunk in an unfamiliar place. This is not a movie; it’s a great way to lose your wallet and/or dignity.
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Look like you know what you’re doing. Even if you’re hopelessly lost, walk with purpose. Confidence is a great cloak of invisibility for cluelessness.
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For the love of all that is holy, get travel insurance. Because if you break a leg while attempting that Instagram shot, you don’t want to also break the bank.
The Big Question: To Tour or Not to Tour?
A group tour is like a buffet: everything is laid out for you, no thinking required. It’s perfect if:
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The thought of planning makes you break out in hives.
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You’re going somewhere that feels a bit intimidating.
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You want a built-in social group from day one.
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You just want to relax and have someone else handle the logistics while you focus on taking pictures and complaining about the bus WiFi.
It’s a fantastic, low-stress way to dip your toe into the solo travel pool. You’re alone, but you’re never alone alone.
Alright, You’re Doing This: The “Oh Crap, I Actually Have to Plan This” Guide
So you’ve decided to go full independent. You magnificent beast. Here’s your to-do list:
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Make a budget. Because “it’ll be fine” is not a financial plan.
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Book your flight. Pro tip: Arrive during daylight hours. Everything is less scary in the sun.
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Book your first few nights’ accommodation. You do NOT want to be that person wandering the streets at midnight with a heavy backpack and a look of profound regret.
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Pack light. I mean it. One carry-on. You’re not moving there. You’ll thank me when you’re effortlessly gliding past the poor souls waiting at the baggage carousel.
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Don’t overplan your first day. Your only goals are: find bed, find food, don’t get lost. Anything else is a bonus.
Wisdom from the Grizzled Veterans (Our Facebook Squad)
We asked our Solo Travel Society for their best tips. Here are the gems:
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Annalie: “Carry a deck of cards. Universal language for ‘let’s be friends.'”
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Scott: “Pack more smiles than socks. Leave your expectations at home.”
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Tony: “Do free walking tours. History + other tourists = instant friends.”
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Sam: “ARRIVE DURING THE DAY. I cannot stress this enough. Nighttime arrivals are for horror movies and stress-eating overpriced airport snacks.”
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Tracey: “Sit and watch. You’ll learn how the city really works by seeing how the locals live.”
You’ve Got This.
Your first solo trip will change you. It’ll give you confidence, stories, and the irrefutable knowledge that you can handle pretty much anything—especially if that anything involves navigating a foreign public transport system.
So take a deep breath, book the ticket, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. The world is waiting, and it’s a lot friendlier than you think.
Now get out there. Your solo adventure awaits!