Look, I won’t sugarcoat it — the first time I booked a flight by myself, I nearly threw up from anxiety. Five years and 20+ countries later, I can confidently say that hitting “confirm” on that first solo trip was the best decision I’ve ever made.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the same position I was: excited but terrified, scrolling through endless solo travel beginners guides and still feeling overwhelmed. Let me break this down in a way I wish someone had done for me.
The Honest Truth About Traveling Alone
Solo travel isn’t always Instagram perfection. There will be days when you get lost, days when you eat terrible meals alone, and yes, days when you feel a pang of loneliness watching couples take photos together at sunset.
But here’s what nobody tells you: those challenging moments become your best stories. That time I got completely lost in Tokyo with a dead phone? Led me to discover my favorite neighborhood in the city.
Start Smaller Than You Think
Before jumping into international solo travel, try:
- Taking yourself to dinner in your own city (seriously, it builds confidence)
- A weekend road trip to a nearby town
- Joining a group tour as a solo traveler (I did a food tour in Portland that was perfect)
- A 3-4 day trip to a city where they speak your language
I’ve met so many travelers who jumped straight into a month-long solo journey and ended up overwhelmed. There’s no shame in starting small.
Picking Your First Real Solo Destination
After screwing up a few times, I’ve learned some destinations are just easier for solo travel beginners than others. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be! Look for:
- Places with decent tourist infrastructure (translation: you won’t be the only confused foreigner)
- Destinations with hostels or social accommodation options
- Countries with reasonable safety records
- Cities with good public transportation
Based on my own experiences and friends I’ve chatted with, these places rock for first-timers:
- Portugal — Affordable, gorgeous, and the locals actually like tourists
- Japan — Incredibly safe and efficient
- Thailand — The beaten path exists for a reason (start in Chiang Mai, not Bangkok)
- Ireland — Friendly locals who speak English and pub culture makes meeting people easy
- New Zealand — Basically Solo Travel Mode: Easy (if your budget allows)
- Taiwan — Offers a captivating blend of breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant night markets with incredible street food.
The Accommodation Question
Where you stay makes or breaks a solo trip. After trying everything from sketchy hostels to fancy hotels, here’s my real take:
Hostels aren’t just for 20-year-old backpackers anymore. Many have private rooms, rooftop bars, and attract travelers of all ages. Look for “boutique hostels” if bunk beds give you anxiety.
I spent one month in a shared room in Tokyo where there were people coming in and out. (Getting good sleep here was impossible) Switched to a hostel and had dinner and drinking companions within a couple of days. The social factor is worth considering.
If hostels really aren’t your thing, look for:
- B&Bs where breakfast is communal
- Boutique hotels with common spaces
- Airbnbs where you rent a room, not the whole place
- Hotels that host social events
Always read reviews from solo travelers specifically — they’ll mention if a place is good for meeting people or if the location feels safe at night.
My Actual Packing Strategy
I’ve done the “bring everything just in case” trip and the “one backpack for 3 weeks” trip. The sweet spot is somewhere in between, but closer to minimal. Consider souvenirs that you might bring back as well.
The embarrassing truth: No one notices if you wear the same shirt multiple times. I now pack for 7 days max, regardless of trip length. Laundry exists everywhere.
My non-negotiables:
- A cross-body bag that zips completely closed
- A doorstop (cheap peace of mind for solo hotel stays)
- Downloaded offline maps
- Photos of my passport stored in multiple places
What I never bring anymore:
- Full-sized anything in my toiletry bag
- More than one pair of jeans
- Guidebooks (sorry, but phone apps are lighter)
- Anything “just in case” I haven’t used on my last 3 trips
The Money Situation
Solo travel can hit your wallet harder without someone to split costs. My workarounds:
- Book accommodations with free breakfast (then make a sneaky sandwich for lunch)
- Eat your big meal at lunch when prices are lower
- Stay in places with kitchens for at least some of your trip
- Look for “solo traveler” deals (they exist!)
- Budget more than you think — my rule is 15-20% extra
My biggest money regret was taking too much advantage of cheaper options. I spent too much money on things just because they were cheap. Learn from my mistakes.
The Loneliness Factor
Can we talk about the elephant in the room? Yes, sometimes solo travel gets lonely. I once had a mini-breakdown in my Tokyo apartment because I hadn’t had a meaningful conversation in days. I had to work American hours when I was in Japan for 3 months. All my friends in Japan were sleeping when I was working and vice versa.
What actually helps:
- Free walking tours (instant temporary friends)
- Staying in social accommodations (see above)
- Being brave enough to say “hey, can I join you?” to other travelers
- Having a good book/podcast for those solo dinners when you’re not feeling social
- Reminding yourself that feeling lonely occasionally is normal, not a failure
The Safety Talk
As someone who’s been doing this for years, the biggest safety issues I’ve faced were:
- Getting scammed by a taxi driver (lesson: use ride apps)
- Having my phone almost stolen (lesson: be aware in crowded places)
- Getting lost after dark (lesson: save your accommodation location offline)
- Losing my passport (lesson: always make sure you know where your passport is)
Basic precautions that have served me well:
- Trust your gut — if something feels off, leave
- Don’t share your exact accommodation details with random people
- Stay sober enough to find your way home
- Have emergency cash stashed separately from your wallet
- Look like you know where you’re going, even when you don’t
Taking Solo Travel Photos That Don’t Suck
The eternal struggle! After years of awkward selfies and bothering strangers, here’s what actually works:
- A small tripod with a bluetooth remote (worth the space in your bag)
- GoPro with timed shots for adventures
- Making photo-taking friends at hostels (trade photoshoots!)
- Embracing the “walking away from camera” aesthetic (no face necessary)
Apps That Make Solo Travel Better
After trying literally hundreds of travel apps, these are the ones I actually use:
- Google Maps (download offline areas!)
- Hostelworld or Booking.com (filter for solo traveler reviews)
- Google Translate with downloaded language packs
- Splitwise (for when you do meet people and share costs)
- Maps.me as a Google Maps backup
- Kakao and Naver Maps if you’re going to South Korea
- Local transportation apps for your destination
The Point of All This
Five years ago, I was paralyzed with anxiety about eating dinner alone in public. Now I’ve navigated subway systems in languages I can’t read and made friends from five continents.
Solo travel isn’t just about seeing places — it’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think. It’s about coming home with not just photos, but a stronger sense of who you are when nobody from your regular life is watching.
So book that first trip. Start small. Make mistakes. Eat alone. Get lost. Figure it out.
The best part? When you’re sixty-something, you won’t be saying “I wish I had traveled more when I was younger.” You’ll be planning your next solo adventure instead.
Got questions about solo travel? Hit me up on Instagram. I always respond to DMs about travel questions (except “can you plan my whole trip for me?” because, you know, that’s literally my job).