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Traveling Alone – Shed Your Fears and Feel Empowered

Traveling alone can be scary at first but the rewards far outweigh the intimidation. With good planning, research, and a journaling technique, ace your solo adventure, reflect on it, and share it with others. 

But most importantly, you can grow. Because when you travel alone, you challenge yourself. And when you challenge yourself, you learn about your limits, and abilities, and learn how to push them. And that is one of the ways we grow and break through personal challenges.

In this post, I will discuss the benefits of solo travel and the adversities you can face when you travel alone.

Why You Should Travel Alone at Least Once In Your Life

Most people think that people who travel alone are crazy. If not for the safety concerns, for the solidarity. After all, great memories are meant to be shared right? 

Well, yes they are. But much like hiking or fishing alone, there’s a special purpose to solo travel. And that purpose is to better oneself by learning more about who you are when you’re with yourself.

Imagine a breathtaking landscape—the sound of its nature, the feel of its air, the smell of its earth. It’s just you and that place. Now imagine it with other people. These two experiences aren’t the same. So why not have them both? 

When we travel alone we have the freedom to go where the wind takes us, and that’s where true adventure lies. Apart from adventure, being alone in exciting new places is empowering.

Think about telling someone that you just returned home from Paris with your family. You likely did the standard tourist gig of museums, restaurants, shopping, and historical places. You kept to yourselves, had to keep everyone happy, and didn’t go off the beaten path.

Now think about telling someone that you just returned from Paris from a solo trip. Immediately their eyebrows raise because that’s not only impressive but interesting. And it’s interesting because no one could possibly anticipate the adventure you had.

And that’s empowering. When we travel alone we get a sense of pride that we can conquer so much more. Maybe it’s a project or work. Or maybe it’s a new chapter in life or grief. 

There’s an incredible sense of self-worth, growth, pride, and empowerment that comes to use when we travel alone.

The Hurdles and Rewards of Traveling Alone

When people think of travel, their minds are often filled with images of full moon parties in the Asian tropics, backpacking through the medieval streets of Europe, or going on an adventure trek through exotic jungles.

But solo travel is so much more than these romanticized adventures. 

Solo travel is about getting out of your comfort zone, exploring new things, and gaining a better understanding of yourself and the world around you. It builds character and confidence, and leaves you cultured with a deeper understanding of just how small we all are on this grand design we call “Earth.”

Getting out of your comfort zone can be intimidating. There are times when a traveler must go at it alone, and in doing so, they will walk into a world unraveled from the familiar.

Taking a drive on the opposite side of the road , for example, is terrifying! But there is beauty in this. Around every corner lies excitement, exploration, and real culture, but only if the traveler can overcome the hurdles that come with traveling alone.

The Rewards of Solo Traveling

Traveling alone is a completely separate experience from traveling with someone you know. Exploring new lands with a group is an experience in and of itself.

The way a traveler takes in their surroundings changes when they’re with a travel partner. Go at it alone they have no option but to experience it themselves, in a manner that cannot be colored by anyone else other than the locals they are experiencing it with.

Dropping the other members of a group also means that the traveler operates on their own time and pace. No longer are they waiting for the slowest member of the group to get things rolling, or being rushed to a museum or tourist spot by a well-meaning guide because they had to keep a schedule.

By going at it alone, the traveler can truly savor the sights, sounds, and experiences offered by their destination. Likewise, they also have the ability to skip things that are of no interest to them simply.

What are some of the hurdles?

The feeling of aloneness is often a source of woe to solo travelers because it forces them to face their fears, both internally and externally. Humans are, by nature, social creatures, so when the concept of a social support structure is removed from the equation, it triggers a quasi-fight or flight response.

In this sense, a flight response would be to remove themselves from a particular situation (e. g. leave that area, go back to somewhere familiar, go home).

The fight response is tackling the problem head-on, enduring the pains but also enjoying the rewards of doing something correctly. For decades now, lone voyagers would seek social solace in places like dorms or hostels. Here, they would find fellow journeymen and others seeking a reprieve from the road.

The world has never been closer thanks to technology. These days, if a traveler has a stable WiFi connection they can chat, call, or even carry on a video conversation with friends and relatives overseas on the other side of the globe.

Some purists believe that this constant connectivity is ruining the travel experience. There may be some truth to this, but for the vast majority of vagabonds, the internet represents an emergency parachute that they can use to save their trip as much as their sanity.

But the whole idea begins with respect. As a traveler, it is imperative that you treat locals and fellow travelers alike with respect as well as demand some yourself.

Using one’s common sense is also high on the list, as well as keeping yourself informed of any hostile activities in the area. If the government and tourist websites say that you should avoid a city, town, or area at night, do not proceed to walk down there in the dark with jewelry displayed.

Travelers should also travel with confidence, or at least with an air of trust. Crime exists in all parts of the world , and just like in the animal kingdom they are attracted to creatures that look like and act like prey.

It is not to say that a traveler should be unfriendly, but it does mean that they walk, talk, and act with strength. Predators are not prone to attack prey that looks like they are more than willing to put up a fight.

You should understand ways to avoid being a target of crime when traveling , especially when you’re alone.

Traveling alone reveals truths about a person that they may not be comfortable with. But breaking down that barrier gives an opportunity to see the world at their speed, truly savor experiences and make a lasting connection to people and places.

You can mentally profit from the experience as well as financially (if you decide to publish essays on your adventures) all while creating incredible memories as part of your legacy.

While traveling alone will test a person’s will as well as their cunning, intellect, and ability to overcome hardship nothing will empower a human more. So, what are you waiting for? 

Christa Thompson is the Founder and Chief Editor of The Fairytale Traveler. She started traveling the world in 2003 when she attended a summer abroad study at the University of Cambridge in England. Since then, her wanderlust has been fierce. Her three passions in life are her son, traveling, and being creative. The Fairytale Traveler brand gives Christa the opportunity to do all of these things and to live intentionally every day. "It's never too late to believe in what you love and to pursue your dreams." -Christa Thompson

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Travel and Self-growth

The Life-Changing Power of Solo Travel: 20+ Lessons I’ve Learned From Solo Travelling and How It Transformed My Life

If you are hesitating about trying solo travel or wanting to understand why solo travel can be a life-changing experience, or you find yourself at a stage in life where you are uncertain about what’s next and want to seek answers or break through, crave new adventures, then this article is for you.

I used to be someone who didn’t truly know my preferences, lacked self-confidence and the courage to do things alone, and struggled with forming and expressing my own opinions.

However, an unexpected solo travel experience in the USA in 2012 dramatically transformed my mindset, my perspective on the world and life, and helped me better understand myself. Since then, I’ve done more solo trips and lived in different countries for travel, work, or study.

Having personally benefited greatly from solo travelling, I’m eager to share my experiences with you and others, with the hope that it can provide encouragement, inspiration, or that extra push you need to embark on your solo travel journey. Here are 20+ lessons I’ve learned from my solo travel adventures, hope it helps!

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List of Contents

1.Be an independent person and being capable of doing things on my own is true freedom

2.being alone doesn't mean we are lonely, and it's not as scary or weird as i thought, 3.to get to know and find myself, 4.at times, we may feel lost, especially in unfamiliar places or when our minds are undergoing changes. however, this is entirely normal, and it's okay because we eventually rediscover ourselves or find a way out, experiencing the feeling of being found once more, 5.taking full responsibility for our behaviour and decisions is key to personal growth, building confidence, and improving our lives, 6.even travelling alone, it is never really alone, unless we choose to be, 7.don't let others tell us that we have problems; we need to know ourselves better to determine whether these are our problems or simply differences and strengths, 8.life isn't solely about working, earning money for a living, getting married, buying houses and cars, and having babies. life is also about experiencing new things, doing more activities that make us laugh, feel happy, and feeling fulfilled, 9.dreamers do exist and they do chase dreams. they shine while working on achieving their dream and doing what they love, and it is beautiful, 10.if we know what we want, we can reduce or stop activities that waste our time, money, and energy, 11.being comfortable with my own company also makes me more selective and gives me the courage to leave when i identify things, places, or people that are not right for me, 12.a simple, genuine and friendly smile and hello can bring you the world, 13.the feeling of experiencing things that make me feel the most alive is amazing it's good to know that we can actually live an exciting life, 14.solo travel is an excellent way to foster empathy towards others. if more people make an effort to understand one another and show empathy towards different cultures and nationalities, we may witness a reduction in racism and stereotypes, potentially leading to a more peaceful world, 15.we all have our own paths to walk, our own destination to go, and we must walk it by ourselves because no one else can do it for us, 16.to get used to saying goodbye and to understand that just like what the movie 'nomadland' says, “there is no final goodbye; people do meet again.”, 17.it's perfectly fine not to plan everything ahead; sometimes, just setting a destination, booking the flight, and then letting the rest flow is a great way to travel, 18.sometimes, having no fixed plan turns out to be the best plan, as it often leads to delightful surprises, 19.deep inside, our hearts know what they want, and where they want to go, if we just take time, listen and follow it, we may also know and live life with more joy and feeling more fulfilled, 20.we can actually change to become a new version of ourselves, and we can heal, 21.to feel we are different from our surrounding is not because we are weird, and it doesn’t means that we have problems, 22.the mature and best kind of relationship, friendship is when people do enjoy each others company while also comfortable being alone and doing their own things.

Growing up in an Asian culture that values collectivism plus I had others make decisions, or done things for me during my childhood and adolescence, I got used to relying on people for many activities (although secretly, I craved doing things independently). And I was most of the time doing things in groups, and didn’t actually dare to do things alone. 

As a result, I often found myself waiting for others, and compromising my time and desires. This resulted in missed opportunities and wasted time as well as losing some of my motivation and my own voices. 

However, my first unexpected solo travel experience marked a turning point. After those trips I finally dare to shop, dine, visit cafes, bookstores, and go to the cinema alone. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel lonely.

This newfound freedom allowed me to act on my desires when it occurs and when I am ready, which changed my life in so many different ways, from small things like going for the movie “Nomadland” right after I saw the trailer, or doing more solo travels,  to big movements like studying and living abroad. 

Somehow, after a few solo travels and living abroad experiences, I no longer find being alone scary. In fact, I enjoy it immensely. I find what is truly scary is not spending time with ourselves, knowing what we are thinking, what we want and blindly following the crowd, pursuing things we neither value nor enjoy. This can drain a lot of our energy and time.

As I started embracing solo activities, I realised there are many others doing the same and enjoying it as much as I do! So, it’s not as weird as I once thought.

Because I had heard people judging those who do things alone, saying that such people do so because they don’t have friends and are lonely. 

Consequently, I had the stupid fear that people would assume I have no friends if I do things solo. But after my experiences with unexpected solo travel and learning to be more independent and enjoy ME time, I understand that this is a choice, a privilege and freedom.

Don’t get me wrong; doing things with the right friends and family is also very enjoyable. It’s just that I’ve uncovered a different possibility, realising that I don’t always have to depend on others. It’s a positive revelation, and it would be fantastic if more people embrace it.

However, as much as I adore solo travel, I still encounter some challenges when it comes to sleeping and showering alone in unfamiliar places. I still need to overcome these issues. So far, I have discovered a few solutions that have helped me solve these issues, which you can read about here.

Reflecting on the years of my life before my first solo trip, I see that I tended to follow the crowd and listened to others’ opinions without doing my own research or sure about if I genuinely liked what I was doing. I gave in my own power and control over my life to others – some friends, relatives, teachers etc. This eventually left me feeling lost and weakened my self-confidence, as many of those choices weren’t aligned with my true interests.

Solo travels provided me with the space to reconnect with myself, and I could move at my own pace, make every decision from the moment I opened my eyes to when I went to bed. This helped me get to know myself better, find my own voice, and discover what I genuinely liked and disliked. It allowed me to make plans according to my preferences and develop my own thoughts without the need to listen to or follow others. 

This newfound self-awareness made it easier to understand what suited me and what didn’t. It also gave me the motivation to take action on ideas I loved and wanted to pursue. 

For example, I decided to work in different countries, found my passion for advertising and marketing, got a master’s degree in the UK, and also created this blog to share my journey and tips in exploring the world and self-growth, with the hope to connect with like-minded souls & aspiring solo travellers and provide a little help, inspirations for their next adventures, as I believe that everything starts with an idea, couragement and one step.

I am still constantly exploring what my true self and purpose is, and what I can do even better. I believe we all need this. Some people have already found it, some are on the way, some might never know it. I hope we can all find it. 

Getting lost is actually a common thing in life and during my solo travel trips, sometimes in the cities, sometimes in the middle of the mountain, and sometimes within my own mind. 

The feeling of getting lost can be uncomfortable and scary, primarily due to the uncertainty it brings. This uncertainty leaves us not knowing what will happen or where we will end up.

Yet, my experiences of solo travel and getting lost have taught me that, in the end, we do find our way out and feel found once more, as long as we know where we would like to go, remain calm, consciously search for the ways, and take one step at a time. We often arrive at either our planned destination or one that may suit us even better.

Every solo travel trip I’ve taken has played a significant role in helping me rediscover myself at different stages of my life or help me heal, especially when I haven’t felt like myself. So I got to return to normal life with a newer, recharged version of myself. 

I believe that getting lost and finding oneself can be ongoing experiences in life, and that’s perfectly fine, because getting lost provides us the opportunity to be found again, and even, for the better.

Travelling solo has made me realise that freedom is precious, and discovering what I love, being able to decide what I want to do, and taking action is such an amazing feeling.

However, it also means taking full responsibility for my behaviour and every decision I make. If something goes wrong, there’s no one else to blame but myself. For instance, getting lost while hiking alone in Crete, Greece in the late afternoon, or experiencing missed flights and having to cancel some plans, or walking for an hour to The Women’s Building in San Francisco only to find it under renovation and a lot more- these are all on me.

But facing the consequences, solving problems independently, and learning from these experiences have been opportunities for my personal growth and increased my self-confidence as I know that I can handle such situations.

On the bright side, each of these experiences has brought surprises, realisations, lessons and stories. Related travel stories are shared here. 

I know that one of the biggest things that stops many people from trying solo travel is the fear of feeling lonely or handling things on their own. I was no different.

But after experiencing solo travel, going alone to the UK for study, and moving to different countries by myself, I can assure you of this: travelling solo doesn’t mean being alone, and it’s never really alone. In fact, in most cases, solo travels provide us with more opportunities and space to connect deeper with people from around the world, each with unique backgrounds and stories to share.

From my personal experience, solo travel and living abroad is how I found out that like-minded people do exist! I’ve made lifelong friends and soulmates who are more similar to me than some of my old friends from childhood. We share similar personalities, interests, dreams, and values. And I can just be myself every moment when I am with them, and we get along so well that every moment we are together is very comfortable, and precious. We don’t need to say much or explain ourselves; we simply understand each other. They are also my awesome inspirations, I am so thankful every day that I’ve met them.

One of the most important and relieving things I’ve learned from solo travel and met people who shared my values is that I’ve come to realise that the issues raised by people who don’t share the same values, dreams, and thoughts as me aren’t necessarily problems. 

It suddenly hit me that I am not a problematic person; we simply held different values and aspired to different lifestyles.

In fact, some of the like-minded individuals even showed me how to harness these traits within myself and explore their potential. Which helped me get closer to the person I meant to be. 

So, don’t let others convince you that you have problems. You have to know yourself best and can identify whether these are your problems or your strengths. More importantly, find your people!

However, if, unfortunately, we discover that they are indeed problems, then find ways to resolve and improve them if we aspire to become a better person.

As an Asian from a traditional family, I was often told to seek stability and be realistic, to find a steady job and stick with it. 

Yet, I knew that a life of just working and going home, waiting for the weekend, or going out for food and drinks with friends in Taipei and letting the days pass was just not satisfying and fulfilling for me. While many of the people back home followed this path and found contentment in stable life patterns, I respected their choices but didn’t want to be like that. At the same time, I was uncertain about how to make a difference, and I feared my life might become ordinary and dull.

Fortunately, my first solo trip experiences in the USA changed everything. Travelling to both the East and West coasts of North America on my own, and meeting numerous international travellers along the way, exposed me to lifestyles that are different from the traditional Asian norm. For these travellers, travel itself is a way of life. They either work in their dream jobs while travelling or use their skills to sustain their travel lifestyle/hobbies. They work with a purpose. 

Observing their diverse ways of living inspired me to start thinking about what I truly wanted and how I could incorporate more travel into my life. Everything that unfolded after that solo trip was a result of the lessons I learned and the people I met during my journey. I’m still learning, evolving, and growing every day, thanks to many inspiring travellers, the friends I’ve made, and the books I’ve read.

Money is undoubtedly important; it allows us to do what we enjoy and live our lives. But it’s also crucial to know why we choose our jobs and what we want to achieve with our earnings. Some people work only for money, without a clear idea of the life they want. They end up merely working to support their families, without considering their own dreams beyond family and finances. 

The people I’ve met during my solo travels and living abroad have not only shown me the diverse lifestyles and possibilities in life but also demonstrated that dreamers who are turning their dreams into reality truly exist. Friends like Mia, Petre, Eric, Ana, Dean, Vittoria, Luigi, Nicky, Jason, and many others have been a tremendous source of inspiration, empowering me to continue growing and pursuing my own dreams.

I used to go out all the time, spending my money on parties, food, and drinks with most of the friends who invited me out. 

After more solo travels and tasting the joys of travelling, learning to distribute my time and money, I began saving up for trips and gradually became more selective over the years. I reduced the time and money spent on unnecessary social events, people and things.

Solo travel has provided me with the space to become more self-aware and independent, allowing me to recognise my likes and dislikes. 

It has also made it easier for me to embrace new experiences and environments alone, which has taught me that leaving something I am accustomed to isn’t as scary as I once believed, as the worst-case scenario is being alone or starting from scratch again, both of which I have found to be bearable and achievable after years of restarting my life in different places and practising being comfortable in my own company.

As a result, I have developed the courage to leave things, people, or places when I discover they’re not right for me. I’ve also become slightly more selective, especially when it comes to deciding with whom and on what I want to spend my time, energy, and money or allow into my life.

This is very different from my previous self, as I always sought the company of others and often sacrificed my own preferences, which I’ve come to realise wasn’t a wise choice. Thanks to my experiences with solo travel, I now know.

I didn’t know a smile could be so powerful, but from my experiences, one of the best ways to make friends and connections on the road is to smile—a genuine smile. It can open up a conversation, even with strangers on the street. 

This is mainly how I make friends on my solo trips or when living abroad alone. It works, from toddlers to travellers in their 50s, and some of them have become my lifelong friends and soulmates.

One of the most heartwarming moments that I will never forget is an encounter with a Spanish toddler when I was on a solo trip to Schloss Neuschwanstein. She kept following me, wanting to sit with me, tour with me, and repeatedly telling her mom, ‘mi amiga, mi amiga,’ while pointing at me. Her smiles and laughter were just so precious.

I believe it’s like a mirror; when we are friendly and kind to people, most likely, they respond kindly as well.

If you’re looking to make friends and connections while solo travelling, give it a try, and let me know how it goes.

When I am travelling or living in a new country, or engaging in exciting projects, I feel like every day is filled with excitement, especially when I’m travelling solo. 

I’ll never forget how exciting that kind of life feels; every day, I can’t wait to wake up and explore, as if I don’t want to miss a single thing. When I travel alone, I often find myself just walking, exploring and forgetting to eat or drink. Most of the time, during my exploration, I don’t feel hungry, thirsty, or tired until the end of the day. Yet, it all feels so vibrant, and I believe that’s the way life should be lived!

The exciting life I’m talking about doesn’t mean doing thrilling things and being overjoyed every single day. It means living with a purpose—discovering our world, new environments, new projects, learning something new, reading new books, and being excited to wake up every day! 

Of course, there are also moments of quiet and downtime, but if those times are the preparation period for new exciting moments or chapters in life, and we are conscious about it, then I’d say they are worth it. Besides, having some downtime is normal, it’s all part of life.

I used to hold stereotypes about many countries and people, which led me to dislike or hold incorrect opinions about them. However, many of these stereotypes were challenged through my travels and explorations, particularly during my solo trips. 

The flexibility and freedom provided by solo travel offered me great opportunities to form deeper connections with international travellers and locals, engage in more profound conversations, and experiences. 

This learning and discovery have been invaluable in my daily life, whether at work or with family and friends. It also helped me in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings between different groups of people.

In my opinion, racism and conflict often arise because we lack familiarity with and empathy for the situations, backgrounds, stories, and cultures of others.

Before we personally put effort into getting to know and understand the situations of other people and countries, let’s try not to judge or develop stereotypes about things. The reason for this is that what we hear from others and the media isn’t always true (or is often just one-sided opinion); most of the time, it only represents their perspectives. And yes, this includes my perspective too. You for sure have a different perspective than mine, even when we are looking at or experiencing the same thing.

Each of us interprets the world and everything that happens in the world in our unique way, and most of the time, what we see is not real, or is not the entire picture, not to mention the things we don’t see. However, if we make an effort to ask, to get to know, and to understand different cultures and people’s stories, we may reduce the racism and stereotypes we hold due to a better understanding.

This effort could hopefully contribute to a more peaceful world.

Sometimes when I find myself in nature alone, facing challenging hiking paths and steep stairs, I wish I didn’t have to walk them all. But since I had already placed myself in that location, in order to find a way out and reach my destination, I had to continue walking. Even if there are people passing by or accompanying me on the journey, they can only walk for themselves. If I wanted to progress, I had to do it on my own.

And although I’ve had wonderful experiences and made friends with people I’ve met during my solo travels, we all still have our own lives to live and our unique paths to follow. We may support and inspire each other along the way, but each of us is headed toward our own destinations. 

One of the most exciting aspects of solo travel is meeting strangers (other travellers) who happen to share similar personalities and hobbies with me, resulting in instant clicks.

However, we all have our own paths and destinations to pursue afterward. Even though we may change our routes for each other, after a few days or a while, most of us still need to continue on our individual journeys and say goodbye to our dear friends.

Initially, saying goodbye to these friends made me feel sad, as I felt I’ve finally found them. However, I eventually grew accustomed to it, and the thing is that if they are important and special to us, and we become lifelong friends, we do reunite.

During my solo travel in the USA, I met an Israeli friend in a hostel in San Diego, and I remember the day he was about to fly to New York in just the next few hours, but instead of packing and getting ready to leave, he was chilling outside. When I ask him: “where will you be going in New York and where will you stay?” He said: “oh I don’t know yet, I have not booked any hotel or plan my trips yet”. I was like oh wow, how! Because it is so different from how I used to do things, but I’ve learned from him that sometimes trips without a well planned itinerary are ok too. 

This experience made me realise how often we overcomplicate things, and tend to ensure everything is thoroughly planned, which makes us become so worried about the details in front of us that we lack the courage to simply book a ticket or start doing something. 

But this Israeli friend taught me the good things of being spontaneous and taking a leap. Inspired by his approach, I’ve done a few spontaneous solo trips myself, leading to numerous surprising discoveries and unforgettable stories. While I haven’t reached his level of spontaneity yet, I hope to one day embrace that level of freedom.

After learning from the Israeli friend and a few more personal solo travel experiences. I tend to leave some free days for doing things spontaneously for my solo travel trips.

Especially taking the time to simply walk around cities, discovering random gems in alleys or hidden corners, or visiting places recommended by locals.

Most of the time I ended up finding murals, aesthetic cafes, bookstores, colourful places, street markets, rooftop bars/cafe/restaurants, local eateries, and more. Additionally, recommendations from locals or interactions with them usually provide the most delightful and unique surprises of the entire trip. To me, these are some of the most precious moments of travelling solo.

Some of my favourite experiences while solo travelling without plans include:

1. Discovering 2 hidden gems in Berlin by perusing special postcards at a local bookstore while leisurely strolling around Checkpoint Charlie.

2. Stumbling upon an alley with murals and a vintage bookstore after realising that the Women’s Building in San Francisco was under construction, after an hour-long walk to reach there.

3. Encountering locals in Sfakia, Crete Island, Greece, who provided some of the most heartwarming and kindest experiences I’ve had with strangers in recent years. This included meeting a local playing a handpan at the beach and a stranger saved me when I was lost in the middle of a hike. 

You can find the full stories in my travel stories section if you’re curious. 

From my experiences, solo travelling is one of the best ways to discover ourselves, especially when we simply go with the flow, without rushing toward specific destinations. Our hearts seem to know what they like and want to do.

However, I must confess, other than solo trips and living abroad for study or work, I haven’t always followed my heart enough, and that’s something I need to work on. Nevertheless, I love the places my heart has led me to so far.

A solo trip is a great opportunity to discover the possibilities of becoming a new, better version of ourselves, as on the road or in the new environment, nobody knows us; we don’t need to conform to the image that old friends and family have of us. It feels like breaking free from a cage or frame, like taking a leap and finding a second chance.

Every time I go on a solo journey, I encounter a new or a healed, or an ‘on the way to healing’ version of myself.

However, the biggest challenge arises when I return home or to the familiar places and communities where people know the old version of me. It’s not easy to sustain that new version of myself; it requires effort. But one thing is certain—there are always positive influences from those experiences abroad that I can bring back to my community, family, and friends. I am happy about it.

Will we become the same person again? How do we adapt a new version of ourselves to places where people are familiar with the old version of us? How do we fit back into the society we’ve broken free from? I believe that’s why I keep moving—returning to the beginning and moving forward again.

If you feel like you don’t fit into your current environment, don’t worry. Perhaps you are just in the wrong place, one that doesn’t resonate with your heart or suit you. Somewhere in the world, within a certain field, you’ll discover people who are similar to you.

I can assure you of this because I’ve experienced it many times. The first time was during my initial solo trip when I met my soulmate and lifelong friend. I felt it even more strongly when I ventured alone to the UK and pursued a master’s degree in Advertising and Marketing at the University of Leeds. During that time, I was amazed and fascinated by the number of people who shared similar personalities, thoughts, and behaviours with me. We didn’t have to explain ourselves much; we just understood each other.

Some of these behaviours and thoughts might be considered weird, problematic or crazy by our family or old friends. However, our hearts do lead us to where we truly belong, or at the very least, closer to it.

It’s an incredible feeling when you find those who resonate with you. So, yes it is true that somewhere out there, you will discover your people and your place of belonging.

From my own experiences, I believe that if we always need to do everything with others and lack alone time for ourselves, it becomes easier to lose our connection with ourselves and deplete the time and energy needed for self-development and growth. This isn’t good for healthy friendships and relationships and can potentially lead to growing apart. Particularly, when some individuals within the relationship or friendship are evolving, while others are not, the connection may weaken.

In my opinion, the best approach in the relationship is that we all have our own spaces, where we can recharge, grow, and later share what we’ve learned with each other.

The same applies to friendships; we can be with our friends when we need each other or want to share moments and experiences. However, it’s essential to leave space for each other.

When it comes to travelling together and planning an itinerary, the ideal situation is when people have similar tastes and preferences. But if not, the most comfortable approach, in my opinion, is that we can do things we all want to do together and also feel comfortable doing different things alone when there are activities that don’t align with everyone’s interests.

This way, individuals won’t feel like they are sacrificing themselves for others, ultimately fostering healthier relationships and friendships. Personally, I only became comfortable with this approach after experiencing all the solo travel journeys I have so far.

These thoughts wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t experienced all my solo travel journeys or moved abroad alone. Thanks to solo travelling, I uncovered the possibility of living a different life, transforming into a different version of myself, and adopting an entirely different mindset and perspective on life and the world.

If you’re reading this and haven’t yet tried solo travel, I strongly encourage you to give it a go. There are numerous benefits to solo travel (you can read about them here). You’ll be astonished at how a single experience can change your life.

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Why travelling alone is the best impulse decision I ever made

Approximately 35,000 feet in the air and headed 3,000 miles away from home, I was ready to immerse myself into idiosyncratic Portland, Oregon culture for the five days with nothing more than a backpack full of clothes. Even though this was a seemingly elementary trip, my brain kept wrestling over and over with this errant decision to pick a place on the U.S. map and book a flight. I had never been to the west coast and had certainly never traveled by myself. But I was desperate to make a change in my life.

At the time (two-years-ago), I was living in a cyclical panic of late twenties depression fueled by zero money , no upward job mobility and a recurring internal alarm whenever a person would walk too close to me or I would wind up in a room without a quick escape. My anxiety was becoming a massive structure that I couldn’t scale (or treat due to the job situation ), and I was finding it hard to really see the positives in the world around me. It was truly exhausting trying to navigate these symptoms that kept me from much at all — nonetheless travel. In the most self-actualizing of efforts, I decided that I needed to live like another person for a few days. Cue the solo travel.

Travelling Solo: An Exercise in Self-Confidence

I did a quick search for travel-friendly cities and landed on Portland, Oregon. The decision shot a nervous pang throughout my body even though it was very much the perfect city to escape to: public transit, cool art, food trucks. Still, my anxiety wouldn’t let me forget that I was going to be alone across the country while having to navigate my anxiety in a brand new setting with known triggers (meeting new people, eating alone , not being in full control). My finger slowly made its way to the track-pad on my computer; repeatedly telling myself this was a way to stand at the precipice of my fears and acknowledge them. Click. Booked . Done.

Alone Time Why you should be spending more time alone

“There is a really wonderful circular relationship between self-esteem and traveling. Traveling in itself is an act of confidence. The fact that you went somewhere by yourself demonstrates strength,” says licensed psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael Peet . “If you do something that requires a certain amount of strength or independence, you then see yourself as a stronger and more independent person. Your behavior is reinforcing a positive self-esteem. As your self-esteem grows, you start engaging in more independent, self-serving behaviors.”

Truthfully, I couldn’t pinpoint where the travel antidote came from. Images of happy women taking charge of their lives stamped an impression into my brain of the person I wanted to be, but felt I couldn’t — a woman who can pick up and go and feel confident in all of her decisions. I am, perhaps, the Diane Lane or Julia Roberts of the modern millennial woman — except without a closet full of tans and taupes to pass through metal detectors on my introspective journey.

Finding the Power in Being Alone

Previously, the idea of me getting on a plane and flying anywhere seemed far away from any agency I’d allow myself to have. Cool girls with bottomless bank accounts take weekend solo trips — certainly not me: a person forever amidst an adult acne breakout with mmmaaaayyyybbbbeeeee $200 to her name at any given time. Plus, there is the inherent risks of traveling by yourself. There is no one to hold you accountable for missteps, help you map out each destination, gut check you if you happen to stray into an unsavory bar or whisk you away to the restroom to tell you the guy you’ve been chatting with has murdery vibes. You are the only line of defense against the elements.

That first time, I sat in the airport Dunkin Donuts for one full hour before I could peel myself away from the terminal and make my way to my Airbnb. Walking outside would mean I’d leave the safety of my bacon, egg and cheese to immerse myself in the surroundings of the pacific-northwest. I felt more alone than I ever have in my entire life — almost as if everyone in that airport could tell I was cowering behind my breakfast sandwich in fear. “Many people feel uncomfortable being alone in general, and especially in public. They may feel that others are judging them and they tend to overestimate how much they stick out to others and how unusual it is to be by yourself,” says licensed psychologist Dr. Margot Levin .

The ability to be okay with being by yourself, to not need constant stimulation and company, is extremely empowering.

But I did it, and did it well. I made my way to every touristy spot, chatted with the locals, made out with a cute guy at a bar and even got a sizeable tattoo on the back of my arm. Levin’s statement echoes through that first experience, and I came out on the other side enfranchised. “The ability to be okay with being by yourself, to not need constant stimulation and company, is extremely empowering. It opens up choices for you that are not contingent on what others want and it enables you to be out in the world with others and then be with yourself to reflect, to regroup and to feel replenished.”

When I got back from Portland, I felt such a relief from my anxiousness. The things that bothered me prior were a blip on my mental radar — pushing myself out of my comfort zone so much that I had no choice but to compartmentalize that tension and move forward with keeping myself fed, housed and safe so far away from my home.

Six solo trips under my fastened seat belt later and the noticeable difference in my confidence, self-esteem and decision-making has sparked this incredibly positive change — all from a simple decision to hop on a plane alone. After Portland came Kansas, Utah, Wisconsin, Texas and Chicago. Each one solo, each one with its own challenges, but each one a deeply personal learning experience of how I handle myself when I’m not in the comfort of my Brooklyn apartment.

I felt confident and in control of my every step — something I wasn’t used to back in New York where my schedule, anxiety and lack of self-worth dictated my every move.

Every solo dining experience became easier and talking to people became less horrific and more routine. I felt confident and in control of my every step — something I wasn’t used to back in New York where my schedule, anxiety and lack of self-worth dictated my every move. I walked through the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry like a pro and chatted up the bartender at a bar in East Portland; forever thinking, who am I? I was living this inconspicuous life where no one knew who I was, which made it easier for me to put my needs first and relax. Now, past stresses like direction seeking, unaccompanied dinners and asking guys out on dates don’t even register in my brain as something to worry about.

Of course, you don’t have to be on a personal self-help journey like I was. Solo travel in general is exhilarating ! I find that one of the best parts is being incognito at all times. Anonymity is a powerful tool when you’re in a brand new city. “When going through challenges related to loneliness or anxiety it can be helpful to stay mindful of the growth opportunities from solo travel. We are out of our comfort zone but have the safety of anonymity,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Jon Belford . Yes, I do still feel that overwhelming rush while opening the door to a restaurant I’ve never been in to have sets of eyes turn in my direction to wonder who’s this new person? But, being an outsider is a back pocket secret when you start to feel vanquished. Basically, know one knows who you are, so live and breathe in that experience.

Your Solo Travel Toolkit

Start small: Jumping on a plane across the country is not everyone’s idea of a self-help experience. Catapulting yourself into a vastly different region might lead to more anxiety. If that's the case, but you also want to find a way to integrate travel into you life, I always suggest taking incrementally long bike rides or day trips. I did this in preparation of the introspection and decision-making that comes with being by yourself for long periods of time. Hopping on a bus or train and heading to a different part of town helps the initial push.

Remember why you're there: Another reminder is to remember why you’re there so that you don’t lose focus of your main objective. For me, it’s a way to get rid of negative personal feelings by strengthening my relationship to myself. Others may need a creative boost that a new place can provide. In either case, Peet recommends assigning words of purpose to your travel so that you stay focused on your original mission. “It can be helpful to think of three words as a theme for your trip. Maybe your words for a trip are: resilience, adventure and relaxation. You can always remind yourself that this trip is all about you and your practice with those three words. That way, if you’re not getting a lot of friendly connections, you can still find a way to feel good about the experience,” says Peet .

Know it will get easier: My last solo trip landed me in Chicago where I sprung from the airport, dashed to the closest train and felt thrilled to explore an entirely new city on my own — no more hiding in Dunkin' Donuts. Once I got to my hotel, I itched to drag myself along every single street even though it had started pouring rain. I bought show tickets, made my way to Wicker Park and visited all the best brunch places around the loop. It is, now, less of a task to break myself out of my comfort zone and more of a new individual tradition. Sometimes I get nervous when I enter a new bar or have to eat by myself, but I’m then reminded of that one act of personal grit by the broken woman I was two years ago. She was nervous but did it; so I can do it. And I promise, you can do it, too.

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

What It's Really Like to Travel Alone in the Era of Social Media

My wanderlust started with a Billy Joel song. Yes, some might say it's stupid to visit a city just because of a catchy tune. (They'd also probably say that it's stupid that I fell in love with said song, "Vienna," after seeing the movie 13 Going on 30 , and I'd have to agree with them on that.) But that's how I made my way to Austria--solo--with only good ol' Billy for a travel buddy.

In college, I took part in a spring work/study program in London, and while I loved the U.K. and my job working for a health website, what excited me most was the opportunity to travel. I spent my weekends sipping sangria in Barcelona with my roommates and admiring Edinburgh accompanied by friends, but no one wanted to stay and explore Europe more extensively after our 16 weeks were up. Except me.

So, I decided to go alone. I wanted to see more of France, more of Italy, and, most importantly, I wanted to see Vienna.

I didn't set out wanting to travel by myself. It's something that young women are discouraged from doing: My own mother was desperate to talk me out of the idea. "It's dangerous for girls to travel by themselves," she'd warn me every time we spoke. I insisted that I knew women my age who'd done it (which was a bit of a stretch: I knew of girls who'd traveled alone), and that I'd be fine. My friends back home were skeptical, too. "Wait, no one's going with you?" they'd ask. No doubt they wondered who would be taking my Instagrams. (God bless the selfie.)

But after convincing them that just because I'm a Millennial woman does not mean I have to be constantly surrounded by a crew, I had to make myself believe it. The night before my departure, I was terrified. While everyone else was flying back to the States, I'd be on the Chunnel to Paris to start my two week trip alone. The thought was crippling. I've always been a person who recharges with alone time, but this suddenly seemed like too much to take on, especially in unfamiliar places.

I was forced to remind myself of my somewhat cheesy screensaver quote: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." I sucked it up. I wanted this badly enough to outweigh both the safety risk and the potential of FOMO.

The journey was, in a word, liberating. While I was nervous that my first meal alone would be pretty damn awkward, I wasn't tempted by the idea of eating takeout in my hostel bunk bed, either. So I faced the fear. I slipped on the flowy (albeit a tad wrinkly) LBD, channeled my inner Cool French Girl, and stepped out into the cool spring air of the Montmartre quarter. I was going to dinner.

It ended up being one of my most memorable dining experiences of my life. I savored the otherworldly steak frites for which Le Relais de l'Entrecôte is famous, observed the elegant Parisian women adorned in their Saturday evening pearls, and even ordered in the language of love. I enjoyed my glass of cabernet and devoured a plate of the most mouthwatering profiteroles in the entire City of Light without fear of judgment. No one knew me; I didn't know anyone.

This freedom ended up being one of the most indulgent aspects of my trip, and for once, that didn't mean feeling guilty. I spent hours riding on a vaporetto in Venice; I decided not to climb the Duomo in Florence because it just seemed like too many stairs; I read for hours in the lush gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. (The trip wasn't without its uncomfortable moments, of course. A couples' wine tour in Tuscany was a mistake, for sure.)

I spent the final hours of my trip wandering around the gorgeous, pastel façade-lined streets of Vienna. 15 minutes prior to leaving, I pulled out my iPod and listened to "Vienna." After the familiar piano trills, Billy's familiar voice flooded in: "Slow down you crazy child," he sang. "You're so ambitious for a juvenile." I began to cry—partially from exhaustion, perhaps, but mostly because the moment felt intensely profound. Here I was, in a city I'd always escaped to in my mind through a song, closing out the most incredible experience of my life. A little crazy, a little ambitious. All me.

Related: How to Travel Like a Chanel Girl

Alexa is a Denver-based contributor who covers all things lifestyle, wellness, travel, home, and beauty. When she's not writing, you can find her sweating it out at boxing or Pilates, planning her next travel adventure, or drinking red wine.

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30 Honest Advantages and Disadvantages of Travelling Alone

Some say solo travel is lonely and sad. Some say it is unsafe or expensive. And others say it is the best thing they’ve ever done. So, exactly what are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone?

The benefits of travelling alone include setting your own budget, making more friends, meeting more locals, finding romance, and freedom over your itinerary. The disadvantages of travelling alone include expensive private accommodation, safety risks, loneliness, and difficulty taking photos of yourself.

In this article, I will list 30 pros and cons of travelling alone, so that you can decide whether solo travel is right for you.

Nomadic Yak has 100s of solo travel tips if it’s your first time travelling solo !

Practical Advantages of Travelling Alone

Social benefits of travelling alone, psychological benefits of travelling alone, practical disadvantages of travelling alone, social disadvantages of travelling alone, psychological disadvantages of travelling alone.

• More solo travel tips

Advantages & Benefits of Travelling Alone

What are the advantages of travelling alone? 

In short, the benefits of solo travel include saving money, making more friends, finding romance, enjoying freedom and flexibility, gaining self-confidence and social skills, becoming more mindful, gathering interesting stories, interacting with locals and creating awesome social media content.

Let’s delve further into the pros of solo travel:

+ Freedom and flexibility over your itinerary

Solo travel provides you with the flexibility to do what you want, where you want and when you want. There’s no need to do what other people want to do. 

When you travel alone, you get to enjoy total control over:

• Which activities you do and when;
• Which accommodation you stay at;
• Which transport you take;
• Which restaurants you eat at;
• When you wake up and go to bed;
• When you take breaks during the day;
• Whether you go out or stay in;
• Which route you take;
• Where you travel to (see my list of the 193 best places to travel solo ).

The whole trip is based around you and you alone!

+ Set your own budget and save money

Solo travel can be up to 75% cheaper than travelling with a partner, family or friends. This is because you do not have to cover the costs of other people’s travel expenses. Instead, you can just look for the best deals for yourself.

You also get to set your own budget when you travel alone. You do not have to think about others when choosing how much you spend on accommodation, transport, dining, activities and other expenses.

With the money you save, you can travel for longer and enjoy yourself more.

+ Eat whatever you want

One of the main concerns that people face when travelling alone for the first time is eating alone – they think that they’ll look weird or feel lonesome. 

But you’ll soon realise that eating alone is one of the benefits of travelling alone. You have total freedom over what you eat, when you eat and which restaurant you eat at.

This is particularly great for people who are focused on their diet or have food allergies. It’s also helpful if you’re trying to stick to a travel budget.

+ Choose accommodation based on your needs

One benefit of solo travel is that you get to choose your accommodation. There’s no need to think about your travel companions, their budget and their wants. 

Most of the time, your budget and style of solo travel will determine where you stay:

• Backpackers: Mostly stay in hostels and motels because they are affordable and a great way to meet people.
• Standard solo travellers: Stay in a combination of hostels and hotels so that they can enjoy a mix of socialising, affordability and comfort.
• Luxurious solo travellers: Mostly stay in hotels and private rentals so that they enjoy the utmost comfort and privacy.

+ More time to read, watch and listen

Most people never find the time to finish that book they’ve been reading or watch that film they’ve been wanting to see. 

An advantage of travelling alone is that you don’t have to fuss over others – you can use your downtime to enjoy some reading, a show or a podcast.

+ Learn a new language

When you travel alone, you can’t rely on your fellow travellers to help you translate the local language. Whilst this may sound like a disadvantage to some, the benefit is that it forces you to learn more of the local language. 

With the help of language learning apps such as Duolingo , it is easy to pick up the basics that you need when travelling to a foreign country. The first few levels of learning include greetings, pronouns, food items and common travel phrases.

+ Be as selfish as you like

People ask, is travelling alone fun ? But what could be more fun than doing whatever you want?!

One of the problems with travelling with friends and family is that you have to worry about what they want to do and when they want to do it.

When you travel solo, you’re free to indulge in whatever you want – whether that’s an extra drink at the bar, heading back to your accommodation early or trying some exotic street food. The benefit of travelling alone is that it’s a rare opportunity to be as selfish as you like!

+ You make more friends when travelling alone

This is perhaps the biggest benefit of travelling alone – it is much easier to meet people and make friends. Even though I’m an introvert, I make 1 or 2 new friends almost every day on my solo trips!

When you travel alone, you naturally socialise with other travellers and discuss the things you have in common: your destination, your travel plans and your interests. 

Other travellers are more likely to befriend you when you travel alone. It is less antagonising for them to approach an individual than a group of people.

Blossom into a social butterfly with my Ultimate 9-Step Guide to Making Friends When Travelling Alone !

+ Gain more social media followers and engagement

All your friends and family at home will be keen to see your solo travel adventures. And you’ll add lots of other travellers and friends on social media along the way, growing your following. 

When travelling alone, use your downtime to edit your photos and videos so that you can create unique and exciting social media content.

Struggling for captions? See my list of the 100 best solo travel Instagram captions !

+ Gather interesting stories

Ever sit around at a party and wish you had more interesting stories to share? A benefit of travelling alone is the amazing stories you gather.

You’ll keep your friends and family entertained for hours when you return from your solo travel with a bag full of funny, fascinating and frightful memories!

+ More romance and sex

Most solo travellers are single, so travelling alone can be a great way to meet romantic partners. You never know – one of your fellow travellers may just be your soul mate!

Backpackers have sex more frequently and have more sexual partners than the average person.

Any man travelling alone should include condoms on their male solo travel packing list . Women should also include contraception on their female solo travel packing list .

+ More interaction with locals

When you travel with other people, you rely on them to help you navigate the city, learn the language, order food, learn local history and much more.

But one of the advantages of travelling alone is that you have to rely on the local people more and get to enjoy more authentic interactions. 

Many times throughout my solo travels, I have had to ask a local for help. And often, it results in them kindly inviting me for tea or a meal and the opportunity to learn about their way of life.

+ Build your social skills

Because you are forced to socialise and make friends when you travel alone, you quickly build social skills and become more outgoing. 

Even if you’re a shy or introverted solo traveller , you’ll soon find that you can make friends with almost anyone. Just break the ice by discussing your common interest – travel. After that, the conversation will flow naturally.

+ Become more self-confident

You’ll face all sorts of fears and anxieties when you travel alone – you’ll get lost in unknown streets, fumble around a foreign language, struggle with scam artists, make friends with strangers, and more.

Whilst such challenges can be scary, you feel a massive sense of pride (and relief) when you overcome them by yourself. When you step outside the comforts of day-to-day life, you realise that you are capable of more than you thought possible (without the help of others).

+ Solo travel broadens the mind and soul

When you travel alone, you learn a lot about how other people live; what they do for work, what their history is, how their relationships and families function, what their struggles are and what they’re grateful for.

Learning about the lives of others helps you put your own life into perspective. You think about what is important to you and what is unimportant – your purpose, priorities, problems and blessings.

This is one of the main reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s !

+ Find clarity with moments of mindfulness

Try to enjoy one moment of mindfulness each day of your solo trip.

Make the most of quiet moments when you are alone with your thoughts. Reflect on your purpose, career, relationships, worries, blessings and more.

Mindfulness is particularly important if you are suffering from loneliness, homesickness or solo travel depression .

I remember a few of my most moving moments when travelling alone – sleeping under the stars in the Sahara, watching water buffalo cross a river in Laos, and walking the battlefields of Gallipoli.

Small moments can lead to big revelations in your thinking.

+ You challenge yourself to try new experiences

When you travel alone, there are no naysayers looking over your shoulder and saying “don’t do this” or “don’t do that.”

One of the advantages of solo travel is that you are free to try all the experiences that you’ve always wanted to try – adventure activities, exotic foods, partying, relationships and much more!

Disadvantages of Travelling Alone

What are the disadvantages of solo travel? The disadvantages of travelling alone include more expensive accommodation, increased risk of theft and susceptibility to scams, having no one to take care of you when drunk or sick, feeling lonely or anxious, and finding it harder to take photos of yourself.

Let’s delve deeper into the cons of travelling alone:

– Accommodation, car rental and dining can be more expensive

There are hidden costs involved with travelling alone . If you’re not careful, solo travel can become more expensive than group travel because you have to:

• Pay a single’s surcharge when booking private accommodation
• Cover the entire cost of private transport (taxis and Ubers)
• Cover the entire cost of meals (no split bills)
• Pay full price for tickets to attractions (no group discounts)
• Pay more for travel insurance

The best way to save costs when travelling alone is to stay in shared accommodation. You can also save money by catching public transport rather than hiring a vehicle.

Don’t only rely on comparison sites to find the best price on accommodation and transport. Sometimes, suppliers offer better prices if you book directly through their website.

Solo travellers concerned about their budget can also join a group tour. Some tours provide great bang for your buck because the organisers receive a discount when booking bulk accommodation and transport – meaning bigger savings for you.

– Travelling alone can be less safe

One of the most common questions amongst both men and women is: is solo travel safe ? 

No form of travel is totally safe. But some safety issues are more prevalent when you travel alone:

• Scams: You may not have someone else to alert you to street scams.
• Theft and assault: You may not have someone else to protect you from theft and assault when travelling alone.
• Getting lost: You may not have someone to help you navigate if you get lost or your phone battery dies.
• Drunkenness and intoxication: You will have to find trustworthy friends to take care of you when drunk.
• Illness and disease: You may not have someone else to take care of you when sick.
• Language and cultural differences: You may not have someone else to help you translate the local language or make you aware of cultural practices.

To reduce your susceptibility to the dangers of travelling alone, see these solo travel safety tips . There are many things you can do to keep yourself safe, including using padlocks, sharing your GPS location with family and friends, and setting up fraud alerts on your bank account.

I still join tours as a solo traveller if I’m visiting a particularly dangerous or difficult destination. I share my tour experiences in my article on  solo travel vs group travel .

– Difficulty taking photos

One of the biggest disadvantages of travelling alone is not having friends and family around to take photos of you. However, this problem is easily overcome. 

Simply ask your fellow travellers to take photos of you or get good at taking selfies (this is where a selfie stick comes in handy).

Alternatively, if you are serious about photography, carry a tripod and use the timer feature on your camera to capture the perfect shot.

– Sitting next to strangers on transport

A disadvantage of solo travel is that you don’t get to sit next to people that you know and are comfortable with. Instead, you’ll be sat next to strangers on flights, trains and coaches. 

Whilst this isn’t an issue most of the time, sometimes fellow passengers can be a hindrance. For example, they may take up your personal space, stink of body odour or chew loudly.

I’ll never forget the time I was on an overnight sleeper coach in Vietnam, mistakenly thinking I had the single bed to myself for the entirety of the journey. You can imagine my surprise when another man jumped on at 2 am and snuggled up beside me.

It is best to include a set of noise-cancelling earphones and an eye mask on your solo travel packing list. And if you and a travel buddy are heading in the same direction, try to book your seats together.

My guide to flying alone for the first time has 10 more tips to make your trip more comfortable.

– Taking care of yourself when ill

At some stage during your solo travel, you will likely get sick with food poisoning, a cold or some other ailment. 

The disadvantage of travelling alone is that you won’t have family or friends there to take care of you, make your food and buy you medicine. The best option is to find some private accommodation for a few days and rest until you’ve mended.

– You can’t share your luggage space

Sometimes when you travel with a partner who packs light, you can put some of your luggage in their bags. You don’t have this luxury when travelling alone.

If you buy items overseas and run out of luggage space during your solo travel, your best option is to head to the post office and ship it home.

– It’s sad saying goodbye to new friends

Whilst you’ll make a lot of friends (and maybe even a few lovers) whilst travelling alone, one of the biggest disadvantages of solo travel is having to say goodbye to all your new buddies!

When it comes time to go your separate ways, make sure that you’ve added your travel buddies on social media and make plans to catch up with them again in the future. 

Despite living in Australia , solo travel has allowed me to make friends from all over the world. On my travels, I regularly catch up with pals from Germany, Sweden, Cambodia, Morocco, Turkey and many other countries.

– Friends and family at home won’t share in your stories

I remember when I got home after my first solo trip to Southeast Asia. I was buzzing and expected all my family and friends to be equally excited about my travel stories. Whilst they were happy to have me home and hear about my adventures, the truth is that they didn’t care as much about my stories as I did.

Sadly, your travel stories won’t mean as much to your family and friends as they do to you. Whilst the story may be entertaining, your audience wasn’t there to witness it. For a memory to be truly special, you have to partake in it. 

However, this can also be a nice thing – to know that you have had special experiences that your friends, family and acquaintances haven’t. That is part of what makes solo travel unique.

– Family will worry about you

If you’ve never travelled solo before, you tend to worry more than is necessary. What’s worse is that your family tends to worry even more. 

It can be difficult to calm worried parents and siblings. At times, I didn’t reveal to my family what I was doing overseas until I returned because I knew that it would stress them out (e.g. riding a scooter through Vietnam and Thailand).

However, this secretive approach isn’t always best. Generally, you should share your itinerary with your family and keep them updated with regular video calls to quash their worries.

– Solo travel can get lonely at times

First-time solo travellers often ask, is travelling alone lonely ?

There will be moments during your solo trip when you are eating alone or admiring the view and wish that you could share it with someone. But these moments serve as great opportunities for mindfulness and reflection. 

Further, you will meet so many people and make so many friends during your solo travels, that you will spend the majority of your time exploring your destination with other travellers.

In those moments that you do feel lonely, you may want to call home and speak to family or friends. Alternatively, head back to your hostel or a local bar and strum up some conversation with other solo travellers. Or you could even join a day tour and keep active to take your mind off of things.

– Homesickness can hit a little harder

One of the cons of travelling alone is that you have no friends or family with you to remind you of home. This can mean that homesickness hits a little harder when you travel solo.

To keep homesickness at bay, make sure to video chat with friends and family regularly. It might also help to carry a little memento from home and set the wallpaper on your phone to include photos of family and friends. 

Most importantly, socialise with other travellers and keep active to take your mind off of negative emotions!

– Sticky situations

When you travel with a trusted partner, you have someone else there to speak some sense into you – whether that’s not getting too drunk on a night out, not trusting the scam artist on the street or not eating the dodgy-looking street food. 

You’ll get better at avoiding these sticky situations as you gain more solo travel experience. And if you’re new to solo travel, do your best to be vigilant but accept that almost everyone falls victim to tourist traps at some stage.

– Solo travel anxiety

Many people who have never travelled alone before suffer from solo travel anxiety – a fear that they will be overcome by the emotions and practicalities that come with travelling alone.

It is natural to have questions before your first solo trip, such as is it weird to travel alone ?

These worries are one of the disadvantages of solo travel. But once you hit the road and start seeing amazing places, making great friends and trying new experiences, you will wonder what you ever worried about. 

Throwing yourself into the deep end is the best and only way to overcome solo travel anxiety.

Summary: Advantages and Disadvantages of Travelling Alone

Hopefully, I have dispelled the myths as to what are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone.

Travelling alone is best for people who aren’t afraid to face disadvantages such as safety risks and difficult emotions of loneliness, anxiety and homesickness. 

If you are adventurous and curious about the world, you can make the most of the advantages of travelling alone. You will return from your solo trip with more friends, a better understanding of the world and a better understanding of yourself.

Are you cut out for solo travel? Take the 15-question quiz: should I travel alone ?

Related Posts

Best Places to Solo Travel – All 193 Countries Ranked (2023)

Overcome Fear & Anxiety of Travelling Alone: 23 Things I Do

Introvert Solo Travel: 10 Truths and 12 Tips from a Shy Guy

Find more solo travel tips on nomadic yak.

Nomadic Yak helps solo travellers to plan journeys that are adventurous and authentic.

Every article is written by me, Harry . I’ve travelled to 40+ countries over the last 5 years – alone.

I’ve shared everything you need to know about travelling alone for the first time .

You’ll also find 100s of solo travel tips on how to save money, make more friends, build a social media following and much more.

Plus, you can use my solo travel destination guides to discover international sights and attractions that few other travellers get to witness.

Creator of Nomadic Yak

At age 22, I had never travelled overseas. Six years later, I have travelled alone through 35 countries and work wherever I like as a freelance writer.

• Solo Travel Guide
• About The Author

Complete Solo Travel Guide: How to Travel Alone Like a Pro

Solo travel is one of the greatest experiences one can encounter in life. Relying only on yourself, facing the fear alone and enjoying the moments without any distractions are one of the perks of solo travel. However, travelling alone is not only roses. It can turn into a pretty frustrating experience for those who’re unprepared. Read this complete solo travel guide below to make sure your next solo adventure brings you nothing but pleasure and fun.

Check out everything you need to know before travelling alone, read my solo travel tips, safety instructions and find answers to all the curious questions about travelling alone. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

WHAT IS SOLO TRAVEL & WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

What solo travelling actually means and am I a solo traveller when I hook up with a bunch of people from a hostel? Before you decide on travelling by yourself have a closer look on how we can define ‘solo travelling’ itself and why it is actually important to make journeys without fellow companions. 

SOLO TRAVEL MEANING

The definition of ‘solo travel’ is simple – it describes all the trips and travels on which one embarks completely alone, without having a single travel companion . A person decides to travel single, chooses a particular destination or trip itinerary alone and books the flight or train tickets and accommodation on her or his own. 

There is nobody waiting for a solo traveller on the destination. He or she encounters all the trip independently and travels alone . A Solo traveller wanders the city alone, hikes alone and explores all the places alone until she or he decides to connect with other travellers in the area and get on a journey with them. 

There are no differences between solo travellers who prefer getting to a place alone and gad around completely unaccompanied; and those who like to socialize . The more sociable types can after spending some time alone hang out with locals, or do trips with people from the hostel or other solo travellers they met online.

Solo travelling is usually referred as well as: travelling alone, travelling by yourself, single travelling, single trip, solo trip, solo vacations (American), going on holidays alone and so on.

WHAT IS SOLO TRAVEL LIKE? IS IT GOOD?

It is very difficult to describe what is solo travel like as it is impossible to talk about experiences of other people in general. For each person solo travelling can bring varied feelings and emotions .

For many people travelling alone is about being free and independent . Other solo travellers take it as a form of a spiritual journey to find more about themselves, for others it is fun because they meet new people. Solo travelling can be as adventurous or as relaxing as you – the single traveller – make it. 

Of course, travelling by yourself can be sometimes lonely , but still offers such a diverse knowledge, experience and skills. You can rely only on yourself. All your senses are fully activated, and you can afford to do whatever you want.

Your experience is maximized because instead of focusing on finding an agreement with a travel companion and trying to fulfil his or her needs, you’re completely soaked in the sensations from the place itself. You can read more about the whole solo travel experience in my article ‘What Solo Travel Teaches You’.

SOLO TRAVEL TIPS: HOW TO TRAVEL ALONE

How to travel solo successfully? What should be a single traveller prepared for? How to plan a solo travel tip and what kind of budget to expect when travelling alone?

HOW TO PLAN A VACATION BY YOURSELF

Planning a solo trip is crucial. On one hand, you have all the freedom with choosing the destination of your dreams, selecting the perfect time, the way you travel and activities you plan to do.

On the other hand, for your safety and enjoying the trip to its maximum, you need to be extraordinary cautious with planning your solo travels into the tiniest details. 

We can divide the planning into choosing the destination, selecting the right time, the best transport, choosing accommodation, making an itinerary of the trip, list of activities and list of necessities to perfectly pack for the solo trip. 

1. CHOOSE THE DESTINATION

I believe that every single trip starts with choosing a destination. At least, every solo travel should! This decision is completely on you and your travel bucket list.

It very much depends on what you’re fond of, what you can afford budget wise, how adventurous and solo experienced you are and of course, where you can go Visa and restriction wise. 

Did I forget anything? You got me! What else could be more important for a solo traveller than the safety itself? I will talk more about safety in the section ‘Solo Travel Safety’ (in progress) and soon you will be able to read more about destination selection at the page ‘Solo Travel Destination’.

Meanwhile, I can briefly help you with the big decision on where to travel alone by stating a few questions you need to ask before travelling solo to a certain place :

• What are your motivations to see this place?
• Does the place really meets the purpose of the trip – in terms of nature, hiking options, culture, etc.
• Is it safe? Would you feel safe and comfortable there?
• How difficult is to get to the place or the city? Do you need a car? Do you drive?
• What is the infrastructure ? Can you safely hang around using only public transport?
• Can you afford to stay in this place?
• Are there any cool places around ? Or can you imagine staying there during all your trip?

2. SELECT THE RIGHT SEASON, DATE AND TIME  

You are travelling alone so avoiding disastrous weather, especially something serious like tornados and hurricanes, is essential. Research the best time to visit your dream destinations and avoid the ‘unpleasant seasons’. 

For example, the Atlantic Hurricane season runs usually from June to November. Therefore, if you can’t imagine handling with possible weather complications during your solo travels to destinations affected by Atlantic hurricanes, you want to select a different date.

Time of arrival in the destination is also critical. When I travel solo, I prefer to spend a few more bucks on planes or trains with a reasonable arrival time. Most of the city transfers have a very limited schedule during nights , and I, personally, don’t feel very safe by crawling through the city at 1am to find my accommodation.

The other thing I am aware of are bank holidays of the country where I am travelling to. In many lands all shops and services may be closed during these days, so your arrival might be very disrupted. You may have less intercity connections, or you end up hungry because all shops are closed.

To summarize, you want to make sure that you select the perfect:

SEASON – the weather you want, no hazardous weather conditions.

DATE – how run the things in the destination during bank holidays or Sunday?

TIME – avoid late arrivals for your safety. 

3: PLAN THE BUDGET

Lucky those who can travel without the expenses in their minds! The rest of us have to get prepared on how much money we can afford to spend for the particular trip.

How to plan your solo travel budget:

• Set up a total budget (What is the maximum you can spend?).
• Allocate expenses into categories : accommodation, travel, transport, food & drinks, entrance fees, souvenirs, etc.
• Follow the currency of your destination to get the best exchange deal .
• Think how much cash you want and check ATMs available at your destination. What are the fees to withdraw money there?
• Set aside some emergency money .
• Decide on which credit or debit cards to take with you. 
• Decide where you will store your cash, cards and emergency cash.

HOT TIP : if you have more debit or credit cards, take with you only the one where you have less but sufficient amount of money . In case of pick pocketers and other thieves you lose only one credit card, the second one is safe at home.

4. BOOK THE ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORTATION

You know where you’re going, and you know how much you can afford to spend. The next step is selecting the best travel method and choosing the right accommodation. 

SELECTING THE BEST TRANSPORTATION

Look for the safest, most comfortable and most affordable means of transportation. Even if you’re on a budget, don’t make extremely ‘cheap choices’. The differences between prices are sometimes minimal and simple 10 euros or pounds can help you to reach your destination earlier and stressless.

Yes, travelling alone can be really stressful. Because there is nobody making the decision for you . You have to do everything to put yourself in a chilled mode. Hectic, chaotic and uncomfortable travelling can turn your solo trip into a nightmare. 

Once I booked a super early flights just to save around 20 euros. I ended up travelling exhausted, waiting for my next bus for hours and hours. Don’t waste money but mostly don’t waste your time . You can earn the money later, although you’ll never get back the hours you’ve lost. 

CHOOSING ACCOMMODATION WHEN TRAVELLING SOLO

This is very subjective and very much depends on your budget and preferences . I know many travellers who prefer hostels not only to save some money, but mostly to socialize and meet new people. 

I, personally, don’t need any of those. Furthermore, I prefer having my private bathroom, toilet and peace. One thing what can ruin my light night sleep is people checking in during super late or early hours, talking or partying directly in the room. 

So far, I was lucky enough to find hotels or hostels offering single rooms, or I found a double room for a very discounted price. You can also book only 1 place in a double room, but you will end up paying so-called single supplement. 

WHERE TO STAY WHEN TRAVELLING ALONE.

Pros: comfort, safety, amenities, usually better central locations

Cons: price, hard to meet new people

Pros: budget, easy to socialize, mostly friendly and open atmosphere, kitchen,

Cons: sleeping next to a stranger, less comfort, no privacy, less safety (you never know who you share the room with)

AIRBNB SHARED ROOM / GUEST HOUSE:

Pros: home atmosphere, mingling with the locals, safety (AIRBNB takes their polices seriously), usually affordable

Cons: Less privacy, shared space; if you don’t connect with the host, it might be awkward

AIRBNB / VRBO / ENTIRE APARTMENTS

Pros: Complete privacy, home atmosphere, kitchen, comfort

Cons: Pricey, loneliness (when staying at a hotel you can at least bump into somebody or have a chit-chat with the stuff.)

COUCHSURFING

Pros: it is for free, mingling with locals, exceptional & intimate atmosphere

Cons: no privacy, again when not connected to your host it can be very awkward; shared space

5. CREATE A ‘WANT TO SEE’ LIST AND PLAN THE ITINERARY

One of my most common solo travel tips would be: ‘know where and when you go but leave some space for random adventures’. 

I believe it is vital for a solo traveller to make a proper research about the place that she or he is visiting. You want to make the best out of your trip, you want to spend your trip by exploring not by planning or getting lost in a dodgy area. 

Planning freaks like me will have no struggles by creating to do & see lists and scheduling their itineraries. The other ones can easily underestimate solo travel preparations and leave the trip to ‘go with the flow’.

I enjoy spontaneous trips and hang-outs too, but I am not a big fun of wandering without any purpose; or even worse, ending the trip with a misery of missed opportunities . 

Planning your solo trip itinerary is also important from the safety perspective . If you know where you’re heading you can’t get lost, and you don’t look like being lost. The first one causes stress and anxiety , the second one makes you an easy target for scammers and criminals.

WANT TO SEE LIST:

• Research the place.
• What do you want to see and do?
• What are the priorities of visiting these places? (must-see vs. nice to see)
• Do you plan to stay at one place or do you plan to travel from a city to city?
• Are those places safe for a solo traveller?
• Do you need to buy some tickets in advance?
• How can you get to the places you want to see?
• How much time do you need to explore the places?
• When is the best time to visit those places?
• Are those located in the same area? 
• Can you group these places or things according to the location or niche? (museum day, beach day, visiting the centre, suburbs…)
• What do you have to pack?  (hiking shoes, own food

6. MAKE A LIST OF ALL ‘TO PACK NECESSITIES’

It’s packing time! Once you know where you go and what your solo travel activities will be, making a packing list should be a piece of cake.

Pay extra attention to the weather forecast and, of course, required dimensions of your travel luggage!

Don’t forget chargers, first aid kit, medication and your passport . I’ll give you more insights in the next paragraph about packing. 

SOLO TRAVEL ESSENTIALS & NECESSITIES

How to pack for your solo trip? I usually travel on light , not only to save some money but mostly my energy .

Dragging a monstrous 20 kilo luggage which doesn’t fit basically anywhere, with +30 degrees heatwaves outside doesn’t sound like pleasing travel to me.

The secret is to know what you really need and what, on the other hand, might stay at the bottom of your suitcase during the whole trip.

What to pack when you’re travelling alone:

• Smart & light luggage
• Right clothes & shoes
• Enough funds
• Good insurance
• Reusable water bottle & food container
• First aid kit, medication & hygiene
• Chargers, adapters and other gadgets
• Personal documents & their copies
• Written cheat sheet with emergency contacts

1. SMART & LIGHT LUGGAGE

Once again, you’re not going to a catwalk (I guess). The fewer things you take, the fewer things you lose and the fewer things you carry. 

It is such a pain to wander around with heavy baggage. You may also grab much more unwanted attention than when travelling light. 

I prefer taking a medium-sized backpack or a tiny smart suitcase on wheels which I can fit nearly everywhere. Of course, the mean of your luggage depends on the destination.

If you’re about to have a city break , pick up a suitcase – it is more spacious, comfortable and in big cities you won’t look like a stranger. 

For more adventurous solo travels , when you visit further parts of the world, and you plan to change places often, then a backpack is the right choice!

2. RIGHT CLOTHES & SHOES

One more reason to have at least a tiny idea about what places you want to visit during your solo trip. Do you plan to swim ? Do you fancy a beach day ? Is the purpose of your solo travel hiking or culture hunting ? 

Once again, keep an eye on the weather in all your destinations. Always travel in the heaviest clothes to save some weight and space in your luggage. 

Is the destination conservative? Then pay extra attention to the norms of clothing of the place you head to. As a woman travelling to Muslim or other religious countries you will have to follow some rules like covering your legs, shoulders and head. 

You may want to avoid too sexy fashion as well at dodgier places. As a female solo traveller you don’t want to grab too much attention. 

HOT TIP: Check-out the fashion norms and trends of your destination to fit into the crowd and don’t look like a tourist.

3. ENOUGH FUNDS

We’re talking about money again.  Answer yourself these questions: 

• What currency you need, and what’s the current trend of its fluctuations? 
• Is it worth to exchange all the amounts before travelling, or can you find enough low fee ATMs / exchange agencies at the place? 
• Where do you want to store your money?

I usually have a higher amount of cash in the local currency directly in my purse which I carry with me everywhere (mostly in a vigilantly monitored backpack or a handbag). Then I have a debit card with a sufficient but not significant amount which I save in the hotel room, in a locker.

Finally, I have also a reserve amount of cash, hidden somewhere. This way when I get rob I can still rely on some hidden safety cash. 

4. GOOD INSURANCE

Don’t travel without insurance, especially during the corona crisis. You might be healthy and young, and you might be supremely cautious, but you never know what happens.

Insure both yourself and your journey . Double check if your current health insurance insures you also abroad and where. Are you insured against emergencies and accidents ? If not, do so!

My next tip would be – take the physical insurance card with you. Everything is online nowadays including insurance and other ID cards. I prefer to take my physical card and keep it together with my passport on a very secure place. This might be either the strictly monitored handbag or pocket of your trousers. 

I assume that thieves might be more willing to steal my phone rather than my insurance card. And when this happens, I still have my physical insurance card with a hotline number to call in case of emergencies and accidents. 

5. REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE & FOOD CONTAINER

Don’t make a single step without a reusable water bottle. Travelling takes lots of energy and the levels of hydration have to be filled frequently. 

With a perfect sized reusable water bottle you’ll save yourself some money, and you’ll use definitely less plastic. Many cities have a fresh source of tap water in parks, gardens and other public places. 

However, if you’re heading to a trickier destination where tap water is not really recommended, there you may need to spend more money on bottled water. A better solution would be to get one of those fancy water filtrating bottles. 

I like to take a small food container to have enough energy boosters on my trips. A little snack can save you from fainting during your hikes or unpleasant surprises when visiting cities where a daily shut down of all restaurants and shops is something completely usual ( siestas in Italy and Spain ).

6. FIRST AID KIT, MEDICATION & HYGIENE

Be ready for the best and be ready for the worst. Pack your regular medication, painkillers, medicaments for stomach, thermometer, plasters, bandage, tweezers, vitamins and immunity minerals like zinc and iron, energy boosters, pads , etc. 

Don’t forget sun blockers, sunglasses with high UV, lip protector, hat or a cap. FFP masks together with antibacterial gels are a must nowadays. 

Dental hygiene is important so pack yourself a toothpaste, tooth brush, floss and possible a small package of dental water. 

Moisturizing is not only for princesses! Especially when you travel to dry and windy destinations. Cracked skin aches! Take care of it before it’s too late. 

7. CHARGERS, ADAPTERS AND GADGETS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE

Do your research – again. Know what kind of plugs they use in the country you’re solo travelling to and try to get a suitable adapter before the journey (there are also some multifunctional variations, or multi USB adapters).

Of course, never forget your cellphone or tablet charger , and possibly the gadget itself (phone, camera, tablet, laptop, etc.). Make sure your credit is topped up or your roaming completely set-up for the country of your stay. 

Little example of a big fail : my friends and I managed to get to Morocco without previously checking on if our Spanish numbers and roaming were valid there. We split into 2 groups to get our rental card and guess what – none of our EU phones worked.

MUST HAVE GADGETS:

• Cell-phone or/and camera
• tablet or/and laptop
• Chargers & adapters
• Portable Powerbank

LIFE SAVING GADGETS:

If you plan a little crazier trip (like a solo wandering through an Amazon jungle or solo hiking in Iceland), I leave for you a list of hardcore gadgets:

• Portable Wi-Fi Hub
• Survival kit, 
• Pocket-Size washing machine
• goTenna Mash
• Automated travel vacuum
• Water Purified Bottle
• Tent & sleeping bag
• Compass or GPS
• High-tech foot warmers
• Female Urination Device
• Utility knife

(source: Travelaway )

 8. PERSONAL DOCUMENTS & THEIR COPIES

Make a copy of every document you take – ID, passport, insurance card, visa , etc. It may become handy in case you lose the originals. I have usually pictures of the most important documents also in a digital form – saved in Cloud, on Google Drive, or any software which is password secured.

9. WRITTEN CHEAT SHEET WITH EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Don’t rely on your phone only. It can get broken, it can be stolen, or it can be lost. Carry with you a paper cheat sheet with a list of all the necessary emergency contacts – telephone number and address of your hotel, telephone contact to your family and friends, your country’s embassy, local police, ambulance , etc.

Have those always with you, in a secure pocket or – a tip for ladies: in the back of your bra! This little piece of paper can save your life in case you get lost, your phone is having a bad moment, or in the worst scenario when it has been stolen or misplaced. Safety should always be the priority number one of your solo trip. 

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Travel Alone & Love It

January 4, 2024 by Janice Waugh

What is solo travel? After 15 years of traveling solo, I've concluded that it is two things. Solo travel can be done independently or on a group tour. Essentially, solo travel is when you leave behind everyone you know and embark on a trip. Independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the travel yourself. Group solo travel is when you join a tour or cruise alone. Both provide the unique experience of exploring the world without family and friends who have expectations of you. It's about discovering who you are when no one (that you know) is looking.

Traveling alone delivers access to the world in ways that other forms of travel don't. It is an essential mode of travel, at least some of the time.

However, not everyone takes to it naturally. Some worry about traveling solo. There are concerns around loneliness, safety, and more.

While we have hundreds of articles on the site that get into the details of how to travel solo, here, in one place, is the ultimate guide for those who want to travel alone. The tips in this post will help you have the best experience possible. They will help you travel alone and love it.

If you are traveling independently, read on.

If you plan to go on an organized tour, don't miss our page of tours with no or low single supplement . It's updated at least once a month and if you'd like to receive it via email you can sign up here .

Table of Contents

Why You Will Love Solo Travel

When you travel alone, you travel on your terms. You get to do what you want, when you want. You can connect with people if you wish or avoid them completely. Those are the obvious benefits for going solo as a traveler.

But there are many benefits of solo travel that affect your whole life. The experience encourages you to stretch and grow as a person. You gain confidence and get better at problem solving. You understand yourself better, become more independent, and become a more interesting person.

For more, read Why Travel Solo? 15 Reasons Going Alone Makes Travel Better . Now, let's get on to the ultimate solo travel guide.

Your Guide for Planning to Travel Alone

Planning a solo trip takes a bit of time and thought. To cover everything, this would be an extremely long article. Instead, I'm pointing you to some of the basic planning posts on Solo Traveler. There over 600 posts on Solo Traveler. This just takes you to the ones that cover the fundamentals.

• Solo Travel Planning Guide with Trends, a Checklist, and Insider Tips
• Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe
• Carry-On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
• Best Accommodation for Solo Travelers
• A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers
• Eating Alone Is Easy When You Know How

Ultimate Tips to Travel Alone and Love It!

Let's get into the experience of traveling alone.

For some people, enjoying a solo trip comes naturally. Others have to work at how to travel alone. Most who do, fall in love with it. Here are a few things you can do to ensure a great solo adventure.

1. Visualize the trip you want. It's all about you.

Start thinking about the opportunities that are present when you travel alone long before you leave. Is it down time you really want? Build that into the plan. Are you after a creative travel experience ? Research the opportunities before you go and then dream on them until you get there.

2. Gather firsthand knowledge before you go. Personal stories tell you more.

Talk to people who have already traveled to your destination. Doing this was so incredibly helpful when planning my trip to Patagonia. At the time, no amount of research helped me plan the logistics. Talking to people who had made a similar trip gave me insight into the travel options and tips on how to avoid the mistakes they had made. Use your social network to find people. Join online meetup groups based in your destination. Find expat groups at your destination. By talking to people you will learn more about things to do as well as things that are not really for you.

3. Learn to chat with strangers.

Starting conversations with strangers can be a challenge, especially when you're an introvert like I am. However, these conversations can be trip-changing, if not life-changing. There are many skills that can be developed for this and one is never too old to learn them. In fact, it was only when traveling alone after my husband passed away that I learned how much I had grown and taken on the techniques of an extrovert. I learned that I could talk to strangers easily.

4. Tap the experience of the people you meet. Get current information.

As a solo traveler, you'll meet more travelers and locals than those who travel with a partner. Ask a traveler about the best thing they've done so far or a local for the best hidden gem restaurant in the area. The people you meet and the advice they offer will greatly enrich your trip.

5. Be flexible with your plans. Opportunities arise!

When suggestions or opportunities arise from these chance encounters, be flexible enough to act on them. There are times when flexibility must reign and the schedule should be thrown away. I do this most often on road or rail trips.

6. Don't over-plan. You will absolutely need relaxing time.

Managing your travels yourself takes more energy than if you are with someone else. It is important to have extra time in your itinerary to wander a market leisurely, linger over a coffee at an outdoor café, or take that trip into the mountains you hadn't considered.

7. Be patient. Take time to settle in and learn how the city works.

It can be difficult arriving in a new city alone. Take your time. Take a day to relax, watch the city function, and settle in. Read Solo Travel Confidence: How to Be Strong, Capable, and Safe .

8. Explore your destination at different levels. Gain different perspectives.

In London, it's natural to take the Tube. However, riding on the top of a double-decker bus gives you another perspective on the city. But you still wouldn't want to miss the Tube as it's an experience unto itself. My point is, explore the city in as many ways as possible: on foot, by bicycle, via public transit. Take a taxi and talk to the driver. Rent a car and learn what it's like to park or drive on the opposite side of the road. Every mode of movement offers new perspectives.

9. Take in local events. Get to know the daily life of a culture.

Whether it's a street festival or a sporting event, these are opportunities to rub shoulders with locals, offering insight into the culture and, potentially, fun conversations. Events made for tourism will not be as successful for this as events created by and for locals.

10. Be proactive if you’re unsure of yourself.

Ask for help. Standing around looking dazed will not get you where you want to go and it may get you noticed by the wrong people. Go ahead, smile, and ask for help. It's one of the fundamentals of staying safe as you travel solo .

11. Eat locally! Discover the culture through food.

There is nothing like exploring the local cuisine. It gives you a new path into your destination's culture, history, and geography. There is always a reason, historical or geographic, for a specific cuisine that can be explored through your tastebuds and your mind.

12. Shop where the locals shop.

Are you into home renovations? Then a hardware store in another country could be quite interesting. Are you a foodie? Go to the grocery store or the street where all the specialty vendors are located. Are you into fashion or interior decorating? Again, explore (you don't have to buy) where the locals shop.

13. Know which way is up. An old-school map is your friend.

Study a map of your destination. Get to know it. Get a sense of direction using major landmarks like Central Park in New York City or the CN Tower in Toronto. This will help you explore cities happily, with greater confidence. Read How to Navigate a New City Solo .

13. Find people who share your passion.

Whether it's chess or poetry or badminton or books, there will be hubs or groups that share your passion at your destination. Many destinations have an English bookstore which is typically a great resource for events you will want to attend. Google search or find them on meetup.com. What a great way to combine your love of travel with your love of other things.

14. Take day tours and classes.

There are many benefits to punctuating your independent trip with local tours such as cooking classes . You have new ways to better experience your destination, enjoy some social time (after all, solo travelers are not necessarily loners), and you get to take a break and let the tour company run the logistics and planning of the experience.

15. Have great evenings out.

Just because you're traveling solo doesn't mean you have to stay in at night with a book. There are many options for things to do in the evening. If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, music is a good bet. Read What to Do at Night When Traveling Alone and How to Enjoy Going to a Bar Alone When You Travel .

What If You Don't Love Solo Travel?

Let's face it, not everyone likes the same thing. Some people will travel alone and, for one reason or another, not enjoy it.

The first thing I suggest is that you be patient. You're not going to find your solo travel groove on the first day of your first trip. You need to give yourself some time to settle into your destination and apply some of the many travel alone tips above.

If, then, you're still not loving it, read  What If You Travel and You Don’t Love It ? and the advice of other solo travelers in Feeling Overwhelmed? How to Conquer First-Day Solo Travel Anxiety .

Round Out Your Guide to Solo Travel with These Resources

Here are a few posts to explore to help you plan your best solo trip.

• How to Save Money for Travel
• How to Plan Your Travel Budget: Luxury or Frugal
• Best Solo Travel Destinations: Real Solo Travelers Love These
• Feeling the Pinch? Solo Travelers Save Money at The Airport
• How to Get Through an Airport by Yourself with Ease
• Carry On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
• Checked Baggage: Top Planning and Packing Tips.
• Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How & New Recommendations
• Road Trip Alone with Confidence: 10 Tips for a Great Trip

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Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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SOLO TRAVEL , SOLO TRAVEL INSPIRATION

15 books about solo travel to inspire wanderlust.

Let these books about solo travel inspire you to travel alone with confidence

Solo travel can be transformative.

The empowerment you achieve by stepping outside of your comfort zone and learning more about yourself and your abilities is second to none. You have total freedom to do what you want when you want, and plenty of opportunities to meet fun and interesting new people.

But even with these  proven benefits of solo travel , the  first time that you travel alone  can be daunting.

Studies of attitudes to travelling alone  suggest that  solo travel safety , higher costs and  feeling lonely when travelling  are key  anxieties around solo travel . This is particularly true for would-be female solo travellers.

Reading inspirational tales of those who have travelled alone can help to give you the confidence to take your first solo trip. Not only can you see where other people have travelled and how they did it, but you will also be entertained and inspired.

Here is a selection of my hand-picked selection of books to inspire your solo travel wanderlust.

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

Books by Pioneers of Female Solo Travel

Solo travel, and female solo travel in particular, is not a new thing. I take inspiration from this quartet of great women who travelled alone in times when this was against the social norm, and to places that would be considered challenging today.  

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle

By Dervla Murphy

Dervla Murphy  (1931 – 2022) is one of the greats of solo female travel writing and a personal inspiration.

The Irish touring cyclist wrote 26 books over more than 50 years.  Full Tilt  recounts her first long-distance bicycle tour from Ireland to India across The Himalayas.

Murphy was still travelling and writing in her 70s, an inspiration to all  mature solo travellers  amongst us.

>>> CHECK PRICE HERE

The Valleys of the Assassins: and Other Persian Travels

By Freya Stark

Freya Stark  (1893 – 1993) set the mould for intrepid solo travellers. Focusing on the Middle East and Afghanistan, she ventured to destinations that many would be reluctant to explore today, let alone in the 1930s.

The Valleys of the Assassins, her first publication, is an absorbing account of her treks into the wilderness of Luristan, the mountainous terrain nestled between Iraq and  present-day Iran .

My Journey to Lhasa

By Alexandra David-Néel

In 1924, the Belgian-French explorer  Alexandra David-Néel  (1868 – 1969) became the first western woman to enter the forbidden city of Lhasa, using a disguise of yak hair extensions.

My Journey to Lhasa, the fifth in her series of Asian travels, powerfully chronicles her travels in Tibet, which culminated with an audience with the Dalai Lama.

Unbeaten Tracks in Japan

By Isabella Lucy Bird

A pioneer of solo female travel,  Isabella Lucy Bird  (1831 – 1904 was a Victorian adventurer who was the first woman to be elected fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Written in the form of letters to her sister, Unbeaten Tracks in Japan describes her journey from Tokyo to Hokkaido in 1878 at the age of 47.

During these early years of the Meji Restoration,  Japan  was largely closed to Westerners and her work paints a picture of Japanese houses, clothing and customs for those not able to experience these first-hand.

Contemporary Books About Solo Travel

This next collection of solo travel books are written by contemporary women. Whilst some of their publications may be familiar to you, courtesy of the silver screen, it’s worth diving into their books to hear their own words.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

By Elizabeth Gilbert

There can’t be many female solo travellers who haven’t heard of this hugely popular 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert.

Eat, Pray, Love  chronicles a woman’s search for pleasure, devotion and balance after a bitter divorce and turbulent love affair. Her quest takes her to Italy, where she learns Italian and gains 25 pounds. An ashram in India is the setting for her enlightenment and happiness is finally hers in Indonesia.

This book was made into a successful movie in 2010, starring Julia Roberts.

Radio Shangri-La: My Accidental Journey to the Happiest Kingdom on Earth 

By Lisa Napoli

As a solo travel book,  Radio Shangri-La  is nowhere near as well-known as  Eat Pray Love . But that doesn’t mean that it should be ignored.

Dissatisfied with her life and her work as a radio journalist, Lisa Napoli exchanged fast-paced Los Angeles for the tiny, happy kingdom of Bhutan. This memoir describes how she built a new life in Bhutan, helping to establish Bhutan’s first youth-oriented radio station, and finding purpose in unexpected places.

Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found

By Cheryl Strayed  

In the wake of her mother’s death and the break-up of her marriage, Cheryl Strayed set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, a stretch of wilderness rolling from Mexico to Canada This 2012 memoir, subsequently adapted for the big screen with Reese Witherspoon taking the lead role, describes her experiences on this 1,100-mile hike.

Wild  powerfully captures the challenges and joy of a woman’s journey against the odds and is sprinkled liberally with warmth and humour. An excellent book to take on your travels if you feel that you are facing insurmountable challenges.

Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy

By Frances Mayes

Tuscany is one of my favourite regions of Italy , from its magnificent Renaissance cities to the  Tuscan villages  that appear to be frozen in time.

Under the Tuscan Sun  is not only one of my favourite books about solo travel but is also one of the  best movies about Italy.

Frances Mayes escapes to Tuscany when she discovers her husband has been cheating on her. Falling in love with Cortona, she buys a dilapidated villa on a whim and starts to restore the villa and her life.

>>> CHECK PRICE HERE  

What I Was Doing While Yo u Were Breeding: A Memoir

By Kristin Newman

At a time when she is surrounded by those who are settling down and sprogging up, Kristin Newman decided to explore the world, often alone, for several weeks each year. The author’s background as a sitcom writer is evident in this book which is equal parts laugh-out-loud storytelling and wanderlust inspiration.

A rallying cry for reluctant female solo travellers everywhere

How NOT to Travel the World: Adventures of a Disaster-Prone Backpacker

By Lauren Juliff

Don’t believe those who try to sugarcoat it.

Solo travel isn’t always an easy ride. As with any type of travelling, there are multiple opportunities for things to go pear-shaped, and if you are travelling alone, you have no one to rely upon but yourself.

But, as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and this is certainly the case in Lauren Juliff’s 2015 memoir.

How NOT to Travel the World  demonstrates how one scared woman’s desire to travel overpowered her debilitating anxiety and lack of life experience.

A human as opposed to a superhuman account of travel.

Solo Female Travel Anthologies

If you are searching for solo travel inspiration but want to hear a number of different voices, why not dip into an anthology of stories?

A Girl s ’ Guide to Travelling Alone: Inspiring True Tales from Solo Women Travellers

By Gemma Thompson

A Girls’ Guide to Travelling Alone is the perfect road companion.

It features witty and sometimes challenging travel stories from women of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and experiences. What unites them is that all have an inspirational and compelling tale to tell.

Go Your Own Way: Women Travel the World Solo

By Faith Conlon

In this collection of beautifully crafted essays, 23 women recount the excitement of travelling solo. Their adventures span the globe, from the jungles to the dance floors of  Buenos Aires .

Solo Travel Guide Books

But perhaps you are not seeking inspiration from others’ exploits but want a book about travelling alone that is packed with practical tips. A “Solo Travel for Dummies” in effect.

These final few books might fit the bill.

The Solo Travel Handbook: practical tips and inspiration for a safe, fun and fearless trip (Lonely Planet, 2018) 

The 2nd edition of the Solo Travel Handbook from the Lonely Planet stable is packed with tips and advice to give you the confidence and knowledge to explore the world on your own.

This guide includes the following topics:

• Confronting and overcoming any travel worries
• Deciding where to go and plan your itinerary
• Setting a budget
• Finding deals on flights and accommodation
• Choosing the right luggage and packing tips
• Meeting fellow travellers  and befriending locals
• Staying safe, happy and healthy

Wanderlust – How to Travel Solo: Holiday tips for independent adventurers

By Lynn Hughes (Author)

In a similar vein, this solo travel guidebook written by Wanderlust magazine’s team of writers is packed with tips to give you the confidence to strike out on your own.

The Solo Female Travel Book: Tips and Inspiration for Women Who Want to See the World on Their Own Terms 

By Jen Ruiz

The final guidebook to travelling alone is a bit of a hybrid and is a publication aimed squarely at female solo travellers.

Part guide, part memoir, the author combines funny stories and tips to inspire women to see the world safely and confidently.

The book’s topics include tips on how to do the following:

• Prepare for your first solo trip 
• Choose the right destination 
• Plan the perfect itinerary
• Take photographs by yourself
• Pack light and bring all the essentials 
• Make friends abroad and combat loneliness

And that’s a wrap. I hope that one or more of these books about solo travel will inspire you to travel alone for the first time or provide comfort and guidance while you are on the road.

I’ll sign off with one of my favourite  inspirational solo travel quotes :

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Mark Twain

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Tourism — Embracing the Benefits of Traveling Alone

Embracing The Benefits of Traveling Alone

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Why adventure is as much about the people as it is about the places

The first time I went on an Intrepid Travel trip – exploring India from Delhi to Goa  –  I was late for the welcome meeting.

Sure, I was exhausted, having arrived from Ottawa via London earlier that same day and the hotel bed felt amazing after two days of plane seats and airport benches. But my sluggishness wasn’t just jetlag. As I fumbled around in my hotel room, battling my bedhead and desperately trying to freshen up, some tiny mechanism deep in my subconscious was slowing me down, procrastinating, delaying the inevitable.

Truthfully, I was a little anxious about what was to come next. This was my first solo trip with a group, and I was about to meet my travel companions for the next 14 days – the ‘mystery people’ as I had come to think of them. Who were they? Would they like me? Would I like them? Would spending two weeks with strangers ACTUALLY be fun? I was stepping far out of my comfort zone, and these questions, which had seemed so abstract and inconsequential when I booked my trip, now seemed all too real and very consequential.

It was blistering hot outside, but suddenly I had cold feet.

Two weeks later, one of the best experiences of my life came to a close. India was incredible. I was awestruck by the Taj Mahal, and I was thrilled to dip my toes in the warm Arabian sea at Goa – a place that had been on my wishlist for years.

Another highlight of the trip: Udaipur

But perhaps my warmest memory of the entire trip was the evening I spent drinking Kingfisher lagers on a rooftop patio overlooking the pastel city of Udaipur with a couple from Britain – a pair with a wild streak that, on a whim, had traded in a conventional vacation to instead trek through India. And when the trip was all over, that goodbye was particularly hard. I had expected India to be epic and iconic, but I hadn’t expected that.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS WRITER’S STORY: “LIFE AFTER CANCER ON AN INTREPID TRIP IN INDIA”

As it turned out, friendships forged on dusty Delhi streets, on sunrise hikes to Hindu temples, on crowded overnight Indian trains had become surprisingly strong, fast.

I had uncovered the best-kept secret of group travel. I was hooked.

My Intrepid group in India

Why travel anyway?

There are so many reasons why people travel . To break out of our daily routines. To see beautiful landscapes and iconic sites. To experience life lived elsewhere. To learn and to challenge ourselves. To fulfill dreams and feel alive. I am no different. Going somewhere – anywhere – is exciting, challenging, new, and expands your own world. Group travel makes it easy.

But at least for me, now there’s something else. What I came to realize on that trip to India is this: the adventure is as much about the people you are with as it is the places you go. Discovering who your travel companions are – sharing experiences, sharing perspectives, sharing laughs – is woven into every step of your journey, and when you get back home, you can’t help but feel richer for having shared a small slice of life together.

Think about it. When you travel with a group, you are setting out on a social adventure. You are on the road with a motley crew. You would likely never cross paths with these people in your daily life. They may not even be anything like your friends at home. Now, don’t get me wrong: we cherish the people that fill our lives on the regular, but isn’t different what you are looking for?

Scenic spots in Morocco

Still, despite the newness, the hint of the unknown, something binds you together – after all, you are all there, in that one place, ready to go. You are all wanderers. You are all like-minded souls. That is powerful common ground.

The best of the best

Looking back on that first day in India, I really need not have been anxious at all, and science seems to back that up. Research suggests that there are three important conditions for making friends: proximity, opportunities for spontaneous and recurrent interactions, and a setting that encourages people to let their guard down and confide in each other. And this is what groups travel is all about.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS WRITER’S STORY: “REDISCOVERING TRAVEL AS A MOM”

Fast forward to my next Intrepid Travel trip one year later, this time to see the Best of Morocco . Was I late for that kick-off meeting? Absolutely not. I could hardly wait for the adventure to begin.

Marrakech, with new Intrepid friends

The group was (self-described!) the best: two couples from Canada – one from Vancouver on an epic retirement journey across multiple countries, the other from rural Ontario, the kind of people you’d want by your side if you were ever lost in the woods; a foodie couple from India with high-end tastes; two solo women from big American cities, one from Las Vegas with a bit of the wild west in her blood, the other a straight-talking New Yorker with an insightful mind and a heart of gold; a 20-something man from the U.S. who hadn’t really been home in years; an unflappable German woman whose quiet energy was limitless; and me, a suburban mom of two boys. How lucky was I?!

Three days into the trip, we had outlasted the locals at the neighbourhood couscous restaurant in Fes. The tone was set.

BROWSE ALL OF INTREPID’S SMALL GROUP TOURS IN MOROCCO

And the connections were as stellar as the experiences – in fact, they were one and the same. Imagine being out on the sand and under the stars in the Sahara, huddled under camel hair blankets, talking and laughing the night away with a kindred spirit while everyone else was asleep in the tents.

Awestruck in the Sahara

Or, sharing a breathless moment as you and your friend are pulled to safety by a local vendor when a fight breaks out in the Essaouira fish market where you’ve decided to go for lunch. Then at last, drinking ridiculously expensive but brilliantly mixed cocktails at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech with your girl squad, getting teary-eyed at the thought of the trip coming to an end. All true stories, and when I think of them, the memories are so good.

Now, back home months after Morocco, I sometimes find myself recalling snippets of conversations, or considering how a particular person might react, when something comes up in my life, and I see this as a testament of how meaningful and influential these compact friendships are, at least to me. Even if I never see the squad in person again, that’s alright. Those ladies left their mark on me – in fact, everyone did in their own way.

I’m ready for the next adventure.

Ready for your next adventure? Check out Intrepid Travel’s top trips in 120+ countries.

(All images courtesy of author Lani Innes and taken on her adventures with Intrepid Travel.)

Feeling inspired?

A Canadian, Lani Innes works as a policy analyst in the federal public service. She resides in Gatineau, Quebec with her two sons, their dog and their budgie. A visit to Costa Rica in her late teens sparked a wanderlust that took her to the Caribbean, Mexico, Peru and Spain in her younger years, and later to the United Kingdom and France through work. Her favourite cities – so far! – are London and Miami, and going forward, she has firm plans to fill every page in her passport.

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20 Pros And Cons Of Traveling Alone

This post contains affiliate links to trusted partners. If you purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

When deciding whether to travel solo or with a group, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of traveling alone .

The desire to travel solo is particularly prominent among women, who are increasingly interested in experiencing new cultures and meeting new people without waiting on their friends or family.

Remember that time when your friend or significant other backed out of a trip at the last minute, so you ended up missing out, too? Well, when you travel solo, you can go anywhere at any time without needing to wait for anyone.

Still on the fence about whether you should take the leap and venture out on your first solo trip? Check out some pros and cons of traveling alone that may make it easier for you to decide. These are based on my own experiences traveling the world solo.

Additionally, you’ll see why so many people recommend solo travel, while also understanding how to realistically prepare for potential setbacks.

Quick tip: When traveling solo, it’s smart to pack travel safety essentials . One top pick is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm , which is TSA-approved and can help scare away potential attackers. Other recommendations include Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves .

Table of Contents

Travel Solo With Confidence [Free Course]

But first, before we discuss the pros and cons of solo travel , I invite you to grab a seat in Jessie’s  free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course .

The 6-day course is designed to help you feel confident about booking your first solo trip and exploring the world alone.

Lessons include:

• Common solo travel fears (like flying alone for the first time ) and how to overcome them
• How to choose your perfect solo trip
• How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
• Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
• Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
• How to take amazing solo selfies

Once you’ve  grabbed your seat , read on to dive into our solo female travel guide .

The truth is, there are so many different solo travel pros and cons . Whether someone wants to make a case for why you shouldn’t travel alone or chooses to focus on the numerous advantages of traveling alone, they easily can.

Ultimately, though, it’s up to you to decide what is right for you, which this list can help you do.

That being said, please stick around until the end, where I give my opinion on what it’s like traveling alone as a woman (or man).

Spoiler: It’s pretty darn empowering, which leads us perfectly into…

#1 Pro – Finding Empowerment In Traveling Alone

Many people find empowerment in traveling alone — which is one of the biggest benefits of traveling solo . It gives you a sense of control and independence, which can be empowering in and of itself. 

One of the major points for women who travel alone is to get out of their comfort zone and into the unknown.

(Real talk: is that maybe what’s scaring you and you’re unsure how to address it? )

A solo travel trip is a one-of-a-kind lifetime experience that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

Consider this:

What do you have to lose by stepping outside of your comfort zone?

Worst case scenario, you won’t enjoy it and will continue to travel with others.

Best case scenario, you’ll develop solo-travel-fever ( yes, I totally made that up ) and won’t be able to get enough of the growth, opportunities, and empowerment you’ll experience.

#1 Con – The Increased Risks of Traveling Alone

One of the major cons of solo traveling and why many are scared to travel alone , is that it increases your chances of being in dangerous situations.

If something goes wrong, you’ll be on your own and may not have anyone to help you — so be prepared for the unexpected when traveling solo and arm yourself with some travel safety tips and potentially even some travel safety gear .

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico , I was exploring San Juan’s famous Old Town on my own when I realized my phone was about to die (which is what inevitably happens when you spend hours using Google Maps and snapping travel photos).

As my unfortunate luck would have it, I was also in a shadier section of the city and it was getting dark.

Thinking on me feet, I decided to quickly look up my hotel name and address as well as how to ask for directions in Spanish and the actual map directions so I would have a general idea of how to get back.

After getting lost twice and asking for directions three times, I finally made it back to my hotel — where I prompty kissed the floor (not really, but I wanted to!) and recharged my phone before heading back out to explore.

It was a scary situation that I had to navigate fully on my own, though luckily everything ended up okay.

By the way, if you’re searching for a portable battery bank click here to see the one I use . It has a cute paw that shows you how much energy is left in the battery bank. I recommend always carrying one of these in your bag so you never end up in the situation I just described.

#2 Pro – Flexibility With Travel Plans

Is traveling alone fun ? Absolutely — and you get to choose exactly how to have fun, too.

Another one of the major pros of traveling alone is having the ultimate freedom to explore destinations at your own pace without worrying about someone else’s schedule. This can lead to an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience that is 100% designed by and for you.

Remember last time you traveled with someone else? Your heart was set on visiting that one specific location; however, you had to compromise and didn’t end up going.

As a single traveler, you have the freedom to choose your own itinerary and really maximize your time on the road.

Despite the joy of spending time with family and friends when traveling, wouldn’t it be nice to have the freedom to go anywhere you want, whenever you want? No compromises, no arguments, no when’s and buts. I know that for me this is a major advantage of traveling solo.

Are you a business owner who wants to get back into traveling for more work-life balance? Check out my article on how to plan your time around doing both . Because, yes, you can have your cake and eat it too!

#2 Con – It Can Get Lonely

Traveling alone has both pros and cons, but one of the biggest cons of traveling solo is the feeling of loneliness .

Especially when going away for more than a weekend, you miss your loved ones. This may be particularly depressing if you’re in a new and unfamiliar setting — possibly even in a new country.

This may also be a significant factor for introverted travelers who have a hard time making friends or talking to strangers. If this is the case, consider joining travel Facebook groups, Meetup groups , or CouchSurfing forums — all of which can help you reach out to other women who live in that area or who are traveling there to meet up.

For many, this is probably the most impactful con when considering the pros and cons of traveling solo.

#3 Pro – Meeting New People

Worried about making friends while traveling solo ?

One huge pro when it comes to solo travel is that you have the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world.

Whether you’re looking for new friends, to interact with locals , or to find someone to share your experiences with, traveling alone gives you the chance to make connections with people from all walks of life.

And who knows? Maybe you will meet a new travel bestie, discover new business or employment opportunities, or even find love on the road !

#3 Con – Travel Expenses Can Be Higher

“ Why is it more expensive to travel alone? ” is a question many solo travelers wonder as they frustratingly find themselves paying yet another solo supplement or shelling out the cash for a hotel room with nobody to split costs with.

One of the major cons of traveling solo is that you have to budget for your own expenses .

A great benefit of traveling in a group or with another person is that you get to share costs. Expenses can quickly add up depending on your chosen destination and activities — which is definitely a disadvantage of traveling alone.

When traveling on your own, this may mean that you have to spend a bit more on food and lodging; but, on the plus side, it also means that you’re in charge of your own travel plans and can make the most of your time and money — making it possible to either spend more or less on activities or choose locations where your dollar stretches further.

#4 Pro – A Healthy Tech Break

For better or for worse, our phones are truly the remote controls of our lives. And after the last few years of endless Zoom calls and virtual workplaces, we have moved even further into the digital age than ever before.

On the one hand, it’s great that we can connect with people from all over the world virtually and instantaneously.

But on the other hand, it can be challenging to take a break from our screens and disconnect from reality.

This all being said, when considering technology use while weighing the various traveling alone pros and cons , this really may be an overall pro in your life.

When traveling solo, you have more opportunities to disconnect from technology and simply relax in your surroundings — whether you’re taking a long walk in nature, exploring your destination, doing a new activity, or just reading a book in your room.

Traveling on your own can take away the temptation of being on your laptop, phone, and social media, especially as you won’t have a travel partner constantly posting on Instagram or asking you to co-star in their TikToks.

I recently went on a solo trip to Stockholm — which, by the way, was absolutely gorgeous — and I made it a point not to post any travel photos or videos while I was there.

Instead, I waited until I was back home to look through all of the photos I had taken to carefully choose specific pictures I wanted to share on social media.

If you’ve never tried this, let me tell you that it’s pretty humbling to realize how dependent we are on social media, feeling the need to share everything right away instead of fully enjoying our experiences. 

I highly recommend that you maximize the benefits of solo travel by taking a tech break to truly immerse yourself in your trip.

#4 Con – No One To Share These Experiences With

While one of the primary benefits of traveling alone is that you don’t have to think about anybody else’s schedule or demands, you also miss out on sharing any memorable experiences.

Those exciting and unbelievable “Hey, check this out!” moments become reduced to a photo that will be emailed later.

So, while solo travel offers extensive freedom, it can also make it challenging to have such experiences without someone to share them with.

This one is linked to the biggest disadvantage of the pros and cons of traveling alone, which is being lonely.

At this point, you may need to consider how imperitive it is to share these moments with someone or if they’ll still have value to you if you experience them on your own.

On the flip side, traveling in a group also means enduring all of the disadvantages of traveling with others in exchange for these moments.

#5 Pro – Change Your Perspective Of The World

When you travel by yourself, you have the unique chance to experience the world from an entirely different perspective than you would otherwise.

Seeing how wealthy nations live may help you develop sympathy and empathy for individuals in less fortunate countries who may be suffering from poverty or who lack access to basic necessities.

On the contrary, seeing how people in rich countries live can make you want more from life. This form of travel may help you extend your viewpoint and better understand the world around you.

Moreover, beliefs and ideas that seemed strange when in your home country may make more sense, or at least become more understandable, once you hear them from the source.

Basically, when you learn about other people’s lives you may find yourself changing your own values and priorities.

#5 Con – You Come Back A Different Person

As noted in the previous point, when we travel a part of us changes, whether it’s your thought process, views, values, or even priorities. 

So, it’s not only that your perspective will change, but so will you. 

When looking at the various solo travel advantages and disadvantages , it can be hard to distinguish whether something is truly positive or negative. After all, this may also be a pro.

You may have learned new information that you can share with others, but you may also have changed in ways you are not totally comfortable with.

This is a valuable experience that may transform your life for the better. Still, it’s crucial to be aware of the possible implications before beginning this adventure.

This is especially important if you live in a culture with strictly-defined values; yet, your values may have changed as a result of seeing and experiencing something new.

#6 Pro – Solo Travel Can Help You Discover Your Purpose

This is a big one — especially for me.

Traveling can help you find your purpose in life. It can show you what you’re meant to do and how you can best use your time and energy.

You may also find yourself changing your priorities due to this journey, which means that you have adjusted your views on who should be and shouldn’t be in your life.

Personally, it showed me that my life’s purpose involves so much more than just working and living for my career.

It can even happen that you lose a little touch with reality and redesign your whole life. If you can go on your own somewhere else, who says you can’t do anything else you put your mind to?

Becoming so absorbed in a specific experience, culture, or country may just help you find purpose in your life, career, or relationship again.

And isn’t this what makes life worth living for; the experiences that change you?

#6 Con – Limited Space & Carry-Ons

While you divvy up who brings what when traveling with others, taveling alone means that you need to be more mindful of your packing and storage.

You also need to be prepared for situations where you can’t bring everything with you. This also includes hostels, small airlines, or even losing your big suitcase and being left with just your carry-on.

It’s happened to me before when my flight was canceled last minute, which caused my suitcase to be delayed as it was already packed on the original plane. Because I was traveling solo, I didn’t have anyone to borrow clothing or toiletries from.

Luckily, I had all my essentials packed in my carry-on ; therefore, waiting two days for my large suitcase to be returned wasn’t as catastrophic as I thought.

To help you plan for this, check out this article sharing my travel must-have’s — including a giant backpack that will fit under every airline seat (yes, Spirit and Southwest included).

I highly recommend that when traveling solo you pack two-to-three days worth of basics in your carry-on so that you’re always prepared.

#7 Pro – Get To Know Yourself Better & Reflect

Getting lost in your own thoughts or emotions while traveling alone is a common occurrence.

This might take you down routes you would never have imagined feasible if you weren’t accompanied by another person.

By being open-minded and exploring different interests, you may find new passions and hobbies you’d otherwise never explored or tried.

This is because you have more time to think about your ideas and emotions when you travel alone, as well as more opportunities for self-reflection and development.

Think: of out of sight, out of mind.

This can also mean processing past experiences and feelings, current issues, and maybe even tricky decisions about the future with a free mind.

Consider journaling, which is a great way to both process and appreciate your solo trip. Bonus: you can grab this free printable travel journal with 65 prompts !

#7 Con – Increased Anxiety & Overwhelming Moments

Traveling as a whole may help you feel more peaceful and relieve built-up tension; however, traveling alone in an unknown place can also raise your anxiety levels.

It is also possible to have periods of feeling overwhelmed or as if you are unable to do many tasks on your own.

Honestly, this is one of the reasons I generally stay out of grocery stores and instead opt to have them delivered.

As you can imagine, not every destination offers grocery delivery. When this is the case, I seek out open-air places like farmer’s markets, which don’t make me feel anxious.

The lesson: if you know you’ll be taken out of your comfort zone, consider creating alternative plans or learning coping mechanisms for these moments before you leave home. Just know yo may need to test and tweak your approach to find what works best for you.

Here is something else to remember:

Fear and excitement are both arousal emotions. Keep this in mind when traveling solo and stepping out of your comfort zone. When your palms start sweating, you can do an “anxiety reappraisal” and swap that “I’m so anxious!” with “I’m so excited!”

#8 Pro – Become A Pro In Problem Solving

One of the great benefits of traveling alone is that you get to learn how to solve problems on your own.

In fact, solo travel allows you to truly see just what you are capable of — because when forced to solve a problem or navigate a situation, you’ll have no choice but to figure it out yourself.

This may come especially in handy when you are back home and can suddenly get around without Google Maps, communicate with others who speak a different language, or keep everyone calm when something unexpected derails your plans.

Going back to my story above where I said my phone died while I was exploring San Juan solo, while it was an uncomfortable situation, I ultimately learned to depend on myself and formulate a plan.

Here are 2 problem-solving skills that I learned, specifically from this situation:

Communication

I’m not fluent in Spanish, but this scenario forced me to quickly memorize a few sentences on how to go back to my hotel. This is something I will likely not forget either — panic is a great teacher, ha.

You’ll have to learn to read maps if you don’t already know how. It’s one thing to rely on Google Maps for directions, but what if you, like me, find yourself in a position where your phone dies? All you’ll have left is the map provided by the hotel, which you need to be able to read — S, yes, always take those, even if you think you won’t need it.

#8 Con – Language Barriers

One of the biggest challenges and disadvantages when traveling solo is that you may not be able to communicate with locals.

This can be a problem if you are trying to authentically experience a culture — but can’t express yourself or understand other others when they share things with you.

For example, during a solo trip to Mexico I wanted to see the Maya ruins. Unfortunately, I couldn’t speak Spanish and didn’t know how to get there. Thankfully, some people were willing to help me out, and we went together.

While I was grateful for them, you can’t always assume you’re going to meet other helpful travelers. Instead, it’s wise to empower yourself to make things happen.

My strategy for this is to make sure I always have a working phone so that I can use a translator app (like iTranslate Translator) or even just Google how to say something.

Pro tip: Google Fi and T-Mobile both offer excellent unlimited cell phones plans for abroad, though you can also purchase a local SIM card in your destination.

#9 Pro – Gaining New Independence

One of the great things about traveling solo is that you gain a level of independence and freedom as you become fully reliant on yourself. Don’t be surprised if this also gives you a huge confidence boost ( another advantage of solo travel !).

Additionally, this allows you to discover a new part of yourself without feeling any guilt from others that may question your decisions.

Right now, you have possibly gotten so used to spending all of your time with your partner, roommate, or parents that you have forgotten how to be independent; but, going on a solo trip can help you remember.

Here is a personal story:

When I first started traveling solo, I was in a relationship where I was more codependent than I’d like to admit.

But, solo travel helped to strength my confidence and self-worth as I began to take on new challenges and everything else the world threw at me, all on my own.

This may seem like a far-fetched aspiration, but the experiences you gain exploring the world solo will change you and make you realize your full potential.

Honestly, out of all the traveling alone advantages and disadvantages on this list, this is probably my favorite pro.

#9 Con – Photography Is A Challenge

One of the biggest challenges that solo travelers face is getting great photos that they’re actually in.

It’s not easy to take great photos without someone else to help you out. This is even more complicated when you don’t know the language well enough to ask others for help and you haven’t brought a tripod (which can be annoying to travel with).

On the plus side, if you don’t mind not being in all of the photos, are okay with taking selfies, or are a master at self-portraits, this won’t be an issue.

And, in all honesty, this con really isn’t a huge deal and shouldn’t be the reason you miss out on a potentially life-changing solo trip.

#10 Pro – Work Through Your Fears & Challenge Yourself

One of the great things about traveling solo is that you have the freedom to explore your fears.

When you’re traveling by yourself, you can be more daring and take on new challenges that would be too risky or uncomfortable to try with someone else around, or that they wouldn’t be interested in trying.

This can lead to unique experiences and mental and physical growth.

Personally, I doubt I would have taken on one of my wildest travel adventures to date, rapelling down a 250-foot cliff in Puerto Rico, if I hadn’t been solo without friends to talk me out of it. Instead, I was able to focus on what I wanted to get out of my trip.

#10 Con – Culture Shock 

One of the biggest challenges that solo travelers face is culture shock , which occurs when you’re in a new place without any familiar landmarks or people.

For some it’s exciting , while for others it’s frightening.

Culture shock can be especially difficult to handle when you’re not used to the local language or the way of life — or when it’s your first time traveling alone and experiencing unease on the road.

Luckily, there are ways to help combat culture shock, the most important of which is researching the culture, customs, beliefs, and local area of the place you’re visiting so you know what to expect.

You should also look up local scams and issues to be aware of so you can avoid them, as well as how to behave so you don’t receive negative attention.

Here is another tip:

Accept that culture shock is a thing and welcome it as something that comes along with traveling solo to a new place.

Realize that with the discomfort comes chances to learn and experience new things, and that as you explore the destination and become familiar with it the negative feelings will go away.

Final Thoughts On The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Traveling Alone

While traveling alone can be intimidating and even scary, it may just be the best thing that has ever happened to you.

As you read above, there are many pros and cons of traveling alone to consider; however, with this knowledge, you can make the most of your single travel experience and enjoy yourself to the most extent possible.

As you can see, if you know what the potential challenges are ahead of time, you can plan accordingly and find a solution to them.

For instance, whenever I find myself interested in going to a place that is viewed as unsafe for women, I put additional effort into my research; I hunt for blogs or even Facebook groups led by women who have been there and can share their first-hand experiences.

Now, this whole idea of traveling solo may still be giving you anxiety. And you may be wondering:

What’s the worst thing that could happen if I choose not to embark on a solo trip?

Let me tell you: restlessness.

The likelihood is that you will develop an intense desire to try new things on a regular basis. Perhaps this is already your justification for wanting to go on a solo trip? 

If this is the case, I highly recommend heading out on a solo travel adventure and seeing just how incredible it can be.

Because remember: you can always book a flight home early if you truly hate it; but, if you never try in the first place, you might always wonder what could have been.

Is It Safe To Travel Alone As A Woman?

Absolutely! As long as you research your destination and keep everyday safety tips in mind — like never leaving your drink unattended at a bar, not walking alone in areas that aren’t well-lit at night, and keeping valuables hidden (or better yet, in the hotel room safe) — you can absolutely have a safe and fun trip as a solo female.

Not only that, but as you now know, there are many benefits to traveling alone . You truly can have ultimate freedom over your itinerary while growing your relationship with yourself and becoming a more confident and independent person.

This isn’t to say that there are no dangers of traveling alone; however, as you can see from reading the countless solo female travel blogs that exist online — including this one — traveling alone is a common activity and most trips are enjoyed without any safety issues.

Travel Insurance For Solo Travel

This all being said, you should still prepare for issues to arise, just in case! This is why it’s wise to get travel insurance before embarking on a solo trip.

One of the  best travel medical insurance for travelers  is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traveling Alone FAQs

Q) what are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone.

Some of the advantages of traveling alone include the flexibility to do exactly what you want, meeting new people, and becoming more independent and empowered. Some of the disadvantages of traveling alone include higher travel expenses (since there’s no one to split them with) and loneliness.

Q) Is traveling alone enjoyable?

Absolutely. Traveling alone can be just as enjoyable, if not more so, than traveling in a group or with friends. When you travel alone, you get to do and see what you want, when you want. What’s better than that?

Q) Is it risky to travel alone?

Not necessarily. While there are some added risks of traveling alone, as detailed above, solo travel itself is not risky. Just be sure to take some common sense precautions and do research in advance.

Bonus Solo Travel Benefits Resources:

14 Benefits Of Traveling Alone + Tips To Make It Happen

An Open Letter From The Father of A Female Solo Traveler

An Open Letter From The Mother Of A Female Solo Traveler

Black Solo Female Travel: An Eye-Opening & Empowering Guide

Tips For Convincing Loved Ones To Let You Travel Solo

How To Travel Solo Successfully: 31+ Important Tips

What pros and cons of traveling alone would you add to this list?

Related posts:.

About Anna Dykeman

Anna Dykeman is a travel blogger and digital nomad who loves exploring the world solo - and with her service dog, Novah. She loves helping people explore more while spending less and traveling smarter. You can read her travel tips on her blog, The Tatted Nomad .

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Nice post. Solo travel can be rewarding, and I have enjoyed it at times, however I prefer a mixed solo/shared travel.

Travelling alone can be one of the most liberating experiences of your life. It completely changes your outlook on everything you do when you travel on your own.

It is a great experience to travel alone, it is a good moment of reflection and to find oneself, you just have to be encouraged.

Very informative. Alone time can lead to self-discovery and personal growth as you navigate unfamiliar situations on your own.

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Why Self-Care Is Important for Solo Travelers | A Personal Essay

When you search “solo travel” in Google, the top articles that appear are always ones promoting it, tour companies (ugh), or encouraging you to just quit your job and travel, thus “glamorizing” it.

Why isn’t there more of an open dialogue on the correlation between mental health and travel? 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health disorders affect one in four people , which is a staggering statistic. To date, more than 40% of countries have no mental health policy. Over 30% have not instated mental health programs. Around 25% of countries have no mental health legislation at all.

This is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. This year, the topic of mental health is even more relevant than ever with the hardships of COVID-19 and quarantine.

Here are some of the main reasons why self-care is of utmost importance before, during, and after traveling. Especially for solo travelers. 

Preview Contents

You Only Get One Life and One Body

Be mindful of the fact that you only get one life, one body, and one state of wellbeing. 

Sure, you can twist this to seem more like, “YOLO, I’m just gonna travel the world and live my dreams.”

However, if you don’t take care of yourself and your mental health before stepping on a flight by yourself for the first time, you may crumble without a strong support system and adequate resources (especially if you’re in a country where English isn’t the native language).

That Time I Moved Home from Japan

In 2015, I moved to Japan to teach English. Due to my prior experience of moving abroad, I thought I’d love it.

Instead, I was faced with the tough decision of sticking out my job in a rural area (where no one spoke English) and risking my mental health or coming home to reevaluate my future career.

I ended up flying home. It was the first time in years that depression had resurfaced again. I felt the full brunt of it during my short-lived time in Japan, and in my interim period at home. I felt like an absolute failure who had just thrown away her career objectives, and I was too embarrassed to reach out to friends for support.

However, everything happens for a reason . I needed those few months to reflect and recuperate. I was able to piece myself back together before ultimately deciding to move abroad again. This time, to Thailand, which was far better for my mental health. Had I chosen to stay in Japan in that particular job, I’m adamant that my mental health and wellbeing would have severely suffered. 

Remember, things are a lot more difficult when you’re thousands of miles away from the comforts of your home.

Treat your body and life with the respect you deserve. You wouldn’t tell your friends and loved ones to stick out a job that makes their mental health suffer, would you? We put so much inherent pressure on ourselves to always live up to our expectations, that we often forget about the more important things: proper self-care and self-love .

You only get one life and one body, so do everything you can to preserve and take care of yourself. Whether you’re already abroad or thinking about traveling (when it’s safe to do so).

Solo Travel Can Be a Double-edged Sword

Like most things, solo travel has a full list of pros and cons. Unfortunately, online media ( especially Instagram) depicts solo travel as this luxurious, picture-perfect lifestyle because the harsh realities rarely align with anything you ever see on highly Photoshopped feeds.

As glorious and freeing as solo travel may be, it can also serve as an inherent danger and catalyst for mental health issues. For instance, if you’re an introvert like me, you may tend to hole up and not reach out to anyone when you’re struggling on the road. 

Thus, any internal struggles and stress may fester inside of you. Slowly eating away your mental health, creating more health issues than you began with.

Any reputable solo traveler will tell you that traveling alone is 100% not easy and blissful all the time. Our social media feeds never tell our full stories.

Read More : First Aid Kit For the Body and Mind: My Ultimate Health Travel Kit

That Time I Was Depressed While Being Paid to Travel the World

For instance, I was severely depressed when I was posting photos of every new country I was in during my second year working on cruise ships. No one knew about the countless times I cried in the shower or the times I isolated myself in my cabin. During that time, I also developed anxiety to the point where I felt crippled making the simplest of decisions while shopping, eating, or determining whether or not to hang out with people.

It may sound incredibly entitled, almost like I’m a spoiled brat, to say that I was secretly struggling with depression while getting to see over 50 countries in a 6-month contract. Yes, I was getting paid to see the world. However, you can be traveling and not even realize you’re depressed or ticking off all the symptoms for a mental health illness if you don’t take the time to improve your wellbeing in the first place.

It’s extremely important to be honest with yourself and get the help you need if you’re struggling while on the road. You can find a list of free global resources here .

Running Away Doesn’t Solve Everything

Travel isn’t an instant remedy, solution, or cure for your struggles.

There were a few times in my travels where my friends told me that it seemed like I was just running away from certain things at home by continuously moving abroad. Everyone has their reasons for traveling (whether on your own or with a partner), but it’s important to evaluate why you’re going rather than the act of traveling itself.

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues among travelers. According to WHO , an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression globally, and more women are affected than men.

In many ways, traveling with depression or any other mental health illness is extremely dangerous if you’re by yourself. Picking your life up and planting it elsewhere in the world won’t make you invincible from yourself and your issues. 

While travel does give you a fresh start and new perspectives, just be very mindful of how you approach it.

Traveling With a Mental Health Issue Is Possible, But Everyone’s Situation Is Different

Even if you have a mental health issue, it is possible to travel . 

However, everyone’s situation is different. Just because you read success stories online, it doesn’t mean you should book a ticket abroad in hopes of finding yourself (especially not this year).

That Time I Tried to Hide My Mental Health Issues On a School Trip

When I was 14, I was diagnosed with an eating disorder and depression. My road to recovery took years, and research states that you’re never truly “healed” from an eating disorder, due to long-lasting psychological effects.

I got away with “hiding” my Anorexic tendencies for a chunk of my 8th-grade year. I couldn’t imagine trying to “hide” this while traveling. Especially while being immersed in a new country and all of its beautiful intricacies. 

It’s dangerous to realize how easy it is to hide a mental health issue if you’re traveling alone.

As mentioned earlier, I relapsed into depression a few other times, even during some of my travels. Other than my mom, no one I knew was aware of my struggles. I was ashamed and hated the thought of burdening other people, so I never was honest to admit my negative headspace.

If I had chosen to move abroad while struggling with an eating disorder and depression, I wouldn’t have had the physical or mental strength to walk 30,000+ steps a day, experience everything to its fullest, nor eat all of a country’s most famed local dishes. I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy all of my priceless moments abroad.

Ironically, I went on my school’s 8th-grade trip while struggling with Anorexia. As a result, I don’t remember any of it. I have photos from everything, but the only fleeting moments I recall were making excuses not to eat meals and just drinking iced lemonades for dinner.

While there are always ways to travel with a mental health illness, remember that only you can determine whether or not you’re in the right state of mind to move abroad or travel.

Overcoming Adversity Makes You Stronger

We’re all human. We’re bound to make mistakes and have hiccups in our lives in some way or another.

When I was struggling with Anorexia, my therapist said something to me that truly resonated. “If you can overcome this, you can overcome anything in life.”

Many have started sharing their stories on how travel helped them recover . By sharing your struggles and being vulnerable, you become more relatable, authentic, and strengthen bonds within your communities. 

Struggling with a mental health illness may feel like the end of the world when you’re in these moments. But it’s these experiences that inevitably make you the strongest version of yourself. There is beauty in sharing your story with others. Especially when so many of us have endured similar types of struggles in our journey to “happiness” and fulfillment.

Wellness and Travel Go Hand in Hand

There is a distinct correlation between wellness and travel, which makes the title of this site even more impactful. 

Mental health and wellbeing should be more actively discussed and prompted with solutions within the travel industry. For long-term expats and anyone who has traveled, it’s apparent that wellbeing and travel are synonymous. 

Without our mental wellbeing, how would we fully enjoy our new experiences around the world? Without wellbeing, we wouldn’t be able to focus on the new sights, sounds, and smells in front of us; we would instead be worrying, stressing, and engaging in negative thoughts.

There are so many ways to practice self-care while traveling . I’m a huge advocate of hiking and getting fresh air outdoors, as well as the therapeutic act of daily journaling. Remember to make the most of your travels, but take care of yourself first and foremost.

This is meant to be a rational article that shows varying perspectives and the realities of travel and mental health. Overall, travel is effective for improving mental health, but everyone has different situations and should never treat their wellbeing the same as someone else’s.

You need to do what’s best for you (and only you truly know that). Take care of yourself first before you travel. While you’re on the road, be sure to do daily check-ins with yourself, whether via meditation or journaling, to ensure that your wellbeing is being monitored.

Travel is extremely transformative. Nearly every person I’ve met has not regretted their experiences (you shouldn’t regret anything in life). Just be mindful of the fact that solo travel comes with its struggles just as much as its triumphs. 

How you overcome these challenges is what empowers you to help others and share your stories with a nuanced perspective. All while making your mental health a top priority.

About the Author

Debbi Shibuya is an avid hiker, animal lover, food monster, pun aficionado, Star Wars geek, and professional bargain hunter. She’s traveled to over 75 countries and 6 continents so far. On her website, Debbi Shibuya, she writes about solo female travel and outdoor adventures.

My   Health & Wellness Resources  page contains helpful sites, phone numbers, and information for anyone needing mental health + wellness assistance.

• Hostel Cooking Tips for Solo Travelers
• How to Overcome the Fear of Eating Alone While Traveling

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Thanks for such an amazing and personal post. It’s true that travel is always glamourised and you rarely see the hard part of travel. It’s definitely important to look after yourself when you travel.

I absolutely love this! I had a really tough time in my semester abroad. I was in such a negative place and didn’t take advantage of every moment. Somehow, I pushed through and that’s the biggest reason Italy will always be a special place to me. After that time, I realised that it was normal and okay to struggle during solo travel! Thanks for the validation, Debbi!

These are great points!

Yes – I love Debbi’s perspective on this!

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Travelling Alone or in a Group Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Which option is better: traveling by yourself or with friends? This essay answers the question! It focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of solo travel.

Introduction

• Pros & Cons of Solo Travel

Different people have different opinions regarding their travel arrangements. Whereas there are individuals who prefer to travel alone, on the other hand, others are more comfortable travelling in a group. Regardless of the option arrived at there are various advantages and disadvantages associated with either of the two options.

There is need therefore to explore whether it is better to travel alone or with a tour group. The essay shall endeavor to compare and contrast travelling alone with travelling in a group and uncover the benefits and drawbacks associated with both of these two forms of travelling.

Travelling Alone or in a Group: Pros & Cons

Traveling in a group allows one to meet new friends and exchange experiences. This helps to add fun to travelling because of the many new ideas that the individual members of the group comes with. In addition, diversity in terms of the experiences of the travelers enables one to appreciate their unique cultural heritage.

On the other hand, travelling in a group denies one the chance of being alone because you are always surrounded by other people. As such, one cannot avoid annoying travelers and you have to learn how to deal with them. In contrast, traveling alone gives one the freedom to explore new experiences without restrictions. As such, can do what pleases him/her without fear that others will criticize him/her.

Travelling in a group also limits one’s chances of meeting new people because it is far much easier to approach an individual as opposed to a group. Travelling alone enables one to become flexible in terms of for example how you spend your day, or what you eat. However, there is the danger of boredom and you have no one to share your experiences with.

Travelling in a group is also beneficial in that it allows you to lower your cost of travelling. This is because there is the possibility of sharing such facilities as the guest room, splitting food and drinks bills, and travelling costs as well. For example, it is much cheaper for a group of 5 travelers to split the traveling cost of hiring a cab, as opposed o a single traveler who would be expected to pay a similar amount for the same distance.

On the other hand, travelling in a group could result in an issue of conflict when it comes to the issue of offsetting bills. For example, some members of the group may decline to pay the stipulated amount of money because in their opinion, they have not incurred the costs that they are expected to foot. In addition, travelling in a group also denies one the flexibility of choosing for example where to stay or what to eat because you have to reach a compromise with the rest of the group.

Travelling in a group therefore puts one in danger of falling prey to a “herd” mentality whereby one ends up agreeing with the wishes of the majority as opposed to saying exactly what you want. On the other hand, travelling alone gives one the needed freedom to choose what he/she wants.

Moreover, traveling in a group allows one to enhance his/her communication and personal relations. Consequently, one gets to learn how best to get along with others, and this ensures that throughout the trip, you are never lost for company. In contrast, there are individuals who do not generally get along well with others and as such, they prefer to remain alone. They are therefore better off traveling alone to avoid straining their communication and personal relations.

Whether one is traveling alone or in a group, there are various advantages and disadvantages associated with each of the two travel arrangements. Regardless of the choice that an individual traveler makes, one should always ensure that they settle on the option that will result in the most fulfilling experience.

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IvyPanda. (2018, August 15). Travelling Alone or in a Group Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/travel-alone-with-a-tour-group/

"Travelling Alone or in a Group Essay." IvyPanda , 15 Aug. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/travel-alone-with-a-tour-group/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Travelling Alone or in a Group Essay'. 15 August.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Travelling Alone or in a Group Essay." August 15, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/travel-alone-with-a-tour-group/.

1. IvyPanda . "Travelling Alone or in a Group Essay." August 15, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/travel-alone-with-a-tour-group/.

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The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Solo travel is something everyone should try at some point in their life. There's no better way to get to know who you are as a person than by spending time with yourself away from the distractions of life.

Solo travel, couple travel, and travel with friends all have their pros and cons and it can be tough to know which will suit you best. This article outlines the advantages and disadvantages of hitting the road on your own for the first time .

Personal Growth and Setting Your Own Schedule

One benefit of solo travel is that it forces you to become independent, make decisions, and step out of your comfort zone on a regular basis—something you wouldn't necessarily do if you weren't traveling alone.

When you travel solo, you have nobody to rely on but yourself, and that pushes you to learn how to function in the world. It's sink-or-swim time! If something goes wrong , it's down to you to figure out how to get out of the situation.

Another great benefit to solo travel is not having to compromise on your travels. You can wake up whenever you want, eat whatever you want, decide to have a lazy day, or choose to go on a 12-hour hike. When you're traveling solo, you can be selfish and change your mind every few days and not have to consult anybody else.

Meeting People and Building Confidence

One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is how easy it is to meet people on the road . All you need to do is wander into a hostel common room and within minutes, someone will strike up a conversation with you—it really is that easy!

You'll also find that when traveling solo, you're much more approachable than when you're in a couple or a group. A lot of travelers will assume that if you're already in a group, you don't want to be disturbed, and will turn to the solo traveler almost every time.

Solo travel can be helpful for your mental state, too. Solo travel builds confidence as you navigate an unfamiliar city, converse with strangers and figure out how to get from one place to another. Your social skills will also improve as you meet more and more people and get used to introducing yourself and making conversation.

Freedom and Time for Reflection

Another item in the "pro" column for solo travel is that is can be a time for reflection and solitude and can help bring peace to your mind. You'll get to know yourself better than you ever have before, learn what truly makes you happy and what you need to work on to improve as a person. It can often be challenging to face these truths but learning to overcome them is all part of the process of growing.

You can spend time working on a hobby, reading books in coffee shops around town, hiking every day, or simply sitting and meditating. When you're on your own, you can do whatever you want without having to worry about anyone else. That freedom is incredibly liberating. 

Avoiding Loneliness

One downside of traveling alone for long periods of time with no constant in your life is that it can be draining, and you may struggle with issues of loneliness. Not having someone to share all those amazing experiences with can be disheartening and lead to depression. Homesickness is something every long-term traveler deals with, and the effects can be amplified when you're alone.

Higher Costs

For budget-minded travelers, another downside is that traveling alone nearly always works out to be much more expensive than traveling as a couple. As a couple, you can share meals, stay in private rooms and split many of your expenses. You'll also often find that for private tours you'll be charged a lot more if you plan on taking it alone. There's no doubt about it: solo travel supplements suck. 

As a solo traveler, you'll have to pay a single room supplement if you're going to be in private rooms, you have to stay in Airbnb apartments without having someone to split the costs. In some parts of the world, like South Korea, meals are served family-style so you'll even have to pay more to eat alone in a restaurant or rely on fast food. It makes sense that businesses would charge more money for one person, but it certainly does punish solo travelers for something they can't control. Time to start making friends and sharing rooms so you can split the cost!

Safety Considerations

While solo travel isn't unsafe , it's definitely less safe than traveling with other people, making the safety issue a "con" of traveling alone. You're more vulnerable when you're on your own because you only have you looking after you. When you're in a group, you'll have other people to look out for scams, to steer you away from danger, and make you less likely to get lost. 

So while this shouldn't make you avoid solo travel, you should take extra precautions in order to keep yourself safe. Things, like being cautious when out alone after dark, researching unsafe neighborhoods before you arrive, and not getting too drunk when out with hostel friends, are all things that will improve your safety levels on the road. 

Missing the Human Connection

When you travel all the way to Sydney and stand in front of the Sydney Opera House , sometimes it's a little underwhelming. You don't have somebody to turn to and discuss how incredible it looks and how amazing it feels to be living your travel dream. Instead, you snap a few photos, you sit and look at it in awe and silence, and then you leave. Solo travel is one of the best things you can do for yourself, but it sometimes it's a little underwhelming when you don't have someone you love to share it with. 

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Why Traveling Alone is a Great Idea: Insights from Solo Adventurers

Ready to embark on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery? Solo travel might just be for you. This post explores the transformative power of traveling alone, through the eyes of seasoned solo adventurers.

I’ll share insights about the unparalleled freedom, life-changing experiences, and invaluable lessons learned on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or just contemplating your first solo trip, this post will open your eyes to the unique allure of solitary exploration.

Benefits of traveling alone

Freedom to make your own decisions.

One of the greatest benefits of traveling alone is the freedom to make your own decisions. When you embark on a solo adventure, you have the power to go wherever you want and do whatever you want, without having to consider anyone else’s preferences or plans.

Whether you want to explore a bustling city or escape to the tranquility of the countryside, the choice is entirely yours. You can stay in a destination for as long as you like, without worrying about affecting someone else’s itinerary.

Plus, you don’t have to wait for anyone to get ready in the mornings, allowing you to make the most of your day and experience the world at your own pace. So, embrace the freedom of solo travel and let your wanderlust guide you to incredible destinations.

Opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth

Traveling alone provides a unique opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. When you venture out on your own, you have the chance to truly get to know yourself better.

You can reflect on your decisions, listen to your gut, and discover what truly makes you, you. Spending time in solitude allows you to embark on an inward journey of self-discovery, where you can uncover your strengths, weaknesses, and passions.

It’s a time to reconnect with yourself, gain a deeper understanding of who you are, and cultivate a sense of self-awareness.

Through this process, you can develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose, leading to personal growth and a greater sense of fulfillment. So, embrace the opportunity to travel alone and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery.

Flexibility in itinerary and schedule

Another advantage of traveling alone is the flexibility it offers in terms of your itinerary and schedule. While it’s important to do some planning for your trip, being spontaneous can lead to incredible experiences, especially when you’re traveling solo.

Meeting other travelers along the way may inspire you to stay in a place for a few extra days or even change your plans altogether.

By building flexibility into your itinerary, you can embrace the freedom to go with the flow and make decisions on the fly.

This flexibility allows you to have heaps of fun, meet great people, and create unforgettable memories. So, don’t be afraid to change your plans and let the spontaneity of solo travel guide you to new and exciting adventures.

Chance to step out of your comfort zone

Traveling alone presents a wonderful opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences.

When you’re on your own in an unfamiliar place, you’re more likely to push yourself to try new things and break free from your usual routines.

Whether it’s trying a new activity, exploring a different neighborhood, or simply taking time to relax and unwind, traveling alone allows you to challenge yourself and discover new aspects of your personality.

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be exhilarating and empowering, and it can lead to personal growth and a greater sense of self-confidence.

So, embrace the unknown and let solo travel take you on a journey of self-discovery and adventure.

Increased self-confidence and independence

Traveling alone has a profound impact on your self-confidence and independence. When you’re on your own in a new place, you have to rely on yourself to navigate unfamiliar surroundings and make decisions.

This forces you to be resourceful and find solutions to problems, such as getting lost or booking transportation.

Successfully overcoming these challenges can give you a tremendous confidence boost and a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, traveling solo allows you to shape your experience exactly how you want it.

Whether you want to socialize and meet new people or spend hours alone with a book, you have the freedom to do so without judgment.

This independence and the ability to make your own decisions can greatly enhance your self-confidence and empower you in all areas of life.

Exploring new cultures and meeting new people

Immersion in local customs and traditions.

When you travel alone, you have the unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the local customs and traditions of the places you visit.

Without the distractions of companionship, you can fully engage with the local culture and truly experience the authenticity of your destination.

From participating in traditional ceremonies and festivals to trying local cuisine and learning about ancient customs, solo travel allows you to connect with the local community on a deeper level.

By immersing yourself in the local way of life, you gain a greater understanding and appreciation for different cultures, broadening your perspective and enriching your travel experience.

So, embrace the chance to immerse yourself in local customs and traditions, and let solo travel open your eyes to the beauty and diversity of the world.

Opportunity to make meaningful connections

Traveling alone not only allows you to explore new cultures but also provides an incredible opportunity to make meaningful connections with people from all walks of life.

When you’re on your own, you’re more approachable and open to meeting new people. Whether it’s striking up a conversation with a fellow traveler at a local cafe or joining a group tour, solo travel creates the perfect environment for forming genuine connections.

These connections can lead to lifelong friendships, cultural exchanges, and even collaborations on future adventures.

By stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and the chance to create lasting memories with like-minded individuals.

So, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make meaningful connections while traveling alone. You never know who you might meet and the impact they may have on your life.

Experiencing different perspectives and ways of life

Traveling alone provides a unique opportunity to experience different perspectives and ways of life. When you venture out on your own, you are more likely to engage with locals and immerse yourself in the local culture.

By interacting with people from different backgrounds and experiencing their way of life, you gain a deeper understanding of the world and broaden your own perspective.

Whether it’s learning about traditional customs, trying new foods, or participating in local traditions, solo travel allows you to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace the diversity of the world.

Through these experiences, you not only gain knowledge but also develop empathy and a greater appreciation for different cultures.

So, embrace the chance to experience different perspectives and ways of life while traveling alone, and let it enrich your journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

These connections can lead to lifelong friendships, cultural exchanges, and even collaborations on future adventures. By stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and the chance to create lasting memories with like-minded individuals.

Enhancing problem-solving and decision-making skills

Taking full responsibility for your travel experience

When you travel alone, you are solely responsible for your travel experience. This means making all the decisions, from choosing your destination to planning your itinerary and handling any unexpected situations that may arise.

Taking full responsibility for your travel experience enhances your problem-solving and decision-making skills. It requires you to think critically, adapt to new environments, and find creative solutions to challenges along the way.

By navigating through unfamiliar territories and relying on your own judgment, you develop a sense of resourcefulness and resilience that can be applied to various aspects of your life.

This newfound confidence and ability to take charge not only enrich your solo travel experience but also empower you both personally and professionally.

So, embrace the opportunity to take full responsibility for your travel experience and watch as your problem-solving and decision-making skills flourish.

Learning to adapt to unexpected situations

Traveling alone provides a unique opportunity to learn how to adapt to unexpected situations.

When you’re on your own in a foreign country, you don’t have the luxury of relying on others to solve problems for you. Instead, you have to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions to navigate through unfamiliar territory.

Whether it’s dealing with a missed flight, getting lost in a new city, or facing a language barrier, solo travel teaches you how to stay calm, think critically, and find your way out of challenging situations.

These experiences not only enhance your problem-solving and decision-making skills but also build your resilience and resourcefulness.

So, embrace the unexpected and let solo travel teach you the valuable skill of adaptability.

Developing resourcefulness and resilience

Traveling alone requires you to be resourceful and resilient. Without the support of others, you must rely on your own problem-solving skills to navigate through unfamiliar situations.

From finding your way around a new city to dealing with unexpected challenges, solo travel pushes you to think creatively and find solutions on your own.

This process of problem-solving and adapting to new environments helps you develop a sense of resourcefulness and resilience that can be applied to various aspects of your life.

By embracing the challenges of solo travel, you not only enhance your problem-solving and decision-making skills but also build the confidence to overcome obstacles in other areas of your life.

So, embrace the opportunity to develop resourcefulness and resilience through solo travel and watch as these skills positively impact your personal and professional growth.

Gaining a sense of accomplishment and empowerment

Traveling alone allows you to gain a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. When you embark on a solo journey, every decision and action is solely your own.

From planning your itinerary to navigating through unfamiliar places, you take full responsibility for your travel experience.

This sense of control and independence can be incredibly empowering, boosting your self-confidence and self-esteem.

As you successfully navigate through challenges and overcome obstacles on your own, you develop a sense of accomplishment that can translate into other areas of your life.

So, embrace the opportunity to travel alone and experience the empowering feeling of achieving your goals and taking charge of your own journey.

Embracing solitude and self-reflection

Time for introspection and self-care

Traveling alone provides valuable time for introspection and self-care. When you are on your own, you have the freedom to focus on yourself and your needs without any distractions.

This dedicated time allows you to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and goals, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or simply enjoying moments of solitude, solo travel provides the perfect environment for self-reflection and self-care.

It gives you the opportunity to disconnect from the daily stressors of life and recharge your mind and body.

By embracing this time for introspection and self-care, you can enhance your self-awareness, cultivate mindfulness, and foster a greater sense of well-being.

So, take advantage of the solitude that comes with traveling alone and use it as a time for personal growth and rejuvenation.

Opportunity to disconnect from daily stressors

Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or simply enjoying moments of solitude, solo travel provides the perfect environment for self-reflection and self-care. It gives you the opportunity to disconnect from the daily stressors of life and recharge your mind and body.

Recharging and rejuvenating your mind and body

This dedicated time allows you to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and goals, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or simply enjoying moments of solitude, solo travel provides the perfect environment for self-reflection and self-care.

It gives you the opportunity to disconnect from the daily stressors of life and recharge your mind and body. By embracing this time for introspection and self-care, you can enhance your self-awareness, cultivate mindfulness, and foster a greater sense of well-being.

Traveling alone offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from the daily stressors of life. Without the distractions of work, relationships, and responsibilities, you can fully immerse yourself in the present moment and focus on your own well-being.

Whether it’s exploring a new destination, indulging in self-care activities, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet, solo travel allows you to escape the pressures of everyday life and recharge your mind and body.

By disconnecting from the daily stressors, you can reduce anxiety, improve mental clarity, and restore your overall sense of balance and harmony. So, take this chance to step away from the hustle and bustle and prioritize your own self-care during your solo adventures.

Deepening self-awareness and mindfulness

Additionally, it increases self-confidence and independence, allows for the exploration of new cultures and the meeting of new people, and enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Moreover, it provides a space for embracing solitude and self-reflection, recharging and rejuvenating the mind and body, and deepening self-awareness and mindfulness.

So, if you’re looking for a transformative and empowering experience, consider embarking on a solo travel adventure and unlock the countless benefits it has to offer.

Why travelling alone is better?

Advantages of solo travel include it broadens your horizons, forces you out of your comfort zone, gives you the opportunity to meet new people, and creates new memories.

What does Traveling alone say about a person?

Solo travellers will usually be equipped with a degree of self-confidence. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be an outgoing, extrovert personality: many solo travellers enjoy the solitude of their own company without the need to make lifelong friends with everyone they meet.

What does travelling alone teach you?

New experiences can give you more confidence and make you more creative. Travelling alone can challenge you in different ways, allowing you to develop into a well-rounded individual. One of the best things about travelling solo is that you make your own decisions on where to go, what to do, and what to eat.

Why traveling is a great idea?

Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones.

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Home / Essay Samples / Travelling / Adventure / Advantages and Rewards of Solo Travel: an Independent Exploration

Advantages and Rewards of Solo Travel: an Independent Exploration

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• Topic: Adventure , Tour , Trip

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