Do you want to start traveling solo? If so, you’re in the right place!
Traveling solo for the first time can feel really scary. The most common fears arise but also completely irrational fears.
What if I get kidnapped like the girl in Taken?
Everyone will stare at me for being alone
I won’t be able to order food or find anything because of the language barrier
As a solo traveler, I can relate to all of these fears. I’ll even let you in on a little secret… 🤫 as someone who has been traveling solo on and off over the last 7 years, I still at times feel a bit anxious about solo trips. Especially when there are long gaps between solo trips (like a pandemic).
So, if you want to start traveling solo or if it’s just been a while, then you’ll want to keep reading. 👇
Feeling a bit skeptical about why someone would even want to travel solo in the first place? Read 5 Reasons Why I Love to Travel Solo here.
1. Take Yourself on a Solo Date
Take it slow and take yourself on a solo date! Use the bus/metro/walk, go out to dinner, see a movie, visit a museum, or hike solo (read more about hiking solo safety here). Repeat. Spend time by yourself…a lot! This will be super scary at first but pushing past that fear will prepare you for a solo trip.
Challenge: Take yourself on a solo date once a month
2. Solo Weekend Getaways
Now take it a step further and take a day trip or weekend getaway solo. Choose somewhere close by (1-3 hours from your home base) that you can drive to or take public transportation. This will give you a balance of comfort and freedom. The comfort of still being relatively close to home and in your own country while also having the freedom of being on your own schedule.
Pro Tip: Tell someone where you’re going and check in when you arrive and at the end of the night, but try to stay off your phone and really experience your surroundings!
3. Travel with Friends/Visit Friends
Plan a short trip (3-5 days) with a girlfriend or family member but take a solo day where each of you goes off on your own. This will give you the independence that you are ✨craving✨ but the comfort of not being thrown into a complete week on your own. It can be so fun to come back at the end of your solo days and share all your adventures!
Don’t forget: Communicate ahead of the trip with your travel partner that you’re planning to have 1 or 2 solo days, so they are prepared!
4. Go Somewhere You’ve Been
Book a solo trip to a city or country that you’ve already been to! By choosing a place you’ve already been to with a partner, friend, or family member in the past, you’ll have the comfort and familiarity that will ✨hopefully✨ put you a bit more at ease to experience the true beauty in traveling solo. Simply knowing how to get around and the general layout of a place is wildly comforting.
Share: Comment what city you choose!
5. Be Prepared
There’s often this idea in the travel community that you’re more of a badass if you show up to a city with no plan. You just arrive to this new city and wander into a place hoping for a room. Then wander around the city and stumble across all the hidden gems. While this does happen on occasion, it certainly is unlikely to ✨all work out perfectly ✨, especially on your first solo trip (abroad at that). So it’s best to ease into your solo travel journey by having a plan. Book your accommodations in advance, have a little list of some things to do, and book a group tour and you’ll be just fine!
Want more resources for traveling solo? Click here 👇
