Despite solo travel being labeled as dangerous, isolating, and lonely, it’s safe to say that it’s not as negative as some portray it. In fact, it can even be better than traveling with someone else if you know how to prepare for it.
According to research by Skyscanner, 62% of respondents intend to go on two to five solo trips in 2025. And out of those who already traveled alone in 2024, 36% plan to take another four to five solo trips during the current year.
The thing is, setting on a journey by yourself, whether it’s to another city, state, or country, can be both an exciting and intimidating experience. But with the right preparation, the solo trip can turn into an unforgettable adventure that you’ll remember for a very long time, especially as a first-time solo traveler.
How to Prepare for a First Solo Trip: 10 Effective Strategies
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Start Small, but Dream Big:
Everyone starts small. And when it comes to traveling, taking it step by step is important in order not to get overstimulated and to learn a few tricks from shorter trips. So, as a first-time solo traveler, don’t jump straight into a month-long vacation around the globe. Instead, opt for a small weekend getaway somewhere in another city to see how you’ll react. Write down all the necessary information that you’ll learn along the way, such as how to book a hotel, where to eat, and what type of adventures you liked the most. -
Don’t Overplan:
Planning is an irreplaceable step for someone who sets on a journey alone for the first time. It’s as essential as eating and breathing. Without proper planning, you risk finding yourself in dangerous situations that could have been easily avoided.
However, excessive planning isn’t good either. When you schedule every minute of your journey, you leave no room for spontaneity, and some of the best experiences usually happen when a person is spontaneous.
After reading this, don’t be too quick to cross off your “to-do’s”. Just be flexible and adapt to circumstances in accordance with the situation. -
Be Nice to Locals, But Don’t Be Too Nice:
Respecting the culture of the place you’re going to, including people’s opinions and suggestions, proves that you’re a polite and considerate person. After all, you come to other people’s territory and can’t dictate your rules.
Some people, for instance, can be too expressive and can’t hide their emotions. Others, on the contrary, are very neutral and don’t like indulging in conversations. This is something you should understand, respect, and accept.
However, the above qualities shouldn’t be confused with rudeness and other aggressive behaviors. So, since you’re traveling alone, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking the people you interact with. For this, you can examine someone’s background or go through their social media posts to see what they’re up to. - Pack Smart:
Traveling solo means you’re the one who’s in charge of your own luggage. Make sure your bags aren’t weighing you down and only stick to essentials that you know for sure will be helpful during the trip.
Among these are travel documents (passport/ID, travel insurance, tickets, visas), money (cash or credit/debit cards), electronics (smartphone, laptop, travel adapter, headphones), clothing, medications, toiletries, offline maps, snacks, copies of important documents, and a spare phone charger.
Since you won’t have a travel buddy to borrow these items from, it’s important to prepare a full list and stick to it during trip preparation. -
Share Your Route With Friends and Family:
No matter how confident you are in your ability to travel all by yourself without encountering any troubles, letting your loved ones follow your route is a responsible and reliable way to stay safe.
Let your family and friends download the apps that will help them track your location, such as Life360, Find My (Apple), and Glympse.
If you’re still doubtful about whether to tell your loved ones where you’re going, remember that human trafficking, thieves, abduction, health emergencies, natural disasters, and sexual harassment are all real risks that solo travelers might face no matter where they are and how well they’re prepared. - Embrace the Loneliness:
Yes, since you’re traveling solo, there may be times when you’ll need someone to talk to, not just on Facetime. And it’s completely okay, especially if you’re an extrovert. Just know that you can embrace it as part of the experience and use this time to reflect, relax, and simply enjoy your own company.
This time is particularly precious for those who have a large family and many friends and just want to get away from the chaos for a while.
Fun fact: Did you know that Vermont, New Hampshire, and Montana are the top three most introverted U.S. states? If you feel like taking a short break from the hustle and bustle is your priority during the trip, consider these states for a getaway. - If You’re Craving Connection, Stay in Social Accommodations:
If embracing loneliness isn’t your cup of tea, what about staying in social accommodations? When you feel like you need someone to talk to, there will always be a roommate or just a random visitor to exchange a few words and, who knows, maybe make a friend.
For this, you need to stay in a hotel, hostel, guesthouse, or a shared Airbnb. Certainly a perfect solution for an extrovert who can’t keep their thoughts to themselves! -
Learn Some Local Phrases:
Depending on where you’re going, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a few new phrases of the local language. If you’re planning the trip a few months in advance, it’s a good idea to learn at least five new phrases every day.
This shows that you’re respectful of the locals’ culture and, of course, makes you feel safer in another country. What’s more, if you talk to local sellers in their language, there’s a possibility that they won’t overcharge you. -
Try to Make New Connections:
Even if your primary goal is to spend more time alone during your travels, making new friends is useful. They can help you during your trip and even after (what if you would like to go there again?).
Never underestimate the power of connections you can make in another state or country. - Have a Backup Plan in Case Something Goes Wrong:
You can’t expect everything to be perfect during your trip. After all, a flight can be canceled, documents can be lost, or you may simply be late for the bus. Such kind of situations can drive anyone crazy. However, panic won’t help. On the contrary, it will only exacerbate the situation, making you feel more vulnerable.
That’s why having a backup plan in case of an emergency will help you stay calm and prevent you from taking more time.
Let’s Recap
Traveling solo can sometimes be scary. “What if I can’t handle the pressure and return home after a day or two?”, “What if it’s going to turn into a disaster and I’ll come back feeling unhappier than ever?” Yes, leaving your comfort zone isn’t child’s play, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know what it might bring.
Just plan your trip, trust your intuition, and be mindful of safety issues. The rest will come.