Have you booked your first solo trip and now that the time is getting close you’re starting to freak out? Or maybe you are still debating if you should book it, wanting to experience solo travel but also scared and not sure how to start? Perhaps you’ve never thought about solo travel before but can’t find anyone to go on your dream trip with you and you’re getting tired of waiting? Or maybe you did have one and planned a whole trip but now they can’t come and you’re wondering if you should go anyway? Well, whatever the reason, I am so excited for you that you are here, reading this, and thinking about becoming a first time solo traveller! I’m sure you’ll love it.
How do I know?
Because I’ve been in all of those positions before. My first solo trip was to Thailand and Laos in Southeast Asia in 2019, and I clearly remember crying in the Zurich airport during my layover on the way there, thinking omg what have I gotten myself into? I was about to be alone, in a foreign country, where I didn’t even speak the language. If something bad happened, there would be no one to save me. I would have to make all the decisions. I was terrified.
But, my feeling sitting back in that same airport during the layover of my return flight felt entirely different. Not only had I done it, but I had had an amazing time. I made memories that I would have forever, saw so many new things, and met some amazing people. But most importantly, I had shown myself I could do it alone. And if I could handle everything all by myself in a completely new environment, I figured I could probably do anything. Wow, what an empowering feeling. I want everyone to feel like that, especially young women.
The Reality
Did it come easy? No, of course not. Sometimes I was lonely, sometimes I made bad choices, and sometimes I really had to put in the work to figure it out. But were all the things I was scared of really that scary? Also, no.
I rarely felt truly alone thanks in part to the amazing people I met along the way and in part to modern day technology. From other travellers with similar goals to share a meaningful conversation with or to travel alongside for awhile, to kind and welcoming locals, to phone calls and texts sent back home, I was sharing lots of great connections and knew there were still people that had my back. The language barrier was less of an issue than I fear, not only do a lot of people speak some English, but between translation apps, hand gestures, and facial expressions, you can communicate better than you think.
Since that first solo trip in 2019, I have travelled solo in Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Nepal, Canada and a few days in Turkey before meeting up with my dad for the rest of the trip. I can also confidently say that for most (though maybe not all) of the countries I want to travel to in the future (which is quite a long list) I would happily go alone. Why? Because I know how to take care of myself and how to have a good time on my own. And I want you to feel the same way so here are some of my top tips for a first time solo traveller.
Stay in Hostels
Hostels are one of the best places for solo travellers. Why? Because you can meet so many like minded people, they often have activities you can join, and you’ll save some money too. Before we go any further, if you’re thinking hostels aren’t for me because I’m too old/I don’t like to party/I would hate sleeping in a dorm, then I’ve got some good news for you. There are many types of hostels, and most of them have private rooms too. The first step is just to read the descriptions and find something that aligns with you. The other guests will be doing the same so you’ll end up in the same place as people looking for the same things. If you don’t like to party, find a hostel that advertising not being a party hostel and you’ll find like minded people.
Spend some time in common spaces, and join some activities if they have them. Chances are the other people in your hostel, especially the other solo travellers, are looking to make friends just as much as you are. Invite them to join you to walk around the city, grab a meal, or go on an excursion!
Get a Local Sim Card
I’ve met people who will die on the hill that travel is a time to disconnect so they don’t need internet access all the time on their phones. Well, all the power to them, but I disagree. As a fifteenth time or first time solo traveller, there is a lot of safety that can come from having an internet connection. You have a live map, you can google hostels, restaurants, pharmacies, etc, translate languages, share your location with someone you trust, look up money exchanges or expected prices for different services, or even google things about the culture/customs you are confused about. I feel very empowered having all this information at the tip of my fingertips.
Do Some Research
I’m not saying you need to know everything about the history of the country you are going to, or every possible tourist attraction available. I certainly don’t. But there are somethings it’s really helpful to know before you head off somewhere new all alone. First, you should get a general sense of prices, transportation options, and accommodation options. Second, you should get an idea of local culture and customs and if there is anything you should know about how to dress or behave in order to be respectful. Finally, I always recommend making a list of things you might want to do and see while you’re there. But notice how I said list and not itinerary. This shouldn’t be a strict schedule, but rather some ideas so you don’t end up spending a day of your trip on google not knowing what to do.
Only Book The First 3 Days
Your first thought might be to book everything in advance so there’s nothing to worry about when you get there, but I honestly do NOT recommend that. Sure you’ll have some piece of mind, but you might miss out on a lot of adventures. Once you arrive, you’ll be talking to so many people and finding out things you couldn’t have online. Perhaps someone will tell you about the most amazing thing they did that you’ve never heard of and you’ll want to change your plans to do it too. Or you’ll meet some cool people who will invite you to join them for some adventures. Or you’ll hear the thing you read about on the internet that sounded great is actually kind of a bust and there’s a better option. Either way, I can almost guarantee you’ll want the flexibility.
Be Willing To Say Yes and Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
You’re there to have new experiences and explore the world, so say yes to things!! I know you’re already way out of your comfort zone already just by being there, and that’s amazing! But lean into that as far as you can, you won’t regret it. Eat the crazy food, do things you’ve never done before, go to places you weren’t expecting to go to, it’s all part of the adventure.
Trust Your Gut
That said, if something feels wrong, don’t do it. There’s a difference between the exciting kind of nervousness that comes when you are going to do something out of your comfort zone and the nervousness that comes when something is unsafe. If your gut tells you it’s a bad idea, it probably is. And trust your gut even if that means doing something awkward or rude to get out of a situation. It’s worth it.
While I think most places can be visited safely with precautions and common sense, it’s important to out those precautions in place. Don’t walk alone at night. Avoid sections of the city locals warn you about. Don’t get drunk without a buddy system with a very trust-able buddy. Don’t carry large amounts of cash/valuables in you can avoid them and hide them if you have them. Actually, on that note, I also highly suggest splitting up your money and cards between a few different spots, just in case.
All that said, there are no black and whites. In any given moment you are the best judge of your safety. I have done some pretty questionable things (like getting on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle) because I assessed the situation and people and felt safe. On the other hand, I have avoided certain spaces or people that didn’t have any obvious red flags but a feeling in my gut. I don’t know if those decisions saved me from anything bad, but I’m glad to have not found out. Even as a first time solo traveller, you have *insert you age* years of human experience. Trust yourself.
It’s Okay To Rest, Netflix While Travelling is Not a Sin
Sometimes there;s this idea while we’re travelling that we have to maximize all of our time to the fullest because we can rest at home. I get it, I definitely do. But the longer the trip gets the more unsustainable this becomes. Don’t burn yourself out on what’s suppose to be something fun. It’s okay to take some time to rest, whatever that looks like for you. After a long day of adventures, you don’t have to force yourself to go out in the evening too if you don’t feel up to it. Get some takeout, bring it back to the hostel and watch a movie. We need rest no matter where we are in the world. You don’t have to burn yourself out to prove a point.
Have Fun – Being a first time solo traveller is exciting!
At the end of the day, remember you’re doing this to have fun. There’s a ton of great things that come with solo travel, as you’ll soon learn. You increase your self confidence, get to know yourself better, can do whatever you want whenever you want, meet lots of new friends, and don’t have to wait around for others to see the world. I am so proud of you first time solo traveller! If you get the chance, let me know how your trip went in the comments when you get home! I’m sure you’ll have amazing stories to tell and memories to treasure.
