Travel Solo – Going It Alone Without Feeling Alone
There’s a subtle charm to being in a place where nobody knows your name. You could walk into a café, order something you can’t pronounce, linger by the window as strangers rush by, and realise you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone.
That’s the quiet thrill of solo travel. It’s not just about booking a ticket and showing up. It’s about letting yourself dissolve into the rhythm of an unfamiliar place, making decisions purely for you, and discovering how much of the world and yourself you’ve yet to meet.
Solo travel isn’t all golden sunsets and finding yourself montages. It’s a mix of freedom and uncertainty, wonder and risk. And that’s why it can be life-changing… if you know how to do it well.
This isn’t a guide to convince you that travelling alone is the only real way to travel. It’s an invitation to see what’s possible when you step into a journey that’s entirely yours.
Why Choose to Travel Solo?
Most people don’t book their first solo trip because they’ve read a motivational quote; something usually pushes them toward it. Maybe you’ve been planning a trip with friends for months, only for everyone to drop out at the last minute (it has happened to me 🤷). Maybe you’re in a season of life where you need space after a breakup, a career change, or a year that just won’t stop throwing curveballs.
The interesting part is, once you travel solo for the first time, the reasons you do it change.
In the beginning, it might be about proving you can. After that, it becomes about the intoxicating freedom of it. The absence of compromise. The luxury of designing your day without considering anyone else’s needs.
Group travel can be amazing, but it’s also a negotiation. Where to go, what to eat, how early to wake up, and everyone has an opinion. Solo travel hands you the full director’s chair. You decide when to sleep in, when to be impulsive, and when to spend the whole day doing absolutely nothing but wandering.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what your soul needs.
The Mental Benefits of Travelling Solo
Solo travel isn’t just an adventure for your passport; it’s a workout for your mind. The mental benefits are subtle but profound, and they often stay with you long after the trip is over.
- Sharper Decision-Making Skills
Every small choice, from which bus/flight to take to which neighbourhood to explore, is yours alone. You become more confident in your ability to navigate uncertainty. - Heightened Self-Awareness
When you’re by yourself, there’s no one else’s agenda to blend into. You notice your genuine likes and dislikes, not just the ones you’ve adapted to fit in. - Boosted Resilience
You figure out how to adapt when plans fall apart, and they will. You learn to adapt without the emotional cushioning of a travel buddy. That missed train or wrong bus becomes less of a disaster and more of a story you’ll tell later. And over time, that adaptability spills into other areas of your life. - Deepened Cultural Immersion
Ironically, travelling solo often makes you more approachable to locals. Without the safety net of a friend, you’re more likely to strike up conversations, accept invitations, and notice the subtleties of your surroundings. - Mental Rest from Social Noise
We live in a world of constant input — texts, calls, group chats. Solo travel gives you pockets of silence that allow your brain to process and recharge.
The Risks of Solo Travel
Solo travel comes with risks, and pretending otherwise would be irresponsible. But risks don’t have to be deal-breakers; they just require preparation and awareness.
1. Safety Concerns
Being alone can make you more vulnerable to petty crime, scams, or unsafe situations. The solution isn’t paranoia but proactive measures:
- Research your destination beyond the glossy travel blogs. Learn which neighborhoods to avoid, what local scams look like, and how transportation works after dark
- Share your itinerary with a trusted person(s).
- Avoid flashing valuables in public.
- Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is.
2. Health Issues
If you get sick or injured while travelling solo, there’s no one to help immediately. Always carry basic medication, know where the nearest medical facility is, and have travel insurance.
3. Financial Pressure
There’s no one to split costs with, so budgeting becomes even more important. Look into single-occupancy accommodation deals, hostels, or short-term rentals with kitchens to save on meals.
You can’t eliminate risk entirely, but you can reduce it enough to travel confidently.
How to Deal with Loneliness on Solo Travels
Loneliness is probably the biggest fear people have about travelling solo, even more than safety. And yes, there will be moments when you wish you had someone to share a view with. But loneliness doesn’t have to define your trip.
1. Choose Social Accommodations
Choose hotels that offer private rooms while still keeping shared lounges and kitchens, or hotels that run group activities where you can meet other travellers or tourists.
2. Join Group Activities
Book a cooking class, walking tour, or day trip. Even if you don’t make lifelong friends, you’ll have a few hours of shared experience.
3. Stay Connected to Home
Call friends or family, but don’t spend all your evenings chatting with people back home. You’ll miss opportunities to connect where you are.
4. Learn a Few Phrases in the Local Language
Even basic greetings can open doors. People appreciate the effort, and it often leads to warmer interactions.
5. Document Your Journey
Journaling, photography, or even vlogging can make your trip feel less isolating and give you something to look back on.
6. Accept That Solitude is Part of the Story
Sometimes, the quiet moments are the most rewarding. Sitting in a café alone, watching a city wake up, might be the memory that lingers most.
How to Set Yourself Up for Solo Travel Success
A smooth solo trip isn’t about controlling every variable; it’s about building enough structure so that freedom feels safe. It often comes down to a few practical moves:
- Map your first few days — Knowing where you’re sleeping, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll do on day one removes arrival anxiety.
- Travel light: If you can’t carry it comfortably on your own, you’re bringing too much.
- Keep both physical and digital copies of documents: Passport, visa, insurance, reservations.
- Have a cash cushion: For emergencies and unexpected opportunities.
- Blend in: Dress to match local norms. Observe before acting.
- Stay flexible: If an opportunity appears — a festival, a local recommendation — leave space to take it.
Why Your First Solo Trip Will Change You
You’ll come back with more than just souvenirs. You’ll return with a clearer sense of what you’re capable of, a little more faith in your own judgement, and a new appreciation for your own company.
It won’t all be perfect — there will be days when you’re tired, lost, or wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea. But those moments are part of it too. They become the stories you tell later, the proof that you can figure things out, even when it’s not easy.
And here’s the thing: once you’ve done it, once you’ve navigated a whole trip on your own, you’ll know deep down that you can do it again — anywhere in the world. That’s a kind of confidence you carry with you long after the trip is over.
Solo travel isn’t about proving how brave you are or ticking off another box on your bucket list. It’s about the small moments — the quiet breakfasts, the unexpected conversations, and the times you surprise yourself by figuring things out. You won’t love every second, and that’s okay. What you’ll remember most are the pieces of yourself you found in places you’d never been before.
If you ever get the chance to take that trip alone, even if it scares you a little, go. Pack your bag, trust your instincts, and give yourself permission to be completely present in a world that doesn’t expect anything from you. You might just come back with more than photos. You might come back with a deeper sense of who you are.
Stay frosty.
