What is challenging, empowering, exciting, a bit intimidating and incredibly rewarding? I’m talking about solo travel! If you’ve ever had the urge to go explore a new destination all on your own, this post is for you. The thought of traveling alone can be nerve racking, but with a little pre-planning you can have the trip of a lifetime. I recently returned from my first solo trip in quite a while. I spent three days exploring the island of Oahu and loved every moment. In addition to spending some quality time with me, myself and I, I also gathered some helpful tips for traveling solo. Below are 12 things to consider when planning your first solo trip.
1. DESTINATION
If you’ve built up the courage to actually take a solo trip, the first thing you’ll need to decide is where the heck to go! If it’s your first time traveling on your own, you’ll want to choose your destination wisely. As much as I enjoyed my trips to Brazil and Thailand, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend those amazing cities for a first time solo traveler. Start somewhere that’s a bit easier to navigate, Lisbon and Brussels come to mind. Or better yet, pick a city a bit closer to home or one you’ve already visited with family or friends. I realize it’s not as fun to return to the same place, but if you’re already familiar with a city, you’ll be able hit the ground running and explore areas that you didn’t get a chance to see before. One of the reasons I chose Hawaii for my recent solo trip was precisely because I had visited before and knew the island. That allowed me to focus on exactly what I wanted to do rather than waste time acquainting myself to a brand new city.
2. BUDGET
When you travel alone, you obviously don’t have anyone to split expenses with. From accommodations and meals to transportation and sightseeing, whatever you do the bill is all on you. Therefore, it’s a good idea to establish a budget before your trip because if you find yourself low on funds, there will be no one there to spot you. With just a bit a planning ahead, you can easily set up a basic budget for yourself so you’re prepared and can avoid making multiple withdrawals throughout your trip.
Travel Tip: Keep an emergency stash of cash (at least $50) in a separate bag just in case. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do you’ll already have it on you.
3. ACCOMMODATIONS
When planning you’re first solo trip, one of the most important factors to consider is where you’re going to stay. Hotel, hostel, Airbnb? There are several options, each with its own pros and cons. If you stay at a hotel, you will have the benefit of consulting the concierge should you need restaurant or activity suggestions. Hotels often offer transportation to and from the airport, which is a welcome convenience.
Hostels are a good option if you’re watching your budget or if you’re hoping to meet fellow travelers. Just keep in mind that many hostels only offer shared rooms, which means you could be sharing a space with a complete stranger leaving your belongings more exposed to theft. I stayed in a hostel in Rome with a friend many years ago and had a great experience, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. Just something to consider!
Airbnb is great too. I used it to book my room in Hawaii and it’s my go-to booking site when I’m traveling with my Russian. You can either book an entire home/apartment or a private room. The private room option means the host and possibly other travelers will also be staying at the property. If you go this route, I think it’s a good idea to book with a host of the same gender if possible. Even though I had an entire place to myself, I personally felt more comfortable dealing with a female host during my Hawaii trip.
4. TRANSPORTATION
This will largely depend on where you decide to go, but wherever you end up, it’s a good idea to plan out how you’ll get around before leaving for your trip. Is there reliable public transportation, will you be renting a car or will you need to use cabs and Ubers to get around? Each of these carry different safety considerations and will need to be factored into your budget. I rented a car during my solo trip to Hawaii, which allowed me to explore the entire island of Oahu. It was also a smooth process given that I didn’t have to navigate international roadways or rental companies, which can sometimes be shady.
5. PACKING SMART & LIGHT
When traveling solo, you’ll want to do your best to pack as light as possible since you’ll be the one lugging your bags around. Stick to a carry-on and a backpack or tote and try to pack as efficiently as possible. No need to take 3 pairs of sandals if you could make one work with multiple outfits. And try your best to plan outfits for each day/activity rather than taking a bunch of options you more than likely won’t end up wearing. I know it’s easier said than done, but you’ll be grateful later! Also, leave your valuables at home. Fancy clothes, jewelry, shoes and bags are nice to have and wear in photos, but why run the risk of having them get lost or stolen. This is a good rule of thumb when traveling in general, but especially when you’re on your ow. It’s just not worth it!
6. ACTIVITIES
Of course one of the main things you’ll need to plan before your first solo trip is what you’re actually going to do. Do you want to check out the food scene, museum hop, explore the outdoors or join an organized tour? I recommend having a general idea of how you’ll fill your days beforehand, but don’t over book yourself. You’ll want to leave yourself some free time for carefree exploring Some of the best experiences I’ve had while traveling have happened spontaneously. For instance, my Airbnb host inviting on her yacht to watch fireworks in Waikiki was definitely not on my schedule, but I’m so glad I went!
7. PHOTOGRAPHY
Another factor to consider is how you’ll capture all those Insta-worthy shots of yourself if you’re on your own. With just a few basic tools you can do it easily. For starters, you’ll need a selfie stick and a tripod
Travel tip: One trick I like to use when photographing myself with my phone is to actually set it to video mode. Hold different poses while the camera is rolling. When you’re ready to edit, just freeze the frames you like and take a screen shot of them. It’s an easy way to get multiple shots with one take.
8. SOLO DINING
Do you prefer quick cafes where you can grab a bite to eat on the go or a sit-down dining experiences perfect for people watching? Consider ahead of time how you’ll feel enjoying a meal alone at a restaurant. I personally enjoy it and some of you may be used to this as well, but if you’re not, dining by yourself can be nerve racking. If you’re feeling a bit apprehensive, stick a book or magazine in your bag, edit photos while you dine or sit at the bar and strike up a conversation with the bar tender. Once you relax and realize there’s nothing weird at all about dining solo, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience.
Another thing to consider is how adventurous you’re going to be with food itself. While I’m all for trying new things, the last thing you want to deal with on your first solo trip is a case of food poisoning or an allergic reaction to a meal!
9. DRINKING
It may go without saying, but when traveling alone it’s best practice to avoid excessive drinking. Of course sipping a glass of wine with dinner or a yummy craft cocktail at a swanky bar is fine. Just be cautious, stay aware of your surroundings and don’t overdo it. You don’t want to put yourself in a vulnerable situation and over-indulging on alcohol is a certain way to do just that.
10. SAFETY
When traveling solo, safety should be your primary concern. While the chances of something happening are small, you’ll want to take extra precautions to avoid risky situations. I’ve actually written a whole post about this. A few tips to keep in mind include keeping valuables in your room locked in a safe, when out and about remain aware of your surroundings at all times, avoid carrying or wearing valuables while you’re sight seeing and never set your bag down to take a photo or on the back of your chair while you’re at a restaurant.
It’s also a good idea to avoid staying out late at night particularly when traveling in a city that’s unfamiliar to you. Even the savviest travelers can inadvertently stumble upon an area that should be avoided.
11. STAYING CONNECTED
Another way to stay safe is to stay connected to people back home. It can also keep you from feeling too isolated. This is easier to do if you travel domestically, but even if you travel solo internationally, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch. Skype & WhatsApp as well as social media all allow you to reach out to friends and family should you need to. It’s also a good idea to share the details of your trip such as hotel information with at least one person so they know your whereabouts. I am admittedly very bad at this and tend to completely cut off from the people back home when I’m abroad, with the exception of social media, but if it’s your first solo trip, it is a good idea to keep the people closest to you in the loop.
12. LONELINESS
The other factor that you’ll need to consider before your first solo trip is the solo part. Consider how you’ll feel after a few days of having no one familiar to talk to, eat with or share your experiences with. For some, loneliness won’t be an issue. I personally enjoy solo travel for this very reason. The ability to plan your day without conferring with a companion can be quite nice. It also forces you rely on yourself and can bring you out of your shell in ways traveling with a friend or partner can’t. Don’t let the potential for loneliness stop you from traveling, just be aware that it’s a real possibility and have a plan for overcoming it. Don’t stay cooped up in the comfort of your hotel room, You didn’t take a solo trip just to do that! Be brave, put yourself out there and just go! I promise you will not regret it.
Did I leave anything out? What tips would you add to the list? Have you taken a solo trip? If not, would you consider it? Share your comments below!
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