Solo travel is getting more popular but if you are considering taking your first solo trip, you may have some questions or be a bit unsure.
For years, I traveled with my kids and family vacations were the name of the game. But now that they are pretty much grown, I am once more traveling on my own.
At first, I was a bit nervous. Was it going to be any fun traveling on my own? Would I meet new people? What if anything went wrong? I felt quite anxious by the time I went on my trip.
But I am glad I went ahead as I had an amazing time on my first solo vacation. Yes, there are aspects of solo traveling that are challenging or less fun than going with friends or family. But solo travel also offers many benefits and chances to grow as a person.
What do I need to know before my first solo trip?
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Solo travel is more popular than you may think
When I went on my first solo trip as a young adult many years ago, I did get some funny looks. Solo travelers were fairly rare back then! But in the last couple of years, solo travel has gotten much more popular than it used to be. Depending on when and where you travel, you may meet quite a number of fellow solo travelers and hotels/restaurants are much more used to the needs of solo travelers than in the past.
Solo traveler accommodation will vary depending on your destination
If you havenโt traveled on your own before, you may not have paid any attention to rooms for solo travelers.
In the US, a single room is generally the same as any other hotel room (preferably with a king size bed) and will also cost the same no matter whether one or two people stay in it.
In Europe, the same can be true but many hotels โ especially older, independently run ones โ will have special โSingle Rooms.โ
These are often quite small and may have other disadvantages. They may have a weird layout, share a bathroom in the hallway, or require you to climb a lot of stairs. However, they do generally have a big advantage โ they are cheaper! So depending on your personal budget and preferences single rooms may be a good choice for you.
Cruises are a special case. Single travelers usually pay a Single Supplement on top of the price for half of the fare for double-occupancy.
This single supplement however can vary widely, from 0% (i.e. you pay the same as someone sharing a cabin) to over 100% (i.e. you pay more than two people sharing a cabin would pay together). When booking a cruise as a solo traveler checking the single supplement rate is crucial!
The things you fear most about solo travel are likely not the ones that will be the most challenging
Most first time solo travelers are concerned about safety or feeling lonely during their trip. However, in my experience these are not the biggest challenges when setting out alone.
With a little planning and common-sense, safety is usually not an issue and most solo travelers enjoy having some time to themselves.
More challenging (at least for me) are the small logistical difficulties when traveling alone. There is no one to watch your luggage or take a vacation photo of you, you may feel intimidated entering a restaurant on your own, or donโt like to leave your stuff unattended at the beach.ย
Challenges of Being a Solo Female Traveler
Safety can be a worry
The most common concern for solo travelers is safety.
Now, in my experience most places are perfectly safe as long as you use some common safety precautions.
But actual safety is not necessarily the same as how comfortable you will feel. Your perception of your own safety is important as it will determine how successful your trip is.
Eating out alone can be uncomfortable
For most solo female travelers, mealtimes are the most difficult aspect of traveling alone. Not only does eating on your own tend to be boring, but it can be difficult to gather the courage to enter a restaurant. How will the waiters treat you? Are other guests going to stare at you?
Going out at night can be difficult for solo female travelers
How difficult you find this will depend a bit on how often you go out at night at home and how comfortable you are doing so. I am not a huge night owl so for me this can be difficult. After all, no one wants to just stay in the hotel room after dinner every night!
Some situations can be logistically challenging
There are aspects of life on vacation that are more complicated when alone. There is no one to watch over your luggage if you need to visit the restroom, no one to hold a table for you in a food court while getting your food, or to watch valuables when you are in the pool. Not to mention, getting incredible vacation photos poses some logistical challenges – but these solo travel photo tips can make things easier!
Benefits of Solo Travel for Women
While there are some challenges to solo trips, the benefits outweigh the difficulties. In my experience, these include:
- Flexibility โ One of the best parts of traveling solo is the increased flexibility. If you get tired on a hike you can just take the next bus back. If you see an interesting market, you can spend as much time browsing as you want without anyone complaining about it.
- Less wasted time โ If you have travelled with a larger group before you know that a good part of the day is spent on bathroom breaks, getting snacks, resting up etc. Obviously, the more people that are traveling together, the worse this gets. On a solo trip you will only have to stop when you feel like it.
- Your style all the way โ No matter whether you enjoy a mellow and relaxing beach vacation or want to hit the sights morning, noon, and night – on a solo trip you can follow your inclination.
- No need to compromise โ When going on a trip with a partner or friends, compromise is the name of the game. But when traveling alone it is all up to you!
- No arguments โ If you have traveled with other people, you know that vacations are also a great opportunity for fights and arguments. On a solo trip this is no concern.
- Meeting locals is easier โ When traveling in a group, most of us stick together. When you are traveling solo you are much more likely to interact with locals and other travelers, which leads to a more enriching experience.
- Confidence โ A solo adventure is a major confidence booster. Planning the trip, navigating the journey, exploring a new location, and mastering unexpected adventures will help you have more confidence in your own abilities.
Tips for Solo Travel as a Woman
The first step for a successful solo trip is to carefully consider what you want to get out of it and what you feel comfortable with. Do you just want to chill and relax? Are you hoping to make new friends? Is your goal to explore a different culture?
You donโt have to hike through Uzbekistan solo to be a successful solo traveler (though I am sure that would be fun). You can start by visiting a nearby city for a weekend or taking a Caribbean cruise and work your way up from there (or not).
Always remember, your trip is supposed to be fun, not a chore. Push your boundaries a bit but not to the point where you wish the vacation was over!
Take basic safety precautions
Yes, most solo travel is perfectly safe. But that doesnโt mean you shouldnโt follow basic safety precautions. Some of these are:
- Keep your money/valuables in a secure pouch/money belt*
- Donโt take more valuables with you than necessary
- Avoid sketchy neighborhoods and abandoned parks, especially at night
- Keep an eye on your belongings
- Donโt flash around cash
Research your destination and choose your hotel carefully
Choosing the right destination and accommodation is especially important when traveling alone as a woman. The better you research ahead of your trip the better it will be. Read hotel reviews and check the location carefully on Google Maps. If the surrounding of a hotel look sketchy โ choose another one.
Then once you’ve checked in, use these hotel safety tips for peace of mind.
Pay special attention to the availability of restaurants and stores nearby and to your transportation options, especially if you are not planning on driving.
Make a plan for evenings and meal times
Even though I have been on many solo trips, I still struggle a bit with going out for dinner.
Fairly often I end up taking some food back to the room which can be fine after an exhausting day and does save money but isnโt quite the ideal vacation experience either.
I have come up with various strategies that help me feel more comfortable about dining out alone. I find it easier to enter a restaurant if I have decided on where to go ahead of time and ideally made a reservation โ that way, I won’t back out due to nerves.
The same is true for evening activities. There is nothing wrong with going out at night to a bar or club on your own โ and I admire you if you feel comfortable doing that! But many solo female travelers feel too nervous or intimidated for this, me included.
If you want to do something fun in the evenings but will feel nervous about going out, do some research to find activities that are manageable. Are there any evening tours offered? Is there a good show at the theater? Would you enjoy seeing the newest movie?
Again, planning ahead is key โ I find that picking the right kind of evening activities is crucial. And donโt forget to plan on how to get to and from your evening activity. I tend to get nervous on my own at night so I often book a nearby hotel if I will be out late.
First solo trip where to go
There are many great destinations for solo travelers but some are especially good for a first trip. Here are my top recommendations:
- Take a weekend trip to a nearby city โ If you are embarking on your first solo trip and are nervous, go for a destination that is not too exotic or far away. A great chance to dip your toes into the solo travel waters.
- Take a cruise โ A cruise is a great choice for solo female travelers. You will feel safe when on the ship, it is easy to meet new people, and you explore ports either independently or in a group.
- London โ City trips make a great introduction to solo travel: there is plenty to do both during the day and at night and the infrastructure is usually well-developed. Especially if you are from an English speaking country, London will be less daunting than a country in which you can not communicate.
- Lisbon โ Lisbon is a great introduction to solo travel. The city has plenty of sights, public transport is inexpensive and easy to navigate, you can take day tours to the beach or admire beautiful castles and mansions, and there are plenty of tourists around.
- Munich โ Munich is another good city for a first solo trip. The Bavarian capital is very safe, there is plenty of public transportation to get around, you have your choice of theaters and concerts in the evening, and mountains and lakes are waiting for you on day trips.
- Cote dโAzur โ A safe and easy to navigate destination with inexpensive public transportation. There is plenty to see and do here โ great restaurants, interesting museums, secluded beaches โ and it is one of the best places to people-watch.
First Solo Travel for Beginners FAQ
How much does the average solo trip cost?
There is no average cost for a solo trip as it will depend on how far you travel, the general cost of living at your destination, and of course your personal travel style. I generally budget about $1,000 per week on a longer trip but it will depend on your own preferences.
How do I go on a trip by myself?
First, decide on whether you want to travel completely on your own or whether you want to be part of a cruise/tour group. If going completely on your own, you can either choose a travel package or make independent arrangements.
How long should my first solo trip be?
If this is your first solo trip and you are uncertain whether it will be to your taste, four to seven days is a great length.
How do you plan a trip for one person?
Planning a trip for one person is not significantly different from planning any other trip.
I would spend a bit more time researching where to stay and what to do, especially if you are at all concerned about safety.
Accommodation prices for solo travelers can vary quite a bit โ sometimes you will pay the same as for two people, on other trips it may be cheaper (but this often means you will have a smaller/inferior room).
How do you manage first time solo travel anxiety?
My best advice for anxiety about a solo trip is good preparation.
Choose your accommodation, transport, and activities well in advance and research them thoroughly. You will feel less nervous if you know where to go and what to expect.
If you feel very nervous, you could start your solo adventures by going on a cruise, taking part in a retreat, or joining a group tour. You will still be traveling on your own but wonโt be completely alone.
How do I find a group when traveling alone?
Finding a group when traveling alone will depend partly on how extroverted you are.
It is easy enough striking up a conversation with strangers but harder to make friends or find a travel-buddy. In general, hostels are better for meeting other travelers than regular hotels.
However, if you want to make sure to get to know new people and make friends on your trip, I would recommend joining a tour group, an interest-based vacation, or a cruise as these are specifically set up for it.
Is Airbnb safe for solo female travelers?
Airbnb is safe for solo female travelers. However, if it is your first solo trip and you are nervous, I would recommend staying at a decent hotel in a safe neighborhood and with good security. Personally, I feel more comfortable having a reception and nighttime staff in case of problems when traveling solo.
What are the safest European cities for solo female travelers?
Most European cities are safe for female travelers. The main dangers are pick-pockets and scammers so as long as you use common precautions solo travel should be no problem. That being said, in Munich, Lisbon, London, Salzburg, Vienna, Barcelona, and Copenhagen you are likely to feel especially safe.
About the author: Kitty has always loved to travel and now enjoys sharing her passion (and what she has learned) with others on her blog, Kitty meets World. After many years traveling with kids, she is once again embarking on solo adventures.
Thanks to Kitty for such a comprehensive guide to solo travel! What questions do you have about taking your first solo trip? Commenting below helps me provide the most relevant information for you. It also helps me plan related posts.
