Solo Travel 101: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Alone

I had my first solo trip in July 2023. Trust me when I say, I was nervous as hail but I had this desire for a very long time and one day, I decided that ‘today was the day’. Personally, solo trips are not tedious except when you have to deal with a lot of luggage all by yourself, but it can be fun if you put an effort into mingling, exploring, and interacting with new people. For this, I have compiled a complete guide to traveling alone.

Is it okay to travel alone? Yes, it is ok to travel alone, male or female. Is it worth it? Of course! And while the benefits outweighs the cons, the confidence and boldness you feel afterward is unmatched.

Then came the planning, itinerary, and research. Since I wanted practical testimonials, I used TikTok – which was immensely useful- to do my research, and wrote down all precautions, how to navigate public transport, feeding, etc. Since I was a French resident, I didn’t need a visa, so by June 2023, I was packed and ready to go on my first solo trip.

Further reading: 47+ Travel Hacks For A Perfect Trip

So, if you are looking for a guide that urges you to start traveling alone, this blog post is for you. If you prefer organized group trips, this post is also for you.

BUT FIRST, WHAT COULD BE THE BENEFITS OF TRAVELING ALONE?

Like every new experience, traveling solo can be a daunting but immersive experience. You get to do what you want, go where you want, meet new people, and stretch yourself. My obvious benefits of traveling alone are:

1. Solo travel is good for your mental wellbeing. Immersing yourself in a new environment and culture gives you a sense of inner peace, comfort, and relaxation. When your body is relaxed, your mind and soul are also relaxed.
2. Traveling alone can boost your self-confidence. It stimulates you to stretch yourself and become more independent (even if you are already an adult).
3. Solo traveling stimulates personal growth and self-discovery. Traveling and enjoying the nature around you, allows you to reflect, think and make better choices for the next phase of your life.
4. Traveling alone opens the door to new connections and interactions. Because you are alone, you seem more approachable. And if you are open to new connections, these interactions can lead to friendships that last a lifetime.

While I might have convinced you to take a solo trip, I must also tell you how to plan and prepare for your first time traveling alone.

TIPS FOR PLANNING AND PACKING FOR YOUR FIRST SOLO TRIP

Babygirl, your first solo trip doesn’t have to be perfect, but before you pack your suitcase, here are a few tips to note before going on a solo vacation:

1. First, understand that this trip is for you and you alone. Fantasize your trip, dream about your adventure, write it down, plan it, and pace yourself slowly. Don’t overload yourself so that you can enjoy every bit of your time.
2. Secondly, start small! Your first solo trip doesn’t have to be in a foreign country or on a 10-hour flight. Start out with neighboring cities or states. From here, you can build your confidence and learn from your experience.
3. Next, choose a destination that personally interests you or captivates you. Forget the social media rave about eating croissants in a cute boulangerie in Paris or visiting the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc in Barcelona. Choose a unique destination that satisfies your passion.
4. After your proposed destination is certain, plan your trip. Determine how many days you plan to stay, check if you need a visa for the destination, any health or travel documents required, the current weather or season, etc. Also, find out the best time for you to travel alone and try planning your trip during off-peak periods.
5. Make a list of attractions and sights you would love to visit and their visiting times, cost of entry, and any rules that may be required, etc.
6. Next, plan your packing and make a list of items you will need for this trip. While doing this, plan your outfits according to the weather or season of your proposed destination e.g. pack hiking shoes if you plan on hiking and throw in a sun hat if it is a sunny destination. Ensure to add any personal safety gadgets, accessories that may be useful for this solo trip (like a power bank), and anything that can be useful for this trip. Make sure not to overpack, but pack the essentials.
7. Lastly, do your research. I always preach that it is very wrong to visit a new destination blind, especially when you are solo traveling. Find out the basics of that location, visit the city’s or country’s website and check their tourism sections, use TikTok or Instagram to collate the experiences of other travelers who have visited previously, and arm yourself with every information you can get.

Further reading: Headed to Paris? Top scams to avoid in Paris

SOLO TRAVEL TIPS FOR WOMEN

According to Condor Ferries, 64% of travelers worldwide are female while the remaining 36% are men. According to them, women travel more because they cherish their time to explore new frontiers and do what they want. 

Booking.com also described that 51% of first-time solo female travelers said that they would repeat the experience within 12 months and that these women enjoyed the confidence it gave them. 

While traveling alone as a woman or lady is a rewarding experience, it is important to take precautions to ensure your safety. Based on my personal experience, here are some tips for traveling alone as woman:

1. Book well-reviewed accommodations. Trust me, do not skip this tip! You want to make sure your accommodation is clean, safe, with friendly staff, and free from potential harassment. I use the Google 360° View Map to check out the area and also do a research on the location to ensure it is safe. My personal favorite is staying in hostels, so you feel safer amongst other guests.
2. Like I said earlier, do your research! As a black woman, I pay more attention to female solo travelers that look like me, because their experience will most likely be similar to mine. While at it, take note of destination where more than one female solo traveler has had a bad experience. Since 2022, Rome (Italy in general) has been trending on social media as the MOST RACIST DESTINATION for black travelers.
3. Dress modestly and respect local laws or traditions. If smoking, drinking, or indecent exposure is not allowed in the city, respect that. This will give you a comfortable experience and keep unwarranted attention away from you.
4. Trust your gut! Since this is your first time traveling alone, don’t ignore your instincts. If invited to a place at odd hours or you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, respectfully decline and remove yourself from that space. If need be, seek help when needed.
5. Use social travel communities and connect with other female solo travelers. Facebook has a ton of pages and groups created solely for female travelers. Use these pages for your research and ask questions about your intended destination. My favorite Facebook Travel group is Girls Love Travel.
6. Have basic knowledge of the local language. If you feel lost or the Google Maps is unhelpful, you can ask a local for help. If you have not mastered basic notions of the language, Google Translate will do a fine job.

Further reading: How To Plan The Perfect Trip: A Detailed Guide

TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRAVEL DESTINATION

When choosing the best destination for your first solo trip, the first rule of thumb is to choose a destination that interests you (not the hype). But bear in mind, other factors can come into play:

1. Your safety. Make conscious efforts to choose a destination that is known to be safe for solo travelers and with no racial or gender bias for female solo travelers. If that location has a lot of ill reviews on social media, don’t go there! If you are a person of color, destinations with no racial bias should not be on your list.
2. Language barrier. Consider destinations with the same language as you. If they don’t speak a universal language but have a large percentage of English speakers, then its safe.
3. Ease of access. Avoid destinations with no or limited access to basic transportation. This way, it is convenient and easy to move around while you enjoy yourself.
4. Choose destinations that align with your interests. If you are a food critic, nature lover, animal lover, or adventurous, visit destinations that align with your passion.

USING SOLO TRAVEL GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES

You can travel solo in two forms – solo or in a group.

If you want to travel solo but not alone, a group tour is perfect. Group tours are usually solo travelers who come together to visit a destination. This way, you meet new people, share experiences, and interact with like-minded travelers. 

For solo travel communities, Facebook has a plethora of pages and groups for like-minded travelers who come together to connect. With solo travel groups, you can find tips, recommendations, and resources for a destination, find other solo female travelers planning for the same destination, learn from others’ experiences, itinerary tips, etc.

There are so many solo travel groups on Facebook, but I would recommend the Girls Love Travel group and their public page as a great resource if you are looking to start traveling alone.

SAFETY TIPS FOR TRAVELING ALONE

1. Uno, do not travel to places with unrest – political or religious. If it is unsafe for the locals or there is tension in the city, you should not be there. So, keep tabs on your proposed destination and prepare to cancel or postpone your trip if possible.
2. Move around with a simple safety gadget. In France, Category D or over-the-counter weapons can be in your possession without a penalty. So, make sure you carry simple gadgets, like pepper spray, in your bag always.
3. Share your itinerary and location with friends and family, especially if your destination is outside the country. This way, your loved ones can easily track you or report any suspicious activities to local authorities using your last known location.
4. Be aware of your surroundings and stay safe. Even in crowded places, be wary of pickpockets and guard your personal belongings. Be sure to have digital copies of your travel documents and carry them in undetectable pouches.
5. If possible, blend in with the locals. In France, it’s easy to detect a foreign tourist because they always wear berets; they’re not a thing for the locals. Blending in with locals minimizes any unwanted attention from pickpockets and makes you feel safe.
6. Have a personal first aid kit and basic medication that can help you in case of minor injuries, allergies, or discomfort. Also, take note of all emergency numbers needed in your destination, as well as local authorities to contact in an emergency.
7. Think about insurance. There are several affordable insurance plans that can give you maximum coverage anywhere in the world. Traveling with travel insurance will help you get immediate help in emergencies and cover the loss of any valuable item throughout your trip.
8. Get an e-sim or mobile network that works in that location. As a French resident, I do not need a virtual SIM to any Schengen country. Regardless, do your research and find out if you need to get a local network or an e-sim.
9. Look out for any scams that are prevalent in your intended destination. This will help you stay safe and deter unwanted attention from pickpockets. You can refer to my earlier post on scams to look out for when visiting Paris.

OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGIES OF TRAVELING ALONE

For some, traveling alone has it’s cons but here’s how you can overcome these challenges:

1. Safety concerns. I think this is a concern for anyone who wants to travel the world alone. To overcome this, prioritize your safety with the tips I mentioned earlier, trust your instincts, and do your research.
2. Loneliness. Sometimes, traveling alone can be lonely, especially in periods with fewer tourist activities. You can use this moment to engage in activities you enjoy, journal and self-reflect, connect with other travelers, and hire a local guide if needed.
3. Language barrier. This is a common challenge for every traveler, especially in a foreign country. To overcome this, blend in with the locals and learn basic conversational phrases that can be helpful to you.
4. Being in unfamiliar surroundings. Leaving your comfort zone is a huge step in traveling alone but this is where your self-growth starts. To overcome this challenge, be open-minded, do not criticize other people’s traditions and beliefs, and be willing to explore and learn about other people’s realities.

I found Greether, a new startup created to make female solo travelers feel safe and has an army of local guides in popular cities to help you navigate your day-to-day itinerary.

CONCLUSION

At this point, I will congratulate you on taking that leap of faith and going on your first solo trip. Traveling alone allows you to see the world in a different dimension and gives you an understanding of worlds existing beyond your reality.

Yes, you might have cold feet but with the necessary research, you will be fine. Use guidebooks, travel blogs, and personal stories to get the information you need. Don’t forget to prioritize your safety and look out for yourself.

One thing I have learnt as an adult is that there is no right time to do anything. So if you are nervous of travelling alone or you have been putting it off till ‘God knows when’, just do it!

Remember, your limit is your imagination!

How has it been traveling alone? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Travels!