Tips for Traveling Solo for the First Time

If you’re traveling solo for the first time and you’re not sure where to start planning your trip then you’ve come to the right place. Here, you will find the best tips to begin your journey as a solo traveler.

First of all, well done to you for taking the plunge and planning your first solo trip. Not everyone is brave enough to do it and we can assure you that you will have an incredible experience.

There will be many people that will tell you that you’re crazy or out of your mind for going on a solo trip. We are here to tell you that they’re wrong, you’re not crazy, well you may be a little bit but in all the right ways.

Once you have been on your first ever solo trip, you will most likely not want to travel any other way again. One of the best things about traveling solo especially for the first time is that you have no one to answer to and appease.

You control what you want to do and when without worrying about someone else. You will also find that when you’re solo traveling, especially if you’re staying in hostels, you won’t be lonely either.

There are so many wonderful people within the travel community that you will meet people from all different walks of life.

Now, onto the tips that will make your solo travel experience the best adventure possible!

Enjoy the Process

If you’re feeling anxious right now, you need to take some time to reflect on what an amazing achievement it is that you’re planning a solo trip.

It can be so easy to become overwhelmed about everything that you need to do that you forget how exciting planning this adventure actually is.

Whether you’re trying to plan something in your home country to explore more local sights or ticking off something on your bucket list in New York City, there’s nothing bigger than the Big Apple after all! Enjoy every moment of it and get excited about your plans.

It’s also easier said than done, but if it does become overwhelming, then take a step back. Remind yourself the reasons why you’re actually doing this trip and all the exciting things that you want to see and do whilst you’re there.

Once you have read through these tips for first-time solo travelers, you will feel much more at ease.

Make a Plan

Decide where you want to travel to and what you want to do whilst you’re there. This is the most exciting part by going through all the different countries and picking where your top destinations are going to be.

Another deciding factor may also be budget, how long you want to travel for and what time of year you’re looking to get away. Budget often plays a huge factor so have a little look at the dates that you can travel and then use a tool like Skyscanner to check out the cheapest flights that you can get on those days.

If you’re planning to visit multiple places then begin to look at how many days you should look at spending in each destination. Keep your plans light and flexible at this stage which leads us on nicely to our next tip.

Don’t Overplan

Again, it is easier said than done but the last thing you want to do is plan too much for your trip. When you’re traveling, the best thing you can do is try to leave your itinerary free and open for spontaneous adventures.

If you plan everything before going on your trip, you may find yourself in a position where timings don’t match up and your whole itinerary goes into disarray. If a flight gets cancelled or your bus is delayed then this will set off your itinerary by a good amount.

It is always good to have a rough idea of where you’re going and what you’d like to do whilst you’re there though. Make enough plans that you have control over what you’re doing but don’t overbook yourself.

Sometimes you will need to get your transport booked in advance such as flights to the next destination or bus tickets but try to keep your plans around this open.

You may also find that when you arrive into one destination that you love it so much that you’re not ready to leave so you want to leave yourself this flexibility. Alternatively, you may not like the destination and want to leave earlier than planned.

Compare Flights

If you’re a new traveler then you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with what to do about flights. We mentioned in our other tips that our budget often dictates where we are traveling to.

We often go onto Skyscanner and search the dates that we can travel and then search for flights from everywhere to see what our cheapest options are.

Alternatively, if we already know where we are wanting to travel then you can use WayAway to purchase the flights.

You are able to purchase flight tickets and then get cashback on tickets, tours and hotels. This way you will be able to use the money that you would have spent towards flights on other areas of the trip.

Also, have a little look at the best destinations for solo travel especially if it’s your first time. There are plenty of countries where you will feel completely safe and have a great time!

Get Travel Insurance

No matter what trip you are planning to book, ALWAYS get travel insurance. Things can go wrong at any time and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

This is something that can happen at any time in your life no matter what country you’re in.

Best thing you can do is ensure that you have a back up plan just in case things do go wrong. Getting yourself good travel insurance will make sure that you’re not at as much of a loss if something doesn’t go to plan.

Don’t Overpack

When you’re planning for your first solo trip it can be all too easy to overthink on what you need. The best tip we can give you is less is often more. Don’t forget that whilst you’re traveling, you will be able to pick things up on the road.

If you’re going backpacking then you will want to get your clothes washed along the way so just make sure that you have enough underwear, a few t-shirts and 1 or two pairs of bottoms.

It is worth finding a good packing checklist to check and see what you need for your trip. You can then work from there to organise your items on what you actually need for the trip and what are luxury items.

Take More Than One Payment Card

This is something that most travelers don’t tend to think about but it would be best to take more than one travel card with you.

If you find yourself in a situation where your card doesn’t work on an ATM or you’ve been unable to top up your card then you don’t want to be completely stuck.

It is always worth having a back-up card to use just in case and even better if it is from a different provider.

The last thing you need is to be stuck without money so cover both bases and take more than one. Sometimes you will find that certain ATMs will not take particular cards.

In general, it is worth taking 2 travel cards, 1 bank card from home (for emergencies) and cash that we can get exchanged prior to leaving your home country.

Watch Out for Scams

As a first time solo traveler, it is always worth researching the destination before you visit for common tourist scams.

In particular, Europe is very common for elaborate scams so it is important that you familiarise yourself with them before you travel.

It doesn’t mean that everyone is going to try and scam you but it’s always worth considering what could happen to just be on the safe side.

When you’re traveling alone for the first time, you need to take measures for your own safety. Ensure that you do your research on the country your traveling to and ensure that you’re well informed of any potential areas to avoid or issues that may arise.

Bring a Book

Unsurprisingly, on a solo trip, there will be many times where you will be on your own. We find that taking a book out with you is a great way to keep your mind occupied.

There is nothing better than sitting at a bar, watching the world go by and enjoying a chapter or two of a good book.

Most of the time you will make friends but it’s always handy to have a book in case you’re feeling a little too idle.

Consider Staying in Hostels

As a solo traveler, one of your biggest worries may be how you’re going to meet people whilst you’re traveling.

One of the best things to do as a solo traveler is to stay in a hostel. We absolutely love hostels because not only are they great for the budget but you also meet some amazing people in them.

You will often find that there are communal areas where you will be able to spend time meeting other travelers.

It is also worth looking out on Hostelworld for particular hostels that host events too because you will find that these are the most sociable ones and will be the best places to meet people.

Often hostels have an unfair reputation but there are plenty of reasons why hostels are simply the best too!

Join Facebook Groups

If you’re feeling nervous at all then it is best to join some Facebook groups before going traveling.

You can find plenty of Facebook groups for the particular destination/country you’re traveling to, and they are often really supportive communities where you can ask any questions that may be on your mind.

You will also find many different Facebook groups for solo traveling. One of the best Facebook groups for females is The Solo Female Traveler Network and it is such a supportive area.

Plenty of the women in the group have met up in various countries and it is really awesome to be part of a community like that.

This is a great way to make friends before you even get to your destination. Even if you don’t plan to meet up with them, you can still ask around to see who has been there or is going and for advice.

Make Friends with Locals

The best thing you can do whilst you’re solo traveling is to get to know the locals. They are the people that will show you the sights that not many tourists know about.

You will meet so many incredible locals on your travels and really get to understand their culture and traditions. We think that it is incredibly important not just to see the touristy side of a destination but also to experience how locals live there.

One of the best ways to do this is by chatting to locals at the hostel you’re staying, waiters, tour guides etc. Embrace every opportunity and get to know the destination you’re staying.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

One of our favorite things about traveling, especially solo travel, is that you get to try plenty of new things. If you’re a bit anxious on your first solo trip, surround yourself with new people at your hostel and join them on their adventures.

You will often find that they have made plans that you may not have thought of doing. There are so many different adventures out there waiting for you.

Make sure that you don’t let any fear hold you back. Embrace the opportunity to become a stronger version of yourself and enjoy the ride.

The last thing you want to do is go on a solo trip and stick to what you’re familiar with and not embrace new opportunities.

Say YES to New Experiences

Similar to the last tip, make sure that you say yes to every new experience you can. There are so many great opportunities and adventures out there.

Without wanting to sound like a cliché, life is too short to be held back, which is why we created these tips for first-time solo travelers!

If someone asks you to go kayaking, say YES! If someone asks you to learn to go diving, say YES. The simple answer is, if it sounds like fun and an adventure, don’t turn it down.

You’ve taken the brave step by going on your first solo trip so you might as well completely rock the boat and try everything possible!

In our opinion, if you’re fearful or worried about doing something then this is even more of a reason to do it!

Starting Your Journey of Traveling Solo for the First Time!

This is an incredible experience that you are about to embark on so make sure to enjoy the ride.

Traveling solo is one of the best things that you can do in your lifetime and your first time will truly be an experience you’ll never forget!

You will make so many great memories along the way. We find that the travel community is so welcoming and accepting that you will most likely find travel buddies for life.