Travel for Solo Travellers: 7 Amazing Tips to Master Adventures

Stepping out on your own to explore the world has never been more popular. A whopping 25% of travelers now choose to venture solo rather than join group trips. Yet many feel nervous about taking that first step.

Travel for solo travellers offers a chance to discover not just new places, but also yourself. You set your own pace, follow your interests, and make all the choices.

This guide gives you seven key tips to turn your solo trip from scary to amazing. With some planning and the right mindset, you’ll soon master the art of solo travel.

1. Plan Your Itinerary (But Stay Flexible)

Good research builds confidence when traveling alone. Start by checking:

• Visa rules for your destination
• Weather patterns and best times to visit
• Local transportation options and costs
• Safe neighborhoods for lodging

Book your first few nights of accommodation before arrival. It reduces stress to have a guaranteed place to land.

Keep a digital and paper copy of your key info:

• Flight details
• Hotel addresses
• Emergency contacts
• Travel insurance info

Don’t overplan! Leave room for surprises and changes. Some of your fondest memories will be from unplanned moments.

“I always book my first two nights, then play the rest by ear,” says Maria Chen, who has visited 43 countries solo. “This gives me security and freedom.”

Utilize applications such as Google Maps to download offline maps of where you are going. This is useful when you lack cell service.

2. Master Solo Dining Without Awkwardness

Many new solo travelers dread eating alone. Don’t let this stop you from trying local food!

Try these tactics to feel more comfortable:

• Start with casual places like food markets or street stalls
• Choose restaurants with counter seating or communal tables
• Bring a book, journal, or phone for company
• Visit during off-peak hours when staff can chat more
• Try food tours to meet others while eating

Solo travel groups often form around meals. Hostels, guesthouses, and B&Bs sometimes host group dinners.

Apps like EatWith connect travelers with local home cooks for authentic meals. You’ll get great food and local insights.

Take photos of dishes you love. Ask servers about ingredients. Food becomes more than just eating—it’s part of your travel story.

3. Make Safety Your Top Priority

Safety concerns shouldn’t stop you from traveling solo, but smart precautions will keep you secure.

Before your trip:

• Research common scams at your destination
• Join Facebook groups for solo travelers to get recent safety tips
• Share your itinerary with someone back home
• Set up check-in times with family or friends
• Register with your country’s embassy if visiting high-risk areas

During your trip:

• Trust your gut feelings about people and places
• Secure your valuables by keeping them concealed, and mitigate risk by distributing your cash across different locations.
• Wear a cross-body bag that’s hard to snatch
• Avoid walking alone in empty areas at night
• Look confident even when lost
• Don’t share your hotel name with strangers

For women travelers:

• Research local dress customs and respect them
• Consider women-only floors in hotels or female-focused hostels
• To potentially deter unwelcome approaches, consider wearing a decoy wedding band.
• Use ride-sharing apps instead of hailing taxis on the streets

Download safety apps like bSafe or TripWhistle that share your location and have emergency features.

4. Connect With Others While Traveling Solo

Solo doesn’t have to mean lonely. Many ways exist to meet people on your journey.

Try these proven methods:

• Stay in social hostels with common areas
• Take advantage of complimentary walking tours, available in many large cities, for an affordable way to explore
• Take classes (cooking, language, dance) at your destination
• Use apps like Meetup, Bumble BFF, or Couchsurfing Events
• Sit at bars rather than tables when dining alone
• Talk to other solo travelers (they’re easy to spot!)

“I met my best friend on a walking tour in Prague,” shares solo traveler James Whitaker. “Five years later, we still meet up for trips around the world.”

Remember that brief connections still have value. A one-hour chat with a local can teach you more than a guidebook.

Set personal boundaries and always meet new people in public places. Trust your instincts about who to spend time with.

5. Pack Light, Pack Smart

As a solo traveler, you’ll handle all your luggage yourself. Less is more!

Essential packing tips:

• Choose a backpack or wheeled bag you can manage alone
• Pack clothes you can mix and match in 2-3 colors
• Bring layers rather than bulky items
• Limit shoes to 2-3 pairs maximum
• Use packing cubes to stay organized
• Pack a small first aid kit with basics
• Bring a portable charger for your phone

Don’t forget these solo travel essentials:

• Door wedge or portable door lock for extra room security
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Multi-country power adapter
• Photocopies of important documents
• Comfort item from home for tough days

To conserve packing room, wear your bulkiest items (like coats or boots) during transit. Remember, you can buy toiletries at your destination.

“I never pack more than I can run with,” advises veteran single traveler Alex Baxter. “It’s a good rule for safety and convenience.”.

6. Document Your Journey

Recording your solo adventures helps process experiences and creates lasting memories.

Simple ways to document your trip:

• Keep a daily travel journal (even just bullet points)
• Take photos of not just sights but feelings and moments
• Record voice notes describing your impressions
• Collect small mementos like tickets or menus
• Create a custom Google Map marking your favorite spots

Share your experiences through:

• A travel Instagram account
• Private blog for friends and family
• Digital photo books after your trip
• Group chats with loved ones back home

Take photos of your hotel and surroundings when you arrive. This helps if you get lost.

Don’t spend so much time documenting that you miss the experience. Set times for photos, then put your camera away.

7. Embrace the Unexpected

Solo travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Learning to adapt makes all the difference.

When things go wrong:

• Take a deep breath before reacting
• Ask locals for help—most people are kind to travelers
• View changes as part of the adventure, not failures
• Remember that your best stories often come from mishaps

“My train strike in Italy led me to share a rental car with three strangers,” recalls solo traveler Emma Johnson. “We’re still friends ten years later.”

Bring a small emergency fund for unexpected situations. Having extra cash helps solve many problems.

Keep a list of backup activities for rainy days or closed attractions. Flexibility is your greatest travel skill.

Travel for Solo Travellers

Solo travel builds confidence unlike any other experience. You’ll solve problems, meet new people, and discover strengths you never knew you had.

Start small if you’re nervous—try a weekend trip to a nearby city before tackling a month abroad.

The world opens up differently when you travel alone. You notice more, connect differently with places, and return home changed.

Ready to transform your travel dreams into reality? Start planning your solo adventure today, and don’t forget to share your experiences with us at info@roamingsolo.net. Your insights may help fellow travelers embark on their journeys of discovery.

Remember: the hardest part is booking that first solo trip. After that, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

FAQ: Solo Traveller Travel

Is travel for solo travellers safe?

Yes, solo travel can be safe if well planned. Plan your destinations in advance. Inform family back home of your daily schedule. Trust your judgment regarding places and people. Most problems occur when people do not pay attention. Stay in lit streets at night and keep your phone charged.

How do I make friends while solo travelling?

Hostel dorms with shared spaces. Go on walking tours the first day in each city. Sign up for cooking classes or food tours where you’ll dine with others. Attend Meetup-style events. Dine at restaurants’ bars instead of tables. Ask simple questions to break the ice with locals and other travellers.

What is the ideal first trip for solo travelers?

Select a place with lots of people who can speak your language. Begin with a short trip (3-4 days) close to home. Dublin, Barcelona, and Singapore are good starting points for solo beginners. They have easy public transport, English speakers abound, and plenty to see and do. Book your first two nights in advance, but keep the rest open.