The best solo travel tips are to choose an easy first destination, check official travel advice, buy insurance, share your itinerary, budget for single-room costs, and join tours, hostels, or classes to meet people. Trust your instincts, keep copies of your documents, and plan a mix of social and quiet time.
Key takeaways
- Start with an easy, well-connected destination and read official safety advice.
- Travel insurance, shared itineraries, and document copies are the basics of staying safe.
- Group tours, hostels, classes, and shared tables are good ways to meet people.
- Solo travel can cost more per person, so look for single rooms, shoulder season, and shared tours.
In this guide
- Why Travel Solo?
- Types of Solo Holidays
- How to Choose a Destination
- Budgeting for a Solo Trip
- Solo Travel Safety Tips
- How to Meet People on a Solo Trip
- Dealing With Loneliness and Dining Alone
- Solo Packing Checklist
- Ideas for Your First Solo Trip
- Common Solo Travel Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: October 2026
Travelling alone can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. You choose where to go, what to eat, and how to spend every hour. It can also feel daunting at first, especially if you worry about safety, loneliness, or the cost of paying for everything yourself. This guide gives practical solo travel tips for planning, saving money, staying safe, and meeting people, whether you are single by choice, between relationships, or simply keen to explore on your own terms.
Why Travel Solo?
- Freedom: you set the pace and change plans whenever you like.
- Personal growth: solving problems on your own builds confidence.
- Meeting new people: travelling alone often makes it easier to start conversations.
- Time to reflect: a solo trip gives space to recharge.
Types of Solo Holidays
| Type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Independent travel | You plan everything yourself | Flexibility and a tight budget |
| Small-group tours | You travel alone but join a group with a guide, such as tours from Intrepid or G Adventures | First-timers who want company and support |
| Hostel stays | Shared or private rooms in social places, bookable on sites such as Hostelworld | Meeting other travellers cheaply |
| Cruises and resorts | All-in-one holidays with built-in activities | Easy, low-stress breaks |
| Retreats and classes | Yoga, cooking, language, or art holidays | Meeting people with similar interests |
| Volunteering trips | Combining travel with helping a project | Purpose and connection |
How to Choose a Destination
- Start with your interests: beaches, culture, hiking, food, or cities.
- Pick somewhere easy for your first trip: destinations with good transport, many visitors, and widely spoken languages are simpler.
- Check safety information: read official travel advice, such as the UK Foreign Travel Advice, the US State Department travel advisories, or Australia’s Smartraveller.
- Check entry rules and health advice, including visas and vaccinations. The CDC Travelers’ Health pages are a useful starting point.
- Consider the season, weather, and local events.
Budgeting for a Solo Trip
Solo travellers often pay more per person, because rooms and tours are priced for two. These tips can help:
- Look for single rooms, hostels, or guesthouses, and tours that do not charge a single supplement.
- Share rides or tours with other travellers.
- Travel in shoulder season for lower prices.
- Use local transport and eat where locals eat.
- Set a daily budget, and keep an emergency reserve.
For help with budgeting and saving, see our guides to personal finance and financial planning.
Solo Travel Safety Tips
- Share your itinerary with someone you trust, and check in regularly.
- Buy travel insurance that covers medical care, cancellations, and lost belongings.
- Keep copies of your passport and important documents, stored securely online and on paper.
- Arrive in daylight when possible, and know how you will get from the airport to your accommodation.
- Trust your instincts. Leave any place or situation that feels uncomfortable.
- Be careful with alcohol and never leave drinks unattended.
- Protect your valuables: use a money belt or hidden pocket, and do not display expensive items.
- Learn local emergency numbers and the location of your embassy.
- Register your trip if your government offers it, such as the US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
How to Meet People on a Solo Trip
- Stay in social accommodation, such as hostels with common rooms.
- Join walking tours, food tours, and classes.
- Eat at shared tables or communal restaurants.
- Use meetup apps and travel groups, and meet in public places.
- Talk to locals, as they often have the best recommendations.
Dealing With Loneliness and Dining Alone
- Bring a book, journal, or camera, and enjoy meals as a break.
- Choose counter seats, bars, or lively cafes where eating alone is normal.
- Schedule social activities on some days and quiet time on others.
- Stay in touch with friends and family through messages and calls.
Solo Packing Checklist
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Light bag you can carry alone | You will handle your luggage yourself |
| Portable charger and adapters | Your phone is your map and lifeline |
| Basic first-aid kit and medicines | Be ready for small problems |
| Copies of documents | Backup if originals are lost |
| Padlock and small door stopper | Extra security in shared rooms |
| Comfortable shoes | You will walk a lot |
Ideas for Your First Solo Trip
- A long weekend in a nearby city.
- A small-group tour in a region with good transport.
- A theme park or resort holiday. Our guide to Disney World tips shows that parks can also be fun without children.
- A short retreat or course that matches a hobby.
Common Solo Travel Mistakes
- Over-planning or under-planning. Have a loose plan with room to adapt.
- Skipping insurance. One accident can cost far more than the policy.
- Carrying too much. A heavy bag limits your options.
- Not telling anyone your plans. Keep someone informed.
- Ignoring your limits. It is fine to rest or change plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, if you research your destination, follow official advice, share your plans, keep valuables secure, and trust your instincts.
Stay in social accommodation, join tours and classes, eat at communal tables, and talk to locals and other travellers.
Often per person, because rooms and tours are priced for two. Hostels, single rooms, shoulder season, and shared tours can help reduce costs.
A short trip to a nearby city, or a small-group tour in a well-connected region, is an easy way to start.
Mix social activities with quiet time, stay in touch with friends and family, and join group activities when you want company.
Yes. It covers medical care, cancellations, and lost belongings, which is especially important when you are on your own.
This article is general travel advice. Always check official travel advisories and entry requirements before you go.
