How to Travel Solo: Beginner’s Guide

How many times have you wanted to take a trip but couldn't get anyone's schedule to align? Or worse, you finally coordinate dates only to spend the whole trip compromising on restaurants, activities, and wake-up times that don't match your travel style at all.

Waiting for the perfect travel companion means you might never go anywhere. But I get it. The idea of traveling alone, especially for the first time, can feel overwhelming or even scary.

The good news? You don't have to jump straight into a solo international adventure. Building confidence for solo travel happens gradually, one small step at a time.

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Check out the vlog

Follow along on the vlog for my breakdown of conquering your fear and traveling solo.

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Building Confidence for Solo Travel Step-by-Step

This guide will walk you through actionable and progressive steps to ease yourself into solo travel, from grabbing coffee alone in your hometown to booking your first international trip. By the time you reach the final step, you'll have already proven to yourself dozens of times that you're capable of handling whatever comes your way.

1. Master Everyday Solo Activities

Start by doing routine activities on your own in your hometown. Go grab a coffee at a local café, browse a bookstore, or catch a movie by yourself. The movie theater is especially perfect for beginners because it's a low-pressure setting where no one expects you to socialize. Being alone there is completely normal, and you're in the dark anyway.

You're building comfort with your own company in familiar territory, with zero stakes.

2. Challenge Yourself with a Solo Restaurant Meal

Once you're comfortable with casual outings, take yourself out for a proper sit-down meal at a restaurant. To increase your commitment and make it feel more official, make a reservation through OpenTable or Resy. Having that reservation on your calendar makes you more likely to follow through, and it eliminates the awkwardness of asking for "a table for one" at the host stand.

Restaurant dining feels more vulnerable than grabbing coffee, so conquering this builds real confidence. Plus, you're practicing being present with yourself without the distraction of a movie screen.

3. Take a Day Trip to a Nearby City

Choose a city within a few hours' drive or train ride from home. To give your day structure and purpose, consider booking a structured activity or setting a specific goal for yourself. This prevents decision fatigue and gives you something to look forward to.

• Food tours - Sample local specialties while a guide shares history and recommendations

• Free walking tours - Most cities offer these with knowledgeable locals (tip-based)

• Museum visits with audio tours - Structured but allows you to go at your own pace

• Themed self-guided adventures - Challenge yourself to visit 3 different coffee shops, bakeries, or bookstores

• Farmers markets or festivals - Built-in people-watching and casual interaction opportunities

• Bike rentals - Many shops provide route maps for scenic rides

The beauty of a day trip is that it's far enough to feel like an adventure, but you can return home the same evening if you feel overwhelmed.

You're handling navigation, making decisions on the fly, and spending extended time alone all with the safety net of home nearby. Having a structured activity eliminates the "what do I do now?" anxiety that can derail solo adventures.

4. Book an Overnight Trip Within Driving Distance

Now it's time to stay somewhere overnight, but keep it within a few hours' drive from home. Choose a destination close enough that you could drive back if you needed to, but far enough that you're forced to handle real travel logistics: booking accommodations, planning multiple meals, navigating an unfamiliar place after dark, and managing evening entertainment on your own.

This is your chance to experience what it feels like to wake up somewhere unfamiliar and make decisions about your day without the safety net of being able to sleep in your own bed that night. You'll learn what kind of accommodations you prefer (hotel vs. Airbnb vs. boutique inn), how you like to structure your evenings, and what it's really like to be fully self-reliant for 24+ hours.

An overnight stay within driving distance is the perfect middle ground. You're proving to yourself that you can be completely self-sufficient away from home, but you still have the psychological comfort of knowing you could drive back if there was an emergency. Plus, no airports or flights to navigate yet, just you, your car, and the open road.

5. Try an Out-and-Back Flying Trip

Before committing to a full weekend away, consider testing the waters with an out-and-back day trip that requires flying. Book an early morning flight to a nearby city, spend the entire day exploring, and fly home that same evening. This is one of my favorite ways to experience a new destination without the commitment (or expense) of booking accommodations.

I've done several out-and-back trips, including a 12-hour adventure in Chicago where my sister and I took advantage of a $39 Southwest sale. We flew out at 6:45am, explored Lincoln Park, lounged at North Avenue Beach, visited Millennium Park and the Riverwalk, had an incredible dinner in River North, watched the sunset at Navy Pier, and flew home at 9:45pm. Total cost? Under $100 per person including flights, parking, and a day pass for public transportation.

Tips for successful out-and-back trips:

• Subscribe to flight deal services like Going to catch cheap fares

• Choose cities under 2 hours away so flights don't eat up your day

• Pack ultra-light - Just a small backpack since you'll carry it all day (think: phone charger, portable battery, light jacket, any essentials)

• Make at least one reservation - Book one meal or activity to give your day structure

• Use public transportation - It's cheaper than rideshares and part of the adventure

• Plan your route strategically - Group activities by neighborhood to minimize transit time

• Wear your most comfortable shoes - You'll easily walk 20,000+ steps

Out-and-back trips give you the experience of navigating airports, managing your time independently, and exploring a new city solo all without the pressure of figuring out accommodations or spending multiple days away from home. If something goes wrong or you get overwhelmed, you know you'll be home in your own bed that night. It's the perfect bridge between overnight trips and full weekend getaways.

6. Plan a Domestic Weekend Trip That Requires Flying

Choose a U.S. destination that genuinely excites you and book a flight. This is where solo travel starts to feel real, but you're still in familiar territory with your native language and currency. To make the experience more social and structured, plan a mix of group activities and solo exploration time.

• Food and drink tours - Food tours, wine tastings, brewery tours, or pub crawls

• Hands-on classes - Cooking classes, pottery workshops, or photography walks

• Ghost tours or historical walking tours - Perfect evening activities with built-in entertainment

• Adventure activities - Group hikes, kayaking tours, bike tours, or paddleboarding excursions

• Live entertainment - Concerts, comedy shows, or theater performances where you can chat with people during intermission

Need destination inspiration? Check out my top 5 U.S. cities for solo travel, where I rank destinations from based on walkability, solo-friendly activities, and overall charm. These were my favorites cities for exploring by myself that I would recommend to my friends.

7. Take Your First International Trip

For your first international experience, you have two great options depending on your comfort level and travel style:

Option 1: Join a Group Travel Company

If you want to go international but aren't quite ready to navigate a foreign country completely solo, consider booking a trip with a group travel company like Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, or Contiki. These companies offer the perfect bridge between solo travel and group travel. With these types of trips, you are traveling independently (often booking your own flights and showing up solo), but once you arrive, you have the structure and safety of a group with a tour leader, pre-planned activities, and instant travel companions.

I took my first group travel trip with Contiki, traveling from Rome to Barcelona by train over 9 days through Italy, France, and Spain. While I had been traveling solo domestically, I wasn't ready to navigate multiple countries and languages on my own. Contiki gave me the best of both worlds: I traveled solo to meet the group in Rome, but once there, I had built-in friends, organized activities, and someone else handling all the logistics like trains, accommodations, and reservations. We explored the five towns of Cinque Terre, lounged at a private beach club in Nice, gambled at Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, and took a cooking class in Barcelona, all without me having to plan a single detail. I met one of my best friends on that trip and we are planning our next group travel trip to Europe!

Benefits of group travel companies for first-timers:

• Built-in social structure with other solo travelers (many people join these trips alone)

• Expert tour leaders who handle logistics, translations, and emergencies

• Pre-planned itineraries so you don't have to research or worry about missing key attractions

• Safety in numbers while navigating unfamiliar places

• Instant travel companions without the pressure of traveling with people you already know

• Transportation, accommodations, and many meals included in the price

Option 2: Travel Solo to an English-Speaking Country

If you prefer to maintain complete independence, choose a country where your native language is widely spoken, such as places like the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada for English speakers. You'll get the thrill of being abroad, experiencing a different culture, and stamping your passport, but without the added mental load of language barriers.

Whether you choose a group travel company or an English-speaking destination, you're minimizing one major stressor (either logistics/navigation or language barriers) while still challenging yourself internationally. Navigating foreign transportation systems, reading menus, asking for help, and handling unexpected situations are all significantly easier when you either have a group leader or speak the language. This minimizes culture shock while you focus on building your international travel confidence. Once you've done this, you'll be ready to venture anywhere in the world completely solo.

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Essential Packing Tips for Solo Travelers

When you're traveling solo, you're responsible for managing all of your own luggage. That's why I strongly recommend packing carry-on only for every trip, regardless of length. You don't want to be lugging around more bags than you can physically carry by yourself, especially when navigating airports, train stations, or cobblestone streets.

The basics of packing carry-on only:

• Build a capsule wardrobe - Choose 2-3 neutral base colors and 1-2 accent colors so everything mixes and matches. Plan 7-10 complete outfits rather than random pieces.

• Limit shoes to 3 pairs - Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and pack two versatile options

• Use packing cubes - Compression packing cubes keep everything organized and maximize space

• Pack smart toiletries - Switch to solid bars when possible and use refillable travel bottles for liquids

• Maximize your personal item - Pack it with the mindset of "what if my suitcase gets gate-checked?" Include a spare outfit, toiletries, and anything you can't easily replace

For my complete guide on packing carry-on only, including my exact packing setup and product recommendations, check out my full carry-on packing guide.

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Safety Tips for Solo Travelers

Traveling solo doesn't mean traveling recklessly. Here are essential safety practices to help you stay secure while maintaining your sense of adventure:

Before You Go:

• Share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member, including accommodation addresses and flight details

• Make copies of important documents (passport, ID, credit cards) and store them separately from the originals; keep digital copies in your email

• Research your destination's common scams and safety concerns

• Register with your embassy if traveling internationally (like the U.S. State Department's STEP program)

• Download offline maps of your destination on Google Maps

Accommodation Safety:

• Read recent reviews carefully, paying attention to comments about safety and location

• Choose accommodations in well-lit, populated areas, especially for your first solo trips

• Take a photo of your hotel/Airbnb address in the local language to show taxi drivers

• Check that doors and windows lock properly when you arrive

• Don't advertise on social media that you're traveling alone until after you return

While Exploring:

• Trust your gut. If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation

• Keep your phone charged and consider carrying a portable battery pack

• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or flashing expensive electronics

• Be cautious about sharing detailed plans with strangers (saying "I'm meeting friends later" is safer than "I'm here alone all week")

• Use official taxis or rideshare apps rather than unmarked vehicles

• Keep your accommodation address private; meet new friends at public locations

Money and Valuables:

• Don't keep all your money and cards in one place; split them between your bag, wallet, and hotel safe

• Use ATMs during daylight hours in busy, well-lit areas

• Consider a money belt or hidden pocket for your passport and emergency cash

• Take only what you need for the day and leave valuables locked in your accommodation

Staying Connected:

• Keep your phone charged and consider getting a local SIM card or international plan (check out my eSim guide)

• Check in regularly with someone back home, even if just a quick text

• Save emergency numbers (local police, your embassy, your bank's fraud line) in your phone

• Join online groups or forums for solo travelers in your destination for advice

Alcohol and Nightlife:

• Be extra cautious with alcohol consumption when you're alone

• Never leave your drink unattended

• Have a plan for getting back to your accommodation before going out

• Let your accommodation know approximately when you'll be back if going out late

Remember, being safe doesn't mean being paranoid. Millions of people travel solo every year without incident. These precautions are about being smart and aware, not about living in fear. The goal is to free yourself to enjoy your adventure while minimizing unnecessary risks.

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Your Solo Travel Journey Starts Now

Your solo travel journey doesn't begin when you board that international flight. It begins the moment you decide you're worth the adventure, even if you have to take it alone. And trust me, once you experience the freedom of traveling on your own terms, you'll wonder why you waited so long.

Ready to take the first step? Pick one small solo activity from Step 1 and do it this week. That's it. Just one small step. The rest will follow.

Ciao for now!

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