If you’ve always dreamed of traveling solo but haven’t been sure where to start, this is for you. We’ve rounded up our all-time favorite solo travel tips from guest bloggers, staff, HI USA volunteers, and more to take you from curious to confident.
Set Your Expectations
When planning any kind of trip, it’s helpful to have a rough idea of what kind of experience you’re hoping for. But it’s essential when you’re traveling by yourself.
Are you looking to truly fly solo the entire trip, or meet new people along the way?
Is it important to you to have a quiet space to return to at the end of the day where you can gather your thoughts and spend time reflecting and recharging? Or will you get more energy from being around people after a long day of sightseeing?
Are you the type of person who likes to put together a check list of sights and activities before you get to a new destination, or are you more content to just wing it when you get there?
Remember, traveling solo means these are all decisions that are up to you and you alone: you won’t have anyone else’s needs to take into account, but you won’t have anyone else helping out with planning and logistics, either. Take your time to come up with honest answers to these questions, as they can help you make decisions about everything from when to travel to where to stay as a solo traveler.
Know your strengths and weaknesses, but don’t let them limit you
Diving into solo travel for the first time can be pretty intimidating, not least of all because of very real anxieties about whether you can handle anything and everything all on your own. But it’s important to remember that traveling solo doesn’t mean you’re always alone, and it definitely doesn’t mean no one else will be around to help you if you need it. In fact, you’d be surprised how many sticky situations you’ll find yourself moving through with ease. Whether you’re directionally challenged, struggling with travel anxiety, or could just use a confidence boost, it doesn’t have to stop you from trusting yourself to travel solo. In fact, when you find out how much you’re truly capable of, you may find solo travel is beneficial in more ways than you thought.
Put yourself out there
For some of us (looking at myself, here), meeting new people and making new friends can sound like an exhausting (and nerve-wracking) experience. But when you’re traveling solo, it really doesn’t have to be. Especially when you choose to stay in hostels, it’s super easy to get to know fellow travelers. And while you never know if those new relationships will last a few hours, a few days, or a lifetime, the memories may stick with you forever.
Of course, for many of us, meeting new people is easier said than done. There are tons of simple ways to meet people while traveling solo, though – you can get started with some of these tried-and-true tips.
Choose the right accommodation
Especially if you’re just getting started with solo travel, where you stay can make all the difference. Those who really want to keep to themselves may opt for a hotel or a home rental, while those who’d prefer to be around other people (even if you’re not sharing a room with them) will be better off at a hostel. Regardless of what accommodations you choose, make sure you do your research ahead of time so you can see what kind of solo-traveler-friendly options and amenities are on offer. Not sure where to start? Check out our quick guide to finding the best hostel for you.
Learn from others who’ve been there
No matter what challenges or circumstances you may be working with in getting your solo travel journey started, chances are, there’s someone else who’s got a similar experience to share. Searching blogs, YouTube, and social media for stories of travelers who share your background or travel needs can be hugely helpful for everything from inspiration to practical planning tips. At HI USA, we’ve welcomed guests tackling solo travel from a wheelchair, hitting the road on their own with a chronic illness, or looking for a leg up to travel away from home for the first time. And while we’re thrilled to amplify their stories, there are so many more out there to be found!
Reassure your family and friends
According to Willa Rosen, a longtime HI USA volunteer who leads our “Women Traveling Solo” workshops, it’s often fear on the part of the people who care about us that holds us back.
“A lot of the barriers (to solo travel) are (for example) your mom is freaking out about you going,” says Willa. “So it’s important to communicate with them and keep in touch. Letting them know, ‘I’m going for a hike on this mountain today’ can help make other people comfortable with what you’re doing, even if you’re already OK with it. And I make copies of everything and email it to myself and other people – my itinerary, passport number, etc.”