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Planning a solo trip is one thing. Enjoying it once you are there is another. These 15 tips are for the road itself: how to settle in, meet people, eat alone, handle loneliness and stay safe, so that traveling by yourself feels good rather than just manageable. If you are still at the planning stage, start with our guide on how to plan a solo trip.
Quick Answer: The 15 Tips
- Arrive in daylight and give yourself a soft first day.
- Keep the plan loose.
- Walk first, then plan.
- Stay somewhere social, or somewhere quiet, on purpose.
- Take one group activity early on.
- Say yes to small invitations.
- Eat at counters and communal tables.
- Build one small routine.
- Plan for lonely moments.
- Take real breaks from sightseeing.
- Trust your instincts.
- Share your plans with someone at home.
- Keep valuables spread out.
- Go easy on alcohol.
- Take photos of yourself, too.
Settling In
1. Arrive in daylight and give yourself a soft first day
Finding your accommodation is easier when you can see the street. Do not plan much for day one. Drop your bag, walk around the neighborhood, find a cafe and a grocery store, and sleep.
2. Keep the plan loose
Choose one or two things you really want to do each day and leave the rest open. A solo trip is the one kind of trip where you can change your mind at any moment, so use that.
3. Walk first, then plan
A few hours of wandering on arrival teaches you the layout of the city, where locals eat and which areas feel comfortable. Download offline maps before you go out.
4. Stay somewhere social, or somewhere quiet, on purpose
Hostels with common areas and organized events make meeting people easy. Small guesthouses and hotels give you rest. Many solo travelers mix the two on longer trips.
Meeting People
5. Take one group activity early on
A walking tour, cooking class or day trip in your first two days gives you instant company and helps you break the ice. You can go back to solo exploring afterwards. Read more in how to meet people when you travel solo.
6. Say yes to small invitations
If a fellow guest invites you for dinner or a hike, and it is in a public place and feels right, say yes. Some of the best travel days come from small invitations. Use your judgment, and never feel obliged to go along.
7. Eat at counters and communal tables
Counter seats and shared tables are the easiest places to have a conversation. Eating alone is normal in most places, and there are ways to make it more comfortable. See how to eat alone without feeling awkward.
Looking After Yourself
8. Build one small routine
A morning coffee at the same cafe or a short walk at the same time each day can make a new place feel like yours. Our guide to morning routines for solo travelers has more ideas.
9. Plan for lonely moments
Loneliness often arrives in the evening or after a few days on the road. Have a plan: message a friend, join a group dinner, book an evening activity or call it an early night. It usually passes. If low mood persists, talk to someone you trust or a professional.
10. Take real breaks from sightseeing
Traveling alone means you make every decision, and that is tiring. Build in slow mornings and rest days, and do not feel guilty about skipping a sight.
Staying Safe
11. Trust your instincts
If a person, place or situation feels wrong, leave. You do not owe anyone an explanation. This applies especially to unexpected offers from strangers.
12. Share your plans with someone at home
Send your accommodation details and rough itinerary to a friend or family member and check in regularly. If your plans change, tell them.
13. Keep valuables spread out
Do not keep all your cash and cards in one place. Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original, and keep your bag within reach, particularly on transport and in busy places.
14. Go easy on alcohol
Alcohol reduces your ability to judge risk, and you have no travel companion to watch out for you. If you drink, stay in places you know, keep an eye on your drink and plan how you will get back.
For the full picture, read our solo travel safety guide, how to stay safe when traveling solo and mistakes to avoid when traveling alone.
Making It Memorable
15. Take photos of yourself, too
Ask someone to take your picture, use a small tripod or take selfies. You will want to remember that you were there, not only what you saw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it weird to travel alone?
No. Millions of people do it. Read is it weird to travel alone?
What if I get lonely?
It is common, and it usually comes and goes. Join group activities, stay somewhere social and keep in touch with people at home.
What are the benefits of solo travel?
Freedom to choose your schedule, confidence and easier connections with locals. See the full list of the benefits of traveling alone.
Where should I go next?
Browse our ultimate guide to solo travel or the best cities for solo travel.
Hi, I’m Jenny, a solo travel writer based in the UK with nearly a decade of independent travel under my belt. I took my first solo trip at 24, a slightly terrifying two weeks in Vietnam, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Over the past 9 years I’ve completed 60+ solo trips across Europe, Southeast Asia, Central America and Japan, from weekend city breaks in Prague to three-week overland journeys through the Balkans. I speak conversational French and basic Spanish, which has opened more doors (and more dinner tables) than any guidebook ever could.
My writing focuses on the practical stuff solo female travellers actually need: safety, navigation, budget-stretching, and finding genuine connection on the road. I don’t do fluff. If I haven’t personally figured out whether a city is safe to walk home alone at midnight, I won’t pretend I have.
When I’m not writing I’m usually planning the next one, or eating something I can’t pronounce.