I took my first solo trip at 24 — five days in Budapest, chosen because it was cheap, interesting, and felt manageable for a first attempt. I spent the first afternoon sitting in a cafe, feeling simultaneously liberated and vaguely terrified. By day three I was chatting to strangers at communal tables, changing my plans based on recommendations from the night before, and beginning to understand why solo travel has a following it does.

Why Solo Travel Is Worth It

Solo travelers are more approachable, meet more people, and often have richer experiences than those in groups. You're forced out of your comfort zone — into conversations with locals, other travelers, and yourself — in ways that simply don't happen when you travel with company.

Choosing Your First Solo Destination

✍ Honest Take

There's a specific quality of experience available to solo travelers that's genuinely unavailable to groups: the conversations you have when you're alone are different, the decisions you make are entirely yours, and the failures and successes belong entirely to you.

Start with a destination known to be safe, well-touristed, and with good English-speaking infrastructure. Strong first-time solo destinations include:

  • Japan (exceptionally safe, efficient, and organized)
  • Portugal (friendly, easy to navigate, English widely spoken)
  • Thailand (great infrastructure, huge solo traveler community)
  • New Zealand (safe, stunning, excellent hostel network)
  • Iceland (impossibly safe, dramatic scenery, well-traveled routes)

Accommodation for Solo Travelers

Hostels are the social infrastructure of solo travel. A good hostel common room can fill your entire trip with people to explore with. Private rooms in hostels combine the social aspect with personal space — a great compromise for older solo travelers or those who value their sleep.

Book the first two nights of any new destination in advance, giving yourself a base while you orient. After that, flexibility is one of solo travel's greatest pleasures. Find great solo-friendly options via our hotel deals page.

Solo Travel Safety Essentials

  • Buy comprehensive travel insurance: Non-negotiable for solo travelers with no backup network.
  • Share your itinerary: Send your plans to someone at home who knows your approximate location at all times.
  • Register with your embassy: Many embassies offer free traveler registration. Worth doing for solo travel in complex or unstable regions.
  • Trust your gut: If a situation feels wrong, leave. Don't worry about seeming rude.
  • Keep photocopies of documents: Store scans of your passport, insurance, and key contacts in cloud storage.

Meeting People While Traveling Solo

  • Stay in social hostels — the dorm or common room is the most reliable place to meet fellow travelers.
  • Join group tours — day trips, cooking classes, and walking tours are excellent structured ways to meet others. Browse book tours options to find group activities at your destination.
  • Use Meetup.com and Couchsurfing Meetups — free local events for travelers and residents to connect.
  • Eat at communal tables or bar seating — sitting at a bar or shared table opens conversations naturally.

Managing Money as a Solo Traveler

Solo travel doesn't benefit from the cost-splitting that groups enjoy, but there are compensations. You're more likely to eat local, use public transport, and make spontaneous decisions that group dynamics prevent.

Use a Wise or Revolut card for all spending — zero fees, real exchange rates. Set a daily budget but don't be obsessive about it. Find your best flight deal on our cheap flights page to keep your biggest cost under control.

Dealing with Loneliness

Solo travel loneliness is real but manageable. It often peaks in the evenings, in crowded restaurants, or after a particularly long travel day. Practical strategies: go to a bar and watch sports, write in a journal, video call a friend, or find the nearest hostel common room even if you're staying elsewhere.

The feeling almost always passes, and the independence you gain far outweighs the occasional lonely afternoon.

Conclusion

Solo travel will challenge you in ways that are ultimately rewarding. Start with a safe, friendly destination, take sensible precautions, lean into social opportunities, and trust yourself. Most first-time solo travelers return home already planning their second solo trip.

✈️ Ready to Book Your Trip?

Compare flights, hotels, and car rentals to find the best deals for your next adventure.

✈ Search Flights 🏨 Book Hotels 🚗 Rent a Car

Frequently Asked Questions

Is solo travel safe for first-timers?

Yes, with preparation. Choose your first destination wisely, buy travel insurance, share your itinerary, and follow standard safety practices. Millions of solo travelers — including first-timers — travel safely every year.

Is solo travel lonely?

Occasionally, especially on first trips. But solo travelers typically meet more people than group travelers because they're more approachable and more likely to seek social interactions. The experience becomes more social as you get comfortable with the solo dynamic.

How much does solo travel cost?

It varies enormously by destination and style. In Southeast Asia, a comfortable solo trip costs $30–$50/day. In Western Europe, budget $80–$120/day. The main disadvantage versus group travel is the inability to split accommodation costs.