Alice World Travels

My solo travel journey began when I lost my passport the night before a school trip to Rome. Although it was just the flight I had to embark on alone (two days after everyone else), it gave me confidence as a teenager and made me realise that when something goes wrong, there is usually a solution. I now know where my passport is at all times and have never again lost it!

Since that trip to Rome, I have travelled by myself in countries such as Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Mexico, and Colombia. I’ve learnt a lot through my experiences on these trips and realise that most of the time, I prefer the solo travel world. If you’re wanting to try it but feel a bit apprehensive, read on for my top 10 tips!

1. Don’t worry about what others are thinking

Because chances are, no one is thinking of you at all. It can feel a little nerve-wracking eating dinner alone in a restaurant surrounded by couples and groups of friends. But just take a book, write in a journal or pretend to be a secret food critic and enjoy it!

2. Allow for spontaneity

The beauty of solo travel is that you can do exactly what you like. Going with the flow is much easier when you’re alone, and often I have found myself changing plans because I’m enjoying the company of who I’m with and would prefer to spend longer hanging out with them, or visiting another place entirely that wasn’t on my radar due to recommendations from someone.

3. Book onto a free walking tour

The classic tried-and-tested best way to meet fellow solo travellers (if you want to, of course!) is on a free walking tour. Every city you’ll visit will have one and, besides being a fantastic way to get your bearings in a new place, you can easily meet other travellers. I have gone for dinner multiple times with people from walking tours I’ve been on. Just one word of warning if you’re travelling in low season: in Merida, Mexico, I booked onto a tour and it was just me and the guide! Which I actually loved.

4. Stay in hostels that organise daily events

Some hostels have a daily activity for travellers to get involved in. From salsa classes to arts and crafts activities to karaoke nights, joining in is a great way to spend an evening and mingle with others at your accommodation. If you sign up to Hostelworld, you can also message people in the chat who are in other hostels but the same location as you – I have met many people this way.

5. Try a homestay or couch surfing

If hanging out with other tourists isn’t for you, then try couch surfing or a homestay. You can feel a bit more like a local when living with one, and perhaps you’ll get some expert tips or make a new friend.

6. Take language lessons

Whether it’s one-on-one or group classes, language lessons are a great way to meet other like-minded people when solo travelling. Alongside being able to interact and integrate with locals a bit better, there are often language swapping events and other social activities to participate in. It will be an enriching part of your travels.

7. Keep people’s contacts in case you bump into them again

It goes without saying that you’ll probably get the contacts of (or more likely, follow on Instagram) people you meet on your travels. Most of them you might never see again and you will just continue to live vicariously through their Insta stories when you’re at home and they’re still travelling. But a couple of times, you may meet up with them again! Whether it’s back at home, further along on your trip, or on another trip entirely, I have loved meeting up with people from my travels.

8. Be safe…

…at night, during the day, if being approached. Safety is very important when travelling in general, let alone when solo. And especially if you’re a woman. Have your wits about you, have things saved such as local emergency numbers and your accommodation’s contact number and address, and make sure you know where you’re going. I have always generally been fine, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

9. Be kind to yourself

Sometimes things don’t always go to plan. Sometimes you can feel lonely. Sometimes you meet with the wrong people. Basically, sometimes you just don’t have fun when solo travelling. But be kind to yourself and realise that your trip is what you make of it. If you’re not enjoying where you are, see if you can make a plan to move to a new accommodation or town. If something stressful happens, treat yourself to a massage once it is dealt with. Just do not beat yourself up about things that go wrong, and remember to practice self care.

10. Embrace being alone

Solo travel isn’t always about meeting new people. Sometimes, it’s actually about embracing alone time and doing exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it. Whether you enjoy planning everything or you prefer spontaneity, whether you love people watching in cities or getting fresh air on a long hike, or whether you take pleasure in trying street food or prefer dining in fancy restaurants, it is your trip, and it can be whatever you want it to be.

If you have any other tips for solo travelling, please write them in the comments below!