It’s one thing to daydream about taking a solo trip, but working up the nerve to book a flight and travel thousands of miles from home on your own is something else entirely. For many people, solo travel feels like a gutsy, intimidating move, and in many ways, it is. You’ll have to step out of your comfort zone, trade familiar routines for the unknown, and rely on yourself in ways you might never have before.
However, here’s the thing: solo travel can also be a life-changing and rewarding experience. With a little planning ahead and the right mindset, it doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. These 13 essential tips will help you be prepared so things go smoothly, and give you the confidence to figure it out if they don’t.
Take a Picture of Your Checked Luggage
It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare: You’ve finally touched down after a long flight, and as you wait by the luggage carousel, your patience slowly turns into panic, your suitcase is nowhere to be found. Worse, being on your means there’s no one to lend you a change of clothes. While the benefit of having an AirTag or other tracking device tucked inside your bag is obvious, don’t underestimate the power of a simple photo. Airline staff will often ask for a description, and having a clear image on your phone makes it much easier to help them identify it among the sea of other lost bags.
Keep Digital and Physical Copies of Your Important Documents
While you’re at it, take photos of your passport, ID, and any important documents, too. Save them in a secure cloud folder or email them to yourself for easy access, not just in your phone’s camera roll, in case you lose your phone. If you’re traveling abroad, it’s also a smart idea to make a photocopy of your passport. You’ll hopefully never need it, but if you do, it can make an already stressful situation a bit easier to handle.
Choose Accommodations With Good Reviews
When you’re traveling on your own, where you stay isn’t just about price or amenities, it’s also about feeling safe and comfortable. Dig into the reviews online to get a sense of what you’re walking into. Did someone mention that the front desk staff was helpful when they arrived late at night? Or that the neighborhood felt sketchy after dark? Those little details can make a big difference in your overall experience.
Pack Only What You Can Carry
You won’t have anyone to help lift your bags or keep an eye on your belongings, so pack light and consider using a carry-on if possible. You don’t want to be bogged down by rickety luggage carts or end up turning a quick restroom stop into an unnecessary hassle because you have to cram a mountain of bags into the stall with you.
Download Offline Maps
Internet access isn’t always reliable, whether you’re abroad without an international plan or just hiking off the grid with zero bars. Download the offline map of your destination on Apple Maps or Google Maps so you can find your way around without using data or relying on spotty Wi-Fi. You’ll thank yourself when you’re trying to navigate back to your hotel after a long day out.
Dress For the Entire Day
When you leave your accommodation in the morning, think about what you’ll need if you end up staying out longer than planned. Comfortable shoes and layers you can shed will allow you to take full advantage of any spontaneous plans that might come your way, you don’t want to have to say no to an unexpected detour just because you forgot a jacket or your feet are killing you.
Scout Out a Few Local Spots to Just Hang Out
When you’re traveling solo, you’ll probably notice that you have way more time in the day without the usual company and conversation to fill it up. Coffee shops, bookstores, and hotel lobbies (even if you aren’t staying there!) can all be great places to take a break from sightseeing, and saving them ahead of time can help make those lulls between activities feel intentional instead of aimless.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, a street that seems too deserted, a driver who gives you a weird vibe, a stranger who’s a little too friendly, trust that feeling. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for keeping yourself safe. It’s always okay to leave, say no, or change your plans on the spot. Your intuition is one of the most valuable tools you have when you’re traveling solo, and you should follow it, even if you can’t quite explain why something doesn’t feel right.
Sleep Easy Knowing You Have an Escape Plan
Sometimes, the most nerve-wracking part of a solo trip is simply going to bed. There’s something about the nighttime that can make you hyper-aware that you are alone in an unfamiliar place. It’s completely normal to feel a little uneasy, especially if you start thinking about all the what-ifs. That’s why it helps to have a clear plan for how you’d get out quickly in an emergency — familiarize yourself with the exits, double-check that windows are locked, and leave a pair of shoes by your door, just in case.
Solo travel may not be for the faint of heart, but allowing yourself to feel safe in secure is pivotal. That escape plan allows some wiggle room in case you need it.
Bring a Backup Payment Method
Even on a domestic trip, credit cards can get lost, stolen, or randomly frozen by your bank. Keep a second card and a small amount of cash tucked away somewhere separate from your main wallet. Because without a friend there who can lend you some cash in a pinch, you don’t want to find yourself without a way to pay for a ride or a meal.
Many people will bring a second a wallet that is hidden away in their bag or even a folded up $100 or $20 bill in small electronics bags or as book marks. You never know when you could be in a pinch.
Use a Rideshare app Instead of Hailing Cabs
Apps like Uber, Lyft, or Bolt provide a digital record of your ride, shareable trip details, and built-in safety features like driver ratings and location tracking. When you’re traveling solo, especially at night, it can feel a lot more reassuring to know exactly who’s picking you up and to have a record of the trip if anything comes up.
Even in South East Asia where Uber may not be as abundant, apps like Grab can offer even better rates than the local cab. So always have a few of these apps loaded on your phone just in case.
Bring a Small Portable Charger
You don’t want to be stuck with a dead phone while you’re out exploring all day. Whether you’re taking photos, translating menus, or looking up the opening hours of that museum you want to check out, you’ll probably rely on your phone more than usual when you’re traveling solo. That’s why a small power bank is worth its weight in gold, it’ll be there to bail you out when your phone hits 1% at the worst possible time.
Some even come with flashlights. So they are like the multi tool that keeps the lights on and everything charged.
Check in With Yourself Daily
When you’re on your own, it’s easy to overload your schedule without pausing to see how you feel. Take a few minutes each evening to check in with yourself: Are you feeling good? Tired? Overstimulated? You don’t have to stick to your original plan if you’d rather have a slow morning or call it an early night. The beauty of solo travel is that you don’t need to justify how you decide to spend your time to anyone.
Whether you’re heading overseas or just escaping for the weekend, solo trips have a way of showing you what you’re made of. Sure, vacations with friends or family are great, but there’s something powerful about exploring a new city on your own that allows you to uncover new sides of yourself at the same time.