1. Think about what kind of activities you enjoy doing on your own
There’s a different between enjoying doing something and enjoying doing it by yourself. I love going to bars, but that’s not something I would feel comfortable doing alone in a new city. On the other hand, going hiking is something I love to do by myself. I also prefer to go to museums by myself. Think about the kind of things that you love to do, that you also can see yourself enjoying and feeling comfortable doing by yourself. Knowing what you like to do and what you’re comfortable doing solo will help you pick the right destination for your first solo trip.
2. Pick a destination that has some of those activities you enjoy doing solo
Do you love going to museums and find it fun to do by yourself? Then go to a city like New York, London, Paris, or Singapore that’s known for its museums. It’s likely that you’ll make friends on a solo trip, but that doesn’t always happen, and it’s good to be somewhere that you can still have fun all by yourself. Don’t just pick a place you think is beautiful, or cool, or trendy. Pick a place that has activities you will enjoy doing on your own.
3. Make sure the place you are going is somewhere you will feel comfortable by yourself
This is an obvious one. If you are traveling solo for the first time, especially as a woman, you probably have some concerns around safety. Do your research beforehand to make sure that you are going to a place where you will feel safe and comfortable for your first trip. My tips are to look for places that are generally welcoming and friendly toward foreigners, and places where getting around won’t be too difficult (I find that a good public transportation system makes a solo trip less stressful). You also may want to think about the language barrier for your first solo trip. Personally, I think Japan and Bali are excellent spots for a solo trip, but if you would be more comfortable somewhere without a language barrier, the UK, New Zealand, or Australia might be good options for you.
4. Pick the right neighborhood to stay in
Personally, I don’t love staying in especially crowded neighborhoods with a lot of nightlife when I’m traveling solo. I can find the crowds to be a bit too hectic when I’m by myself. So neighborhoods that I might opt for on a group trip with friends aren’t the same neighborhoods I choose when I’m traveling solo. At the same time, I want to be close to downtown and I want a neighborhood that is very walkable if I’m doing a city trip. So I look for a neighborhood that’s central without being party central. Think about the kind of vibe that you will enjoy on a solo trip and look for a neighborhood that matches that vibe.
5. Research a good hostel or hotel, depending on the vibe you’re looking for
If finding new friends to explore and go out with is important to you, I’d definitely recommend staying in a hostel. Hostelworld.com is a great website that consolidates all the hostels in a given city and has photos and traveler reviews. That’s what I always use when I’m looking for a good hostel. Another tip: look for a hostel that has a cool common room that looks like a good place to socialize and make new friends. I’ve met most of my hostel friends either in my dorm room or in the hostel common room.
If you’re opting for a hotel (maybe you’re looking to splurge and treat yourself or maybe you feel like you’ve passed that hostel party phase of life), I suggest finding a cute boutique hotel. I like the welcoming energy in small, independent hotels, and I find that they give me better local recommendations than the large worldwide chain hotels.
6. Share your itinerary and accommodations with a relative or friend
This is always smart to do for safety when you’re traveling alone. Sharing your location via your phone is also a good idea. If anything, this helps my peace of mind when traveling alone because I know that my mom and my partner know what city I’m in and where I’m staying while I’m gone.
7. Download the app Google Translate on your phone AND download the specific language of your destination if you’re going somewhere that speaks a foreign language
This app is so helpful if you’re in a country where you don’t speak the language! And if you download the specific language in advance (I downloaded Italian when I was going to Tuscany, for example), you can use Google Translate even when you don’t have data or WiFi. You can also take photos of things like street signs or restaurant menus, and the app will translate it into English for you.
8. Map out how to get from the airport to your accommodations
This is a MUST! Start your trip out on the right foot. You don’t want to be stressed or confused right when you step off the airplane. Make sure you know what public transportation you are taking to your accommodations, or how you will get a taxi, shuttle, etc. Maybe there’s a train you take from the airport to the city, and then a subway line or two you have to navigate after that. Have this information mapped out and written down on your phone before you leave for the trip.
9. Go in with the right mindset
This is the key to a successful solo trip. So many unexpected things can happen when you travel and you have to be able to roll with the punches and make the best of it. You can plan every day in detail, but doesn’t mean that your flight won’t get cancelled, that you won’t get sick one day, or that you will always make friends at the hostel. You have to be flexible and willing to take what comes and make the best of it. The unexpected parts of travel can be the most beautiful and the most life-altering, but sometimes they also just suck, and it’s on you not to let that ruin your trip. You’ve gotta be able to brush off the bad days and stay curious and excited to explore.
10. Remember that it is normal to be nervous
I was TERRIFIED before my first solo trip. I remember being in the car on the way to the airport wanting to back out so badly, but forcing myself to follow through largely because I didn’t want to tell my friends and family that I chickened out. And it ended up being an absolutely life-changing experience. My life would be very different right now if I had backed out, so I’m glad I pushed myself to be take the trip even though I was afraid. I think the best ways to conquer your fears is to face them (and I say this as someone with a life-long anxiety disorder, so I know fears all too well).
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