This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I can earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Traveling solo for the first time can be a rewarding and transformative experience. It allows you the freedom to explore at your own pace, make your own decisions, and discover more about yourself.
It can also be intimidating. The unfamiliarity of the destination, culture, language, and customs can be overwhelming.
Here are my 15 solo travel first time tips and bits of advice to help your first solo journey go smooth:
Table of Contents
1. PICK A SOLO FRIENDLY DESTINATION
There’s a whole world out there but not every place is easy to travel around.
Solo friendly destinations will cater to tourists (especially backpackers), speak basic English, and make it easy to get from place to place.
My first solo trip was to Switzerland because English is widely spoken and they have an excellent transportation system. And, well, it’s Switzerland!
Over the next year, I traveled to Bali, Indonesia as well as Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand. Also, very solo friendly.
2. PLAN AT LEAST YOUR FIRST NIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION
When traveling by yourself for the first time, it’s best if your first night at your destination is completely booked and confirmed before you leave home. Now is not the time to try and just “wing it.”
You should also know how you’re going to get there. Does the hotel offer shuttles from the airport? Will you be able to walk there from the train station? Will you take a taxi or Uber? Reach out to the hotel or look on their website for the best way to get there.
3. GO LITE ON THE ACTIVITIES THE FIRST DAY
Allowing yourself time to adjust to your new surroundings can go a long way in making you feel safe and comfortable as a solo traveler.
I don’t recommend booking any tours or scheduled activities that first day. You don’t need the added stress of having to be anywhere by a certain time, especially if you’re in a new place.
Take the time to settle in and get to know the city. My favorite thing to do when I arrive at a new destination is to go out and wander.
My goal is to explore what’s around me. To observe how everything works. To watch the people. You can learn so much just by walking around and watching how things operate.
4. DOWNLOAD ALL THE APPS BEFORE YOU LEAVE
If there is an app for any of the airlines, trains, or hotels, download them to your phone before you leave. Then make sure you’ve set up your account and can easily pull up any of the tickets, and reservations that you’ve made. Download the apps for any rideshares, too.
Do the same thing for any books, podcasts, movies that you want to watch or listen to while on your flight. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay for the Wi-Fi, which usually isn’t even very good on a plane.
5. ARRIVE TO YOUR DESTINATION IN THE DAYTIME
When you arrive in the daytime, your body has a better chance to adjust to the new time zone. The daylight will help regulate your circadian rhythm and you’ll overcome any jet lag much quicker.
When you arrive in the dark, you’re going to feel more vulnerable being by yourself, and you will be. You’ll be more prone to making mistakes or to being scammed. This is especially true if you’re travelling internationally or to a country that doesn’t speak your native language.
If you’re unable to avoid arriving late at night, you should consider staying the night at a hotel INSIDE the airport, if one is available.
6. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
You should start doing this one at home, before you even take your first solo trip. Do something at home that pushes your boundaries just a little bit.
It doesn’t matter if it’s starting a conversation with a total stranger or going to the movie theatre by yourself. Doing something that’s a little bit out of your comfort zone at home, helps you become more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.
7. TAKE THE HOTEL BUSINESS CARD
Grab the hotel’s business card with an address or drop a pin on an offline map. Either way, just be sure that you have something other than simply a hotel name.
In the event you get lost and need a taxi, they may not be able to find the hotel easily by name alone. It’s especially helpful if the hotel chain has more than one location where you’re at, or if there’s a language barrier.
8. BRING A PEN
When you travel internationally, usually the flight attendants bring you customs declaration forms to fill out prior to landing. They never have pens. And if you don’t have your own pen, you’re left with asking to borrow someone else’s or hoping that there will be a pen at the arrival hall.
My ex always carried a pen wherever he went, not just on a plane either. I would always tease him about it too. Well, wouldn’t you know, I took my first solo international trip and didn’t have a pen with me. Now, it’s the first thing I throw in my carry-on bag.
9. AVOID OVERPACKING
Pack light and travel with just one bag. Preferably a carry-on bag.
Just because you can squeeze a bunch of stuff into your suitcase doesn’t mean you should. Bags get heavy, quick!
Are you able to lift your bag and place it in the overhead bin of the airplane? Or lift it up onto the luggage racks of a train or bus? You can’t depend on someone else to do it for you.
And don’t forget to leave some room in your bag so that you have space to put those souvenirs!
10. ALWAYS TAKE AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE
One of the most important things to remember when traveling, is to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated elevates your mood, keeps your energy levels up, and improves your cognitive function.
The air in the airplane cabin is notoriously dry too. So, if you like to have an alcoholic drink (or two!) on the flight, you can quickly become dehydrated. Dehydration leads to headaches, sleepless nights, and leg cramps. Nobody wants that.
By bringing an empty water bottle, you can take it through security without any problem. Once on the other side, just fill it up from the water fountain. You’re also going to save a few bucks by not having to shell out $5 or whatever ridiculous price airports charge for bottles of water now.
11. LEAVE PLENTY OF TIME BETWEEN CONNECTIONS
If you’ve never traveled by yourself or booked your own flight before, you may not have given much thought to connections. When you don’t have a direct flight to your destination, you’ll have a connection at the airport.
Some airports are more challenging to connect through than others. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get to your gate. At a minimum, try to give yourself about 90 minutes for a domestic transfer and two hours for an international transfer.
It’s no fun having to sprint through the terminal trying to get to the gate before it closes.
12. CHOOSE YOUR SEAT WISELY
The absolute worst seats on an airplane are the middle seats. No access to the aisle and no window. Just you, sandwiched between two people who chose better seats. Nobody purposely chooses a middle seat.
If you choose an aisle seat, you can stretch your legs or use the bathroom without having to climb over anyone. An aisle seat also feels more spacious since you’re not tucked in against the window. And you have direct access to the overhead bins.
If you choose a window seat, you’ll have some scenic views and fantastic photo opportunities. You also control the window shade. And you can lean against the window to help you get some sleep.
When the seats are configured in a 2-3-2 pattern, I prefer one of the three seats in the middle, but on the aisle. I can get up to pee without bothering anyone. I have plenty of personal space. And nobody has to climb over me since they can get out on the other side.
13. BRING A BOOK
One of the biggest fears of first-time solo travelers is eating alone in a restaurant.
If you think that people are judging you for being alone, they’re not. I mean, do you judge people when you see them eating alone?
If you think it’s awkward to sit by yourself, it is. If you bring a book or a crossword puzzle, or something to occupy your time, it will feel less weird.
Sitting outside or sitting at the bar also helps you feel more comfortable eating at a restaurant by yourself.
14. GO WALKING
Arriving in a new country is overwhelming. You’re instantly immersed in an unfamiliar culture. One of the best ways to adjust, is to sign up for a walking tour of the city.
Most major cities offer free or paid walking tours. It’s a great way to get your bearings and meet fellow travelers with the help of a local guide.
15. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
If this is your first time traveling solo, be kind to yourself.
Know that it will be overwhelming at times. Allow yourself to have the emotions.
Know that something will not go as planned. Allow yourself to screw up.
It’s ok. It really is.
Travel is full of highs and lows for everyone.
What matters is that you are out there on your own. That you are stepping out of your comfort zone. That you are learning how to do something new.
Through it all, YOU ARE BECOMING A CONFIDENT SOLO TRAVELER!
