50 Tips for Solo Travelers
December 11, 2023 by Ruth Misori
Traveling solo for the very first time can often seem daunting or scary for a lot of people, especially if they’re young, female, or going overseas and/or long distance, and many individuals happen to fall into all of those categories. Perhaps you were planning a group trip that never happened or decided that you wanted to visit a place that no one was really interested in, or worst, you did find people to travel with but none of your schedules would align, so you didn’t have a choice but to go by yourself. Or maybe you’re just trying to find the courage to finally face your fears of solo traveling by booking that trip, and you need an extra push to take that leap of faith. As someone who has experienced similar situations, I can gladly tell you that I am extremely thankful that I took the plunge by traveling solo for the first time at the age of sixteen and then taking even more solo trips afterwards because it has now boosted my self-confidence, capabilities, and self-reliance. Of course, I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but it wasn’t too difficult to handle and I was able to overcome them because I took that first step of believing in myself, or asking for help whenever I needed it. Maybe you need a little bit of reassurance too before you take these steps, so here are fifty tips that I think will help make your first transition into solo traveling more easier and less nerve-wracking.
1. Budget wisely
2. Pack lightly
3. Dress comfortably
4. Bring an Airtag for your luggage (for flyers)
5. Get plenty of rest
6. Bring a lot of snacks
7. Use compression socks (for long-haul trips)
8. Send a loved one or friend a copy of your travel documentations and accommodation (passport, driver’s license, hotel reservations, etc)
9. Get your destination’s recommended or required vaccines prior to arrival
10. Take a bus tour
11. Bring emergency money and backup credit cards (And keep them in multiple places)
12. Study a map
13. Always get insurance
14. Be aware of your surroundings (women especially)
15. Familiarize yourself with military time (most countries use it)
16. Bring a small first-aid kit
17. Don’t wear your headphones/earbuds in tourist settings (see tip 14)
18. Buy a local sim card (if abroad)
19. Be spontaneous and flexible
20. Do your research
21. Befriend people at a local shop or hostel
22. Bring any necessary medications and toiletries (it might be unavailable or expensive in your destination)
23. Laugh at your mistakes (it’ll be funny years from now)
24. Use public transportation during the day and taxis/Ubers at night (make sure they’re reliable and reputable)
25. Book refundable trips
26. Ask for help when you need it
27. Take a lazy day
28. Bring an extra charger
29. Walk confidentially in public (it reduces your chances of being targeted)
30. Wear a fake wedding ring
31. Keep flashy jewelry at home
32. Be friendly
33. Take your luggage/backpack to the bathroom with you (or ask someone to watch it while you’re gone if you’re comfortable)
34. Drink responsibly
35. Know how to queue
36. Trust your instincts (if something feels off, you’re probably right)
37. Live in the moment
38. Keep your locations discreet on social media
39. Try a cooking class
40. Choose walkable cities
41. Connect with locals
42. Keep your valuables locked up in a safe
43. Learn how to say, “No”
44. Go on a day trip
45. Join a free walking tour
46. Develop an emergency exit plan (in case things go wrong, you absolutely need enough money to return home)
47. Understand the customs and act accordingly (ex: dressing appropriately at religious sites or in conservative regions)
48. Don’t be a dumb tourist (see tip 47)
49. Buy souvenirs towards the end of your trip instead of the beginning
50. Get noise-cancelling headphones (huge game-changer for long haul trips)
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