Solo travel dos and don'ts: tips for a safe and confident trip
Updated: Sep 18
Last updated: September 2026
Solo traveling may sound scary or intimidating at first, but it doesn't have to be that way. In this blog post, I collected some important things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and positive experience. From practical tips to sustainability, I tried to collect every trick I have learnt along the 14+ years of experience to help you gain more confidence!
What are the most important dos and don'ts of solo travel? In short: it is better to start small before committing to a bigger trip straight away, always get double check necessary paperwork and get travel insurance, be open to plans changing, and keep your usual safety habits no matter how safe a place is said to be. Most solo travel mistakes come from either being too confident (skipping research or oversharing personal details) or being too cautious, and not allowing yourself to enjoy the journey. The balance is somewhere in the middle.
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Don't go from zero to hero
If you're new to solo travelling start small with a day trip or a few day city break. No need to plan a 6-week itinerary far far away from home, if you're not even sure that you like solo travelling. Things may come up on a shorter trip that will help you decide. Maybe you're not the solo-traveling-hostel-hopping kind, and that is okay! You first solo trip doesn't have to be a grand one. A solo day trip away in your home country can be just as exciting, and a good test of what exploring solo may be like. One of the biggest fears people have is dining alone, so maybe even a solo dinner or lunch date can show you how well you cope with your own company. If this is something that scares you a little, make sure you read my detailed post on tips how to dine alone and actually enjoy it.
Do your research
And this goes way beyond a saved Pinterest board with must-see attractions. Do your research on local laws, entry requirements, transportation options and safety. You will need to check entry requirements and what you need, such as passport expiry date, visa, travel insurance and health requirements. You may need certain vaccinations, your passport to be valid for a certain amount of time, and a visa to enter. You can also check whether you can get a visa on arrival, but if doing it online is possible, I would recommend sorting it beforehand, only so that you have less to stress about once you arrive.
Don't forget travel insurance
Some people tend to forget this step, and I admit, I also used to take this lightly, but it is essential regardless. Trust me, you will travel with less worry! There are lots of travel insurance policies available; some of them offer great perks too (we're talking free or low-cost access to airport lounges, and let's be honest, who doesn't want that!).
Do try to go off-season
If you're traveling solo, and you can, I would recommend going off-season if possible. This especially applies to very popular tourist destinations. Off-season travel is usually much cheaper and relaxed in my experience, and you will have a nicer experience as locals won't be sick and tired of tourists. Traveling off-season helps you to become a more sustainable traveler as you will not add to the masses over peak seasons. I always travel to really popular places off-season and have the best experiences. Yes, you may have to compromise on the weather a bit, but I will take a rainy day over thousands of tourists fighting for a sunset spot. Going off-season is a great way to save money, especially as a solo female traveller. If you want to learn more on the topic make sure you read my full guide to budget saving tips as a solo traveller.
Do stay open but be cautious
Making new friends and connections while traveling is nice, but never get too comfortable. This may sound alarming, so let me give you an example: you can bond with someone on a solo trip by talking about whether you like the local cuisine or whether you think Paris or Barcelona are worth the hype. There is no need to share too much personal information like your home or stay-at address with someone. In my experience most fellow travellers will want to chat about their travel experiences anyway, so you may not have to stress about whether you are sharing too much information. But as always, just practise common sense and before answering certain questions make sure you actually feel comfortable sharing it. I know making friends may sound intimidating, so I did a whole post on the topic, make sure you read it here.
Do stay flexible
Don't make super rigid travel plans. Being flexible and leaving some time for error or new experiences can be a very freeing experience. This way you might end up making new friends or see something that you didn't even know existed. I can promise you, 99% of the time things don't go as planned when you travel the world, so allowing yourself to reroute without feeling like a failure is a skill you better learn early on.
Do trust your instincts
If something is outside your comfort zone or perhaps you feel uncomfortable and want to get out of there, do it! Don't feel like you have to be polite or nice. If something feels off, it does not have to make sense to anybody else. One of the reasons I like solo travelling so much is that it teaches you how to trust yourself more. Since there will be times when there is no one to reach immediately, you will be left with all the decisions. This will teach you how to trust your insticts more and be responsible for yourself. It is a scary, but beautiful journey.
Do share your travel plans and details with your emergency contact
I know this may seem silly, especially if you're traveling far, but family or friends need to have a good understanding of what you're up to. Don't forget to share your itinerary with them! This can give you some peace when you are travelling alone.
Don't stop practising your usual safety measures just because you're abroad
No matter that people have told you that the place you're about to visit is super safe, you can still practice things like: not accepting drinks from strangers, staying aware of your surroundings, keeping your essentials secure, learning emergency contacts, and not walking alone in quiet/ badly lit areas, especially after dark. These are still valid practices no matter where you go. Following these does not mean you have to be stressed all the time, it just means you are practising awareness.
Do use reputable and sociable accommodation
You can always read the reviews before booking. When traveling alone, especially if you're new to it, I would recommend booking somewhere social. I would try to avoid Airbnbs because they can be quite isolating, at least in my opinion. You don't have to be a social butterfly to appreciate that there are people around you and a reception that may be able to help you if needed. Hotels or hostels are your best bet. Additionally, don't try to save on this front, a super cheap hotel room somewhere dodgy and far away from tourist hotspots isn't really worth it if you have to worry about your safety the whole trip.
FAQs: solo travel dos and don'ts
Is solo travel safe?
In my experience, yes, as long as you take the same common-sense precautions you would back at home, no matter the destination you always have to be cautious. I always research the destination beforehand, book accommodation in reliable locations (reviews are worth reading) and stay aware of my surroundings. Solo travel isn't the time to take risks, you have nothing to prove to anyone, and it is not worth your safety.
What is the best destination for a first solo trip?
My personal favourites are more laid-back or underrated destinations that still cater to tourism. Somewhere that's compact, easy to navigate, feels safe and doesn't have an overwhelming amount of things to do is likely to allow you to enjoy your time alone and not to give you too much to stress about. A walkable city with good public transport is a great place to start, as it allows you to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. If your location allows it, European city breaks are possibly the best way to start out if you ask me.
Is solo travel lonely?
It can be at times, but not always in the way that some people perhaps expect it. Solo travelling is becoming more of a thing, especially among solo female traveller and I am yet to visit a destination where I haven't met at least one other fellow solo female traveller to hang out with. I would say if you choose a sociable hostel, join different activities and tours, it is mostly the transport/flight that you will do alone, a lot of the times you can end up spending most of daily activities with other travellers.
How long should your first solo trip be?
I don't think your first solo trip needs to mean you go on a 6-week backpacking trip straight away. Even a day-trip, long weekend or three to four days are enough to experience travelling alone and decide whether it's something you'd like to do again.
How do you meet people when travelling solo?
I've met people through hostels, tours, shared transfers, cafés and even while waiting for buses or trains. Keeping an open mind and being up for a conversation goes a long way. I wrote a whole post about it, you can read it here. That being said, don't feel pressured to meet people every day. Some of my favourite solo trips have been the ones where I spent most of my time alone.
What should you pack for your first solo trip?
99% of the time people pack too much. I learnt this myself, so these days I really do only pack the essentials plus something extra. Learning to pack light will save you a great deal of stress and make your trip more smooth. Another topic that you can read about more here.
Is solo travel expensive?
Not necessarily. While you won't be splitting accommodation costs to maximise your budget, you have complete control over how and what you want to spend your money on. Choosing affordable destinations, travelling in the off-season and staying flexible with your plans can make solo travel surprisingly budget-friendly. And since you don't have anyone to rely on, this element can save a lot.
Is solo travel worth it?
ABSOLUTELY. I said this before, but it is my favourite personal development tool. You end up learning so much bout yourself and the world, it will easily shape you more than most self-development books or podcasts. And just because you enjoy it, it doesn't mean that you can only travel this way from now on. I still love my girls' trips, or the onesI take with my family. But solo travel will always have a special place in my heart.
