The night before my first solo flight, I sat on the edge of my bed, passport in one hand and a crumpled list of emergency numbers in the other. I had read every blog, watched every YouTube video, and still felt a knot in my stomach. That knot never fully disappeared — but after a dozen solo journeys, I’ve learned that it doesn’t need to. What you need are not pep talks, but practical, honest strategies that respect both your desire for freedom and your very real need for safety. Here are ten things I wish someone had told me before I boarded that first plane alone.
Start with a Soft Landing
Your first solo trip doesn’t have to be a two-week backpacking marathon across Southeast Asia. Choose a destination where you speak at least a little of the language, where public transport is reliable, and where you can find a comfortable bed without too much research. A city like Lisbon, with its walkable hills and friendly café culture, or a small coastal town like Essaouira — where the medina is manageable and the ocean breeze calms your nerves — can give you a gentle introduction. I wrote about the slow, sensory rhythm of Essaouira in A Day in Essaouira: Slow Travel, Local Flavours, and the Art of Being Alone, and that kind of place is perfect for a first timer: small enough to feel safe, rich enough to inspire.
Your Accommodation Is Your Anchor
Do not underestimate the importance of where you sleep. For a first solo trip, avoid isolated villas or hostels with mixed dorms that feel chaotic. Instead, book a women-only dorm in a well-reviewed hoste, a guesthouse with a common kitchen, or a boutique hotel where the staff knows your name. Look for places that have a common area where you can sit with a book and a cup of tea without feeling awkward. The first time I stayed at Clink78 in London — yes, it’s a converted prison — I chose a female dorm and ended up sharing travel stories over breakfast. That sense of community made the city feel less intimidating. (You can read my honest review in Sleeping in a Prison Cell at Clink78: A Solo Traveler’s Honest Review.)
Pack Light — Really Light
I know everyone says this, but here is the concrete reason: when you travel alone, you are the only one carrying your bags. No one will hold your backpack while you dig for a charger. No one will help you lift your suitcase up a flight of metro stairs. So pack only what you can carry for twenty minutes without stopping. A 40-litre backpack or a small rolling suitcase that fits in an overhead bin is ideal. Leave the “just in case” items at home. You can buy a rain poncho or an extra pair of socks anywhere in the world. What you cannot buy is the ease of moving through a train station without a sore shoulder.
Trust Your Intution — It’s Your Best Navigation Tool
You have spent your whole life reading social cues, sensing when a situation feels off, and making quick decisions about people. That skill does not switch off when you cross a border. If a street feels too dark, turn around. If a taxi driver makes you uncomfortable, get out and call another. If a café seems unwelcoming, walk to the next one. You do not need to be polite at the expense of your safety. I once walked out of a restaurant in Naples after the waiter insisted I sit at a table near the kitchen despite empty tables by the window. I found a lovely trattoria two blocks away where the owner brought me a free limoncello. Trusting that small voice saved me an uncomfortable evening.
Plan Your First Day in Detai
The first day of a solo trip is the hardest. You are jet-lagged, disoriented, and everything feels overwhelming. So plan it hour by hour. Book a taxi or airport transfer in advance. Know exactly how to get from the airport to your accommodation. Have a café or a park marked on your map where you can sit and breathe. Prepare a simple dinner spot within walking distance. Once you have that first day under your belt, the rest of the trip will unfold naturally. I always schedule a slow morning walk on Day One — no museums, no itineraries, just coffee and a pastry while I watch the city wake up.
Learn to Eat Alone with Grace
Many first-time solo travelers dread restaurant meals. The trick is to reframe it: you are not eating alone, you are dining with the city. Bring a book or a journal. Choose a counter seat at a bar or a small table facing the street. Order something that takes time — a bowl of pasta, a slow-brewed coffee — and let yourself observe. In places like Italy or Japan, solo dining is completely normal. In other cultures, you might feel stared at; that’s okay. Smile, nod, and enjoy your food. After a few meals, you’ll realize that no one is judging you as harshly as you judge yourself.
Carry a Backup of Everything Important
Before you leave, take photos of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and credit cards. Email them to yourself and save them in a secure cloud folder. Keep a physical copy in a separate bag from the originals. Also, carry a spare credit card or some emergency cash hidden in your shoe or inside a lip balm container. If your wallet is stolen, you want to be able to get a coffee, call your bank, and book a room without panicking. I once had my card eaten by an ATM in Morocco at 10 p.m. — the backup cash in my sock got me to a hotel and a good night’s sleep.
Connect with Other Women — But on Your Terms
Solo travel does not mean you have to be alone every minute. Joining a free walking tour, attending a cooking class, or staying in a hostel with communal dinners can introduce you to like-minded travelers. But don’t force it. If you feel like being social, go for it. If you want to retreat to your room with a book, that’s equally valid. I’ve met some of my closest travel friends by simply sitting in a hostel common room and asking, “What’s the best thing you’ve eaten here?” For more ideas on how to naturally meet other women, I wrote a whole post on How to Meet Other Women While Solo Traveling (Real Stories, Real Tips).
Give Yourself Permission to Change Your Plans
One of the greatest gifts of solo travel is the freedom to pivot. If you wake up tired, stay in bed until noon. If a museum is crowded, skip it and walk through a park instead. If you fall in love with a town, extend your stay. There is no one to disappoint. I once spent an entire afternoon in a tiny bookstore in Bologna instead of visiting the famous towers. That afternoon became the most memorable part of my trip. Let go of the FOMO — the best experiences often come from the detours.
Document the Journey for Yourself First
Take photos, yes, but also write a few lines each day. Not for Instagram — for you. Describe how the light felt at 5 p.m., the sound of the market vendors, the taste of a fruit you’ve never eaten. When you look back, those sensory details will matter more than the perfectly framed selfie. I keep a small pocket notebook and jot down one thing I noticed each day. It becomes a map of my inner world, not just the outer one. And when I feel low after returning home, I read those pages and remember that I am capable of traveling the world alone.
If you are reading this and still hesitating, here is one concrete step: book a single night in a nearby town you have never visited. Take a train, stay in a small guesthouse, eat dinner alone, and come back the next day. That one-night trip will teach you more about solo travel than any article ever could.
