11 things every first-time solo traveller needs to know

At the end of 2021 I took a trip to Central America, travelling through five countries including El Salvador (pictured)

Taking a solo travel tip can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. Not only can you go where you want, when you want, and completely work off your own schedule, but leaving your comfort zone and stepping out alone can be a massive learning experience.

I took my first solo trip in 2016 when I headed to Copenhagen where I had a pillow fight, partied in a supermarket and headed across the Øresund Bridge to Malmo in Sweden.

It was something I had wanted to do for a while and I am so glad I did because it quite literally opened up my eyes to a world of exploration. Since that trip, I have been to 40 countries across four continents on my own and I wouldn’t hesitate to go it alone if no-one can, or wants to, travel with me.

However, booking and actually going on your first solo trip can be a daunting prospect, so I’ve decided to round up a few things from experience that everyone should know before taking their first solo travel adventure.

1. You don’t have to speak to people

Jordan and Kyrgyzstan was another of 2021’s limited trips. Here I am at Amman citadel, overlooking the Jordanian capital

One of the most nerve-wracking things about solo travel can be striking up a conversation with strangers.

But while speaking with locals or getting acquainted with your hostel dormmates can be a valuable and rewarding experience, it isn’t an absolute necessity and you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.

You can still enjoy your trip even if you feel like keeping yourself to yourself

2. No-one cares if you’re eating or sightseeing alone

One of the most popular fears that I have heard from those who have never travelled alone before concerns eating alone. Asking for a table for one seems a far greater task than it actually is, and it really isn’t that difficult.

After all, the server who tends to you will probably be more interested in making you feel comfortable and happy because they’ll be expecting to be tipped at the end of the day, and other diners will likely assume that you’re either there on business or you are what you are – travelling solo. That’s if they even notice at all.

3. It may get lonely

Solo travel is a risk, and for some people, it won’t pay off. That’s not to say that it won’t for you, but there is always the chance you could get lonely, particularly if you’re hitting the road for a prolonged period.

Of course, keeping in touch with people over the phone – whether it’s a call, FaceTime text or whatever – can make you feel closer to those at home, even if you are halfway around the world.

If you think that flying solo may lead to homesickness or missing friends and family, start small with a short haul trip for two or three days and if you feel comfortable, move up to a week, then 10 days and so on.

4. Beware the single supplement

On this trip to Nice and Monaco (this is me on a tour of AS Monaco’s Stade Louis II) I stayed at a hostel - thus avoiding the dreaded single supplement

Travelling alone doesn’t always mean that you’ll only be paying for one person. Single supplement charges may mean you’ll spend considerably more than if you were travelling with someone else and tends to mostly affect accommodation options.

A single supplement is an extra charge paid by a solo traveller to compensate a hotel or cruise line for losses incurred because only one person is staying in a room or cruise cabin.

So, for example, if a hotel only has double rooms and you want to stay there, you would have to pay full price, even though you’re the only person staying in that room. Travel with someone and you can split the cost.

This is what makes hostels such an attractive option to solo travellers because you’ll only have to pay for the bed as opposed to the room itself.

5. “Failing” is okay

What’s the worst thing that can come of a solo travel trip? You waste some money and maybe even a couple of work holiday days – that’s not an end-of-the-world scenario and, if you start with a short, cheap trip, then you minimise any risk.

Solo travel is not for everyone and some may see that as a failure – but is it really? No solo trip is a waste of time, regardless of how you feel after it.

It’s all part of a learning curve, and you’ll probably return home with a clearer understanding of how you feel about travelling alone. And don’t forget, just because you didn’t enjoy a first solo trip doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy a second.

6. Let someone know where you are

One of the biggest risks when travelling on your own is that there may be no-one around to help you when you need it, and even if there is, a language barrier can prevent you from having an effective dialogue with someone you need help from.

For some sort of safety net, always give a copy of your intended itinerary to a friend or a member of family, and check in with them at regular intervals to let them know that you are safe.

7. Be prepared

Be careful, but don’t forget to have fun (at least that was my motto when climbing to a viewpoint in Petra)

Some people love spontaneous travel, and that’s great for them, but even a little preparation can go a long way. When travelling alone, make sure to do some research beforehand so you can plan your finances and get some contingencies in place in case you run into trouble – whether that’s losing your valuables or getting injured and needing medical attention.

Travel insurance is also a necessity, so don’t leave home until you are covered and always keep a copy of your insurance details to hand in case you ever need them.

8. Read reviews when booking your accommodation

With the internet at your disposal, booking travel accommodation has never been easier. But if you’re going solo for the first time, you’ll probably want to make sure you stay in the right place.

Whether you’re searching for a hostel, hotel, apartment or something else, always check the reviews of a property where possible.

TripAdvisor is usually a good place to start, and then take a look at the ratings of your potential accommodation across the various booking platforms to formulate an idea of whether the place you’re staying at is right for your own needs.

9. There is more than one way to travel solo

At the end of last year I went on a group tour of Mauritania (which was incredible). Technically, it was dabbling in solo travel - a great option for those worried about being lonely whilst travelling alone

Travelling solo doesn’t have to mean hitting the road alone, because there are several ways to go about it.

You can keep yourself to yourself and explore somewhere at your own pace, or you could book a place on a group tour and enjoy exploring with strangers. It may seem a little overwhelming, but group tours can bring like-minded people together.

If you’re social but have no-one to go away with, then why not try a group tour? You may make some new travel buddies along the way.

10. It’s cheap and easy to get your self-shoot game on point

If you’re worried about travelling solo because it’s more difficult to get those all-important Instagram shots when you’re alone, then fear not, because you can still get good quality photos and shoot them yourself.

When I go away and I’m on my own, I take a Joby GorillaPod, a phone clamp and a Bluetooth remote with me, so if I ever want to take a photo of myself, I’ve got a setup that’s cheap, easy to use and can take multiple pictures, ensuring I get at least one that’s good for the ‘gram.

11. It is okay if you don’t like it

You only need to spend 30 seconds on Instagram or TikTok to see someone singing the praises of solo travel, but the final point in this blog post is the exact reason you should give it a go – you might not like it.

One of the reasons that many of my travels are solo is not because I prefer going it alone, but because I go to many destinations that, to most, aren’t desirable.

I have no UK-based friends or family that are up for exploring Comoros or keen on traversing Kyrgyzstan, and so it’s down to me, myself and I.

But even if there was interest from acquantinaces for each and every trip I took, I’d still want to try solo travel.

Although I love this type of travel, you may or may not. But if that’s the case, you won’t actually know until you try. If you don’t end up liking it, you’ve still had a valuable experience and you’ll never look back and wonder if you’ve missed out.