Katya - The Travel Guide, April 4, 2025
Solo Travel: Experience and advices that you need to know
My first solo trip was when I was 18. I was supposed to go to Bali with a friend, but two weeks before departure, she realized her passport wasn't valid enough to enter Indonesia. She applied for a new passport, but it didn't arrive in time. I'd already made up my mind that I'd probably have to leave without her, as my trip was non-refundable, and I really needed to break away from my routine.
So, off I went, at 18, to the other side of the world, and I can tell you, the first few days were really difficult. I had no idea what solo travel meant, and I wish I'd had the advice I'm going to share in this article a few solo trips later...
.jpeg)
First of all, there are a lot of misconceptions we have about solo travel! I often hear, "I'm too shy, I won't be able to go alone," or "I can't stand the idea of being alone," or "If we go alone, who will we create memories with and share this experience with?" And it's completely normal to think that! However, when you experience solo travel, you realize that:
-
Shyness isn't a barrier to meeting people while traveling. I've met a lot of very shy people abroad, and sharing a room with other people or going on a group excursion really makes it easier to meet people and connect. You also realize that there's much less judgment from the people you meet while traveling, which gives you more confidence when approaching others.
-
You're rarely alone on a solo trip! We meet a lot of people, and very often, the travel itineraries are similar so we meet people who are going to the same places as us and we continue the journey together... that's the beauty of solo travel!
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Some tips if you want to try this experience:
→ Don't plan too much, leave room for the unexpected 🗺️
A flexible itinerary allows you to adapt to spontaneous encounters and opportunities.
→ Travel light 🎒
An overly heavy bag quickly becomes a constraint. The essentials: versatile clothing, a first aid kit, and important documents.
→ Being afraid is normal! 😨
The first solo trip can be intimidating, but confidence grows quickly. Accepting this fear is part of the adventure.
→ Choose a suitable destination ✈️
For your first time, choose safe and welcoming countries.
→ Learn a few words of the local language 🗣️
A simple "Hello" or "Thank you" can greatly facilitate communication and show respect to the locals.
→ Trust your instincts ⚡
If a situation or person seems suspicious, it's best to walk away.