Solo travel: tips and first destinations
Travelling alone gives you total freedom and a confidence you notice when you get back. These ideas help you prepare your first solo trip.
Start with an easy destination
For a first solo trip, destinations with good public transport, lots of travellers and a language you speak (or where English is widely spoken) work well: Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand or Costa Rica are good examples.
Choose your accommodation well
Hostels with private rooms and common areas are ideal for meeting people without giving up privacy. Read reviews from other people who travelled alone.
Common-sense safety
- Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
- Arrive in new places during the day.
- Carry copies of your documents and two separate ways to pay.
- Trust your instinct: if something does not feel right, change plans.
How to meet people
Free walking tours, cooking classes, group excursions and activities organised by your accommodation are the easiest way to make travel friends.
Enjoy going at your own pace
Travelling alone means deciding every day what you feel like doing. Leave gaps without plans, sit at a café and write a few lines about what you are living.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good destination for your first solo trip?
Countries with good transport and many travellers, such as Portugal, Ireland, Japan or New Zealand.
Is travelling alone more expensive?
Accommodation usually costs more because it is not shared, but hostels with private rooms and flexible dates help you save.