How To Travel Solo: Essential Tips for Planning Your Trip

What Are the Benefits of Solo Travel?

Before diving into how to plan solo travel, why should you travel solo in the first place? Solo travel, whether alone or through solo travel groups, offers a plethora of benefits, from self-discovery to meeting new people. Take a look at some of the top reasons why a solo adventure might appeal to you:

• Independence: One of the top reasons adventure-seekers turn to solo travel is the freedom and independence it offers. When traveling alone, you can explore landmarks and attractions at your own pace, as well as choose your itinerary and have flexibility in your planning and decision-making, allowing you to have a travel experience that reflects your interests.
• Self-discovery: Whether traveling close to home in the United States or across the globe in areas like Europe, Asia, South America or Africa, going it alone offers the opportunity for personal growth and reflection. As you explore new cultures and meet new people, you’ll be able to forge a deeper understanding of yourself and what matters most to you.
• Meeting new people: Just because you’re traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Solo travel is the perfect way to meet new people from different walks of life and backgrounds, including locals in the destination you’re visiting and fellow travelers in your solo travel group.
• Confidence building: Not every trip goes according to plan. From weather delays to missed trains and buses, solo traveling can put you face to face with obstacles, allowing you to build confidence and step out of your comfort zone.

How to Travel Solo

So, are you up for a solo adventure? With a wide range of exciting benefits, solo traveling is an excellent opportunity to learn more about yourself and the world around you. However, there’s a lot of planning and preparation that goes into a solo travel trip. Here’s a rundown on how to solo travel:

1. Research destinations

To solo travel, you’ll need to know where you’re going first. The world is a big place, and there are countless destinations you can choose from. To narrow down your options, consider factors such as safety, language barriers and cultural norms. As a solo traveler, you must take certain precautions when choosing a destination, as your safety should be a top priority.

Additionally, think about what interests you most. Are you interested in a tropical excursion through a rainforest to discover rare wildlife, or are you drawn to ancient relics and medieval history you might find in European regions? Understanding your passions and what you want to discover can help you narrow the options on your map of areas to choose from. To help spark some ideas, consider our list of the best travel destinations for solo travelers:

• London
• Portugal
• Australia
• Indonesia
• Egypt
• Mexico
• Japan
• Paris
• Colombo
• Vietnam

2. Budget and book accommodations

With your destination picked out, the next step is to create a budget and book your travel and accommodations. Analyzing your finances can help you save money on the road while still seeing all the attractions on your bucket list.

It’s also essential to book your travel and accommodations well in advance for the best prices. During this process, make sure to choose lodging that’s safe and accommodating to solo travelers. One of the benefits of solo travel groups like Road Scholar is that your travel and lodging will be planned for you, taking the stress out of the process and offering peace of mind knowing you’ll have enjoyable accommodations. 

3. Plan your itinerary

With your destination chosen and travel and lodging booked, now comes the fun part. An essential tip on how to plan solo travel is to have a healthy balance of structure and flexibility. Make sure to plan for must-see activities and attractions while having unstructured time for spontaneous activities that take you off the beaten path. Along the way, you may run into locals who provide recommendations for more unique experiences that others might not be aware of, giving you a deeper understanding of the region and culture. Additionally, it’s important to prepare for the unexpected and always have a backup plan in the event of unforeseen changes.

4. Begin packing

As you get closer to your solo travel adventure, it’s time to start packing. How you pack depends on the area you’re visiting, as tropical destinations call for lighter, breathable clothes, whereas colder or rainier regions require warmer and waterproof garments. Regardless of your destination, packing layers allows you to add or remove pieces to accommodate fluctuating temperatures and ensure you’re comfortable throughout your trip.

Other important essentials to pack include toiletries, travel documents and electronics, along with safety gear like a first-aid kit, money belt and personal safety devices. Additionally, as you near your departure date, make sure to share your itinerary with friends or family and ensure health precautions like vaccinations and travel insurance are considered.

5. Enjoy your trip

You made it to travel day — now it’s time to enjoy solo traveling! Once you arrive, make sure to take in all the sights, sounds and smells. Join group tours and activities to connect with other travelers, embrace solo time to enjoy your journey and step out of your comfort zone with new activities and experiences. Go solo with Road Scholar and find an educational learning adventure that brings you to some of the world’s top destinations.