Close your eyes and imagine this: you wake up to the sound of waves in a city where no one knows your name. Your schedule? Whatever you want. Your company? You, your curiosity, and a coffee from the local bakery that already feels like home.
That’s solo travel. And if you’ve never tried it, you might not know yet, but it changes you.
I used to think solo travel was for the brave, the extroverted, or the wildly independent. Spoiler alert: I was none of those things. But after one impulsive solo trip to Lisbon, I realised something huge — you don’t have to be fearless to travel alone. You just have to be curious enough to go anyway.
Here’s why it’s worth it.
1. You Get To Know You
It’s a cliché, but it’s true: when you travel alone, you finally hear your own thoughts without interruption.
You find out if you’re a sunrise or sunset person. Suppose you prefer art museums or street food. You learn what makes you feel safe, alive, relaxed, and inspired. No filters, no compromises. Just you.
Solo travel holds up a mirror — and what you see is often better, bolder, and more capable than you expected.
2. Your Freedom Has No Edges
You want to hike 10 miles through an olive grove? Go.
You want to spend 3 hours at a flea market touching every vintage book? Nobody’s rushing you.
You want to nap in the park, try an unfamiliar dish, skip the famous museum, or change cities on a whim?
Go ahead.
Solo travel gives you the rare freedom to move through the world entirely on your own rhythm. And when life gets noisy again, you’ll remember what your inner rhythm sounds like.
3. You’re Never Really Alone
One of the greatest myths about solo travel is that it’s lonely. The truth is, you’re often more open to connection when you’re not travelling in a pair or group.
You strike up conversations more easily. Locals notice you. Strangers become breakfast companions or trail buddies. You realise how many kind people exist in the world — and how you’re one of them.
Some of my most meaningful travel memories started with, “Mind if I sit here?”
4. You Build Invisible Muscles
When your phone dies in a new city, and you figure it out? That’s growth.
When you take the wrong train but don’t panic? Growth.
When you eat alone and it’s not weird anymore? Major growth.
Solo travel toughens you up in subtle ways. You don’t come home with abs, but you do come home with courage.
5. You Start Trusting Yourself Again
In everyday life, we second-guess everything: What should I do? What would they think? Is this okay?
When you’re travelling solo, the only person you have to check in with is yourself.
You start trusting your gut, and that’s a skill that stays with you, even long after the trip ends. You begin to realise: I can do hard things. I can make good choices. I can take care of myself.
That’s not just travel confidence. That’s life confidence.
For years, I believed my identity was tied to the people I traveled with – I was the ‘planner’ for my friends or the ‘navigator’ for my partner. But the first time I stood alone in the middle of a bustling market, realizing I was the only person in a thousand-mile radius who knew my middle name, I felt a strange, electric kind of peace. Solo travel isn’t just about the places you see; it’s about the person you become when no one is watching. You realize that your own company is actually quite excellent. Those ‘invisible muscles’ you mentioned? They don’t just help you find a train platform in the rain; they help you stand taller in boardrooms, relationships, and everyday life. Now, whenever I feel overwhelmed by the world, I close my eyes and remember that version of me in Lisbon – the one who was a little lost, a little tired, but completely in charge of her own story.
Real Talk: It’s Not Always Easy
There are moments of awkwardness, decision fatigue, and maybe a little homesickness. You’ll ask for directions in a language you barely know. Probably feel unsure. Maybe you’ll sit at dinner and think, What am I doing here alone?
And then someone will smile at you.
You’ll take a photo you love.
You’ll realise: I’m here. I did this. I’m okay.
And suddenly, that table for one? It feels like power.
Your Story Starts With One Trip
You don’t have to cross a continent or disappear for six months. Your solo travel journey can start with one weekend in a nearby town. One bus ride. One night in a hostel where nobody speaks your language, but everyone speaks “Where are you from?”
And that first small yes? It turns into a thousand more.
1. Plan Smart, Not Just Spontaneous
AKA How-to-Keep-the-Adventure-Without-Losing-Your-Head (or Wallet)
You know those quotes:
“The best trips are the unplanned ones”
“Just book the ticket and figure it out later” ?
Well, yeah, sure, being spontaneous is fun. It’s exciting to hop on a last-minute train to a town you can’t pronounce or to ditch your itinerary for a street festival that wasn’t on Google.
But let’s be honest: spontaneity works best when it’s built on a solid plan.
Think of it like jazz — the improvisation only shines when the musicians know their structure. The same goes for travel. Whether you’re solo, with friends, or even with a carry-on that’s mostly snacks (no judgment), here’s why planning smart is the secret to spontaneous joy, not its enemy.
Why Smart Planning Makes Spontaneity Better
Let’s be clear: of course planning isn’t about mapping out every second. You are simply giving yourself room to move while knowing you’ve got a solid base to fall back on. If you have a good, smart plan, you can change course and explore without throwing yourself off balance.
When you don’t plan at all? You spend hours looking for Wi-Fi and end up sleeping in a noisy hotel next to a construction site. Ask me how I know.
How To Plan Smart Without Killing the Vibe
1. Know the Basics Before You Go
Before you book, look up:
- Visa requirements and travel restrictions
- Currency and general costs (use Numbeo or BudgetYourTrip)
- Local safety tips and common scams
- Basic weather for the time of year
This takes 30 minutes. It saves you 30 headaches.
2. Book the First Few Nights
Even if you want to wing it after, having your first 2–3 nights booked lets you land without stress. You’ll thank yourself when you arrive tired, jet-lagged, and borderline hangry.
Bonus: You can scope out better neighbourhoods or hostels while you’re there. But always start with a home base.
3. Map Out a Loose Route
If you’re travelling through multiple cities or countries, sketch a rough route:
- Start point
- Key places you want to see
- Buffer days (always add buffer days!)
- Possible exit point
Knowing your general flow prevents backtracking, missed buses, or panicked decisions that cost money and energy.
4. Save the Spontaneity for the Fun Stuff
Be spontaneous with:
- Day trips
- Food (ask locals where they eat)
- Tours and activities
- People you meet
But don’t leave your logistics to fate. Book your transport, check your arrival times, and screenshot everything. Trust me — Wi-Fi won’t save you when you land at midnight.
Tools for Smart Travel Planning
- Google Maps (offline areas)
- Rome2Rio – great for transport options between any two places
- Skyscanner or Hopper – for cheap flights and alerts
- TripIt or Notion – for organising bookings, links, and plans
- XE Currency Converter + Google Translate
- AllTrails or Maps.me – for trail and city walk planning
Have these in your back pocket, even if you only use them once.
Real Talk: The Best Travel Days Are a Mix
One of my favourite travel days? I had a morning bus pre-booked from Florence to Siena. After I checked in, I wandered the medieval alleys and stumbled into a small art exhibit, then a sunset jazz concert in a piazza I didn’t even know existed.
Would I have found it if I hadn’t gone to Siena that day? No.
Would I have gotten to Siena without booking that €9 Flixbus in advance? Also no.
Plan smart. Wander freely. That’s the secret combo.
2. Share Your Itinerary With Someone
AKA The Travel Safety Tip That Could Save You (Or At Least Save Your Mom From Panic)
Before every trip, I send my mom a message. It usually starts with “Don’t worry, I’m fine” and ends with screenshots of flights, hotels, and a Google Maps pin of wherever I plan to wander.
Sometimes I think she doesn’t even look at them.
But I send them anyway. And I think you should, too.
Because sharing your itinerary isn’t just about making someone else feel better — it’s about making you safer, especially if you’re travelling solo. Whether you’re taking a 2-week backpacking trip through Portugal or just going on a weekend city escape by yourself, this is one of the smartest, simplest things you can do.
Let’s break it down.
Why It Matters
When you share your travel plans with someone you trust, you’re creating a safety net. If something goes wrong — you lose your phone, miss a bus, or heaven forbid, something more serious — someone will know where you were supposed to be.
This helps:
- Speed up support if you need help
- Calm loved ones who might otherwise worry
- Give you peace of mind that you’re not invisible on the map
Even if nothing goes wrong (and most of the time, it doesn’t), it’s a great feeling to know someone knows where you are. You’re independent — not isolated.
What Should You Share?
Don’t overthink it. Here’s a quick list of what to send your trusted contact (parent, partner, best friend, or that super-organised friend who lives for spreadsheets):
- Flight/train/bus details (departure, arrival, airline, etc.)
- Accommodation info (name, address, phone number)
- Rough itinerary (cities you’ll visit, in what order)
- Tour bookings or activities (especially guided hikes, safaris, etc.)
- Emergency numbers in the destination country
- Local SIM number / WhatsApp contact
- A copy of your passport and travel insurance
I advise you to set a check-in schedule with the person you share things with. It could be anything like “I’ll message you when I change the location”/”I will message you every 2 days”. Then, put a reminder for yourself to actually do it.
How To Share It Easily
Don’t want to clog someone’s inbox with a dozen PDFs? Use one of these easy options:
1. Google Drive or Dropbox Folder
Upload everything (plan, flight numbers, contact for accommodation, etc; even the contact of the embassy/consulate of your country in your destination just in case)
Share the link with view-only access
2. Shared Google Calendar
Create a travel calendar with dates, cities, bookings, addresses
3. WhatsApp Chat
Pin a message with your full itinerary
Send live updates as needed
4. Apps like TripIt or Polarsteps
These can automatically sync with your emails and create an organised trip layout; some even let you add emergency contacts to follow along.
Also, see our list of apps that can help you a lot when planning your next trip.
5. Life360
You can share your live location with your family, friends, etc, send messages, have emergency contact; also, you can set notifications so that your chosen person is informed when you finish a car ride, land at an airport, when your battery is dying, etc.
Choose the Right Person
This matters. Choose someone who:
- You trust completely
- Won’t forget they have this info
- Knows what to do in an emergency (or will ask someone who does)
- Won’t message you every 3 hours asking if you’ve eaten (unless you want that)
You’re not giving them control over your trip — you’re giving them context in case you need it.
Real Story: The Day My Itinerary Helped
In Croatia, I missed a bus and ended up stuck in a town I couldn’t pronounce with 3% battery. I messaged my friend, who had my itinerary. She called the next hostel to say I’d be late, saving me from losing my bed for the night.
Would I have figured it out? Probably.
Did it save me stress and panic? Absolutely.
3. Pack With Safety in Mind
Because Peace of Mind Weighs Nothing — But It Matters Most
Packing is a mix of art and strategy. We all want to travel light, but when it comes to safety, smart packing isn’t just about space — it’s about being prepared, protected, and confident, especially if you’re traveling alone.
I’ve been that person who packed four kinds of socks but forgot a power bank. I’ve also been that traveler who had to borrow duct tape, a padlock, and emergency contact info from a stranger in a hostel.
Lesson learned: some safety items may seem overkill — until they’re not. So whether you’re heading to a beach town or a mountain trail, here’s how to pack with safety in mind, without feeling like you’re prepping for a zombie apocalypse.
1. Start With the Essentials (That Aren’t Obvious)
You’ve already packed clothes, your toothbrush, and probably way too many snacks (respect). Now let’s talk about the safety essentials that most people forget — and end up regretting.
- Photocopies of passport & ID (digital + paper)
- Travel insurance card/details
- Emergency contact info (printed and saved on phone)
- Local emergency numbers in destination country
- Small first-aid kit (plasters, painkillers, electrolytes, etc.)
- Personal medications (plus a backup stash, just in case)
Pro tip: Keep one copy of your ID and emergency info in a bag away from your passport. Redundancy = security.
2. Secure Your Stuff (And Yourself)
Let’s be real: petty theft happens — even in the safest cities. Smart packing can prevent most of it.
- Money belt or neck wallet: Great for travel days or sketchy areas
- Luggage locks that are approved by airports and airlines: Use them at airports and hostels
- Portable doorstop alarm: Adds an extra layer of safety in hotel rooms
- Anti-theft daypack or crossbody bag: Especially with hidden zippers
- AirTag or Tile: Track your bag, daypack, or even wallet in case it goes missing
Bonus: If you’re staying in hostels, pack a small padlock for lockers. Some hostels charge for them. Yours will be better.
3. Think Power and Connection
Staying safe also means staying connected.
- Universal travel adapter (with USB ports)
- Power bank (10,000 mAh or more) — non-negotiable on long travel days
- Offline maps app like Maps.me or Google Maps
- Local SIM card or eSIM: So you’re reachable, always
- VPN app: Protects your data on public Wi-Fi
Trust me, nothing screams “Help me!” like a solo traveler desperately trying to load a map in the rain with 1% battery.
Check out our list of must-try budget-friendly gadgets for easy travelling.
4. Health & Hygiene = Safety Too
In the post-COVID travel world, staying healthy is part of staying safe.
- Hand sanitiser + wet wipes
- Mini thermometer (surprisingly handy)
- Reusable water bottle with filter (like LifeStraw or Grayl)
- Face masks (still required in some places)
- Menstrual hygiene products (always bring more than you think you’ll need)
And if you’re hiking, remote-traveling, or camping: pack water purification tablets and extra snacks — they’re tiny and can be lifesavers.
5. Knowledge Is the Lightest Thing You Can Carry
Okay, not technically packing, but hear me out: downloading or printing key info before your trip makes you smarter and safer.
- Local customs & dress codes
- Emergency contacts for your embassy/consulate
- Key phrases in the local language (especially: “Help,” “Hospital,” “Where is…?”)
- Bus/train schedules, arrival info, hostel check-in hours
When your Wi-Fi dies or your screen cracks, this stuff keeps you grounded.
Bonus: The “Day Safety Kit” I Keep In My Daypack
I always carry a tiny kit that includes:
- Phone charger + power bank
- Printed hotel address
- Small flashlight
- Emergency whistle
- €20/$20 hidden in a pocket
- Band-aids
- Hair tie / rubber band (can fix anything)
- A snack (because I am a safety hazard when hangry)
Take into account this:
1. Trust Your Gut — And Have a Plan B
Your intuition is your built-in GPS. If something feels off — the street, the taxi, the energy — trust that. You don’t need evidence. You need exit plans. Whether it’s sitting near the door in a café or always having enough cash for a ride home, your Plan B doesn’t make you paranoid. It makes you prepared.
Pro tip: Bookmark your hotel or hostel on your maps app before leaving, and screenshot key directions in case signal drops.
2. Stay Connected, But Don’t Overshare
Staying connected is non-negotiable. Get a local SIM or eSIM, use offline maps, and have a power bank in your day bag. But be cautious online — especially on social media. Avoid posting anywhere your exact location in real-time and wait until you’ve left a place before tagging it.
Bonus: Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi to keep your data secure.
3. Choose Accommodation With Intention
Where you sleep matters. Read reviews — not just the star rating, but comments about security, staff, location, and whether other solo travelers stayed there. Look for hostels with female-only dorms or guesthouses run by local families. Trust your first impression when you arrive. If something feels off, change plans — no regrets.
Safe doesn’t mean boring. It means smart.
4. Blend In (As Much As You Can)
You don’t have to “become” local, but avoid standing out as an obvious tourist. Research local dress codes, especially in conservative areas. Walk with purpose — even if you’re unsure. Look up directions before you leave, so you’re not staring at your phone mid-crosswalk.
Confidence isn’t just for safety. It helps you feel in control, even when you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing.
5. Get Comfortable Eating & Exploring Alone
At first, wandering a new city alone might feel a bit strange. But soon it turns into something you crave. Stop for coffee just because you feel like it, linger at a street performance, or change your route on a whim. Don’t wait for company to explore markets, catch a late movie, or watch the skyline light up. Once you realise how good it feels to follow your own rhythm, you won’t want to give it up.
Remember: Everyone’s too busy with their own lives to wonder why you’re dining solo.
6. Stay Sober, Stay Aware (Mostly)
No need to skip the local wine or happy hour fun — but know your limits. You’re your own safety net, so don’t drink past the point where you can make smart decisions or navigate home. Watch your drinks being made, don’t accept open containers, and trust your gut (again!) about company.
One drink? Sure. One blurry night in a place you don’t know? Maybe not.
7. Make Friends — But Set Boundaries
Meeting new people is one of the best parts of solo travel. But not everyone has great intentions. Share laughs, not your hotel address. Join walking tours, group dinners, or hostel events — but leave room for boundaries. It’s okay to say no, exit conversations, or ghost someone who made you uncomfortable.
Your energy is yours to protect.
8. Know Emergency Numbers & Local Laws
Look up the local emergency number (911 doesn’t work everywhere!). Know how to contact your embassy and what the nearest hospital is. Research any local laws that could affect you — from dress codes and alcohol rules to LGBTQ+ safety and photography restrictions.
Write key numbers down on paper and keep it in your wallet. Phones die. Paper lasts.
9. Take Photos, Leave Footprints (But Not Breadcrumbs Online)
Document your journey — you’ll thank yourself later. But don’t breadcrumb your location in real-time on social media. Avoid showing room numbers, flight tickets, or street signs before or during your stay. Share stories after you move on.
Travel is for memories, not surveillance. Protect your privacy.
Bonus: Solo Female Travel — Extra Tips From the Road
Women face different challenges on the road, but that doesn’t mean we should stay home. It means we travel smarter.
Here’s what I always carry:
- Doorstop alarm for hotel safety
- Decoy wallet (with expired cards and a little cash)
- Scarf (functions as cover-up, head wrap, blanket, or towel)
- Period supplies (don’t count on foreign shops to stock your brand)
- A fake wedding ring (yup, sometimes useful)
And most importantly? Own your space. You’re not a guest in the world. You belong here, wherever your feet take you.
What To Do If Something Goes Wrong
Even with all the prep in the world, things happen.
- Stay calm. Breathe.
- Contact your embassy or local authorities if it’s serious.
- Keep emergency cash and digital copies of your documents.
- Use travel insurance — it’s not just for flight delays.
Then: regroup, recover, and give yourself grace. One bad moment doesn’t define your entire trip.
Hi, I’m Marta. I plan trips carefully, but always with one main priority: great food. I love discovering cozy pubs, hidden restaurants, and local gems that make every destination feel special. With 3,000+ restaurant check-ins and 1,700 reviews, I’m here to help you find the places that are truly worth visiting.