You & the world: Travel experts share their tips for travelling alone

I learned how to travel alone when I was 19 and headed to New York from Germany. It was less of a choice and more of a necessity because I needed to check out a university.

It was there, at the intersection of Lafayette and Broadway on my last day of the trip, when it hit me. I was standing in the rain looking at my soggy breakfast doggy bag but I felt exhilarated. Wet, all by myself and I felt free like never before.

From then, travelling alone became my thing. Sometimes because there wasn't anyone to accompany me. The concept of not going and waiting for the right travel partner always seemed foreign to me (pun intended).

I have now travelled to over 20 countries by myself and even published a book about travelling alone and why I love it so much. In this article, 12 experienced solo travellers and I share our best solo travel tips with you.

Travelling alone: Why, where & how

Where and how to start if you want to travel alone? In this article you will find:

• Why you should travel alone
• How to travel alone
• How to prepare for solo holidays
• Things to do when travelling alone
• How to meet people when travelling alone
• Safety tips for travelling alone
• How to travel alone as a woman
• Final solo travel tips

Why you should travel alone at least once in your life

For me, travelling alone is both a practical consideration and an indulgence. There were many times when an opportunity for a trip came up, but I simply didn’t have anyone to join. All my friends and family were busy or I didn’t have a partner at the time. I didn’t want to wait for an ever-moving ‘one day’, so I went alone.

The other reason why I love solo travel is the freedom. I can ask myself what I want and go and do it. I don’t need to compromise and can be wonderfully self-centred for a change.

Sometimes this can be hard as we often don’t even know anymore what we want. And we fear getting called irresponsible, spoiled or self-centred.

I think it is okay to be all of that once in a while and to simply follow your heart. ‘You do you’ should be the anthem of solo travel.

And don’t worry – travelling by yourself is not as scary as some make it out to be. Those who say it is have probably never tried it themselves.

How to travel alone?

You have decided that you want to travel alone but now what? And where to? For some reason, many people equate solo travel with backpacking. I don’t think that is true at all. You don’t have to stay in a hostel and rough it and you don’t need to be young.

Solo travel simply means leaving home alone and going on a trip. You can go anywhere you want. Get inspiration from the list of best solo travel destinations, but ultimately simply ask yourself where you want to go. For some the thought of a European road trip is enticing, others feel called to trek through the jungle in Borneo. And many just long to travel somewhere where they won’t need a passport.

Remember, solo travel can be anything you want it to be, big or small, near or far.

How to prepare for solo holidays

Just like any other trip, preparation is key. ‘I had a lot of excitement and anxiety leading up to my solo trip, but what made it a lot more manageable and ultimately more fun for me was doing a lot of planning before,’ says Jesse Woods, VP for SEO at KAYAK. Even if you are usually one to wing it, planning is key when travelling alone.

To me, that means booking accommodation for at least a few nights after arrival and figuring out how to get from the airport (or train station) to my hotel or guesthouse. I also think packing light is key when you travel by yourself. This way you don’t need to rely on a travel buddy to watch your things while heading to the bathroom and can move more freely.

When planning what to do at your destination keep in mind the season you are travelling. Are there popular travel times or holidays to consider? In this case, I’d advise booking some activities in advance. If you are travelling during the off-season, you can be a bit more flexible.

Things to do when travelling alone

Will I get bored or feel lonely? This is a big worry for many who embark on their first solo adventure. I would counter this with another question: how often do you get bored at home? While many of us live with family or roommates, we also spend quite a bit of time on our own without getting bored. Add to that the excitement of a foreign city or country and chances are, no, you won’t get bored.

Most activities are as much fun on your own, and for everything else, there are group tours. ‘I look for free walking tours with good reviews. They introduce me to places I may not have ventured to on my own, I learn where locals eat and meet other travellers,’ says Harriet Baskas, founder of stuckattheairport.com.

In the worst-case scenario, you will connect with other travellers for just a few hours while learning something new and noteworthy about your destination. In the best case, you make new friends for a sundowner or future trips.

And maybe you will want to spend some time on your own. After all, being alone doesn’t equate to feeling lonely. ‘When arriving in a new place solo, get out and go for a meandering run with no plan. If you’re not a runner, just wander. You’ll soon get a feel for the place and settle in a bit. You’ll probably discover some surprises too,’ says travel writer Gabriel Leigh.

Use the no-compromise rule when travelling alone and follow your guts. Do something you would never do with your spouse or couldn’t do with your kids. Indulge, be adventurous or simply sit and people-watch.

How to meet people when travelling alone?

If you do want company, remember that travelling alone doesn’t mean you have to be alone 24/7. There is no solo travel police checking that you are doing it right and meeting new people is part of the fun, after all.

Pauline Langlois, an SEO project manager at KAYAK, says: ‘Using the Couchsurfing app is a great way to meet travellers and locals when you're travelling alone. The app is not just for finding a couch to sleep on; it's a community where you can ask for advice, get recommendations and join events organised by ambassadors’.

Whether you feel comfortable staying on a stranger’s couch or not, the right accommodation is key when travelling alone. ‘For meeting people, I find it best to stay at hostels. Some have single rooms and they’re not all party hostels,’ says Federica Ciancetta, video editor at KAYAK.

I agree with her and remember Moustache Hostel in Jaipur fondly. I arrived there after breaking up with my boyfriend at the time. What was meant to be a romantic trip for two had all of a sudden turned into an involuntary solo trip. To make the best of it, I booked a single room at Moustache and a walking tour organised by the hostel as soon as I arrived. Friends for life were made on this tour.

‘Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it and a hostel with a nice atmosphere can help you with that. I enjoy the company of others, so when I have travelled alone, I have prioritised getting to know people. I’ve done this through couch surfing, reaching out and asking if others wanted to meet for a coffee or do things together,’ says Fie Korum, head of content marketing at KAYAK.

I too have made a friend while simply striking up a conversation from one cafe table to the next at a beach in Koh Tao. Eventually, I awkwardly asked ‘would you like to have dinner sometime?’ and ended up with a new friend abroad.

Safety tips for travelling alone

Do check KAYAK's list of the top safest solo travel destinations as it is a great source of inspiration. However, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. Safety can be quite an illusion and it's important to have common sense wherever you travel.

Still, some general tips to help keep you safe when travelling alone:

1. ‘I find it important to always have a sense of self-awareness and even a healthy dose of anxiety. Travelling alone means no one else is looking out for you so it's key to be extra vigilant about your personal belongings and safety,’ says travel journalist Ramsey Quebein. Even feeling a bit on edge will keep you more vigilant and ultimately safer.
2. Read hotel reviews from other solo travellers and pay attention to their comments about the area. To navigate a new city, Marta Krywult, organic growth manager at KAYAK, recommends downloading an offline maps app like Maps.me before your trip. This way you can navigate without relying on internet access.
3. I always like to have an emergency fund at hand. This way I can pay for a cab instead of local transport when I first arrive, or use apps like Uber or Grab in Southeast Asia. Apps like these make it easier to get around, especially when in a country where you don’t speak the language and you can review drivers.
4. ‘Share your location and/or itinerary with 1–2 close family or friends and check in with them regularly throughout your trip,’ advises Sarah Rauth, manager for brand marketing at KAYAK. It’s not only nice to keep in touch with your loved ones at home but this also adds a layer of safety.
5. Get trip and travel health insurance and read the Travel Advisories. While I think those are sometimes overly cautious, some insurances won’t cover you when going to a destination with a travel warning.
6. Make digital copies of your important documents and email them to yourself. This way you can still identify yourself if something gets lost or stolen.
7. Travellers’ cheques and large amounts of cash are cumbersome in most places. Instead, take at least two bank cards and don’t keep them in the same place.
8. At the beginning I like to eat early and close to my accommodation in the evening. This way, I can be home before it gets dark.

How do you travel alone as a woman?

Solo travel for women has become more than a trend in recent years, it is almost a movement. I have quite a bit of experience travelling alone as a woman and will admit – while nothing will deter me, it would be ignorant to say that men and women always travel the same.

There are countries and situations where I have to adapt and adjust to feel safe. My most important rule: I am not afraid to offend and to say no. I’d rather be reserved and maybe a little bit cold than overly friendly. Simply because this can be misconstrued in certain cultures and situations.

If I'm feeling in any way uncomfortable, I won't tell strangers or someone I just met where I'm staying. Some women like to put on a fake wedding band, but I thankfully never saw the need for that.

In many countries like Japan, India and the UAE, there are taxis and public transport just for women. I will use this option sometimes, especially in the evening.

Ultimately I think most women know how to navigate this world and what we need to do to keep ourselves safe(r). This applies to our homes and the rest of the world. However, just like on any other trip, I do make sure to check customs and local dress code before travelling somewhere new.

Especially when heading to a more conservative country, covering up may or may not keep you safe but always shows respect toward the locals. After all, you are a visitor and I think respecting local culture is essential to any trip.

Final solo travel tips

It’s okay if some days feel a bit off. Not everything will run smoothly and not every travel day will be fun. I allow myself to miss home, stay in my hotel room to binge Netflix and order pizza. Sometimes finding a bit of routine is just what I need to enjoy the adventure again.

Share the memories you are making. This can be through a journal, an Instagram account or simply by sending pictures to your family at home. I usually Facetime with my mother who is always amazed that I can bring the world to her living room thanks to technology.

And remember – it’s okay to not like travelling alone. Once you’ve tried it, that is.

Looking for more solo travel inspiration and tips? Check out KAYAK and OpenTable's solo travel and dining guide.