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I have been solo traveling a long time… and I mean long. My journey started in 2010. And when I first got started, I gotta be honest, I hated it.
I was traveling alone because I couldn’t find anyone to join me, and that made me feel pretty pathetic from the start.
I came up against many challenges in the beginning that made me want to quit!
But it’s a good thing I didn’t because solo traveling changed my whole life. And it can be just as transformative for you as it was for me.
But first, we need to establish all the things that make solo travel a drag and how to overcome them.
All the Things I Hated About Traveling Alone
Let me take you back to the beginning, to the year 2010. I had just turned 30, and I had no one to travel with—not happy about it.
Since I was desperate to travel and knew my only option was going alone, you could say I started my solo travels with a chip on my shoulder.
The mere idea of solo travel made me feel uncomfortable. I was convinced I was too old for solo travel and felt defensive when people would ask me why I was alone.
It’s funny to look back as most of the things that I cherish now were things I really hated when I got started.
So, let’s get into it!
#1. Eating Alone
Hated it! But only at first. When I first traveled solo to Italy, it was the eating alone part that really bothered me.
I felt like a complete outsider, sitting alone in a romantic country like Italy with no one to share the moment. I was convinced everyone around me thought I’d been recently dumped.
Little bit of truth: no one is thinking about you sitting alone at dinner but you. And once I ate alone a few times, I started to like it.
How to Overcome the Anxiety of Eating Alone
Keep yourself busy by having a task to accomplish while at the table.
For example…you can edit photos, catch up on text messages, plan your next day’s activities, or listen to a podcast.
I also recommend doing some restaurant research ahead before arriving. I wrote a more in-depth post about what make a restaurant good for solo dining.
The more prepared you are, the less anxiety you will experience when you arrive.
#2. Loneliness
Getting lonely was another top concern for my first solo trips. It went hand in hand with eating alone.
Won’t it be incredibly boring to travel alone? The answer is, sometimes. But traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely at all. There are MANY tricks to avoid loneliness when traveling solo.
How to Overcome Loneliness
If you want a surefire way to avoid the pangs of feeling lonely or bored, sign yourself up for a walking tour or group activity.
You can find very affordable or even free options when you research your destination. I personally love Get Your Guide for European travels.
Staying in a hostel or accommodations with a community room or co-working space can help too. These places often host little meetups or events, so you can pop by and get some socialization if you desire it.
Finally, if you just can’t handle going fully alone, join a group trip! In 2023, I started curating and hosting group trips for women exclusively in Europe!
#3. Cost
The cost of traveling alone can be a bummer. Those single supplements can really add up, and If I’m honest, I still hate this part about solo traveling!
The advantage of traveling with friends or partners is that you can split costs related to transit, accommodations, and sometimes even food.
But when you’re solo, you’re S-O-L, as they say 😉
How to Handle High Costs as a Solo Traveler
It goes without saying, that having a travel budget is essential but that’s not all…Some of my BEST travel hacks and tips to reduce costs on accommodations or flights involve getting well-versed with credit card points and frequent traveler programs.
When I say these are a game changer, I mean it. I have flown to Europe for next to nothing, only paying the taxes because I learned how to pair my airline credit cards with my loyalty programs.
Researching the destination and understanding where you might be able to save is also crucial. For example, at first glance the cost of a trip to Paris might seem through the roof, but it may not cost as much as you think!
In Paris you can get around using public transit for a very low cost, while on the Greek island of Milos, you’ll likely need to rent a car or take a taxi to reach certain spots.
Tricks to Travel Smarter
Learn how to help yourself travel smarter with the articles below!
#4. Safety Concerns
When I first started traveling alone, I was concerned about my safety. You read about big-city scenarios where danger ensues and think, “Well, that could happen to me!”
The truth is, danger can happen just as easily where you live as in many of the cities you plan to visit.
Remember, you’re planning the trip and have a lot of control over where you put yourself. There are plenty of ways to ensure your belongings and yourself are safe.
How to Address Safety Concerns
When I plan a trip, I use sites like Numbeo to get an idea of the crime levels in any given city. But here’s a tip: cross-reference that city with others you’ve been to!
For example, if you visited Dublin and felt very safe, check to see what its rating is to have a comparison. And don’t be too shocked when cities you felt safe in have higher crime ratings than expected.
Also, get some travel safety gear such as luggage locks, door safety locks, a cross-body bag, or even a portable safe.
Don’t forget the travel insurance! Even if the destination is safe, the airline could lose your bag, you could get sick, or misplace something.
#5. Logistical Stress
Planning a solo trip, especially a multi-city itinerary, can be overwhelming. The lack of a travel partner means every decision falls on you, from accommodation to transportation, and it’s easy to feel the weight of that responsibility.
Remember that the first few times you plan your own trip, you will likely make a mistake or ten. It’s all part of the process, trust me.
How to Ensure You Have a Good Trip Plan
You can always seek help from friends and family, or a professional like me, to review your trip and see if you’ve thought of everything, logically speaking.
Some of the most important logistical questions to ask yourself when planning a solo trip are:
- Have you considered your travel time to the airport or station?
- Is there enough buffer time for delays, traffic, or unexpected issues?
- Is your accommodation near public transportation or key sites?
- How accessible are buses, trains, or metro stations from your lodging? Will you be able to get around easily?
- Do you need to rent a car, or can you rely on public transport?
- Is public transportation reliable, or will a rental car give you more freedom and convenience for your itinerary?
- Do you know how to get from the airport to your lodging (e.g., shuttle, taxi, public transit)?
- Do you know the local transportation costs and payment methods?
- Will you need a transit pass or exact change for buses? Can you use rideshare apps?
- Is your accommodation in a safe area for walking alone at night?
- Have you researched the safety of the neighborhood, especially for solo travelers?
- Do you need a visa, travel authorization, or specific vaccinations before entry?
- Will the weather affect your plans (e.g., monsoon season, extreme heat/cold)?
- Will you have access to the internet or need a local SIM card for navigation and contacting people?
- Do you need to book tickets in advance for popular attractions?
- Are there any must-see sites or tours that require advance booking due to limited availability?
- Have you confirmed your flight/train times and any potential layovers?
- Do you have sufficient time during layovers or between connecting travel legs?
- Are there any local festivals or holidays during your trip that could affect availability?
- Do you have travel insurance that covers emergencies?
- Have you researched dining options near your accommodation?
✈️ Are You Ready to Travel Alone?: Take The Solo Travel Readiness Quiz!
Benefits of Solo Travel
While this post is all about the challenges of solo travel and how to address them, you might be wondering, what are the real benefits of traveling alone?
Traveling alone is a unique experience where you have the opportunity to learn something new about yourself and where you are in life.
In my experience, every solo trip brings up something different for me. For example, on my trip to Greece, I realized how unhappy I was in the city I was currently living in, and it was time to make a change.
On another trip, I realized that I needed to build more aligned friendships and take my career more seriously.
You just never know what might occur to you when you are traveling alone.
The alone time gives you space to reflect, and when you are traveling, you are also problem-solving, which is why it can be so transformative.
Conclusion
Traveling alone is one of the most empowering experiences you can have in this world. And don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t come without its challenges.
But when you think about anything worthwhile, there’s usually always a component of challenge in there.
Consider all these common solo travel challenges and understand the solutions on how to avoid them.
I promise you’ll be happy you did!
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