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A Step by Step Guide for Planning Your First Solo Trip!

Last Updated on 2nd March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

If you’re looking to book your first solo trip, then this post was made for you! Whatever your reasons for deciding to go it alone, taking a solo adventure is one of the most fun ways to travel and you likely won’t regret it. Here’s a step by step guide for planning your first solo trip; tried and tested solo travel tips, tricks, and practical advice included…

Planning your first solo trip: considerations, tips, tricks & practical advice for your first time travelling alone!

How I got started with solo travel

When I was younger, I was scared to even walk to the next aisle of the supermarket without my Mum. I would never have imagined that I’d have the courage to stay in a  hostel on my own or move to a new country by myself or even be writing about solo female travel hacks!

Solo female travel has been on the rise the past couple of years and it’s only set to increase even more as we decide to see the world on our own terms. Now, exploring my home town or even heading to a new city for a couple of nights solo doesn’t daunt me.

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How to get started with solo travel

Decide on your destination

Not all travel destinations are created equal and nor are all destinations as easy to visit as one another. First things first, you’ll need to decide on your destination. And it doesn’t have to be too far away either. Instead, pick somewhere where you think you might feel comfortable visiting.

Maybe you speak a little of the local language, perhaps you have friends or family in a city nearby. If you want to get out of your comfort zone but are feeling a little nervous, then selecting a destination that’s not 100% out of your usual life is the way to go.

travel quotes by women

Practice solo travel at home

Once you’ve decided on your destination, before you even book anything, practice at home first! What I mean by this is try to go to dinner on your own (here are my best tips for dining alone), watch a movie in your local cinema or take yourself around a museum solo. Basically, get used to travelling by yourself within the environment you’re used to. It may sound silly but it totally works!

In fact, it’s at this point, before you’ve decided to go away, that you might realise you’re not sure if you want to go it alone. While nerves are normal, as is feeling a little awkward about being by yourself (I still get nervous before trips!), you might realise that travelling alone just isn’t for you.

One of my best friends hates travelling alone. It’s not that she can’t do it or anything. It’s just that she literally doesn’t like it very much. Instead, the joy in travelling for her lies in sharing the experience with the people she cares about. And that’s totally fine! Solo travel isn’t for everyone and that’s obviously okay.

Have a few plans in place in advance

While it can be daunting, scary and downright exciting to arrive in a destination with literally no plans, when it comes to your first trip, you may well want to plan a few elements in advance while in the comfort of your own home.

Perhaps plan to reserve a hotel/ dorm room for at least the first night of your trip and plan how you’ll reach said accommodation. Having an itinerary for when you arrive will take a lot of pressure off the ‘solo’ aspect of your trip.

Hameau de la Reine

Consider a group tour

If you’re still not sure about going it alone, then a group tour is a great way to go on your own but with all of the nitty-gritty details planned out. My first ever solo adventure was a trip to a destination I’d been dreaming about ever since I was little (two weeks across many of the highlights of Italy).

However, as a teenager on my first solo trip, I was incredibly nervous about going it alone (and this was in the days before travel blogs/ travel YouTubes were ‘a thing’).

Instead, I opted to join a group tour where I’d have travel companions and an already set itinerary built into the framework of the trip. In the end, I had a whole load of fun, made lots of friends, and it gave me the confidence to plan my whole next solo trip entirely on my own!

Ruined and abandoned Church of St Peter the Poor Fisherman, Revelstoke, South Hams, South Devon, England

Pack light(ish)

When travelling, you barely ever use as much as you think you need. This is especially important to remember when you’re going alone and there won’t (necessarily) be anyone to help you with your luggage!

Make sure to pack light (perhaps even going hand luggage only) and make sure that you’re able to easily move your baggage around on your own. Only take what you need and lead everything but the necessities back at home.

Wearing layers and creating a capsule wardrobe for your travels can also vastly reduce the number of things you need to bring with you. When it comes to packing, look up clothing guides online (Pinterest and search engines are a great place to start) so that you’ll be able to dress like a local and blend in as much as possible.

Consider purchasing a phrasebook in the local language of where you’re visiting, as well as printing off some maps of the area you’re going in case your phone runs out of battery/ breaks/ etc. And while we’re on the subject of travel gear, make sure that all of your bags have zips and well-concealed pockets in which to place your valuables.

Le Stanze del Cardinale Review, Pavia Hotel and B&B accommodation, Lombardy, Northern Italy

Always have several travel funds at the ready

On my recent solo trip to the South of France, I decided to just travel with one form of payment (my debit card) which I’ve also done on plenty of occasions before. I also had a £5 note and €2.75 in change.

Needless you say, you can guess what happened next. The very first machine I put my debit card into in a train station damaged by card! Literally, the first time I tried to use my card while abroad on that trip.  

For the rest of the trip, I was too worried to withdraw funds from any ATM as they often swallow damaged cards. This also meant that every time I went to pay for something, I just hoped my contactless (and now temperamental chip and pin) would carry on working okay.

Luckily it did! Anyway, my silly/ self-inflicted mistake demonstrates that it’s important to travel with at least two different cards (one debit, one credit) as well as some cash.

While you don’t want to carry around too much cash, having around $50 hidden somewhere away from your main bag and on your person (think in your shoe/ bra) is always a good idea for emergencies. Lesson learned!

Orangerie Paris

Confidence, Exploring & Nerves

On your first solo trip, it’s only natural to be nervous. When you’re walking around, stroll with confidence and look like you know what you’re doing and where you’re going.

You know, fake it ’til you make it! If you do need to get out your phone/ map to check you’re headed in the right direction, then going into a coffee shop to go through your bag is likely your best bet.

If you're looking to book your first solo trip, then this post was made for you! Whatever your reasons for deciding to go it alone, taking a solo adventure is one of the most fun ways to travel and you likely won't regret it! Here's a step by step guide for planning your first solo trip

Keep in touch while you’re away

Today, with data being cheaper than ever, and with WiFi available in coffee shops, bars, hotels, and airports throughout the world, keeping in touch with people back home couldn’t be easier.

You can even make use of apps such as ‘Find My’ by Apple that allow approved people (for me it’s my parents) to check the location of where your phone/ laptop is at any given time.

Give a friend/ family member/ partner your itinerary before you leave and plan to check in with them every so often. If something does happen and you don’t get in touch, then your friend/ family member/ partner can alert the relevant people.

With this being said, don’t post your live location on social media. This is particularly important if you’re travelling on your own. I always wait a couple of days after leaving a place to update my social media with where I’ve visited. That way, I’ll be long gone before the time that I say I’ve been in a place.

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Keep multiple copies of essential information

One of the key travel tips I could give you in this beginner’s guide to solo travel is to keep multiple backup copies of essential information such as family/ friends’ numbers, local emergency numbers in a small booklet in case your phone gets stolen.

I also recommend having a photocopy of your passport/ travel insurance handy to leave with someone back home in the event that you lose your belongings or they’re stolen.

Research your accommodation in advance

Whether you’re staying in a hostel or opting to splurge out on a special hotel, if there’s one thing I’ve learned during my years of travelling alone it’s that there are plenty of times where the accommodation you’re expecting looks nothing like the photos! As such, be sure to always read the reviews before booking somewhere to avoid dissapointment.

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Read up about any scams/ dangers of a place

I don’t say this to put you off going on your first trip, but it’s essential to plan well in advance before visiting a destination in order to get a feel for any dangers/ scams that might be in place before you arrive.

For example, while Paris as a solo traveller is fairly safe, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a fair amount of petty crimes and common tourist scams. In the same vein, I recommend always travelling with a crossbody bag as it is harder to pickpocket.

Get travel insurance

Perhaps this is a surprising way to make the most of any trip, including your first solo trip but it is probably the most important. I often hear people saying ‘If you can’t afford travel insurance, then you can’t afford to travel’.

And to be honest, they’re probably not wrong. Having travel insurance ensures peace of mind and can help you to avoid potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt. Even the healthiest person can have accidents and you never know when.

With travel insurance, you can carry on exploring, snapping photos (check here for my best tips to take photos of yourself as a solo traveller) and making new friends, safe in the knowledge that, should the worst happen, you’re covered. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to come home with a tourist t-shirt, let alone $100,000 in unpaid hospital bills!

All in all, solo travel is really fun but your safety is still the number one priority. And while I’m on the topic of safety, make sure you have travel insurance!

Villefranche-sur-Mer seen from a distance

Essential solo female travel tips

Never keep all of your money in the same place

If your wallet is stolen and it’s your only source of money, then it’s going to be a lot harder to do things. Keep some emergency money hidden in your bag in a place like underwear, a sock or within a book. The point is to have funds spread over multiple locations, as opposed to just in your purse!

On this note, you should also be sure to have multiple forms of payment, such as multiple credit cards and some cash available. This way, if one of your cards is lost, stolen, breaks, or is blocked, then you’ll have some emergency backup money!

Never keep your various IDs in the same place

Same theory as the money (but probably way more important depending on where you are). If your wallet/ bag is stolen, then you’ll also lose your only ID.

I’d recommend taking photocopies of your important identification and leaving multiple copies at home with friends and loved ones. Similarly, if you’re travelling with multiple bags, leave a copy or two in each bag. 

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Never drink too much alcohol

Of all the solo travel tips I could give, I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. If you get super drunk and have no idea what you’re doing, no one is there to look after you. Even worse, there are always bad people around who will be actively looking to prey on your vulnerability- especially as a woman.

When travelling solo, I’ll limit myself to a maximum of one glass of wine with a nice meal. I could probably drink more and be fine but it’s just not worth the risk. It’s also worth noting that I implement this policy both at home and abroad. 

Keep an eye on your drink (all your drinks- not just the alcoholic ones)

You should obviously always watch your drinks when you’re at home but this rule especially applies when you’re abroad and might not even speak the language.

Never accept drinks from people you don’t trust (read below). This also goes for previously opened tins and bottles of water/ coca cola etc.

I always buy my own bottled drinks and carry them with me. If I were ever in a bar, I would make sure to watch the barman too (some friends have horror stories about this). Like I said, you can never be too careful, especially when you’re voyaging alone!

The Broken Arm Coffee Shop in Le Marais, Paris, France

Don’t trust people too easily

I’m not saying that you should lock yourself away and never talk to anyone. Some of the best people I’ve met were in bars in Paris, cafés in Italy and across Canada.

However, this doesn’t mean to say that everyone who’s nice to you is actually a nice person. Keep your wits about you, your valuables close and never ever ever get drunk around people you’ve only just met.

Arrive somewhere during the day

As a woman travelling alone, there are some policies and personal solo travel tips that I always try and stick to, no matter what the destination.

For example, arriving in a new city can be daunting, even when you’re with a travel partner. Arriving at night can be downright terrifying and it can be much harder to find your bearings post dusk. As such, I always plan to arrive in a new destination during the day.

Research where you’re going

It’s important to look up a city before you go. Print off maps and addresses or write them down somewhere. Technology can (and often will) fail when you need it most so it’s important to make sure you don’t rely on it too heavily. 

Similarly, if you’re not familiar with the local language, make sure you have at least a simple phrasebook. Be wary of any tourist scams that take place in the area you’re visiting (read more: 5 Parisian Tourist Scams and how to avoid them).

Buy Travel Insurance BEFORE you go

This tip really isn’t just for solo female travellers, but a relevant travel hack for everyone. If you can’t afford travel insurance, then you can’t afford to travel. Even if you’re the healthiest person in the World, you still never know when accidents can happen. 

The town of Amarante

Look after yourself (and give yourself breaks)

Of all the solo female travel hacks listed here, looking after yourself is arguably the most important. Take regular breaks and don’t let yourself get too worn out or tired. Make sure to keep eating plenty of healthy fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water.

When I was in Canada, I ended up with a kidney infection due to not looking after myself properly. I had no one to remind me to look after myself but me and I didn’t pay enough attention.

If you’re taking any medication (including contraception), make sure that you bring enough to cover your trip and more in case your trip gets extended for any reason. 

The main rule that underlies all these hacks is prevention is better than cure. Also, it’s always important to remember that tour safety and health is always more important than material possessions.

Keep in touch with friends and family

Make sure that someone knows where you are (whenever you can). If you’re travelling to a new city or staying in a new hostel/ hotel, let someone back home know and make a point of telling your loved ones when you’ll be checking in with them.

That way, if the worst does happen and you don’t check in, then someone is looking out for you and knows all the details of your last movements.

amalfi coast

Reasons to travel alone

The cry of a baby piercing my eardrums. The sweet smell of salty air whipping through my hair. And the warm feeling of the sun on my skin. All sights, smells and sensations I experienced while travelling Europe alone for the first time a few years ago.

So do you fancy going solo this year? Do you want to have these experiences (and more) while exploring the world on your own for the first time? Here are some very good reasons to travel alone!

You’ll get to know yourself better!

Of all the reasons to travel alone, this is probably the best excuse to go. If you go alone, you’ll get to know yourself better and quicker than with any other method of travel.

Without the constant compromise of travelling with a companion, you’ll quickly get to know your favourite travel styles (adventure? luxury? budget?), as well as your favourite foods and methods for forming friendships.

You’ll have great stories (that only you will be able to tell)

Sure, you can’t do that thing with your friends where you say “remember that time when…?”, but you’ll have equally great stories to tell, if not better when you venture out on your own. After all, the stories you’ll be able to tell will be unique, yours, and yours alone.

You’ll become a better problem solver

When you’re travelling alone, you and only you can solve any problems you might encounter. From language barriers to securing accommodation while travelling, going solo forces you to stand on your own two feet and become a better problem solver in the process.

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You’ll appreciate your own company

Bar distractions from your phone and constant social media notifications (disable these- you’ll thank me later!), when you travel alone, you learn to love and appreciate being your own best friend. You’ll quickly figure out the easiest way to eat alone and the art of dining for one.

You’ll soon realise that it’s not embarrassing rocking up to a restaurant, enquiring for a table for one, and pulling out that book everyone told you that you ‘must read’!

Learning to appreciate your own company is one of the best skills you can get from travelling alone, and it will teach you that there’s always a way of curing boredom, you need only search for the key!

You’ll learn a new language quicker

If the purpose of your trip is to improve your language skills, then there is no easier way to hone those abilities than to completely immerse yourself in a country where that language is spoken.

Without the company of friends, family or even a partner, you’ll be forced into speaking the language that much quicker- which can only ever be a good thing.

You can do whatever you like, whenever you like

When you travel with someone else (even if it’s your partner/ best friend), then you always have to compromise. But when you travel alone, you can be a little selfish at times. Fancy a little lie in one morning? Do it.

Equally, if you fancy getting up incredibly early and experiencing a solo sunrise, then go for it! Similarly, you can budget or splurge as much as you want each meal time- and no one can judge you for it.

The thing is, when you’re travelling solo, you can really do whatever you like, whenever you like, and this includes the myriad of opportunities waiting for you should you opt to sit back and people watch in a café!

learning to let go

You’ll meet more people!

Travelling alone doesn’t have to equal lonely. Instead, it provides you with the perfect opportunity to make plenty of friends, all over the world.

Without a group of people to chat to when you reach your hostel, instead, head to the common room area and get chatting with fellow travellers.

You’ll soon make fast friends with new people, and maybe even get great recommendations for the best takeouts and must-see spots in town while you’re at it.

You’ll be pushed out of your comfort zone (and that’s a good thing)

Being pushed out of your comfort zone will ensure that you become more confident and able in your abilities to do your own thing, make decisions and stand firm in them.

When you’re pushed out of your comfort zone, you’re forced to increase your horizons and contemplate things you’ve never even considered before.

Just remember that travelling alone is safe, you should still take safety precautions everywhere you go- especially if you’re a solo female traveller.

el cotillo cove

You’ll learn self-discipline

With no one else reminding you that you have to be at the airport at a certain time to catch your flight, or that it’s now time to hydrate as it’s been a little while since you last drank some water (and no one wants to get sick or dehydrated on the road).

Self-discipline is a valuable skill that will translate into all other areas of your life; work, family, friendships- and it’s the kind of skill you’ll easily acquire if you choose to go alone this year.

Your self confidence will improve

You may not notice this at first, but soon enough, your self-confidence will improve and you’ll soon discover that you’re able to do much more than you ever thought you could.

After all, after exploring cities on your own, taking flights solo, and you’ll soon be rewarded with opportunities you never thought were previously possible!

Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec

You are in charge of the budget

Though booking solo rooms can be a tough pill to swallow when you’re used to splitting the cost of a room with a partner or friend, you can easily make up for this by setting your travel budget as to what you actually want to do.

If you want to splurge on a fancy meal you can. Alternatively, if you’d rather pinch the pennies then this is also perfectly possible. The point is that when you travel alone, you alone are responsible for the travel budget and there’s no need to compromise!

It’s fun; enough said!

If there’s only one reason you give yourself to give solo travel a try this year, remember this one thing: solo travel is fun. And if you take the plunge and decide to go solo travelling this year, it might turn out to be the very best decision you make this year!

Enjoyed reading this step by step guide for planning your First Solo Trip? Pin it now, read it again later:

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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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