Even if you’re confident in other aspects of your life, travelling by yourself can feel like a big step. But solo travel doesn’t have to mean being fearless; it’s simply about opening yourself up to new experiences and taking chances. Whether you’re planning to get away for a weekend or you want to embrace faraway adventures, you can learn some practical tips to help you feel empowered to take the leap and start exploring the world by yourself.
Write your bucket list
The amazing thing about solo travel is that you’re in charge! You get to decide where you want to go and when, planning trips that suit you and nobody else. So the first thing you need to ask yourself is, where do you want to go? Start writing your bucket list of destinations you want to visit, so you can start planning how to get to them. If you need some inspiration, then some of the safest destinations for solo female travellers include:
- Iceland
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- New Zealand
- Estonia
- Portugal
- Canada
Start with smaller adventures
If you’ve never travelled by yourself before, you might want to build up to it and start with a shorter, familiar or more local trip to help you build up your confidence before you move on to other plans. A city break in the UK could be a good way to start – you won’t be far from home and everything will more or less be familiar to you. Consider an eco-friendly staycation as a unique and exciting way to see more of the UK.
You could also try things like going out for dinner alone or to the cinema/theatre if you don’t already do these things. Becoming a confident solo traveller means becoming comfortable with your own company, so you can prepare by doing more of these things at home.
Build up to trips that are further away
Once you’ve got used to the idea of travelling solo and gained confidence exploring places by yourself, you can start planning adventures further away. Whether you want to enjoy a beach holiday in the Med or you want to embark on a walking tour of somewhere exotic, you can start making plans according to where you want to go. You’ll soon build up the time you spend away, becoming more confident with every trip.
Consider organised travel routes
Being a solo traveller doesn’t necessarily have to mean travelling completely alone. If you lack confidence with planning itineraries or booking travel, or simply want some company during your trip, then consider organised travel routes to help give you that little extra boost. You can find organised trips that are designed exclusively for solo travellers, bringing people together to share experiences and enjoy safe travel, or you could simply book yourself onto a tour where you could find yourself with other singles, groups and couples. This is a fantastic way to meet some new people, and could lead to some long-lasting relationships as you bond over your shared travels.
Try a cruise
Another way to enjoy safe solo travel is by embarking on a cruise. Cruises are an excellent way to explore multiple destinations in one trip, with the option of taking part in different excursions so you can see the best of the places you visit. Cruises not only give you the chance to enjoy some incredible experiences, like a Mekong river cruise or a trip to the Norwegian Fjords, but you can also spend time enjoying the amenities on board. From fine dining to relaxing by the pool, you can take the time to do the things you want, when you want – and that can’t be said for all holidays! Cruises have some amazing itineraries that are making them more and more popular, so if you want to dip your toes into solo travel, this could be the way to do it.
Become a careful planner
When you travel by yourself, you’re in charge of the planning. Many people can feel overwhelmed by this, but learning how to plan a trip will soon help you cover everything you need to know. It’s important to be thorough, and to ensure that all of your confirmations, documents and routes are organised and kept safe, ready for you to consult them when you need them. Fortunately, there are a lot of tools, especially AI tools, that can help make planning a trip that much easier.
Always double and triple-check your plans, and always have an emergency fund available in case you need to make alternative arrangements.
Always put your safety first
The most important thing to do when travelling solo is to put your safety first. No matter how confident you become during your adventures, your safety is the most important thing. The UK Gov website has some excellent information about solo and independent travel, helping you stay safe while overseas and highlighting different organisations that can help you.
Keep digital records of all of your plans so that you can access them anywhere, and keep in touch with family and friends back home. Make sure someone always knows where you are, and send copies of your itinerary so people can check in on you. Always avoid putting yourself in dangerous situations, and if you ever feel unsafe or have a bad experience, you can always come home – your safety is always the priority.
Document your adventures
One of the things people miss when they travel by themselves is being able to share experiences with others – but who says you can’t? Why not document your solo adventures and share them with the world? From starting a TikTok account to writing a blog, you can share your thoughts, photos and memories and perhaps inspire other people to travel too! There is an incredible online travel community that will help you feel as though you’re experiencing it with others, even when you’re on your own.
Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so don’t wait for others to enjoy it! Design your own trips and explore the world. Your confidence will soar when you travel independently, so start planning your first solo trip now!