Frequent Solo Travelers Are Sharing Their Best Tips, Tricks, And Hacks For An Unforgettable Trip

Hi! I'm Fabiana, and I recently wrote a post about my first solo trip that I took back in May. It was not only a life-changing experience — I also learned a lot of useful tips along the way, such as how to pack, the best way to plan a trip by myself, and how to stay safe while traveling alone, especially as a woman.

I turned to the BuzzFeed Community to ask my fellow friends on the Internet who have traveled alone to share their experience and their best tips and tricks for others who are considering solo travel but are hesitant to go about it.

1."What I learned from solo traveling was to schedule my arrival at destinations during weekdays and daylight hours. You never know when you might need help and a lot of places like visitors centers and banks aren't open late or on the weekend. I arrived in Geneva on a Sunday and nothing was open, the only place I could get dinner was at the train station and I was very lucky to get that."

2."My first solo trip was to Joshua Tree National Park and to this day it remains one of my favorite trips. I had been living in California and was about to move back home and was upset that I hadn’t gotten to go."

"I had a few days off work coming up and a coworker told me to just go for it, so I did. I booked the hotel the night before, packed my trunk full of snacks and water (this was early August I went), drove up early that morning, and spent the whole day in the park.

"That trip sparked my love of traveling alone. Before I had missed out on things I wanted to do because I never had anyone to go with, and that day, I realized I’d rather experience something by myself than not experience it at all. Since then I’ve done multiple solo trips in the US, I haven’t done a solo international trip yet but I would love to one day. Just stay safe, research where you’re going, and always make sure at least one person knows where you’re at! Take the trip ladies!"

—Anonymous, 29

3."Street view on Google Maps can be your best friend. If you’re a visual person like me it really helps to see the places you’ll be driving or walking, turns or buildings will look familiar and you won’t look lost or out of place."

4."I traveled to NYC alone when I was 18 to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade and honestly it was the best experience. There were other people in my group but I didn’t know them, and I traveled solo. Flying alone is great because you can move at your own pace and it avoids arguments. Traveling alone means you get to have full control over what you do and where you eat."

—Anonymous

5."I am single and in my 50s, so I mostly travel by myself and have been all over (mostly Europe). Most of my vacations have taken place in cities and my #1 tip is to plan out days where you visit museums, go on walking tours, and get tickets in advance for these activities. Make sure to leave unplanned days where you just wander about. Both experiences are equally valuable!"

6."I went to San Diego and the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon solo for a few days each. It was slightly terrifying but I kept reminding myself that no one would notice I was from out of town. First thing I did in both locations was go to Walmart and buy a pocket knife to give myself peace of mind. I picked fun music to hype me up in the car since I spent a lot of time driving around. I almost didn't do a hike after seeing no one was there, but then I waited and a nice couple pulled up and let me hike with them!"

"We enjoyed getting to know each other and I'm so glad I didn't get scared and drive off or I would've missed out on a hike with amazing views! I also treated myself to a nice meal in both places and sat down in the restaurant rather than taking the food to go, which were great decisions. Both had great service and views. I made sure I wasn't out at dark and tried to get going as soon as the sun came up to make the most of my day. I still think back fondly on those trips and can't describe the new level of independence I felt afterwards."

—Neesha, 28

7."If you have a long layover in a major airport, check out those private lounges that all the business folks hang out in. A lot of the time they have a reasonably decent one day fee. I did this a lot when I was travelling as a young woman. It was about $20 at the time, which sounds like a lot, but they usually have food, private bathrooms, big comfortable chairs, and you can ask the front desk to come get you just before your flight so you can catch some sleep. Some business guys might look at you funny, but just act like you belong there and no one will bother you at all."

8."Currently typing from my first solo trip! After a rough breakup about three weeks before vacation, I decided I wasn’t going to let that trip go to waste. The breakup forced me to travel alone, something I’ve been meaning to do! Now that I’ve done it, I want to do it again. I love the freedom of not needing anyone's permission or opinion on places to go, or things to eat. I know a lot of people get nervous about going on their own but trust me, just do it!"

—Meg, 29

9."Pick a place with lots of solo things to do like walks, museums, castles which are kinda nice things to do alone. Bring some amazing books, do a walking tour, hit up a pub crawl. All ways to meet new people. I always worry about being lonely but I very rarely am."

10."I traveled east coast Australia by myself when I was 18 for about two months. On my first solo trip, I was terrified and there were definitely times I missed having close friends from home. On the whole, though, I barely had any time alone as staying in hostels means you constantly have new people to talk to. I find the best way to start a conversation is with a compliment about something and then it goes from there most of the time (especially in hostels) people are keen to meet people."

"I wouldn’t say it was a life-changing experience but it definitely gave me a bit more self-confidence and proved to myself that I’m good at talking to new people (which I often find scary). Safety-wise I think I just used common sense but just made sure I was sharing my location with some people from home at all times and kept them very up to date with my plans."

—Lexi, 19

11."Before getting in an Uber, taxi, or Lyft, make a huge show of taking a photo of the license plate, to 'send to your parents/friends/partner' that you’re going to be meeting in the next hour. Be very open about safety, babble on about how you have to track on your phone, you have friends in the area. A legitimate driver will understand, a creep will (hopefully) think twice."

12."I booked a last-minute solo trip to St. Lucia and I am a total solo-trip enthusiast now. Entering and exiting the country were the toughest parts due to Covid testing (February 2022), but nothing a quick google couldn’t help with. I recommend Airbnb (I stayed at 'Simon Says') if you are on a budget, but stay at a resort for the last night. Most resorts can schedule a Covid test on-site the day before you depart. Otherwise, you are at the whim of local clinics with unposted hours and ever changing schedules."

—Bridget C, 33

13."If you can, plan ahead for jet lag by slowly adjusting your sleep routine before your trip. You don’t have to go completely nocturnal, but even a few hours will make a difference. When you land, try to do something right away and go to bed at a reasonable time. Also, stay hydrated!"

14."Most tourists I met during my trip did not have as much fun as I did! They felt reliant on private drivers and tour guides. Not me. I hate feeling trapped, so I made sure to secure a rental car before I landed and it was the best decision I made. You can drive around the entire island in one day. I didn’t do that, but I did drive all the way from the South to the North side of the island."

—Anonymous

15."Obviously do the research, especially if you’re a woman traveling solo. That’s a given for safety alone. But on top of that, don’t be afraid to splurge on those experiences you budget-worry over. Get that fancy cocktail at the overpriced cover of a rooftop bar. Indulge in the multi-course meal at an upscale joint. Get an Uber back to your hotel when you’ve exhausted yourself walking everywhere. Remember that bread, cheese and fruit make an excellent, and cheap, meal on the go to make up for some of the pricier, but worth it, fun times. Pro-tip: Most hotels and hostels have those individual peanut butter packs that you can take with you for some easy sandwiches later."

—lindyf461ece048

16."Taking my first international solo trip was one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done! It helped beat the narrative that there’s just one particular way your life is supposed to look or that you have to wait until things fall into place romantically, socially, and professionally before you do X. Live the life you have, not the one you’re waiting for. As for safety, share your itinerary with a few others back home, including Airbnb host info, and hotel phone numbers, or share your location on your iPhone with a friend. Always bring an external phone charger."

17."Solo travel can be really freeing because you can do whatever you want whenever you want, but it also means that you have sole responsibility for looking after yourself. Especially as a woman, be careful telling people you're traveling alone- especially if you're out at bars or clubs. Watch your drinks and be safe! Also, portable chargers are a lifesaver. Looking at directions on your phone drains the battery quickly, and you don't want to be stuck in a city you don't know without knowledge of how to get back to your lodgings."

—ashtodust

18."I learned very quickly how to depend on myself. As both a young woman and someone from a small, somewhat sheltered community, I realized just how big the world truly is. However, traveling alone made it a lot smaller. I learned to see people both similar and different than me as people, because that’s what they are, regardless of origin, race, and class. People are just people, which is a beautiful thing. My advice is to treat everyone kindly and respectfully and be open to others treating you the same. I realized just how kind one stranger usually is to another in times of need. That being said, listen to yourself if something feels off or you get a bad feeling about someone. The saying is true: better safe than sorry!"

19."I love traveling solo. Someone gave me some great advice for figuring out your itinerary and what you want to see. For every city, you're going to, make a list with three sections. The first one is 'must see,' the second one is 'would like to see' and the third is 'if there is time.' Then plot ALL of them on a custom Google map and plan your days based on areas of the city. This way, I cover SO much ground and still have time to relax and enjoy myself, because I figured out how to efficiently visit the places I want to see."

—cailian13

20."Do your research and book ahead! It may seem like overkill to book hotel rooms or campsites in advance, but the time you don’t have to spend agonizing over decisions or hunting for an affordable and available place to stay is time you can spend exploring and being spontaneous. Knowing where you’re going to land also reduces the risk you might end up alone and without a place to sleep in a dangerous or risky environment."

21."When you reach your destination absolutely research where you're going and how to get there. I made sure I knew what train lines to get on before arriving at the station so I didn't look like a tourist trying to figure out the system and so my mind wouldn't be plagued with the fear of getting lost in a strange place. It's been said already but I think it's a major one."

—ddmill

22."I traveled by myself for the first time this year when I spent a month in Scotland. I’d been having a bit of a slow, drawn-out existential crisis the past couple of years (but really, who hasn’t been?) and this time alone in a completely new, judgment-free place helped me come to terms with a lot of things. I spent my twenties doing what I thought I was supposed to do: go to college, get a job, find the guy to settle down with, and start a family. But since I turned 30, that all changed. I still have a great job, but the alleged perfect guy is gone and I’ve realized that I don’t actually want children."

"This solo trip helped me accept that I can still be happy even though my life hasn’t turned out the way I thought it was supposed to. I don’t have to follow the traditional path that I was raised with or do what society thinks a thirty-something-year-old woman should do. I don’t know how long it would have taken me to reach this point if I hadn’t challenged my own views and fears with this trip. As for tips for other female travelers, do it! You won’t regret it."

—K, 32

23."Pick a place you could enjoy just being in, not doing anything. My fave vacay was a two-week solo trip in London, and my fave parts were chilling in Hyde Park, strolling Kew gardens, and staring at items for as long as I wished in the V&A museum. No obligations, no time pressure, no one asking if it's dinner yet. Added bonus: being alone lets you take advantage of last-minute deals easier, like seeing Patrick Stewart perform on stage and then meeting him after!"

24."I'm a 20-year-old girl and I have been on my first ever solo trip this year in June. I went to Turkey and was there for 15 days. For my whole life, I didn't do any activities alone because I thought that that was lame. I had to go on this trip alone, for medical reasons and I must say that it was a life-changing experience. I went out to eat every day alone, I went to cafes, and museums, and walks around the city all alone, and I never even thought about doing that before. I also made new friends along the way and met and talked with so many people. The biggest tip I can give is that you can do anything you want all alone, and not be afraid of what others may think of you."

—Sumeja, 20

25."I went on a solo trip to Washington D.C. this summer. It was the first time I have traveled without my parents and was in charge of planning the whole thing, which was a little daunting. Because I'd never done it before, I researched every little thing to help me feel less anxious. For example, I looked at the route from the metro station to my hotel on street view to see what it would look like while walking. While over-planning did make me feel more confident, I ultimately didn't follow my plan once I got there. Instead of going into the city the first night I got there, I stayed at the hotel and went to bed early."

26."I traveled on my own multiple times. Different countries, seasons, and reasons. I can look back and see these were single-handedly the best experiences of my life. Recommendations: stay in hostels, take advantage of the kitchen or group atmosphere. You never know the connections you’ll make or at least the memories. I made paella in Spain because the hostel was offering a chance to cook with one of the worker's Abuelita. I did a sunset walk in Stonehenge (only offered a few times a year) because the hostel had a sign/discount for it. Learn everything, see everything and commit to it with an open mind, somehow it will still be expanded beyond understanding."

—Sarah, 30

27."I have done five solo trips and loved every one of them. One important safety tip is to make sure someone has at least a rough outline of your travel plans. Flights, what cities you'll be in on what days, what hotels you'll be at. Share the big details that you know."

"It also can be good to have an agreed-upon check-in schedule, so that if something happens to you your people at home know sooner. When I'm traveling I text my sister when I arrive and at least every other day. If something happened to me she would notice my lack of contact fairly quickly and could sound the alarm."

—coppertortoise79

28."I did a solo trip to Vienna. And my biggest tip is to not overwhelm yourself with activities. I took a lot of breaks and it definitely helped with being calm cool and collected while alone! Especially since I didn’t speak the languages."

29."If you want to save on accommodations but still want your privacy, book a private room in a hostel. That way you get the best of both worlds."

—Tara, 29

30."I took my first solo trip when I was 20, and since then I try to always travel solo. You’re free to do whatever you want and you don’t have to coordinate your schedule with anyone else. Every time I travel solo, I meet so many people. People approach you more easily. Of course, trust your gut and don’t trust everyone. But there are way better than bad people. My best memories are from my solo trips."

—leag1

31."I have been exclusively solo traveling since 2011. My tip is don't be afraid to wander about. When I travel, I choose two activities I definitely want to do. As for the rest of my trip, I just wander and see what I find! It adds more excitement and adventure to the trip. For example: When I went to Boston my two chosen activities were going to Fenway and Cheers. Once I was there and wandering, I discovered the painted red line that takes you to all the significant historical sites in the city if you follow it. So I followed it, and it was pretty cool!"

32."My boyfriend of almost five years and I had broken up and I was feeling a little lost. We had been planning a trip to Portugal and I decided to go on it by myself. I already had the return flight booked and a loose itinerary of where I wanted to go. I booked a hostel for the first few nights and played the rest of the trip by ear and I loved it.

"I loved making every decision for myself and not having to worry about it compromising with another person. I spent two days with a couple I had met in line and we had a blast and another day with a guy I met in a restaurant. It was a blast! I’d recommend it to anyone. Be brave and say hello to people. Many people would love companionship for a day or meal. Hostels are great for meeting people as well and getting good tips for what to see or do!"

—Megan, 30

33."I went abroad myself for the first time this year and loved it! I am generally quite an independent person but I wasn't looking forward to eating evening meals myself so I have a few tips for anyone in a similar position: book a group dining experience (l went on a tapas tour and met so many amazing folks), book a hotel with room service (this took away all pressure when I didn’t want to eat out by myself) and bring a book or headphones as a distraction if you feel all eyes are on you — even though they won’t be! I loved getting to do the things only I wanted to do and would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of booking a solo trip."

—Rachel, 27

34."Research where you are going and ask about the location when you get to your accomodation. Knowing what is and isn’t appropriate to wear helps not draw unwanted attention to you as a solo female traveller. Asking safe ways to travel around the area helps keep you safe, I’ve travelled solo around various countries in Africa and South America so important to know the safe modes of transport and which areas are safe to walk around. And never tell a stranger you are travelling alone!"

Have you ever done a solo trip? If so, what tips can you share that weren't included in this list?