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I used to think solo travel meant boarding a plane alone and navigating a completely unfamiliar country by yourself. Honestly, that sounded intimidating to me. For a long time, I assumed solo travel was only for extremely confident travelers or people who truly enjoyed doing everything alone.
Over time, I realized solo travel is not always about going far away. Sometimes it is simply about learning to feel comfortable exploring on your own. For me, it started with things like visiting museums alone, taking solo day trips around my city, and eventually taking a longer road trip by myself.
I also realized people do things alone far more often than I originally thought. Once I started paying attention, I noticed people eating alone at restaurants, visiting museums alone, and exploring on their own. It suddenly felt much more normal than I had imagined.
In this post, I want to share my honest experience slowly easing into solo travel, what helped me feel more comfortable, and why solo travel for beginners does not have to start with a huge trip.
If you have been wanting to travel but do not have someone to go with, hopefully this encourages you to start small and see where it leads.
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What Solo Travel Actually Means
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about solo travel is that it has to start with a huge international adventure. While those types of trips absolutely count as solo travel, they are not the only way to travel alone.
Solo travel can start much closer to home than many people expect. It might mean visiting a coffee shop alone, going to a museum alone, taking yourself to a movie, or planning a solo day trip nearby. For some people, it may even start with a short overnight road trip.
I have started to realize that solo travel for beginners is really a skill building process. Like any skill, it becomes easier with practice. The more situations you navigate on your own, the more confident and capable you begin to feel.
How I Started Traveling Alone
Looking back, I almost did not realize I was building solo travel confidence at the time. Going to a museum alone or taking a solo day trip did not really feel like “solo travel” to me then. But those smaller experiences slowly helped me become more comfortable exploring on my own.
Going Places Alone in My Own City
The first steps in my solo travel journey happened close to home. I decided I would pretend I was a “tourist in my own city.” I looked at local tourism sites and searched “things to do in…” These are all things I would normally do while planning a trip somewhere new.
Some of the first things I started doing alone included:
- Trying restaurants on my own, including some of the best brunch spots in Kansas City
- Visiting museums like the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
- Exploring some of my favorite Kansas City coffee shops
- Taking local day trips, including some of my favorite day trips from Kansas City
- Exploring places around Kansas City I had never taken the time to visit before, including several free things to do in Kansas City
- Walking around new neighborhoods or parks
At first, some of these experiences felt a little awkward. I worried people would notice I was alone or think it was strange. What surprised me most was how quickly I realized nobody really cared.
Starting locally also removed a lot of pressure. I was still close to home, familiar with the area, and knew I could leave whenever I wanted. That made it much easier to start exploring on my own.
✨ Want to start small too? Grab my free Day Trip Packing Checklist below to help you plan simple local adventures and solo day trips. ⬇️
Taking Solo Day Trips While Visiting Friends
Another thing that helped me ease into solo travel was taking solo day trips while traveling to visit friends. They would often have to work during the day, which left me with free time to explore on my own.
One of those solo day trips eventually led me to explore the waterfalls in Ithaca, New York. That day trip ended up becoming one of my favorite solo experiences.
I also experienced something similar while visiting Galveston, Texas for a wedding. Outside of the wedding events, I ended up doing most of the sightseeing and exploring on my own. One afternoon, I stopped at a local brewery by myself after exploring the island and remember thinking how nice it felt to simply enjoy the experience at my own pace.
This became a really comfortable middle step because I still had a home base and familiar people nearby. At the same time, I was learning how to navigate a city independently, make my own plans, and enjoy spending time alone while traveling.
My First Longer Solo Road Trip
The biggest solo trip I have taken so far was an eight hour road trip by myself. Honestly, I was nervous before leaving. Driving that far alone felt overwhelming at first, especially since I had never done anything like it before.
One thing that helped my confidence was knowing I did not have to force myself through the entire drive in one shot. On the way there, I broke the drive into shorter sections and planned a few fun roadside stops ahead of time. That ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip because it gave me things to look forward to and made the long drive feel much more manageable.
I also gave myself permission to take the trip slowly, skip stops if needed, or adjust plans along the way. Having that flexibility made the entire experience feel much less stressful.
By the time I drove the entire route home in one stretch, I felt far more confident than I expected. That trip reminded me that confidence usually comes after doing something that initially feels uncomfortable.
What Helped Me Feel More Comfortable Traveling Alone
Before I started traveling alone more often, I had some anxiety around doing things alone for the first time. These are also great questions to think about before starting your own solo travel journey.
- How challenging of a destination should I choose?
- What would help me feel safer and more prepared?
- How would I stay connected with family or friends?
- Would I prefer a guided group trip or independent travel?
- Would I actually enjoy traveling alone?
✨ Small group tours can also be a great middle step for first time solo travelers. I have personally had great experiences booking through Viator and GetYourGuide.
A few other things I found helpful:
Avoid constantly focusing on worst case scenarios. Watching too much negative travel content online can sometimes make the world feel much scarier than it actually is.
Find a cheerleader. Some people will encourage you, while others may focus entirely on what could go wrong. Having encouraging people around me made a huge difference mentally.
Research destinations ahead of time. Looking into things to do, parking, restaurants, and how I would get around made places feel much more familiar before I even arrived.
What It’s Really Like Staying in a Hotel Alone
Checking into a hotel by yourself and walking into the room alone for the first time can feel a little strange at first, especially if you are used to traveling with other people.
At the same time, there were also parts I surprisingly enjoyed right away. Having the entire room to myself, using all of the bathroom counter space, and completely controlling the TV suddenly felt a little luxurious.
Creating small routines also helped the evenings feel much more comfortable and relaxing.
I also stayed in a private room at an Airbnb by myself on one trip instead of booking an entire place, which helped save money. Before booking, I spent extra time reading reviews, researching the host, and making sure the room had a lock and strong ratings from other guests. That extra research helped me feel much more comfortable.
Things That Helped Me Feel More Comfortable
- Choosing well reviewed hotels in busy areas
- Pick a hotel with a front desk staff and inside entrances
- Getting back to the hotel before dark at night
- Bringing dinner back to the room some nights
- Keeping my normal evening routines, including chamomile tea before bed
- Watching TV or reading before bed
- Giving myself permission to have a quiet night in instead of constantly being on the go
✨ I usually spend extra time reading reviews and researching hotel locations before booking. Hotels.com, Booking.com, and Expedia are my go to resources when comparing reviews and locations.
I also realized pretty quickly that hotels are filled with solo travelers all the time. Business travelers especially stay in hotels alone constantly, along with road trippers and people visiting family. The more I traveled independently, the more normal it started to feel.
What It’s Like Eating Alone While Traveling
Eating alone while traveling is something I still find a little awkward sometimes, and I probably always will. Usually though, the awkwardness fades pretty quickly once you sit down and settle in.
✨ Something that made eating alone feel easier for me was choosing more casual seating, especially counter seating. I also found breakfast much less intimidating than dinner at first.
Some places felt much more casual and comfortable to start with:
- Breakfast spots
- Cafes
- Breweries
- Food halls
- Patios at restaurants when the weather is nice
- Counter seating
- Lunch instead of dinner
I also realized eating alone is much more common than I originally thought. I noticed people eating alone almost everywhere I went. I would often research plans for the day on my phone while eating breakfast or relaxing with coffee, which helped me feel more comfortable sitting alone.
Sometimes I would even pack a picnic lunch and find a scenic spot to sit outside. It was relaxing, and it also helped save money while traveling.
The Solo Breakfast Experience That Changed My Perspective
One experience that really changed my perspective happened at a breakfast spot during one of my solo trips. I asked if they had counter seating since I was by myself, but instead they suggested a large community table. Honestly, I felt a little intimidated sitting there alone at first.
After a few minutes, another solo diner joined the table. We never spoke, but suddenly the situation felt completely normal. We were simply two people enjoying breakfast before starting our day.
What I Started Enjoying About Solo Travel
One thing that surprised me about solo travel was how peaceful parts of it started to feel. I enjoyed moving at my own pace, changing plans last minute, and spending time exactly how I wanted to spend it.
I noticed that when I travel solo, I tend to connect with people and strangers more often. As an introvert, I did not expect that at all. I found myself having conversations with other solo travelers, wait staff, or people sharing the same experience, like looking for dolphins on a ferry ride.
I think part of it felt easier because there was less pressure. In many cases, you will probably never see these people again, which somehow makes awkward moments feel much less like a big deal.
One thing I learned pretty quickly was that most people are actually happy to help take a quick photo if you ask politely. That was something I worried about much more before I started traveling alone. Selfies are nice, but you cannot always get the full view, and I did not want to lug a tripod with me.
It also felt empowering to navigate new places independently. Things that once felt uncomfortable slowly became experiences I genuinely looked forward to.
I enjoyed not having to constantly coordinate schedules, interests, energy levels, or moods while exploring. Honestly, there are now parts of solo travel I almost crave sometimes.
That said, I still absolutely love traveling with other people and making memories together. Some trips are special because of the people you experience them with. Solo travel just taught me that I do not always have to wait for someone else in order to explore somewhere new.
Safety Tips That Helped Me Feel More Comfortable
A few simple habits helped me feel much more comfortable and prepared while traveling alone. I tried to focus on practical safety.
A few things that helped me:
- Keeping my phone charged while out exploring
- Saving my hotel address on my phone before leaving for the day
- Keeping money and credit cards in multiple places
- Trusting my instincts if something felt off
- Sharing my plans with family or friends
- Avoiding oversharing personal details or where I was staying
- Remembering it is okay to be a little impolite if someone is making you uncomfortable
- Packing basic medications and essentials
- Purchasing travel insurance for international trips
Overall, focusing on small practical habits helped solo travel feel much more manageable and less overwhelming.
Where I’m Thinking About Traveling Solo Next
There are still quite a few solo trips and experiences I would love to try in the future. Some are small weekend style getaways, while others feel a little bigger and more adventurous.
A few ideas currently on my list include:
- Visiting a presidential library on a solo road trip
- Planning a relaxing solo spa weekend
- Exploring museums in nearby cities
- Taking shorter road trips with interesting roadside stops a few hours from home
- Eventually taking a longer Route 66 style road trip
- Visiting friends in Europe and exploring nearby cities during the day
One of the solo trips I would love to take someday is visiting Dublin to see places connected to The Cranberries, who have been one of my favorite bands for years. I would love to learn more about where they got started and visit places connected to their history and music.
I still enjoy the idea of mixing smaller solo experiences with larger trips over time. Part of the fun is having new places and experiences to look forward to.
You Don’t Have to Wait for Someone Else to Travel
It can be surprisingly easy to keep putting trips off while waiting for schedules, budgets, or interests to line up with someone else. Sometimes that works out, and sometimes it does not.
I realized I did not want to miss out on everything simply because nobody else was available at the same time I was.
That does not mean every trip has to become a massive solo adventure. Sometimes it simply means taking yourself somewhere you have always wanted to go instead of continuing to wait for the “perfect” timing.
I am still figuring solo travel out myself, but I also know I would have missed some really memorable experiences if I had stayed home every time I did not have someone to go with.
FAQ
Here are answers to some of the questions I get asked the most about solo travel for beginners.
Is solo travel lonely?
Sometimes it can be, especially at first. However, I have also found solo travel can feel surprisingly peaceful and relaxing. I have not personally experienced this a lot yet, but many solo travelers naturally meet people along the way, especially on international trips and group tours.
Is solo travel safe for beginners?
I think solo travel can feel comfortable when you start slowly and take practical precautions. Choosing well reviewed hotels, staying aware of your surroundings, keeping your phone charged, and sharing plans with family or friends can all help you feel more prepared.
What is the best first solo trip?
I think the best first solo trip is something that feels manageable to you personally. That could be a local museum visit, a solo day trip, a short overnight getaway, or a road trip a few hours from home.
How do I eat alone while traveling?
For me, breakfast spots, cafes, patios, breweries, and counter seating feel the easiest to dine at alone. Bringing a phone or book also helped me feel more comfortable while eating alone.
Is it weird to stay in a hotel alone?
Not at all. Business travelers stay in hotels alone all the time, along with road trippers and people visiting family. The more I traveled independently, the more normal it started to feel.
How to Build Solo Travel Confidence Slowly
If the idea of solo travel feels intimidating, starting small really helps. You do not have to jump straight into a huge solo trip right away. I also think it is important to be patient with yourself while figuring solo travel out.
A few things that helped me build confidence over time:
- Starting with local solo activities
- Taking solo day trips nearby
- Practicing eating alone in casual settings close to home
- Trying shorter overnight trips first
- Giving myself backup plans
- Staying connected with family and friends
- Remembering I did not need to travel like experienced solo travelers right away
I still have bigger solo trips I want to take in the future, but every smaller experience has helped me feel more independent traveling on my own.
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Final Thoughts
Solo travel still feels a little outside my comfort zone sometimes, and honestly, I think that is okay. I have realized that getting outside your comfort zone is often how you grow and build confidence in yourself. I also think it is important to be patient with yourself while figuring it out.
Some of my favorite solo experiences have been simple things like exploring a museum, taking a road trip, enjoying a quiet breakfast, or visiting a place I had always wanted to see. I would have missed those experiences if I had continued waiting for the perfect timing or the perfect travel partner every single time.
If you have been thinking about trying solo travel for the first time, maybe start smaller than you think you need to. Sometimes the first step is simply taking yourself somewhere new for the day.
I hope you find this post, Solo Travel For Beginners, helpful as you begin easing into solo travel yourself.
✨ If you are planning a trip, you can also browse some of my favorite travel resources and booking tools I personally use while planning my own travels.
If you have questions about solo travel or decide to try a solo activity or trip yourself, feel free to email me at julie@travelandtinsel.com. I would also love to hear about your own small solo travel wins along the way.
