Solo Travel: A Practical First-Timer's Guide

3 June 2026 · Marco Devlin · 8 min read

Taking your first solo trip is less about courage and more about preparation. How to choose the right destination, stay safe, meet people, and enjoy your own company.

The idea of travelling alone can feel intimidating until you do it once, and then it often becomes addictive. Solo travel forces you to be present, make your own decisions, and meet people in a way that's harder to do when you're with a companion. But the first trip is the hardest, and a little preparation goes a long way.

The most important thing to get right is the destination. Some places are naturally easier for solo travellers: good public transport, a welcoming culture, plenty of accommodation options designed for single occupancy, and activities that don't penalise being on your own.

Choose the right destination

For a first solo trip, look for destinations that combine ease of navigation with enough to do. Places where English is widely spoken, public transport is reliable, and the tourism infrastructure is well developed remove the most common sources of stress. Think Portugal, the Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand, or parts of Scandinavia.

Safety matters more when you're alone, but it's rarely about danger as much as about comfort. A destination where you feel at ease exploring on foot in the evening, where the locals are used to tourists, and where the accommodation feels welcoming makes all the difference.

Accommodation strategy

Where you stay shapes the solo experience more than any other decision. Hostels with private rooms offer the social benefits of common areas without sacrificing privacy. Guesthouses and B&Bs tend to be more personal than hotels and often include breakfast, which is a natural chance to chat with hosts and other guests.

The trick is to choose accommodation that makes being alone feel normal rather than awkward. Places with communal tables, organised activities, or a common room where people actually gather take the pressure off and create natural opportunities to connect.

Meeting people without forcing it

One of the best things about solo travel is that you end up meeting more people than you do when travelling with someone. Walking tours, cooking classes, shared tables at markets, and day trips from hostels all create low-stakes social situations. You don't need to be an extrovert — just present. Many solo travellers find that the quiet moments — reading in a cafe, walking alone through a museum — are the ones they remember most fondly.