How to plan your first solo trip, from where to go to what to expect

November 8, 2026 · 5 min read

The idea of travelling alone is often more daunting than the trip. You wonder who you will eat with, what happens if something goes wrong, whether you will be lonely. Most people who go come back saying the same thing: it was easier than they expected, and they did exactly what they wanted to do.

You do not need to be brave. You need a sensible first destination, a plan for the first night and a few habits.

Choose a first destination that is kind to beginners

For a first solo trip, the aim is to make things easy, so you can enjoy the independence. Look for a place that has:

Simple transport from the airport to the centre, and clear public transport once you are there
A language you can manage, or a place where English is widely understood
A compact centre you can explore on foot
A well-developed visitor scene, with lots of places to stay and a good supply of other travellers
A good record of safety for visitors, which you can check in your own government's travel advice

Cities such as Lisbon (see the Portugal travel guide) and Kyoto suit this well. Start with a short trip, three to five days, and make a longer one next time.

Pick the right kind of stay

Where you sleep shapes the whole trip.

A hostel with private rooms or dorms is the easiest way to meet other people, and common rooms and organised evenings do the work for you.
A small hotel or guesthouse gives you privacy and often a host who gives good local advice.
A private apartment gives you space, though it is quieter and you need to organise your own company.

Read recent reviews from solo travellers, and look at location carefully. A stay close to public transport and on a lit, busy street makes arriving at night much less stressful. Book at least the first night or two before you leave.

Plan the arrival, then leave room

The first day alone is the hardest and the most useful to plan. Know how you will get from the airport or station to your stay, and arrive in daylight if you can. Check the options and the late-night fallback before you fly.

After that, do not over-plan. A good rhythm for a first solo trip is one main thing a day, with space around it. The freedom to change your mind is the point, so leave some afternoons empty.

Write down your plan in one place with the key details: where you sleep, how you get there, the bookings you have made. Send it to a person at home.

Staying safe on your own

Solo travel is safe for most people most of the time, and the habits are ordinary ones.

Share your itinerary and check in with someone at home on a regular rhythm.
Keep your accommodation's address and phone number saved offline and on paper.
Arrive in new places in daylight when possible, and walk like you know where you are going, even if you do not. Step into a shop or café to check your map.
Trust your instincts. If a place, a person or a situation feels wrong, leave, and do not worry about being polite.
Be careful with how much you share. You do not need to tell a stranger that you are alone or where you are staying.
Watch your drink and know how you will get home before you go out.

For the wider list, read travel safety tips, and check your government's travel advice for the country you are visiting.

Meeting people, if you want to

Plenty of solo travellers want company some of the time and not all of it. You can control how much.

Take a group activity, such as a walking tour, a cooking class or a day trip, which puts you among other people with a shared reason to talk.
Eat at a counter or a shared table, where chatting is natural.
Stay somewhere social for the first nights, then move to somewhere quieter.
Use the stay's host or staff, who often know about local events.

Keep meetings in public places, and tell someone at home when you plan to meet someone you do not know.

Eating alone

Eating alone worries many first-time solo travellers, and it is almost never an issue. Bring a book or just watch the street. Counters, markets and food halls are comfortable for one. Lunch is often the best meal to eat out, because places are quieter and cheaper in many countries.

Money and costs on your own

Solo travel can cost more per person, because you do not split a room or a taxi. Plan for it: set a daily budget, and track what you spend. A single room costs more than half a double in many places, and shared dorms or small guesthouses can bring the cost down. See make a travel budget for a way to do it.

When it feels lonely

Most people hit a wobble, often on the second or third evening, when the novelty wears off and the day was long. It passes. Call someone, have a proper meal, go to bed early. A plan for the next morning helps.

It is also fine to change the plan. If a place does not suit you, move on. If you want company, join a tour or move to a more social stay. There is no prize for suffering.

What to bring

Pack light, because you carry everything yourself, and you will be glad of a bag you can lift without help. Keep documents, money and medicine in a small day bag. Bring a charger, a power bank and a way to lock your bag. Build the list around the destination and the season, not a generic template.

Next step

Choose a destination and book three nights. Plan only the arrival, and tell one person where you will be. The rest you can work out on the way.