How to Plan Your First Solo Trip in 7 Simple Steps

I’ve talked to a lot of people, women in particular, who want to go on their first solo trip but are afraid to venture out on their own and they are overwhelmed with figuring out where to start planning such a trip, even if they do work up the nerve. But figuring out how to plan your first solo trip isn’t as complicated as it sounds, and I’ll even give you some pointers for getting past the fear. Because, guess what? I did it, and I survived! (And you will too).

Traveling solo can be one of the best ways to travel. There’s no waiting on anyone else, you do and see only what you want to do and see, and it’s hard to overspend if you know ahead of time exactly what your expenses will be. There won’t be anyone else there to encourage extra spending! Plus, if you do it right, it will open your eyes to new cultures, new ways of life, and even some self-discovery.

Solo Trip Planning

Let’s jump into the meat of this thing. I’m going to help you plan your first solo trip with confidence and know-how so you feel far more confident about actually getting on that plane.

Step 1: Choose the Right Destination

The first thing you need to do is pick where you want to go. I know it sounds simple, but a lot of consideration and planning can go into making this choice. Especially if you are a woman.

Things to consider for your solo trip are:

1. What climate do you want to experience.
2. What landmarks do you want to see.
3. What things do you want to do when you get there.
4. Safety
5. Language

Now lets discuss each one and why they are important considerations.

Climate – This one is a bit more obvious. If you want to experience a snowy Christmas, then you don’t want to plan a holiday trip to the Caribbean. Take a moment to consider if you want to experience warm and sunny, or cold and rainy/snowy. Do you want to hole up in a cabin with big windows and far-reaching landscapes, or do you want to lay on a beach tanning yourself into a second-degree sunburn? (I kid, but you get the drift.) Once you know that and a rough estimate of the dates you want to travel on, it becomes far easier to plan your trip. And while you’re at it, research what the weather is like at your dream destination during the time of year you want to go. Nothing is worse than jumping on a plane only to get stuck in your hotel room because of a hurricane or tsunami. Keeping a constant eye on the weather, right up to the moment you leave is important.

Research – Once you know where you want to go and when, start doing a bit of internet sleuthing. YouTube should be your first stop. Head over there and search for “best things to do in XYZ (your location).” Watch as many as you can because every YouTuber will have a different perspective on things that are worthwhile in your dream destination. Figure out what you want to see and do before going and make an actual list because it’s easy to forget some things when you are there and in the throws of actual travel.

Social Media – Join groups on Facebook for people visiting the location you want to head to. While everyone has their opinion (many of which are often rude or pointless), there can be some real gems you get from people who have already been there. Ask about local things and places that aren’t quite so touristy. Getting away from tourist traps will help you more fully experience your dream destination. Just be sure to check the safety if that’s a concern.

Safety – While there are some obvious places in the world that most people would avoid ever taking a vacation in, the fact is, safety is a concern for both men and women when traveling solo. I’ve seen “missing persons” posts for a few people in the years I’ve been inside of expat groups, and that’s not even taking into account accidents or theft.

Truthfully, many places in the world are relatively safe from violent crime. But some of those very same places will have your phone and wallet stolen before you can blink. So learning how to be safe in the area you wish to visit is important. YouTube is again quite helpful for these types of things. Also check out the other socials for expats who are sharing their travel experiences. For example, Amanda Rollins (both on TikTok and on YouTube has shared a lot of safety tips for visiting Paris. Don’t underestimate this type of research because not only will it help keep you and your belongings safer as you travel, but will often also give you details about the area you might not have gotten in another type of video, such as streets or neighborhoods to avoid or to make a point of seeing.

Language – While many travel to different countries to experience a different life, culture, and language, knowing at least a few key phrases can change the tone of your entire trip.

First of all, the locals will appreciate the effort. Second, there will always be locals who don’t speak your language. So knowing a few basic questions in the native language (such as, “where can I find a toilet”) can make the difference between finding what you need or peeing your pants. Type of a cheat sheet for yourself, print it out, and keep it with you at all times. I like to fold mine up and keep it inside my passport which is on me at all times.

Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget

Divide your budget into categories that work for you. Plan for accommodations, food, transportation, activities, and yes… even emergencies.

• In my experience, opening up a quick spreadsheet in google sheets or excel is the best and fastest way to plan your own solo trip. You can have different tabs for different aspects of your trip as well, so it can really become an all-inclusive document for planning your entire trip.

• If you are more app-inclined, try apps such as Trail Wallet, or Mint to track your expenses during planning and traveling.

• Whether you are a budget traveler or not, you’ll want to plan your spending. For getting the best prices on flights, I highly recommend the following tips which not everyone can use, but are definitely effective.

• Use Google Flights to figure out the cheapest time to fly an plan your trip on those dates (again, not possible for everyone, but definitely effective.)

• If you use booking apps such as Booking.com, they will often give discounts and upgrades to those who use them regularly.

• Travel off-season whenever possible.

Pro Tip

Book with a travel agent. Somewhere along the way, travel agents became a wildly underutilized resource for booking travel. A good agent won’t cost you a dime and will do all the planning and hard work for you. Yes, they make a commission. But it’s on the back end. You won’t be getting a bill from your travel agent, ever. And if one tries to charge you, pick a different agent.

The thing with agents is that they often know of incredibly great travel deals that are going on at the time you want to travel. Things the average person cannot find with a simple Google search.

Travel agents are as widely different as the places in this world there are to visit. Some specialize solely in Disney vacations or cruises, while others are more generally focused. There are agents who specialize in group trips, and those (like me soon!) who will specially in solo trips. Some agents even specialize in particular areas of the world. For example, I’ll be focusing solely on European travel (as well as solo travel) in the coming year. So don’t rule it out. While an agent isn’t always the best choice, it often is if you want great deals.

Step 3: Research and Plan Your Itinerary

If you are planning this trip yourself, I will again suggest a spreadsheet for planning. You can easily plan your days down to the minute this way, if need be. But at the very least, it gives you an easy way to organize the things you want to do and on what day. It’s also a great way to keep track of entry fees, addresses, and websites of the places you intend to visit.

Pro Tip

If you are big on planning things down to the last detail, first… good for you! Well done! But my biggest piece of advice is to always schedule in some free time. Give yourself a block of time, at least once on your trip, where you have nothing planned. This leaves you space to either relax when you are tired of the go-go-go, or to add in some extra things you might have missed when planning your trip. You can give yourself a block of time daily, or just once in your trip. It’s totally up to you and how you like to travel. If you aren’t sure because you haven’t traveled much, I would base it on the length of your trip. The bare minimum should be 1 block of time (like a whole morning/afternoon or afternoon/evening) per week of travel. Again, this should be a minimum. Add more wherever you see fit.

Use Google Maps to save spots you want to visit so you have easy access to it from your phone. This can save you if you need the address to find a place at the last minute and don’t have your list. Plus, it’s a great thing to share with family and friends for safety purposes. At least somebody will know where you intend to visit.

Step 4: Book Accommodations Wisely

These days, booking platforms have ratings for solo travelers. Platforms such as booking.com, hostelworld, or Airbnb all have this feature. Use it! Solo travel is growing by leaps and bounds and booking places that are appropriate for that will definitely provide you with a better experience overall.

Also, try to choose places that are close to city centers unless you plan to rent a car. But even then, being close to the things you want to do is always a plus (and will save you on the cost of gasoline if you do rent a car).

Step 5: Prepare for Safety and Health

Once you have planned the trip, the next thing you’ll want to do is share that itinerary with a trusted friend of family member. Never underestimate the importance of somebody knowing where you are in the world. While they may not be able to hop on a plane and come find you themselves, they can certainly contact the powers that be to get help to you if needed.

Consider sharing your location with that person or several people. Our phones are a great way for people who care about us to check up on us when traveling.

While I’ve seen various opinions on this, alerting the government of your travel plans is also an option in countries like the USA. Some people don’t like the idea of the government knowing where they are during their trip, and others find the idea very reassuring. Particularly if you will be traveling in areas that may be less safe or might be more prone to unrest. Whether you do it or not is up to you. But at least you know it’s an option.

You’ll also want to carry a small safety kit. These have to be items that will get through an airport without issue. Consider a whistle, a doorstop or hotel door lock (I highly recommend these), as well as a portable phone charger. Nothing is worse than having your phone die on you right when you need directions to get somewhere.

Consider travel insurance. While it’s not for everyone, some folks really benefit from it. So do some research and see if that’s a good option for you personally or not.

Carry a list of emergency numbers on you with your passport, and also mark a few people as emergency contacts in your phone. That way, if something happens, at least people around you will have the opportunity to contact somebody back home for you.

And lastly, make sure you do a little research on cultural awareness. Never expect the country you are visiting to operate the way your own country does. Different countries have different ways of doing things. It’s not right or wrong, it’s just different, and that’s okay. It’s all part of the travel experience. But you don’t want to walk around offending the locals. At best, you’ll really piss some people off. At worst, you could get fined or find yourself in jail. Some countries require women to cover their shoulders and knees before entering a church. Other countries have banned anyone wearing camouflage-patterned clothing. So make sure you check this before you go.

Step 6: Pack Smartly for Solo Travel

If possible, stick to carry-on luggage only. This will make the physical aspects of your trip so much easier! But if it’s not possible, make sure to travel as light as possible. Consider using a capsule wardrobe instead of packing for any possible occasion.

Use packing cubes to help keep your things organized. Compression cubes will save you space, but not weight. So be sure to use a luggage scale to weigh your luggage before you leave the house.

Solo travel essentials are a power bank, first aid kit, and a reusable water bottle.

Pro Tip

Keep medications, medical equipment, passports and important papers with you at all times. These should be on the plane with. you or on your person at all times during your plane ride. Consider a money belt that you wear under your clothes for tickets and passports. Just be careful of your surroundings when it comes time to open them up. Make sure your surroundings are safe and free of pickpockets.

Step 7: Embrace the Experience

Above all else, remember that you are there to have an experience. Make sure you respectfully have fun!

Worried about being lonely? Don’t be! Once the adrenaline of the trip kicks in, loneliness will be the last thing on your mind. The thrill of seeing new places and having new experiences will always override any fear you may have once you actually get to the airport.

First Solo Trip Tips

Solo trip planning can feel completely overwhelming when you do it for the first time. So here are some tips for the first timers:

1. Start small. If leaving the country feels like too much at first, start with something more local. A place you would be more familiar with. A place where you can speak your own language and can get help fairly quickly if need be. Then plan trips that go further and further away to get yourself used to the idea and to prove to yourself how capable you are. Because I promise you, you are capable. You can do this!
2. No matter where you travel, never underestimate the power of the coffee culture in whatever area you are visiting. While that particular culture looks different in many locations, sitting in a coffee house in your dream location while you sit, sip, and people watch is a great way to pause, catch your breath, and take in the local scene. If you ever feel overwhelmed on your trip, find a coffee house. I swear it work every single time.
3. Plan for walking tours. If you are able-bodies, walking tours are an amazing opportunity to learn about and see the local area you are visiting. You’ll gain valuable insight from your tour guide, and in many places, walking tours are free or very budget-friendly. So if you are heading someplace that is completely foreign, walking tours are an amazing opportunity to have somebody show you around (so you then know your way around better) so you can finish the rest of your trip with confidence.

Public Transportation

When I first moved to Spain, public transportation was my biggest nemesis. I dreaded and loathed it with everything I had in me because I didn’t understand how the system worked. I couldn’t read the language on the ticket kiosks, and I had to keep bothering annoyed employees to try and help me. One one occasion, I asked a man on the tram for help and he ended up picking any old ticket which ended up costing me more than double what I actually had to pay. But he didn’t care. The moment I realized what happened, I vowed to figure out the system before I got back on the tram again. And you know what? I did it! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And as I found out, those kiosks actually offer instructions for buying tickets in many languages. I just had to figure out what button to push to get to the English instructions. From that moment on, life got so much easier.

The point of that story is, ask for help, even if it annoys people. But also be curious enough to eventually figure it out yourself. Use Google Translate on your phone to read signs and notices. And above all else, NEVER expect the locals to speak your language. It’s great if they notice and can speak your language, but many will be offended and you’ll end up paying double for a ticket.

Book The Trip

That said, the great thing about solo travel is that you learn to be incredibly self reliant. No matter what happens, at the end of the day, you’ll always figure it out simply because you have to. So have a little faith in yourself and book the darn trip. All we truly have in this life are our experiences. So create some great ones!