28 Benefits Of Traveling Solo: Why It’s the Best Decision You’ll Ever Make (Plus 9 Solo Travel Tips)

I get it. Traveling solo can be scary, especially if you’ve never done it before. But I’m here to tell you that it may very well be the best decision you’ll ever make, and I’m going give you 28 reasons why, plus 9 tips for planning your next solo trip.

Solo travel is one of the most amazing adventures you can experience in life. The freedom and self-assurance you experience is nothing short of life-changing in the best possible ways. And yes, even when things go wrong, it can be a good experience.

I ended up stranded in Rome once and I was so scared I wouldn’t get back home that I couldn’t eat for much of my trip. But stressful as that was, I still made some of the best memories I’ll ever make on that trip. I even met up with a fellow digital nomad I met through TikTok and we had a fabulous lunch together. While I could certainly focus on what went wrong, instead, I made the best of it, and it’s one of my favorite memories now.

Why Solo Travel Is Perfect For Self-Discovery

Why travel solo? Let me put it this way. You will never truly know just how resourceful you can be until you are in a country where you don’t speak or read the language and have to find your way through airports, train stations, and more.

That said, you don’t have to be in a foreign country to get this experience and growth. You can do this in your own home country and experience all of this just the same. So let’s dive into the benefits.

Personal Growth Through Solo Travel

1. Increased Self-Confidence – Making decisions and navigating independently builds your confidence in ways you can’t get with group travel.
2. Improved Problem-Solving Skills – Encountering and overcoming challenges enhances your ability to think critically. Like I mentioned above, it’s somewhat of a crash course in independence, but in all the best possible ways. Yes, it can be stressful, especially your first time, but you’ll feel so amazing by the time you board that return flight!
3. Self-Discovery – You have the time and space to learn about yourself. Alone time is a blessing. And I promise, there is a big difference between being alone and being lonely. I felt lonely a lot when I lived in the States. Now, I travel alone all the time and rarely do I ever feel truly alone. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but generally speaking, you’ll be too busy enjoying everything to ever feel lonely.
4. Greater Independence – Managing and navigating a trip all by yourself is truly one of the best ways to develop true independence. There is no greater teacher in this regard.
5. Resilience Development – Handling unexpected situations makes you more adaptable and resilient. You learn fast that you can completely depend on yourself for just about anything.

The Freedom of Traveling Solo

6. Complete Control Over Your Itinerary – Traveling at your own pace without needing to accommodate anyone else’s wants or needs is one of the best feelings you can have when you travel. You decide when, where, and how without exception, which means your trip will be exactly what you want it to be.
7. Freedom to Change Plans – The ability to adjust your plans spontaneously is half the fun of traveling alone. You might have an entire itinerary planned, and then chuck the whole darn thing out the window once you arrive because you find better things to do, and you’ll love every second of it!
8. Flexible Budget – You get to spend according to your priorities without worrying about splitting the bill for something you never wanted to do in the first place. Plus, these days, so much of the travel industry is catering to solo travelers, that you won’t have to worry too much about paying for two when there is only one. So budget-friendly trips are pretty easy these days for the solo traveler.

Solo Travel Advantages: Enhanced Experiences

10. Deeper Immersion – When you are someplace new by yourself, you’ll have no other choice than to interact with the locals. In other countries, this can be a huge plus. You’ll learn so much more about the local customs and everything the area has to offer because you’ll be getting your information directly from locals. (We tend to ignore locals quite a bit when we travel with others.)
11. More Serendipitous Encounters – Traveling alone often leads to unexpected and unique experiences. Experiences you wouldn’t have if you were traveling with other people. Just by the nature of traveling alone, you’ll be more open to these experiences and encounters.
    
    For example, I was traveling in Germany on the tram and an older woman (70’s or 80’s) started telling me that she was going to visit a friend in an old age home. She invited me along, and we had a most enjoyable afternoon visiting her friend. I doubt she would have even spoken to me if I was traveling with someone.
12. Better Observation Skills – You notice more details about your surroundings when you’re solo. Your hyper-awareness tends to kick in when you travel solo. (Especially for women.) And while some might think this would be a stressful thing, it actually strengthens your self-dependency quite a bit. It doesn’t have to be stressful. You just need to make sure you stay in places where you feel safe. I promise, you’re gut instincts will kick in in ways you never imagined as a solo traveler, and that honestly a really great thing.

Social Benefits Of Traveling Alone

15. Meeting New People – Solo travel encourages you to connect with locals and fellow travelers. I touched on this above a bit. But truly, meeting and chatting with locals (or figuring out how to communicate with them the best you can), is a great way to expand your social circle. And don’t forget, no matter where you are, there is probably a helpful expat group you can reach out to. So far, I’ve made some really great friends through those expat groups. (Despite the drama they occasionally generate. Ha!)
16. Improved Communication Skills – Being alone often pushes you to engage in conversation with others, especially in a country where you don’t speak the language. Nothing will help you learn a new language faster than complete immersion, and locals often truly appreciate the effort. I promise, you’ll learn really fast how to get your point across. Just please do it without being a “Karen”, if you catch my drift. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Being nice pays off, every single time. I promise.
17. Opportunities for Networking – If you plan any work-related adventures, it’s a great way to expand your professional and social network. Even if you never see those people in person again, chances are, you’ll make at least a few connections that you keep in contact with long after your trip.

Health and Wellness For The Solo Traveler

19. Stress Reduction – Traveling alone lets you escape group drama and focus on your well-being. Remember, feeling “lonely” is all a matter of perspective. View your travel time as quality alone time, because that’s exactly what it is. While your actual travel days (airports and such) can definitely be stressful (they always are for me!), the trip overall will be far more relaxed because you can do as you please. So take that time to really focus on yourself. Quality alone time is a beautiful thing.
20. Mindfulness – Being alone allows you to live in the moment and appreciate the present. I promise, nothing will put you “in the moment” the way solo travel will. You’ll have no other choice than to live in the moment, and that’s a beautiful thing.
21. Mental Clarity – Time alone can help you clear your mind as you wander through new places, see new sights, and enjoy meals by yourself. All that time to think will truly help you sort things out.
22. Improved Decision-Making – Making all the decisions yourself strengthens this skill unlike anything else. It’s truly a muscle that gets stronger with practice.

Freedom From Constraints

23. No Group Drama – Leave the drama with your mama… back home. Avoid conflicts or disagreements that can happen when you travel with other people. A drama-free trip is truly an amazing experience.
24. Escape From Routine – Break away from daily life without outside influences. It’s so easy to stay in old patterns with familiar people, even when we travel. Getting away from all of it can be truly freeing in ways you never expected.

Safety And Security

26. Tailored Safety Choices – People feel safe in different ways and under different circumstances. Choosing accommodations, routes, and activities that feel safest for you personally is the best way to feel confident as you travel.

Personal Growth Through Travel: Adventure And Challenge

30. Embracing the Unknown – Traveling alone often means stepping out of your comfort zone, and we all know by now that life often happens just outside of that comfort zone. Leave that comfort zone behind and watch life open up for you in response.
31. Freedom to Take Risks – Choose challenges you’re comfortable with, without others influencing your decisions is a great way to learn bravery in a way that is perfect just for you.

Practical And Skill-Based Benefits

36. Learning New Skills – Picking up a new language, cooking, or even navigation techniques are all examples of skills you can pick up while you travel solo. You’ll find you are often far more willing to try unique things that may not have interested other people if you were traveling with them.
37. Boost in Organizational Skills – Managing your itinerary, tickets, and accommodations sharpens your planning abilities. In fact, after planning a few trips, you’ll practically be a seasoned pro. Those are great skills to have!

Benefits Of Traveling Solo : Emotional Rewards

39. Empowerment – Achieving something on your own feels empowering. Nothing will give you as much confidence as navigating a trip, from start to finish, all by yourself.
40. Renewed Appreciation for Loved Ones – Time apart often deepens gratitude for friends and family. You know what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Making Memories

44. Unique Photographic Opportunities – Capture photos that truly resonate with you. Nobody will question or complain about you wanting to climb 300 stairs of some tower to get photos of a view you really like. Being on your own allows you to get some pretty epic shots of anything you want.

Solo Travel Tips

1. Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible
   Research your destination thoroughly, but leave room for spontaneity. In other words, don’t plan every single second of your trip. Leave room in that schedule for life to happen freely.
2. Pack Light and Smart
   Stick to essentials and versatile clothing. A lighter bag makes getting around easier. Consider investing in a secure day pack to keep valuables safe.
3. Stay Connected Safely
   Share your travel itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Use apps like Google Maps offline and stay reachable with an international SIM or portable Wi-Fi. And don’t forget to pick up that eSIM (if you need one) before you leave home. It’ll make life so much easier once you land.
4. Trust Your Instincts
   If something feels off, don’t hesitate to leave or change plans. Your intuition is a valuable tool. Never, and I mean NEVER, ignore your gut instincts. They are never wrong.
5. Be Open to Meeting People
   Join group tours, stay in hostels, or use apps like Meetup to connect with others. And don’t forget to learn a few phrases in the local language to start conversations and make communicating easier.
6. Prioritize Safety
   Keep a copy of your passport and important documents in a separate place. Avoid walking alone late at night and research safe areas before booking accommodations. Also, make sure you know where your country’s embassy is in the place you are visiting.
7. Use Technology to Your Advantage
   Download helpful travel apps, like currency converters or language translators. Use travel blogs and forums for local tips and don’t underestimate the power of YouTube for planning your trip.
8. Embrace Solo Dining
   Bring a book or journal to enjoy your meal without feeling awkward. Sit at the bar or join communal tables for a chance to chat with locals. Whatever you do, put the phone down. I know it’s tempting, but staring at your phone will make you completely unapproachable. Do that at home, not on your trip.
9. Give Yourself Grace
   It’s okay to feel lonely or overwhelmed at times. Let yourself rest and reset whenever you need it.

Travel Alone

So what do you think? Are you ready to travel alone?

Yes, it’s different than what you might be used to, and that’s okay! Don’t be scared. I like to say that I “plan for my worries.” So whatever might be a worry or concern, I make sure to address it before I ever get on the plane so I have a plan in place should my worst concerns come true. That said, they have never come true. But I feel more confident knowing I have a plan for any possible issue my anxiety-ridden brain can dream up. So by the time I do step on the plane, I feel pretty good about the road that lays ahead. And you will too. I promise!

So go on… tell me… where will you go next?

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