The 10 commandments of solo travel

Solo travel is nothing new. Individuals have been traversing the globe since before records began. What’s new is the >number< of us venturing alone to foreign shores. According to travel search engine Kayak, hunts for single-person flights in 2023 are up a whopping 36% on 2022, while Google Trends show a post-pandemic surge in searches for “solo travel” hitting an all-time high in July 2023. 

The benefits of travelling alone are well documented, of course, from maximum flexibility to zero need to compromise. You can eat, drink and see whatever you like – and lie in as long as you like afterwards. Yes, it can take you out of your comfort zone, but it’s also the most genuinely transformative type of travel you’ll ever experience. 

If you’re considering travelling alone this year, read on for our expert-approved rules, to ensure your solo trip is a singular success.

Location, location, location

For first time solos, cities are a great way to find your feet. the best destinations for solo travellers, but not all cities are created equally. Ideally, you’re seeking places with pedestrian-friendly streets, user-friendly public transport and a healthy café culture. Tokyo, Lisbon and Reykjavik all tick the above boxes in style, ranking highly in safety, enjoyment and activities for solo travellers.

Research

When travelling alone, it’s even more important to gather as much first-hand intel as you can in advance. If you hunt diligently on social media, you’ll almost certainly find an acquaintance who has been to your destination before, or even lived there. Take time to sweep TripAdvisor, Reddit and Pinterest for specific tips, particularly looking for activities you might like, neighbourhoods to target and avoid (it’s good to make a list of these, in order) and the city’s biggest festivals – because that’s when you can bet a lot of other solo travellers will be coming through too. Finally, search Instagram via hashtags, using its bookmark feature to save restaurant, bar and activity tips to an album you can easily access on the road.

Accommodation

Your choice of digs is fundamental to success when travelling alone. Consider homestays for a truly residential experience, or boutique hostels with private room options for a ready-made travel gang (KEX hostel in Reykjavik, situated in an old biscuit factory, is a perfect example). Alternatively, pinpoint hotels with their own happy hours, city tours or group activities, from the quirky Millennials Boutique Hotel in Tokyo, which prioritises common space to bring travellers together, to Papaya Playa Project in Tulum, Mexico, where the privacy of beach bungalows is offset with an ambitiously lengthy list of fun, optional group activities.

Join a group

Search meetup.com or Facebook for local groups that align with your personal interests. In major cities, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a manga lovers club, beer runners, a pickleball gathering or whatever you’re into. Not only will this give you an event to make, but also the opportunity to reach out to members in advance for more general tips about their hometown.

Arrive in daylight

It makes a world of difference when you land in a new place during daylight hours, especially after a long flight when you might be
tired or disoriented. Not only is it safer and usually cheaper to travel during the day, but that first journey from the airport to your hotel is also an invaluable opportunity to get your bearings of the city. If you plan nothing else beforehand, you should always plan that transfer – and Rome2Rio remains an excellent resource to do so.

Take a tour

A tour on your first day is always a smart move, even if it’s just a hop-on, hop-off bus. But the king of fact-finding excursions is undoubtedly the food tour. Not only because it helps you get under the skin of a destination from the outset (and meet other like- minded tourists), but also because it’s the perfect way to recce lunch and dinner venues for the rest of your trip. Can’t find a food tour that fits? Check out the International Greeter Association and plan your own.

Sit at the bar

This is quite possibly the single most important solo travel tip. At mealtimes, resist the urge to sit at a table for one with your nose in your phone, and saddle up at the bar to eat instead. In a worst-case scenario, you’ll pick up a few local tips from the bartender. In a best-case scenario, you’ll make friends with some of the other patrons, who might invite you along to other events they have planned. Struggling for an icebreaker? Use your phone proactively – by asking someone to take a photo of you and sparking conversation.

Be aware of scams

Familiarize yourself with the most common local scams – from fake police officers asking for cash to friendship bracelets placed on your wrist as a feint to pick your pocket. Then give yourself an extra edge by accessorizing wisely. An RFID-blocking wallet will stop more advanced con-artists cloning your data, while a low profile, hidden money belt is always a smart secondary option. Savvy solo travellers pack light, as they have to lug everything themselves, but TSA approved locks for both your day pack and your main luggage (however small) are a good addition when there isn’t a second pair of eyes to watch them.

Under schedule

As a solo traveller, it’s tempting to cram your itinerary, in order to sidestep any potential bouts of boredom or loneliness. Don’t fall into that trap – not only will you exhaust yourself by trying to do too much, but you also need to allow room for spontaneity. Plan the ‘spine’ of your trip to ensure you don’t miss any of the big stuff, but always leave enough space to go with the flow (that’s usually when the best stuff happens anyway).

Say yes

To successfully travel solo, you need to open yourself up to possibility and adventure. And that usually starts with one simple three letter word: YES. Obviously, decisions need to be made within reason, and safety is paramount. But when opportunities arise and you’re undecided, veer towards the positive. Remember to treat yourself too – spa treatments are perfect for solo trips, because they’re something you need to do alone, and you might not otherwise prioritise. In general, YES opens a lot of doors – and that’s always a good move when you’re exploring a new place.

Jonathan Thompson is an award-winning journalist, SOLO columnist and presenter of Adventure Cities on the Discovery Channel. 

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