Okay, real talk—I was a total mess before my first solo trip.
Panic-packed at 2AM, forgot my charger, and convinced myself I’d get kidnapped in the first hour. 😅
But guess what? None of that happened.
Instead, I got lost in a cool way, met awesome people, and found out I really like eating alone.
Here’s the kind of stuff I wish someone had told me before I went. No filters, no fancy advice—just the basics.
1. 🛡️ Don’t Be a Hero—Just Stay Smart
You don’t need ninja skills to stay safe. But yeah, don’t be careless either.
- Let someone back home know your rough plan
- Walk around like you know what’s up (even if you don’t)
- Avoid super quiet places at night
- Keep your money in more than one place
- Download Google Maps offline (seriously)
And if something feels off—leave. Don’t second-guess it. Your gut is usually right.
2. 🎒 Pack Less Than You Think You Need
Trust me. You won’t wear half that stuff.
Here’s what I actually used:
- A few outfits I could mix & match
- Power bank
- Scarf (used it as blanket, towel, cover, all of it)
- Mini soap/shampoo
- One book
- Passport & a copy stashed elsewhere
Left behind: hair tools, makeup kit, and five “going out” shirts. Never needed ’em.
3. 🛏️ Where You Sleep Matters More Than You Think
Not just for safety, but for vibes.
Avoid staying somewhere totally isolated if you’re solo.
Go for:
- Hostels with good ratings (even private rooms work)
- Homestays where the host lives there
- Guesthouses that look cozy, not sketchy
Read the reviews. If other solo travelers felt safe, you probably will too.
4. 🍜 Eating Alone Is Awkward… Then It’s Awesome.
The first couple of times, yeah—I felt weird.
Then I realized… I could order whatever I wanted, no small talk, just enjoy.
Start small:
- Casual cafés
- Food markets
- Sit by a window and people-watch
- Bring a book or just chill
Nobody’s looking at you. And if they are? Who cares. You’re eating naan in peace. 😎
5. 🌍 Choose a Place That’s Easy on Beginners
Don’t go full wild-child for your first trip. Pick somewhere chill, safe, and easy to get around.
Places I liked (or friends did):
🇮🇳 Rishikesh or McLeod Ganj—peaceful, good solo energy
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai—So many travelers, super friendly
🇦🇱 Tirana—Cheap, safe, and surprisingly fun
🇵🇹 Lisbon—Walkable, colorful, and not too hectic
Start simple. You don’t need to fly to Iceland in winter to prove anything.
6. 💬 Want to Meet People? Just Say Hey
Sounds scary, but it works.
Say “hi” to someone at breakfast. Ask where they’re from.
Solo travelers are usually super open—they get it.
Other easy ways:
- Free walking tours
- Hostel kitchens
- Local experiences (yoga, cooking class, whatever)
Some convos go nowhere. Some lead to random adventures. Both are fine.
7. 🧘 You’ll Feel Alone Sometimes. That’s Part of It.
Not gonna lie—there’ll be moments where you’re like, “What am I doing here?”
But then:
- You notice how nice the breeze feels
- You take your time with coffee
- You journal weird thoughts you never had before
And slowly, you get it. That space? It’s magic. Don’t fight it.
✈️ Not Ready to Go Far? Don’t.
Your first solo trip doesn’t need to be a big international adventure.
Try:
- A 2-day trip to a beach town
- A solo train ride to a hill station
- Exploring a new city in your own state
Dip your toes in. Then go bigger next time.
✅ TL; DR—Real Quick Recap
| DO ✅ | DON’T ❌ |
| Tell someone where you’re going | Overshare on Insta stories |
| Pack light | Bring your whole room |
| Stay where people are around | Get stuck in a dead zone |
| Talk to strangers | Stay in your bubble |
| Enjoy the quiet | Think alone = lonely |
🎒 Final Thought
You’ll mess up. You’ll miss a bus or take the wrong turn.
But you’ll also:
- Find a hidden café
- Make a random friend
- Learn something cool about yourself
And when you’re back home, you’ll be like, Dang, I actually did that. That’s the whole point.