Best Solo Trip Planning for Beginners 2024 -

Are you dreaming of going on a solo trip but getting butterflies or even fear in your stomach just thinking about it? Then you need my excellent guide on how to plan a solo trip like a PRO!

Did you know that a staggering 84% of all solo travelers are womens?

Table of Contents

10 Reasons Why Solo Travel is Incredibly Beneficial for You

Traveling alone can be one of the most enriching experiences in life. When you embark on a solo journey, you step outside your comfort zone and discover more about yourself.

First and foremost, solo travel fosters independence. Without the need to compromise with others, you have the freedom to make spontaneous decisions that fuel your curiosity.

Solo travel encourages self-reflection. Spending time alone allows your mind to process thoughts and feelings, helping you gain clarity on personal goals and aspirations.

Cultural immersion is another key benefit. Engaging with locals becomes easier when you’re by yourself, as you may feel less restrained in initiating conversations.

Moreover, it boosts confidence. Navigating unfamiliar surroundings equips you with problem-solving skills and empowers you to tackle challenges head-on.

Solo travel also opens doors to new friendships. You’ll find fellow travelers who share similar interests or locals eager to share their culture with you.

In the end, it grants an opportunity for genuine relaxation. With no obligations or distractions, you can fully immerse yourself in each moment of discovery without any interruptions.

In summary, venturing out alone allows for profound personal growth while also enhancing cultural understanding—making it an extraordinary experience overall!

**What solo travelers say about why solo travel is so rewarding**

You meet new people on your own terms!
You learn how to enjoy your own company!
You learn to trust your gut and instincts…
…finding out you really can make good judgment calls!
You decide everything!
You find out who you are and what you like when you are alone!
You learn to deal with ANYTHING by yourself…
…and therefore, find out how STRONG you are!
You learn how to PLAN stuff for yourself…
…and how to deal with things not going according to plan!

Common Fears Holding You Back From Solo Travel

Loneliness from traveling without friends or family
Fear of getting lost or not finding their way
Physical safety when staying solo in accomodations
Health and medical concerns, doctor availability, etc.
Stress about packing correctly (!) (I did not know this was a thing)
Stressing about budgeting and handling money on their trip
Personal safety and landing in dangerous situations
Fear of not handling or not liking cultural factors
Language barriers and fear of not being understood or understand
Loneliness from traveling without friends or family.

While researching, we learned that one of the concerns women have about traveling solo is the fear of being stereotyped and judged.

In my own Northern European culture, the possible stereotyping you might get from traveling solo, if any, would be “courageous, tough, amazing, unstoppable, brave,” and that sort of thing.

Stereotyping or not, the idea of taking on the world all by yourself can be daunting at first if you have never done it before.

If you have never organized things yourself, met new cultures on your own, dealt with language barriers, or found your way in new places, it might seem risky to you.

How To Plan A Solo Trip With Confidence

Planning a solo trip can be an exhilarating experience, filled with opportunities for self-discovery and adventure. Start by choosing a destination that excites you—whether it’s a bustling city, a serene beach, or scenic mountain trails. Research the local culture, attractions, and safety tips to better understand what to expect.

Next, create an itinerary that balances exploration and relaxation. Include must-see sites, dining options, and some free time for unexpected adventures. Don’t forget to book accommodations in advance; consider staying in hostels or guesthouses where you can meet fellow travelers.

Traveling solo also requires practical preparations. Inform friends or family of your plans and share your itinerary with them for added peace of mind. Make copies of important documents like your passport and travel insurance.

In last embrace the journey! Trust yourself and stay open-minded about new experiences. Solo trips often lead to personal growth and unforgettable memories—you might even discover strengths you didn’t know you had!

Traveling Alone Expands Your Mind And Your World

Traveling alone offers a unique perspective; your attention shifts outward, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in your surroundings. In this state, the distractions of everyday life fade away, and you can engage more deeply with the world.

Solo travel enhances your awareness and brings a refreshing sense of relativity to life. It provides an opportunity for personal growth and reflection, making it one of the most valuable investments you can make in your life

Solo Trip Planning – Start Your Travel Bucket List

If you are serious about your wish to travel alone but need a little gentle push to get from dream to plan, start planning a solo trip by setting up your travel bucket list.

Get yourself a traveler’s notebook and start journaling. Write down all the places you want to go to and write down why.

n this first phase, you are on a mission to find your DREAM! Motivate yourself and remind yourself of why you have travel goals.

What activities or adventures would you like these destinations to give you?
Which one of these places can be a short trip, what destinations need a long trip, and what places could be a round trip?
Then, prioritize which destinations are more important to you than others and why?

Write down in your notebook what kind of experiences you want in the different places to help you organize your head.

**Crushing The What If’s That Sabotage Your Adventures**

Now, be aware that there may be some not-so-constructive players in your midst, and you need to identify them.

If not, your DREAM is going to go down the drain even before your PLAN can start adaptation.

Do you have an inner voice that tells you this journey thing is farcical?

Because it is irresponsible or expensive or egoistic, or you are too old, or it is probably dangerous and possibly will kill you or at least ruin your career?

This voice is FEAR talking, and you need to get past it.

Or do you have well-meaning people in your life who want to protect you? The ones that have not missed a workday in their career and care about safety and predictability and securing a good pension plan?

These people might be positive about your dream BUT may turn out to be slightly more apprehensive about you starting to plan an actual journey, spending actual money on it, and being away.

Be aware if you have a history of “being talked sense into” – it will not help you turn your DREAM into an achievable PLAN.

So, choose your advisors wisely.

6 Great Tips For Not Feeling Lonely Traveling

Book occasional organized activities with other people, many of whom are also traveling alone. You find this option almost everywhere in the world, through your hotel, hostel, FB groups, SoMe ads, and adventure companies where you are staying; there are so many options!
Book parts of your journey through organized tour operators, like G Adventures, which organizes small group travels all over the world. G Adventures also organizes “bucket list” journeys like walking the magnificent Inca trail
Even if you are a “single room minimum three-star hotel” kinda person, try booking into a nice hostel every now and then! That can be cheap and social, and although the clientele is predominantly relatively young – by far not all! Travelers come in all ages and sizes.
Check FB groups for your destination. A LOT of people are traveling alone and looking for company and new friends.
Use TINDER! If you can, that is, without feeling bad about it. You can connect with other travelers or locals who live where you currently are visiting. You might get a date, or a guide to show you your current city, or maybe a friend?
Search Instagram for posts on your current or future destination. Both for tips on activities or things to see, but also maybe you find someone living there who would love to show you around for a few hours or a day!
If you use Airbnb or Vrbo, you may be lucky (or smart) and find accommodation with very nice landlords or ladies who may offer both breakfasts and guidance on your current destination – making it at least social. Airbnb can also provide local activities in the area where you are staying; you will get suggestions in your e-mail immediately after you have booked your stay.

Create Your Plan

An IDEA without a PLAN is still only a DREAM – you need to make it actionable for you

Factors that will affect your planning process are:

Your family situation
Social duties
Your work situation
Monthly income and expenses = potential to save money

Talk to whoever in your world needs to be part of the process if you have such Contributor, in your life, and make sure they approve of your DREAM and your PLAN.

After doing this, identify a time in the future when it will be possible for you to take time out of your life and travel!

Also, you need to have a budget, to be able to make the journey you are planning. Look into how long time you will need to save up for your first planned solo trip.

Then you make the decision, and you hold yourself accountable.

Solo Trip Planning – The Important Budget!

Your BUDGET is the important next step. You need to identify how much money you can spend on your journey in total.

Your budget is pretty much divided into two parts. The expenses before journey, and the expenses during your journey.

Expenses before departure can be:

Pre-paid flights and accommodation if you prefer
Pre-paid activities
Travel books
Medical equipment
Travel gear
Extra travel insurance for your destination and duration
Visa expenses
Vaccines for your particular destination
Clothes and equipment

For long journeys, it can be smart to have some parts of the journey preplanned and others open.

Preplanned and pre-paid parts of the journey are good for predictability but bad for flexibility.

Where To Stay, Eat & Have Fun

Although many websites will help you find accommodation, there are a lot of apps that are a great help to find amazingly chic or amazingly cheap, very last-minute bookings when you are in your impulsive phase!

You can find the perfect way to travel solo that works for you, like booking a charter trip, an organized group tour, or just getting a plane ticket and traveling from day to day!

Even heading out on a road trip is a great way to travel solo.

Solo Travel Small Group Tours & Activities

Practice photography or take a course
Register to do voluntary work before you go
Work for room and board – to increase your total travel time. Many hostels offer this.
Learn a skill
- Surfing
- Yoga
- Dancing
- Meditation
- Cooking, take a local cooking course
- Anything that you love and that is available to you

Wrap-Up How To Plan A Solo Trip

If traveling solo sounds impossible, scary, or a tad more exciting than you prefer, but you still dream about it, we are here to tell you that you can do it, and it is not dangerous.

Let we say it again: there are so many reasons why traveling alone is a travel category that is the most beautiful gem of travel, you might say, and none of them really are about being egoistic.