How to travel solo — and why you absolutely should
Editor's Note
Don't let the lack of a travel companion keep you from missing out on an amazing experience.
You might face the choice between traveling alone and not traveling at all. Your partner, friends or family may be unable to take the same time off work, or maybe they're just not as keen on the same destinations as you are.
That doesn't mean you're stuck at home.
Plan A Solo Vacation Day falls on March 1 each year, so now is the time to consider booking that solo trip.
I love traveling by myself and have had some fantastic experiences abroad. Sometimes, I prefer traveling alone to traveling with others.
Here are reasons I love traveling alone, along with some tips to help you plan your first solo trip.
Related: The 12 best places to travel solo in 2026
Why you should consider a solo trip
If you haven't considered taking a trip alone, doing so has several benefits.
First, you can have complete freedom and control to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Do you want to sleep in until noon, order room service and binge-watch Netflix to relax? No problem. Want to be up at 6 a.m. to watch the sunrise during a peaceful run to a scenic lookout? You can do that, too.
Love museums? Spend all day in one.
Hate museums? Skip them completely.
Related: 8 immersive digital art museums around the world worth experiencing
Long story short: You don't have to do anything you don't want to do just because someone you're traveling with wants to do it.
Also, you'll likely meet new people when traveling alone, since you may be more open to conversations with strangers rather than only talking with the people in your travel group.
I've also found that being the lone foreigner at a bar or cafe quickly leads to conversation, particularly if your accent differs from others'.
On the practical side, finding great travel deals for just one person can be much easier than for two. Sure, you're not splitting accommodation costs, but if you're using points and miles for your flight — especially in a premium cabin — it's significantly easier to find one award seat than two or more.
Your capabilities may surprise you after planning and navigating your first solo trip. You'll naturally become a better decision-maker as you decide what to do each day, rather than relying on a travel companion to choose for you.
Related: Need to know: The 6 top travel trends for 2026
There will be challenges
Traveling alone isn't perfect. You may become lonely traveling for an extended period, especially at mealtimes. If you enjoy your own company, it may be easier. However, it might be difficult for someone who likes constantly being around others.
I have found dinnertime to be the hardest part of the day when traveling solo; it's when people are most likely to sit down for a formal meal rather than grab something on the run. Don't feel self-conscious if you want to take a book, tablet or headphones to entertain yourself. Remember, for business travelers, eating dinner alone is a pretty normal part of the job, and they manage fine.
It can also become exhausting to make every single decision yourself. You must solve every problem, from a simple "Where can I get a coffee?" to the more complicated "My flight is canceled, and no one speaks English, how do I get home?" If you're indecisive, you may struggle with decision-making and have no one to help you.
Another downside might be that if you have an amazing, unique experience, it may not feel so special if you have no one to share it and remember it with. For example, that terrifying theme park roller coaster that made you almost faint may not make as good a story if no one else was there.
Finally, even if you keep busy as a traveler, there's often plenty of downtime. You may have almost too much free time without the natural conversations with other travelers and the time it takes to agree on daily decisions.
Best places for solo travel
For starters, just about any destination can be suitable for solo travel if you can join a group tour.
I'm not talking about booking a half-day tour online for the next day and hoping the group will be friendly (or that it will have other solo travelers). These are multiday tours where you travel together. I've made lifelong friends doing these tours where you are thrown together with strangers in an unusual setting.
A 2025 Group Travel Trends Report by WeTravel revealed that 18% of travel operators now offer solo-exclusive group tours to meet increasing demand, especially in the 45-to-60 age bracket. Of the hundreds of travel operators surveyed, 25% of their group bookings for 2025 departures were made by solo travelers. In its 2025 travel trend report, The New York Times also agreed that traveling alone is now a group activity.
If you're not joining a tour, there are still many destinations suited to solo travelers.
Related: 8 tips on how to travel solo in retirement
Big cities that are easy to navigate and have plenty to do
You'll want to keep yourself busy if traveling alone in a city, so pick one with plenty to do. At the same time, if you have to do all the navigating yourself, aim for those cities where it's relatively easy to get around, like London, Hong Kong, Dubai and New York City.
Relaxing beach destinations to switch off and unwind
Feeling burned out at home, pulling monster hours at work and dreaming of the day you can flop down somewhere sunny and recharge?
You might struggle to find someone who can come with you, especially at short notice. Don't be afraid to relax alone. You can lose yourself in a book, top up your tan and take an afternoon nap daily. You might find a solo trip more relaxing than a trip with your friends, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted peace and quiet.
I love visiting the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca to do exactly that. I return home recharged and ready to dive back into normal life.
If there's no beach where you're going, book a fancy resort with a nice pool, order a cocktail, fire up a podcast and chill.
Let's be real: We all need a good self-care trip now and then.
Destinations with great hostel and backpacker scenes
At my age (early 40s), I feel too old and precious to sleep in a dorm with strangers. However, many hostels/hybrid lifestyle brnds will have private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, like basic hotel rooms. Some of these are nice, too.
For example, the Generator chain in Europe and the U.S. has rooms similar to those of an Aloft or Moxy hotel. Its sister brand, Freehand, also offers private and shared rooms in select U.S. cities.
The benefit is that they will likely be filled with people like you — fun, social travelers who are up for a chat and a laugh. There's a good chance other solo travelers will look for someone to hang out with on their journey.
Places like Bali and Berlin are filled with hostels, while places like Kuwait and Casablanca, Morocco, are not. Do your research on the scene before booking the flight. Don't be afraid to book a private room in a hostel just to meet other travelers.
What destinations aren't suited to solo travelers?
There are some destinations that solo travelers should avoid, including:
- Super romantic destinations like the Maldives, where loved-up honeymooners will likely surround you.
- Family-friendly destinations and activities like theme parks and water parks, where you'll probably stand in line most of the day with no one to talk to. And although Las Vegas isn't a theme park, it isn't designed for solo travelers.
- Cities that are difficult to navigate on your own. You might find Havana frustrating if you don't speak Spanish well. On an organized tour, Moscow, Beijing and Cairo are wonderful, but they may not be easy to do alone.
- A remote resort that's difficult to leave, especially if it's hard for you to relax alone for extended periods. However, this is a great option if you enjoy your own company and find it relaxing to do nothing.
Related: How to choose and book the right Bora Bora resort
Solo travel tips
Once you pick a destination that matches your preferred travel style and is suitable for solo travel, here are some tips to help you prepare for your journey.
Research activities in the destination. A cooking class or food tour will help acclimate you to the local environment and introduce you to other solo travelers with similar interests. Culinary Backstreets offers daylong food tours everywhere from Barcelona to Bangkok.
Seize the opportunity to do what you want. This is when to visit the museum you've always wanted to see or linger in a shopping district without a schedule. You only have yourself to focus on during this trip. Not worrying about balancing a schedule with a partner or other family members can be liberating.
Share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member so they know where you are. Plan to check in with them at certain times during your travels. Be cautious moving around after dark, especially if it is a destination you have not visited.
Consider your travel gear. You have to carry it all, so pack light. A fanny pack or sling can be a great addition to your travel gear for hands-free travel and keeping your valuables close.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can do a few other things to ensure a successful solo trip.
First, try and be more social and approachable. Avoid putting on your headphones and gluing your eyes to your phone whenever you want to meet others.
This is when staying at a hostel is beneficial — it's nearly expected to talk with other travelers at the bar and in common areas. You may also want to search for places popular with travelers where it's easy to converse.
As we talked about, mealtimes can be difficult when traveling alone. You might feel self-conscious when you rock up to a fancy restaurant and ask for a table for one. I get most bored when traveling alone during dinner because I have nothing to do besides eating. For this reason, I generally choose dining establishments where I know the meal will be relatively casual, and I can likely be in and out in under an hour, as I don't wish to linger.
Ask if you can be seated at the bar — some bartenders love a good chat, especially if the venue isn't busy. Inquire about what their favorite drink to make is or ask for a recommendation for a local beer or cocktail.
I've enjoyed hotel breakfasts alone. It's a good chance to catch up on the daily news, scroll social media and plan the day. For lunch, I usually grab something to take away that is easy to eat alone.
Finally, push yourself outside your comfort zone.
If you've ever wanted to do an unusual activity but your family or friends didn't want to do it with you, here's your chance. Ever wanted to go to a risque burlesque show? Go for it. Always wanted to bungee jump, but everyone else is too scared of heights? Now's the time to do it alone.
Bottom line
I've enjoyed some fantastic solo vacations. The freedom and flexibility to do whatever I want, whenever I want, cannot be underestimated. It's a true holiday when I wake up whenever I want to and think, "What do I feel like doing today?"
If you want to travel but the only thing holding you back is a travel partner, consider going alone.
If you do, recognize that there may be times when you feel bored and without conversation. However, I treasure the benefits of traveling alone, even though it comes with difficulties. Only do what you want, and don't worry about anyone else's thoughts.
They're not there to pass judgment. It's your trip, and you can do and be anything you want.
Now that's a vacation.
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