We often talk about travel mojo when it comes to empty nester travel — and in many ways, solo travel is about finding that same rhythm, just on your own.
We often talk about travel mojo when it comes to empty nester travel — and in many ways, solo travel is about finding that same rhythm, just on your own.
Solo travel can feel both exciting and intimidating at the same time. At Love Travel Planning, Lucy hasn’t done much solo travelling, so for this guide, you’re hearing from me at Smyto Creative. I’ve spent time travelling across Australia, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
But, I’ll be honest, before I went, it felt like a big step. There’s something about travelling alone that forces you out of your comfort zone. Throughout most of life, you’re used to travelling with someone – friends, family, partners, and naturally compromising along the way.
When you travel solo, that disappears. For once, you don’t have to compromise on anything. You eat where you want, go where you want, rest when you want. It’s complete freedom – and that’s both the hardest, and best, part to get used to.
Before getting into tips, it’s worth saying this:
Solo travel isn’t constantly exciting. Some moments feel incredible, with complete freedom, doing exactly what you want, meeting new people, exploring somewhere new. Other moments feel quiet. You might spend dinner alone, questioning what you’re doing, and feel slightly out of place, but that’s completely normal.
The difference is, those moments pass quickly, and they’re often replaced by a sense of independence you don’t really get any other way.
I didn’t do the traditional backpacking style of solo travel, but I have travelled across:
Staying in a mix of motels, apartments and hotels, I built my own version of solo travel, something that felt comfortable, flexible and realistic. Over two months, I met people when I wanted to, explored at my own pace, and gradually became more confident doing things alone.
Before that trip, I would have said I was quite introverted. After it, I realised I just hadn’t been in the right situations to push myself. Below are some of our solo travelling blogs:
This is where most people get it wrong. Solo travel confidence doesn’t start abroad, it starts at home.
If you’re always around people, being alone can feel uncomfortable at first. You’ll likely reach for your phone more, look for distractions, and feel slightly restless. Which is why this step matters.
For me, this came naturally after being made redundant. I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands, and I started walking — a lot. I think in the three months of being made redundant, I walked over 1,700,000 steps! I explored Yorkshire, found new trails, and spent time by myself outdoors.
Obviously you don’t need to give up your job, or go to the extreme of doing 20,000 steps a day, but you do need to find a hobby that you can do by yourself, preferably something active, away from people.
It sounds simple, but it changed everything.
I started to realise:
Being alone isn’t the same as being lonely.
This is the next level and where most people hesitate. Being alone in public could be anything from going for a meal by yourself, to a cafe without your phone, a drink in the pub, or a walk around a museum.
At first, you’ll feel slightly out of place. Then you won’t. This is exactly what solo travel feels like, just in a different location.
Solo travel isn’t just about being alone, it’s about choosing when to be social. Before you travel, try to do a walking tour around your closest city, join a fitness class with people you’ve never met, go to a local event like a gig with strangers.
You’ll meet people, have conversations, and then leave, with no added pressure. That’s the same dynamic you’ll experience abroad.
If you’re travelling solo for the first time, these are the things that made the biggest difference for me:
Constantly moving can feel exhausting when you’re on your own. Staying in one place allows you to:
You don’t need to stay in hostels to meet people. A good balance is:
Some days you’ll want to meet people. Other days, you won’t. Both are completely fine.
This is something we use across all travel styles at Love Travel Planning — usually 70% together, and 30% apart.
With solo travel, we flip that on its head. Spend 70% of your time following your own curiosity, exploring, wandering, doing things at your own pace. Then use the remaining 30% to put yourself into social situations, whether that’s a walking tour, a cooking class, or even just a drink with someone you’ve met.
It’s a simple balance that helps you build confidence, without feeling isolated.
If you’re driving, don’t overcomplicate it. A small SUV or a reliable car is more than enough, don’t opt for the massive 4×4 unless you’re used to driving one.
Solo travel follows the same structure as any trip – Who, What, When, Where, Budget, Booking, Packing, Travelling, After – but the difference is that every decision is shaped by you. Instead of balancing other people, you’re balancing your confidence, energy, safety and curiosity.
I’ll be honest, while I was travelling I met plenty of people who hadn’t planned much at all and were happily moving from place to place, deciding things as they went. There’s definitely something appealing about that, and I do have a spontaneous side to me.
But, with only two months to travel and work commitments to return to, I knew I needed a bit more structure. I wanted to make sure I was in certain places on certain dates, and that I had enough time to see what I actually wanted to see.
If you’ve got longer, you can absolutely leave more room for spontaneity. But if, like me, your solo trip has a time limit, having a clear plan in place can make the whole experience feel much more exciting – and far less overwhelming.
So, if that sounds like you, this is the step-by-step roadmap I’d recommend:
I know, I know, you’re travelling solo, you don’t have a companion, right? Wrong – you have yourself. Your travel companion is now your personality, your confidence, your social battery and your budget. Ask yourself:
Be honest here, the better you understand yourself, the better the trip will fit. To each of these questions, write them down on a word doc or a piece of paper, these will help you set the tone for your roadmap. If something doesn’t match this, it’s probably not right for your trip.
Next, you’ll want to define the style and intention of your trip… Is it:
Write a one line description of your trip. For example: A slow, confidence building solo trip with a mix of nature and social activities. Use this line to guide your decisions as you plan.
Timing isn’t just about picking dates, it’s about shaping how your trip will actually feel. Start with the practical side first:
Once you’ve got that clear, you can then think about the experience side of timing. Different times of year completely change a destination:
For solo travel, this matters even more. If it’s your first trip, travelling in a slightly busier season can actually help. There are more people around, more tours running, and it generally feels easier to settle in. If you’re more confident, quieter periods can be brilliant, with slower pace, fewer crowds, and more space to do your thing.
Trip length also plays a big role, we’ve found:
If you’re travelling for a longer period, say 2 to 3 months, it often makes sense to break the trip into smaller, mini adventures. That’s exactly what I did in Australia, I spent:
Structuring the trip this way gave me a balance between movement and stability. I could properly experience each place, without feeling like I was constantly on the move. It also helped me figure out what I enjoyed most. And, when I go back — I already know where I’ll be spending a big chunk of time… Tasmania.
What do you need to do? Decide on your travel dates, your total trip length, and whether you want a faster-paced trip, or fewer longer stays. Then sense check it against your energy. It’s better to slightly under-plan your time than overload it, especially when you’re travelling solo.
Choosing where to go as a solo traveller isn’t about picking what you’ve seen on Instagram or TikTok, it’s about choosing somewhere that makes the whole experience feel manageable and enjoyable. Look for places that give you:
If it’s your first solo trip, avoid overcomplicating things. You don’t need three internal flights, a ferry, and a hire car just to get started. From experience, destinations that are well travelled, easy to navigate and have a mix of activities, make solo travel feel far more enjoyable, especially in the early days.
It’s also worth thinking about how the destination supports your What…
When it comes to finding your destination, start broadly with 2 or 3 countries that you like the look of, then narrow them down to exactly which city or region you wish to visit, while asking yourself:
Then choose the one that best aligns with your Who + What + When.
Your budget has a much bigger impact on solo travel than you would expect. When you’re on your own, there’s no one else to share decisions with, so if something feels stressful (cheap accommodation, awkward location, complicated transport), you feel it more. That’s why the budget isn’t just about cost, it’s about how you want the trip to feel day to day:
One thing we’ve found is that spending slightly more in the right areas can completely change your experience. For example, £10 for a better hotel in a city, might mean you get a decent night’s sleep.
You will need to set a rough total budget, with a realistic daily spend range – you will be able to find stats on the cost of living of your desired destination. Then decide on your priorities, do you want comfort vs duration, location vs cot, or experiences vs savings. It’s not about spending more, it’s about spending in a way that supports your confidence.
Booking for solo travel isn’t about locking everything in, it’s about removing unnecessary stress for the first few weeks while you’re there. When you’re travelling alone, the unknown can feel bigger. So having a few things sorted before you go makes a huge difference.
Focus on booking your first week’s accommodation, preferably a decent hotel so you can get over your jetlag. In addition to this, think about your arrival plan, and how you’re going to travel from the airport to the accommodation.
If you plan on getting an eSIM, also make sure your phone provider also covers the country you’re going to in your contract — you may need to get a local SIM card to make further bookings. I would also recommend booking any GetYourGuide activities you wish to do in the first few weeks.
Once you’ve booked everything for the first few weeks, then you should store everything both offline and online. I recommend getting a passport wallet with an airtag in it, so you can easily find all of your information.
Packing for solo travel is different because you’re responsible for everything you bring. There’s no one to share bags with, carry extras or pick up the slack, so simplicity matters, focus on:
In most cases, I would avoid bringing a full suitcase. You will be able to buy clothes in the country you are going to – this will also help you blend in and look less like a tourist!
Safety is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to solo travel, and understandably so. While everyone’s experience will be different, especially for female solo travellers, I can only speak from my own perspective. These are the habits and precautions that helped me feel confident and in control while travelling alone:
This is one of the most searched questions, and the easiest to solve. You don’t need to force it. The best ways to meet people are to do a walking tour on the first day of visiting a new place, book an activity based experience, or do a group class (cooking, fitness, etc). When you’re doing something together, conversation happens naturally.
Most of the apps are user generated, so have recent events or activities. Others, are just general good to know apps for solo travellers, and ones I used everyday:
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