If you’re wondering how to solo travel for the first time, I can almost guarantee you’ve asked yourself at least one of these questions:
- What if something goes wrong?
- Is solo travel actually safe?
- Won’t I get lonely?
Trust me, I had all of those thoughts too. But after multiple solo trips, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not because every trip was perfect, it wasn’t. I had awkward moments, ate dinner alone, and questioned whether this was even a good idea.
But I also discovered something I never would’ve experienced if I’d waited for someone else to come with me.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about how to solo travel for the first time — from picking your destination to staying safe as a woman traveling alone.
Is Solo Travel Worth It?
If you’re figuring out how to solo travel for the first time, know that it’s completely normal to feel both excited and terrified.
For me? Absolutely worth it. Solo travel teaches you something that’s hard to learn anywhere else. You become more confident. You trust yourself more. You stop waiting for the “perfect time” or the “right person” to experience life.
That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. In fact, some days you’ll feel completely free. Other days you’ll wish you had someone to laugh with over dinner. Both can be true, and that’s okay.
How to Start Solo Traveling
When you’re learning how to solo travel for the first time, one of the biggest mistakes is thinking your first trip has to be this huge, life-changing adventure. It really doesn’t.
You don’t need to book a one-way ticket across the world or spend a month backpacking through Europe just to call yourself a solo traveler (I mean that is what I did but it doesn’t have to be that way), start smaller. You can book a long weekend. Pick a city that’s easy to get around, somewhere you’ve genuinely been excited to visit, and somewhere you’ll feel comfortable exploring on your own. It can be in your home country/state or somewhere international — either works.
I know it’s tempting to try and make your first trip “perfect,” but honestly? Let go of that expectation now. I have never, and I mean never taken a solo trip that went completely without a hitch.
Your first solo trip isn’t about proving how brave or adventurous you are. It’s about building confidence. It’s about realizing that yes, you can navigate a new city by yourself. You can enjoy dinner alone. You can figure things out when plans change.
And once you do it once, the next trip feels so much less intimidating.
You really don’t have to start big. You only just have to start.
How to Choose Your First Solo Travel Destination
Destination choice is honestly one of the most important decisions when you’re solo traveling for the first time. You want to pick somewhere you’ll love, but you also don’t want your first experience to feel overwhelming.
If I were helping a friend plan their very first solo trip, these are the things I’d look for:
- A walkable city. There’s something really freeing about being able to explore on foot without relying on taxis or figuring out transportation.
- Somewhere that feels safe. Feeling comfortable means you’ll actually enjoy wandering, trying new cafés, and staying out for sunset instead of rushing back to your hotel.
- Easy public transportation. Even if you get lost (and trust me, it happens), it’s nice knowing you can hop on a train or metro and get back without too much stress.
- A destination with other travelers. It can be surprisingly comforting knowing you’re not the only person exploring on your own. Whether you stay in a hostel, join a walking tour, or simply grab coffee, it’s much easier to meet people if you want to.
Best Countries and Cities for First-Time Solo Travelers
Europe
Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, London, Tenerife (if you stay near the airport).
USA
Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., NYC ( NYC is a great city because there is so much to do but its very hustle and bustle city and can be overwhelming).
These are all great for first-time travel trips as most of the areas downtown feel safe, easy to navigate, welcoming, and give you the confidence to focus less on logistics and more on simply enjoying the experience.
Is Solo Travel Safe for Women?
Safety is probably the number one concern for anyone looking to solo travel for the first time — especially women. I get asked this question a lot— and to be honest it’s a completely fair one.
The short answer is yes. I genuinely believe solo travel can be incredibly safe for women, but like anything, it comes down to making smart decisions.
Before every trip I:
- Research the neighborhoods I’m staying in
- Share my itinerary with someone back home
- Arrive during daylight whenever possible, so I’m not trying to figure out a new city late at night.
Once I’m there, I do the same things I’d do anywhere else: stay aware of my surroundings, trust my instincts, and avoid putting myself in situations that don’t feel right. One thing solo travel has taught me is that being prepared gives you confidence. You don’t have to be fearless to travel alone, you just have to be thoughtful.
One practical thing I always pack
I have an extra door lock I bring with me for hotels to add a layer of security. I also make a point of walking around and using public transit during the day. Not just for safety, but because it helps you learn the area. By night you’re not staring at your phone — you actually look more like a confident local who knows where they are going.
The more you travel, the more you learn to trust yourself. And honestly, that’s one of the best parts of solo travel. Trust your gut and remember you are traveling alone. This doesn’t mean to scare yourself so you are locked away in your hotel at night, it just means if something feels weird don’t stay around to see if your instincts are right. Leave.
Something my mom always told me: if you think someone is following you, cross the street, then cross back again. If they stay with you, walk into a shop or restaurant, or join a large room and tell someone what’s going on.
Safety is so important so never tell someone where you are staying. If someone asks me I always say I am downtown give or take.
The Biggest Solo Travel Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes I made on my first few trips was trying to see absolutely everything. Yes, I made a full list of all my plans and love it yes! That’s my favorite way to travel but just don’t be upset if you miss something on your list.
On my last trip, I really wanted to see Belem tower in Lisbon but it was pouring with rain the day I planned to go and I missed it. Instead of being upset, I just thought well now I have a good reason to return.
I personally love a huge list of things to do and even once went to 4 museums in one day but not everyone has to travel this way. Personally I think the perfect and I mean perfect travel day is this:
1. Coffee/Pastry
2. A Museum
3. A local sweet treat
4. Activity (climbing a tower, seeing the changing of the guard etc)
5. Sightseeing/viewpoint – seeing big ben, watching the sunset , etc
6. Dinner and a drink.
7. Netflix back at the hotel with a 7-Eleven haul 😅
Another mistake? Comparing your trip to someone else’s trip. Not every moment is going to look cinematic, and honestly, it doesn’t need to because that is travel. Sometimes it’s sweating as you walk up a hill, and then the movie moment hits when you’re eating gelato at the top taking in the views. The hard and awkward parts of solo travel are what make the trip and the gelato taste that much better.
But I can guarantee Veronica who went to Italy with her parents didn’t post that lol.
What Nobody Tells You About Solo Travel
People love to talk about how empowering solo travel is, and it really can be, but they don’t always talk about the in-between moments.
Sometimes you’ll feel lonely. Sometimes you’ll have the best conversation with a complete stranger. Sometimes you’ll spend two hours in a café doing absolutely nothing. And sometimes you’ll take a wrong turn and accidentally find the best part of the city.
That’s what I love most about solo travel. You have the freedom to follow your curiosity and make the trip entirely yours. When you’re left with just your thoughts it can feel lonely at first — but try to remind yourself how amazing it is that you’re in a brand new city on your own adventure. I have now gotten out of this loneliness and just enjoy every moment, but I get it.
My Advice Before Your First Solo Trip
If you’re waiting until you feel completely confident or fearless, you’ll probably be waiting for a long time.
I definitely didn’t plan my first solo trip when I was 19. My ex could not get a visa and instead of being like darn I’ll hang back with you, I said screw it I’m going. Some might think that’s bold or mean, but I knew I couldn’t let anything stop me from going on an adventure. He ended up meeting a friend to travel with so everyone won, but the point is — don’t let anything stop you from living your best life.
Every solo trip teaches you something new about the world. But more importantly, it teaches you something about yourself.
So if you’ve been wondering how to solo travel for the first time and keep putting it off — this is your sign to stop overthinking it and book the ticket. The rest becomes part of the story.
Ready to start planning?
I have also started putting together group trips — so if you’re nervous about traveling alone but want to start, a girly group trip is a great way to get out there!
And if Lisbon is on your travel list, I’ve also put together a complete Lisbon Travel Guide where I share everything I wish I’d known before I went—from where to stay and what/where to eat, to getting around the city, and an exact 3-day itinerary I’d recommend if it’s your first time visiting. Check it out here: Lisbon Travel Guide
I’ve been documenting my solo travel adventures on Instagram if you want to see the real, unfiltered version of these trips — come follow along @exploringwithlexi.
Leave a Reply