Worried about traveling solo for the first time?
Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 06:04 am
If you’re worried about traveling solo for the first time, you are definitely not alone! That little voice in your head niggles – or your parents or friends make their comments like “its not safe” or “What if something goes wrong?”
Sure, taking your first solo trip can feel a bit daunting and make you nervous, but this post is all about why you shouldn’t be worried!
In fact solo travel can be empowering, rewarding, and often life-changing. And you don’t have to sit around waiting for friends to decide if they want to go with you on your adventure or not – you can just get on with it and go!
Why you’re probably feeling a bit worried or nervous
There are a few typical reasons you might be worried about traveling solo for the first time. First it might be way out of your comfort zone. Nobody to talk to, no one to help if you feel sick, no one to help keep you safe, no one to share making all the decisions with…..
But it also means total freedom and control of hat you do and when! And, even though you might not realise it yet, you are going to meet more people and probably have more experiences than you would with a travel partner!
Still not sure? Let’s check some of these common concerns and bust a few myths about them.
1. “I’ll get lonely.”
Yes, there might be quiet moments, but that’s not the same as being lonely. Solo travel actually invites connection. You’re much more approachable alone, and you’re more likely to start conversations you wouldn’t have with a travel buddy. Hostels, walking tours, cafés, and even trains have plenty of solo travelers open to a chat, sharing information, a night out, or a shared day trip. You actually meet more people traveling solo than if you are with someone else.
Read my post “How to meet people and make travel friends as a solo traveler – no matter how old you are?” and you will find a lot more detail on this!
Tip: Consider bringing a journal. When you’re solo, reflection becomes part of the adventure.
2. “What if something goes wrong?”
That’s valid!
Its normal to be worried about traveling solo for the first time and something going wrong.
But it’s exactly why you prepare yourself. Some key things to do are:
- Start small and /or safe – choose your first destination with ease in mind – a place that is known for safety, and for plenty of travellers or backpackers, and where the language is your own or (assuming English) it is widely spoken. See my post “Great places to take your first steps as a solo female traveler” for a few ideas.
- Make copies of important documents – take them with you and leave a copy with family or friends
- Put emergency contacts in notes on your phone or input them.
- Research health and safety tips for your destination – can you drink the water, what and where to avoid eating, any areas to avoid in a city or country
- Book the first few nights accommodation and know how to get there.
- Book flights or buses / trains so you arrive during the day – not at night!
Solo travelers often become more alert and resourceful by necessity – and that’s a good thing!
Tip: Share your itinerary with someone you trust. And stay connected with regular updates.
3. “People will think it’s weird I’m alone”
Nope. No way.
If anything, you’ll likely get admiration, curiosity, and even envy. Solo travel has become completely normal and even celebrated. People also are usually more than willing to help, offer advice, or include you in doing things in the city or place you are staying. Hostels usually have plenty of solo travelers.
Tip: Smile and go chat to people. Most people are more than welcoming.
4. “I won’t enjoy it without someone to share it with”
This is a big one – and I totally get it. (For me its more about later and not having someone to share the memory with. So yep, it’s understandable.)
But by traveling solo you are more likely somehow to really get fully into the experience. You take in the details: the taste of a new dish, the rhythm of a local street, the unexpected view around a corner, the excitement or adventure of a new activity or place.
And even better you are way more likely to make friends on the road to share an activity or a few days with – trust me it will just happen naturally if you are open to it! In the last couple oif weeks before writing this post, I spent 6 days traveling with one person I met in a hostel, then 2 days hiking with another – it just kind of worked out and we just got along. It was made even betterr by these people who I know I will visit in their own countries one day!
Tip: Sharing comes in other ways. You can blog, vlog, or simply take photos and tell your story later. IG, FB, tiktok, Polarsteps etc all are ways of sharing – just don’t make it the focus of your trip.
5 “I’ll get bored“
Very unlikely!
There will be days when you are alone, although at night if you are in a hostel – its unlikely! But during those days you are likely to be busy doing whatever you like doing! It may be you feel like a bit of time out and want to just sit on a beach and read a book, or you may go for a day hike, or visit a museum that interests you. But whatever it is, you are unlikely to get bored.
Tip: if you are really not sure what to do – check out the activities on GetYourGuide, Eatwith or Viator for the place you are in – go on a bike tour, take a class, go on an adventure with a group!
6. “Is it safe?“
There is so much negative information out there! Of course people love drama so bad things are always in the media – it sells! Its enough to make anyone worried about traveling solo for the first time!
But don’t be put off. If you take your normal precautions that you would in any city at home, or on any hike at home, then you should be fine.
Here are a few basics to remember:
- Choose a place known to be relatively ‘safe’ for your first trip e.g. Ireland or Japan
- Arrive at a new place well before dark wherever it is. Even in ‘safe’ countries there are cities or parts of cities you don’t want to be arriving in the dark in.
- Take normal precautions when in a bar – perhaps be more vigilant as tourists are easy to spot and prey on.
- Generally don’t tell people you meet where you’re staying – keep that to yourself unless its clearly another traveler who is genuinely looking for recommendations.
- Always always always have travel insurance. It can literally save your life if something serious happens. And serious things do happen.
As one example, I had a friend thrown 30meters by a hit and run motorbike and every bone in her body broken. It was almost a year she could be repatriated home and then it had to be first class with a nurse. Either you would need some very rich relatives to cover that cost, or go to a local hospital and probably be crippled for life if you didn’t have insurance! I have two other friends with similar stories! - Keep your money and credit cards in more than one place – separate them so if you lose some you haven’t lost them all. .
- Download google maps to use offline. And when you get to a place save your hostel or hotel on it!
- Be firm – or as rude as you need to be if someone is bothering you. Walk away. And, most importantly, trust your instincts.
Tip: Don’t believe everything you read about countries being “dangerous.” Sometimes information is really out of date or exaggerated! For example, I went to El Salvador at the end of 2022 and it was supposedly really really dangerous if you believed what you read. But by this point it was absolutely the safest place in Central America by far. Things change!
7. “I’ve just never done anything like it before!”
That’s fine – start small. Book a long weekend away on your own somewhere not too far away. Before you go, book a hostel on Booking.com or Hostelworld (or other accommodation if you prefer it) – read the reviews carefully before you book.
And maybe pre-book an activity through GetYourGuide, Eatwith or Viator before you leave so you have one activity with others already planned
Tip: If you are using Hostelworld check out the group chat for your hostel, or start a chat and you can even arrange to go for dinner or drinks with someone your first night before you leave!.
Final Thoughts
If you’re worried about worried about traveling solo for the first time, that’s normal. But don’t let fear stop you. Start small – maybe a weekend getaway in your own country or a well-trodden country or city elsewhere. Every solo traveler you admire once had their first trip, and were probably full of the same nerves. You don’t have to be fearless – just willing to try.
So go ahead—book that ticket. The world is waiting, and you’re probably way more ready than you think!
Planning for your trip
These are a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith.
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
Related Posts
Handy tips for a first time solo female traveler
10 great places to take your first steps as a solo female traveler
How to meet people and make travel friends as a solo traveler – no matter how old you are?
What to take in your hand luggage on a flight – especially long haul
….and if you’re on a budget….
How to sleep for free and meet the locals when you’re traveling!