Solo Travel

Planning + Preparing For Solo Travel

By Feral Travel

May 1, 2026

When people start thinking about planning to travel on their own, it can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to focus only on how much harder it is when you have to handle every detail yourself. Many long term solo travelers experience decision fatigue and exhaustion from having to make every little decision all the time.

But there’s another side to solo travel, you also have the freedom to plan however you want and whatever you want. You don’t have to worry about someone else’s preferences or compromise on anything. So, when you plan, work on making the tough parts of planning and travel easier and take advantage of the opportunities to enjoy the freedom.

Plan the trip that fits you

From leaving the house to getting home after some time away, think about your own unique needs and travel style before you dive into planning. If you live in a house, you will have to make arrangements for all the things to be taken care of while you’re away. Maybe you need to stop your mail or get a pet sitter, or maybe you have a roommate who will take care of those things for you. There’s not going to be a one-size checklist for this, same as there won’t be for the rest of the trip.

Try not to focus on what you ‘should’ do and instead consider what you really want and why you’re traveling. Maybe you need a break to relax or want to explore a city you’ve always wondered what it’d be like to wander the streets of. Or maybe you want to try something like a surf camp or you’ve dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights. And if it’s your first solo trip, it’s fine to pick somewhere easier to travel to. It doesn’t always have to be a grand adventure.

Decide what needs certainty and what can stay open

Some people are overplanners, while others prefer to wing it a bit. Whatever your style and comfort level, figure out what you’d like to have set in advance and where you’d prefer to have some breathing room in the itinerary. Unless you’re an experienced traveler and stepping into the unknown is the whole point, even travelers who are more spontaneous in nature usually want to know the basics and have an idea of things like how to get around and a grasp of the local currency.

Some good advice is to plan your must-dos. If you’re heading somewhere for a specific experience, like visiting a museum, check which days it’s open and even consider booking a ticket in advance. If you’d be upset if you didn’t get to do or see something, make sure to plan for it and leave less important things as optional depending on how things go.

Put more planning into the high-friction moments

If it’s in the budget, look for flights and accommodations that let you cancel or change your dates. This way you’ll have structure but it’s not a big deal if things don’t go according to plan. If you get there and the hotel isn’t as central as you hoped, you may be glad to have options.

Some travelers like to have a walking tour booked for their first day somewhere , while others prefer to keep the day free to wander and explore on their own. No matter your first day preferences, it’s often smart to have your arrival and first night planned. For example, I once flew into a safe airport where the taxi stand was supposed to be easy to navigate, but I still decided to book a ride to my hotel in advance. After a long wait at immigration, I was able to communicate with and meet my driver, while others came out to find no taxis available. When your travel seems tricky or complicated is when you’ll probably be glad you arranged something ahead of time.

THE Top Things I Always Do Before Traveling Solo Abroad [Jordan Gassner]

Budget for one person

Some expenses, like Ubers and private tour guides, don’t get halved just because you’re alone. But since you’re paying for everything, you also get to decide where to spend and where to save. You can stay somewhere cheaper so you can spend more on food tours and try different restaurants. Nobody has to agree with the spending plan, and you don’t have to do anything that doesn’t seem worth it to you.

Most of us don’t have unlimited budgets, so before you start planning, figure out what your max spend is. Then work backwards from that number as you plan and don’t forget to set some money aside for the unexpected costs. When you’re solo, there’s no one else to pay the bill when you run out of cash.

Take advantage of planning tools

It may seem like one more thing to deal with, but there are plenty of tools that can make the planning process easier. Even a simple spreadsheet can tell you how fast things are adding up.

There are many AI tools now that can take some of the work, but don’t take yourself out of the process. They aren’t always good with having the most up to date information, especially when details can change. Some people have been turned away at check-in because they trusted AI for visa or immigration info that turned out to be wrong. Use these tools for general information or low-risk ideas, like finding nearby places if something is closed or getting suggestions for good surf spots.

Solo Travel Planning With ChatGPT – How Best To Use It [The Mutton Club]

One of the best parts of solo travel is you can change your mind. Maybe you planned a sunrise hike but decide you’d rather see a show in the evening instead. No problem. If someone recommends a beach to you that’s not on your itinerary, you can go check it out. If you find a restaurant you love, you can eat there every night if you want and work your way through the menu. That’s the freedom of solo travel.

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