A few notes
I've always thought that everyone would like it if they just got over the fear, but I was thinking the question was 'Can I travel solo?' But when I stop and think about 'Should you travel solo?' then there is likely a subset of people who just genuinely wouldn't enjoy it. That feels useful to think about if you're considering a solo trip for the first time.
Meeting people and making friends are two different things. A walking tour can give you opportunity to meet people, but if you have a museum tour at 2 and dinner booked right after, you've left no room for 'wanna grab a drink?' I like the advice of putting yourself somewhere to meet people and then leaving enough flexibility to see what happens.
I don't think I ever appreciated that liking being alone gives me a head start in solo travel. Or that heading out by myself gives me a socially acceptable reason to be alone. For me, being alone isn't something that needs fixing.
Solo travel tip
Just because solo travelers are easy to move, doesn't mean we should have to. Think about your seat switching boundaries before you board. If you picked that seat, maybe you refuse to switch at all. Or maybe you're ok switching as long as you stay in a window seat, or in the front half. Knowing in advance makes the moment less awkward for you and ensures you stay where you want to be.
A few useful solo travel resources I came across
- How to Beat Loneliness While Backpacking Solo [Travel With Cory]
- Solo Travel for Beginners: Tips I’ve Learned From Years of Traveling Alone [Adventures & Sunsets]
- Red or Blue Pill: How Solo Travel Breaks the Matrix | Rewiring What You Believe is Possible [GrrrlTraveler]
- Why Walking Tours Are My Secret Weapon For Solo Travel In Europe [We Are Travel Girls]
- She’s Traveled to Every Country in the World—and This Is Her No. 1 Safety Tip for Women Traveling Solo [Travel + Leisure]
If you're looking for a solo travel destination, the internet always has plenty of opinions
- Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers All Want Different Solo Travel Trips—Here’s Where They’re Going and Why [AFAR]
- The best solo city breaks for women [The Travel Hack]
- Best Winter Destinations for Solo Travelers: 10 Adventures to Add to Your List [Flight Mode Feven]
- 14 Best Solo Travel Adventures To Go On [We Are Global Travellers]
- Calling All Women Who Travel Solo—Add These US Destinations to Your Bucket List [CN Traveler]
All the best finds get added to the Solo Travel Hub. If you want everything in one place, it's available with a free member signup.
Feral Travel