5 things you need to know if you plan on travelling solo
My First Solo Trip
When I was 19, I decided to uproot my life in Sydney, and venture to the other side of the world with $1000 (a lot of cash at the time, to be fair), a backpack, and my trusty discman.
It was a one way ticket to a place I knew NOTHING about.
I couldn’t speak the language.
For the first time in my life I had no one there to bail me out if I got stuck.
I never knew that cities in Europe didn’t all have big skyscraper buildings, or that in summer the sun wouldn’t set until well after 10pm in most places.
I had never seen a red light district, or shared a room in a hostel with complete strangers.
This was my baptism by fire moment, and honestly I didn’t love it.
Until I did.
After I got over my hopeless homesickness and fears, I decided that my best option was to throw myself into every experience I could. Some of these will never be spoken of again (and if my daughter asks, they were all VERY SAFE and I made good choices all the time). What came next was a lifetime of magical experience and knowledge, and a long career in the travel industry, that makes me an expert in solo travel.
So let me give you my top 5 tips to making your solo travels a success:
1. Know your boundaries - and then nudge them.
Let’s face it, if you are afraid of heights, bungee jumping is not going to be a fulfilling life experience. HOWEVER, the number one key part of getting the maximum out of your solo travel adventure is to be comfortable with stretching your comfort zone. That might look like eating at a restaurant by yourself, or it might be hiking a crazy mountain solo. Wherever your boundary sits, I would implore you to nudge it slightly, and then a bit more if you can. This ‘new zone’ of experiences is where the magic really happens.
2. Use the experts
Yes, I’m tooting my own horn here. But if you’ve got butterflies about travelling solo, it helps to get advice from someone who knows the destination inside-out.
A good travel agent or local expert can prepare you for things like currency, cultural customs, food, and transport. The fewer avoidable speedbumps you encounter, the smoother your trip will feel. That way you spend less time stressing, and more time experiencing.
3. Be flexible.
Research is important, but flexibility is what makes solo travel feel lighter.
I always recommend travellers keep an extra $100 aside for those sneaky little costs — a tuk tuk ride, a national park fee you didn’t know about, or a last-minute change of plan.
Often, those unexpected detours turn into the highlight of your trip.
4. Choose your destination wisely
I wish I could say you can safely travel anywhere solo. Sadly, that’s not the world we live in.
Do your research. Be adventurous, but smart. In recent years, destinations like Sri Lanka and Portugal have emerged as favourites for solo travellers, especially women. Both offer adventure, culture, and welcoming local communities.
5. Take the pics - but cherish the memories
Solo travelling is going to produce a lot of selfies, absolutely. These are going to be so fun to go through with all your (envious) friends when you get back.
One of the most special things I treasure about my solo adventures, however, are the little snippets of time where I had a moment that only I would keep.
Sure, this was a lot easier in my backpacking days before we had cameras in our phones (yikes!). It is these moments - the sunset over Edinburgh Castle that lit it up pink, and the delicious mango I ate on the deserted beach in Port Douglas - that I treasure the most. They are mine, and mine alone. I ventured far and wide to get them, and they are some of the most special snippets that make up the whole of my travel life.
Ready to Plan Your Solo Adventure?
Solo travel changes you. It builds confidence, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and gifts you memories that are yours forever.
If you’re ready to take the leap but want a little guidance, let’s chat and I’ll help you design a trip that feels safe, exciting, and completely yours.