If you think solo travel isn’t for you, try these tips for planning a solo trip.

Guest contributor, Joyce Wilson

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Deciding to when, where and how to plan a solo trip can be daunting. Travelling alone is not something many people do very often. However, solo travel can provide a valuable opportunity for discovery and self-reflection. You may be wondering how to plan a solo trip. Read on for tips and encouragement to take the leap!

For people vacationing on their own, there are plenty of great places around the world that are well-suited for the perfect solo trip. These vary from easy trips within the country to big adventures halfway around the world.

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How to plan a solo trip

Tips for planning your first solo trip to discover who you are

Solo vacations are a fantastic way to try new experiences that the rest of your family or friends would grumble about. Sightsee, tackle intriguing adventures, or relax for hours by the pool. Give yourself a chance to discover new things about yourself as you explore. We tend to put everybody else first, but travelling alone allows for critical self-reflection.

Building up your mental health and pursuing your passions is essential and will help you become a better version of yourself. When you plan a solo trip, this type of adventure can lead to important self-discoveries about your strengths and hopes for the future. This can help you become stronger and more independent once you are home again.

Of course, you probably won’t want to be completely cut off from home. That’s why it’s important to bring along everything you’ll need to stay connected. A few pro-traveller recommendations include a wi-fi hotspot, a sturdy case to protect your phone, and a portable phone charger.

For more travel must-haves, check out this post on the top five travel must-haves and use this handy travel checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything. This post is going to help you plan the ultimate solo trip.

Where should you plan to go on your solo trip?

Fabulous options exist just a short plane ride away. Budget and timing can have a significant impact on your vacation options. Luckily, there are enticing places around the world that are well-suited to individual travellers.

For example, you could keep things in-country and explore Montreal, Vancouver, or Newfoundland. All of these locations provide great escapes for people that are travelling alone. In fact, while sitting at a cafe in Quebec City, you will feel just as though you’re in Europe. With a croissant in hand, and everyone around you speaking French, you’ll definitely get those Paris vibes.

Taking a solo trip down south to the United States can make for a fun adventure too. Consider heading to New York City to explore the art scene, take some tours, and check out the food markets. Broadway show, anyone?

When you’re vacationing solo you don’t have to listen to anyone groan about heading to a musical. Other U.S. destinations that are great for solo travellers include Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Austin, and Washington, D.C.

Ideal International destinations for your first solo trip

If you have a bit more money to work with, consider heading to Europe. Cities like Copenhagen, Denmark, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Stockholm, Sweden, and Reykjavik, Iceland can also be fantastic destinations for those on their own.

Plan your perfect solo trip to the Greek Islands, Ireland, Barcelona, Spain, or Amsterdam. All of these European cities are popular spots to visit. They are so full of tourists that I bet you’ll never feel alone.

There are a few other spots around the world that garner rave reviews for solo travel. These include heading to Kenya for a safari or visiting New Zealand or Australia.

You could also aim to head to Asia to visit Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taipei, Taiwan, or southern Thailand. Or venture south to Guatemala, Costa Rica, the British Virgin Islands, or Santiago Chile.

Let someone else do the solo travel planning for you

If you don’t want to plan your solo trip or the thought of trying to plan the perfect solo trip is overwhelming, let someone else do it. Consider using a tour company that sets up outdoor adventure tours with the single traveller in mind. They minimize the impact of the single supplement and do all the planning work for you.

Groups like Intrepid Travel, Contiki Tours, and G Adventures have developed a reputation for catering to this niche of travellers. They make it easy to explore the world with a small group of other solo vacationers. Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely or mean that you are alone the whole time. The perfect solo trip for you might be with a tour group.

Travelling solo doesn’t mean that you have to be alone. Joining a tour group is a great way to travel solo, and yet be with other people at the same time. It’s the ideal way to dip your toe into the waters of solo travel. Joining a travel group is one of the best tips for planning your first solo trip.

Plan your solo trip today and rediscover yourself

Taking a break from day-to-day life can be a valuable opportunity for reflection and self-discovery. There are options both near and far that are perfect for refreshing your spirit and your mind and that work well for solo travellers.

You can even turn the planning over to the experts to ensure you have plenty of time to relax without blowing up your budget. Looking for some inspiration for your next travels? Check out these 20 inspirational travel quotes.

If you’re the type who might struggle between spending this time for yourself versus sharing it all on your Social Media channels, check out this post on how to find balance when it comes to social media and travelling.

To help you plan your first solo trip, here are 20 of the safest places for solo travel in 2023. Happy (and safe) solo travels!

And finally, if you want to let AI do some of the heavy lifting when it comes to planning your solo trip, check out Guide Geek, the ultimate travel planning assistant.