The concept of traveling solo is becoming more and more popular right now. As we step out of societal norms and reject the idea of having to always be accompanied by other people to do the things we enjoy, solo travel has seen a consistent rise in interest in recent years. And we can see why! Solo travel encourages independence, freedom, and self-actualization. So, whether you’re an introvert who simply adores spending time alone, or a social butterfly craving to make brand new connections with different people all across the globe, there’s never been a better time to take the leap and head out on a solo adventure!
Before you plan your exciting solo trip, however, it’s good to familiarize yourself with a few useful tips and clever life hacks to get the most out of your experience. And guess what? We’re here to help you get prepared with today’s post! From safety tips to packing recommendations, we’ll cover it all.
Trending Solo Destinations for 2026
You can travel solo to any destination, in theory, but some areas might be seen as more favorable than others! In 2026, we’re seeing a few destinations trending for solo travel, including countries like the Netherlands, Thailand, Japan, Italy, Iceland, and Spain.
It’s good to take into account trending destinations, but we encourage you to follow your heart, too, when it comes to choosing your solo trip’s location. Because with enough research and preparation, you can enjoy any of your dream solo travel destinations. With that, let’s get into our top tips for traveling solo!
Be Safe
The most important aspect to consider when traveling solo is, of course, your personal safety. It’s essential to research the areas you’d like to visit and see if they’re deemed relatively safe for solo travelers. Unsure where you’d like to go? A great place to start is by researching the world’s safest locations for solo travelers, and going from there!
Keeping your possessions safe is another key consideration. Make use of devices such as Airtags for any valuables, and keep your friends and family in the loop with regards to your whereabouts using location-sharing apps such as Google Maps. Aside from location-sharing apps, there’s truly an endless amount of useful downloads for any vacationer, and we’ve rounded our top picks up in our post “Trendsetting Travel Apps for a Stress-Free Vacation!”
Solo Travel Safety for Women
As well as the tips we mentioned above, when traveling solo as a woman, you can take a few extra precautions to keep yourself safe. We recommend looking out for all-women accommodation or transport options, remaining alert when walking around alone, always keeping your phone battery high, investing in personal safety wearables, and connecting with other women who are solo traveling. It’s also smart to do some research into countries that have a reputation for being the safest for women who travel solo.
Learn the Lingo
Learning a few phrases and useful words in the local language of the area you intend to stay in is always a good idea! This will make your trip easier, and also help you immerse yourself in the culture of the destination, all while giving you a chance to teach yourself a new language. Starting this learning process in enough time before you travel is key to gaining confidence. Focus on words like ‘hello,’ ‘please,’ and ‘thank you’ to get the basics, and aim for more phrases if you can! Utilize apps like Duolingo and Babbel to smash your language learning goals! Google Translate camera mode is also an excellent app to have in your arsenal for reading signs, metro maps, and food ingredients.
Stay in a Shared Space
Sometimes, when you’re traveling solo, hotel rooms can end up feeling a little isolating and lonely for some. So, to save a lot on costs, and to make new friends, why not opt for a shared space accommodation during your trip? Stay in hostels aimed at solo travellers, or check out Airbnb homestays arranged by locals to create great opportunities for making amazing connections with the people you meet on your journey.
Do Your Own Thing
One of the best things about traveling alone is the freedom, so now’s your chance to do the things you wouldn’t normally do with friends and family! Whether you want to visit every art gallery in town, or order all the local food on the menu, go on a soft adventure, or do something extra hardcore, the world is your oyster! Maybe you’d love to just lounge by the pool with a book because that would be impossible with the kids around. Whatever it is, make the most of your time alone with no obligations to compromise! We suggest keeping track of your day-to-day ventures in a travel journal that you can refer back to and share with your loved ones upon your return home.
Bond with Other Travelers
Make sure to sign up for group activities in your local vicinity! This is a foolproof way to meet like-minded travelers and make friends. Embark on an educational walking tour, explore the area on a thrilling cycling trip, or enjoy a cooking class and learn about the country’s cuisine. Apps like Tourlina or websites like Solo Traveller World will help you find other travelers near you. Don’t forget to check out Facebook groups, and browse any relevant Subreddits or other useful digital communities concerning your destination for great tips and handy information.
Keep Connected
After a busy day solo sightseeing and trying delectable local foods, you might crave some time indoors to chill! Traveling doesn’t mean being on-the-go 24/7 and burning yourself out. In fact, downtime is important as it helps you recharge for the adventures that lie ahead! This is why we recommend ensuring you have WiFi access in your accommodation so you can catch up on your favorite TV shows and FaceTime your friends and family while you wind down. It’s also a great idea to activate an eSIM that allows you to have internet access while out and about, so you never run into any connectivity problems.
Resist the Room Service
Dining alone can be the most challenging part of traveling solo for some people, but it doesn’t have to be! If you feel nervous going to a formal restaurant by yourself, look out for more casual eateries with other single people. Solo mealtimes can also be a great time to read, catch up with your loved ones at home, or strike up a conversation with the locals to get some inside tips for the rest of your trip.
Get Your Bearings
Google Maps will be your best friend on a solo trip; however, prior to your arrival, we also advise studying a map of the area to get your bearings using a few landmarks or points of interest nearby. When you check in, it’s clever to pick up a physical card or brochure with the hotel’s name and address on it, or get your host to mark the location on a map. That way, if you get lost and your phone battery dies, you can flash the card to a cab driver who can drive you back! If you’ve got an eSIM for your phone, you’ll likely always have internet access wherever you go, but it’s still good to plan ahead, just in case!
Pack Light
Before you set off solo, it’s useful to do a test run at home and make sure you can comfortably carry all your baggage on your own! On a solo trip you won’t have any selfless friends volunteering to lighten your load if you overpack, so prioritize essentials only, and bring items of clothing you can mix-and-match. Keep your passport safe in a passport holder, and store any items you need within easy reach in a small tote bag that you can access quickly. Don’t forget to label your bag with a custom luggage tag to avoid any lost baggage!
Well, you’ve come to the end of our guide! We hope this post will help you prepare for your next solo travelling adventure, wherever you intend to visit. If you can think of any tips we missed out on, please share them with our readers in the comments. Bon voyage!
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, fashion, photography, and trying new vegan food!
I think #vanlife is the best choice for solo travel. You can easily get away and if you feel uncomfortable you can just drive somewhere else. You can even have your dog with you without hotels saying no pets. You don’t have to sleep with strangers in hostels.