I first embarked on my solo travels in 2017 with a one-way ticket to the island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam. I had zero concrete plans, no consistent income source, credit card debt, no experience travelling alone, and a flat in zone 1 of London that I was still renting. But I did it. I left my job and began an incredible 8-year journey of digital nomad life.
A lot went wrong, and I learnt some very tough lessons very quickly. Had I read a blog or two like this one, I may have been better prepared for most eventualities – like having most of my personal belongings stolen in Cuba, and getting stuck without a place to stay during a national holiday in Taiwan.
But having gone through these tough situations, I do believe I now have all the best intel to share with you, so you can have a seamless as possible solo travel experience!
So, whether you are looking for general solo travel tips, safety tips, or budget travel hacks, you can find them here in my ultimate ‘solo travel tip’ guide!
1. Be prepared
The one thing that I wasn’t when I first started travelling solo was prepared. Since that first adventure, I have learnt that preparation is key! And no, I don’t mean planning an exact itinerary for each day you are travelling, because that would simply be too rigid. I am talking about general research and packing prep. So, let’s get into it!
Research your destination
This may sound blatantly obvious, but there were many times I wouldn’t look up a destination before turning up. I’d book a flight there off the back of a recommendation from another traveller and then just roll with it. It can be great fun, but as a solo traveller (especially a female traveller, it can be quite risky.
It is important to find out about the local area, look into the safer areas to be, research common scams, and look for decent transport options. I always prioritise public transport routes over taxis and Uber as a solo female traveller. So, when booking an Airbnb/hotel/coliving space (like Outsite), I like to make sure there are good bus or subway routes nearby, or that it is centrally located.
Use Google to find recommendations from other solo travellers who have visited there. You will be able to get some good intel about which areas to stay in and where to hang out to meet other people (more on that below!)
Buy the right tech
I don’t know what I’d do without my tech when I’m travelling, most of all my phone and an eSIM. Bringing the right technology for your trip will ensure you can stay safe and prepared throughout your travels.
For example, a mobile phone with an eSIM (find out what an eSIM is here) will ensure you have internet directly on your phone everywhere you go.
I travel with my iPhone. It is great for taking photos and has a decent enough battery life that I can use it all day for useful tasks like navigating on Google Maps, staying in touch with friends and family on WhatsApp, and researching things to do on the web browser.
As I mentioned, I use an eSIM to get internet on my iPhone. My favourite eSIM is from Saily (find out more in my Saily review). With their Ultra plan, you can get 30GB of high-speed data each month in 120 destinations across the world, with perks like airport lounge access and security features for your phone (like web protection and an ad blocker).
Or you can browse their country or region-specific eSIMs if you are only headed to one destination.
Here is an overview of all the technology I make sure to bring with me on my solo travels:
- My phone and laptop
- An eSIM (I use Saily)
- A battery pack/power bank for charging my devices on the go
- A VPN for use on my laptop (I use NordVPN)
- Travel adaptors for all my plugs
Pack smart
When you are travelling alone, you need to make sure you have everything you may need all in your suitcase and/or bag. You don’t have anyone else to rely on should you need something you forgot to pack during your travels.
I make sure to plan thoroughly the sorts of things I am going to pack. There is only a finite space in my suitcase, and needing to pack for any eventuality also means packing as light as possible. So, I don’t bring my whole wardrobe with me. And I plan ahead with a packing list that covers anything I may need for my destination(s).
Here are some handy packing lists that may come in useful to you:
- My ultimate winter holiday packing list
- My ultimate vegan packing list
- My ultimate summer holiday packing list
Start gradually
I threw myself straight into the deep end with a one-way ticket to Vietnam, but if I were to start again, I’d take myself out on a few solo trips beforehand to get a feel of it. To find out more about my travel style and how I can best prepare for a long-term stint away from home.
I lucked out because I discovered a deep love for travel, and I found a way to deal with chaos, despite being a highly organised person. But I have met a fair few people who committed to solo travelling and regretted it once away from home.
By starting close to home on shorter stints alone, you can test the waters a little. You’ll know very quickly if it is for you or not!
2. Stay safe
When travelling alone, you definitely need to be a lot more cautious of yourself and your belongings. Particularly if you are a solo female traveller, like me. I don’t say any of this to put you off travelling, because I believe threats exist everywhere, even at home. But it does pay to be extra wary of these things when travelling solo.
Look after your valuables
I learnt this the hard way when out having drinks with some new friends in Havana, Cuba. I had a bag tied loosely around my waist with my Airbnb keys and bank cards in it. Thankfully, my phone was in my pocket when the bag was somehow swiped off me in a crowd of people.
In this situation, I was with other people, and I still had my phone. So I went straight to one of the WiFi zones and used one of my friend’s internet cards so I could cancel all my bank cards. The main issue came after that: getting money out of ATMs was now impossible. So I had to rely on other people to help me out, not ideal when travelling solo!
So, now I always make sure to travel with a safety belt that I keep under my clothes for storing my most valuable possessions, like ID, bank cards, and my phone.
Stay connected
Even though you may be physically alone, you can still rely on people you know to keep an eye out for you online. For example, I always make sure to keep family members updated with my whereabouts whenever I change locations.
I also have my location showing to a few friends on Find My (on iPhone), so my whereabouts are always being tracked. Moreover, whenever taking an Uber or other rideshare app, I share my ride with someone. If I have made new friends locally, and I am going to meet them, I share it with them.
And of course, this all requires a reliable internet connection on your phone. So don’t forget to get that eSIM! I recommend using Saily for reliable and consistent coverage in over 200 destinations worldwide!
Take out insurance
It is better to be safe than sorry! I recommend always travelling with insurance, so if something does go wrong, you know you have something to fall back on.
For example, I had a friend who got into a road accident whilst in Vietnam. He didn’t have insurance, and the hospital bills cost him tens of thousands of USD. With insurance, he would have been covered.
Most travel insurance also covers you for travel delays and lost luggage, as well as additional theft protection for personal items. Check out all my favourite travel insurance providers here.
3. Socialise
As much as I love my own company, I can sometimes get a little lonely when travelling solo. Which is why I try mix things up a bit and spend some time socialising!
Take tours
When arriving in a new destination, I like to sign up for walking tours (on sites like Get Your Guide). I often look for free walking tours, which have the added bonus of teaching you a few things about the local area. It is on these tours that I can then sometimes socialise with other travellers and holidaymakers.
Sometimes, for me, that is enough socialising. But at times, I find it is also an opportunity to make connections with people whom I then meet up with again for other adventures.
Meet locals
The most fun I’ve had on my solo travels is when I have made connections with locals. It is the best way to get to know a place and the local culture and customs properly.
And for me, is one of the biggest benefits of travelling solo. Because typically, when you travel with other people, it is harder to meet locals.
Some of my best connections have been made in random ways. Like in an airport, in a bar, and on the street, looking for directions. These connections have led me on some of my most magical adventures.
Solo travel tip FAQs
What are the best places to travel solo?
In my experience, the best places to travel solo are destinations that are easy to get around, have good infrastructure, and already have a steady flow of travellers.
Places like Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Portugal, Spain, and much of Central Europe are great for solo travel. Public transport is reliable, accommodation is easy to find, and it’s not hard to meet other travellers if you want to.
I also look for destinations where it’s normal to eat alone, explore alone, and move around independently without attracting too much attention. That makes a huge difference to how comfortable solo travel feels, especially on longer trips.
Ultimately, the “best” place is one that matches your travel style. If you like structure and safety, start somewhere well connected. If you’re more adventurous, build up to places that require a bit more flexibility.
How can you solo travel safely?
Solo travel safety comes down to awareness, preparation, and staying connected.
I always research a destination before I arrive, including safer areas to stay, common scams, and how transport works. I prioritise accommodation in central locations with good public transport so I’m not relying on taxis late at night.
I’m careful with my valuables, I don’t carry everything in one place, and I keep important items like my passport and bank cards hidden under my clothes. I also avoid oversharing my plans with people I don’t know well.
Staying connected is a big one for me. I keep my location shared with trusted people, I update family or friends when I move locations, and I share rides when using Uber or similar apps. Having reliable mobile data makes all of that possible.
And finally, I always travel with insurance. It’s one of those things you hope you never need, but when you do, it really matters.
What are the best female solo travel tips?
As a solo female traveller, I trust my instincts above everything else. If something feels off, I leave. No explanation needed.
I choose accommodation carefully, usually in central areas with good reviews from other women. I also pay attention to how easy it is to get around at night and whether public transport is nearby.
I dress in a way that helps me blend in rather than stand out, especially in more conservative countries. That doesn’t mean changing who you are, just being respectful of local culture.
I also make a habit of staying connected at all times. That means mobile data on my phone, location sharing with people I trust, and regular check-ins. It gives me peace of mind knowing someone always knows where I am.
Solo travel as a woman is incredibly empowering, but it does require a bit more planning and awareness.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that’s built into your phone. Instead of buying a physical SIM card and swapping it in and out, you can activate mobile data directly on your device by scanning a QR code or installing an app.
That means no hunting for SIM cards at airports, no language barriers when trying to buy one, and no carrying tiny bits of plastic around with you.
If your phone supports eSIMs, it’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected while travelling.
How does Saily eSIM work?
Saily is an eSIM provider that gives you mobile data in multiple countries without needing a physical SIM card.
Once you choose a plan, you install the eSIM on your phone and activate it when you arrive at your destination. Your phone then connects to local networks automatically, so you have internet as soon as you land.
I use Saily because it’s simple and reliable. Their Ultra plan gives you monthly data across loads of countries, which is ideal if you’re moving around a lot. They also offer country and region-specific eSIMs if you’re only travelling to one place.
Having data on my phone means I can navigate, message people, share my location, book transport, and generally feel more secure when travelling alone.
My go-to travel health insurance:
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