When I was younger, I never thought I’d travel solo as much as I have. Bad luck meant that when it came time for my post-graduation trip, my companion could no longer join me. The trip was also so close and I couldn’t find anyone else to go. I was terrified. I had never done something like that before. The night before I left, I was an emotional wreck.

I went, though, and I’m so happy that I faced my fears and had those experiences. That doesn’t mean that fear and those worries and that anxiety isn’t real. It is, and it’s okay to feel those things. Hopefully they’ll just be a part of the experience and won’t detract from the memories you’re going to make.

Here are a few key points that I worried about when I was taking that first plunge. If I’m being honest, they never truly go away. As much as I wish I could tell you that you face these fears once and are done, you’re not. That said, they’re worth facing every time.

I’m worried about my safety

It’s absolutely normal to worry about safety, especially if you feel like you might be vulnerable on your own. There are some ways that you can deal with this in solo trips with precautions. Here’s a few things that I typically do (and this list is by no means exhaustive):

1. Make sure that whatever bag you’re travelling with is theft-proof. When you’re in crowded places, never leave a purse or a bag open or behind you
   
2. Split up your money. That can mean you have it on multiple points on your person, but it can also mean that it’s in multiple places in your bags. On the topic of money, have a secondary credit card in case your primary one gets flagged for fraud. The last thing you want is being unable to use your card with no backup
   
3. Use the safe in your hotel room and see the above point about splitting your money so that you always have a different place to put it. I like to split my money up with my daily budget so that it’s also easy to grab for the next day. That also helps keep me within my spending targets
   
4. If you’re worried about being out on your own in the dark, plan your days so that you arrive back to your hotel while there’s still daylight. You can also aim to stay in more populated areas and avoid shortcuts
   
5. If being alone on public transit is a concern, add a line in your budget for taxi transportation (or a reputable ride-share service)

What if I get lonely?

Sometimes, travelling alone wasn’t your first choice. It’s hard to see some of the incredible places and not having someone else to share it with.

Some ways that you can commemorate your trip include slideshows with your friends when you return, posting frequently on social media to share the sights in the moment, or even finding a travel buddy at your destination. One way to create long-lasting memories (and relive your own experiences) is to blog about them, write a travel journal, or put together a photo book using a service like Mixbook (this is also a fantastic gift option when you’ve travelled with someone and want to give them a way to always relive the experience).

I’ve never done this before. How should I plan my trip?

You’re in the driver’s seat, which means that you get to do everything you want. One of the most incredible positives of travelling on your own means that the only person you need to please is you. That means dining where you want, visiting what you want to see, and being able to adjust your schedule on a moment’s notice.

As you begin to plan, write a list of your personal Must See Locations. Search for the Top 10 “Must Do” tourist sights, and then look for the secrets that every city has. Sure, you might be elbow to elbow with thousands of people at some tourist locations, but even they will have nooks and crannies where you can escape. In the Louvre, the Mona Lisa might attract crowds, but the same isn’t as true for Napoleon’s Apartments.

Isn’t this going to cost more?

There’s no avoiding this one. Prices are set for two or more people. When you’re paying for hotel rooms, cruises, tours, or other activities that include accommodations, you will end up paying more. — the dreaded single supplement. The best way to proactively deal with this is to go in with your eyes open and know that there will be places where you have to pay more.

That doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find deals. Often, you’ll see single supplements waived on guided tours, or you can find sales on activities and day tours that have you paying the same as anyone travelling in a pair or a group.

Where should I go on my solo trip?

This one comes down to personal preference, but also your own feelings on the matter. Speaking for myself, there are several destinations where I feel absolutely comfortable going solo (typically where I speak one of the languages). That doesn’t mean you should completely rule out other destinations. That’s where guided tours, local travel experts, and travel agents come into play.

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Solo travel can be incredibly scary. It’s also immensely rewarding. You can have incredible experiences and conquer your fears. In the end, it will absolutely all be worth it.

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