8 surprising benefits of solo travel (and how to take the leap)

Personal Growth

May 16

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

Thinking of going it alone? Explore the benefits of solo travel—including what you can learn about yourself—and 17 tips to help you get the most out of your adventure.

The idea of traveling alone can feel intimidating. A long solo trip by car or plane can feel nerve-wracking, and once you’ve made it to your destination, a whole mess of other fears may arise. You may wonder if you really want to eat dinner alone in a foreign country. Or worry you could get lost or feel lonely. What if you spend a bunch of your hard-earned money and hate traveling on your own?

While these concerns are all valid, solo travel has the potential to be empowering, deeply clarifying, and in most cases, really fun. You’re free to do whatever you want, whenever you want, without worrying about the desires or concerns of travel companions.

If the thought of taking a trip alone gives you both butterflies and mild anxiety, you’re in the right place. We’re going to break down why solo travel is worth trying (at least once) and share practical tips to help you feel confident from booking to boarding. When all is said and done, traveling solo might end up being your favorite way to see the world.

Why you should travel solo (at least once)

If you associate travel with the big family vacation you took every summer growing up, you’re not alone. Most folks tend to travel with friends, partners, or family members. For many people, traveling is a way to spend quality time together and connect, but there’s no reason you can’t have quality time and connect with yourself.

Going away for a weekend or a week alone is more than a vacation — it’s a reclaiming. It’s a way to remind yourself of all that you can do on your own. When you travel alone, you get to experience yourself in a way that’s not always accessible in daily life. You get to experience the unbridled version of yourself who isn’t taking anyone else’s desires into account.

You choose the pace of the day: what you eat, what you see, what you skip, when you sleep, and who—if anyone—you talk to that day. You get to follow your curiosity wherever it takes you and that is a whole different type of freedom.

8 benefits of solo travel that may surprise you

If solo travel is new to you, then it might feel strange or nerve-wracking to plan a trip all by yourself. But the truth is that traveling alone can be peaceful and clarifying.

Here are the real benefits that no one social media post can quite capture.

1. You make every decision yourself

When you travel with family, friends, or a partner, decisions are all about compromise and planning, but when you travel solo, you get to call all the shots. From where to eat to how long you linger in front of that famous painting, you’re in charge. No compromise or groupthink required. It’s just you and your instincts.

2. You build confidence by doing hard things

Traveling with a group often means you get to rely on others' knowledge of a place you’re visiting, but when you go alone, you get to have your own adventure figuring it all out. Decoding a metro map or ordering cold medicine in another language can help instill confidence. Every tiny win stacks up.

💙 Explore our Confidence Series with Tamara Levitt to help you prepare for your solo adventures.

3. You connect more easily with others

When you travel in a pack, you’re less likely to interact with strangers, as they may not want to interrupt your quality time. But when you’re traveling solo, you’re likely more open and often more approachable. You never know who you could meet, and the best part is it’s a choice. There’s no social pressure, just organic conversation.

A note on safety: If you’re traveling alone and someone ever makes you uncomfortable, be sure to assert your boundaries and then ask for assistance if needed. If someone follows you on public transportation, let a station attendant know. If someone won’t leave you alone in a restaurant, ask the server or bartender for assistance. Traveling alone should never mean you’re obligated to be in situations that make you unsafe.

4. You discover your actual preferences

Ever go on vacation with a friend group and come back feeling like you didn’t really get to do what you wanted? When you travel alone, you get to discover your own personal preferences, not just what works for someone else. Maybe you love trains. Maybe you hate museums. You get to find out on your own terms and on your own time.

5. You learn to enjoy your own company

What may start out as awkward can turn into a peaceful kind of luxury. Being alone stops feeling lonely and starts feeling freeing when you relax into it and shift your perspective. If you feel like it’s sad or pathetic to travel alone, flip the script and try to see it as empowering and downright cool. You’re taking yourself on an amazing trip? Look how awesome you are!

And if you’re unsure how to enjoy your own company and feeling nervous before a solo trip, make a list of your favorite comfort activities like watching your favorite movie, sipping your favorite tea, or reading your favorite book. You can still do these things while away.

💙 Learn the difference between loneliness and Aloneness with this session from our Emotions Series.

6. You become adaptable

When you travel solo, you’re building the itinerary yourself. When plans change (and they will), you get to figure it out. Maybe that results in a few missteps, but it might also result in some great problem-solving. Hopefully, you figure things out gracefully. Or at least with some funny stories.

7. You protect your energy

Long dinners with friends or late nights at bars can quickly result in you feeling wiped out. When you travel alone, you can decide if it’s going to be a late night out or a cozy night in. No one’s draining your social battery, and you choose when to be social, when to recharge, and when to disappear into a good book.

8. You create meaningful, lasting memories

Traveling on your own is a great time to journal, take pictures, or scrapbook. When you take yourself on a trip, that entire experience is about you. The memories you make are your own. And those small, quiet moments that no one else would notice but somehow change you anyway? You’ll remember them forever.

How to get the most out of traveling solo: 17 tips to give you confidence

We won't sugarcoat it: Traveling is tough sometimes, whether you’re alone or with companions. But when you’re alone, well, it can feel a bit extra daunting. For every blissful moment of vacation solitude, there could be nerve-wracking, difficult ones as well. One moment, you’re feeling free and invincible, the next, you’re Googling how to say, “I think I have Strep throat” in Portuguese.

But while traveling alone may be a rollercoaster, it’s a totally worthwhile one. If you’re ready to take some trips on your own, here’s a list of tips to help you not just survive solo travel, but actually enjoy it.

1. Start small (and local)

If you’re new to this, don’t launch yourself across the world right away. Try a solo overnight stay in a nearby town. Book a hotel or vacation rental, explore on your terms, and practice handling little hiccups solo like choosing a restaurant or navigating public transit. Or if all else fails, have a solo staycation by staying somewhere local.

2. Pick a place that’s solo-travel friendly

Some destinations are just easier for solo adventurers. Look for places with good public transit, a low language barrier (if that matters to you), and a reputation for safety and hospitality.

3. Book a soft landing and soft departure

Keeping things adventurous and flexible while traveling can be great, but at minimum, lock in your first few nights’ accommodation before you arrive so you can rest and recharge after your travel day. There’s nothing worse than scrambling to find a place to sleep or moving hotels right away after a long plane ride, train trip, or drive.

If your trip is a mixture of relaxation and adventure, book the relaxation elements on the bookends of your trip so you can arrive, relax, and also have some downtime before you head home. Save the adventure time for when you’ve adjusted to your surroundings, timezone, language, or new culture.

4. Find the balance between being prepared and not neurotic

You don’t want a vacation to feel like you’re studying for the bar exam, but you’ll definitely want to be prepared when traveling alone. Make sure you have the proper adapters for your electronics if you’re traveling abroad, download offline maps, take screenshots of booking confirmations, or better yet, pop all your pertinent info into a spreadsheet that you can share with your support system so they know where you are.

If you’re traveling to a foreign country, carry a printed list of key phrases in the local language or download a translation app to help you communicate.

5. Plan some structure — but leave room for the magic

Over-planning every hour of a trip can kill the joy, but having a few anchor activities (like a food tour, museum visit, or guided hike) can ease anxiety and give your days a gentle rhythm.

Leave space for the weird bookstore you’ll find, the nap you’ll surely need, or the local café that will feel like home. Having loose plans within some structure can help you feel free while also feeling safe.

6. Eat alone like a boss

We know asking for a table for one can feel weird, but that is a script that needs to be flipped. Dining solo can be amazing, and you could bring a book, journal, or download something to watch or listen to if that makes you feel more comfortable.

If you want to chat with someone, sit at the bar. If you want to people-watch, ask for a window seat to check out your surroundings while noshing on something delicious. If all else fails and you feel kind of awkward, then just remind yourself that no one’s paying as much attention to you as you might think. Explore these eight tips to feel less self-conscious.

7. Talk to strangers (safely)

Some people take solo trips to be away from social interaction, but if you get lonely or crave some interaction, be open to meeting folks and making new friends. Ask for directions, chat with the barista, or join a group walking tour. You don’t need to be extroverted — just open. Even a two-minute conversation can make you feel less alone in a new place.

Remember that if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you can always ask for help or gently assert boundaries. Before your trip, have a safety plan in place, like having a friend you check in with every couple of days, or sending an itinerary with pertinent information to your friends or family.

8. Take a day tour or group class

This is a great way to meet people without committing to full-time togetherness. Look for cooking classes, hiking tours, language lessons, restaurant tours, or art workshops. You’ll learn something new and get some human interaction without the pressure of small talk 24/7.

9. Let your phone help

If you visit a foreign country on your own, it can be intimidating when there’s a language barrier. This is where technology is your friend. Apps like Google Translate or Rome2Rio can be helpful tools. Just make sure you’re not on your phone the whole trip and miss out on the power of exploring.

10. Stay somewhere with a common area

If you’re hoping to meet people or have the option for conversations, explore accommodations with communal spaces like dining rooms, pools, lobbies, or gardens. This might look like a hostel with a communal lounge, a bed and breakfast with a communal dining area, or even a hotel with a great pool.

You’re never obligated to socialize, but it’s nice to know the option’s there when loneliness hits. Check out these 11 tips to help you overcome adult shyness.

11. Create a tiny travel routine

One of the reasons that home feels like home is because you have a comforting routine. When you travel, it can help to anchor your day with a few constants. Maybe that’s morning coffee in a park, a nightly journal entry, a daily photo post online. Routines give you a sense of home, even when everything else is new.

12. Embrace the solo meltdown

You will have a moment, or two (or five), where you’ll cry in a train station bathroom, curse your decisions, or feel deeply lost or alone. This is okay. As long as you’re in a safe space, let it happen.

Then breathe, hydrate, recalibrate, and carry on. It’s part of the process, not a sign that you’re doing it wrong. No matter what setbacks you face, be sure you leave room in your vacation to nurture your mental health.

13. Pack smart

If you’re staying in places where you can do laundry, then don’t over-pack. Prioritize packing a capsule wardrobe where everything you bring can mix and match to create different looks.

Bring layers and well-worn, comfy shoes, too. A solo trip is not the time to break in new boots. Leave space in your bag for souvenirs, but also because carrying less can feel great.

14. Bring back-up copies of important documents

If you’re traveling somewhere with inconsistent internet, consider taking screenshots of important tickets, itineraries, confirmation emails, etc, or print physical copies to keep with you.

If you’ll be traveling with a computer be sure to digitally back up anything important in case your computer gets lost. You may also want to have a special pouch in your luggage devoted to important items like ID cards, passport, international drivers permit, train tickets, boarding passes etc.

15. Check in with someone at home

When you’re traveling alone, it’s highly likely that there will be people at home who want to know that you are safe. Make sure you find ways to let people know you’re doing well.

This might be doing a daily blog post, posting to social media, or even just sending a “I’m still alive!” text every few days. Having regular touchpoints with your people can be grounding for you and reassuring for them.

16. Give yourself full permission to change plans

One of the best parts of traveling on your own is that you get to call the shots and make the plans. And that also means you’re allowed to scrap the itinerary and change course. Did you make a new friend who’s traveling to a small village outside of the big city for a day trip, and you could join them or go to another city museum? It’s your call! (Explore these nine ways to navigate change mindfully.)

You’re also allowed to cancel plans and do nothing for a whole day. More than that, you’re allowed to say no to the thing that sounded cool two weeks ago but now feels exhausting. This is your trip. Do whatever you want.

17. Celebrate the little wins

Traveling alone can feel intimidating and exhausting sometimes, so it’s important to celebrate your small victories. Did you successfully navigate public transit? High five. Did you order a meal in another language? Superstar. Did you keep it together when your hostel had no hot water? Gold star. Solo travel is made of small triumphs — notice and name them. You’ll feel even more proud of yourself when you do.

Benefits of solo travel FAQs

What are the benefits of travelling alone?

Traveling alone strips away the noise. Without anyone else’s needs, opinions, or schedules to consider, you get to tune into your own rhythms. This can help you tune into yourself, what makes you feel good, and what kind of environments energize you.

Plus, solo travel builds resilience. You figure things out because you have to — and that kind of self-reliance sticks with you long after you’re back home.

There’s also power in being able to say yes (or no) to everything, simply because it’s what you want.

What can you learn about yourself by traveling solo?

A lot, actually. Like how you handle uncertainty. How you talk to yourself when things go sideways. How much you value connection — or alone time. (Explore the benefits of alone time and five signs you need more of it.)

You might learn that you’re more adaptable than you thought. Or that you need more rest than you usually allow. Or that you’re capable of finding beauty, even in weird, uncomfortable, unfiltered moments. It’s not always deep and poetic — sometimes it’s just realizing you can enjoy a meal by yourself without needing to be on your phone the whole time. But hey, that counts too.

What if I feel lonely during solo travel?

You probably will at some point, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Loneliness is a normal human emotion, and it can feel extra intense when you’re somewhere unfamiliar. But it also passes.

You can find ways to soothe it, like chatting with someone at a café, journaling your feelings out, joining a walking tour, or FaceTiming a friend from home just to hear a familiar voice.

Learn how to sit with it and move through it without panic. That’s the part that builds emotional muscle.

How do I pick a good first destination for traveling alone?

Start with what feels manageable, not what looks good online. A good beginner solo travel destination is safe, easy to navigate, and has a strong solo traveler culture. Look for cities with walkable neighborhoods, decent public transit, and enough English signage (or whatever language you speak) to help you feel grounded.

And think about your personal comfort zone. Are you drawn to nature or cities? Do you want somewhere slower-paced or buzzing with activity?

Can solo travel help with self-confidence?

Absolutely. Every time you navigate a challenge—whether it’s finding your way, making a decision, or dealing with a setback—you build trust in yourself.

Confidence doesn’t mean never getting scared or overwhelmed — those are totally normal experiences to have while traveling. Confidence really means knowing you can be scared or overwhelmed and still figure it out.

Solo travel gives you dozens of chances to practice, and over time, that self-trust becomes a steady undercurrent, not just in travel, but in the rest of your life too.

What are the different ways to travel solo?

The beauty of traveling alone is that you get to decide what “solo” means. There’s no rulebook. Whether you’re dipping your toes in or going full nomad, there’s a version of solo travel that works for your life, your energy levels, and your budget. Here are a few options:

Solo and spontaneous (aka adventure and explore): This is the classic version where you are the one booking your own flights, planning your itinerary, and wandering where your feet take you. It’s the most flexible but also the most intense when you’re new to it. Great for folks who enjoy being in full control or have a solid comfort level with uncertainty.
Solo but structured (retreats + residencies): If you crave purpose and personal space, consider a wellness retreat, artist residency, or writing seminar. You get built-in structure, often with meals and activities included, plus the option to socialize or hermit as needed. Think yoga in Costa Rica, a solo cabin in the woods, or a guided mindfulness week somewhere quiet.
Group trips for solo travelers: Tour companies often offer small group tours specifically designed for solo travelers. You still get the thrill of being independent without having some structure.
Solo but social (aka the hostel experience): Hostels, group classes, coworking cafés, or walking tours let you travel solo while being surrounded by people, on your terms. You can opt in and out of socializing, which is a dream for introverts who still like the occasional deep convo over a meal.
Low-key local solo escapes: Solo travel doesn’t have to involve a plane ticket. It can be a weekend staycation in your city. A cabin rental a couple hours away. A quiet day trip where you turn off your phone and follow your curiosity. If it gets you out of your routine and into your own headspace, it counts.

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solo travel

Calm Editorial Team