Many people are skeptical of solo travel. Is it safe? Who do I talk to at meals? Does going by myself mean I’m a loser with no friends? That’s a load of poppycock. Solo travel is the best kind of travel and once you start it is actually somewhat difficult to consider traveling with other people again.
How to Start
I eased into solo travel several years ago by going on work trips on my own and adding small side trips to the end of them. That gave me the safety and stability of a trip where I knew I’d be with other people during weekdays, but also the freedom to do my own thing during evenings and weekends. For example, I’d spend a week in Brussels for work and then spend an extra day in Bruges or Ghent before flying back home.
My first solo vacation that wasn’t tied to a work trip was when I went to Barcelona for five days in the summer of 2018. It was absolutely incredible and opened my eyes to a trip where I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I didn’t have to wonder if my friend was ready to move on to the next room in a museum gallery. I could go to every single restaurant and bar I wanted to without having to check if someone else liked those ideas. I planned a detailed itinerary and never looked back.
Being on your own in a different city or country is very different than being alone in the place that you already live. Eating out, going to museums and shows, and striking up conversations with strangers just feels easier. And think about it: if you don’t know a soul in the country you’re in, then it doesn’t really matter if people are judging you for being by yourself (and they’re not–it’s all in your head).
But is it safe?
Safety is an important consideration. Everyone has their own formula for determining what makes sense for them. My formula takes into account: 1) do I know the local language? 2) how does this destination rank on the lists of safe countries for solo travel? 3) is this a budget trip? 4) Will I be staying in one place or traveling to multiple locations? 5) Will I be staying in a city or somewhere more rural? 6) how strong is the US dollar? 7) what are the transportation options? and 7) what are the cultural expectations regarding women?
I generally think that the US is far less safe than most other places in the world, and when we think of a destination as potentially unsafe we are ignoring the dangers of our own backyard. I’m lucky to have never been pickpocketed. But travel guides would have you think that everyone in Europe is racing towards you on a motorbike ready to cut your purse strap and zoom off. That’s just not reality.
I’ve also found that people, for the most part, are kind and respectful. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that catcalling in Belize is quite friendly and far less aggressive than in the US.
Friends are Fun!
There are places I would not go to on my own as a solo female traveler–some of these places are because I wouldn’t feel safe, and others are because I think they would be more fun with friends. For example, I’d have a better time at an all inclusive in Jamaica with my friends rather than on my own. If the goal of the trip is to hang out in the sun and drink breakfast pina coladas and do water aerobics and there aren’t any cultural attractions beyond the nightly dinner theater at the resort, that screams girls trip to me.
Traveling with friends is great, especially if you are spending time with friends who live in different places than you. Rather than visit one another in your city or theirs, why not vacation together? Just be sure these friends are people you know well, and your travel styles fit well together.
What’s the Catch?
The only downsides I’ve found to solo travel are: 1) you can’t try as much food because you’re only ordering for one person and 2) nightlife options are limited because you should probably limit your drinking and avoid being at bars really late. If I’m not out on the town with a new friend or a friend I already know who lives in my destination, I like spending my evenings in my hotel room going through my pictures, posting my Instagram stories, and confirming my game plan for the next day. Besides, an early(ish) night means you can hit the ground running early the next morning!
