There is a specific kind of electricity that hums through your veins the first time you stand in an international arrivals terminal alone. You’ve got your passport, a packed bag, and a sudden, sinking realization: I am the only person responsible for getting me from Point A to Point B.
For years, I’ve navigated the world, but only recently have I begun to document these visits on GoingSolo.life. While I now find comfort in the silence of a solo dinner in London or the puzzle of a Tokyo subway map, it wasn’t always that way. That first trip is a trial by fire. It is exhilarating, terrifying, and — if you aren’t prepared — unnecessarily stressful.
If I could send a postcard back in time to myself before that first flight, here is exactly what I would say.
The “First Night” Rule
The biggest mistake I made on my first solo trip was landing at 8:00 p.m. in a city where I didn’t speak the language, thinking I’d “just figure out” the local bus system.
What I know now: Always book your first night’s accommodation in advance and splurge on a reliable mode of transport (like a pre-booked car or a reputable taxi) directly to the hotel. Your brain will be foggy from jet lag and the “solo-traveler jitters.” Giving yourself a soft landing — where you don’t have to navigate a dark, unfamiliar city with a heavy suitcase — is the best investment you can make for your mental health.
Loneliness is Part of the Itinerary
No one tells you that solo travel isn’t a 24/7 highlight reel of self-discovery. There will be a moment, usually around 4:00 p.m. on day three, when you’re sitting in a beautiful square surrounded by people, and you will feel a crushing sense of isolation.
What I know now: Loneliness isn’t a sign that you’ve failed at solo travel; it’s a natural side effect of it. Instead of retreating to your hotel room to scroll through social media, acknowledge it. Go to a bookstore, sit at a coffee shop bar (not a table), or join a walking tour. Shared experiences — even with strangers — are the fastest cure for the solo blues.
Your “Emergency Kit” Needs to be Digital and Physical
I used to rely entirely on my phone. Then, my battery died in the middle of a rainstorm in a neighborhood I couldn’t pronounce.
What I know now:
- The Paper Backup: Print your hotel address and a map of the immediate area. Keep it in your pocket.
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The Offline Map: Download the city map on Google Maps before you leave the airport Wi-Fi.
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The Power Bank: A high-quality portable charger is more important than a second pair of shoes. If your phone dies, your map, your translator, and your lifeline go with it.
The Art of the “Solo Table”
Walking into a restaurant and saying “Table for one, please” felt like a confession of social inadequacy the first time I did it. I spent my first trip eating grocery store sandwiches on park benches because I was too intimidated to sit down at a proper restaurant.
What I know now: No one is looking at you. In fact, most people are envious of your autonomy. If you’re nervous, look for places with “bar seating.” It’s the natural habitat of the solo diner. Bring a book or a journal—not to hide behind, but to give yourself a “task.” It makes the transition from traveler to diner feel purposeful.
Over-Planning is the Thief of Joy
I arrived on my first trip with a spreadsheet timed to the minute. I treated my vacation like a high-stakes business merger. By day four, I was exhausted and hadn’t actually seen anything because I was too busy checking the time.
What I know now: The best moments of solo travel happen in the gaps between the “must-see” sights. Leave at least one afternoon completely blank. Walk down the street that looks interesting. Sit in a park for two hours. Solo travel gives you the rarest gift: the ability to change your mind without consulting a committee. Use it.
Safety is About Intuition, Not Paranoia
Before I left, people filled my head with horror stories. I arrived, looking over my shoulder every five seconds, which actually made me look like a target because I appeared anxious and lost.
What I know now: Confidence is your best defense. Walk like you know exactly where you’re going, even if you’re lost. More importantly, listen to your “gut.” If a street feels too quiet, or a person’s offer of help feels too insistent, leave. You don’t owe anyone politeness at the expense of your safety.
Pro Tip: Always keep a “dummy” wallet with a bit of local cash and some expired gift cards, and keep your actual cards and passport in a separate, secure location.
Pack Half the Clothes and Twice the Money
I brought three pairs of jeans and four sweaters on a ten-day trip. I wore one pair of jeans and two sweaters. I also underestimated how much “little things” like bottled water, transit passes, and “I’m tired and want a taxi” fees add up.
What I know now: You can do laundry anywhere in the world. Carrying a massive suitcase onto a European train is a special kind of hell. Pack light enough to carry your own bag up three flights of stairs without breaking a sweat. Conversely, give your budget a 20% “cushion.” That extra money is your “get out of stress-free” card.
Learn the “Magic Words”
I thought I could get by with just English. While often true in tourist hubs, it creates a barrier between you and the local culture.
What I know now: You don’t need to be fluent, but you must know how to say Hello, Please, Thank You, and I’m sorry, I don’t speak [Language]. Making the effort shows respect, and you’ll find that locals are much more willing to help a solo traveler who at least tries to bridge the gap.
Documentation vs. Experience
On my first trip, I viewed the world through my camera lens. I have 1,000 photos of a cathedral I don’t actually remember sitting in.
What I know now: Take the photo, then put the phone away. Take five minutes to just be there. Smell the air, hear the bells, feel the temperature. Memories built on sensory experience last much longer than those built on JPEGs.
You Are Capable of More Than You Think
The most important thing I wish I’d known? That I was going to be okay. I spent so much energy worrying about what could go wrong that I almost missed what was going right.
What I know now: Solo travel is the ultimate confidence builder. When you successfully navigate a foreign city, order a meal in a new language, and solve the inevitable hiccups of travel on your own, you return home a different person. You realize that “home” isn’t a place—it’s the ability to trust yourself regardless of where you are on the map.
Final Thoughts for the First-Timer
If you’re standing on the edge of booking that flight, do it. The “What-Ifs” will always be there, but they fade the moment the wheels leave the tarmac. You will make mistakes. You will get lost. You might even cry in a train station once.
But you will also have moments of pure, unadulterated freedom that you simply cannot find when traveling with others. You are about to meet the most interesting person you’ve ever known: yourself.
Safe travels, and welcome to the world of going solo.
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