Let me tell you, your first solo trip is WORTH it, even if it’s a little daunting at first.
To be fair, no one wanted me to travel solo including myself, but after I couldn’t get anyone to go with me, I was left with no choice!
And literally everyone was worried about me. They asked me all sorts of questions like, “what if you get lost?” “What if you get your phone stolen?” “What if you get kidnapped or molested?”
With all the extensive preparation and research I did beforehand, I realized that all of these issues are avoidable. The people who fail at solo traveling are often the people who do not think ahead and take preventative measures. Let’s take a walk through my guide for first time solo travelers.
1. Choose the correct starting location
For obvious reasons, I would advise against taking your first solo trip to countries in the Middle East or Central America. Choose Europe instead! Any list of best locations for first time solo travelers you read, you’ll notice most of the locations are in Europe.
For example, my first solo trip was to Lisbon, Portugal. I chose this place because it’s not a big city but also not too small. It is also a common place for solo travelers to visit. The reason this is- is because Portugal is a safe country in general with rare to no crime and it is so easy to get around and hard to get lost.
For larger cities like London and Paris, it won’t be as easy but certainly still doable. At places like these, your best bet is to stay near all the common tourist spots and don’t go off the beaten path. And if an area looks sketchy, run away ASAP! I also practiced solo travel in other cities before going on to conquer these two.
2. Get a phone lanyard before you go
This will make the outcome of “what if you get your phone stolen” more difficult to happen. Although theft isn’t common in Lisbon, I still bought one before my trip there. Amazon would be a great place to find one of these.
How it works is that there is a little piece that goes inside your phone case and the lanyard goes around your neck. This ensures that your phone is connected to you all the time. When you take it out to take pics, it stays wrapped around your neck, making it more difficult for someone to run by and rip it out of your hand.
ALWAYS keep the lanyard attached to you, not only does it help protect you from theft, it’ll also make it way more difficult for you to drop it! I know most of the time dropping a phone isn’t a big deal, but in a touristy city, anything can happen.
3. Download the CITYMAPPER app before you go
This app was a lifesaver when using the metro in Europe and Tokyo! This app tells you specifically what metro station to go to, which lines to take, when to get off, and where to transfer. The app will also give you an estimated time that you will reach your final destination. Make sure you’re paying attention to the stops citymapper lists during your journey, it’ll help you keep track of where you are! It is hands-down the best transportation app I have ever used when traveling.
4. Don’t talk to anyone that looks suspicious
This means say no if anyone ever asks you to “come stay with them”, or “if they can drive you back to your place.” If they’re offering that and they’re not an Uber or taxi driver that you have specifically ordered, they’re likely not going to take you back to your place!
Granted, sometimes talking to strangers is necessary if you’re in desperate need of directions or meeting the fellow travelers in your accommodations. All you need to do is not share personal information or tell them where you are staying if you meet them outside of your stay. Most stays are secured and won’t let anyone in without a reservation, but you never know.
For females, if men hit on you or seem like they are, run away no matter how cute he is. Appearances are often deceiving, and men will often use their good looks to seem non threatening and lure girls in. That’s what Ted Bundy did! To avoid the danger of the situation, do not engage, ignore him and then run. If you’re in a country that allows it, use pepper spray too!
Also, if a homeless person asks you for money, say “I don’t have any, sorry.” They’ll make up all kinds of excuses to get something out of you, but don’t give them anything. That money is just going to go straight to drugs. What you can do instead is buy them food, but bolt after you hand it to them!
5. Stay in a hostel!
Hostels are a good way to make solo travelers feel a sense of community. Makes them feel like they’re traveling solo, but not alone. Per my hostel article, they are also a cheaper form of accommodation and have many opportunities for travelers to connect.
If you are a female solo traveler, I HIGHLY recommend staying in a female-only dorm. Female dorms are generally safer than a mixed dorm.
There is a common misconception that hostels are unsafe but this is not true 99% of the time! I have felt safe at every hostel I have ever stayed in, but I also researched beforehand.
If they have good reviews, good safety protocols, and everything else you are looking for, it’s a match! Next I’ll tell you the trick to keeping your luggage secure while sight seeing.
6. Buy a luggage lock before you go!
Hostel rooms generally have luggage bins where guests can store their luggage during the day. However, it may or may not have a lock, so bring your own. I would recommend getting a smaller padlock since the lockers for luggage storage are generally smaller. You can find padlocks online and sometimes hostels will even sell them.
In addition, hostels often have a luggage storage area where guests can store their belongings BEFORE and AFTER checkout. You may need your lock for this as well, but most hostels just lock it up themselves.
7. Don’t Walk Alone at Night
Nighttime is when all the drunk people and creeps come out, so just avoid it all together. When I walked alone at night in Lisbon, it was fine but that’s just because Lisbon is safe in general. Not every city has this luxury.
The city I advise this for the most is Paris, as some parts are sketchy even during the day. It is also reportedly one of the most unsafe places to walk alone around at night. The moment the sun started going down, I bunkered down in my hostel, even if it meant missing the sight of the Eiffel Tower being lit up. It’s unfortunate, but we all have to make sacrifices to stay safe.
8. Always look like you are paying attention and aware of your surroundings
Thieves target people who look disoriented and unfocused, so don’t be that person! Even if you aren’t sure where you are going, pretend you do by looking confident. If you need to look down to figure something out, step out of the street and sit down somewhere to do so.
In addition, do NOT keep anything in your pockets! Your pockets are the first place people are going to look when trying to steal something. Rome is one of the most common places for pickpocketing, so take this to heart especially when visiting there.
For this reason, it is smart to buy an anti-theft purse, and you can also find this on Amazon. They are designed so that no one can come behind you and cut it off from the back. The material is just too purposely strong!
9. Make a Plan Before You Go
Personally, I can’t go anywhere without having a plan first, but there is more planning required when you’re solo.
- Think about what kind of transportation you are going to use during your trip. There are endless options if you are in a big city, but using the metro is your cheapest option. Metros are safer than a lot of people think, as a lot of people use them. If you are staying in a city for more than a day, you will also want to buy a metro card, as this will save you a bit more money. This also makes it easier as you just add money manually and swipe it every use.
- Think about how to get from the airport to your stay. Some airports have a direct metro, while others do not, like Rome for example. If there is no direct metro, find out what methods of transportation are best for you. Apps like Trainline are excellent for finding trains to and from certain stations, including airports.
- Write down a list of attractions you want to see and activities you want to do and know their location on a map. You will know where to go beforehand so you’re not scrambling on your first day.
- Set your alarm every morning. Since you’re the only one checking on yourself, hold yourself accountable. You want to give yourself enough time to get wherever you need to be.
- Keep all your valuables in your anti-theft purse, and your phone lanyard around your neck with the phone attached. Do not pull any valuables out while in the streets, unless you are taking photos with your phone.
10. After your first solo trip, take some time to reflect
Ask yourself, “how did that go”, and “would I be able to do it again?” Analyze what went right and what went wrong during your first solo trip. Personally, I found traveling solo much better because I could check off my to-do list at my own pace and not have to wait on anyone. It also made me feel more confident about planning my own trips. A lot of people have these results after their first solo trip, and I want everyone to feel the same way!
Also, decide if you are ready to move onto a bigger city. After Lisbon, I solo traveled to Granada, graduated to Barcelona, and then built my confidence up enough to solo travel to Paris, London, and Rome. Now that I have conquered the bigger cities in Europe, I feel I can go anywhere in Europe. I wish the same result for anyone wanting to take on this adventure.
Questions about traveling solo and/or where to start? Feel free to subscribe and contact me!
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