The Honest Guide to Travelling Solo for the First Time

The idea of going abroad alone sounds terrifying until you realise it's actually just you, doing whatever you want, without negotiating over dinner plans or compromise. I took my first solo trip at 28, and the main thing I learned was that travelling alone is far less romantic than Instagram suggests, but infinitely more practical.

The Planning Phase: Be Realistic About What You Want

Before you book anything, sit down and answer one brutal question: are you running towards something or away from something? Because that completely changes how you should plan.

If you're genuinely excited about a destination, you'll have energy to explore it properly. If you're just trying to "find yourself" or escape a bad relationship, you'll probably spend three days in your hotel room scrolling through your phone and feeling worse. I'm not being harsh—I've done both, and they require different strategies.

Pick a destination that doesn't demand constant decision-making when you're knackered. Your first solo trip shouldn't be "navigate Southeast Asia with minimal English speakers and no set plans." That's advanced mode. Try somewhere closer to home first. Portugal, Spain, Greece—places where your GHIC is valid, the food is great, and English gets you by. You'll have fewer daily micro-stresses, which matters when you're alone and responsible for everything.

Budget generously for flights. If you're flying from London, expect to spend £80–£200 return depending on the destination. Use our site to search flights and compare prices across airlines. Ryanair is cheap but their fees sting; British Airways charges more upfront but won't surprise you with £30 baggage fees. Factor in both when comparing.

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Accommodation: Where to Stay and Why

Skip the hostel if you're anxious about socialising. This isn't failure—it's self-knowledge. Yes, hostels are cheap at £20–£35 per night, and yes, people do make lifelong friends there. But you might also spend five nights avoiding the common room because you're tired and socially drained, which defeats the purpose.

Search hotels on our site and look for budget chains like Ibis or Premier Inn. You'll pay £40–£70 per night for a private room and your own bathroom. That's worth it for peace and the ability to shower without wondering who you'll see.

Alternatively, try Airbnb—though be honest about what you actually want. A charming shared flat sounds lovely but involves small talk with your host. A private studio with a kitchenette costs £35–£55 per night and means you can buy cheap supermarket lunch and eat in your pants if you want.

Book somewhere with a good location on a main street with restaurants and bars nearby. You don't want to be stranded somewhere remote where your evening options are your room or an expensive taxi ride.

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Safety and Insurance: Don't Skimp

You're travelling alone, which means you're responsible for your own safety. That sounds obvious until you're halfway through a night out and realising you've had too much to drink with no one watching your back.

Get proper travel insurance. SafetyWing offers decent coverage from around £50 per month and actually covers things like emergency evacuation. Don't just rely on your GHIC—it covers necessary healthcare, not flights home if you get injured.

For connectivity, grab an Airalo eSIM before you leave the UK. You'll get data immediately without hunting for a phone shop, and it's cheaper than roaming. £10–£20 typically covers a month of moderate use.

Practical safety rules: tell someone at home your rough itinerary and check in occasionally. Not paranoia—just sense. Keep copies of your passport and insurance documents separately from your originals. Don't carry your entire budget in one place. Use your hotel safe. Don't flash expensive electronics around.

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The Reality of Solo Dining and Social Stuff

The biggest myth about solo travel is that you'll be alone all the time. You might actually be alone less than you expect.

Restaurants in Europe are normal for solo diners—no one cares. Eat at the bar of a busy restaurant if it feels less lonely. Book a food tour via Viator on our site if you want guided company while eating (£40–£90 typically).

You might feel weird at first sitting alone with a book at dinner. Get over it quickly or you'll miss out on good food. Alternatively, eat lunch out when the atmosphere is casual, then cook dinner in your room. No one expects you to romanticise every meal.

For actual social time, download Meetup or check if there's a local pub quiz. You'll meet other travellers and locals without the forced networking of hostels. Walking tours are genuinely good value at £15–£25 and they give you both a guide and natural group dynamics.

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The Things That Will Actually Go Wrong

You'll forget something important. You'll overestimate what you can do in a day. You'll have a day where you're lonely and homesick and everything is disappointing. You might get mildly ill. You'll probably overspend on something silly.

This is not failure. This is travel.

The difference between solo travel that goes well and solo travel that goes badly isn't luck—it's having realistic expectations and a plan B for when you're tired. Book one or two things in advance. Leave yourself unscheduled days. Know where the nearest supermarket is. Have the number for your UK embassy saved.

Your first solo trip doesn't need to be extraordinary. It needs to be safe, affordable, and interesting enough to remind you that you can survive and occasionally thrive on your own. That's genuinely enough.

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