If you’ve ever dreamed of hopping on a plane by yourself but felt a little knot of fear in your stomach, you’re not alone. Solo travel can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it. But once you know how to travel solo, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. I know, because I’ve been there.
When I first moved to Japan, I started testing the waters with little solo weekend trips around Japan. Even though I was already living abroad, I still felt nervous every time I set off. My Japanese was very limited, I was still adjusting to life there, and the idea of figuring out trains or ordering food alone made my heart race. But you know what? The one thing I could almost always count on was feeling safe. And through my solo travel ups and downs over the years, I’ve learned that above all, safety has to be considered and prioritized.
So let’s talk about how you can ease your fears and build the confidence to go on that first solo trip. I’m going to walk you through some tips I wish somebody told me years ago on how to travel solo without fear.
Choose the Right First Destination for YOU
Something I always recommend to people who are hesitant to travel alone is to start by going out in your town alone. Spend an afternoon at a cute cafe, take yourself out to dinner. And maybe once you’re comfortable with that, take a day trip to a city a couple hours away. That way you can actually enjoy your trip instead of stressing over logistics or safety. Not ready to eat out alone? I’ve got you. Click here to read my article about how to love dining alone.
And this actually brings me to another point: if you’re wanting to start out slow and small, go somewhere that you’ve already been with family or friends, but this time just yourself. This way, you’ll more or less know what you can expect from the place itself, and you can just step out of your comfort zone and learn what it’s like to intentionally go out by yourself. Do you feel excited? Are anxious thoughts pouring through your mind? Try to identify moments and situations that ease your nervous system, make you feel a rush of excitement, or even trigger an internalized fear, perhaps. This self-awareness will help you navigate not just solo travel, but life. And it’s okay if it doesn’t seem so obvious or easy at first…it’s NOT. Remember, this is something new. Not unobtainable. Give yourself grace; you deserve it.
When I started out, I was already living in Japan, so Taiwan struck that balance for me. Do a little research to make sure wherever you’re going matches the type of trip you want. Whether it’s cultural immersion, food adventures, or nature escapes..or a beautiful blend of all the above, there is always a destination for you!
Solo travel is going to be experienced differently for everyone and part of that is having, or developing, the ability to recognize your own habits, hear your own thoughts, and enjoy your own company.
Stay Connected, Even When You’re Oceans Away
When I first started, I never really shared my location with anyone. (Did we even have that option back in 2016/2017? 🤔) I honestly don’t remember lol. But instead, I’d just call my mom or sister randomly while in some new country, without giving them much detail about where I was staying. Not out of secrecy or anything, I was just so in my own world that the importance of it was lost on me sometimes. Looking back, of course I realize that wasn’t the safest choice. Now, I always make sure someone close to me has my location. It doesn’t matter if you’re on your commute home from work or on the other side of the world, you never know what can happen. Life is full of beauty and excitement, but also full of crazies and danger…Staying connected keeps you grounded and gives loved ones peace of mind too.
If you’re weary of sharing your location or prefer to have that feature disabled on your phone, there are plenty of other ways to help stay connected and keep your loved ones informed. Share your flight itinerary, your hotel confirmation, let someone know your plans for the night if you plan on going out. They all just take a minute or two, but can have a huge impact on your safety.
Create Small Wins Each Day
One of the best ways to build confidence as a solo traveler is by creating, and celebrating, small wins. Order food in a new language, navigate the local train system, or even just ask a stranger for directions. Those small wins stack up and slowly shift your mindset. You stop doubting yourself and start realizing you’re capable of way more than you think.
You wouldn’t believe how excited I’d get when I could finally understand the train announcements after living in Japan for months. Or when I successfully navigated the MRT to get around in Taipei. Or when I first was able to communicate with my Japanese relatives instead of relying solely on Google Translate like I did when I visited them for my first New Year holiday in Japan. Shoot, sometimes when I get to my first hotel after landing in a new country, I give myself a pat on the back and do a little celebratory dance. Because it just feels so good to know that you are exactly where you belong.
Embrace the Freedom
The best part of solo travel? You get to design your trip completely around you and for type b people like me, that could look different on each day. Sleep in til noon? Sure. Wake up at 3:30 to catch a sunrise hike? Absolutely. Fill up on street food and snacks all day? Why not? Cozy up at a cafe with a book for 6 hours? Sounds perfect to me.
Once you reach a point where you embrace the independence, it is incredibly empowering, and it’s a feeling I hope everyone gets to experience at least once. And the more you embrace it, the more you realize how rare it is to truly follow your own rhythm. Solo travel gives you space to be spontaneous, to linger where you feel drawn, and to discover what you actually enjoy without compromise.
Need More Convincing?
Every trip is a chance to learn something new about the world, life, and yourself. The fear of solo travel is real, but so is the reward. Start small, choose wisely, stay safe, and know that the nerves will fade once you’re out there experiencing the world. Solo travel has completely changed my life, and if you’ve been waiting for a sign, maybe this is yours.
Because the truth is—you don’t have to wait for anyone else to be ready. You can go now.
