Chelsea Goodman @chelsealouise32
Ever dreamt of waking up in a new city without anyone asking, “What’s the plan for today?” Or, better yet, eating an entire pizza alone without judgmental stares? Welcome to the magic of solo travel—where the only person ruining your vibe is you.
If you’ve been considering a solo trip but keep waiting for that one flaky friend to finally “check their budget,” this is your sign to book the damn trip. Here’s why traveling alone is the ultimate power move and how to survive it like a pro.
Why Go Solo? (Besides the Obvious: People Are Annoying)
1. You’re in Charge
Want to sleep in? Go for it. Feel like museum-hopping? Cool. Change your entire itinerary last minute just because? Absolutely. No debates, no compromises, no passive-aggressive “whatever you want” texts—just you, doing whatever the hell you feel like.
2. It’s Basically Free Therapy
Nothing makes you reflect on your life like staring out of a train window in a foreign country while dramatic music plays in your AirPods. Solo travel forces you to get comfortable with yourself—because, spoiler alert, you’re the only one there.
3. Budgeting is a Breeze
No awkward splitting-the-bill moments. No guilt over saying “Actually, I don’t want to drop £50 on that”. You spend on what you care about. Want to ball out on a 5-star hotel? Do it. Prefer street food over fancy dining? No one's judging (except maybe your digestive system).
4. You’ll Actually Meet New People
Ironically, traveling alone makes you more social. When you're not glued to your friends, you actually talk to strangers (or at least awkwardly smile at them). Hostels, group tours, and even just sitting alone at a bar can lead to unexpected friendships—or at the very least, a weird travel story.
Top Places for Solo Travelers (AKA, Where You’re Less Likely to Get Lost Forever)
Some places are more solo-travel-friendly than others. If you’re new to this whole “roaming the world alone” thing, start with cities that are safe, easy to navigate, and have enough tourists so you won’t stand out like a sore thumb.
Beginner-Friendly Destinations:
🇳🇱 Amsterdam – Biking, canals, and a suspicious number of windmills.
🇵🇹 Lisbon – Gorgeous views, cheap wine, and enough hills to justify eating 12 pastéis de nata.
🇯🇵 Tokyo – Super safe, vending machines for everything, and toilets that do way too much.
🇮🇩 Bali – Tropical paradise, ridiculously cheap massages, and enough digital nomads to make you feel like you accidentally walked into a work-from-anywhere convention.
🇦🇺 Sydney – Beaches, sunshine, and enough backpackers to make you feel like you belong.
Staying Safe (Because Your Mum Will Ask)
* Look Like You Belong – Walk with purpose. Even if you have no idea where you’re going, act like you do. Confidence is key.
* Don’t Be Too Trusting – The “friendly local” who’s too interested in your travel plans? Yeah, maybe don’t tell them where you’re staying, and don't have taxis drop you off directly outside! Unless you're staying in a hotel with security.
* Share Your Plans – Someone back home should always know your location. No one wants to end up in a “missing tourist” headline.
* Use Common Sense – If something feels sketchy, leave. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
* Watch Your Drink – This one’s self-explanatory. Protect your cocktail like it’s your firstborn child. And never accept free drinks!
Solo Travel Survival Tips (Because You’re Not Trying to Be in a Travel Disaster Documentary)
✅ Pack Light – You think you need five pairs of shoes. You don’t. Dragging around a heavy suitcase alone is not the vibe.
✅ Learn Basic Phrases – If you can say “hello,” “thank you,” and “one beer, please” in the local language, you’re already winning.
✅ Stay Somewhere Social – Hostels, boutique hotels, and even Airbnb experiences can introduce you to cool people.
✅ Have a Backup Plan – Because not every trip goes smoothly, and Google Maps will betray you at some point.
✅ Ask Gor A Friend - The likelihood that you know someone who has already travelled or knows someone abroad is probably quite high! Having a locals insider knowledge or even a friend to hang out with will make you feel 1000* more comfortable.
Final Thoughts (AKA, Book the Damn Trip)
If you’ve been putting off solo travel because you’re waiting for the “right time”, just know that time will never magically appear. You’re either booking it now, or you’re waiting for Karen from work to finally commit to that “girls’ trip” that’s been in the group chat for five years.
Go solo. Be the main character. Worst case? You have an awkward story to tell at future parties. Best case? You have the time of your life.
Written by Chelsea Goodman @chelsealouise32
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