My Journey into Solo Travel
My first solo trip marked a pivotal moment in my life; it took place in my early twenties and evolved into a transformative 15-month journey. What began as a 12-month backpacking adventure through Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, turned into an extended voyage that ignited a passion for travel that I never anticipated. When I finally returned home, my mother welcomed me back with open arms and remarked, “Thank God that’s over. You’ve got it out of your system now.” Little did she know, that 15-month expedition was just the beginning of a semi-nomadic lifestyle that would continue for years to come.
Exploring the World Solo
Over the past 21 years, I have embraced the freedom of solo travel, embarking on various adventures ranging from four-month backpacking trips across Asia and South America to residing in vibrant cities like Berlin, Lisbon, New York, and Amsterdam. As I prepare to embark on my latest solo journey through Latin America and the United States, I reflect on the many lessons I’ve learned. With solo travel gaining popularity—Hilton’s annual trends report indicates that 34 percent of people surveyed are planning a solo trip in 2025—I want to share some insights for those considering their first adventure alone.
1. Embrace Independence
My inaugural trip was a gift for my 21st birthday from my parents, and we started by consulting with the now-defunct STA Travel agency to plan my itinerary. After that, hours were spent on Gapyear.com, where I connected with a fellow traveler, Allie. Our discussions led to us meeting in Bangkok and later reuniting in Australia. Now, I handle all my travel planning independently, utilizing a mix of newspaper articles, guidebooks, blogs, and social media. Traveling solo can be a liberating experience, forcing you out of your comfort zone. Each challenge—be it losing my bank card or falling ill—has contributed to my resilience and self-sufficiency.
2. Don’t Isolate Yourself
While solo travel can be an introspective experience, it also presents countless opportunities to connect with others. Instead of focusing on a travel companion, I find myself engaging with strangers, often discovering that they are more inclined to approach someone who is alone. For instance, during a whitewater rafting adventure in Argentina, I bonded with a family who later invited me to their home in Buenos Aires, resulting in delightful conversations over dinner about various topics, from religion to politics. Over the years, I’ve forged meaningful friendships with fellow travelers, including Clare in Bangkok, Katie in Ko Lanta, Niamh in Sydney, and Daphne in Hanoi. My solo travels have significantly boosted my confidence in meeting new people.
3. Prioritize Vaccinations
After experiencing not one, but two rabies scares, I learned the hard way about the importance of getting vaccinated before traveling. The first incident occurred in Bolivia in 2011 when I was bitten by a monkey, leading to a logistical nightmare of arranging rabies shots across multiple locations. The second scare happened in Yangon in 2018 when a street dog approached me aggressively. To avoid a similar ordeal in the future, I’ve decided to invest in vaccinations ahead of my travels.
4. Stay Connected
Twenty years ago, staying in touch with family and friends involved visiting internet cafes and sending sporadic emails, which often left my loved ones anxious about my well-being. During a stretch in Laos, I went nearly ten days without communication, resulting in a flurry of concerned messages from my family. While I sometimes miss the nostalgia of the pre-smartphone era, where people weren’t glued to their screens, I now appreciate the convenience of instant communication through WhatsApp and social media. Instead of exchanging email addresses with fellow travelers, we connect on platforms like Instagram, fostering ongoing friendships.
5. Embrace Slow Travel
Back in 2004, my travel style was focused on overland journeys, primarily to save money. I navigated from Bangkok to Singapore by bus and explored Czechia and Poland by train. However, in 2018, I shifted my approach to reduce my carbon footprint, opting for train travel across Europe instead of flights. For my upcoming trip, I’ve decided to travel overland from Mexico to New York, savoring each moment rather than rushing through destinations.
6. Pack Wisely
One of the lessons I’ve learned over the years is that packing light is an art form I’m still mastering. After recently discovering the benefits of packing cubes, which help compress clothes and maximize space, I still find myself overpacking. Having transitioned from a 55-litre to an 80-litre backpack, I often need more room, despite having eliminated some non-essentials like hair straighteners and bulky cameras.
7. Research Costs
One memorable experience that taught me the importance of researching prices occurred in Poland when I arrived at my hostel and was charged £30 for a mere 10-minute taxi ride. The driver refused to return my backpack until I paid him. Now, I make it a point to research taxi fares, tuk-tuk prices, and accommodation rates beforehand, checking reviews across multiple platforms to ensure I get the best deal possible.
