How You'll Know You're Ready for Solo Travel (+ Practical Tips to Get You There)
Solo travel offers the ultimate journey of self-discovery and adventure—are you ready to take the leap?
Next to questions about specific destinations, solo travel is the hottest topic when it comes to things people ask me about travel.
Don’t you get bored? (No.)
But aren’t you lonely? (Actually, you may meet more people!)
Isn’t it dangerous? (Doesn’t have to be.)
An awful lot of people have realized over the last few years that they’re now in the perfect position for solo travel:
newly remote workers, either year-round or a few months at a time
recently widowed or divorced folks
empty nesters with newfound freedom
midlifers craving adventure after a career change
and those who’ve simply decided to shake things up and prioritize self-discovery over routine.
The world is your oyster and sometimes, the best travel companion is yourself. Sure, travelling with friends and family can be fun—it’s nice to have comfort, security and shared memories. But every now and then, you just want to call all the shots.
Recommended reading: Finding an Affordable Last-Minute Solo or Couples Getaway
No compromises, no waiting around, no catering to someone else’s idea of fun. Solo travel is your chance to fully embrace freedom, follow your own rhythm, and get lost (in the best way possible) doing exactly what you want.
You’re not alone in feeling this need to be, well… alone, either. According to data from the travel search engine Kayak, interest in solo flights has surged, with a 36% increase in searches for solo traveler flights in 2023 compared to 2022.
Meanwhile, a survey by Skyscanner reveals that 54% of travelers are contemplating solo trips this year, with 65% of them opting to travel alone because their friends and family don’t share the same travel preferences.

Searcher interest, as gauged by Google searches for the term [solo travel], has grown steadily over the past decade, minus the obvious interruption during COVID.
If you’re sitting on the fence and unsure whether to strike out on your own, here are a few clues that will help you know you’re ready.
And listen – I’m not saying, “Don’t travel alone if you don’t meet these criteria.” Not at all. If you already do, you’re more than ready. If not, this may give you a few things you can work on to bump up your confidence so you can plan that liberating first solo trip.
See how many of these resonate:
1. You’re Comfortable with Your Own Company



When you're ready for solo travel, the idea of spending extended time alone doesn’t scare you—it excites you. Instead of needing someone to share every meal or moment with, you’re okay savoring those experiences on your own.
Whether it’s sitting in a café people-watching, wandering through a museum in complete silence, or hiking a trail with only your thoughts, you’ve learned to enjoy your own company. Solo travel isn’t about feeling lonely; it’s about finding joy in the freedom to be with yourself.
When silence doesn’t feel awkward but welcome—when you enjoy time spent journaling, or just sitting at a scenic lookout drinking it all in—you’re ready to embrace solo travel. The ability to appreciate solitude as a time to reflect, relax, and recharge is helpful on a solo adventure.
2. You’re Ready to Buck Routine.
Some on a recent trip I took were confused and even upset about our housekeeper’s habit of folding our pyjamas up and hiding them under our pillows. It was a small yet amusing reminder that routines vary wildly around the world.
Solo travelers quickly learn that embracing these quirks of local life leads to richer experiences. If you want to travel outside of resorts and the predictable routine of an organized tour, you’re going to have to be okay with change. A lot of change.
You’re going to learn new things every day and will not be able to rely on routine. You may build new routines of your own, but it’ll be through trial and error (sometimes, a lot of errors, leading to a rough day or two). Which brings me to…
3. You’re Excited, Not Intimidated, by the Idea of Solo Decisions
… and you don’t need constant validation. When you travel solo, you call the shots—what to see, where to eat, how to spend your days.
If the thought of planning an entire trip by yourself doesn’t overwhelm you but actually excites you, that’s a major sign you’re ready to hit the road alone. You’re not waiting for someone else to tell you it’s okay to book that trip, visit that museum, or take that cooking class in Tuscany. You trust your gut and your desire to explore.
You’ve grown comfortable taking full responsibility for your plans and are ready to tailor your adventure to exactly what you want without needing to consult anyone else. You’ve reached a point where your happiness is the only validation you need.
4. You’re Ready to Make Your Own Schedule (and Break It)
One of the biggest perks of solo travel is total freedom over your itinerary. If the idea of setting your own schedule—or scrapping it entirely for a spur-of-the-moment adventure—fills you with excitement rather than anxiety, you’re primed for solo travel.
There have been times I’ve just wanted to move on from a place, though, or slow down and stay there a little longer. Accept that things won’t always go the way you thought they might. (Which is why I always check the cancellation and refund policies… don’t get locked in!)
Whether you want to spend hours getting lost in a market or take an afternoon nap in your Airbnb without worrying about anyone else’s plans, you’ve embraced the beauty of doing things at your own pace.
5. You’re Comfortable Navigating Unfamiliar Places
When you’re traveling solo, you’re the one reading the maps, figuring out bus schedules, and translating signs in foreign languages. If this kind of challenge feels like part of the thrill rather than a hassle, it’s a good indicator that you’re ready to travel alone.


You don’t need to be an expert navigator, but having a level of comfort with uncertainty—and even getting lost—means you’ll handle solo travel with confidence and curiosity.
(Bonus points if you can manage being lost without freaking out or turning into a deer in the headlights, as this makes you a target for pickpockets and other unscrupulous folks you may meet out there.)
6. You’ve Become Resourceful and Resilient
Travel has a way of throwing curveballs, and when you're on your own, being resourceful is essential. If you've developed a knack for problem-solving and can tackle challenges from different angles, you're more than ready for solo travel.
Being resourceful means quickly finding the best way forward—like using an online translator to order food when there’s no English menu in sight, or scouting out where to get essentials like water and groceries in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
It’s about thinking on your feet and adapting to your surroundings. When Wi-Fi drops or your phone dies, you know how to navigate without Google Maps, or at least find a local who can point you in the right direction. And when faced with unexpected roadblocks—like missing a bus or your accommodation falling through—you don’t panic.
Instead, you assess the situation, weigh your options, and figure out the best path forward, even if it means trying something new or adjusting your plans.
Give Yourself a Nudge
Solo travel isn’t about fearlessly going it alone. It shouldn’t make you feel lonely or alienated but empowered. It’s about discovering the strength and joy in navigating the world on your own terms.
Try a few of these small exercises at home to help build your confidence for solo travel:
Practice dining alone: Take yourself out for a meal at a restaurant, café, or even a local bar. Get comfortable with the feeling of dining solo, whether you bring a book, people-watch, or just enjoy the food in your own company.
Use language apps: Start learning the basics of a language spoken at your next destination using apps like Duolingo or Babbel. Even just knowing simple phrases like “hello,” “thank you,” and “where’s the bathroom?” can boost your confidence when traveling.
Plan a “daycation” solo: Spend a full day exploring a nearby city or neighbourhood by yourself. Research a few spots to visit, but leave room for spontaneity. This gives you a taste of solo decision-making and discovery.
Navigate unfamiliar areas: Go for a walk in a part of town you don’t know well, relying on a paper map instead of GPS. This will help build your navigation skills and confidence in finding your way when you’re in a foreign country.
Get comfortable asking for help: Practice asking for directions or assistance from strangers in your own city. This will make it easier to approach locals and ask for help while traveling solo, even if there’s a language barrier.
Take small solo trips: Book a weekend away by yourself in a nearby town. Stay at a hostel or boutique hotel, interact with locals, and explore. It’s a low-stakes way to get used to being on your own in new environments.
Journal your experiences: Document your solo activities—whether dining alone, exploring, or learning something new. Reflecting on these moments will help you build self-awareness and confidence in your ability to handle solo travel.
Attend a social event alone: Go to a local meetup, class, or event where you don’t know anyone. It’s great practice for building social skills and meeting new people on your solo travels.
Practice packing light: Do a mock packing session for a trip, aiming to pack only a carry-on. This helps you streamline your packing process and realize you don’t need as much as you think, making solo travel easier and more manageable.
Take a solo time-out on your next not-solo trip: Even when traveling with a partner or friends, you don’t have to do everything together. Take a day completely alone to set your own agenda, plan your own activities, and basically do whatever you want. Give yourself a small taste of that freedom.
Embrace downtime: Practice sitting quietly in a park or at a café without your phone for distractions. Solo travel often comes with moments of downtime, and getting comfortable with them will make your experience more enjoyable.
Prepare your solo-trip emergency fund. You don’t want to be out in the world alone on your last dime if something goes wrong. Having an emergency fund goes a long way in giving you the confidence that you can handle a few mishaps.
These simple exercises will ease you into solo travel, helping you feel more self-sufficient and excited to take that first trip on your own.
Whether you’re ready to dive into a solo trip or still warming up to the idea, remember: the world is waiting, and so is the adventure of a lifetime. When will you take the leap?