lone traveller policy

FAQs | Lone travellers

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What measures are in place at Premier Inn hotels to keep me safe when I’m travelling alone?

To help our solo travellers rest easy, we have a number of simple security measures in place to ensure lone guests have a safe, comfortable and enjoyable stay with us.

• At check-in, we'll hand you your room details discreetly and won't say your room number out loud, so there’s no chance of it being overheard.
• Where possible, we won’t check vulnerable or solo female travellers into rooms that are on the ground floor or at the end of a corridor.
• Every Premier Inn hotel has a door entry system, and only Premier Inn guests can enter after 11pm at night.
• Our receptions are open 24 hours a day, and we’re always happy to help. Receptions are manned throughout most of the day – plus there’s a buzzer to call us if there isn’t a member of our team at the desk.
• Every bedroom door is fitted with a deadlock or chain.

If you're eating alone, many of our restaurants feature quieter corners where you can enjoy your meal undisturbed.

Lone traveller tips

We’re proud to be associated with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charitable organization set up to raise awareness around personal safety. In conjunction with the trust, we produced the following guide to help keep you safe:  

• If you can, book accommodation and plan your journey in advance to give you confidence to travel safely.
• Let someone know where you’ll be staying and contact them on arrival.
• Don't pack unnecessary valuables.
• If you have any concerns with your room location, ask if a replacement is possible.
• If your room door is ajar or looks like it’s been tampered with, return to reception and ask for the room to be checked.
• Arrange to meet colleagues in a public place when holding meetings at hotels.

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Hotel Lone Traveller Policy

Hatherley Manor Hotel understands that every customer has different needs and we aim to make our hotel considerate of lone females travelling often far from home which can create anxiety and stress. The hotel operates a lone female guest awareness policy.

We recognize that some females travel alone, and it is important to make the feel safe when they stay in the hotel.

Here are a few of the safety measures we implement and try adhere to:

• When allocating a single female a room, do not put lone females into rooms at the end of corridors or fire exits.
• Offer escort service from hotel to the car park, especially at night.
• Make lone females aware that all rooms have peep holes on doors for added security
• Never give out a lone females name or room number
• Bedside lighting controls as standard in all rooms
• Same sex room service provided on request
• Health & safety guidelines in place for staff, on non harassment of lone female guests

We endeavour to implement this policy on every occasion: however, this is subject to availability at the time of booking, force majeure and of the guest informing Hatherley Manor Hotel that they wish this policy to be applied.

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Check in / Checkout / Reception

• Option to check-in in advance, followed by discreet communication regarding room number and location / options to request room allocation in a particular area of the hotel.  All data is held within safe secure systems and confidentiality is upheld to highest levels.
• Reputable taxi companies bookable at reception
• Express check out available
• Reception phone manned 24 hours
• Hotel entrance doors close at night
• ID required if a replacement key is requested

Room Facilities

• Safes in all bedrooms to hold guest valuables
• In room dining options for all food service/restaurant options
• Option to order in room dining and Click and Collect or Call and Collect
• Option to select preferred in room dining times to book preferred times
• Spyholes in all bedroom doors
• Windows are fitted with secure restrictors – opening only 200mls.   In some location’s windows do not open due to external noise
• Option to communicate to our 24-hour reception team by phone in the room
• Evacuation procedure is visible in all bedrooms
• Three fire safety & security walks are conducted throughout the day/night in all our hotels, using an online management system to record their checks at points throughout the hotel
• Extensive CCTV coverage in all public areas of our hotel including bedroom lift lobbies & corridors recorded in line with GDPR
• Fire safety systems (and all life safety systems) maintained & certified to the highest of standards, with detectors & sounders in all areas, supported by an excellent operation fire safety strategy on site
• The security of our hotels is maintained under regular review by the hotel safety committee & is subject to external auditing
• Dedicated fire warden & occupational first aider on all shifts including nights, supported by emergency contact list for local out of hour doctors, chemists etc.
• All hotel duty managers wear portable panic alarms, so that in the unlikely event an incident or security concern did arise, it could be escalated without delay.
• All Hotel management teams, and nights personnel are trained on all aspects of health & safety including “Operational safety & security”
• All Hotel ground floor access & egress points are linked to an intruder alarm which is activated at a specific time in each hotel each day
• All operational staff wear uniforms

Lone Travellers Policy

The Oaklands Hall Hotel has become the first hotel in the area to offer a Lone Travellers Policy; this basically offers people who travel alone a chance to feel completely secure and relaxed whilst enjoying their stay with us. This policy is available on request, aimed predominently at females, however male guests are more than welcome to request this service.

We understand that every customer has different needs so we aim to be considerate of females travelling alone.

We recognize that some people travel alone and it’s important to make them feel safe when they stay with us.

We have implemented the following measures to make your stay with us as relaxing and as comfortable as possible.

• Never allocate a ground floor room to a female traveling alone
• When allocating rooms we do not put females travelling alone into rooms at the end of corridors or near fire exits, we always try to allocate them rooms in the middle of our corridors.
• Automatically upgrade females travelling alone if on arrival we cannot adhere to the first two points.
• Offer an escort service from hotel to the car park, especially at night if requested.
• Provide onsite parking, with fully lit car park.
• Never read out a female’s room number when checking in, just point to the room number on the registration card.
• Never give out a lone females name or room number
• Bedside lighting controls as standard in all rooms
• Same sex room service provided on request
• Lone female guests are seated around the edge of the dining room, facing the entrance
• Emergency Quick dial to reception available by dialling 0

The Oaklands Hall Hotel Barton Street Laceby Grimsby N.E. Lincolnshire DN37 7LF

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Lone Traveller? 25 Expert Tips For Your First Solo Trip

published by Bren

Last updated: November 8, 2023

So, you’ve finally done it. You’ve decided you’re going to quit your job (or take a shizload of leave) and set off on an adventure around the world…alone.

Exciting, right?

But being a lone traveller brings with it a huge amount of fears, doubts and second thoughts. What if you make no friends? What if you get sick? What if your bag gets stolen? What if you just hate the whole experience and want to go home?

Let me tell you, every lone traveller has the same fears running through their head, and even after several years on the road I still get nervous when heading off on a new adventure. It’s normal, and you shouldn’t let it stop you from having the most incredible experience of your life.

But, it helps to have a small idea of what you should expect, so below are my own tips for making your trip the greatest adventure possible.

1. Set a date

You need to make it real.

If you just sit at your desk and say, “Hmm, I’ll do it this year sometime, or maybe I’ll just wait and see how things go and do it next year” I can promise you, it’s never going to happen. Especially with solo travel. There is always an excuse not to do something.

Set a date, and book a ticket. That way there’s no going back.

2. Save enough money before you go

There is nothing worse than running out of money on the road. Some say you only need $5,000 to travel the world for a year. Others say $10,000 and some even say $20,000.

The truth is, there is no ‘right’ number. Every traveller is different and wants different experiences that cost different amounts of money.

My advice is, just save everything you possibly can while you’re at home. Give up all your meaningless purchases like Starbucks and shoes and sunglasses. Be the cheapest bastard you possibly can. Small change adds up, and in some countries a few dollars goes a very long way (for the price of a New Zealand coffee you could feed yourself for 3 or 4 days in some countries).

3. Don’t be cheap 

As a budget traveller, I’m always mindful of where my money is going. But sometimes you just need to splurge. Your budget may be tight, but don’t miss out on those tapas in Spain, or that Peking duck in China.

When a unique experience requires some spending, do it.

There are far more forgettable things you can forgo while travelling, such as expensive taxi rides, a nice hotel room, or an expensive night out on the booze. And 5 years later you definitely won’t regret the missing $30, but you will regret missing out on something special while you had the chance.

4. Don’t sleep in

You can sleep at home. I’ve continually regretted trips where I spent a lot of time sleeping from hangovers, jet lag or just pure laziness. As a lone traveller this is even more likely, as you rarely have plans or someone keeping tabs on you.

I spent a week in Buenos Aires just drinking in my hostel and clubbing with my new roommates. I didn’t even get out to see a tango show, or try the famous steak, or watch the Boca Juniors play. A few years later, a guy in my hostel said, “You’ve been to BA? My gosh, isn’t it just the most incredible city ever?” and proceeded to tell me about all the shows and foods and places he experienced. Needless to say I hung my head in shame and told him I didn’t get the chance to see any of that.

My next trip there will definitely be a whole lot different.

5. Get a good camera and take photos!

When I started this blog, I had so many stories I wanted to share and was so disappointed that I didn’t have the photos to go along with them. Weird as it may seem, I actually spent most of my time backpacking South America without a camera, as I thought I could just collect the memories ‘in my head’.

What a fool!

Now I make sure to take photos of everything, and am excited to look back on them all when I’m an old man in a wheelchair. Do yourself a favour and take as many photos as you can! And make sure you get a lot of good ones of yourself in all those amazing destinations.

If you want to learn how to take amazing photos of yourself as a lone traveller, check out my guide here .

6. Don’t forget the people back home

I spend most of my time on the road these days, but I always make sure I go back home at Christmas and spend it with my family. I also stay in touch with my Mum and friends on Facebook/Whatsapp/Skype almost daily. I don’t buy gifts or souvenirs, because I don’t really see the point (unless I see something really special) but I always make sure to let them know where I am and that I’m ok.

Just because you’re a globetrotter now, don’t think you’re too cool to stay in touch!

7. Buy the right backpack

Let me tell you, having the wrong backpack will make your life misery. And I say backpack because you really do need a backpack.

Suitcases are clunky and and hard to move around with. Don’t think you’ll have beautifully paved concrete paths everywhere you go to seamlessly wheel your suitcase around, because you won’t. Sometimes you may unexpectedly need to walk through marsh, or floods, or muddy roads, or sand, or any other type of unfriendly terrain. So a backpack is essential, and you need to make sure you get the right one!

Go to a hiking/backpack store and ask the staff there which backpack suits your body type. You don’t have to buy from them, but do make sure you get some expert advice. I personally use a hybrid backpack (a backpack with wheels on the bottom). 90% of the time I can wheel it around, but that other 10% I am extremely happy I have those backpack straps on the back. If you prefer carry-on only, make sure you’ve got the right size! This chart will help .

Don’t forget, a backpack is like a lone traveller badge that we wear with pride! The more battered the better. So make sure you get something sturdy too.

Want to see what’s in my backpack? Click here.

8. Don’t overpack!

“ When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money .” – Susan Heller

This might be one of the best travel quotes in history. After my last trip, I decided to “review” all the things I had packed. I realised that during my 6 month trip, I had packed around 7kg worth of stuff that I didn’t even use once . That included a pair of boots, a couple pairs of jeans, a beanie, some thermal clothing, a handful of shirts and some other miscellaneous things. Yet I’d carried these things all around Uganda , Tanzania , Ethiopia , Kenya, Singapore and The Philippines .

I’m sure they enjoyed their overseas trip, but my life on the road would’ve been so much easier had I just left all that stuff at home. Remember, as unbelievable as it sounds, other countries have shops too! If you need stuff, you can buy it.

9. Do some planning beforehand

While I don’t suggest planning your entire itinerary out to the hour, it helps to have a few things planned before you go.

Write down the cities and places you want to visit and how to get there, restaurants and dishes you want to try, the activities you want to do and also a handful of places you could stay.

There have been too many times where I’ve arrived in a country with absolutely no plans, and spent the next 3 days in the hostel doing all my destination research. It’s a huge waste of travel time which could be spent out and about experiencing the city.

Be smart and do your destination research at home!

10. Make local friends

After my first trip solo trip overseas to Spain , I was so amazed at all the new friendships I had made in such a short time. And then I realised, I didn’t make a single friend who was actually from Spain. If I ever returned, I would have no one to catch up with, no couch to crash on, no one to grab a drink with and reminisce about the ‘good old times’.

This saddened me and from then on, I made an effort to get to know at least one local person in every place I went. Of course, I didn’t always manage to, but the times I did added such a different dimension to my trip.

Just recently in Cambodia I was getting a massage and making small talk with my masseuse. She told me she was going to a birthday party later and so I just asked, “Can I come?” She looked at me with a smile and said “Of course!”

Later that afternoon I enjoyed a karaoke party with a whole bunch of Cambodian people, tried some insane Cambodian street food, and made a heap of new friends. It was all quite a fascinating insight into Cambodian culture and the first alcohol-free karaoke gig I’ve ever been to.

In the end, it’s all good fun just hanging out in the hostel meeting other backpackers, but connecting with local people can also offer a very unique experience. Couchsurfing is ideal for this , but otherwise, just say hi to people you meet around town (like whoever is sitting next to you on the train or at the bar). It may seem a little weird, but you won’t regret it.

11. Bring an unlocked phone and get a local sim

I never really understood this locking phone thing. In New Zealand there’s no such thing as a ‘locked’ phone, as far as I know, and it was only after meeting some American travellers where I learned about these phone networks hacking the phones and setting them to only be used on their networks. That’s fuarking lame.

Anyway, sim cards in many countries are cheap and it’s easy to get mobile internet on short term packages (such as 3-day, 7-day etc). I can’t tell you how many times Google Maps has saved me from spending the whole day walking around looking for things that were right in front of my face.

I used to be an advocate of just asking for directions, and still am, but quite often the local people will have never heard of what you’re looking for.

Particularly if you’re planning on staying for more than a couple of weeks, getting a local sim is a no-brainer (and usually cheaper than roaming).

12. Don’t get drunk (much)

Travelling for quite a lot of people these days just means going to the beach and getting drunk for 7 nights and then flying back home. But do you really need to come all the way to Thailand to do that? I just don’t get it.

I’m kidding. I totally get it. I’ve done that before too and it was heaps of fun.

But if that’s all you do, you’re probably going to regret it. Maybe just spend half the time drinking and half the time doing other stuff, like trying local food and visiting local markets. Otherwise a few years from now you may look back on those drunken memories and think, “Man, I wish I’d some other stuff too.” 

13. Don’t be afraid to take time off

Travelling is exhausting sometimes.

Maybe it’s all the walking, or just being away from home, or not being able to walk around the hostel naked like you do at home. Often it’s just the constant meeting new people and introducing yourself that can take it’s toll.

When you get to that point, don’t be afraid to get a private room and just read/sleep/do nothing for a few days. I do it all the time, and it works.

14. Learn the local language

It helps to do this before you arrive, but it’s never too late to learn a few words. Everywhere you go, at least learn to count to ten, say hello and goodbye, please and thank you, and any other common phrases you might use.

In every single country I have been to this has put a smile on people’s faces and makes them feel inclined to treat you that much nicer. Most guidebooks have a good common phrases section, but otherwise a simple Google search will give you all the free lessons you need.

Want to learn to speak a new language in seven days? Check out my guide here.

15. Get travel insurance

I shouldn’t even need to include this but surprisingly there are still a lot of people who leave home without insurance. Travel insurance has literally saved me thousands of dollars while travelling.

Once I had to see a throat specialist which cost around $700 in China. Insurance picked it up.

Another time my Grandma passed away while I was travelling and I had to take a last-minute $2,000 flight from Tanzania to Sydney for the funeral. Insurance picked that one up too.

Once I even got arrested by immigration on trumped up charges, and spent six weeks fighting the case. Travel insurance picked up the lawyer fees, and the “fines” I had to pay.

Don’t be a travel dummy – get insurance! I use World Nomads .

For my full guide on how to find travel insurance and why you need it, click here.

16. Cheaper is not always better

There was a time when I’d choose a $10, 25-hour bus ride over a $150, 2-hour flight any day of the week.

That’s changed.

A 25 hour bus ride is rarely just 25 hours. On a trip that long, you get exhausted. You eat shitty food. You feel worn out afterwards and want to get a good night’s sleep. The next day is spent in recovery mode. You’re lazy and sluggish from all the sitting around and sleeping. You just want to stay in and watch Game of Thrones. That 25 hours can quickly turn into 50 hours before you’re ready to jump out of bed and go exploring again.

My advice is to take that 2 hour flight. In 4 hours you’ll be checked-in to your room, feeling fresh and getting the most out of your day in whichever city is lucky to have you.

I also rarely stay in the cheapest hostel, and will happily take a $10 dorm bed over a $4 dorm bed if it means I get a good night’s sleep and am not stuck in some random place 45 minutes outside the city centre. Remember, your time is just as (if not more) important than money.

17. Slow down mister lone traveller!

A common mistake with first time travellers is they try and do too much.

For example, with a month in South East Asia they might try and do 5 days in Thailand, 3 days in Cambodia, a week in Vietnam, 5 days in Laos, 10 days in Malaysia and a couple of nights in Singapore . Now sure, that does sound cool, but here’s the problem(s).

• You’re going to be exhausted.
• You’ll barely scratch the surface of each country.
• You’ll spend a large amount of your budget on flights/buses/trains/taxis/buses.
• You’ll spend a large amount of your time on planes/buses/trains/taxis/buses.

On average, getting from your hotel in one country to your hotel in another country will take you around 24 hours of travel time (that includes packing, taxi rides, visa stations, bus/train/plane, customs, waiting for your bag and figuring out how to get to your hotel in the next country).

6 countries = 6 days, which is 20% of a one month trip.

That’s a lot of precious time spent sitting on your backside doing nothing.

For a first time traveller spending one month in South East Asia, I’d probably recommend 3 weeks in one country and a short side trip to another (and maybe one  additional country if you really wanted to).

That way you’ll have the chance to really get under the skin of one country, while getting a nice little glimpse of another. Take your time. The world is not going anywhere (soon).

18. Go on a date!

One of the least talked about aspects of travelling is dating . Dating other travellers. Dating a local. Dating anyone.

While the road is not the greatest place to start a long term relationship, going on a date can be a really memorable way to experience a city. A new city also offers endless date ideas (local markets, shows, plays etc) which will all be completely new to you and interesting to talk about.

Ask out the waitress at breakfast. Or tell that girl in your dorm you’re taking her for dessert. Maybe even try and hold her hand (gasp).

19. Stay healthy

Too tired to head out for dinner. Not getting much sleep. No time to hit the gym. Drinking too much booze. Eating too much junk food.

Things like this can make my health deteriorate pretty fast when I’m out on the road, and I’m sure it’s true for other travellers too (all the coughing and sniffling in the dorm rooms will tell you that).

It can be hard, but make a concentrated effort to eat well and get enough rest. Sometimes you might just want to go to the supermarket and buy a bunch of carrots and apples and force em down. Or go for a jog. Or any other small thing that lets your body know you’re thinking about it. Look after yourself, because nothing snuffs out the excitement of travel faster than a few days fighting the flu.

Read all my tips for staying healthy on the road here.

20. Learn a new skill

Every country has traditional sports, dishes and activities that the local people love to do. Have a go at the national sport, or take a language class, or learn to cook a local dish. Why? So you can go back home and show off, of course.

And also for personal development, and all that stuff.

21. Don’t get obsessed with getting “off the beaten track”

There’s a disease in the backpacker community right now called “Too-cool Syndrome” , where some people who’ve been travelling for a while think they’re above all the cliché  things to do in town.

These kinds of people won’t visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, because of course, they’re way cooler than that. They’re going to see some other tower in some tiny city that’s way cooler instead, because no one’s ever seen it before and they’re going to be the only person on Facebook with a photo in front of this cool other tower. Similarly, they won’t drink Sangria in Spain, or visit the Colosseum in Rome, or see Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, because of course, they’re too cool.

Don’t become one of these people. There’s a reason why everyone does those cliché  things, and a reason why they became cliché  in the first place. It’s because they’re awesome. Don’t miss out.

22. Get off the beaten track

Of course, you should still try and do a few things off the typical tourist trail, because there’s a lot of great things to experience there too.

The absolute best way to do this is by making a few local friends and getting them to show you a few of the hidden spots around town. Otherwise you can use apps like Trover, ask other travellers (travel forums/blogs), or just ask local people such as waiters/taxi drivers/hostel staff.

Another good tip is to look for cities in the country that don’t have airports or train stations. They’re usually the ones less frequented by travellers and can give some unique experiences.

23. Stay safe at all costs

If you ever feel in danger, extract yourself immediately. You may feel stupid getting a taxi back to your hotel when it’s just a 5 minute walk away, but guess what; a whole lot of shit can happen on a 5 minute walk.

If you see some unsavoury looking characters up ahead, don’t be afraid to just turn around and walk a different way.

In many parts of the world, I never leave the hotel after dark if I don’t have a local male to walk with me, even if it’s just across the road to buy a Coke.

Similarly, don’t get peer pressured into doing stupid things; there are a lot of idiot travellers out there who think they’re invincible, some of them are even looking for trouble so they have “really cool stories” to tell when they get home. Don’t be that fool.

24. Experience everything for yourself

No matter where you go, someone is going to have an opinion.

“Don’t go to Vietnam, everyone’s unfriendly and you’re just going to get ripped off.”

“Don’t go to Colombia, there’s heaps of drug dealers and it’s not safe.”

“Don’t go to Switzerland, it’s so expensive and Berlin is cooler anyway.”

Don’t listen to any of these people. In fact, don’t listen to anyone at all.

Some of the coolest places I’ve been to are ones that other people hated and said would be crap. The only way to really know if you like a place is to go there and experience it for yourself.

If someone tells you don’t need to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, do it anyway. Maybe that person is an idiot and the sunrise will be one of your fondest memories.

If someone tells you Thailand is overrated, go there and make up your own mind about it. When it comes to travelling, everyone’s experience is hugely different and even the bad ones are worth remembering.

The best part of being a lone traveller is you don’t need to ask permission from a travel buddy or a girlfriend or a brother or sister. You can go anywhere you want!

So ignore everyone else, including me. In fact, forget you even read this article at all. Go without fears or expectations, and enjoy your adventure for what it is.

25. Make it unforgettable

You may never be here again. Do whatever you want, as much as you want, and as long as you want. Travel is freedom. If you want to stay in Costa Rica your entire trip, do it. If you just want to lie on the beach and do nothing, do it. The world has too many rules and 99% of them are stupid. Travel is an escape. Be whoever you want. Go wherever you’ll go. Create your own adventure. In the end all that’s left are memories, so make sure they’re awesome ones.

Just be safe, and have fun. The world is your playground!

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This is fantastic! I’d also add something along the lines of stepping away from social media from time-to-time. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in showing everyone back home what we’re up to that we actually miss the moment while we’re busy filtering a photo on Instagram or updating our Facebook status!

Totally. Social media is a massive time-suck.

Great tips. I agree on especially the “don’t sleep in” and the don’t be obsessed with getting off the beaten path. I get emails a lot from people coming to India for the first time who want something off the beaten track to do- and I tell them INDIA is off the beaten track, just wait and you’ll see!

It’s funny how we start to think like that. Always trying to see the secret stuff and miss the great things right in front of us.

Fantastic tips! I resonate with all of them. The “don’t sleep in” rule also has the added advantage of getting the best photos early in the mornings! Plus it’s a great time to stroll around and be part of the place you’re in before it comes to life.

I struggle to wake up early usually, but when I do, wow. What a different side of the city.

Thank you for this! 🙂

Not going to a place like the Eiffel Tower just because you are too cool? I can’t believe that. The Eiffel tower screams of coolness. You can’t be cooler than that.

Never been so I can’t quite say 🙂

Great story as usual

It’s like you reached into my brain on this one and pulled out, well, ALL OF MY THOUGHTS. Seriously, you’re so dead-on with everything here. It took me a while to learn that it’s OK for me to take a day off when I travel. On average, I need at least one day per week of downtime – no crazy queues for attractions, no hurtling all around a city at breakneck speed. Just cafes, or walking around a park in the neighbourhood I’m staying in, or bundling up with a blanket and YouTube.

As for the date thing, that’s a good tip, although as a gay guy, it’s much easier for me to find a date thanks to the likes of Grindr, Jackd, and all of those other apps. And YES to not being cheap. I recently returned from Singapore and was debating whether or not to loosen the purse strings on a few things. I ended up staying in a hostel, but shelling out money on some amazing white pepper crab, a boat tour down the river to see the light show at Marina Bay Sands, a Singapore Sling along Clarke Quay, going inside the Cloud Forest Dome at Gardens by the Bay – and each experience was completely worth it.

I could go on and on and agree with each and every point, but I shan’t. This post is awesome.

Hey Tom, thanks, time off is a huge one for me as well. Often I’ll take a week or more just to sit in a hotel and read or write. Glad it all resonated.

Great tips, Bren! I recently did my first solo trip and I totally agree with you on these points especially the ones about making local friends and not always traveling cheap. As a solo female traveler, safety always comes first.

Safety is always first for me too. Too many stories about ‘gringos dying’, and it’s almost always because they went wandering where they shouldn’t have. Travel is safe as long as you’re not an idiot. Hope you enjoyed your trip!

This is a brilliant post but most people think going solo is very risky. If you think so, then my best advice is to do solo travelling till you are good at it before you venture out. This will give you some confidence when you are in a foreign land!

I always recommend people do this – take weekend trips or road trips alone, get used to being solo on the road, then once you’ve had a feel for it go for the big time. Definitely helps!

Great post Bren! I’d like to add my #1 tip for travelers. WRITE IT DOWN! Dosen’t matter if it’s in s journal, blog or WordPress. Write down your experiences and your adventures. What you did, what you learned, who you met, how you grew from the challenges. As time passes your experiences and memories will blur and been. Preserve them by keeping a written record. I look forward to the day 30 years from now when I’m older and reading my travel journals. I’ll get to enjoy all my trips a second time!

Hi Tony, great idea. Memories definitely fade so keeping a journal or memoir definitely is worth doing.

Hey, Bren! Very interesting and informative post. Thank you for sharing! You really made a nice job. Very helpful tips.

Thanks Iris, safe travels!

Hey! I came across your site by accident, and anyway I love it! Reading from people with first-hand experience in travelling really puts things into perspective for me (because travelling is my main goal after Uni haha!). So thanks 🙂

You’re welcome! If you have any questions, just shoot.

Hi Bren, what backpack would you recommend today? I’ve been looking for a hybrid backpack, but unsure which one would be the best. Any specific brands and/or model to look for? Also many recommend the “Tortuga” backpack even if it’s not a hybrid. What are you thoughts about that?

Hey Simon, hybrids are good because you can wheel them around but because of the extra pieces in them they don’t always fit on your back that well. They’re also more expensive. I haven’t tried the Tortuga but I have seen the Minaal and it’s very nice. They are both quite small though – I’m on the road a long time so I carry quite a lot of stuff and need something a little bigger (I check-in my backpack). I use a Kathmandu 70L Hybrid. Other popular brands are Eagle Creek and REI. In the end it will be a personal decision – my advice is to pay a bit more for good quality (airports throw your bags around quite a bit), and get a bag that’s comfortable. Everything else will depend on your travel style. Hope that helps!

The tips are indeed helpful. I am planning a solo road trip to a South Indian state and came through post when searching for relevant tips. “Make it unforgettable” would be my ultimate goal wherever I go.

Thanks for sharing, planning my next solo journey.

"Once I even got arrested by immigration on trumped up charges, and spent six weeks fighting the case. Travel insurance picked up the lawyer fees, and the “fines” I had to pay".

OOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKK! You CANNOT just leave us hanging with those two sentences. I want names, I want places and I want details. Frankly, that sounds like a movie idea.

Unfortunately I can’t discuss it publicly – advice from my lawyers. It was an East African country.

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• Travel Tips & Lists
• Solo and lonely? My experiences as a lone traveller

Everyone says, “find your niche” within the travel blogging world. It’s challenging for me, as I’ve been an every-kind-of-travel, traveller. A jack-of-all-travels, one might say. Everything from budget to luxury travel, developing to developed countries, and immersive cultural travel to parking my ass at an all-inclusive resort. I’ve travelled with just Nick and I, friends and family, my kids, girls only… and even solo. This post is about my experiences as Dani: the lone traveller.

Travelling alone is my least favourite form of travel. I’ve only done it because my desire to continue travelling outweighed the fact that I had no one to go on with. These trips started with other people and ended with just my backpack and me. I wasn’t ready to go home.

I’ve travelled in four countries alone – Malaysia and Singapore at age 21, and Czech Republic and Germany at age 26. This post is about what I did as a lone traveller, and even more so, how I felt.

I’m an extrovert – I love being with people. So it’s no shocker that I felt lonely . Although I have some introverted tendencies, they max out at a few hours. I didn’t have social media or a smartphone when I did these trips. If I wanted to connect with someone I knew, I had to pay too much money at a payphone , or go to an Internet cafe . You know, those places with a roomful of desktop computers where you pay per minute to type out long emails to friends and family? No? Ok, I’m old. Half of me misses payphones and Internet cafes (because back then you could  actually disconnect), and the other half wonders how the hell I survived without a smartphone until I was 27 years old.

Malaysia – 2003

On my nine-month Southeast Asia , Australia and New Zealand  working backpacking trip in 2002/2003, I spent time alone in Malaysia and Singapore on my way home. My plan was to check out Sumatra, Indonesia, but there was unpredictable weather at the time and I deemed it a no-go zone. I spent a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – a city I didn’t especially love. I’m not entirely sure why, but that city just didn’t ignite me like Bangkok , Singapore , and Hanoi did.

I booked a decent hotel I couldn’t afford, because I was too scared to stay somewhere low budget by myself. Being in that hotel alone after spending nine months with friends and other backpackers sucked. It was also the first time in my life I ate at restaurants by myself. I wasn’t enjoying Kuala Lumpur alone (I was 21 and less experienced; it would probably be different now that I’m pushing 40 and more comfortable with travel). So I decided to head South to Singapore .

Singapore – 2003

Smartphones didn’t exist yet and I didn’t have a mobile phone with me, so I was disconnected from the world as a 21-year-old blonde alone in Singapore. I had to find an Internet cafe to communicate with anyone (which involved asking someone, because I couldn’t Google it), and going back later to check for a reply. If I had disappeared, it would’ve taken a long time to find me.

I stayed in a small dorm room hostel with a diverse mix of people, most of whom I couldn’t communicate with due to language barriers. I love diversity and appreciate all different types of people, but not having anyone to connect with in my hostel like I had in Australia and New Zealand made it harder to be by myself. And I’m saying it – I hate hostel dorm rooms. They were fun the first few times, but got old FAST . I’m a trusting person, but I don’t want to hear you, smell you, or wonder if you’re secretly a psychopath. Sorry, strangers.

*For the record, every hostel dorm I’ve ever stayed in had nice people. The worst things that happened to me were bedbugs and hearing hook ups…

Singapore was a super cool city though, and I felt safe exploring it. People were all too happy to offer help or directions. But after a couple days of sightseeing, my loneliness got the better of me. It was the end of nine months away from Canada and I was ready to go home. I remember being the only white person in a packed, massive food court, eating Singapore-style noodle soup, and feeling extra homesick – a feeling I rarely experience. At one point I even watched a movie in a theatre to take my mind off being alone and the fact that I had no one to further experience this fascinating city with.

Czech Republic – 2007

Five years older and in an easy continent to travel in alone, I found myself sans Nick in the Czech Republic . He could only stay in Europe for four weeks and I wanted to stay longer. I had just finished my communications degree and knew that once I started a “real job”, I’d only have two or three weeks vacation time each year. So I stayed in Europe an extra two weeks by myself.

I had an old friend living in Prague who I travelled with to Austria and Hungary for a few days, but the rest of the time I was alone. Staying in hostels helped me meet people (that was the last trip I ever stayed in one and I can’t say I’m upset about that). On a day trip to to picturesque town of  Cesky Krumlov , Czech Republic, I met a girl my age from England who was also travelling solo. We became temporary friends, having dinner and going clubbing together, along with others from the hostel.

But in the evenings alone with strangers, I felt isolated and started to miss Nick. For me, the hardest part about solo travel is being away from those you love most.

Germany – 2007

On the same trip as the Czech Republic one mentioned above, I spent time alone in Berlin . Like Prague, it’s a safe city with tons of sights, so I didn’t get bored. I just got lonely. I sat in restaurants by myself trying bratwurst and schnitzel, wishing I had someone to share it with, feeling insecure and like a loser (I wouldn’t feel like one now; I think it’s perfectly fine to dine alone). At night I didn’t sleep as well, a tad worried about being a solo female traveller in an eight-person co-ed dorm room. Back then I didn’t have the money to stay in nice places for a six-week trip.

When I visited important museums and historical monuments like the Holocaust Memorial and the Jewish Museum , I had no one to talk with about the horrific, unthinkable exhibits I saw. I’d love to be able to say to someone, “Remember the Jewish Museum in Berlin? Remember how awfully sad it was?”

Future solo travel – would I go alone?

I love travelling with family and friends, so I would not choose to go on a trip alone. But I’m not opposed to solo travel, and since it’s been a long time, yes , I’d try it again. Today’s technology allows me to be connected almost anywhere. I could FaceTime family, chat with friends on What’s App, or catch up via social channels. It would be much less lonely.

When I travelled alone, I felt awkward at times. I felt insecure as the only blonde, caucasian person as far as the eye could see. I even felt scared at times. But it was also empowering. Travelling has shaped my character and personality in so many ways.

Now that I’m older and have travelled more, I imagine Dani: the lone traveller would be a heck of a lot more confident out there.

Interested in reading about some of the places I’ve travelled to with others and loved? Check out my detailed posts about  Portugal , Vietnam , or the Galapagos Islands .

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YOLO (you only live once) and this world is too damn awesome to not experience it.

I’m Dani Gill, a Canadian YOLOer based in Kelowna, B.C. I help families and couples find the best adventures.

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The Lone Traveller Lifestyle

How travelling alone can enhance your experience as told by travel bloggers.

Being A Lone Traveller

Solo travel. It’s a concept that intimidates a lot of people. It’s understandable, the world is a big —and sometimes kind of scary —place. It might be daunting in the beginning, and no doubt it’s certainly easier for some people than it is for others. But being a lone traveller has its perks too; You’ll never experience the intricacies of a destination like you will when you visit it solo.  Every experience, good or bad, is enhanced & amplified as a lone traveller. 

Don’t be scared to walk alone. Don’t be scared to like it… John Mayer

So Why Travel Solo?

The world is simply too big to wait around for someone to go with you every time you want to go on an adventure! 

• Your Trip Is Yours!  While this might sound a bit self-absorbed or selfish it’s something you never truly appreciate until you experience solo travel. There are no more compromises about what to see or do, how much money to spend or where to sleep for the night. Whether you want to get up at 4am to shoot sunrises and sleep the afternoon away or blow a wad of cash; You’ll do what you want, when you want, how you want with a liberating degree of indulgence.
• You’re Forced To Integrate! As a lone traveller in a foreign land there is no way to retreat into your safe place, speaking a familiar language with familiar friends from a familiar culture. Instead you’re thrust into the local culture and accept it or not you’ll have an amazing experience.
• You’ll Learn About Yourself!  Faced with difficult situations, high highs and low lows you’ll learn a lot about who you really are as a person. You’ll find that you’re stronger than you’d ever thought possible and able to overcome anything you put your mind to.
• You’ll Make New Friends!   Without a fallback friend lone travellers tend to reach out to other solo travellers while on the road. As a lone traveller you’re much less threatening and more approachable. You’ll end up making new friends of both locals and other travellers alike. You’ll share intense,  fun and memorable experiences together. Bond over a meal or exploring. And learn a lot about each other in a very short time frame…and then, of course, you ultimately say goodbye. But before you know it you’ll be messaging from halfway across the world planning to meet up on your next set of travels.
• It’ll Change You! You never come back from travelling solo as when you left. While this applies to all travel its doubly true for travelling alone!

If those reasons to venture out solo weren’t enough for you Forbes has another great list of reasons to travel alone at least once here .

My First Experiences As a Lone Traveller

It was raining that day in San Jose, Costa Rica when I first said goodbye to a travel buddy and set out on my motorcycle as a lone traveller. He with a broken down bike, replacement parts weeks away and me with a tight timeline & big goals. I remember it clearly. 

Only knowing the basics of the language I felt like I was being tossed into the jaws of a hungry shark as I packed the last of my bags. Leaving my comrade and my comfort zone behind, I’d continue my journey solo.

I completed my 35,000km journey in one piece. Doing what I wanted, without compromise. I experienced kindness, culture, inspiration, and yes, some trying times. I also made new friends, tried new things, and grew as a person.

True to the points above though, I had the experience of a lifetime. I wouldn’t trade my journey for all the money in the world. 

The Benefits of Being a Lone Traveller as told by Travel Bloggers:

There’s no doubt in my mind about the benefits of travelling solo. The experiences had and memories made will last a lifetime. But, if you don’t believe me, check out what these other travel bloggers had to say about traveling alone:

Thomas of  www.tomplanmytrip.com recalls his first experience as a lone traveller. “I remember my first time traveling alone quite well. I was in Colombia with two close friends. After two weeks of travelling, I told them I wanted to go to Ecuador by myself – The truth is I was tired of being the 3rd wheel.

My first steps alone were terrifying. You always feel stronger when a friend is wandering with you. When you’re a lone traveller though, nobody is there to help [or hinder] your choices. It’s a crash course in learning to trust your gut instinct.

On my way to Canoa, I sparked up a conversation with the only other backpacker on the bus. Hours later, late at night and in a unfamiliar place we decided to share a rundown room in a bad part of town. Crazy!  In 3 hours’ time, I had made a new friend. I wasn’t alone anymore. and while I guess it would be different if I were taking the subway to Chatelet in Paris, this kind of thing plays out again and again as a lone traveller.

Life on the road and life at home are two completely different things. You can’t compare them. Your fear of solo travel is unfounded. You simply need to change your frame of reference. Because you’re sharing the same values, curiosities, experiences, and inspiration you’ll bond 10x faster than you would at home.

Traveling alone is the alternation between short but intense adventures and quiet periods of relaxation. its everything you could ask for as a lone traveller! We learn to appreciate the moments when we’re alone. We learn and accept ourselves, and suddenly, the silence following us is not awkward anymore.

Solo Travel for Growth

Somnath of  www.travelcrusade.org describes for us his reasons for being a lone traveller: Travelling solo is the most daring thing that can happen to any individual. It acts as my biggest strength at times. I travel solo when something good happens or to forget something bad that has happened in my life.

Travelling solo is my preferred method of travel and I do so as compared to other modes of travel. I plan solo trips to mountains, places of natural interest and other offbeat destinations. The advantages of planning solo trips are expenditure, money savings and freedom. I feel that you can save some money if you travel solo rather than travelling with a friend or a close relative. I believe that we have our own freedom travelling alone as there is no other person to interfere in the trip and plan the journey as per your own convenience.

Travelling Alone for Discovery

Scott and Hailey of  International Hotish  tell us about solo travel in their lives: Generally speaking, most people enjoy travel. But when it comes to traveling solo, most folks get a little less enthusiastic. It’s understandable why people sometimes balk at this idea. In their head they’re thinking of the big issues: safety and loneliness.

The safety concern, being more of a target for would be criminals if you’re by yourself. An element of truth is found here. The bigger idea is to remember you must always be vigilant, in groups or solo. Realistically, countless people travel solo all the time, and very little crime befalls them. As long as you use your street smarts to stay out of certain areas and situations, you’ll be fine.

Loneliness can be overcome by knowing you’ll be sharing experiences with other travelers, usually other solo travelers. And for those times when you are alone, embrace the solitude of the moment. This is where the biggest learning lessons come from.

The word recreation is usually thought about as leisure. But if you really look at the word you can see it means re-creation. Traveling solo is true re-creation. Your person turns into something new through all your experiences. Getting lost, not speaking the language, being forced to talk to others, being forced to meet others, and trying new things is the definition of re-creation.

A Backpackers Perspective on Solo Travel

Craig, the backpacking mastermind behind  www.norealplan.com  tells us why he loves to explore as a lone traveller: I love traveling alone as it gives you a real sense of freedom as you really can travel with no real plan. There have been times when I have just woken up at my hostel and decided to change countries that morning. I don’t have to ask anyone else’s permission, or check if they’re ok with this decision. 

I have literally just packed my bag and gone to the nearest airport after waking up and deciding that was what was best for me at that moment in time. For me being a lone traveller gives you the sense and ability to just travel the way that is right for you, without worrying about anyone else. 

Equally “travelling solo” doesn’t mean you’re ever truly alone. You can choose when you want to be social, and when you want some time on your own. I arrived in Indonesia all by myself and spent 2.5 months there. However, looking back at photos and videos you would never ever believe I was there “alone”. 

I once took an amazing 4-day boat cruise to Flores and Komodo Islands in Indonesia. On the boat, there were 27 other backpackers, many of them I still keep in touch with today. A lot of those on the boat were lone travellers too, and I found it made them more approachable, easy going and sociable. It may sound daunting being part of a boat load of strangers, but you soon start to realise they’re pretty much in the same position as you; And this gives you something to bond over.

Ladies Travel (solo) Too

Lena of  www.salutfromparis.com  gives us her take on solo female travel: For a long time I had the idea stuck in my head that travelling is something to experience with friends. While I still think it’s great to share a journey, I got sick of this dependency and upset about all the trips I didn’t take due to the lack of available company. 

My first solo trip was a long weekend in Istanbul and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t challenging. Rather it pushed me to my limits. But despite it all, I spent a fabulous weekend a mile out of my comfort zone and lived to tell the tale.

Gaining confidence even outside you comfort zone is the real benefit to me as a lone traveller. The inevitability to dare to do things if I don’t want to spend my vacation alone in my hostel room taught me what I am capable of. After getting along alone in the hustle of Istanbul or solo road tripping through Ireland, who would be worried about calling a pizza delivery service or visiting a concert alone?

Let Solo Travel Change Your Life!

So, the next time you become inspired to go on a trip, and you can’t find a friend to go with – do yourself a favor and book it! Stop fretting, pack your favorite luggage or travelling backpack and go! Everything will work out and you won’t regret it! Come back here afterwards and tell me you’re not addicted to travel !

Have you traveled alone? Have you been thinking of doing so? What do you think the biggest perk to solo travel is? the biggest con?

Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear what you think!

Patrick Horsfield

A terrific article Pat, I really enjoyed this one. The point I most agree with is that you have your own schedule, the freedom of just going with the flow and not worrying about what others want to do is so awesome. Also great work letting us hear from other travelers and get some perspective from their travels. Cheers

Hey Patrick… totally relate to this post! Especially your point, the world is too big to wait for someone to go on adventure with you… while I was initially scared out of my mind to travel solo, I was MORE scared that I would never find someone who enjoyed traveling as much as me! I made the leap, booked a one way ticket alone, and it was the best experience of my life. Glad to read someone else shares the same opinion!

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How to travel solo | 5 ways not to get lonely.

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Last updated on March 26th, 2024.

‘I like to be alone, but I hate to be lonely.’

As a lone traveller, there are times when long periods of solitude lead to increased feelings of loneliness.

Like the quote says, I’ve no problem being on my own — in fact I really enjoy my own company. I’m a big advocate of traveling solo, even if just once in your lifetime.

On the other side of the coin, I also hate to feel lonely. However, it’s something that goes hand in hand when you’re a lone traveler.

After a trip to Toronto, the feeling of loneliness was so overwhelming, that I realized I needed to prepare better for next time.

When loneliness strikes

I spent a total of 3 nights in Toronto. But, as much as I enjoy visiting a new city, I was more than ready to leave by the end of the trip.

The feeling had nothing to do with the city, but more for the simple fact that I felt really lonely.

Despite having 3 work assignments, and meeting some lovely locals along the way, I really struggled.

There was no one to try out those Instagrammable Korean fish tacos with. Nor was there anyone around to share a glass of wine with after a full day’s exploring.

In short, I wasn’t enjoying it no matter how hard I tried to shake it off.

Beer for one

The feelings of solitude hit hard on day 3, during a balmy summer’s evening.

After roaming the region of Queen Street West, I headed back to my hotel, for an exciting evening of packing.

Just about ready to give up on the day, I came across an outdoor food market. It was just the type of event I love: food and drink stalls, live music, and a buzzing atmosphere.

Feeling more upbeat, I paid for my tumbler of overpriced craft beer, took a seat and enjoyed my last evening.

Upbeat but lonely — being a lone traveller

Sitting there enjoying the moment, it quickly dawned on me that it was a Friday night.

As time progressed, I sipped on my beer watching more and more people flood in to meet other friends. At that moment, my cold beer didn’t look so appealing, and the raw reality of being lonely hit me hard.

My thoughts quickly turned to those at home. Unable to contact them given they were in a different continent and sleeping, I sunk deeper into my solitude.

Truth vs social media

We know that many people use social media to show off their ‘best lives’. However, remove the filters and the essay-length captions, and the truth’s far from what appears online.

As you can see from my pictures, they don’t say much. However, I think they reflect the solitary mood of the moment.

I actually didn’t take these for social media — I took them because I was bored and was doing something to pass the time. Sad, but I’m being 100% honest.

How to overcome loneliness as a lone traveller

My beer for one experience in Toronto wasn’t the loneliness I’ve felt while traveling.

However, it made me realize that I didn’t have to have to be alone — I chose to. Nowadays, there’s so many ways for travelers to connect with locals, just make sure you do it before visiting.

Keep work trips to 3 days

I found that 3 days was more than enough for my solo trip to Toronto.

For future travel, I plan to stick to this rule of thumb. I feel it’s enough time to see the essential sights. If the destination’s much further, I’ll rethink the length of my stay.

Give Couchsurfing a try

I had my first Couchsurfing experience a few years ago — both as a host and as a guest. While it may not be for everyone, I’d nothing but positive experiences. and absolutely loved it.

Though the post applies to female surfers, the concept works the same for everyone. The forums on Couchsurfing are a really useful way of connecting with locals.

Ask your questions, and sift out the genuine responses from the ones with a different agenda — they’re easy to spot.

At the end of the day, you’ll see you’re not the only one wanting to connect with others abroad. That, plus you may just end up meeting, and making, some new friends along the way.

Go to a Meetup

Another useful website that I like is Meetup.

They also have a great global community, and with so many events to choose from.

What’s more, most of them are free, and can help you discover a new part of the city/country. On top of this, you’ll definitely get to meet some nice people, and those with similar things in common.

Join Girls Love Travel

This group is great for lone female travelers wanting to connect with other women abroad.

The Facebook group is useful for grabbing any last-minute tips, as well as for starting a conversation about anything travel-related. 

For lone travelers, there are now so many apps that you can use to make new connections when abroad.

SoloTraveller , EatWith , BonAppeTour and Travello are just a few that you may want to consider downloading.

While I’m yet to try them, they’re on my list and ready for the next solo trip. I would highly recommend giving them a try; after all, it’ll be better than having a beer for one.

What about you? How do you cope with loneliness as a lone traveller? Leave your thoughts below, I’d love to hear them.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.

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Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.

55 thoughts on “ How to travel solo | 5 ways not to get lonely ”

Thanks for sharing and being so honest. I think you’re so right about this. I absolutely love solo travel but sometimes you just want to hang out with your mates or share things with them. Will definitely be trying your suggestions to meet up with more locals 🙂

Aw thanks Hannah. I just wanted to share that solo travel is fun but it can have its moments x

Great article Lisa. I too like to mix solo travel with couple travelling. I think you hit the nail on the head when you felt lonely having a beer. It’s the evenings that it hits me too, when I would rather have my wife by my side, enjoying food and wine and talking about our day, or planning the next. I’ve yet to find a solution to it. Just a healthy mix of both kinds of travel.

Thanks John, it’s always encouraging to read about others experiences too. As much as I enjoy the solo part, the solitude does hit me sometimes

I loved this article! Too often mental health is glimpsed over and especially in the travel industry. As travel bloggers people assume that we are happy constantly because we’re exploring the world and having once in a lifetime experiences. True, but that doesn’t dictate our mental health state. Great suggestions on finding fellow travelers and just embracing the moment.

Thank you Martha! And you’re so right. People mistake travelling for being one long happy fest, but it can get lonely. Always nice to hear from other bloggers!

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