10 Reasons to Travel Solo

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Solo Trip to California

Many people don’t feel comfortable traveling solo.   Usually the fears of being lonely, unsafe, and vulnerable are factors.   Some of the reasons to embark upon a solo trip are:

  1. You can go where you want.  Sometimes it’s difficult to agree upon a destination.  If your companion prefers all-inclusive beach resorts, and you yearn for an exotic spot in India, someone will be disappointed.
  2. You can do what you want.   Whether you’re traveling with an elderly parent, a child or a couch potato, when traveling with others, activity preferences are frequently dissimilar.
  3. You can eat where you want.  Some palettes tend to be very liberal and experimental and others lean towards meat and potatoes.
  4. You don’t have to listen to others complain.  If your traveling companion wants his eggs cooked to perfection and detests long lines at attractions, you’re bound to hear complaints.
  5. It’s easier to meet people.  If you tend to speak to strangers and enjoy meeting locals, then solo travel is magic.
  6. There’s no one snoring in your ear or making a mess in the bathroom.  We all have quirks and/or traits that others find irritating, but when on your own, you avoid these irritations.
  7. You can travel and walk at your speed.  Constantly adjusting your pace to match someone else’s is no fun.
  8. You can sleep late or get up early.  An early bird and a night owl traveling together don’t mix.
  9. You can travel last minute.  Some of the best deals can be found when your plans are flexible.
  10. The feeling of accomplishment you gain during and after a solo trip is very rewarding.

Start out small by going out to eat by yourself, followed by a weekend trip to build up your confidence!

311 thoughts on “10 Reasons to Travel Solo”

  1. Great post. I can agree 100%. I usually travel alone since my boyfriend does not like travelling (only beach holiday). The only thing I miss is when I’m back from a trip and can’t share memories of funny situations or “horrible” moments with phrases like “do you remember when we…” with a good friend or my boyfriend. Otherwise, from my experience, you get rather involved with locals when you travel alone.

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  2. I did the backpacker thing solo many years ago and it was, without doubt, the best time of my life. When I wanted company I found it. Occasionally I was lonely. Now I think I would travel with a special friend.

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  4. Ooh, yes, I love travelling solo! For me there is nothing worse than an incompatible travel companion… I love the spontaneity that solo travels offers: “ooh, I love this town so much, I’m going to stay here, and skip the next place on my itinerary.” With someone else, you’d have to discuss and negotiate!
    Happy travels!

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  5. Amen, sister! I just spent ten months living in Greece, and went on five big solo trips while I was there, the longest of which was ten days long. My friends thought I was crazy, but I came to simply love it–the freedom, the sense of self-reliance, the time for reflection, all of it. I even went to three of the islands alone, which was a great chance to experience them in a wholly different way from the norm. You make some great points here. Happy travels!

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  8. I’m currently living in Paris for a month on my own and 2 and a bit weeks in I’m starting to feel a bit homesick, but your post has just reminded me of all the reasons I wanted to go in the first place, thank you.

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    • I lived in Germany for 2 1/2 years when I was in the military years ago. My childhood wasn’t very good…so I didn’t get homesick much. There were always so many new and interesting places to go and things to do. Hope you take advantage of your blessings!

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  10. Pingback: 10 Reasons to Travel Solo (via Fabulous at Fifty) « Flower Blossoms' Blog

  12. Just when I was feeling a little jealous about the friend who has a husband who plans all the travel and escorts her – without her thinking about anything – I found your post – a tonic. I travel alone too, and do enjoy it, but your list was a refreshing reminder of why – thanks.

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  13. People think I’m crazy because I like to travel alone. I will book a flight and leave all in one day!! It’s easier and less stressful when you can travel alone 🙂 When they ask me why again, I can point them to your list. Hehehe

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  15. As an adventurer who loves travelling, more so abroad, I agree with all of your points. For the past 10 years, I have taken international trips alone and the absence of complaints and unrealistic expectations made the trips that more enjoyable.

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      • Sign me up for the ”No Complaining or Whining Travel Club”!!!!
        I love traveling alone, being lost in strange places, no plan, no itinerary. Occasionally I’ve traveled with someone who shared the attitude. But not often.
        A loose network of solo travelers who could meet up when their paths crossed, and could separate amicably when their paths diverged, might make for a nice combination, as well as an opportunity to share ideas, information, and memories.
        Maybe a sort of bulletin board on the web for solo travelers would be the answer.

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  16. There’s no one snoring in your ear or making a mess in the bathroom. …
    so true.. great post.. i’m also fifty-ish and i so love great adventures.. thanks for this insights

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  17. I agree! I once met a person on the train who had traveled cross-country all by herself, and I thought that I’d like to try it some day. It does seem fun. I’ll have enough courage eventually.

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  18. I whole heartedly agree that travelling solo is a fantastic experience… I’ve been doing it for the past 5 months and have still have some more time to go, and it is one of the best things I’ve ever done. All the concerns beforehand about safety and loneliness are just fears – they do not have to turn into reality if you work through them.

    One of the biggest things I have found with loneliness is that it is more about becoming comfortable with my own company. Its funny that I have spent so much time over the years making sure that others enjoy my company… its really about time that I am able to enjoy it too. Solo travel is the way!

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    • You’ve isolated the problem most people need to overcome…learning to enjoy their own company and value themselves. I checked your blog out…although there isn’t much there yet…sounds like you’re having some true adventures!

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  19. I really like your blog. In my dream I want to travel around the world,but I think I can go through my country. I like to meet other people, nature, and photos. I hope I will have a long trip like you.

    Molika 🙂

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  20. I’ve always traveled with a companion, but she’s someone who is basically my clone when it comes to travel preferences. Sadly, she lives half-way across the country, so we don’t get to travel together often. This has inspired me to get out there on my own!

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  21. what an awesome post! lol, I totally agree to every item that is on your list.

    imo, finding the right travel partner is actually not easy all! I’ve had pretty bad experiences travelling around with someone i barely know from school before, and it’s so much worse than the loneliness or the sense of insecurity of going solo.

    but if you do have someone who shares the similar kind of interests with you, i’d now prefer to travel in a small group, e.g. max 3 persons, and that way i’d feel much happier because we can always share our excitement along the journey or even years afterwards. that’s something you cannot easily achieve if you’re going solo.

    anyway, thanks for sharing 😀

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  23. Happily married here, but still liked your list. My wife had more vacation time than me this year and went to London without me after I started a new job. We had friends who were only there a limited time, so it made sense. We hated not going together, but you have to seize such opportunities.

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  24. I spent much of my 30s doing just this (I am now married with kids and a little older), and I have to say that the most rewarding reason that you mentioned above was meeting others. When in the Alps I skiied with folks from New Zealand and Denmark, while in Honduras I went scuba diving with folks from England, and when in South America I met wonderful people and better understood the places that I visited. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy traveling with my wife, and look forward to sharing things with my 3 and 1 year old, but there is something different about traveling solo. Great blog entry.

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  26. First off congrats on being Freshly Pressed! Your reasons for solo travel are exactly as mine. After many many years dreaming about it I was finally able to “get out there”, and I spent 5 months travelling Germany and Scotland on my own. The Travel Bug has bitten deeply and I can hardly wait for my next adventure! My 18 year old daughter has been inspired as well and plans on travelling in Thailand on her own for at least a month this September.

    I’ve recently started a blog of my own and have been posting the travel notes I had emailed to friends and relatives. If you want to check it out it’s: http://www.foundmyshoes.com

    I’ve enjoyed looking around your site and will be sure to stop by again!
    Anita

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  28. I could not agree more! I, myself, am a solo traveler. I plan on moving abroad in 2 years and starting a slow journey around the world solo. I can’t wait! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed 🙂

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  29. Pingback: 10 Reasons to Travel Solo (via Fabulous at Fifty) « pamelatrafton

  31. I agree with you because I’ve done a lot of this myself over the years. Yet having someone who enjoys these things as much as you do along, does enhance the experience. No matter the annoyances, a kindred spirit makes the fun that much more enjoyable.

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  32. I totally agree. I went to Alaska alone and had a wonderful time. Traveling alone I was able to do more exploring and could change my plans any time I felt like it. For example, standing on the train taking pictures nonstop for hours would have bored a traveling companion but I absolutely loved it. Congrats on Freshly Pressed!

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  33. Thank you very much for confirming what I knew already!! I posted on Facebook that I wanted to travel solo, and all of a sudden I got bombarded with what’s wrong, why do you want to go Solo, can I come with you??? hence the word solo travels!!!! Thank you

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  34. Interesting points, but isn’t it also rewarding to share the journey with someone you’re close to? Maybe I just think the bumps in the road are just part of the journey. Great post, nonetheless!

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  36. I appreciate all of your tips – and agree, but it also sounds like you’ve just had your share of traveling with ‘bad companions.’ I made a trip with my sister a few years back and we had a great time by deciding who led each way. I would have never have thought of going to the places she suggested and vice versa.

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  39. I agree! Despite the tinges of loneliness, there is such an exciting and freeing air to traveling alone. Makes me want to hop on a plane RIGHT NOW!!!

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  40. All great points! I am traveling out of country in a month or 2 to see family .. and taking no one with me. It feels completely indulgent and I am looking so forward to it. Wonderful post! 🙂 MJ

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  42. i absolutely agree.
    you get to do things you wont normally do when your with a company. like you need to become more/extra friendly. you have just have to =)

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  43. That sounds aboslutely great! I’m planing to travel by train in Europe or Asian countries next year with my best friend. To be honest, we aren’t the best match of being best friends, we are so different – which also makes it so interesting. It’s always good to have someone that you can rely on! 😉

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  44. Totally agree with this!
    My family just don’t understand me when I list these reason to them. Most of the time they ask me: Don’t you get lonely? Then I tell them that because I’m traveling alone I get to meet lots of locals and other travelers but they still don’t get it.

    Well, their loss. They don’t know what they’re missing with their beach holidays!

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  46. I completely agree! People I know don’t understand why I like traveling alone but you summed it up. I definitely experience things in a different way when I’m alone. I went to China alone last year and am hoping to take a solo trip to Europe this year.

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  47. I LOVE this! As a woman divorced in her 30s, I’ve learned to enjoy being alone — and traveling alone was a major obstacle, But I, too, enjoy the idea of sleeping late or getting up early, as well as the peace that comes with traveling at my own pace.

    Awesome top 10 list!

    🙂

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  49. I love this post! I’m all about traveling solo…and it’s because of all of the reasons you’ve listed. 🙂 Don’t get me wrong, I do like to travel with others at times, but sometimes, it’s great to just take your time to see whatever it is you want to see and take as long as you want to do it. Love it.

    Kudos to you for doing it as well! 🙂

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  50. You’re always an inspiration and I love reading about your adventures. Keep up the good works. How is your family doing? I’ve been behind in reading your posts. Sounds like you’re doing great!!

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