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”

  2. Thank you for writing this–traveling solo is such a great idea! I enjoy doing things by myself but never thought of taking that up a notch and going on a trip by myself (although I am moving to a new country by myself soon so I’ll get a good, strong dose of adventure!) Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea =]

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  6. first give a space to introduce my self,,,
    i’m sesil from Indonesia.
    have the adventure to travel around this word will explore our soul n that’s can bring us to see how great this word n how small we are. When we see the adventure in our trip we will fullfill our heart with gratefull thank’s isn’t it. (i’m sorry my english very bad).

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    • Thanks for leaving a comment and please don’t apologize for your English…I don’t know how to speak your language at all. Most Americans aren’t fluent in another language…we need to change that!

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  7. I like traveling alone too! Some people find it freaky but nah! It is one of the best thing you can do for yourself. It’s like spending quality time with yourself like a new friend and we learn lot of things about ourself. It engages all your senses… such an invigorating experience.

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  9. Great to see 50+ on Freshly Pressed! Have traveled solo from Europe to USA and agree it is great to be a free spirit. Although standing alone at the top of Niagara Falls, I wanted to turn to someone and say WOW! …. but there was no one there.

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  12. I’m 19 and plan on going away next summer for three months, my friends tend to back out of plans so I decided to do it alone as part of a student summer deal, I’m more excited than nervous, I’ve never minded being on my own. Reading your post has actually made me slightly more nervous I’m starting to see how long three months is, so I think I’ll start by going out for a meal alone a few times.

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  13. I like traveling alone too! Some people find it freaky but nah! It is one of the best thing you can do for yourself. It’s like spending quality time with yourself like a new friend and we learn lot of things about ourself. It engages all your senses… such an invigorating experience.

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  14. I recently began traveling abroad alone in order to do volunteer work and have found it to be an amazingly wonderful, life-changing experience. It is true, that you are opened up to an entire new world and meet lots of wonderful people along the way. You also learn stuff about yourself which makes it a growing experience.

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  15. I’ve found it can also be tremendously empowering for a woman to travel on her own. Many women I know are afraid to do it. I traveled to Romania solo a few years ago. I had some moments where I felt lonely or a bit fearful and others that swept me off my feet. But when I look back on it now, I feel tougher for what I experienced, more fulfilled and less fearful of outings alone.

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  16. Great Post! I honestly have preferred to travel by myself since college. Recently however, my girlfriend has began being a fellow traveler of the South with me. Not a bad thing, we enjoy the same things so it is easy to make decisions.

    Keep up the fun and informatives posts please.

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  18. I’m going to travel solo this August, and I’m slightly nervous by it. I’ll probably print this out to remind me the why I decided to travel solo and not bolt home halfway. Thanks again for sharing!

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  19. I also travel solo. I did that all my life wihout exception. I think i never was alone, it was me&that place.

    But as i am that kind that loves fascination, it’s also true that sometimes i missed a mate to share its moments.

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  20. Love your blog, as do several others!! Will read more when back from a festival. Festivals are a great starting point for venturing off alone, as you will never feel lonely and I have met several women who particularly do festivals alone for this reason and have a great time. Will check out the ted lecture too – I also am a fan. Think we may be on the same wavelength. Nice to meet you 🙂

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    • Hi Sue – I’ll check your blog out soon also. I’m leaving on another trip in a few days though…actually two back to back trips, so it may not be until mid to late August. Anyway, thanks for reading! ~Sherry~

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  21. Unfortunately, for many people ‘alone’ means ‘lonely’. Traveling alone is great: it opens many opportunities and you get to meet new people who otherwise would have hesitated to talk to you thinking that you already have company.

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  22. Hi Sherry

    Great blog and congratulations on being freshly pressed.

    I have to feel that No 5 is the most important ” It’s easier to meet people. If you tend to speak to strangers and enjoy meeting locals, then solo travel is magic.”

    When you travel alone, you do indeed meet people, you attempt to speak the language, locals want to ‘engage’ with you. If you go with a friend(s), most of the time, everyone looks through you unless, YOU make the effort.

    Hugs
    Tina xx

    TinaCortina
    http://tinacortina.wordpress.com/

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  23. Well said! Traveling solo can be wonderful. Like life itself, a vacation is what you make of it. So if you want to lounge in a chaise for a week or ride It’s a Small World over and over, there is no one there to criticize or complain 🙂

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  25. I’ve done more solo traveling than I would ever wish on anyone, and have always come away from such expeditions feeling that memorable and impacting experiences aren’t worth much when you don’t have travel companions to share them with. Even a bona fide adventure feels empty when you’re on your own… My baby sister is like you though, and prefers to go it alone.

    Chacun son gout, I suppose.

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  26. I am so excited to see so many comments. I have been traveling solo for years and I love it. I am going to India this December and some people think I am crazy, forget those people and hang out with the ones that think it’s great. Keep it up, great job.

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  27. One reason not to travel solo: Many times one self it’s not enough. The word “share” is heavy. And don’t get me wrong please, I’ve travel alone for so many years, and have enjoyed all the trips, but to be sincere… there are moments in the journey that should be shared.

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  28. Thanks for voicing my own resistance to traveling with others. An acquaintance used to take boyfriends on driving vacations to see how they really were. If they could survive a week traveling together then she considered him a keeper.

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  31. I couldn’t agree more with your reasoning. I spent 4 months in Italy and would have never met all the fabulous natives I did if I had a group of co-travelers with me. Forced me to learn the language quickly too!

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  32. Exactly my point! I had the best times ever when traveling by myself. I went to DC alone and met tons of people because I had stayed in a hostel. Then I went to Boston on two occasions: The first time was a day trip by myself, the second time was two days with a friend. I detested the city after the second time because I got so annoyed with my friend and his quirks, I just didn’t want to deal with it any longer. I believe that traveling by oneself is enriching in many ways and you definitely are not held up with other people’s moods or their lack of openmindedness. To me,it is all about exploring the city, country, and culture when going somewhere else (otherwise I could fairly well stay in front of my computer or TV at home), so I turn nuts when I am with persons who just want to leave a place or don’t want to deal with all the different people there. It is not too much fun.
    I get your point and find it great that you are doing this at such an advanced stage in your life. I hope I will be doing the same then, too! Cheers from a German in New York (so far my biggest travel adventure)!

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  33. Many people (including my parents) disgree with me but I too prefer to travel lonely. You ca truly explore and watch out other new things rather than losing ourselves in normal group talk…

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  34. Congrats on being FPed! My best trips have been when I have traveled alone–it is always fun! I do enjoy traveling with others too, but as you suggest, it is a different trip when you need to share and compromise. I think I will steal this topic and write something about it myself!

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  35. Excellent points – I’ve had my share of solo travels and found them to be more productive than group travels with respect to how much I can accomplish on a day on my own schedule. And the beauty of it is, you make a lot of friends with strangers who you ask to take your picture 🙂

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  36. I LOVE to travel and agree with you about the benefits of traveling alone…but, you are charge twice the price because most reservations are based on double occupancy. How do you deal with this? I am a recent Word Press blogger, inspired by my age and experiences as well. : ) Check out at http://jeninesjots.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/believe/ This link is to my first post and proceeds four from there. Hope you sign up and enjoy! Continue to live a passionate and fulfilled life.

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    • Hi Jenine – There are adventure travel groups that don’t charge a single supplement…but then you’re not traveling alone…but you are with strangers. Finding the best deal you can…through VRBO, Hotels.com, or try couchsurfing. I took a quick peek at your blog…when I have time, I’ll return!

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  37. great reasons to travel solo. i have yet to do it myself. the closest i got was spending 2 days in nyc by myself when my cousin was working, but even then i felt lonely by myself during the day.

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    • When you get to the point that you really enjoy spending time with yourself, you won’t be lonely most of the time. Also, I am usually too busy sight seeing, taking photographs, talking to people, people watching, etc. etc.

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  38. A lot of people would like to try traveling alone, but it’s a pretty big step to take all at once. To get used to the feeling of being open to what comes your way and learning how to sustain oneself without the reliable presence of fellow travelers, I’ve tried things like going to the movies alone, or out to dinner or taking day trips my myself. I’m a big believer in doing things on my own, but I think people should be aware of the hard parts about going solo so they won’t be too surprised when they come. I’ve yet to take a big trip solo, but I think someday with more solo skills under my belt I might like to try it and see what happens, it would be an adventure in and of itself. Maybe you could write a blog post on how to thrive while traveling solo.

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  39. Pingback: 10 Reasons to Travel Solo (via Fabulous at Fifty) « It's impossible to be unhappy on a skateboard.

  40. And if the thought of going out to eat by yourself freaks you out, bring a book . . . or knitting! The first time I did that was back in 1986, and I got some looks. Now it’s no big deal.

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  41. i’ve traveled alone, and i didn’t like it. but it’s because i’m sort of socially awkward. i need to figure out a way to get over my insecurities in that way and just have fun. but this post helps, at least to know people do it and are able to enjoy themselves.

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  42. I have to be honest I have been on vacation before with friends,partners and when younger family and thought that it would have been easier on my own, your right about seeing what you want to see……and no rushing around to please everyone!

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  43. I think it is wonderful to travel alone Here’s Why;
    You don’t have to listen to others complain
    You don’t have to impress anyone but yourself
    You can keep things simple
    You alter your plans without fear of dissapointment
    You cans save more money
    Most of all it is easier to meet new friends 🙂
    Thanks For Your Encouragment!

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  44. I’ve only traveled solo a little bit and tend to get homesick quicker and miss having someone with me. I definitely agree you are more likely to meet a lot of people when you are alone than with someone, so that can be fun, and a good time making new friends.

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  45. I’ve only traveled by myself once, to a conference. And while I did enjoy myself being with my peers, I can’t imagine seeing sites in Europe or Asia without someone to share the experience with! For me, the human element is half the fun. However, I agree with many of your points. It is hard to please everyone, and tempers usually flare at least once per excursion. But, to me, that’s a little of the experience. I grow as a person as I learn how to work with others in new situations. Maybe I’ll take your advice and try another solo sojourn somewhere (way too much alliteration there!) But where shall I go!? Maybe you should do a blog about the best places to go on a budget? **hint hint**

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  46. interesting,
    I understand what you are talking about BUT, when you are with the one that you love, it is all about the memories that you are about to share with each other.

    Of course there may be some complaining or two. No ones perfect! and if you can’t make a choice as to where to go or when to go, there is always that C word….
    “COMPROMISE”.
    I myself have never had a “PERFECT VACATION” with or without a companion.

    It sounds like you just like to be alone (a loner)

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    • I agree with you. Some of my views have been shaped from taking people like my complaining niece to Paris, my elderly mother (who complained a lot) on a cruise, and my son who was making up/breaking up with his girlfriend on the phone when I took him a few years ago snow skiing in Utah.

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  47. I totally agree, I was last year in Jordan and Syria and simply enjoyed it….solo rtavel makes it different but I like it, each time I really want to go to a place the way I want to discover it (hiking, getting up really early …..) I do it solo and it is simply a step closer to serenity!

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  49. I completely agree with all of your points–especially about the feeling of accomplishment! I still remember my first solo trip (Martha’s Vineyard) but now I travel solo frequently…and I’ve found that I almost prefer it! I did a solo trip to Disney World (of all places!) this past spring, and it was GREAT!

    Oh–and I should mention–even though I travel alone quite a bit, I’m also married. So I’d like to add #11–traveling solo gives you a chance to miss your spouse, which really is a healthy thing to do for your marriage.

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