What I Wish I Knew Before Travelling Solo for the First Time

My first solo trip was three days in Lisbon, and I was terrified before I went. Not of anything specific — I knew the city was safe, I spoke enough Portuguese to get by — but of the general uncertainty of being entirely responsible for myself with no one else to check with or defer to. That fear lasted about four hours after landing.

The Loneliness Is Temporary and Instructive

The first evening alone in a new city can feel strange. You have dinner by yourself, you walk back to your accommodation alone, and there is no one to share the observations of the day with. This feeling is real, but it passes quickly — and what replaces it is a kind of quiet confidence that is hard to find anywhere else. You figure things out. You make decisions. You become your own company.

Tell Someone Your Plans

Before any solo trip, tell one person at home your rough itinerary — where you are staying, your flight numbers, how to reach you. This is basic sense, not anxiety. It costs you five minutes and gives everyone peace of mind, including yours.

You Will Talk to More People, Not Fewer

Travelling solo makes you more approachable and more likely to approach others. When you are in a group, you are complete; when you are alone, you are open. Some of the most interesting conversations I have had while travelling happened precisely because I was by myself.

If solo travel is something you have been considering, I would encourage you to just book the trip. Start small — a few days somewhere you already know a little — and see how it feels. Most people come back wanting to do it again.