Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel the world on your own? When I talk to people about this topic, most seem hesitant. Some of that hesitation is around safety concerns, loneliness, or how traveling alone might appear to others.

I’m here to tell you that traveling alone is a distinct, great pleasure. I have been traveling on and off by myself since I was 18. As Freya Stark (a 20th century female explorer) would say, “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” I would have to agree. While traveling with partners and friends is wonderful too, solo travel has a completely different vibe to it. For me, what makes it so special is feeling like I am testing the capabilities of my strength and independence by exploring new parts of the world on my own. As we continue to move in the direction of an ever-connected planet, there are fewer and fewer moments where people are truly alone and spending time with themselves. I cherish this time to do some hard thinking about my life, and I really believe taking time for self reflection like this is useful to everyone.

Of course, it is important to still make sure you put yourself in safe situations when you travel alone, especially as a woman. Staying somewhere safe (doing research online about the neighborhood), documenting your whereabouts, and sharing them with friends and family are important first steps. It’s also helpful to know things that can impact your safety and comfort in the place you will be going. Do you need cash with you to pay for things or is credit card sufficient? What kind of public transport is available? Is there a certain type of clothing that is more suited to the cultural norms, and by wearing it keeps you from sticking out too much? In an emergency, is wifi available or is it smarter to have a SIM card for calling in the local area? Doing your homework in advance and keeping an eye out in your day-to-day activities can go a long way for safety and peace of mind.

Above: Visiting the Coliseum in Rome and Mt. Vesuvius near Naples in the summer of 2010, my first true solo adventure!

Main advantages of solo travel

1. Waking up and just deciding on a whim what you want to do or see.
2. Not requiring any deliberation on anything except for with yourself. You never have to turn to someone and say, “I’m just going to pop into this store for a second” and have them wait outside for you, or deliberate in a group which restaurant to go to, hoping you can agree and no one would be disappointed.
3. Having time to sit and reflect, people watch, read, and journal in cafes all over the world.
4. Talking to strangers and meeting locals. When I am by myself, I tend to talk to people around me more.
5. Meeting other interesting solo travelers. On a recent trip, I had dinner with a woman who I met on a sunset boat trip around Cinque Terre. She was a single mom from Perth, Australia and I was able to learn all about her interesting life. It’s much harder to meet people organically like this when you are coupled up or in a group.
6. Slipping into restaurants, museums, and other ticketed activities with ease. Often you can be accommodated without a reservation and last minute because you are a party of one!

Some disadvantages

1. You have to ask strangers to take your photo if you want one of yourself.
2. It’s not always safe to go out in the evening alone (as a woman and depending on where you are in the world). I’m more of an ‘early-to-bed, early-to-rise’ type anyway so this isn’t usually an issue but if you like to party, it can sometimes be hard by yourself (unless you go stay in a party hostel).
3. If you need to go to the bathroom on a train or waiting for some kind of public transport, you need to take all your belongings with you.
4. Occasional bouts of loneliness. Sometimes I find I haven’t talked meaningfully (read: not just ordering food) to anyone else in a while. This is especially hard in a country that doesn’t speak your language, which can lead to finding yourself missing conversation and company.

I hope this helps inspire you to consider a solo adventure in the near future. More questions or concerns? Leave a comment!