Is Solo Travel Worth It? Discover the Truth (2023)

Wondering if solo travel is worth it? Let’s dive into it.

Is Solo Travel Lonely?

If you’ve never done it, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve wondered if solo travel is worth it, if it’s lonely, if it’s safe. These questions have crossed your mind. I get asked these ALL THE TIME!

Usually, it comes with comments like, “I could never travel solo,” or, “You’re crazy to go alone.”

Well, I might be crazy, but that’s not why. In fact, there’s probably a long list of reasons why I’m crazy, but this isn’t one of them. But that’s another blog post (or ten) for another day.

For now, I’ll answer your question. Is solo traveling lonely? Absolutely not! I’m less lonely when I travel than at any given time in my everyday life.

It’s not because I’m surrounded by people all the time either. There’s a saying that there’s a difference between being lonely and being alone. When you’re out in the world discovering a place you’ve never been, even when you’re alone, you’re anything but lonely.

Is it Embarrassing to Travel Alone?

I’ve had a lot of people tell me that they can’t even go to dinner or a movie alone, let alone go on an international adventure. There’s a lot more to unpack there than a travel blogger, even a highly esteemed travel blogger such as myself can unpack in one post.

Rather than delve into the emotional trauma that drives people to feel this way, let’s just accept that they do. A lot of people are embarrassed by the very idea of being somewhere alone.

Let me tell you this. When you go to another country, no matter where in the world it is, you will see a LOT of people solo traveling. I’m not sure if the fear of being alone is an American thing, but I meet tons of solo travelers on every trip that I go on.

If you want to see a new place in the world and take the initiative to go for it, that’s amazing! There’s absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.

Is Solo Travel Safe?

This is a valid concern, but one that is easily addressed. A lot of people operate under the assumption that solo travel is not safe and not worth the risk. I beg to differ!

“Isn’t that dangerous?” is a question that comes up a lot. The truth is, everything is dangerous. Going to Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Detroit are also dangerous. Bad things happen in every country every day.

Let’s address the truth, you are markedly easier to be victimized alone rather than with a group. This is especially true for women (for some incredible female solo travel insight, visit Travel Mexico Solo). This is true. But, this is true anywhere, not just when you travel. So don’t let this hold you back.

We stay safe while solo traveling the same way we stay safe at home in our own cities, by being conscious of our surroundings. Follow the same guidelines you would at home.

• Don’t walk in sketchy neighborhoods at night.
• Don’t get blackout drunk when you’re in an unfamiliar area.
• Keep an eye on your personal belongings and make sure they’re secure.
• Don’t advertise the fact that you’re alone.
• Order taxis or Ubers when possible, rather than taking a random transport at the moment.

These are common sense practices that we all use every day. With a little research and some basic safety guidelines you already know, solo travel is worth it when it comes to safety.

What are the Advantages of Solo Travel?

Meeting People

Before I started solo traveling, I had been on a lot of friend trips, family trips, and couple trips. I had some great trips, don’t get me wrong. But, one thing I didn’t do on any of those trips is meet people.

When you’re traveling with friends, family, or a significant other, meeting new people is just something that doesn’t happen. You’re wrapped up in activities, meals, and even the planning of the meals can be exhausting.

When you solo travel, you’ll meet people from interesting places all around the world. If you’re like me, this will push your comfort zones, but it’s worth it! You’re sure to make new friends.

Do What You Want When You Want

To me, this is what really makes solo travel worth the trip. If you want to eat now, you eat now. If you want to wait, you wait. Maybe you’re tired or don’t feel good and need to chill for a few hours, you chill. Maybe you’re feeling wild and want to change your plans a little bit, live your dreams baby!

You can go on great trips with other people, no doubt. I’ve done it. The people I’ve traveled with have never been unreasonable in what they want to do or when they want to do it. But, the first time you don’t have to ask anyone when or where they want to eat, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s Challenging

When I landed on my first solo trip, I had to accept right away that I was the visitor now, and not everything is going to make sense.

Plans aren’t always going to work out like you think they are. When you’re in a new city, a new country, everything is different than what you’re used to. Food is different. Transportation is different. People are different.

The reality is, sometimes it’s hard. For example, it might be hard to figure out how to get where you want to go. The sooner you open yourself up to that and all of the challenges that will present themselves, the better off you’ll be. You’ll land back at your home airport stronger than when you left.

There’s Always Room for One

When you’re traveling with a spouse and three kids, or a group of friends, it can be hard to catch a ride. It can be hard to get a reservation at a restaurant. Tours don’t always have room for five more people. Sometimes there’s not even room for two more people.

But there is always room for one. You can always squeeze in. Hostesses, tour guides, drivers, and receptionists are inclined to find a way to give you what you’re looking for. It’s their livelihood, after all. They’ll find a way to get you in.

It is MUCH easier to arrange plans for one person than it is two or more. You might even be able to find some value there. Sometimes, you can get a better price on things when there’s only one person, making solo travel worth even more.

You Find Yourself

Pardon the prophetic sound of that, but it’s so true. I found a side of me I didn’t know existed. In everyday life, I’m a walled up introvert. It took me a few days to find it on my first trip.

But now, as soon as I touch down in another country, I’m talking to people, going out, opening up in ways I didn’t know I would, and certainly didn’t know I wanted to.

It wasn’t my intention, but I have found parts of this carrying into my everyday life too.

What are the Disadvantages of Solo Travel?

I have to put a caveat here. I do not believe there to be any disadvantages to traveling alone. But, I know that that are perceived disadvantages, and I want to address them. I’ll put them in quotation marks, to represent someone telling you why you shouldn’t do it.

“It’s More Expensive.”

It isn’t! This is a misconception that would be true if you were to stay in conventional hotels. If you’re splitting a room with someone, obviously a room will be more expensive alone. Sometimes you get charged even more when you’re alone.

But we don’t stay in conventional hotels, do we? No, we have opened up to the wonderful world of hostels. Even if you’re only paying for half a room, you’ll likely get a better price on a bed in a dorm that includes breakfast.

“It’s not safe. It’s lonely.”

We went over these. It’s perfectly safe if you’re conscious of your surroundings and take normal personal safety precautions.

Just because you’re traveling alone doesn’t mean you’ll be lonely. The world is full of people! Solo travel is worth getting out there and seeing it all.

“There’s nobody to take your picture.”

Is this different than when you’re with your family or your friends or a significant other? Someone has to hold the camera. Someone isn’t going to be in the picture. Or… you can ask somebody. Remember, the world is full of people!

A lot of the people you’ll see while you’re traveling would love it if you took their picture for them. Simply offer this to a fellow solo traveler, or a couple, or a family, anyone really. They’ll return the favor.

I’ve never once had an issue with this. If there’s nobody around, a selfie or a picture of just the scenery without your beautiful face in it will do just fine. If it’s that important, there’s usually some way to prop your phone up and set the timer. If not, tripods are a thing.

The experience is the key. Pictures are important, sure, but don’t get hung up on them.

“There’s nobody to share the experience with.”

Would this be different if you stayed home? I’m guessing if you’re thinking about solo travel and wondering if it’s worth it, it’s because you don’t have a significant other. If you did, you’d probably be researching couples travel.

Did that sound harsh? Sorry! I just mean I don’t want anyone to let the fact that they don’t have someone to share the experience with hold them back from doing something amazing.

Certainly don’t wait on your friends to all agree on a trip. No matter how much it sounds like they want to go, or wish they could go, they won’t. Half of them don’t even have their passports. That doesn’t make them bad people. It’s the world we live in.

Plus, part of the fun is making new friends!

Even if your friends from home could go, syncing up a schedule will be impossible. It’s up to you to make it happen!

How does it Feel to Travel Alone?

There are so many ways to describe it but the word I love the most is liberating! It’s amazing to be in a new country and know that it’s up to you to figure everything out. You have to use the resources you have and the world around you to make happen everything that you want while you’re there.

And you know what? You can do it! You’ll discover new parts of the world and yourself. There’s so much world out there. Don’t let anything hold you back from seeing it.

If I can come out of the shell I was living in all those years and become an outgoing, street-smart, independent solo traveler, so can you. It’s worth it to try!

Have fun out there!