Solo Travel: 20 Reasons Why You Should Give It A Shot
1) Planning is so much easier
I don’t know about where you are located, but here in Canada the standard number of vacation days is a measly 10. Synchronising those dates with one or more friends isn’t exactly easy.
2) You are the Boss
So your friend loves museums and you hate them? The best thing to do is compromise and at least go to one, right? But let’s face it; if you hate museums do you really want to fork out that 20 euro? No, and that’s just going to lead to a little bit of animosity. If you’re alone, you can avoid every museum like the plague- and save those precious euros for the local bar’s happy hour or whatever else floats your proverbial boat.
Shots anyone?
3) No Drama
Need I say more?
4) Solo Travel is Empowering
Solo travel comes with a lot of responsibilities, but you’ll get good at it. Sure it seems scary at first, but when you successfully manage to find your own way from the airport to your accommodations in a foreign, non-English city; you feel pretty bad ass!
5) It’s Easier to Meet People
When you’re with friends you are in your own little bubble of familiarity. Sure you may talk to others, but you don’t necessarily have to. Being on your own forces you socialize and make new friends, plus it makes it easier for others to approach you too. Sometimes the best part of travel is the people you meet along the way, and I can guarantee you are way more likely to make friends on the road without your wingmen.
France, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada in Tallinn
6) Accommodating one is much easier than accommodating a group
So you just arrived in a new city and you see that there’s a great show on and you would love to score tickets. Good luck if your part of a group. But if you’re alone, well things are much more likely to work in your favour. Same goes for tours, events, and even last minute accommodations.
7) Solo travellers get perks
People are more likely to pay attention to you if you’re alone when you’re eating out. In a nutshell, they tend to feel sorry for you, which is the perfect opportunity for them to try to make you feel better by plying you with freebies or extras. I’ve gotten free wine, free dessert, an extra special drink, and some treats to take home all from restaurant staff who, quite honestly, just felt bad for the young girl sitting alone.
Free wine in Venice so I would ‘feel better’ for being alone
8) Focus on Yourself
If you’re travelling, it’s likely because you’re trying to get away or take a break. This is the perfect opportunity to make it all about you- do what makes you happy without having to worry about someone else.
9) Everything is on Your Time
So you partied til the sun came up and would really prefer to read and take a nap on the beach rather than check out that famous church? No problem- you’re not ruining anyone else’s plans.
A local caught me napping on the beach in Nice
10) It’s Cheaper
When you travel on your own itinerary, your budget is what you make it and you can spend your precious savings how you see fit.
11) Solo travel shows you the kindness of strangers
People tend to look out for you when you’re alone, whether it’s a bartender keeping an eye out for you or a stranger on the street who sees you struggling with your map. I’m always amazed at the kindness of others who willingly go out of their way to make sure I’m safe and comfortable.
12) You’ll learn more about the area and culture
It’s much easier to fall into conversation with a local when you’re alone; alone you give off the impression of being curious and willing to learn, rather than part of a group looking for the closest bar and hottest place to party. Locals are more than willing to give up little hints and tips about the area if you give them a chance, and their advice way better than any guidebook could provide.
Krampus at a local traditional festival in Salzburg
13) You Can Make the Bad Bits Disappear
Awkward encounter? Embarrassing night? No one will ever know unless you tell them.
14) It Gives you Skills
Negotiating, planning, self-awareness, punctuality, interpersonal skills…the list goes on. A big one for me: I now have a sense of direction!
15) It Looks Great on a Resume
All those skills I listed above? Those are pretty damn important for the majority of employers. Solo travel brings about a certain respect, and compared to the regular Joe- you can back up these skills with pretty sweet stories. You’re not only skilled, you’re interesting.
16) It Will Help You Face Your Fears
Thing’s don’t tend to look as bad when you compare them to things you’ve already done. Meeting your significant other’s family? Puh-lease, that has nothing on the time you found out you missed your flight and didn’t think you had the money for another one! Or how about taking the wrong train HOURS in the opposite direction and ending up in the middle of nowhere? That’s real stress!
Rural train station in Germany (oops)
17) You Become Self-Reliant
There’s no passing anything off when you’re going solo. If you want something done, or need to figure something out- that’s on you. At the time it may seem daunting but in the end it’s a major self-confidence boost. And you’ll make mom proud.
18) People Will (Secretly) Think You are Awesome
Everyone who travels solo has those non-believers back home who think you are dumb/insane for going alone. One of my friend’s dad’s even went so far as to call me stupid when I moved to Ireland, and yet when I came home with all these great stories and experiences he was one of the first to want to hear about it. There’s no doubt that solo travel brings about a little extra street cred and respect- which feels pretty good to finally have from those who originally doubted you.
19) It Will Make you Better Person
Travelling solo teaches you a lot of patience and kindness. On your own you realize how much you depend on strangers for help; directions or advice, assistance in taking a picture, or even just asking the time. And when someone is rude to you and unwilling to help, it can be heartbreaking. Being on the bad end of that has made me quicker to reach out to strangers and offer to help them if they look like they need a hand.
20) You will have the best time of your life
I’d be lying if I told you that the entire experience will go smoothly. Chances are you will get mad at yourself more than once and frustrated to the point of tears. But when you come home all in one piece with amazing stories, great new friends, and a new found love for life it will be totally worth it. Travelling solo is the best travel experience, and something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.
So, what are you waiting for?
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Amaaaazing post. Every single one of these is just bang on. I never received anything for free at a restaurant in the several times I’ve eaten alone, sadly. Did someone draw that sketch of you on the beach? How cool!
I got most of my freebies in Italy and Eastern Europe- the poor man in Venice just couldn’t understand why I was alone in ‘such a romantic city’ it was quite funny. And yes I woke up from my beach nap and went to leave and a young girl came running over to me and gave it to me- a little weird since I was asleep and clueless but kinda awesome too!
These are all so true! I’m so glad I’ve started solo travel, as you said it just gives me so much more freedom. It’s helped my confidence no end – I am quite talkative with people I know, but can be a little reserved sometimes with people I don’t know, when I went to Bruges in March I found myself talking to strangers at the bar and laughing the night away with the bartenders etc, was so much fun! My real solo travel test will be November in Antarctica, 2 and a half weeks on my own at the end of the world 😐 I have never managed to get any freebies yet, people must not take pity and think I’m a looser instead haha
I think Antarctica will be amazing! I’m so looking forward to hearing about that adventure- I’m sure you will meet a ton of awesome people and have a blast 🙂
I’ve never really given it a try. Sure I was alone in Alaska for a couple of days and in Poland as well, but never for a longer time than 3-4 days. I like having a companion (usually my boyfriend) but when I look at past trips with friends, there’s only a few I’d go again with, indeed to avoid the drama that comes with it…
3-4 days still counts 🙂
Great points! Travelling alone is by far my preffered way to travel. And the more I do it the more I like it. I must admit that I’m alomst addicted to solo travel. As for the perks, I once received free drinks, while waiting for my table in a restaurant, the result: I nearly got drunk! 🙂
LOL too funny! When in Budapest my server gave me ‘extra shots’ in my mixed drink. I was like nooo I don’t want to be drunk I have an early flight!
I’ve done a lot of solo traveling. I’m now a networking master when it comes to new cities and so forth.
Solo travel is interesting. You’re not so focused on your partner, family or friends. You’re on your own and it’s up to you to make new ones.
The skills I got through these stages was priceless. I love solo traveling.
Great write up Hannah and also happy to have you on the tribe! Keep in touch.
Cheers,
Ken
Thanks for the positive comments Ken!
Great post and reasons! I haven’t done much traveling alone, just a couple very short weekend getaways, but I can definitely see how there are so many positives to it! I’ll have to try it for a longer trip one of these days! 🙂
Weekend getaways count too! But I would definitely recommend trying something longer if you have the opportunity
I’ve just come back from a solo trip and really notice the benefits! It’s certainly empowering and it’s great to come out of my shell and connect with new people. On #10 though, I find that travelling solo is more expensive as I can’t split the accommodation cost with anybody, but I suppose if couchsurfing or staying in a shared room it would be cheaper.
If you go the hotel route then absolutely. I tend to stick with hostels when I travel solo which is a big cost-cutter. Glad to hear you had a great time on your solo adventure 🙂
Really great article – I traveled solo until I met my husband, and agree with all of the above points. Though now that we travel as a couple I actually find the planning a lot easier than before…mainly because Mike does it all for me 😛
Thanks Meg! 🙂 I imagine having a handy husband to plan things would make things much easier….maybe I should look into getting one of those 😉
Solo travel is awesome although it can take some getting used to. My favourite bit is picking the destination all on my own and then doing what I want, when I want.
I’ve never actually tried a solo travel… well I was alone for 2 days tops and I don’t think that counts. But every time I read something about it, I’m more intrigued. I think it’s time to really try it! 🙂
Definitely time to give it a shot! And I would say 2 days is a great start 🙂
I have done loads of solo travel and loved it. Now traveling with my hubby and kids it is wonderful too. Great points you have raised and I would recommend solo travel as well. It is a good growing experience.
We are a married couple traveling and that is very nice because we share the same interests. But you are right in one thing, meeting new people is hard even though we love meeting new people. Keep up you travels and travel safe!
great article! love these reasons especially the eating alone one. after over 5 years living by myself in the city i finally had the chance to dine alone the other week. it’s actually quite empowering. can’t wait to take this feeling out of the country.
As a wheelchair user, solo traveling is next to impossible for me. However, if it were possible these are some terrific reasons! Lol
Travel is amazing however you do it, good for you for making it work! 🙂
All terrific reasons with so much merit to them! I haven’t traveled alone in a long time (dang husband and all!), but back in the day I did and while it was lonely at times, I loved being my own boss when it came to planning things, deciding what to do/where to go etc. I love #3 the most though.
Haha yes #3 is a biggie!
Great collection of solo traveler tips here Hannah! I have to admit that before meeting Heather I really didn’t travel much at least not nomadically anyway. But regardless of whether you are traveling solo or with a loved one, you can always enjoy the love of exploring the world!
There’s a lot of freedom to solo travel but I imagine when you find the right person it’s pretty awesome too 🙂
Agree with almost all your points except for the “it’s cheaper” one. One of the perks when traveling with another is that you can split costs of accommodation which is a big saving no matter where you are. Unless of course you are opting to stay in a dorm and then I guess what I am saying doesn’t matter.
Very true. I stick to hostels when I travel solo though so for me it is a money saver. If you are partial to hotels though- not so much!
I laughed out loud when I read #14…I didn’t realize I had a sense of direction either until I traveled solo. Although my sister and I are usually travel buddies we have been on solo trips as well and enjoy both.
Yeah that was huge for me-I used to get lost in my own city. I just didn’t feel the need to pay attention when I was with others!Had to learn to very quickly though when I started travelling alone!
I absolutely love solo travel, especially because you’re never truly alone 😉
exactly 🙂
I usually travel with my husband but recently went on a long solo trip to Asia. I enjoyed it and learned a lot and interacted with a lot more people by myself. It was a different and enjoyable experience. Now I fully intend to do both-travel with my hubby and by myself. Or just plain travel!
Best of both worlds!
Hannah, great article and spot on! I travel solo a lot and feel I see, learn and explore more than on trips with friends. Both have their perks, but the solo trip is rewarding in a unique way
Thanks Inta 🙂 I love travel any style but solo is my favourite
Yes and yes! Solo travel is so different and really opens your eyes. I love that you don’t need to compromise on anything because sometimes, well you just want to do what you want to do. The freedom is addicting!
I know right? Maybe it’s selfish but it is the best 😉
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Well said! I have yet to travel on my own but posts like these are like a siren song. I have to go eventually! Might take advantage of those WOW Air flights to spend a weekend alone in Iceland.
Ice land is AMAZING! You should totally go- even if it’s not solo 😉
[…] alone as a woman can be scary, lonely, dangerous and sometimes difficult. So why bother? I have a bunch of reasons as to why I travel solo, and think everyone should give it a shot. For me though it’s the empowerment and the freedom. I […]
I absolutely love travelling solo! It gives you so much freedom, so much excitement and so much confidence to boot.
Agree 100% 🙂