To prepare for solo travel, set a destination-based budget, spread your money across several sources, agree on a check-in plan with family, protect your data and health, and learn the local basics, from language and etiquette to transport and insurance. Before the pandemic, about 14% of travelers were solo travelers. The script says that number has risen to 30%, and it treats that as your sign to book the flight.
These 15 tips are meant to make a solo trip easier, safer and more fun. They are grouped in five parts below, with a bonus tip on meals at the end.
Watch the full video here, or skip to the breakdown below.
The 15 solo travel tips at a glance
- 1 to 3. Budget, language and money sources (0:50)
- 4 to 6. Staying in touch, digital security and health (4:16)
- 7 to 9. Packing, etiquette and locals (8:47)
- 10 to 12. Instincts, offline maps and local transport (10:37)
- 13 to 15. Insurance, valuables and expense tracking (12:28)
1 to 3. Budget, language and money sources
Start with the budget, and start with one question: where are you going? In very general terms, mid-level hotel rooms in popular solo destinations go for about $80 to $150 a night in Southern Europe, $50 to $100 in South America and $30 to $70 in Southeast Asia. Hostels run $20 to $50, $10 to $30 and $5 to $20 in those places. Work out a daily rate for accommodation, transport, meals and activities, multiply it by 30, add 20% and you have a monthly budget. What you spend depends far more on where you go than on what you do.
Learn the language basics. Hello, please and thank you matter, and so do words for food, directions and asking for help. Translation apps work, but the back-and-forth takes a lot of mental energy you want to save for the adventure. A little language lowers stress for you and the person you are speaking to, and people go the extra mile when they see the effort.
Manage your money sources so they are accessible and safe. Carry cash, a backup credit card and a backup debit card, kept in different places, since many small restaurants and shops will not take your card. Keep enough in the account you use, but not everything. Use credit for larger purchases and emergencies, pick cards with low or no foreign transaction fees, and tell your bank your plans so the card is not blocked.
Where you go sets your budget more than what you do.
4 to 6. Staying in touch, digital security and health
Have a communication plan with family and friends. You will not talk daily because of time zones and patchy signal, so set a weekly or biweekly check-in. If you miss it, that is the signal for people at home to check on you. The plan also helps with loneliness, which can hit when you least expect it and nobody picks up the phone.
Look after digital security, and allow yourself some home comforts. Public networks at cafes, airports and in the city are easier for hackers to intercept, so use strong passwords on all devices and a VPN that encrypts your connection. A VPN also lets you watch shows from home that are blocked abroad, which matters on days when you just want a pizza and your favorite series.
Take care of your health. Medication may be hard to find across a language barrier, and your immune system is used to home, so weather, food and water hit harder. Get needed vaccinations well in advance, since some need multiple doses. Pack a travel health kit with regular prescriptions, basics for pain, diarrhea, allergies and motion sickness, a first aid kit and maybe a thermometer. Be careful with food and water: stick to bottled or filtered water, skip ice unless you know it is safe, and choose hygienic places that serve food cooked through and hot.
Plan for the days things go wrong, and also the days they go right.
7 to 9. Packing, etiquette and locals
Pack smart. You need to balance bringing what you need with keeping luggage manageable. Choose versatile clothing that mixes and matches, roll clothes and use packing cubes, and take a universal adapter, a small first aid kit and a portable charger. Keep your passport and travel insurance documents somewhere secure and easy to reach.
Follow cultural etiquette by researching local customs before you arrive. In Japan it is customary to bow when greeting someone, and in many Middle Eastern countries showing the soles of your feet can be disrespectful. In more conservative countries, modest clothing shows respect.
Be prepared to make friends with locals. They can point you to hidden gems that guidebooks miss, so ask for recommendations on where to eat and what to visit. Forums, social media groups and travel blogs connect you with people who have been to your destination, and apps such as Meetup help you find local events.
Respect and curiosity open doors that money cannot.
10 to 12. Instincts, offline maps and local transport
Listen to your instincts. Some days you will be fine heading off with someone you just met, and other days even safe situations feel off. Solo travel is not the time to ignore that. If something does not feel right, trust your gut and leave, whether it is an area or a person. It is better to be overly cautious than to end up in danger.
Download offline maps before your trip. Apps such as Google Maps let you save maps for use without internet, which helps you find your way around unfamiliar cities, back to your hotel or to nearby attractions with no data connection.
Look into local transportation, because not every app works in every country. In Ireland people use Freenow and an Uber can be harder to get, while in Southeast Asia Grab is more popular and cheaper than Uber. Also research buses, trains and subways, check for tourist passes or discount cards, and keep some local currency for tickets. In many cities public transport is cheaper and more efficient than taxis, and bikes or scooters give independence.
Trust your gut over politeness.
13 to 15. Insurance, valuables and expense tracking
Get travel insurance. It is your safety net against unexpected expenses. Medical emergencies abroad can be costly and some countries want payment upfront, while insurance can cover hospital stays, doctor visits, medication and even medical evacuation.
Secure your valuables. At the least, lock your suitcases. Use a money belt or hidden pouch for passport, cards and cash, and leave expensive jewelry at home because showing it makes you a target. Use the room safe, carry only what you need for the day, and stay aware in crowded areas where pickpocketing is likelier.
Use expense tracking apps. Trail Wallet, Expensify and TravelSpend let you record spending in real time, categorize it and see what remains of your budget. They also keep receipts, useful for budgeting and for insurance claims, and a regular review helps you adjust.
Insure the big risks and track the small ones.
Bonus: plan your meals
On trips longer than two weeks, eating out for every meal wears on your body and your budget. Mix dining out with meals you cook yourself. Breakfast is easy, and for lunch you can buy fresh local ingredients at markets and have a picnic, which is cost-effective and a different way to taste local flavors.
The script finishes with the idea that you learn a huge amount on the road and that it is the quickest and most fun way to grow. Follow the 15 tips and the rest comes together.
FAQ
How do you budget for solo travel?
Work out a daily rate for accommodation, transport, meals and activities for your destination, multiply it by 30 and add 20% to get a monthly budget. The video notes that where you go affects your spending far more than what you do.
How much money should you carry when traveling alone?
Carry cash plus a backup credit card and a backup debit card, kept in different places. Do not keep all your money in the account tied to the card you use daily, in case it is lost or stolen.
Why use a VPN when traveling?
Public networks in cafes, airports and cities are unsecured and easier for hackers to intercept. A VPN encrypts your connection, and it also lets you watch shows from home that are blocked abroad.
How often should you check in with family on a solo trip?
The video suggests a set weekly or biweekly check-in. If you miss it, that is the signal for people at home to check on you, and it also helps with loneliness.
Is travel insurance worth it for solo travel?
The video calls it essential. It can cover hospital stays, doctor visits, medication and medical evacuation, and some countries require payment upfront for medical care.
Keep reading
