Top Tips For Stress-Free Solo Travel

Going travelling alone can be a great experience: you're not limited to what others want to do, you can decide every step of your holiday on the go. More and more solo travellers are heading abroad to find themselves by disconnecting from the world or going on an impulse trip to see new countries. Check out some of the top travel trends.

Are you thinking of heading abroad by yourself? We’ve put together some useful solo travel tips for a stress-free experience!

All destinations from London Luton Airport

The benefits of travelling alone

Got the itch to travel alone? There's lots of good reasons why a one-person holiday may be for you. Here's why we think you need to explore the world and do it solo.

You’ll get to know yourself better

With no one but yourself to keep you company, you’ll get to understand more about yourself. You’ll learn what it is that really makes you happy which, in turn, will benefit you when you go back home. 

It’ll get you out of your comfort zone

Most people don’t enjoy putting themselves out there and speaking to complete strangers, but it can be one of the best ways to make new friends. And this is something that you’ll more than likely have to do when travelling alone. 

It will boost your confidence

The thought of being abroad alone can be intimidating, especially if you’re naturally a shy person. There will probably be people in the same situation as you when you reach your destination, so bonding with others is inevitable.

You’ll become more decisive

If being decisive is something you struggle with, then travelling alone can be the perfect fix for you. To put it plainly, there’s no one else there to make decisions for you. 

Go at your own pace

When you’re travelling on your own, there’s no one but yourself to please. That means that you can do what you want, when you want, with no compromises. Everything is a "Yes!"

You’ll meet new people

Travelling alone can be one of the best ways to make new friends from different cultures and countries to you. These are people that you would be unlikely to meet in everyday life, and they can teach you so much about things that you wouldn’t ordinarily experience.

Before you leave

Get your finances in order. If you know exactly how much money you have to spend, it also makes it a lot easier to budget your money for each place that you go to. 

Before you go away, it’s important to make sure that you have travel insurance that covers all your potential activities while abroad. You never know if the worst is going to happen, so making sure that you’re covered before you depart means that you’re prepared and can replace your belongings if things are stolen or misplaced, if you get sick, or if your travel plans are ruined by a delay. 

If you’re worried about the social aspect of solo travel, there are things you can do that offer you some company. Your accommodation can be one of the best places to meet people when you’re travelling alone as they often have common rooms that you can hang out in and meet other like-minded travellers. Why not join a tour group to make friends!

If all your accommodation is booked in advance, you should leave a travel itinerary at home with friends and family with a list of all the places that you’ll be staying in to stop them worrying about where you are. 

Finally, make sure that you pack light. The last thing you want when travelling solo is lots of heavy luggage. Ideally, take just one or two bags so that it’s easier to carry and also easier to keep an eye on. Read our luggage limits.

At the airport 

When travelling alone, it’s important to make sure that you arrive with enough time to get your bearings. If you're travelling from London Luton Airport, we recommend arriving at a time advised by your airline that allows time to drop your luggage, head through security and get to your gate.

Driving to the airport?

 Book car parking in advance so that you can choose where you leave your car, and you’re not too far from the terminal. We've lots of options to choose from for shorter stays and longer holidays.

If you’re a bit apprehensive about travelling alone in an airport, it can be a good idea to let the staff know. They’re there to help you, and more often than not they’ll be glad to point you in the right direction. 

Once you’ve checked in and dropped any hold luggage, make your way over to Security. A good tip is to put your passport in a safe place in your hand luggage — only remove it when necessary. 

Security can be one of the busiest parts of an airport, so make sure that you’re prepared and are aware of any liquid restrictions to avoid unnecessary hold-ups. To make it slightly easier for yourself, you can get Fast Track Security access or Prebook Security
that will considerably reduce your waiting time — perfect for when you’re on your own! 

Once you’re through Security, it’s a good idea to figure out where your boarding gate is, especially if it’s a big airport. This way, you can focus on making the most of your time in the departure lounge by exploring the shops or getting something to eat or drink, safe in the knowledge that you know where you’re heading.

Once your flight gate has been announced and you’ve boarded the plane, the cabin crew will point you in the direction of your seat. Your next job is to put away your hand luggage, sit down and enjoy your flight. Don’t be afraid to talk to fellow passengers, you may make friends before you’ve even arrived at your destination.

At your destination

You've landed. You're through Passport Control. You're at your accommodation. Once you’ve dropped your bags off, familiarise yourself with your surroundings. Using local landmarks as a guide can help you get your bearings and minimise the risk of getting lost. 

Another tip for travelling alone is to stay ‘low-key’. Avoid flashing jewellery and expensive items so as not to attract the wrong kind of attention. You could also carry a paper copy of your emergency contact details on you at all times in case anything happens to your phone. 

It can be useful to learn a few words of the local language. While many people can (and often will) reply in English, it shows that you respect the country that you’re visiting and is a good way to open a conversation! 

Getting out

One of the most difficult parts of the whole experience of travelling alone is eating out. If you’re not entirely confident, it can be a daunting experience, but you’ll more than likely meet people in your accommodation that you can join.

Booking local tours and experiences that you’re interested in is a fantastic way to meet and chat with like-minded people. It can also be a good idea to find a place you like and become a regular! This way you’ll know that you’re getting a good meal, and people may begin to recognise you and start up a conversation. 

You could also take a book with you. It’ll keep you occupied whilst you eat and can also signal to other people that you’re happy alone if you’re worried about unwanted conversations. 

If you’d prefer to stay in and cook, it would be worth booking accommodation with a kitchen that you can use. This way, you get your own space and don’t have to worry about going out to eat every night.

Going out at night

People are often wary about going out at night, however doing so is likely to show you a different side to the place that you’re visiting, enriching your experience. If going out after dark is something you want to do, make sure you follow the below solo travel safety tips: 

Plan your travel

If you’re going out after dark it can be a good idea to travel by (a licensed) taxi rather than walk. This means you’re never alone on a dark street or unsure of where it is that you’re going.

Confirm if it's safe

If you’re a bit unsure about the area that you’re heading to, ask the staff at your accommodation whether it’s a good place to go. They’re guaranteed to know a lot more about the area than you do, and are likely to offer you alternative places.

Drink responsibly

There’s nothing wrong with having an alcoholic drink, but make sure that you keep your wits about you. 

Keep your valuables safe

Make sure you know where your bag or purse is at all times or, better still, don’t take one and use a bumbag that's always on your body instead.

Be coy

If you’re feeling uncomfortable in any way, remove yourself from the situation any way that you can. Know your boundaries and if you feel unsafe, go home. 

Let somebody know

If you’re out with friends, make sure that you let them know where you’re going and when. Talk to them if you don’t feel safe and leave together.