The World Is Better When You See It On Your Own Terms
Solo travel guides, safety tips, hostel advice, and everything else you actually need to go it alone.
Solo travel is one of those things that sounds terrifying until you actually do it. Then it’s the thing you can’t stop telling people about. You eat where you want, sleep when you want, change your plans on a Tuesday because something better came up. Nobody’s waiting on you. Nobody’s slowing you down. This isn’t a guide that’ll tell you solo travel is easy — sometimes it’s not. But it is absolutely, completely worth it. Here’s everything you need to get started. Also Read our guide to common travel scams before you go.
First-Timers
73% travel solo again
Avg Daily Budget
£30/$38/€35/day
Top Regions
SE Asia, Europe, Central America
Best Stay
Hostels
Key Skill
Planning light
Solo Travel Guides
Hostels
Meeting People
Solo Safety
Solo Destinations
Solo Mindset
How Much Does Solo Travel Cost?
Going alone doesn’t have to mean paying double. Here’s what to actually budget for.
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Backpacker
~£30 | $38 | €35/day
- Hostel dorms: £10–18/$13–23/€12–20 per night
- Street food and supermarket meals
- Free walking tours and city parks
- Overnight buses to save on accommodation
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Mid-Range
~£65 | $82 | €75/day
- Private room or budget hotel: £35–65/$44–82/€40–75
- Mix of eating out and self-catering
- Some paid tours and experiences
- Train or bus between cities
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Comfortable
~£120+ | $150+ | €140+/day
- Boutique hotels: £80–150/$100–190/€90–170 per night
- Regular restaurant meals
- Private tours and experiences
- Domestic flights between destinations
The Single Supplement: What It Is and How to Dodge It
Most hotels and cruises charge solo travellers a single supplement — basically a fee for not sharing a room. It can add 25–100% to your accommodation cost. The fix? Book hostels, search for solo-friendly tours that don’t charge it, use Airbnb for private rooms, or look for hotels that specifically advertise ‘no single supplement.’ It’s not always avoidable, but it’s often negotiable.
5 Ways to Cut Solo Travel Costs
Book Hostels
Dorms are solo travel’s secret weapon. From £8/$10/€9 a night.
Travel Shoulder Season
Prices drop 20–40% outside peak months.
Join group tours for big experiences
Splits the cost and avoids solo surcharges.
Use overnight trains and buses
Save a night’s accommodation on long routes.
Use apps like Hostelworld and Booking.com
Compare solo-friendly options.
Staying Safe as a Solo Traveller
Solo travel is overwhelmingly safe — but a little preparation goes a long way.
Share Your Itinerary
Always leave your rough plan with someone at home — even just a Google Doc they can access.
Get a Local SIM
Data roaming is expensive and patchy. A local SIM costs £5–15/$6–19/€6–17 and keeps you connected everywhere.
Split Your Cash
Never keep all your money in one place. Card in your wallet, emergency cash hidden separately.
Trust Your Instincts
This sounds obvious but it’s actually the most important one. If something feels off, leave.
Travelling Solo as a Woman?
Solo female travel is growing fast — and for good reason. With the right preparation, most destinations are completely doable on your own. We’ve got dedicated guides on safe destinations, what to pack, how to handle unwanted attention, and the best communities to connect with other solo female travellers.
FAQs
Is solo travel safe?
Generally yes — millions of people travel alone every year without incident. The risks are usually overstated. Common sense goes a long way: share your itinerary with someone, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your gut if something feels wrong. Most places that feel intimidating on Google are perfectly fine on the ground.
How do I meet people when travelling alone?
Hostels are the obvious answer — common rooms, group dinners, and organised social events make meeting people almost unavoidable. Beyond that: free walking tours, group day trips, food tours, language exchange meetups, and apps like Meetup or Couchsurfing’s events feature. The truth is, solo travellers tend to be far more approachable than people in groups.
What's the best first solo trip destination?
For first-timers, the easiest solo destinations tend to be well-trodden backpacker trails with solid hostel infrastructure. Think Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, or New Zealand. All have easy transport, English widely spoken, established solo travel communities, and a low intimidation factor.
How much does solo travel cost per day?
It genuinely depends on where you go. In Southeast Asia, you can travel comfortably on £25–40/$31–50/€29–46 a day. In Western Europe or Australia, budget for £60–80/$75–100/€69–92 minimum. The single supplement (paying solo rates for double rooms) is the main budget killer — hostels and Airbnb private rooms sidestep this entirely.
Is solo travel lonely?
Sometimes, briefly. But it’s rarely as lonely as people fear. When you’re alone, you’re more open — you talk to people you’d never approach if you had company. Most solo travellers report feeling lonelier in their normal daily life than on the road. That said, if you do hit a rough patch, reach out to people in hostels, join a day tour, or video call home. It passes quickly.
Do I need travel insurance for solo travel?
Yes, and it’s arguably more important when you’re alone. If you get sick or injured, there’s no travel companion to sort things out — you need cover that includes emergency medical, hospitalisation, and trip cancellation. Compare policies and always check the small print around adventure activities if you’re doing anything sporty.
What should I pack for solo travel?
Pack light. Seriously — lighter than you think you need. The rule most experienced solo travellers swear by: lay out everything you want to take, then put half of it back. A 40L backpack is enough for most trips. Essentials include: a quality day pack, padlock for hostel lockers, portable charger, and a good neck wallet or hidden money belt.
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