Traveling solo is one of the most liberating ways to explore a new locale. You’re on no one’s schedule but your own, you get to meet new people instead of being tied down to existing social groups, you have the opportunity to learn a lot about yourself in the process and you get to develop an unprecedented level of self-confidence.
“You’re stepping outside of your comfort zone and relying on yourself,” says Valerie Joy Wilson, a solo travel expert and founder of Trusted Travel Girl. “It will make you feel like you can conquer the world.” She also notes that because the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average American only gets between 11 and 15 days of paid time off per year after working five years, traveling solo allows you to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time. “You’ll see your destination quicker because you won’t have to do anything you don’t want to do and you can travel a little quicker when you’re alone,” she says.
As solo travel expert Ciara Johnson puts it, however, safety while traveling alone is never guaranteed — especially for women. “It can be that much riskier when you’re navigating a foreign country without knowing anyone,” Johnson says. “There’s the risk of losing contact with the people you love, getting lost or putting yourself in dangerous situations due to a lack of knowledge about a particular country. This is why it’s important to trust your intuition, research thoroughly, inform others of your plans and keep your wits about you.”
While our solo travel experts agree exploring the world on your own poses a unique set of challenges, it’s a great way to help you enjoy your own company and build self-awareness. To dip your toes into the world of solo travel, Wilson suggests practicing by taking yourself out to eat, going on a quick weekend trip nearby, traveling solo to see a friend while still having your own plans and exploring your own city for a day alone. Once you’ve mastered that, here’s exactly what the pros recommend bringing along to ensure your solo travels go off without a hitch.
“I love a big pair of sunglasses to prevent making unwanted eye contact if I’m somewhere where I don’t want someone striking up conversations,” says Wilson. These oversized unisex sunnies with more than 30,000 reviews provide sun protection while keeping you looking unapproachable, which is exactly what you may be going for in certain situations.
Wilson also swears by a nondescript, plain baseball cap to ward off unwanted contact with the added benefit of sun protection. While this one comes in every color under the sun, go for a neutral tone like black, gray or khaki if you’re looking to blend in.
Johnson appreciates this powerful portable charger to stay connected for several hours at a time — especially in remote areas. It has three ports for simultaneous device charging, a built-in intelligence chip to ward against overheating and short-circuiting and handy LED lights to indicate its current power level.
Wilson advises to look at a digital map instead of using a hard copy version, which would make you “look like a tourist,” she says. “If you were looking at a map on your phone, you could easily be texting someone.” That’s why she recommends Maps.me, which also works without access to Wi-Fi. Just be sure to download the map of your destination onto your phone while you’re within range of mobile service.
Apple AirTags are an essential accessory for travelers — and that extends to solo travelers, too. They’re a tool that can give you peace of mind if you’re in a new place alone. Consider popping one into a discreet case and allowing a trusted friend or family member access to your location so they can follow you along on your journey from afar.
“Walk with confidence,” says Wilson. “This will serve you everywhere, help you look like a local or an expat that lives there and not a good target or victim.” Ditch the heels or flimsy sandals and opt instead for these editor-approved sneakers that provide ample cushioning and bounce to propel you forward so you can move with purpose and efficiency no matter the terrain.
Wilson depends on this suitcase when traveling alone so she doesn’t get stuck needing help. “It’s high quality and the wheels are super smooth,” she says. “Nothing’s going to compromise you more than a bag breaking down in the street or airport while alone. Also, the smooth wheels mean that when someone wants to help me with my bag, I don’t need it and I can just say ‘Thanks, I’m good!’ I like to make sure I can manage all my belongings on my own,” Wilson says.
“I’ve personally grown to enjoy my own company as I was forced to spend time alone,” says Johnson. For times when you want some company in the form of audio, a good set of earbuds is a sound investment. If you’re riding a plane, train or automobile, it’s essential to listen to your favorite album or podcast through your headphones. These third-generation AirPods are not noise-canceling and instead offer spatial audio so you can still hear any important alerts around you. Best yet, they’re discreet enough to conceal under a hat without any added cords.
You can never be too secure while staying in a hotel room alone. That’s why Johnson opts for this portable door lock for an extra level of security. It prevents doors of just about all sizes from being unlocked from the outside — the only major requirement being that it must be an inward-swinging door, which you’ll find at most hotels. It’s easy to install and leaves no damage behind on the door or its frame. Plus, it’s compact and easy to store in any bag.
Johnson typically carries pepper spray with her for extra protection on her solo travels. However, it’s illegal in many destinations and you can’t carry pepper spray on an airplane. A good alternative is the She’s Birdie Safety Alarm Keychain, which travelers swear by. The personal safety alarm emits a 130-decibel siren and a flashing strobe light when activated to deter attackers.
Wilson says it’s imperative to share a copy of your trip itinerary and important travel documents with your loved ones before you leave. To mitigate the risk of losing them while you’re adventuring, grab this neck wallet and passport holder to prevent thieves from stealing anything from your bag or pockets. Thanks to its RFID-blocking (radio frequency identification) technology, it’ll protect against unwanted document scans, too.
Our experts agree it’s crucial not only to thoroughly research your destination beforehand but to keep abreast of any happenings while you’re there. By monitoring international news and social media, the Sitata app sends out alerts about things like travel disruptions, disease outbreaks, extreme weather, protests and violence so you can make any necessary arrangements.
Wilson says traveling alone means being forced “to immerse yourself in the culture [and] make new friends and you’re more likely to get off the beaten path.” With Duolingo, you’ll be able to make small talk and foster deeper connections with locals or other international travelers in as little as a few minutes a day across 43 languages and counting. Plus, being able to translate the likes of street signs, instructions and directions provides an added safety measure no matter where you are.
Proper hydration isn’t only crucial every day of the year, but studies show it can help improve cognitive function, thereby keeping you more alert while traveling on your own. This editor-approved LifeStraw water bottle is ideal for traveling solo, thanks to its highly packable and collapsible design, its built-in filter to remove more than 99.9% of bacteria, parasites and microplastics and its high flow rate for a refreshing sip each time.
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