We’ve all seen the "perfect" solo travel photos: the sunset over the Amalfi Coast or the serene mountain peak. But nobody shows the moment you’re having a quiet panic in an airport terminal with a dying phone battery and a faulty charger.
I’ve been getting a few emails lately from people preparing for their first solo adventure. Can I just acknowledge the truth? It is daunting. Give yourself a break. Maybe you’ve travelled with others but never alone. You might be navigating a breakup, a loss, or simply a friend who couldn't make it. Or maybe, like me, you just didn’t want to wait for someone else’s schedule to align with your dreams.
The first trip is a steep learning curve, but it’s one that is entirely worth it. Here are the five things I wish I’d known before I took that first leap.
Where it all started!! Who knew where this would all lead.
Quick Highlights: 5 Lessons for Solo Travellers
Confidence is built, not bought: You don't need to be "brave" to start; the bravery comes from doing.
Solo ≠ Alone: From flashpacker hostels to day tours, community is everywhere if you know where to look.
The Rest Rule: Budget for "Zero Days" to combat the mental tax of hypervigilance.
Listen to your gut: Your intuition is more important than your itinerary or being polite.
Pack Light: If you can't carry it for 20 minutes, leave it at home.
Dubrovnik 12 hours later...where I knew I'd be OK.
1. Confidence is a Skill, Not a Prerequisite
You don't wait to be "brave enough" to book the flight; you become brave because you booked it. When you travel solo, you will surprise yourself daily.
Every meal you order in a foreign language, every bus you catch, and every winding path you navigate is a rep for your "confidence muscle." If you wrote a list of everything you did for yourself after a two-week trip, you would be amazed.
Before my first solo trip in 2017, I was a seasoned traveller, but the "what-ifs" were still screaming. Landing in Dubrovnik, catching a bus to the Old Town, & going for a walk, I knew in my gut I was going to be OK. As the saying goes: Fake it ‘til you navigate it.
2. "Solo" Doesn't Have to Mean "Alone"
I’m very happy in my own company. I tend to agree with myself, I rarely judge myself these days, and "we" have a lot of fun! That said, I also love meeting people. Sometimes, a brief interaction at a café or a smile at the post office is all the social fuel I need.
I now carry a "backpack of ideas" for when I want company:
Day Tours: These are a smorgasbord of new people.
Walking Tours: Perfect for low-pressure chatting.
The "Flashpacker" Secret: If traditional hostels sound hideous, try a high-end hostel with private rooms and ensuites. I had a blast in Quebec City this way. I had my own space, but with a built-in community.
Shared Lodging: In El Chaltén, Argentina, I stayed in a house with shared kitchen facilities. Meeting fellow hikers in the lounge felt like bumping into old friends on the trails the next day.
A remote beach on Hvar, Dalmatian Islands.
3. The "Hypervigilance Tax": Why Rest is Non-Negotiable
When you’re travelling solo, your brain is "on" 24/7. You are your own navigator, security guard, and porter. I had no idea how exhausting this was until Day 24 of my first 30-day trip, when I hit a wall. A friend back home said, "I'm not surprised - you haven't stopped!"
It wasn't just physical fatigue; it was the weight of having no one to watch my back. The fix? Schedule "Zero Days."
It is okay to spend a Tuesday in a café or watching Netflix in your hotel. You aren't "wasting" the trip; you're recharging your safety radar. To keep my cortisol levels down, I now build in:
Afternoon naps.
"People-watching" sessions at cafés.
Box-breathing on a beach or a mountain or a park bench.
Taking the time to smell the flowers. Positano, Italy.
4. Your Gut is Your Best Travel Partner
Trust your intuition over your itinerary. If a situation feels "off," it is. You do not owe anyone politeness at the expense of your safety.
I've had a number of travel moments where the hairs on the back of my neck have stood up, and I've thought, "I'm outta here." Safety was and still is my number one priority, and I have really learnt to lean in on the vibes, gut instinct, cringes or the whole-body brace feeling.
And I've also had moments where I've thought, I have to trust this person and I get a good feeling. I may set boundaries but I still go ahead with some safety strategies in place, like texting a friend about where and whom I with.
When you join two hikers when the route is looking precarious...being with others didn't improve the track, but at least I had company. Somewhere near Portofino.
5. Less is More: The "One-Bag" Epiphany
It wouldn't be The 5 Kilo Traveller post if I didn't mention "The Bag!" Dragging a massive suitcase over European cobblestones is the fastest way to regret your life choices.
The Golden Rule: If you can't carry it comfortably for 20 minutes, it's too heavy.
Mobility equals freedom. I truly "got it" when I was skipping up the stairs to my Airbnb in Vernazza while others were struggling, or when I bypassed the massive airport carousels while other travellers waited for their luggage. Packing light isn't just about fashion; it's about being nimble and safe.
Being able to walk & travel easily between destinations was only doable because of my small bag. Portofino, Italy.
Just Go.
The "perfect time" doesn't exist. Be brave. Start with a mini solo trip to a town near you. The first trip is the hardest, but it’s the one that changes your life the most. It certainly did for me—so much so, I wrote a book about it! You can check it out here.
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About the Author
Katherine Leamy is a solo travel expert who has navigated everything from missed trains in Japan to street food stalls in Madagascar and windswept trails in Patagonia. After years of figuring it out the hard (and fun) way, she now dedicates her time to helping others skip the stress and find the magic in travelling light and solo. When not scouting for the world's best coffee, you can find Katherine recharging with a sparkling water and a mountain view.
