15 Solo Travel Mistakes I’ll Never Make Again: Essential Solo Travel Tips to Help You Avoid These!

1. Overpacking

2. Not researching enough

⁠3. Being too polite

For female solo travelers especially, many of us have been socialized to on instinct to be polite and stay quiet, but it’s important to know when to raise your voice, assert your boundaries, and stand up for yourself when needed. As women we need to learn when to say NO and especially when and how to enforce that NO. Your safety is MORE IMPORTANT than someone’s feelings (especially someone you’ll never see again!). Of course, being polite in foreign countries is important for all travelers, especially in light of cultural differences, but there is a difference between being polite as you travel VERSUS politeness when you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Don’t second guess yourself and listen to your gut! 

4. Skipping travel insurance

As a beginner solo traveler, I DEFINITELY made the solo travel mistake of skipping out on getting travel insurance just to save money and stay on budget. But that ended up costing me HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS more when the worst happened and I needed coverage for lost bags and medical expenses. TRUST me, insurance is vital for ALL travelers, but ESPECIALLY solo travelers who have no one to fall back on or get immediate help from. Good travel insurance can cover so many of the common things that go wrong with travel, and it’s honestly SO WORTH it (and most are truly not that expensive either!).

5. Not learning some basics of the local language

Biggest mistake I made on my solo trip to Turkey?? Not learning the language –  so when I GOT LOST I had no one to ask for help! Learning a few phrases in the local language is KEY for safety, having a better trip, and connecting more with the locals. Plus it just adds a fun, cultural immersion element that will really make your trip more meaningful. I’d highly recommend getting something like the Rosetta Stone app (tap HERE for a 60% off discount!), which is available offline, easy to use, and highly accessible for quick learning on the go. I use it to prep before every country I visit now, & it makes such a difference in how I connect with people and get around.

6. Ignoring local customs

This is one of the solo travel tips that falls under a similar vein of “not doing enough research”, but it’s important enough that I wanted to especially call it out. Make sure you’re not ignoring AND not ignorant of the local customs and cultural practices. These are things like knowing what to wear in places of worship, how locals greet each other, and just any special things you should be aware of that might affect your safety or enjoyment of the experience of being in that country. Being familiar with local customs will help you feel more in control and more knowledgeable about certain situations (which in turn helps you feel safer!), and it is part of being a responsible traveler too.

7. Failing to budget a bit extra

I wish I could say otherwise but IN GENERAL, solo travel tends to be more expensive than when you travel with someone else. Make sure to budget for everything you can think of, and then add AT LEAST a 10% buffer to that. If there is ever a question of needing to spend more money just so I can FEEL SAFE, I’ll take the hit to my budget EVERY time. So knowing that you have some money to spend in reserve will take out any hesitation you have for times when you might, for example, want to book a taxi to leave a situation or pay more for a safer form of transport. THE MONEY WILL COME BACK and your safety is MORE than worth it! And bonus – if you end up with 10% leftover at the end of your trip you can just spend that on a fun meal or souvenir instead!

8. Having no backup plans

Do not make the solo travel mistake of not having a backup plan! As with any other form of travel, things will inevitably go wrong at some point on one of your solo trips, and you need to have at least an idea of a backup plan OR strategy – whether that’s as “minor” as having a backup plan for a bad weather day or as “major” as your Airbnb cancels on you last minute and you suddenly need a new accommodation at 10pm at night. Of course, you can’t be prepared for EVERYTHING, but at least take some time to think up a few backup plans to your transport, accommodation, and activities.

9. Not seeking help when you need it

A huge mistake I see beginner solo travelers make is not asking anyone for help! I think this comes from a place of not wanting to appear vulnerable and have your safety affected, but if YOU are the one approaching someone for help, you’ve already reduced the odds that this person could mean you harm. I used to be shy and not ever ask for help, but now honestly the second I’m lost or need help I immediately ask a friendly- / approachable-looking local and ask for help. And if they can’t help, ask someone else! In my experience, people around the world are SO KIND and will happily help a tourist out. When in doubt, find a 24-hour hotel reception and ask at the front desk for help, or seek out women to ask for help.

10. Overscheduling & not taking enough downtime

Now that you’ve planned and researched, don’t make the solo travel mistake of taking this TOO far and overscheduling yourself!  Leaving room for spontaneity can lead to some of your most treasured, travel memories, and opens you up to experiences you never even considered!  Also keep in mind, with the decision fatigue, as well as the  emotional and physical fatigue you will face as a solo traveler (because you are handling everything on your own), you are  quite likely to face burn it at some point. So it is especially important to make sure to schedule in some downtime –  if for no other reason then to relax!

11. Not taking photos of yourself

Taking photos of yourself as a solo traveler can be difficult, but please don’t make the mistake of not taking a single photo of yourself – even if it is just a selfie!  I personally use my tripod and have a ton of tips on my blog (check out the article below!)  on how to take photos of yourself, even while solo –  it is definitely possible! And in my experience, these are going to be the photos that will become some of your most cherished, and you will look back on these memories so fondly and be so proud of yourself for going on that solo trip!

12. Being afraid to meet new people & not interacting with locals

One of the best parts of solo travel is that it forces you outside of your comfort zone and there’s no other person to fall back on – which opens you up to interacting with locals more, meeting new people, and making new friends! Meeting other solo travelers and connecting with locals has been the greatest joy of my solo travels! You never know who might share the best place to eat, a local hidden gem, or just help you out (or just hang out with you) when you need it the most. People around the world are generally KIND and it’s so special to truly connect with the locals and your fellow travelers – so don’t be afraid to reach out!

13. Not packing a few safety items (like a phone power bank!)

Even though I’ve warned you away from overpacking, you will still need to bring a few solo travel safety items that are absolutely essential – like a power bank to keep your phone charged 24/7 ( because your phone can be one of your most important safety tools!). I’m a huge fan of small but meaningful safety tools like a phone leash, an anti-theft crossbody bag, and a few well-placed Airtags!

14. Broadcasting that you are alone

One of the important solo travel tips is to never publicly broadcast that you are traveling solo or are currently alone. This includes things like posting Instagram stories at least one day delayed so that no one knows where you currently are, or speaking loudly in public about traveling alone. Many people will ask you point-blank if you are traveling solo, and you are absolutely free to lie for your safety, or tell the truth; just try to use your best judgment that this is a safe person to be honest (and maybe connect) with.

15. Letting fear stop you

We’ve reached the biggest solo travel mistake: letting fear stop you! This includes fear of solo travel, fear for your safety, fear of a specific destination – these are all things that might hold you back from solo travelling at all. I know for me there are places I waited (honestly too long) to visit that I was told were “too dangerous” – and they ended up being INCREDIBLE. Trust YOUR OWN instincts and please do not be afraid to try solo travel – comment below or connect with me on Instagram if you have questions or hesitations I can help you with!

I hope you found my solo travel tips helpful, and use them to avoid making these solo travel mistakes too! Comment below with any questions about solo travel, requests for future blog posts, or anything else on your mind!

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