Is solo travel scary? An honest review

Over the years, I’ve received many comments along the lines of: “I wish I could travel alone like you do but I’m not brave enough.” It makes me sad that many people think solo travel is so scary that they’d rather not go! I’m a self-confessed anxious introvert; if I can travel solo, anyone can.

I’m here to prove it by reviewing just how nerve-wracking the different aspects of solo travel can be, split into the two most common concerns I hear: “Is travelling solo dangerous?” and “Is travelling solo lonely?” (and, within that, “Will people judge me for having no friends?”). I’ve also provided some tips to help you overcome those nerves and book that trip!

1. How scary is solo travel from a safety perspective?

Taking public transport

Fear factor: 4/10

My main issue with taking public transport alone is the issue of safety, rather than any fear of judgement. It’s easy to stand out as a tourist when you’re trying to navigate a new public transport system for the first time. If you’re notably alone, this increases the likelihood of being an easy target for a scammer, pickpocket, or someone wanting to take advantage of you physically.

Tips to overcome your fear:

Read Top 10 safety tips for solo travellers for more details, but essentially the key here is to blend in with the locals. It’s relatively easy in the days of smartphones to get around; just don’t get caught looking at Google Maps for too long! Always wait until daytime to try new transport options for the first time (it’s worth the money to get a taxi if you arrive at your destination late at night).

Hiking

Fear factor: 3/10

I do get nervous when hiking solo, but that’s more because I’m not an outdoorsy person. I don’t have survival skills, navigation skills, a high level of fitness, etc. I hate camping or generally being in the wild (it’s why I’m a city lover!), so I stick to popular tourist trails and don’t try to venture into the backcountry. I know plenty of people who are comfortable solo hiking in remote areas, so it’s certainly doable; this is more of a personality thing for me! I find walking in nature on my own peaceful, as long as I’ve got phone service and don’t have to worry about injuring myself and not being able to contact anyone.

Tips to overcome your fear:

Try and find a hiking group (on Facebook, Meetup, etc.) if you are feeling uncomfortable about the thought of hiking solo. Or, do what I do and stick to busy areas with properly marked trails. If you’re ready to go it alone, make sure you’ve told someone your planned route, pack your essentials wisely, and read up on what to do in case of an emergency. As long as you’re clued up on how to hike safely, get out there and have fun!

Going out (to a show, live music, etc.)

Fear factor: 1/10

I love the freedom of going out alone. Much like solo travel in general, the benefit of going solo is that you can plan your schedule around your likes and dislikes with no compromise. For example, at a festival, you can pick the stages you want to attend and you don’t have to watch any acts you aren’t interested in. If you’re at the cinema or theatre, the audience is expected to be quiet anyway, so it doesn’t matter if you have nobody to talk to. If you want to party, approach an extroverted group in the crowd and you’re bound to be adopted for the night. Basically, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure!

Tips to overcome your fear:

As always, be sensible, especially around the consumption of drugs or alcohol. I prefer to stay sober, especially if I’m out at night. I avoid clubs but will go to bars on my own. However, I pick a classier establishment that’s maybe less likely to have a rowdy crowd. Consider the area and the venue when planning a solo night on the town. Start small until you build your confidence; for example, go to a free music festival (where there’s no obligation to stay long if you’re nervous) before graduating to a similar ticketed event.

2. How scary is travel in terms of being alone?

Staying at a hostel

Fear factor: 5/10

How intimidating this is will depend on the type of people staying at the hostel. I’ve had some reassuring experiences where someone in the communal area or dorm would immediately ask me to join them. I’ve also had experiences where I’d introduce myself to the room and be met with silence or blank stares. It’s usually easy to find other solo travellers in a hostel and form an alliance with them. Couples, families, or students/workers can be less likely to socialise because they have their own plans and are staying for the cheap accommodation, not for the chance to make friends.

Tips to overcome your fear:

Get comfortable with rejection! Always be polite and introduce yourself to the other people in the hostel. Just don’t get offended or take it personally if they don’t want to hang out. Hostels usually have a high turnover; if you don’t get on with today’s bunkmates, perhaps tomorrow’s will become your best friend. If you’re like me and need a lot of alone time to recharge your social battery, private rooms are a good solution, offering access to social areas but without needing to sleep in the same room as strangers.

Flying

Fear factor: 0/10

Flying alone is great! You can guarantee you’ll be one of many solo travellers on your flight. Whether it’s people travelling for business, to visit family, or for a holiday, it’s super common to come across adults (or even some children!) who fly alone. The only bad experience I have is when I get stuck in a middle seat (I’m team ‘never pay to pick a seat’, so it depends on how lucky I am at check-in). But this could happen if I was flying with other people, too, so it’s not an issue exclusive to solo travel.

Tips to overcome your fear:

Watch what people around you are doing (preferably someone who looks confident or like they travel often) and copy them. You can always tell the airline staff that you’re feeling nervous and they will check up on you throughout the flight. If you’re flying with a low-budget airline, download podcasts or TV shows before boarding the plane, in case they don’t offer in-flight entertainment (either that, or hope you get a chatty seatmate!).

Guided tours

Fear factor: 0/10

Guided tours can be a good way to meet other people, especially if it’s targeted towards backpackers (e.g. hostels often run tours for their guests, or you can book longer 1+ week tours specifically designed for solo travellers, such as Contiki, Intrepid, G Adventures, etc.). More often than not, many guests on day tours I’ve been on are already part of their own group. You don’t need to see these people again; you can enjoy the day, make polite conversation if it comes up, but ultimately not worry about what they thought of you.

Tips to overcome your fear:

Book the right tour for you. For example, I take tours when I want to learn more about the local area or I don’t have my own transport, not because I see them as a means to socialise. But if the social aspect is your priority, research tours that advertise specifically to solo travellers. Wine tours are normally a fun option, since everyone’s inhibitions will be lowered! I’ve heard that a downside of longer tours is if the group does not get on (since you can’t escape once you start the tour!), which is why researching the company and the types of activities on the tour, the customers they usually attract, etc. is important.

Dining out

Fear factor: 2/10

If you’re eating somewhere casual, like a fast food restaurant or cafe, it’s not scary at all. The only times I have felt uncomfortable solo dining is in a more upscale eatery where I’ve been made to feel unwelcome or forced to sit at the bar. Sometimes, fancy restaurants won’t let solo diners have a table! It can also be stressful when you’re in a country with a language barrier, although with AI and translation apps at your fingertips, it’s less of a problem than it used to be.

Tips to overcome your fear:

Research recommended places for solo diners; I usually look through Google reviews and on social media. Start with something easy (a coffee, sandwich, takeaway, etc.) before attempting sit-down restaurants. Bring an activity like a book or journal to have something to focus on while you wait for your food. Finally, look around and notice that no-one’s actually paying attention to you or caring that you’re eating alone!

What experiences have you had as a solo traveller? Share them in the comments below.