Many of us have a fear of travelling solo. It’s something that has stopped so many people I know from setting off on their own adventures. Luckily, I overcame my own fear of travelling alone when I was eighteen—had I not, I might not be here writing this!
It was at the very start of my travelling journey, and I wanted to go to Australia on a Gap Year. I thought I’d go with friends but in the end I went by myself. If truth be told, I was scared and afraid to be alone, so believe me, I know what it feels like.
But here’s the thing—the rewards for taking that leap outweigh the fear every single time. It was absolutely worth it, and you’ll feel the benefits over and over again.
Solo travel has taught me so much about myself and the world we live in. It’s made me more willing to take on challenges, make decisions, and push myself out of my comfort zone.
I’ve become more grateful in all aspects of life, and I’ve been able to explore so many incredible places—just because I didn’t let the fear of travelling alone stop me.
These adventures only happened because I overcame my fear of travelling solo—and you can too! In this post, I’m sharing all the practical tips and approaches I’ve learned over the years to make travelling alone less intimidating and far more accessible.
This post is for travel newbies dealing with the fear of solo travel.
Why Is the Fear of Travelling Solo So Common?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.”
Did you know that the fear of travelling is called Hodophobia? It’s the fear of traveling or intense anxiety related to going on trips. Many travellers who are afraid to travel alone share this experience.
Naturally, our brains are wired to seek safety and familiarity (thanks, brain!). So it makes sense that when it comes to solo travel, the uncertainty (travel anxiety) can make things seem even scarier.
This is why some of us feel anxious about travelling alone. The idea of heading off alone into the unknown is for sure going to trigger all kinds of anxious thoughts.
But it’s just our brain doing its job. It’s trying to keep you safe by making you overthink every possible risk. It’s pretty easy for me to say it, but try not to overthink what might happen.
In reality, most of these fears never actually happen, and if they do, you’ll figure it out. That’s how you’re going to grow and build confidence. Solo travel will push you out of your comfort zone in the best possible way, and you’ll realise you’re capable of so much more than you think.
Common fears of travelling solo
The fear of travelling solo isn’t just about being alone—it’s tied to so many other worries. I think a lot of it comes down to safety, boredom, getting lost, and not having anyone to share those “wow” moments with, and these are all completely normal concerns.
For many of us, I don’t think it’s even the actual travelling that’s scary; it’s the idea of being by yourself. It’s a strange thought, spending every day alone with your own mind. This is a feeling especially common among those scared to travel alone as a woman.
When there’s no one else to make decisions and no one to rely on but yourself, it can feel pretty daunting. It’s a feeling we don’t often experience in day-to-day life. At home, I’ve got my friends and family to turn to if I fuck up. But when you’re travelling solo, it’s just you.
Safety concerns
Safety is probably the biggest fear of travelling alone, and in all honesty, it is safer in groups. Being afraid to travel alone is natural, but that doesn’t mean solo travel is dangerous. There are so many ways to make it safer. For example, choosing routes that are popular and using common sense is always going to help make things safer.
Feeling Lonely
Loneliness, on the other hand, might be your concern. If it’s feeling lonely that is putting you off travelling solo, know that you’ll constantly meet new people and form amazing friendships.
To this day, some of my closest friends are the ones I met while living in Australia.
On the other hand, if you’re worried about getting bored, I don’t even think it’s possible—there’s just so much to see and do.
Getting around places alone
Maybe it’s navigating around places you don’t know. I’m quite lucky that I’m well orientated, but I have friends who struggle with direction. If this is you, I recommend starting in a country where getting around is easy (Thailand is great for first-time backpackers!).
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Practical Ways to Overcome the Fear of Travelling Solo
Start taking short trips
If you’re dreaming of a backpacking trip but know you’ll likely be doing it alone, the best thing I can suggest is to start small and build up to something longer. By starting small, you begin to overcome the fear of travelling solo.
By taking shorter trips—it doesn’t even have to be outside your home county—you’ll naturally build confidence and get used to being in your own company.
Research your destination
Another thing I always do is research my destination beforehand—and I mean in-depth research. I’ll even ‘street view’ a location on Google Maps just to get a feel for it. Knowing what to expect and what my hotel and surrounding streets look like before I arrive really helps me reduce anxiety.
I believe in flexibility, but I’ll have a travel plan, organise and book my first few days; I still do this. I want to know where I’m staying and how I’m getting there when I land. Having this prepared always makes me feel relaxed when I’m arriving at a new destination. I always have Travel Insurance, too.
Stay connected to family
Another way to overcome the fear of travelling solo, especially if you’re worried about being homesick or lonely, is by staying connected to family and friends.
Set up weekly calls and video chats. If I ever feel lonely (which still happens sometimes), an hour on the phone with my sister always helps. We’re so lucky with today’s technology!
When I first moved to Oz, social media was barely a thing, and video calls were a total novelty—we had to use Skype! My sister actually set up my Facebook account a year into my travels so we could stay in touch; Whats App didn’t exist, imagine!
Travel tips to overcome the fear of travelling solo and meet people
- Staying in hostels or joining group tours is a fantastic way to meet people. It’s by far the best way to meet other travellers with similar interests and save money.
- Start with solo-friendly places like Thailand, Bali or Costa Rica. These countries have a lot of backpackers, digital nomads and ex-pats, so you can join a community and meet like-minded people who are also travelling alone.
- Bring a book or journal to enjoy your own company rather than just sitting around waiting to meet someone. This will also keep you distracted if you’re feeling a little shy but want to sit in a communal area or if there are not too many people around.
- I’m a firm believer in being gentle with yourself. Don’t put too much pressure and expectations on your trip, and give yourself time to adjust. The first few days (or even weeks) might feel weird, but it gets easier as you figure out how things work.
- Most importantly, remember to embrace the freedom to do what you want, when you want. This is ultimately the best thing about travelling alone!
- If you feel like meeting locals, there are platforms like Meetup, CouchSurfing, and even Facebook travel groups. These can help you connect with others in a low-pressure way; just be sure to check credentials and reviews, and if anything feels off, don’t go.
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Why Travelling Alone Can Be Life-Changing
I’ve mentioned a few reasons already why I think travelling by yourself is life-changing but I wanted to talk more about it because, honestly, once you overcome that fear of travelling solo, there are so many rewards.
Personal Growth
Some of the best things that came from solo travel were personal growth and a massive boost in self-confidence. It’s ridiculous to think you can travel alone and not learn more about yourself. You will be a different person.
On a solo journey, you get to figure out what you’re truly like as a person. You’ll learn your likes and dislikes and what ideas and beliefs actually matter to you. I gained the confidence to go after what I wanted in life and never give up. I think that’s one of my best traits!
Freedom & Independance
Aside from personal growth, the next best thing about travelling solo is the complete freedom it gives you. You get to explore at your own pace, do what you want, when you want, and how you want.
It’s quite an exhilarating feeling realising you’re in charge of your own life. I knew this, but I never really felt it.
For me, this was one of the biggest turning points. That moment of realising I could make my own choices and follow my own path. I’m not sure how long it would’ve taken me to fully understand that had I not travelled alone.
Life-Long Friendships
Travelling (and not necessarily alone but more likely) can be life-changing in those unexpected connections you make. As I mentioned, I’ve maintained incredible bonds with people I’ve met while travelling. Those friendships have changed my life.
Group travel, on the other hand, makes these deep connections harder to find. From my experience, you’ll tend to rely more on your travel buddies, meaning there’s less need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and meet new people.
Think of it like this: when you’re travelling with friends, there’s always going to be someone to fall back on if things go wrong—which can be a good thing, but it can also hold you back from becoming independent.
That said, there are good and bad things about travelling in groups.
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Final Tips for Embracing Solo Travel
Overcoming the fear of travelling solo is one thing—actually getting out there and doing it is another. However, once you’ve taken those first steps, the rest will be unforgettable.
Below are some final tips to help you feel more confident about your solo adventure!
Best Destinations for First-Time Solo Travellers
The truth is, not all destinations are great for solo travel. Some places are tricky to navigate, dangerous and just not suited for solo travel. Therefore, I advise you to choose a destination that’s easier to navigate, safer, and more social for first-time solo travellers.
If you’re dream destination is somewhat offbeat, try not to feel disheartened; maybe it’s somewhere you can work towards visiting once you’ve built confidence in a more popular location.
- Thailand – I would say Thailand is the first place I recommend my readers to visit if it’s their first time travelling solo. It’s because it’s super easy to get around with a well-trodden backpacker trail and a built-in social scene.
- Bali (but not Indonesia) – Bali is filled with digital nomads and solo travellers. You’ll find friendly locals, and the island is super affordable with loads of solo-friendly activities, so it’s a great place to visit.
- Japan – I haven’t been, but I know it’s an incredibly safe country, super organised, and full of unique experiences—it just might be a little pricey!
- Australia – It’s the country I visited on my first solo trip, and it’s a classic for many others. The beauty is the work-holiday visa option, which makes living in Australia for a year or two completely doable.
- Costa Rica – Another great location to overcome that fear of travelling solo. It’s perfect for wildlife experiences, and it’s full of hostels and co-living spaces.
Packing Smart to Feel Secure
Feeling prepared is a sure way to feeling more confident. Alongside all that research, by packing smart and feeling “ready”, you’re going to ease that fear of travelling solo because you’ll know you’ve got everything you need.
To make things feel even safer, below are a few essential items you might want to consider, which can help with keeping safe.
- A money belt—Keep extra cash and your passport secure while exploring day-to-day. I continue to use my purse for paying, rarely showing my money belt and moving money between the two as and when I need it.
- A doorstop alarm— If you’re feeling uneasy staying in a room alone, this is great for extra security in hotel rooms and sometimes hostels (it can be tricky to use in a hostel since people come and go all the time).
- Offline maps—I love Google Maps and think the features are great. The downloadable map option helps massively if you’re going to be navigating without data.
- Portable power bank—Because a dead phone is the last thing you need!
- A personal safety alarm—For countries that are more offbeat or if you’re going to be travelling off the beaten path or even during the evening, this small but handy device offers peace of mind.
Overcoming The Fear Of Travelling Solo
The hardest part is always going to be the beginning. But just know—once you do it, the fear of travelling solo shrinks pretty fast.
Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to overcome your fears. If it’s a big international trip you want to do but that feels overwhelming, take a few solo weekends away first and then weeks until you get used to travelling alone.
It’s important to plan your first few days by booking at least your first night’s stay and figuring out how you’ll get from the airport to your accommodation. Don’t forget to join a group tour or stay in hostels. Just because you’re travelling solo, you don’t have to be alone the whole time.
Stay connected. Knowing you can call a friend or family member anytime helps ease the fear and remind yourself why you’re doing this: growth, freedom, adventure—whatever your reason, hold onto it.
Thank you for reading my post. You can find my latest stories and articles on my blog homepage here. Follow me on Instagram (@abigailcarolina.dalton), Pinterest and Facebook to see what I’m getting up to and where my upcoming trips are!
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