My First Solo Trip:

In 2022, I was studying in London and knew that spring break was coming up. For the first time, I had access to cheap trains and flights that could take me anywhere in Europe. I could be in Athens or Barcelona within a few hours. And the best part was having ten days to go anywhere I wanted to. I was so intimidated by the prospect of traveling alone that I convinced myself to stay within a train ride of my student accommodation. I was content to visit the English countryside for a week, thinking about how beautiful the old stone buildings and lush green hills would be. Before I booked anything for that trip, I asked myself: Where would I go if I wasn’t afraid of stepping outside my comfort zone? Where was my dream destination?

For me, the dream destination was Paris. Growing up, many of my favorite shows and movies showed the main character traveling there. In my mind, Paris was the place you traveled to when you wanted to grow up. As soon as you step into the city, a movie montage starts playing and the screen cuts between clips of you visiting every iconic sight. I wanted to feel like the main character finding herself in Paris, seeing the twinkling of the Eiffel Tower at night and eating croissants during the day. I stopped short of wearing a beret, but after I imagined myself in Paris, I decided that was the trip I had to take. And I booked it.

What I Learned From This Trip:

Did everything go perfectly? No. My hotel canceled my reservation a week before, I learned that locals did not enjoy my French pronunciation, and it rained the entire time. The cinematic soundtrack came from corded headphones, not from a sound editor in post-production. Still, I had so much fun wandering the cobblestone streets. I saw the first spring buds start to bloom in Montmartre. I took a guided tour through the Louvre, learning more about the iconic painting, sculptures, and jewelry. I walked along the Seine; I sat at a wine bar and talked with the owner about his favorite bottles. I people-watched at Café de Flore, drinking an espresso as I watched the tourists and locals stroll by. I tried an authentic croissant and candies that looked more like buildings or delicate fabrics than sugar. I felt like I had stepped into a glossy magazine — seeing the art, the architecture, the chic Parisians wearing leather shoes on their way to the Sunday market. At the end of my trip, my nerves were gone, and I felt so proud of myself for doing what felt impossible a month earlier — taking myself to another country.

How to Take Your Own Solo Trip:

I think that solo travel is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. You will leave with the independence and confidence of seeing a travel experience through all on your own. So, if you are interested in solo traveling, where do you start? I want to explain what I did for my first trip to show you that you can do the same!

• Location, location, location: I have two suggestions for your first trip: either visit somewhere close to build confidence in planning and navigating a new place or pick a dream destination and start there. This will motivate you to take the trip, because the reward is probably somewhere you have been dreaming about for years.
• Pack Light: At least for myself, I tend to overpack. When I travel alone, I like to pare down what I pack, so I have less to worry about: fewer items mean less to carry, lose, or leave behind.
• Research your destination: Especially for solo travel, make sure you are researching your destination and what travelers like you have to say. I might have a different experience as a woman traveling alone, so I like to hear what other solo female travelers have to say.
• Safety First: I have created some guidelines for myself when solo traveling. I do not like to go out drinking alone or with strangers, I make sure multiple people have access to my location, I spend extra for cabs/taxis if I feel unsafe, and I research unsafe areas and common scams before traveling to a destination. I also leave any expensive jewelry, electronics, or other accessories at home and I always like to keep my phone as tucked away as possible.
• Logistics: If navigating new environments feels overwhelming, pick a destination that will be easier. This could be an all-inclusive resort, a smaller town/city, or a location with easy public transportation. Put another way, I would avoid cities where you will struggle with a language barrier, confusing or limited public transit, or trips that involve intricate planning (such as moving between multiple cities or countries). 

My first solo trip was transformative, and it taught me that I loved traveling, even if it was on my own. While planning the trip, I felt anxious imagining going through customs alone and navigating a language barrier. But ultimately, I knew that I would love the experience once I was living it. By traveling to Paris (which I acknowledge is a dream trip for so many people), I learned how to travel by myself even when I was scared. If you have not solo traveled before, I hope this post inspires you to book the trip even if you feel nervous while planning it.