Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel: 6 Ways to Love Travelling Alone

Gap years, weekend escapes, or city breaks, however you like to travel, how many of you have done it solo? Don’t get us wrong, the more the merrier, but there's something about solo travelling which can deepen our connection to not only ourselves, but to others around us. It can almost awaken a part of us we never knew we had. How exciting is that. But we understand that with this excitement often comes nerves of the unknown, and that’s OK too. Let our solo travel guide be the pocket of wisdom you need in your bag to be able to say yes to more adventures alone this year. 

Table of Contents:

• Why Travel Solo? 

• 6 Ways to Help Navigate Solo Travelling

  • Plan Ahead

  • Be Confident

  • Stay Connected

  • Stay Flexible

  • Be Open-Minded

  • Join A Tour

Why Travel Solo?

Everyone should experience travelling solo at least once in their lifetime. With life too short to waste waiting for others to be ready, who knows how much you could miss out on if you hadn’t of said yes to exploring alone. It's a feeling that very few words can give justice to. Embodying freedom to roam where you want, when you want, and not having to please others, the focus is soley on you. And how many times will the opportunity arise? If you’ve always put off travelling solo, you may need to think about what it is that feels scary. Is it uncertainty or the unknown of how you might deal with situations without a familiar face? Believe us, everyone travelling by themselves is in the exact same situation, and are more than likely willing to help where they can.  

And the best part? You can always join in group tours like Rabbie’s to feel that sense of community around you.  

As an extra reason to book now, we’re offering an autumn and winter promotion of 10% off day trips until the 15th December 2024.    

6 Ways to Help Navigate Solo Travelling

Whether this is your first time, or an avid traveller looking to see if there are any easier tips, our solo travel guide is here to help.

1. Plan Ahead

Perhaps the most important solo travel tip is to plan ahead. Before embarking on your trip, make sure to research your destination and look at travel guides. One of the biggest factors that will impact your enjoyment of the trip is whether you feel safe or not. Planning ahead can help you make sure you avoid risky areas, understand the cultural norms and are ready for a potential language barrier. If you’re in need of some inspiration, check out our list of the best solo travel destinations.

You also should ensure you have all the correct travel documents before you depart. For example, check that your passport is valid for the entire duration of the trip, confirm whether you need a visa, and consider taking out travel insurance. Planning these things in advance should help you avoid any complications that could upset your solo travel experience.

Planning ahead also involves making sure you have accommodation booked in advance. This can ensure you have a safe and comfortable place to stay during your holiday. You could consider staying in hostels, which are great places to meet other travellers and make new friends.

2. Be Confident

This solo travel tip may be easier said than done. It does take practice and often it can be a case of faking it until you make it. Though it might not come easily, being confident is an important skill when travelling alone. If you’re standing around looking dazed, you may get noticed by the wrong people. However, if you’re confident and proactive, you may be less likely to stand out. Smile, ask people for help and you may discover more about a place than you could ever hope for. Furthermore, confidence is key when approaching and meeting new people. Solo travel is a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and hear incredible stories. So smile, be curious and open-minded, and things will start to happen.

3. Stay Connected

A solo travel tip to remember is the importance of staying connected. Just because you’re journeying on your own, doesn’t mean you should be cut off from others. Stay connected with family and friends back home, and consider purchasing a local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi hotspot for internet access. If you need advice, our team of friendly driver-guides may be able to help you with recommendations on where to source these in the local area.

4. Stay Flexible

This solo travel tip may seem to contradict our advice to plan ahead, however a degree of flexibility can take your holiday from great to truly awesome. Suggestions from locals and opportunities with other travellers might arise during your trip and these can be the most memorable and special experiences. You might never swim under that waterfall at sunrise or discover a hidden castle if you don’t leave room for flexibility in your plans.

5. Be Open-Minded

In our opinion, staying open-minded is the key to any holiday. However it’s extra important for first time solo travellers to remember. This experience is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. Maybe that’s trying a new activity like paddleboarding on a Scottish loch or hiking in the Pyrenees. Perhaps staying open-minded will have more to do with trying the local cuisine. Don’t be afraid to tuck into seemingly strange specialities such as haggis or boxty. Being open-minded to different cultures and ways of life can not only enrich your holiday but can also change your perspectives on life.

6. Join a Tour

One of the best solo travel tips is to join a small-group tour. Not only is this a great way to meet other like-minded travellers, but it can also be much safer than striking out completely on your own. At Rabbie’s we offer many tours suitable for solo travellers, from day tours exploring the Scottish Highlands to week long trips uncovering the magic of Italy, Spain or Portugal. What’s more, you can learn all about the places you’re visiting from our driver-guides who have plenty of stories to share. Another reason why our tours are popular with solo travellers is that all our departure points are in secure locations and near to train stations. This means you can safely combine your Rabbie’s tour with any previous or onward travel.

Experience a Solo Travel Adventure with Rabbie’s

Make the most out of our solo travel guide to ensure you have the best experience possible. But where will your first stop be? Maybe walking the lengths of Scotland’s bonnie lochs in search of mythical water monsters or replicating your favourite scene on a film location tour. How about breathing in the Royal’s history when touring England or Wales’s castles? Wherever your feet decide to take you, feel proud that you're doing it for yourself. To find new inspiration, ensure you’re signed up to our newsletter where we share our newest departure points and tours, as well as letting you be one of the first to hear about our Black Friday travel offers.