Why you should solo travel at least once in your life and what you need to know

The sun was beating down relentlessly in the August heat, and the air hung heavy with humidity. Each breath felt like inhaling fresh greenery and salty ocean water.

I had just landed in Los Angeles, walking toward the rental car with my suitcase and fresh keys.

I was grinning so hard, I felt my cheeks rise to my eyebrows.

As soon as I settled in the car, I connected my phone to the car’s Bluetooth, rolled all the windows down, and opened the sunroof, allowing myself to drink in the sunshine. Back home in Calgary, the sun was masked by smoke from surrounding forest fires. 

The feeling of the wind blowing in my hair and my favorite songs blasting on the speaker as I drove from the airport to El Segundo, Calif.—just under a 10-minute drive from Manhattan Beach, Calif.

I was free to play any song I wanted because I didn’t have anyone nagging me to change the music to their preference.

I’m not saying that this was one of the main reasons I traveled by myself, but it did help.

There’s just this rewarding feeling of being capable enough to travel alone and enjoy the trip in your presence that many young adults, myself included, desire.

Almost every young adult I’ve met has always aspired to travel while they’re young.

Whether backpacking through South America or taking a few weeks to visit Europe, most of the young adults I’ve spoken to said they wanted to travel with their significant other or with a group of friends.

On the other hand, according to the American Express 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, other Canadians like myself plan on solo-travelling more, with 59 per cent of Canadians planning on taking “solo trips centered around self-love.”

I think any young adult planning to travel should consider solo travel at least once.

It may seem really scary to travel alone, but when you plan your trip right, there’s nothing to fear.

Here are 8 tips I wish I knew before solo travelling:

1. Don’t wait around for a travel companion
   Waiting for someone else to travel with you can only lead to delayed purchasing, expensive prices, and unfulfilled hopes.
2. Research and learn where you’re going
   Make sure your destination is solo-friendly. Find activities you can do by yourself. For me, I knew the beach was a safe solo option. If you’re travelling somewhere with a different national language, learn greetings and basic phrases to help you get around better.
3. Pack light & entertainment
   Bring a book or download a podcast for when you’re on the plane or alone. Since you won’t have anyone to talk to directly, it’s great to have something to preoccupy your time, apart from your phone. It’s human nature to want to bring your belongings with you, but you won’t need most of them. Do your research on what you need to pack.
4. Don’t be afraid to be social
   Talk to strangers. That being said, be safe around people you don’t know, but otherwise, “a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.”
5. Be in the moment
   Try not to be on your phone the whole time. There’s a world of experiences outside your phone, so don’t be afraid to put it in your bag or pocket occasionally. Embrace the dining experience—it’s OK to feel awkward dining alone. When I went out to eat, I made sure to leave my phone in my pocket and embrace the dining experience fully from start to finish.
6. Keep loved ones updated on your whereabouts
   Your family and friends are most likely more stressed than you are. Let them know where you are or what you’re doing occasionally to ease their minds.
7. Be safe & trust your instincts
   If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to trust your intuition. Be aware of your surroundings and your belongings. Certain countries have lots of pickpockets. It’s important always to keep important belongings locked away or on your person.
8. Have fun!
   Let loose, be spontaneous, and allow yourself to enjoy your trip stress-free.

Solo travel enabled me to be courageous and comfortable with myself in a way I never knew was possible.

Navigating new places alone helped me be more self-reliant, strengthening my relationship with myself.

Travelling with others is a great way to experience life, and I do not resist travelling with others. But since our generation continues to grow into a digital world where we’re always connected, I think it’s essential to ground ourselves through living new experiences alone.

I know that my solo trip to California is just the first of many in my near future.

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