9 Tips for a Solo Getaway

Solo getaways are one of the biggest travel trends for 2022. After the recent lockdowns, travellers are no longer willing to wait for others to see the world. Instead, they want to get out there, explore, and enjoy the freedom of doing what they want, when they want.

Solo travellers currently make up 11% of the overall travel market, and interestingly, 84% of solo travellers are women. Whilst people enjoy travelling alone for various reasons, often it's the opportunity to plan your perfect trip (without compromise) that makes solo getaways so appealing.

How to plan a solo getaway

Travelling alone can be incredibly liberating, but like with any getaway, it pays to do your research. Here we’ve shared some of our top tips to ensure you get the most from your solo trip.

Start small to build your confidence

If you’ve never travelled alone before, feeling anxious is perfectly normal. Will you enjoy travelling by yourself? Will it be as fun? Will you meet others? What if you don’t feel safe? These are all questions that every solo traveller has before their first trip.

Our advice is to start small. Perhaps plan a domestic city break by yourself or a weekend staycation? That way, you can test the waters and see if it’s something you enjoy. Then, build your confidence with a few shorter trips alone, and if and when you feel ready, travel further. Before long, you’ll be jetting across the world to exotic destinations, and those initial worries will be a thing of the past.

Download and use a travel safety app

When it comes to concerns about solo travel, 73% of female travellers worry about safety. What's more, 42% of women who haven't travelled alone cite safety concerns as their reason for not doing it.

One of the ways solo travellers can improve their safety is by downloading a safety app. Various travel safety apps are available to download, which will track your location so loved ones know where you are. Some will even contact emergency services when a safety word is said.

Research the best solo getaway destinations

When planning any holiday, it’s worth researching the best destinations for the type of trip you’re hoping for. A quick online search of the best solo getaway destinations will bring up a host of articles, blog posts and traveller reviews that will help you narrow down your choice.

From our research, we found a current list of the safest cities in the world for solo female travel by Holidu. The top destination? Montreal, Canada, closely followed by Colombo, Sri Lanka and Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Be sure to find out information such as crime levels (like mugging) and whether a particular destination has any specific safety concerns. Choosing a destination deemed safe for solo travellers will boost your confidence in travelling alone.

Plan where you’re going to stay when you first get there

Make sure you know how to get from the airport or train station to where you are staying. While last-minute bookings are great for solo travellers looking for cheap, flexible accommodation, it’s wise to know where you’re staying for the first few nights while you settle in.

Find affordable hotel rooms for solo travellers with PlansChange. Simply search your destination, and we’ll show you the best hotels at the best prices, with something to suit all budgets.

Get a SIM card with plenty of data

While many people venture on a solo getaway for a bit of peace and quiet, it’s still comforting to know you can phone your family and check in with friends when you wish to. So get a SIM card with plenty of data for video calling and updating your social media.

You’ll also be able to download audiobooks and podcasts to keep you entertained on your travels. Plus, it's helpful to access tools that can help you with any language barriers, like Google Translate.

Learn to chat with strangers

Solo travel provides the opportunity to connect with people you might not otherwise have met. Although the idea of chatting to strangers might seem daunting, particularly if you’re an introvert, it’ll get easier the more you do it. Offer to take a photo for someone at a monument you’re visiting, speak to the locals in the shops and cafes and strike up conversations with other solo travellers. You’ll be surprised at how much you can find out about a place by simply chatting with others.

Be curious and ask questions. Locals are often more than happy to share their knowledge and stories with those willing to ask and listen. It also pays to learn a little of the local language. It’s polite, and the effort to communicate in the local language will be appreciated and often returned with an effort to communicate in your own language.

Get involved in local projects

One of the best ways to meet new people on a solo getaway is to get involved in local projects. It’s also an excellent opportunity to get a real flavour of the destination you’re visiting and give back to the people living there.

Have a loose plan but make room for spontaneity

We've already mentioned that one of the main benefits of a solo getaway is the freedom to make the holiday all about you. You don't necessarily need a strict plan with only yourself to please and can be much more flexible about what you do and when.

While it's good to have a 'must see' or 'must do' list for your solo getaway, keep an open mind and allow for spontaneity. Rigid plans may mean you miss out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, so try to go with the flow and see where solo travel takes you.

Just go for it

If you’re waiting for the perfect time to embark on a solo journey, it’s never going to happen. There’ll always be a family occasion you shouldn’t miss or a busy period at work. So take the leap and go for it!

Start your solo getaway planning today, and check out our resale deals for heavily discounted hotel bookings all over the world.