Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Travelling Solo
If I could go back in time and sit down with the version of myself who was too afraid to book her first solo flight, there is so much I would tell her.
At the time, I thought solo travel was just about seeing a landmark and taking a photo. I didn't realize it was actually about dismantling everything I thought I knew about myself and the world.
If you’re standing on the edge of taking your first solo leap, here are the things I wish I’d known before I started filling my passport. 🌎👣
1. You Will Never Be Satisfied Staying Still Again 🕊️
This is the warning no one gives you: solo travel is a beautiful curse. Once you realize how big the world is, and more importantly, how capable you are of navigating it, staying in one place starts to feel a little too quiet.
You’ll find yourself looking at maps in your downtime and dreaming of your next departure gate. Your comfort zone will expand, and you’ll never want to shrink back into your old one.
2. There is a Unique Thrill in the "Lost" Moments 🗺️
I used to be terrified of taking the wrong turn. Now? I know that’s where the magic is. There is a specific kind of adrenaline that comes from trying to find your way around a new city.
Whether it’s decoding the subway in Tokyo or finding a hidden alleyway in Prague, the moment you successfully navigate yourself from point A to point B is a massive confidence boost you can’t get anywhere else.
3. Common Ground is Everywhere 🤝
You’ll meet people from every imaginable walk of life. Students, retirees, locals, and fellow wanderers. I wish I knew that despite our different languages or backgrounds, you will always find something in common.
A shared laugh over a confusing menu or a conversation about music in a hostel lounge reminds you that the world is a lot smaller and kinder than we’re led to believe.
4. The Best Memories Happen Between the Plans 🍝
I am a planner by nature. I love the daydreaming phase: researching the best views, the must-see museums, and the logistics. But I’ve learned that while the plans build the excitement, the real fun happens in the gaps.
It’s the random restaurant you stumbled into because it smelled good, or the two-hour conversation with a stranger at a café. Those are the moments that stick, not the checked-off boxes on an itinerary.
5. You Can’t Be Prepared for Everything (And That’s Okay) ⛈️
I used to pack for every possible disaster, but the truth is: things will happen. Your flight will get canceled. You’ll get lost in the rain. You might even get a bout of food poisoning.
I wish I knew that these weren't failures of a trip, they’re just part of it. Your trip will go on, you will figure it out, and you’ll have a hell of a story to tell afterward.
6. It’s a Living Puzzle 🧩
Travel (especially solo travel) is like a puzzle you’re living out in real time. Every challenge is just a piece you need to fit into place. Figuring out how to communicate, how to get home, or how to spend a rainy afternoon in a foreign city is what makes you feel alive. It’s not just a vacation; it’s a masterclass in your own resilience.
The "me" from a few years ago wouldn't recognize the person I am today, and that is the greatest gift solo travel has given me. It’s not about being fearless; it’s about realizing that you are your own best problem-solver.
If you’ve travelled solo, what’s one thing you wish you knew before your first trip?
