11 Solo travel tips for introverts • Insider guide (2024)

Pros & cons of solo travel...

Pros

Cons

1. More freedom 2. Cultural immersion 3. Confidence boosting 4. Skill-building 5. Independence 6. Easy budgeting 7. Making new friends

1. Problem-solving 2. Safety 3. Loneliness 4. Can be scary your first time!

1. Choose accommodation that suits your needs

– Area safety & convenience – Wi-Fi strength – Your budget – Your priorities – Whether you need more privacy

Things to think about:

2. Take each day as it comes (be flexible!)

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you’re visiting a busy city by yourself. Don’t forget to breathe, take moments of quiet for yourself, and just embrace the chaos.

3. Learn a few key phrases

Making a little bit of effort can ingratiate yourself to the locals and make people more likely to help you out!

4. Manage anxiety with routine

Visit, Rinse, Repeat

One of my favorite things to do is find a cozy corner in a café and just while away the time if it all just got too much. It helps me to center my soul and gives me just the right amount of peace, by myself, but with a few people around me so I’d never feel lonely.

5. Go on a walking tour (trust me!)

You can find free walking tours

Most free tours are done by locals so you get a local's perspective!

You'll be with others, but there's no obligation to speak to anyone

You'll be able to find your way around the city faster

6. Aim to have a new experience every day

It can literally be anything you want it to be. The purpose of this is to gain confidence slowly and push the limits without upsetting yourself or ruining the vibe of your trip. Trust me, you’ll create all sorts of wild memories for yourself that you’ll cherish!

7. Make genuine connections with people

You think you’re an introvert because you like being alone, but in reality you just love being at peace, and you’re actually introverted around people who bring you peace.

If you do find opportunities to make friends, make sure you’re only expending energy on making genuine friends.

8. Immerse yourself in local culture

There’s something to be said for living like a local while you’re traveling. It offers a totally unique experience that’s different from the classic tourist vibe, and you’ll probably learn a lot about yourself on the way.

9. Travel slowly, with purpose

When traveling on your own, you can have slow, purposeful days at your own pace – less tourist action, more local immersion, and more direction with your itinerary.

You can have more time.

10. Be sensitive to your bad days

My favorite thing to do on a bad day while solo traveling is to find really good food. I don’t know about you, but amazing food always cheers me up!

Seek your pleasure centers, don’t push yourself too hard, and don’t worry about a wasted day.

11. Don't be afraid to eat by yourself

Eating alone can be so cathartic. You can really focus on your food, the sights, the smells, the vibe of the restaurant. You can observe how the locals eat together, and take in everything.

Need to dip a toe into the experience? A great option to start off with is sushi bars, where communal tables are pretty common. You can also try local street food instead of a restaurant!

Want more solo travel tips and safety hacks for introverts?