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How To Travel Solo Successfully: 31+ Tips For A Safe & Fun Trip

By Jessie Festa. This solo travel guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Want to learn how to travel solo successfully ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Solo travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only does it allow you ultimate freedom over your itinerary, but it can also encourage personal growth. Quite honestly, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to start my own travel business had it not been for my experiences traveling solo.

That being said, it can be intimidating to actually book that first solo trip.

If you have the desire to travel alone but need some guidance on how to prepare for solo travel and actually enjoy it, I’m here to help.

Keep reading for my top traveling solo tips as well as bonus resources to help you successfully travel on your own.

Quick tip: When traveling solo, it’s still smart to pack a few travel safety essentials . One top pick is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm , which is TSA-approved and can help scare away potential attackers. Other recommendations include Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves .

Table of Contents

Travel Solo With Confidence [Free Course]

But first, before we get into our guide to how to enjoy a holiday alone , I invite you to grab a seat in my  free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course .

If you want to travel solo, this 6-day course is for you. It’s designed to help you feel confident about booking your first solo travel trip and exploring the world alone.

Lessons include:

• Common solo travel fears and how to overcome them
• How to choose your perfect destination
• How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
• Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
• Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
• How to take amazing solo selfies

Once you’ve  grabbed your seat , read on to learn how to travel solo successfully and to snag the bonus solo female travel resources .

Is It Hard To Travel Alone?

No travel experience is perfect, though sometimes it seems like you can get pretty close.

There are both  pros and cons to traveling alone . While the experience can be both rewarding and empowering, it can get a little lonely and your safety risk is a little higher since you don’t have anyone watching your back.

I’m a firm believer that everyone should have the opportunity to experience it at least once, simply because there’s so much to learn about yourself while figuring out how to travel alone.

So, no, it’s not hard to travel alone — but you might come across different challenges you’ll need to overcome. That’s where this handy guide sharing my top travel solo tips comes in.

Tips For How To Travel Solo Successfully

On that note, I’d love to share some of my top pieces of advice for how to travel by yourself. My goal: that you feel confident taking a vacation alone and can enjoy this rewarding experience!

Before Taking A Solo Trip:

1. get clear on why you want to travel solo.

When it comes to how to start traveling alone, it really starts with mindset.

One of the main benefits of solo travel is having ultimate freedom over your itinerary. I recommend taking advantage of this aspect and really getting clear on why this solo trip is so important to you.

• What excites you about the idea of taking a trip by yourself?
• What prompted your desire to start traveling alone?
• When you visualize traveling on your own, what do you see?

In short, the best way to succeed at solo travel is to know what you want to get out of it in the first place and then plan your itinerary accordingly.

2. Set your solo travel expectations

Truth: the first few days of your solo trip will likely be hard. You’ll be diving into a completely new experience in an unfamiliar place, and you might feel lonely, homesick, and culture shock.

Also realize that as you begin exploring and immersing yourself in your destination, these feelings will subside. In fact, for many people they go away completely and turn into a love of traveling alone.

Once it really sinks in just how great traveling without needing to compromise is, your perspective can shift drastically.

And if it doesn’t and you truly hate solo traveling, know that you can always end your trip early and head back home.

3. Turn solo travel anxiety into excitement

Fun fact: fear and excitement are both arousal emotions — so when you’re feeling anxious, try to shift that toward exhilaration.

I’ve actually utilized this little mindset trick many times. Basically, if I’m feeling nervous I’ll actually visualize feeling excited — until I truly am!

4. Do your travel research

It can be fun to add a little spontaneity into your solo trip, but the best solo travel tip is to do your research and show up well-prepared so that you don’t miss anything you’re hoping to experience.

One personal travel research fail happened to me in Zadar, Croatia. I’d been really wanting to go to Plitvice Lakes National Park; however, as I was visiting during the off-season, the buses going there were way less frequent. In the end, the schedule didn’t align with my exact travel dates.

If I would have done my research, I could have easily figured this out. In fact, if I would arrived just one day earlier I would have been able to easily get there.

The worst part? The bus schedule was readily available online, but I just hadn’t bothered to look it up!

In short, knowing where you want to go and what you want to do, along with what areas you should avoid, will help make your trip enjoyable and memorable for the right reasons.

Now I may be biased, but in my opinion, one of the best ways to do research about your solo travel destination is to read blogs. These articles are typically written by people who have first-hand knowledge about the destination. You can even try reaching out to the blogger with any questions or concerns.

5. Be flexible

Curious how to enjoy a solo trip? The key is being flexible!

This is really true whether you’re traveling solo or in a group. Travel is not always the picture perfect experience Instagram leads you to believe.

There are missed trains, lost luggage, misplaced passports, and general mishaps that can pop up along the way.

But, it’s all part of the adventure.

If you avoid having a meltdown every time something doesn’t go according to plan, and instead see it as part of the solo travel experience, you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more.

Here’s an example:

While traveling solo in France on my way to Nice, the airline lost my luggage — for the entire time I was there!

And while I was frustrated, I decided that exploring and socializing in dirty jeans and an old t-shirt was better than holing up in my room and crying about something I couldn’t control.

I’m glad I did, because it ended up being a really memorable part of the trip. Not only that, but “Sorry for my appearance — the airline lost my luggage” is actually a great conversation starter among travelers, as everyone has their own version of that story to share.

6. Plan a (loose) solo travel itinerary

Now, this solo travel tip really depends on your travel style and the length of your trip. If you’ll be backpacking for a few weeks or months, I recommend booking the first few nights of your accommodation to give yourself time to settle in.

That being said, it’s smart to also leave some room to change up your plan.

When I backpacked Europe for three months , I pre-booked everything — which meant I couldn’t veer from the plan when I met fun people I may have wanted to travel with or when I learned about interesting new places I hadn’t heard of before.

Now, when I travel solo for longer periods of time, I leave room for adventure.

7. Research local customs & cultural norms

When traveling abroad alone (or in a group), it’s important to realize that not everywhere has the same norms as your home city.

Some of these differences may be small things that you’ll learn along the way, while others are vital to understand before your trip so that you don’t accidentally offend the locals.

One story that comes to mind is when I was volunteering in Thailand. The volunteers all stayed in a large dorm, and then there was a main house where we would eat and have meetings.

Before entering the house, you were supposed to take off your shoes outside and step over the threshold, not on it. Well, one volunteer missed the memo and stood on the doorframe — which deeply upset the locals running the program.

Why? Because in Thailand, it’s believed that a spirit resides here.

This is just one example of why doing this kind of cultural research is important.

8. Know how to stay safe

Building on the idea of doing research when going on a trip alone, you should also look up local scams and safety concerns to be aware of while traveling independently.

For instance, if visiting NYC solo you should be aware that there are unofficial cabs at the airport that will help you “skip the taxi line” by getting into their private black car — and then they’ll take the scenic route and you’ll end up with a hefty bill.

Being aware of these types of scams can help you stay safe and just have an overall better time taking a trip by yourself.

Additionally, I recommend packing a few travel safety essentials and keeping the usual practical safety tips in mind, like not walking alone at night and always keeping an eye on your drink if you’re at a bar.

If you’re a US citizen, it’s also wise to sign up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program . This allows you to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. When you do this, you’ll:

• Receive important information about safety conditions in your destination
• Make it easier for the embassy to contact you if there is an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency
• Make it easier for loved ones to contact you if there is an emergency

9. Make an emergency booklet to stay safe

All of the important numbers we need on a day-to-day basis are stored in our phones, but what happens if you no longer have access?

It’s a little old school, but prior to your trip grab a small notebook from the dollar store and drop all of the important information you need in it. Go beyond the obvious emergency contacts and make sure you have:

• Your passport information
• Hotel name, number, and address
• Embassy and/or consulate address, phone number, and emergency contact
• Travel insurance policy number and contact information

Essentially write down anything you might need if you were in an emergency situation but couldn’t access your phone. Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it could be a lifesaver if you do.

Personally, I also like to save a folder with this information, as well as copies of my passport, license, and credit cards, securely to the cloud. This way, even if I lose my phone, I can still access it from another device.

10. Read bad hotel reviews before booking accommodation

People tend to write reviews for two reasons: they had an awful time and want to make sure no one makes that mistake again, or they had an amazing time and want to spread the word. Rarely do they review about a mediocre time.

While standard solo travel advice tells you to pick somewhere with awesome reviews (you should!), also make sure you read the bad ones.

You want to overlook the personal bias and watch for consistency. If every review mentions bad WiFi and you need to get work done on your trip, you might want to skip that property.

Of course, also pay attention to any reviews that mention safety concerns. When it comes to solo traveling tips, nothing is more important than paying attention to personal safety. Nothing.

Oh, and bonus tip: it’s wise to opt for an accommodation near the city center so you can walk to as many attractions as possible to save on public transportation and taxi costs.

11. Schedule your flight to arrive during the day

One piece of advice for traveling solo is to schedule your flight so that you arrive when the sun is still shining.

You’ll feel a lot safer, especially if you’ll be taking public transportation to get to your accommodation.

Plus, it gives you some time to get acquainted with your destination and ease out of your comfort zone.

12. Get travel insurance

When it comes to solo travel tips, this is one of the most important. Travel insurance should be non-negotiable regardless of how you’re traveling so that you’re protected in case anything bad happens.

However, when you’re figuring out how to vacation alone, the travel insurance safety net is not only comforting but it can help you save money in the long run.

Just make sure you read the terms and conditions before choosing a plan, because some activities aren’t covered. For instance, many plans don’t cover extreme sports or activities that take place above a certain altitude.

Personally, my favorite travel and medical insurance is SafetyWing, as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country.

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

13. Download helpful solo travel apps

No guide sharing tips for traveling alone would be complete without mentioning apps. Tech can definitely be your friend during a lone travel experience. A few to download include:

• Google Maps – an invaluable app for getting around both at home and on the road
• CouchSurfing – this popular app for solo travelers allows you to stay on local couches for free and meetup with locals and other travelers in your destination
• HerHouse – this platform makes it easy for women traveling alone to connect with background checked female hosts for free homestays, house sits, and house swaps
• Meetup – meet people who share your common interests in your solo travel destination
• Facebook – join Facebook groups focused on the destination you’re visiting and see if people want to meet up
• SoloTrvlr – an online platform with trusted travel advice — by women, for women
• TripIt – keep your travel itinerary organized in one place
• Emergency App – one of my favorite travel safety apps
• Currency – quickly and easily convert local currency so you know how much you’re paying in your home currency
• Uber (or the local equivalent) – it’s smart to download a ridesharing app, especially since in some countries hailing a taxi off the street isn’t considered safe

One quick note of caution when meeting people in real life: while most people will have good intentions, there may be times where people try to turn your meetup into a date. I’ve had this happen a few times, though fortunately I’ve never felt unsafe.

My solo travel advice here would be to always meet in a public place and, if possible, make it a group outing. You might also mention that you have a partner back home — even if you don’t — in an attempt to weed out anyone trying to make things romantic (though of course some still might).

By the way, I actually have a crazy CouchSurfing story. Don’t worry, it ended up being totally fine and I’m a huge fan of this app:

14. Learn a few words in the local language

Language learning doesn’t come easy to everyone, but it does help to learn a few words in the local language .

Sure, you’ll pick up a few things as you go along; but, learning simple phrases can get you a lot further.

Some you might want to practice up on include:

• Where is the bathroom?
• How much does this cost?
• No — this is an important phrase for solo travelers, particularly when it comes to personal safety

Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg — the more you know, the better.

Some great advice for solo travelers is to download Google Translate and a language pack, which allows you to use the app offline. Additionally, install a fun gamified language learning app, like Duolingo!

15. Plan for you

The only thing you really need to take away from any travel alone guide is that the experience is all about you.

You don’t have to get the prettiest pictures, have the best travel stories , and do what everyone else does. Your goal is to do and see the things that you want to.

If that means visiting the same museum three days in a row because you couldn’t get enough, eating at the same restaurant the entire trip, or skipping the Eiffel Tower because you’re not into touristy things — do it. It’s all fair game.

Basically, don’t feel like you have to conform to what everyone on Instagram is saying. It’s your trip, enjoy it however you choose.

16. Pack light but smart

You only want to pack what you’re going to use. It can be challenging to determine this on your first solo trip, but you want to minimize your packing list as much as possible.

Nothing sours a trip faster than losing your checked bag before you even get there — so if you can pack carry-on only , it’s a great advantage. This is especially true if you are destination hopping or if your flight has stopovers.

A few tips for solo travelers:

• Opt for garments that can be used for multiple purposes (like a large scarf shawl that can also be an airplane blanket or hidden pocket garments that function as clothing and a purse)
• Choose a color palette for garments that you can mix and match
• Opt for function over fashion — unless you’re traveling for a specific high-class event, you don’t need heels
• Use compression packing cubes to save space (I love these from Cambond )
• Only bring one week of clothes and do laundry if going on a longer trip

Even if you can’t narrow it down, make sure your baggage isn’t weighed down by unnecessary items and definitely leave your valuables at home. It’s just one less thing to worry about.

17. Bring a book along

Introverted? One of the best solo travel tips for introverts (and extroverts) is to bring a book along with you. 

A book can be the best companion, especially when dining alone or as a distraction if it’s your first time flying alone .

Popping open a book on the table and enjoying a solo meal is one of the pleasures of taking a trip alone that everyone should experience. It’s useful for when you’re waiting, eating, or otherwise have a little time to kill.

It can also indicate to other travelers that you’re alone and make for a great conversation starter.

Essential Tips For Traveling On Your Own During The Trip

18. ask your hotel for a few safety essentials.

These include:

• The hotel’s business card (or a piece of paper with the name and address)
• An annotated map letting you know where is and isn’t safe to wander alone

Even if you know the name of your hotel, that doesn’t mean the local taxi drivers do. In case you’re ever in a situation where you need to get away, it’s smart to have the address of your accommodation written down somewhere to quickly give to a driver in the event of an emergency.

Additionally, an annotated map is a great reference so you’re always clear on where and where not to go solo.

19. Share plans with a loved one

One of the most basic traveling alone tips is to make sure you share your plans with your loved ones. It’s important that someone knows where you are — even if that someone is back home.

Additionally, make sure you have an emergency plan in place. Your safety is important.

While traveling by yourself is an amazing experience, you want to make sure you can easily contact your loved ones if something unexpected occurs.

20. Start your day early

In most cases, you’ll find the smallest crowds and best chances for photo opportunities earlier in the day — think before anyone’s finished their breakfast.

This also tends to be the coolest time of the day to safely travel around. Try to stay inside or in the shade during peek sun hours if you’re traveling to a warmer destination, and don’t travel alone at night.

21. Bring the perfect solo selfie camera

One downside of traveling on your own is it’s tough to take your own photo — though it’s not impossible!

A few options for solo travelers include:

• Bring a small travel tripod ( like this ) and put your phone on a timer
• Bring a small but heavy duty travel tripod, like a Joby GorillaPod , and put your camera on a timer
• Bring an Insta360 camera with invisible selfie stick

The latter is how I capture fun travel photos with myself in the picture — even if I’m solo tripping.

Here is a sample video and here is an example of a photo:

22. Learn how to cook the local cuisine

When researching local things to do when traveling alone, make sure that some of the experiences revolve around food. One of the best souvenirs you can give yourself from a trip is the gift of local cuisine.

Cooking classes offer a great opportunity to learn how to make something new, meet the locals, and take something back home with you. You can use your new-found skills to share your experience with family, ignite special memories, and enjoy a delicious meal. Plus, the more you practice, the better you’ll get!

One platform to check out for food experiences while vacationing alone is EatWith , which allows you to dine in local homes, take cooking classes in local kitchens, and book food tours led by locals around the world. It’s a really great way to meet people and other solo travelers, too.

Of course, you can also dive into other facets of local culture when on a trip alone. Consider your own unique interests, and explore them locally.

For instance, if you’re interested in art, you might take a fresco-making class in Florence , a calligraphy class in China , or an Ikebana (flower arranging) class in Japan .

23. Make a solo travel scavenger hunt of it

Here is a creative addition to our list of tips when traveling alone. Building a scavenger hunt can be a great way to give you direction, even if you’re feeling a little lost.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but a few ideas for solo travelers include:

• Trying to check off all the best bookstores in the city if you’re a bibliophile
• Making a unique souvenir list and trying to hunt everything down
• Becoming the ultimate foodie by sampling all the top restaurants in the area
• Aiming to spend time alone on the beach in as many places as possible
• Booking an actual scavenger hunt in your destination on a platform like Viator

It’s a great way to edge yourself out of your comfort zone without jumping into the deep end. And who doesn’t love a little competition — even if it is against yourself?

24. Make friends while traveling solo

There’s no one right answer for how to solo travel, but I can tell you that going on holiday alone doesn’t need to mean  being lonely . In fact, for those that love to meet new people, there are ways to do this while traveling alone.

You can encourage yourself to meet people, including other solo travelers, by:

• Keep in mind, many hostels have private rooms, so if you’re hosteling later in life you can still keep your privacy and take advantage of common spaces for socializing
• Joining a local walking tour and chatting with those around you
• Checking out popular local digital nomad hangouts
• Using travel apps meant for socializing — like CouchSurfing , which has city-specific forums where you can meet up with locals and other travelers
• Eating and cooking in local homes through EatWith
• Meeting locals that share similar interests on Meetup.com

A quick story:

When spending my 25th birthday in Mendoza while traveling solo , I was worried I’d end up alone for the night; however, after posting a message on CouchSurfing asking if anyone wanted to celebrate with me, I ended up having 11 people take me out for dinner and dancing.

These complete strangers turned into friends, and to this day it is one of my favorite birthday experiences!

25. Watch your drinking

Speaking of nights out, one of the best solo trip tips is to curb your alcohol use.

As mentioned a few times in the previous travel alone tips, personal safety should be of utmost importance for solo travelers. You want to make sure you’re never in a position where someone can easily take advantage of you.

When you do opt for an adult beverage, watch it carefully and cover the top of the glass with your hand so that nobody can lace it when you’re not looking.

This solo travel advice isn’t meant to scare you. Almost everyone you meet while traveling on your own while likely be kind; however, the reality is you can’t trust everyone. Keep yourself safe.

26. Get a local SIM card

Unless you purchase an unlimited plan for your phone carrier, using the internet while roaming can be extremely expensive.

That’s where a local SIM card comes in. One of the best tips for solo travel is to ensure you have phone access in an emergency situation or when you need directions. I can’t tell you how many tours I’ve almost been late to because I couldn’t find the meeting point without the help of Google Maps.

Many countries have inexpensive SIM cards and budget-friendly pay-as-you-go plans. You can usually grab these at the airport or local convenience store and set them up with Wi-Fi.

27. Choose alternative meal times

Now let’s discuss solo travel tips for dining alone. One thing to note is that the best restaurants are often booked up around traditional meal times.

Instead of a nice evening dinner, try a lunch or even brunch — which allows you to savor the same food with less of a crowd.

Just keep in mind that typical mealtimes may be different than your home country, so research the local customs so you’re aware of when people tend to eat.

28. Sit at the bar when dining alone

When you go on vacation alone, one concern might be what to do during meal times. Is it weird for solo travelers to eat at a restaurant on their own?

First off, no, it’s not weird. I’ve eaten at tables on my own plenty of times, though I do think it’s less awkward to eat at the bar.

Bonus: if you’re in the mood to chat, you’ll have the bartender and potentially other bar patrons to talk to.

29. Focus on supporting local

Sustainable tourism refers to traveling in a way that positively impacts the people and environments of the places we visit — which also includes supporting the local economy.

And one of the best ways to do this is to shop local. The more you can purchase souvenirs, food, and experiences from local vendors, the more likely your tourism dollars are to stay in and benefit the community.

Plus, items are often much more meaningful when you can meet the people making them and learn their stories.

30. Listen to your gut

When traveling the world alone, realize that your gut will be your best guide.

Your intuition is almost always right. This is especially important in situations where you feel uncomfortable. Even if it means being impolite, always trust that feeling in your gut.

31. Strengthen your relationship with yourself

Traveling solo to find yourself is very common. This makes total sense, as one major benefit of traveling alone is you learn to be with yourself — and enjoy your own company.

Get to know yourself better, allow time for self care, and slow down to just enjoy the moment as much as possible.

This is also a great time to bring a travel journal to really dig into your thoughts and feelings from the trip. Very likely, you’ll learn something new about yourself!

Packing Essentials For Solo Travel

Now that we’ve covered some top tips to travel alone, it’s time to discuss packing.

Along with any clothing, accessories, and toiletries you’ll want for your holiday by yourself, you should also pack a few travel safety essentials and practical items for solo travelers like:

• She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
• Your personal medications
• Jase Case Emergency Antibiotic Kit (snag $10 off with code JESSIEONAJOURNEY10)
• Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments (I’m never without mine when I travel alone!)
• Speakeasy Travel Supply Pickpocket-Proof Scarf ​​
• Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bag
• Door stop with alarm (to help keep your hotel room extra secure)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (I love Rheos Sunglasses as they’re eco-friendly, lightweight, and they float)
• Passport, ID, and any necessary tickets
• Copies of all your documents (I save these to the cloud in case)
• Credit card, debit card, and money

Best Solo Trips For Women

If you’re wondering “Where should I travel alone?” this list can help! A few of the best solo travel destinations include:

Merida, Mexico

Mexico has a reputation as being an unsafe destination, but that’s not an accurate picture. In fact, there are many great places in Mexico to travel alone — like Merida.

Merida is the bustling capital city of Yucatan state, and is widely considered to be one of the safest cities in Mexico.

It’s an affordable destination that offers you the hustle and bustle of the city as well as an idyllic Mexican beach experience in nearby Progreso.

If you’re solo traveling as a digital nomad , Merida is home to a thriving community of expats living and working abroad and there are plenty of ways to make friends. 

Dublin, Ireland

Solo travel in Ireland can be an incredible experience, and no trip to this island would be complete without some time in Dublin.

Home to friendly locals and a gorgeous cityscape, it’s an ideal destination — especially as Dublin boasts a plethora of cultural and historical sites for solo female travelers to explore.

On a solo trip to Dublin , make sure to visit Dublin Castle, shop along Grafton street, and peruse art, history, and archeology in the National Museum of Ireland.

This city is particularly known for its pub life, so you can expect a lively scene after dark, especially in the famous Temple Bar District.

In terms of timing, there is a lot to do and see, so it’s recommended to spend 4 days in Dublin or more to really take it all in.

Don’t forget to bring your camera since Dublin offers a lot of photo opportunities. It’s truly one of the most memorable places to travel solo in Europe !

Victoria, Canada

Canada has a lot of beautiful places to explore as a solo female traveler, depending on the time of year you visit; but if Pacific island life piques your interest, Victoria is the place.

You’ll want to visit in the spring or summer to take advantage of the gorgeous greenery and warmer weather.

There are many fun and unique things to do in Victoria . Stroll through the gardens at Hatley Castle, watch the boats come in from the wharf, and grab a delicious seaside bite to eat.

When you’re done, you can take a ferry ride to Seattle or Vancouver!

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is considered to be the cultural capital of Japan , offering a little bit of everything for the female traveling solo.

Not only does it offer gorgeous gardens, delicious food, and rich cultural experiences, but you can take a peek at some truly amazing Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Take in the jaw-dropping architecture and bask in the lush greenery and wonderful mountain backdrops.

March and April are especially beautiful months to visit as the city’s stunning cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.

Bali, Indonesia

Traveling solo in Bali is a dream. One of the world’s most sought-after destinations, it’s also affordable, safe, and fun.

There is so much to do and see for solo female travelers. Relax in a Bali flower bath , explore the stunning rice fields, relax on beautiful beaches, and visit the many temples that help give the destination its nickname “Island of the Gods.”

If you have at least 7 days in Bali , you might also choose to hire a guide to do an epic sunrise hike like Mount Batur or Mount Agung.

Quick tip: if visiting this incredible place, do a bit of research into when to go to Bali . For instance, if you’ll be doing a lot of outdoor activities or riding a motorbike to get around, you may want to avoid the rainy season.

Other Top Solo Travel Destinations

A few other great places to visit on your first solo trip abroad include:

• Tulum, Mexico
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Rome, Italy
• Vienna, Austria
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Guadeloupe, Caribbean

You can check out this solo female travel guide for a full list of recommended solo trips and tips.

Solo Travel Planning Resources

While the above tips for traveling solo are a great starting point, here are some bonus solo travel guides:

• 7 Ways To Have A Blast Traveling Alone
• 13 Powerful Solo Hiking Tips For Women
• 17 Safety Tips For Solo Travelers
• 25 Important Tips For Flying Alone For The First Time
• 12 Tips For Convincing Loved Ones To Let You Travel Solo
• 20 Pros & Cons Of Traveling Alone
• How To Overcome Loneliness When Traveling Solo

You can find additional resources in this in-depth guide to traveling solo . Read it, and soon enough you’ll be a pro at taking trips alone!

Final Thoughts On How To Travel Solo Successfully

The most important piece of advice in any guide to solo travel is that you plan the vacation YOU want, and feel comfortable and confident along your journey.

Learning how to enjoy going on a vacation alone might come quickly, or it might take a few days. There’s no right or wrong answer.

Whether you’re pushing through a series of solo USA road trips or flying across the world, making sure you plan ahead and go at your own pace will ensure you have the best experience. When it comes to tips on traveling alone, this is the most important one to remember.

What would you add to this guide on how to travel solo successfully?

Related posts:, about jessie festa.

Hi, I’m Jessie on a journey!

I'm a conscious solo traveler on a mission to take you beyond the guidebook to inspire you to live your best life through travel. Come join me!

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Hi Jessie! cant wait to find someone to take this edventure with!! thank you so much for your info!

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12+ Tips Solo Traveling, Antiribet dan Cocok untuk Pemula!

Traveling tidak selalu identik dengan jalan bersama keluarga atau teman-teman. Ini bisa dilakukan sendiri atau dikenal dengan tips solo traveling , Moms!

Menjadi solo traveler ada asyiknya juga, lho.

Tidak perlu berkompromi untuk menentukan destinasi atau mencocokkan waktu antar individu menjadi keutamaannya.

Tertarik untuk mencoba? Yuk, pelajari tips-tips untuk menjadi solo traveler!

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Tips Solo Traveling

Dengan menjadi solo traveler , Moms bisa tahu kemampuan diri untuk mengatasi segala rintangan yang terjadi saat di perjalanan.

Berikut beberapa poin yang harus diperhatikan, catat ya!

1. Pastikan Akomodasi Aman

Sebagai solo traveler, permasalahan pertama yang harus disiapkan adalah akomodasi.

Ini alias tempat penginapan yang aman dan nyaman.

Lain hal jika Moms bepergian dengan beberapa teman atau dengan pasangan.

Liburan sendiri membutuhkan keamanan ekstra, lho.

Pilih penginapan dengan r eview yang baik, ya. Pastikan lokasi penginapan juga kondusif untuk Moms yang ingin berjalan kemana-mana seorang diri.

2. Persiapan Rencana Perjalanan

Walaupun Moms bepergian sebagai solo traveler , bukan berarti bebas kemana pun semaunya tanpa ada persiapan.

Tips solo traveling selanjutnya ini dengan menyusun beberapa destinasi perjalanan ( itinerary ).

Ini terbilang sangat penting untuk dilakukan. Jangan sampai di daerah tujuan malah bingung ingin kemana, ya!

Tampak bingung saat sendirian di daerah yang asing pun akan berisiko terjadi tindakan kriminal. Jadi, susun itinerary sebaik mungkin, ya, Moms.

3. Cari Tahu Akses Transportasi

Berpindah dari satu destinasi ke tempat lainnya memang perlu moda transportasi yang efisien.

Maka dari itu, perlu cari tahu transportasi umum yang mudah dijangkau dan diandalkan.

Jika menggunakan bus atau MRT, perlu tahu jadwal keberangkatan setiap harinya. Begitu juga batas jam operasional jika memang ada.

Catat semua di buku catatan kecil agar tidak ada info yang terlewat.

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4. Bawa Obat-obatan

Pergi ke tempat yang belum dikunjungi sebelumnya, memang butuh nyali yang tinggi. Apalagi jika ke luar negeri sendiri, bukan?

Tidak ada yang bisa mengatasi masalah kesehatan saat dalam perjalanan selain diri sendiri.

Maka dari itu, bawalah perbekalan obat-obatan selengkap mungkin. Mulai dari vitamin, obat pusing, krim pereda nyeri, sampai parasetamol.

Bagi yang memiliki riwayat alergi, jangan sampai lupa membawa obat antihistamin , ya.

5. Gunakan Fitur Morning Call

Tips solo traveling ini sering kali terlupakan, lho!

Kalau Moms termasuk orang yang sulit bangun pagi, waktunya untuk menggunakan fasilitas morning call di hotel.

Apalagi jika ingin mengejar atraksi wisata yang memang mengharuskan bangun pagi.

Bersiap-siap eksplor daerah tujuan saat pagi hari bisa memaksimalkan waktu saat berlibur sendiri.

6. Interaksi dengan Penduduk Lokal

Saat menjadi solo traveler , pasti tidak punya pasangan untuk berbagi cerita. Nah, ini saatnya untuk mendekatkan diri dengan penduduk lokal .

Bersikaplah hangat dan ramah dengan orang sekitar, ya.

Dengan seperti itu, Moms akan mudah diterima. Bahkan tidak jarang mereka akan membantu jika kita mengalami kesulitan.

Berbagi cerita seputar kebudayaan dan gaya hidup penduduk lokal pun bisa dilakukan.

Ini menjadi pengetahuan baru yang bisa Moms bagikan kepada keluarga atau sahabat nantinya.

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Solo Travel in Vietnam – The Only EPIC Guide You Need to Check Out

Solo travel in Vietnam is one of the best experiences you can have in SE Asia. A solo female travel traveler since last 5 years and having explored Vietnam for over a month, I can say that traveling alone in Vietnam is fascinating, adventurous and once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

If you are planning of travelling Vietnam alone or wondering whether a solo trip to Vietnam is right for you, you can come to the right place. Because in this Vietnam travel blog, I’m sharing all about solo travel in Vietnam – safety tips, what to expect, how to plan a trip, costs and other commonly asked questions.

Sit back, grab your coffee and find out how traveling Vietnam solo is one of the excellent experiences.

I’m sure you have a lot of questions and doubts about solo travel in Vietnam. So I am going to dispel and answer each of them in this exhaustive Vietnam solo travel guide.

Is it safe to solo travel in Vietnam?

YES. Vietnam is one of the safest countries to travel alone. Solo travel in Vietnam will be a total package – where you will feel a whole roller-coaster of emotions – thrilling, inspiring, eye-opening, challenging, tiring and ultimately feeling excellent about your entire trip.

So yes, Vietnam is one of the countries safe for traveling alone, especially if you are beginning your solo travel adventures outside your country.

Continue reading to know some safety tips for women traveling alone, and in general for all solo travelers.

Vietnam Solo Travel – What are some tips before you visit Vietnam?

If you are wondering, ‘what should I know as a first time visitor about traveling in Vietnam?’, let me clarify a few things. Vietnam is relatively a popular destination, especially among solo travelers because it is friendly towards solo travelers, safe and comfortable. And this also means that solo travel in Vietnam needs some preparation. 

Here ar e some things to know before traveling solo in Vietnam

• Weather in Vietnam is fickle  – One thing that is not reliable about Vietnam is its weather, which keeps changing often. On a single day, you can experience rain, chilly winds, sunshine and clouds. Yup, so prepare for all sorts of weather, irrespective of the city!
• Humidity  – Weather can be unpredictable, but the constants are humidity and hotness. If you are not used to humid weather, the chances are that you will feel exhausted and drained, pretty quickly. One of the ways to beat this is to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. Lot – as many times as you can.
• You cannot possess drugs  – Drugs are illegal in Vietnam. All of them. So don’t try to sneak in any form of drugs, hoping for any concession for foreigners, because there is none. You will be offered, but you should refuse. Carrying drugs is a punishable crime, so steer clear of them.
• Vietnam Visa  – Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality, so make sure to get it sorted. That should be your top priority.
• Beware of land mines  – In Vietnam and Laos, there are hundreds of active land mines or UXO that were dropped decades ago during wars, scattered especially in the countryside. So if you notice any sign to not trespass, it is best to obey the sign.
• Vietnam is a conservative country  – Despite the locals opening up to foreign travelers in recent years, the people are conservative and traditional. Sure, you might not see that in bigger cities and touristy places, but it will be evident once you step into rural parts of Vietnam. So keep this in mind and respect the norm.
• Follow the rules  – There are some monuments and attractions where photography is prohibited, especially those that belong to the government. It is essential to follow the rules, as not following is an offence and you can be fined.
• Wear a helmet while driving a motorbike  – Vietnam is known for fatal motorbike accidents, mostly of international tourists, so don’t be one of them. Wear a helmet, whether you are riding or a pillion.
• Don’t be deceived by Vietnam’s map  – The map of Vietnam looks thin, but let me tell you, the country is enormous! Solo travel in Vietnam is daunting enough and an achievement in itself, so don’t assume that you can travel everywhere in the country, especially if you are here for 2 to 3 weeks. You must enjoy traveling solo in Vietnam, and it’s not a race to see a vast list of places.

I have written a detailed post where I share over 30 things to know before traveling to Vietnam. Go ahead and check that too.

What safety precautions should I take when travelling solo in Vietnam as a female? 

Traveling solo in Vietnam is fantastic, but solo travel needs its set of precautions. Taking general precautions and safety measures that apply to traveling to any destination will help you have a super trip. Here are some general solo travel tips for Vietnam for both men and women, and more specific Vietnam solo female travel tips in the next section.

General Vietnam solo travel tips

Safeguard your belongings

This one is obvious, but we all let our guard down sometimes, and that’s when a theft happens! Mobile and your bags are the primary targets, especially in bigger cities like Hanoi and Saigon. 

Keep your handbags and camera bags safe during all the times. The bigger cities are notorious for bag and mobile theft. People passing by snatch bags and mobiles, and also the motorbike riders, who grab bags when you are out walking or driving or traveling in buses or tuk-tuks. 

To avoid this, keep only the essentials with you. Carry handbags that you can wear on your body, making snatching impossible. Don’t carry more than a bag when you are out as more bags mean most of your attention goes in safeguarding them, along with more risks.

Don’t carry expensive stuff or a lot of cash

Don’t flash your fancy camera and phones out in public . It draws unwanted attention and entices theft, which is common in Saigon or Hanoi. 

Don’t carry a lot of cash, and wear a money belt or hide some money in your hidden pockets .  Don’t open your wallet in front of too many eye s; be discreet while making transactions.

Talk to locals

One of the rules of thumb while traveling solo in Vietnam or anywhere is to take the help of locals by talking with them. You don’t have to strike up a conversation with every local.  Your hotel/hostel staff, tour operators, tour guides, tuk-tuk shop owners and locals like these who are in touch with tourists are the best bets . 

These locals usually speak fluent English and have excellent knowledge about costs, attractions, local places to eat, shop, where to drink and so on . You will be surprised by the immensely valuable insider tips that you will get from these people, apart from forming friendships!

Keep your travel documents secure 

Next to safeguarding your money and your electronic equipment comes securing your travel documents, especially your passport. Most hotels or guesthouses in Vietnam usually do not take your passport and keep it that way for best. 

What I do is make copies of relevant travel documents like passport, which I handover when they ask to deposit my passport. It usually works, and you can avoid giving your original documents.  Keep your passport and other tickets safe in a locker or your luggage at the hotel. Do not carry them with you when you go out for sightseeing .

Get the hang of Vietnamese currency

The Vietnamese Dong gets a handful when you withdraw from ATMs or get them at currency centres.  There are too many denominations and notes, so take time to figure out and sort. This way, you will avoid confusion when you transact as sometimes you might receive less than the actual change and lose money .

Meet people and make friends

Traveling solo in Vietnam doesn’t mean you have to be all alone all the time, right? There are times you might feel lonely too, or bored. Well, how do you beat these?  Go and meet people, and make some new friends, because that’s one of the fun things about traveling alone.

Whether at hostels, group tours, or locals that you randomly meet, being friendly and open will lead to memorable experiences. You will be surprised at how many fellow solo travelers you will come across, that will make for a great company. 

Don’t be shy or hesitant to make the first move. If you are an introvert like me, this might be challenging to you at first, but try it out, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcomes ! Meeting new people, listening to great stories, traveling and exploring new places with new friends are cool things to do as a solo traveler. Go ahead and try it!

There are many advantages to signing up for tours. It is one of the remarkable ways to meet new people and fellow solo travelers. And the good news about travel in Vietnam solo is that  there are plenty of open tours, mainly organized by hostels and guesthouses , where you are free to drop in any batch. 

Even if it is a walking tour or food tour run by your hostel, go ahead and sign up, especially if you are traveling solo alone for the first time.  You will meet new people, get to know about the place or food, and feel more confident.

Watch what you drink and eat

Whether Vietnam or anywhere else, watch out on what you eat and drink. Yes, you should try local delicacies and alcohol, but before doing so, you need to take certain precautions, especially in Vietnam. 

If you are drunk and you get attacked or robbed, it is less likely to make a case in your favour as drunk tourists and fussy foreigners are frowned upon not only in Vietnam but anywhere. You need to enjoy it, but you also have to be vigilant and sober. Read below further to know about tips for food safety in Vietnam.

Read and research thoroughly before booking

One of the exciting things about travel is planning.  Before you travel solo in Vietnam, do your preparation . Look up and read about cities, a bit about what to expect, weather, culture, people, safety, itinerary, etc. Sure, leave some elements of surprise, but get your basics done.

Before booking your accommodation, read the reviews on different sites carefully, check the location and neighbourhood around the hostels and hotels. Read the fine print, and check about the safety of the areas.  It is best to look out for  hostels and hotels that have a lot of great reviews everywhere . It means that the  place is trustworthy, and is safe to stay and enjoy .

Similarly,  read the reviews before booking any paid guided tours . Some tours are very cheap, but cheap sometimes mean bad experiences. The same goes for booking buses and transport too. Simply put, do a bit of your homework before your solo travel in Vietnam.

Get a Sim Card

One of the things that will help you while traveling alone in Vietnam is getting a local SIM card. Sure, you can manage through the WiFi, which you can get at hotels, hostels, cafes and some restaurants. 

But having  a constant source of the internet will help you with navigation , when you are out exploring, driving and walking on the unknown streets. The cellular packages are cheap, and it makes sense if you are spending about 2 or 3 weeks in Vietnam.  You can also stay connected and seek help if things go wrong . 

An alternative for navigation if you don’t want to buy a sim card is to download Maps.me app, which is an excellent app for offline maps, which you can use to navigate anywhere if you download maps.

Track your expenses

One of the things to take care of is to manage and track your expenses, which you can initially find challenging while traveling solo. I do somethings as a ritual to manage money, like, I  split  my  cash  and cards( both debit and credit) and  keep them in different bags . I often lose wallets, so this helps me to have a backup.

Vietnam is cheap, but it is still essential to know where your money goes . I take a brief note of my expenditures every few days, which helps me stick to my travel budget. 

Sometimes when you are in a new destination, you can easily get carried away to spend – be it on some new attraction you discovered, shopping, a new activity or spontaneous spend on food and drinks or parties. 

Having a budget in mind will help you use your money mindfully , especially if you are a backpacker traveling on a shoestring budget.

If you thought the phrase Be a Roman, when in… is a cliche or oversold, well, it is not. It has another name and is called blending in. Blending and being flexible has its many advantages when you are, you are doing solo travel in Vietnam or anywhere in the world. 

Standing out is cool, but not so when you are alone. Observe locals and dress like them, try to mingle and communicate like them, watch and respect their culture, rules and tradition – in temples, pagodas and government monuments.  Blending will earn respect and admiration from the locals, and you will be safe and also enjoy the process  of blending in!

Let your family know about your whereabouts

It is easy to get lost in your head or the challenges and tasks when you are traveling alone. At times that you might also feel lonely, frustrated and bored, even after meeting people or making friends. That’s where your support system helps. Whether it is your partner or friends or family or any of your loved ones,  keeping in touch will help you feel positive. 

Your loved ones will worry less knowing that you are safe and available to reach. You don’t have to talk for hours, because you came out to be alone, by yourself. Simply go ahead and give them a ring or drop texts often. 

Now, let me share some Vietnam solo female travel tips for you.

In addition to keeping in mind the above safety tips, women traveling alone in Vietnam need to take care of a few new things.  Well, these apply not only if you are doing solo female travel in Vietnam ,  but anywhere else too.

Do not share personal information with anyone

Whether in Vietnam or anywhere else in the world, you will most likely meet people who seem very intrusive. They might be just curious or weird, or maybe harmful too. Whatever it is, watch out and don’t share personal information. You surely don’t have to tell about your relationship status, your full name, the place you are staying or where you plan to go next or any other intimate details.

It not only applies to locals, but to other travelers that you meet as well. It is a good thing to make friends, but you should not reveal much while you are just making friends or with people you just met. 

One of the examples that I can share is a lot of times, men – mostly locals and some times tourists approach female solo travelers frequently. They are the ones that usually ask all awkward, weird questions to flirt or engage further. 

To avoid this, many women wear a fake wedding ring or tell tales of their boyfriends or friends. If you are a solo woman traveler and find yourself in situations like these, you can try this too. It works because I have tried 🙂

Trust your instinct

The bottom line of my above point is, trust your gut while interacting with others. Also, trust your instinct during other times as well. If you feel something is wrong or you get a warning, listen to it and act accordingly. Also, be assertive. If you want to say no, then say so. It feels lovely to be in charge and aware!

Book female dorm rooms

If you are doing solo travel in Vietnam for the first time, or if you are a new solo female traveler, one of the ways to tackle anxiety is to share a dorm with fellow female travelers. You will feel safe; you can avoid unwanted, unpleasant encounters, and make awesome new female friends!

Vietnam’s culture is conservative 

As I mentioned earlier, Vietnam is still a conservative country, especially towards women, which is unfortunate in some instances. What does it mean as you do solo female travel in Vietnam? 

One thing is to dress as the locals do. Skimpy tops, tight clothes and shorts will draw stares, catcalls and propositions, and sometimes, locals might get offended too(although they might not say that out loud). 

So it is best to respect local culture and follow the rules, especially in religious places where you need to be covered from head to toe(including shoulders). As mentioned earlier, it is better to blend in than standing out while traveling alone in Vietnam or anywhere.

Make friends

One of the reasons why women hesitate to travel alone is that they feel lonely. Sure, it is partly true that you sometimes might feel lonely when you are traveling alone, but that should NOT stop you from taking solo trips. 

Because there are many remedies to beat this, if you are traveling solo in Vietnam or anywhere and feel this way, go ahead and talk to people. You might find a new company to travel with, form excellent friendships and feel great about traveling alone as a female.

Avoid venturing out alone at night

Avoid going out on the streets alone at night, wherever the place is. Especially, don’t step out on empty streets or side lanes that are central houses for crime and danger. Main roads are better, but if you do want to go out, have someone to accompany you, but otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend you hitting the streets at night.

Even in bigger cities, most crimes and violence happen on the streets at night, so don’t venture out alone at night.

Draw attention if you are targeted

Stares and a few invasive questions and propositions are possible/standard towards solo female travelers in Vietnam, but things usually end there. 

But if you get harassed, or someone tries you to rob or harm you, don’t hesitate to shout and draw attention. Most likely, people will come to help you or intervene. You can then take the help of these locals to report the crime and instigate further action from the police.

Take the help of local women  – The women of Vietnam are some of the kindest and sweetest I have met on the road. They may not speak English, but they will have your back if need be and will make you feel welcomed and safe with their warmth and smiles.

You can rely on Vietnamese women if you ever encounter harassment by local men or fellow travelers in any way. You can walk to the nearest group of women or a woman and ask her for help; you will not be turned away for sure.

Solo travel in Vietnam – Other Frequently Asked Questions

Is public transport safe for solo travel in vietnam how to get around alone.

Vietnam is one of the countries in SE Asia with an excellent transport system. Almost all forms of transport are very easy to use and convenient. You will get to experience the authentic local life in Vietnam when you use them. 

The public transport might seem a bit of a hassle in some cities, but to compensate for it, there are plenty of other great options. It may not meet the luxury and flamboyance of the west, but it is not below par either.

Ease of transport is one of the reasons why you should do solo travel in Vietnam. You can book your transport easily at all hostels and hotels.

Different transport options in Vietnam and how to use them

One of the best experiences during your solo travel in Vietnam will be using trains. Trains are the gateway to experiencing local life at the closest level. The trains are old, and look like heritage monuments(they are because some of them are from colonial times) and run slowly, passing through stunning countryside throughout the country.

It is totally safe to travel on the train during your Vietnam solo trip. Some trains are the popular routes get crowded, but you can avoid this by booking a ticket in the first-class coach, which gives you better space and comfort for a slightly higher price. You can easily reserve your tickets online by selecting the berth and coach of your choice. The trains are not very hygienic(especially best to avoid toilets), but if it is unbearable, you can choose buses.

Overnight trains  – There are overnight sleeper trains(coaches with bed) between some cities, which I’d highly recommend as it saves your day and also your accommodation price. You can book this online, and it is safe to take trains if you are traveling alone in Vietnam. 

If you are a female solo traveler, and you are not comfortable to share a coach with someone, then request the ticket collector to move your seat.

Buses are the most convenient way to get around Vietnam between cities. Almost all the cities are well-connected, and there are different kinds of buses and minivans. It is best to book them at your hostels and hotels, which might charge minimal booking fees in addition, but these buses offer free pickup and drop from your hotel. And this is helpful if you are solo traveling in Vietnam as you will not have to run around carrying your luggage.

Overnight buses are quite popular among travelers, especially backpackers as they can be quickly booked, you get comfortable room and space(unless you are very tall), comes with air-con and free WiFi.

But note that some drivers are known for rash driving, and sometimes accidents occur. If these things scare you, it is better to opt for trains or fly if you get quickly.

Getting around within cities 

The best way to explore attractions in a city is to take a Grab bike, Grab taxi and tuk-tuks. Grab transport can be booked on their app, which is easy and accessible. Grab taxis are cheaper than local taxis and also scam-free. 

If you love driving, then I’d suggest you rent a motorbike and explore the city/town by yourself. Driving in Vietnam is one of the incredible experiences. In smaller cities like Ninh Binh, Hoi An or Hue, rent a bicycle in getting around is a fantastic experience as you pass slowly through the countryside meeting smiling and waving villagers.

In some destinations, you can visit all the places on foot too. But crossing the streets in Vietnam is intimidating, especially if you are new to SE Asia. There are no pedestrian paths; people don’t stop by for those on foot and no traffic signals, which means you can find walking a challenge. The best way to overcome this is to walk and cross the streets with the locals when they do.

Can I afford solo travel in Vietnam? Is it expensive?

Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in SE Asia, but it is still one of the cheapest countries to travel. The food is exceptionally affordable, and if you book in advance, even accommodation, flight and transport could be more reasonable too.

If you are a budget traveler, you can get by USD 12 to 15 per day. If you spend USD 25 to 40 per day, you can almost enjoy luxury travel in Vietnam in some places. 

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?

You can visit Vietnam almost throughout the year, as the country is diverse with different weather in different regions. In general, the best time to go to Vietnam in winter, from October to January. 

People also travel to Vietnam during spring, in March and April, but during these months, it tends to get hot in southern Vietnam. In winter, note that the north of Vietnam is cold, so pack some warm clothes.

How can I avoid scams as a solo traveler in Vietnam?

Like any other country, Vietnam has its share of scams targeted at tourists. The frauds were notorious and high a long time ago, but in recent years, scams are getting rarer, although not absent. 

Read more about the types of scams here. The only way to avoid getting scammed is to be vigilant and use your common sense. If you think things are too good to be true, then probably it is.

What are the best places in Vietnam for a solo female traveler?

To do solo travel in Vietnam, no specific itinerary is required as you can follow a general itinerary. All the places are ideal and safe for solo female travelers so that you can pick any.

I would suggest adding Hanoi, Ninh Binh Tam Coc, Phong Nha, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh if you have about 2 to 3 weeks.

Looking for detailed itineraries? Check out this post where I shared a comprehensive guide on spending 3 weeks in Vietnam , which I did solo. You can find routes for 1, 2 or 4 weeks too, so get them now!

If you are wondering while planning a solo trip to Vietnam for a week Should I visit North or South Vietnam, then it depends on your preferences,

Is tap water in Vietnam safe?

No,  do not drink tap water anywhere in Vietnam  as it is not safe. Always only drink bottled water. Do not please use plastic bottles and contribute to plastic consumption. Carry a container that can be refilled.

Is Vietnam food, safe – especially street food?

Food is one of the reasons why many people even travel to Vietnam! Not trying Vietnamese cuisine on your trip means missing out on a major thing. So don’t do it. Don’t go to Vietnam and not try the food there, because  food in Vietnam is safe.  Plus, the food is very cheap, even in restaurants, and street food is the most affordable. You can fill your belly with just 1 to 2 USD at once. 

Okay, so now that I convinced you to try local food, let me tell you a few things that you need to take care to keep your stomach safe.

If you have never tried SE Asian food before, especially street food, start slow. The key is to introduce food without slow and gentle into your system, and not all at once and going overboard. 

Begin trying Vietnamese food at restaurants that look neat, has a lot of excellent reviews and at places where you find many locals and tourists. These are indications that a restaurant is safe to try.

Avoid fried, spicy or adventurous menus in the beginning. Begin with Pho – rice noodles soup that comes in various variants(just vegetables, Chicken, Pork, Beef, Seafood, Egg). Slowly, begin trying more each day, still following the above rules of dining. 

Egg coffee, BBQ, steak, smoothies, fried fish balls, cold coffee with condensed milk and seafood BBQ are some of the things that you will commonly food among the street food menu, and they are worth giving a try.

Do not eat raw meat in any form – no matter how tempting or curious you are, including seafood.

If you want to eat fruits, buy them whole and cut them yourself. Don’t eat cut fruits. If you order smoothies, politely ask them to show the fruits and verify the condition of fruits by yourself before you get a smoothie.

It is common in SE Asia to find Buffet systems in markets, and even in restaurants. You will find a wide variety of cuisines all displayed(mostly many kinds of noodles, appetizers and soups). So when you see these, check if the food is hot, doesn’t look too colourful(artificial food colours) and the meat looks good. It is always best to eat food that is hot because it means that the food is fresh and you are safe.

When and if trying meat, stay away from the meat that you are not sure. If you can’t identify or trust what animal it came from, it is best to drop the idea of consuming it.

If you have allergies to specific items, it is best to research them before you try anything, and also communicate it with the restaurants to verify. 

Eat where the locals eat  – As mentioned earlier, check out places that are crowded, busy all the time, has plenty of good reviews and has a lot of locals because these places are usually safe to try local food.

Practice the basic hygiene  – Follow the routine hygiene that you do at home. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or a hand sanitizer before you eat, check if the food is fresh, mind your portions, and experiment in moderation(in the beginning) and everything will be good!

Carry necessary medicines  – You must carry essential medicines while travelling solo in Vietnam, but along with them, also take some medications if you get a bad stomach.

Keep a tab on alcohol  – Not to sound like a party spoiler or a grandma, but watch the drink that you consume. Vietnam is home to some of the most potent liquor, especially home-made rice wines or whiskey, which has high alcohol percentages. So while trying these, keep your quantity in check, especially if you are doing solo travel in Vietnam.

Sometimes, the places with a lot of crowds, too many tables, food out in the open may make you hesitate and give doubts, but these don’t mean anything. It is a part of Vietnamese culture to gather around out on the streets and eat together. Follow your hygiene and interact with locals and watch the way they have fun!

Solo travel in Vietnam – Final thoughts

If you are still wondering why should you do solo travel in Vietnam, let me summarize things for you:

• Vietnam is safe for solo travel.
• There is a well-marked tourist trail.
• People are friendly and warm
• Solo travel in Vietnam is cheap
• And finally, Vietnamese food is out of the world.

Here are some other resources to help you plan your Vietnam trip

The Ultimate 3 Weeks Vietnam Itinerary(+ Other tips & details)

Your Packing List For Vietnam(For Both Men & Women)

95 Fantastic Things to do in Vietnam

30 Things No One Tells You About Vietnam

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The Golden Rules of Solo Travel

By Olivia Morelli

The joys of traveling solo are endless. It is freeing to explore new places alone—you can go where you please, eat when you want, and enjoy quality time with yourself uninterrupted. The interest in solo travel has been slowly rising for a while, in tandem with the desire for deeper, slower, more connective trave l. For many, solo travel is the perfect way to achieve this—it provides an opportunity to trust your instinct, go with your gut, and get lost in the experience. You rely on yourself rather than on others’ whims or desires.

But, if you’re not a seasoned solo traveler, it can be a daunting prospect. In an age of constant connectivity, the idea of being alone for an extended period of time is stark. Below, we spoke to travelers who frequently book solo trips about their golden rules for traveling alone.

Dining alone isn’t weird

For most people, the thought of dining alone is one of the biggest barriers to traveling solo. But once you get past the conviction that everyone is noticing or judging you, it’s a totally freeing experience. “Dining alone isn’t as uncommon as you might imagine,” says Estée Lalonde, a creative director and influencer with a passion for solo travel. “I personally find it empowering! Sometimes I bring a book with me or watch an episode of my favorite show on Netflix with my headphones on, but other times I just enjoy the atmosphere and end up chatting to the people at the table next to me.”

Book counter dining at restaurants if it's too weird for you

If you are someone who does feel uncomfortable about dining alone, opt for a bar or counter seat. It’s much less intimidating than having a whole table to yourself, and you are more likely to end up chatting to the staff or the person sitting next to you. "The first time I went out for a meal alone, I went to JG Melon on the Upper East Side of New York City ,” Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveller ’s deputy digital editor, says. “I took a book, and nervously shuffled onto a bar stool for my burger—but ended up chatting away to the charming bartender and the women sat next to me. Now I often opt for a counter seat when eating alone, and no longer take a book with me. Either I end up talking to someone or just enjoy the peace. A general rule I live by—we're all so wrapped up in our own lives, no one is paying much attention to other people."

Consider a hostel

Not only are hostels affordable, but they're also great places to meet fellow travelers—whether they're in the same solo boat as you or not. Many have a cheap bar onsite that allows you to fall into natural conversation with compatriots who may become friends, or at least will have great tips for things to do.

Fake it till you make it

Most people feel nervous about meeting new people, and introverts especially struggle to make the first move when in a new place. But remember that everyone is in the same boat, and most solo travelers will have experienced those same emotions. The first five seconds are the hardest, but once you’ve introduced yourself, you’ll quickly realize it wasn’t as big a deal as you originally thought. You’d kick yourself if you let a bit of shyness ruin your trip, so use that as the motivation you need to approach a fellow traveler. And remember, if you present with confidence, that will show—fake it til you make it is a reliable life rule to follow.

Never consolidate all of your assets

“This is a lesson that I learned the hard way after getting pickpocketed in a crowded Jerusalem marketplace,” says global digital director Arati Menon, “I had stupidly carried all my credit cards and cash with me—luckily no passport!—in a single wallet and as a result, had no way of paying the hotel bill later that day when I checked out. Now, I always split my cards and cash (and IDs) across various places: wallet, purse, luggage—and if possible, store at least one of these in a locked safe back at the hotel.”

Don’t fear loneliness

“Remember that a bit of loneliness can be bracing and character-building,” says Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveller ’s features director. “My experience traveling is generally that people are decent, kind and interesting—and you found that out most acutely by being alone (whereas everyone leaves couples well alone.) Some of my most memorable travel experiences have been on my own—like when I was stranded in Nanjing at 2 a.m. by a delayed train in 2001, and a local student let me bunk in his dorm room for the night.”

Take the train

“While even the most extroverted of travelers avoid chit chat like the plague on a plane, I have found traveling by train to be a much more social means of transport," says associate editor Hannah Towey. "Last summer, I traveled solo on the Amtrak Coastal Starlight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco and spent the entirety of the 9-hour journey in the communal observation lounge, where fellow travelers rotated in and out, sharing tables and playing cards while admiring the views. As the sun set on the second half of the trip, a few musically-inclined passengers formed an impromptu band complete with an acoustic guitar and mandolin. Word slowly spread and others trickled in from other parts of the train to take turns singing songs in different languages. It might take a few more hours than a flight, but who knows, you might even find the Ethan Hawke to your Julie Delpy and spend a spontaneous evening together in Vienna.”

Plan around cultural events

Arriving at a destination just as the locals are gearing up for an important cultural event can be an incredible way to immerse yourself straight away. Look up religious festivals, bank holidays, and street parties to see what time is best to visit and plan accordingly. You’ll get a real flavor of the people, the food, and even the music, and you might end up making friends along the way.

Research solo travel in your destination

As obvious as “do your research” sounds, it’s an important step to remember. Look at online forums and speak to people who have previously visited the destination. What safety precautions should you be taking? Is it safe to walk between locations, or is it better to use taxis? Are taxis easy to find? What is the destination's culture like after dark? For women, in particular, it is best to plan ahead to avoid getting stranded in remote neighborhoods after dark.

Have a rough plan for each day

It can feel daunting waking up in a brand new destination and not knowing where to start, so make sure to create vague itineraries for your trip. What are your non-negotiables in this destination? Any big attractions you want to tick off? Restaurants you’ve been desperate to try? Beaches you’ve always wanted to visit? “I like to have 3-5 little activities in mind for each day, like visiting a particular store or trying the local cuisine,” Estée tells us. “If you have a bit of direction you can leave space in between each activity to be spontaneous and discover the local area.”

Build in group activities

Booking tours and group events is a great way to meet other travelers. Most hostels have a list of activities available for guests to sign up for, and if not, then there are walking tours or live music events at local bars. “Try to see people as opportunities," Toby advises. “I'd build in communal activities to your itinerary and remember that you’ll probably never see these people again, so you have nothing to lose in almost any interaction and possibly a lot to gain—though there might be a touch of male privilege in that.”

Walk as much as you can

“Sometimes when I travel to a new place, I can be nervous to leave my bed as a solo traveler,” Estée admits. “As soon as I get outside and start walking I feel better—like I’m part of the city and that I belong there!” Exploring by foot is a great way to get to know the bones of a destination. You’ll soon create a mental map of the area nearest your accommodation and might stumble upon some hidden gems you wouldn’t have come across otherwise.

Allow yourself to be spontaneous

On that note, try to allow yourself some spontaneity. Having a rough plan is definitely advisable, but don’t stop yourself from following your gut if you have a sudden urge to pop into a shop, follow the sound of the crowds or head for the beach. It’s often the spur-of-the-moment decisions that result in the best experiences.

Bring good books

It’s easy to whip out your phone and rely on scrolling when you’re by yourself, and while that is a great way to decompress if you’re feeling jittery, there are few things more romantic than settling in at a street-side cafe and getting lost in the pages of a good book .

Bring a journal

Journaling has become a popular pastime of late, and keeping a travel journal is a great way to combine the mental health benefits of getting out your thoughts and feelings with the memories and emotions of traveling solo. “I find all of that time alone enables me to clear my head, and journaling is a great way to regulate those emotions,” Estée explains.

Keep a separate copy of your personal details

Sounds old school, but in lieu of printing out paper copies of all your bank details, phone numbers, and accommodations details, try keeping a document of all your information and emailing it to yourself. This way, if you lose your phone, you can ask the reception of your accommodation or staff at a hotel/restaurant/bar to borrow a phone and log into your email account to access anything you need. It’s also worth memorizing your card details and any emergency phone numbers (both personal and local emergency service numbers).

Take other safety precautions

There are plenty of ways to protect yourself when traveling alone. Sharing your location with your friends and family back home is a lovely way to keep in touch without having to actually message them—they can watch your journey from afar and keep track of your whereabouts if you haven’t contacted them for a while. Remember to bring a padlock for your backpack and lockers if you’re staying in hostels, and study basic phrases in the language of your destination, just in case you get lost and need some help.

Don’t forget insurance

There’s always something that doesn’t go to plan on any trip, and as a solo traveler, you’ll want to make sure you mitigate any stress that comes from changing itineraries. Buying travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself from any transport cancellations and unforeseen circumstances, and will cover any costs from injuries or thefts. Sounds scary, but it’ll be worth it if the worst happens!

A version of this story originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller .

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Solo Traveler’s Guidebook: 16 Tips for an Unforgettable Trip

Last Updated: May 24, 2024 May 24, 2024

Solo travel is a thrilling way to see the world on your own terms. Without other people to plan trips with, you’re free to see every museum and eat in every restaurant you want without anyone slowing you down. 

Before you embark on this mission, it helps to be prepared with a list of tips on how to travel alone safely and enjoyably. In this solo travel guide, we review 16 top tips for anyone traveling by themselves.

Why Travel Solo?

Traveling solo is an empowering experience of self-discovery and adventure . Without the constraints of a companion’s schedule or preferences, you have the freedom to see the world entirely according to your interests and pace. 

Solo travel encourages independence, boosts confidence, and allows for deeper immersion in the local culture, as you are more approachable and likelier to engage with locals. Whether you’re seeking solitude, adventure, or a chance to meet new people, solo travel can provide an unforgettable and enriching experience.

16 Tips for Traveling Alone 

If traveling on your own sounds like the trip of a lifetime and you’re ready to start planning, consider these tips:  

1. Practice With Smaller Activities

Before you embark on a globetrotting adventure, try destinations a little closer to home. Consider a day trip somewhere in your state or a location you’re already familiar with. Activities like dining out and attending events alone can help you get comfortable with solitude, teach you to think on your feet, and boost your situational awareness—all of which are useful when making bigger trips to new, unfamiliar places. 

2. Research Your Destination 

Gathering important information about your destination includes things like checking travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State and researching local customs. Travel advisories, which warn of political upheaval, public health outbreaks, and other risks, enable you to plan your trip as safely as possible. 

Knowledge of local norms, such as dress codes, behavior in cultural sites, and dining etiquette, can prevent unintentional offenses and enhance your travel experience. 

3. Plan an Itinerary

Having a structured plan eliminates guesswork while you travel so you can make the best use of your time. Planning your days in advance ensures you take in all the sights and experiences that time will allow. A detailed itinerary should include travel routes, accommodations, and activities, along with an estimate of when you will arrive at and depart each destination.  

4. Carry Copies of Important Documents

In the unfortunate event that something happens to your passport, visas, identification, or other documents, having photocopies or digital backups can expedite replacing them. Taking this precautionary step can avoid potential legal and logistical issues if you have to travel without the originals. 

5. Insure Your Trip

Insuring your trip provides financial protection and peace of mind if unforeseen events disrupt your getaway. Solo travel insurance reimburses your travel costs for things like medical emergencies , trip cancellations , lost or stolen belongings , and travel delays . In case of illness or injury, having insurance ensures you can access medical care without worrying about high out-of-pocket costs. 

6. Notify Your Bank

If your financial institution sees an unusual charge overseas, they may block your credit card until they can confirm you authorized the purchase. Eliminate the chance of having your card declined by informing your bank in advance where and when you’re traveling. 

7. Stay Connected With Loved Ones

Regular communication with friends, family, or other trustworthy people ensures that someone is aware of your whereabouts in case of emergencies or unexpected situations. Sharing your experiences can also make you feel less isolated, which can be comforting when navigating new environments alone. 

8. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Even if you’ve traveled to a place many times before, it’s wise to keep your guard up. Vigilance helps you recognize and avoid potential dangers, such as unsafe areas, suspicious individuals, or hazardous situations. By staying alert, you can better navigate unfamiliar environments, spot opportunities, and make informed decisions quickly.

9. Respect the Local Culture 

Learning about local cultures in advance and adhering to their norms when traveling shows cultural sensitivity and appreciation, which can help you have more meaningful connections with people and a more fulfilling trip. Learn basic practices such as dining etiquette and clothing styles to ensure you’re being considerate. 

10. Learn Important Phrases

Knowing several common phrases, such as greetings, asking for directions, or requesting help can make your journey significantly easier. Locals will likely appreciate the effort you showed in learning their language, plus it simplifies navigating unfamiliar settings. Using key phrases can also make you feel more confident and self-reliant, which are important when traveling solo.  

11. Pack Light

Packing light enhances your mobility and reduces the physical and mental burden of managing heavy luggage. With fewer items to carry, you can move more freely, whether navigating crowded airports , boarding public transportation, or walking through bustling streets. A lighter load minimizes fatigue and stress, allowing you to focus more on enjoying your journey and exploring new places. 

12. Use Technology Wisely

Efficiently using technology means knowing when to use your devices and conserving power when they’re not necessary. Social media is great for staying connected and travel apps provide easy access to maps, translation tools, and local recommendations, but these all drain your battery. Consider saving your social media posts and other non-essential uses until you’re somewhere you can charge your phone.     

13. Be Open to New Friends

Although you’re traveling solo, it’s exciting to have some companionship along the way. Meeting new people can lead to spontaneous adventures and can provide safety in numbers. The bonds forged while traveling are often ones that endure long after the trip. 

14. Take Care of Your Body

Good health ensures you have the stamina to fully enjoy your travel experience. Injuries and fatigue can slow you down, and it can be challenging to find reliable medical care in many parts of the world. Staying hydrated; eating nutritious, balanced meals; and getting adequate rest are all crucial to maintaining your health while journeying by yourself. 

15. Bring a First Aid Kit

Even the best preventive measures aren’t 100% effective, so you may get sick or injured on a trip. Having a first-aid kit with basic medical supplies on hand allows you to quickly deal with cuts, scrapes, headaches, or digestive issues and minimize disruptions to your travel. You’ll want to pack your kit in a compact, waterproof container to keep it protected and accessible. 

16. Have a Backup Plan 

Contingency plans in case of transportation delays, lost belongings, or issues with your accommodations can save a lot of hassle while you’re traveling. Avoid disruptions and maintain peace of mind by having a backup in case your initial plans fall through. Your Plan B can also be a source of excitement you didn’t expect.  When you’re ready to travel solo, keep yourself and your trip safe with travel insurance from Squaremouth . Our policies ensure you make your way with confidence, knowing you’re covered in case of flight delays, illness, and many other issues.

Written by Casey Clague

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8 Tips Bangun Rasa Percaya Diri Saat Solo Traveling untuk Pertama Kali

Kompas.com travel travel tips, ni nyoman wira widyanti.

KOMPAS.com -   Solo traveling atau jalan-jalan sendirian bisa menjadi kegiatan seru, sekaligus menantang. Sebab, bisa jadi kamu menjelajahi suatu destinasi yang belum pernah kamu datangi seorang diri.

Saat melakukan  solo traveling , penting untuk melakukan beberapa persiapan dan membangun rasa percaya diri. Simak tips berikut ini:

Rekomendasi Tempat Solo Traveling ala Marischka Prudence, ke Indonesia Timur

5 destinasi wisata anti-mainstream untuk solo traveling, ada kintamani, tips agar percaya diri saat  solo traveling pertama kali, 1. rencanakan dengan matang.

Salah satu cara efektif untuk membangun rasa percaya diri jika masih pemula dalam  solo traveling adalah membuat rencana yang rinci. 

Dilansir dari  Travel Noire , Senin (12/2/2024), lakukan riset secara menyeluruh tentang destinasi tujuan, termasuk budaya masyarakatnya dan aturan setempat. 

Buatlah rencana perjalanan dan rencana aktivitas yang akan dilakukan, tapi jangan lupa siapkan diri akan kemungkinan perubahan rencana yang mendadak.  

3 Destinasi di Filipina yang Cocok untuk Solo Traveling

Jangan lakukan 8 hal ini saat solo traveling, 2. kunjungi destinasi terdekat dulu.

Sebelum melancong ke destinasi internasional, cobalah menjelajahi destinasi terdekat terlebih dahulu. Kamu bisa melakukannya saat akhir pekan. 

Dikutip dari  Buzzfeed , hal ini bisa membantu membuatmu merasa nyaman dalam melakukan segala hal sendirian. 

Baca juga: 6 Destinasi Wisata Dunia yang Cocok untuk Solo Traveling, Ada Bali

3. Belajar bahasa setempat

Mempelajari bahasa masyarakat lokal di destinasi yang dituju juga membantu dalam membangun rasa percaya diri. Pelajarilah hal-hal dasar. 

Tindakan ini bisa membantumu butuh pertolongan, misalnya saat keadaan darurat. Masyarakat setempat juga umumnya menghargai wisatawan asing yang berusaha berkomunikasi dalam bahasa mereka. 

Baca juga: 10 Kesalahan Umum Saat Solo Traveling yang Harus Kamu Hindari

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Kompas Travel (@kompas.travel)

4. Siapkan rencana darurat Kejadian…

Tag tips solo traveling tips percaya diri saat solo traveling tips percaya diri saat wisata tips jadi solo traveler apa itu solo traveling.

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Everything You NEED to Know About Solo Traveling in Bali

• November 25, 2023

Solo traveling around Bali is a great chance to explore the island freely and at your own pace.

Explore enchanting temples, experience the vibrant nightlife, make quick friends and immerse yourself in the culture.

By visiting alone, you’ll have the freedom to go wherever you want, when you want – no planning required!

You’ll meet loads of locals who are excited to share their insider knowledge, and show you around their home. Balinese people, and Indonesians in general, are incredibly proud of their homeland.

For those looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure, you’ve come to the right place. Pack your bags and get ready for the journey of a lifetime!

Here is everything you need to know about taking a solo traveling around Bali.

Why Travel Solo in Bali?

There are endless reasons why you might want to take your travels into your own hands and go solo traveling in Bali. You might want to avoid big crowded tours, save some money or just go at your own pace – Bali is a totally safe place to go it alone.

Spend your days wandering the island, mixing in groups you wouldn’t usually meet and exploring places that you wouldn’t usually go. When you are adventuring solo, you don’t need to worry about suiting someone else’s schedule, you can do it however you want.

There are amazing, vast landscapes, must-see cultural sights and lot of days where you can lounge away on the beautiful Bali beaches without having someone rushing you.

The Island of the Gods has a reputation for ‘changing people’. It is often used as a spiritual pilgrimage to find one’s purpose, and help work out the next steps in life. When you take the leap to visit Bali solo, you can really delve deep into your own self-development and improvement.

Where to Stay in Bali as a Solo Traveler

For the adventurous solo traveler, Bali is a dream destination. It has a little bit of everything from an energetic nightlife in Canggu, to spiritual temples in Ubud and the breathtaking vistas in Uluwatu – it is a tropical paradise that will lure you in for the time of your life.

Solo Traveling in Canggu

Canggu is the number 1 spot to stay in Bali right now. The charming coastal town is full of beaches, instagrammable cafes, restaurants, nightlife and shops.

A perfect place to meet people and find some travel buddies, Canggu is the most popular spot for backpackers, luxe explorers and solo travelers in Bali. It is teeming with digital nomads who have made the island their home thanks to all the amazing coworking spaces and Western amenities.

Spend your days hanging out on the beach, taking surf lessons and sipping coconuts, then refreshing before a night of partying, drinking and dancing in some of the best clubs in Canggu . If you are a totally outgoing person or prefer something a little more lowkey, Canggu has something for everyone!

For those who can’t go without their workout, the town is packed with modern gyms and fitness centers that offer every kind of work out – CrossFit, F45, pilates, yoga, everything! Getting down with your favourite hobby is a great way to make some friends.

As one of the busiest parts of Bali, you will encounter a lot of traffic, crowds and tourists, however as everything is so spread out across the town, it won’t bother your visit too much. If you aren’t keen to drive yourself, the GOJEK and Grab apps are a totally safe and reliable way to get around.

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Canggu:

Tribal hostel.

The Cali Villas Canggu

Solo Traveling in Seminyak

If Canggu is the boho dream of Bali, Seminyak is the cosmopolitan heart of the island. It is a hip and vibrant area filled with amazing restaurants , bars, beach clubs and amenities. A beautiful town to call your island home, it has everything you need in the way of comfortable amenities, while mingling with classic Bali life.

When traveling solo in Seminyak, you’ll have everything you need in walking distance – no matter where you stay. Enjoy days around the town finding cute, trendy cafes, trying out world-class food and having a laze on the sand soaking in the sun.

A top spot for beachfront sunset cocktails, head to one of the town’s lavish beach clubs where the music gets louder as the day turns into night. With a front row view to a famous sunset and a cool vibey atmosphere, the party people will find it easy to make friends!

Wanna party? The nightlife in Seminyak is THRIVING! The area is packed with plenty of bars and clubs where you can dance the night away, or just grab a few drinks and watch live music. If you are heading out alone, be sure to stay cautious and aware of your belongings, keeping an eye on your drink at all times.

Staying in Seminyak is incredibly safe for solo travelers. Taking all the usual precautions like staying vigilant of your belongings, staying away from weird situations, and not doing anything stupid – like drinking too much or hopping in a random car, you are sure to have a comfortable and memorable stay!

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Seminyak:

Tijili hotel.

Stellar Capsules

Solo Traveling in Ubud

Ubud is the cultural heart of the island where many people head for a more spiritual experience. With some beautiful landscapes, cool attractions and heaps of culture, if you want to see a touch of the real Bali, Ubud is a must!

You can join in spiritual experiences like a traditional Melukat cleansing and rituals, explore the incredible Hindu temples , and get lost in the magnificent jungle. A stay in Ubud is filled with magic!

The mountain air of Ubud is fresh and invigorating – the temperatures tend to be cooler than in the rest of Bali making it perfect for a relaxing getaway. Plus, the local food scene is top notch! There are plenty of healthy food options , including vegan and vegetarian spots.

Although the heart of the town can be pretty manic with beeping bikes and hawking tourists, once you get away from the main road and into the smaller, quieter villages, you can really immerse in the culture of Bali.

Traveling around Ubud alone can be a truly transformative experience. You can go it solo the whole time, or join a yoga retreat or class to make some new friends.

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Ubud:

Sabana ubud.

Outpost Ubud Penestanan Coworking & Coliving

Solo Traveling in Uluwatu

Uluwatu is surfer central, renowned for expansive ocean views, breathtaking beaches, and interesting culture. Their expat scene is on the rise too!

The Ulu coastline is filled with hidden hideaways for days in the sun, and those sought-after waves for surfers of all levels.

As well as being a digital nomad and beach-goer hotspot, there are some great cultural spots to see. There’s Uluwatu Temple and the GWK Cultural Park that will let you learn even more about the Balinese culture.

And make sure the famous, magical Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple is on your to-do list!

The area is incredibly safe and welcoming to solo travelers. As with everywhere on the island, the locals are super friendly and welcoming – there will always be someone offering a helping hand.

You’ll quickly find that Uluwatu is an affordable destination, making it a great choice for budget travelers.

For getting around, renting a scooter is best as public transportation is pretty limited. That being said, you will need to have a little experience driving in Uluwatu to feel comfortable on the winding roads – don’t push yourself if you don’t feel ready!

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Uluwatu:

Gravity boutique hotel.

Kalia Bingin

Solo Traveling in Kuta

Kuta may no longer be one of the most popular areas to visit in Bali , but it is a great spot for having everything you need in walking distance.

Known for its sprawling beach and large shopping malls, it is an ideal place to spend lazy days enjoying the sun, doing some retail therapy and basking in the calm, tropical atmosphere of Bali.

Packed with amazingly affordable hotels, hostels, guesthouses and villas, you can have a touch of luxury even if you are on a budget and alone. Solo travelers in Bali will love the hostel options as it will help you make friends to head out and explore with.

Kuta’s nightlife is renowned, with huge buzzing bars and clubs lining Legian street. You can party away till the early hours of the morning, just a moment’s ride away from your accommodation (order a GO-JEK!!)

It is a little further out from the new up and coming fave places in Bali, but it is close to the airport and a great start to a Bali adventure.

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Kuta:

Bedrock hotel kuta.

Cara Cara Inn

Solo Traveling in Other Parts of Bali

There are many other parts of Bali that are equally as beautiful and worthwhile visiting as a solo traveler. With stunning landscapes, outstanding accommodations and must-do activities, you don’t want to miss out on these more untouched parts of the island.

Kintamani is magnificent area of Bali filled with natural beauty which remains, relatively, untouched. The mountainous region is home to the magical Lake Batur and active volcano Mount Batur. You can find some great hiking trails , beautiful waterfalls and traditional villages.

Lovina is another rural place to explore if you’re looking for a more off the beaten path experience. There are black sand beaches, beautiful coral reefs and some epic diving spots !

For a more unique solo traveling experience in Bali, these less touristy places are definitely worth checking out.

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Other Parts of Bali:

Bukit catu bungalows.

Alengkong Bali Camp

Top Tips for Solo Traveling in Bali

• Pack light: One of the best tips for traveling alone in Bali is to pack light. You don’t want to be carrying around a heavy backpack with all your belongings from place to place. Pack the essentials and pick up anything else you need on the island – they have pretty much everything you can think of!
• Research: Before you go, it’s important to do your research about Bali. Learn about the culture, customs, language, and attractions. This will help you better understand the island and make the most out of your trip. Of course you’ll find everything you need to know on Balipedia 😉
• Stay safe: Safety is paramount when traveling alone! Make sure to stay in well-lit and secure areas, keep your valuables safe, and always let someone know where you’re going. Many accommodations in Bali are safe, but be sure to check reviews before booking anywhere.
• Respect the culture: Bali is a very diverse and religious place. Be sure you respect the culture and customs of the locals. This means being mindful of how you dress, following the rules, and being polite. You will get much more out of your experience if you stay respectful.
• Stay connected: Stay connected with your friends and family back home but don’t get lost in the Instagram hype. Put down your phone and really take a look at the island.
• Learn some Bahasa Indonesia: Learning some basic phrases in Bahasa Indonesia will make your stay even easier! Impress the locals with a little bit of their own language – you may even get some better deals at the markets 😉
• Get travel insurance: Although it isn’t a requirement to have travel insurance for Bali , we highly recommend it! You never know what is around the corner in terms of delays, missing luggage, accidents and robbings, cover your back for it all with a good insurance!
• Be flexible: Don’t feel like you have to stick to a strict itinerary during your Bali holiday. Be flexible and open to new experiences! It will help you make the most of your trip and find yourself in some truly incredible situations.
• Have fun: Traveling solo around Bali isn’t something everyone gets to do! Make the most of the opportunity and really dive into every chance handed to you, you won’t regret it!

Final Thoughts

Solo traveling in Bali is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a solo traveler. The island is overflowing with natural beauty and an interesting, rich culture. It’s easy to discover something new every day.

Whether you venture out to explore the expansive rice terraces and villages of the central highlands, or take in the breathtaking views from atop the Uluwatu cliff tops, there’s truly something for everyone.

Packed with other adventurous backpackers and travelers looking for an adventure buddy, heading to Bali solo won’t be lonely!

Featured image: Alengkong Bali Camp

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe

July 26, 2022 by Janice Waugh

Traveling alone requires some special attention to safety. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, everyone can benefit from some solid solo travel safety tips.

After all, you alone must:

• prevent problems from arising
• be aware when they could or do arise
• decide how to manage them if they arise

When it comes to travel safety, prevention comes first.

In all my travels, I have encountered remarkably few problems. I believe it's mostly because I think in terms of prevention. I set myself up for safety.

True, no amount of prevention is a guarantee of safety. Things happen! Still, prevention is an important start and a significant aspect of these 50 solo travel safety tips.

Table of Contents

10 Steps to Plan for Safe Solo Travel

• Safety begins before you leave . Research is important. Knowledge protects you from the danger of misinformation, unsavory individuals, and/or naively wandering into an unsafe area. Imagine how you can be taken advantage of if you don't understand the currency. Or the health problems you could face if you don't know the necessary vaccinations for your destination. Or the potential loss of money, documents, and more if you don't know the unsafe areas at your destination. Understanding your destination before you go is key to your safety when you're there.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses . If you are new to travel, you likely have a lot to learn. If you've traveled a lot but have never traveled solo, you have different issues to resolve. We have a lot on the site for solo travel newbies. Read  Travel Solo for the First Time: Complete Guide for Newbies .
• Choose your destination carefully . We all have different ideas of safety. Some would never consider certain destinations for safety reasons while others would. Make sure the safety level of your destination meets your personal travel safety needs. Read Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers: North America & International, check our Destinations section, which features posts written by solo travelers who've been there, and use guide books and your government's travel site.
• Check your government’s travel site.  Your government likely has information on the travel documents you require for travel as well as any warnings for your destination. Here are links for travel alerts for the  United Kingdom ,  United States , and  Canada .
• Buy travel insurance before you go. I have World Nomads insurance. They are the only company I know that lets you buy insurance after you leave your country. However, it's certainly not after you need to make a claim. It keeps life simple and safe to buy insurance before you go. Read  Going Alone? A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers or Best Travel Insurance for Seniors: How to Find What’s Right for You .
• Register with your government. I certainly don't do this every time I travel but if you're going for a few weeks, registering as a citizen traveling abroad is a good idea. Use the links above.
• Schedule your arrival during daylight. The first stop for most travelers in a new destination is their hotel or hostel.   I suggest that you arrive in the mid-afternoon so that you can really see what kind of area you're staying in. A safe area will always look better in daylight. An unsafe area is more obviously so in daylight. But there are more very practical reasons to arrive during daylight. You will be able to find your accommodation more easily and if you don't like it, you will have time to make other arrangements.
• Know how you will get to your first accommodation . Your arrival in any new country, especially one where you don't know the language or the local transit system, is important. Research how you'll get from the airport to your hotel or hostel (I use Rome2Rio ) and give yourself lots of time. You will need it as you learn how their transit system works. If your flight arrives late in the day, you may want to avoid the transit system and splurge on a taxi to be on the safe side.
• Study a map before you leave.  I'm one who loves maps so this is an obvious step for me. But even those who do not love maps are advised to look at one and get the lay of the land. For example, if you were to look at a map of Toronto you'd note that the lake is south no matter where you are in the city and the CN Tower stands high near the lake. If you get turned around look for the tower. If you can't see it, ask someone which way the lake is. Not everyone knows north and south but locals know where the lake is. The same logic can be applied in New York City and many other cities based on major landmarks.
• Develop your navigation skills . Before leaving home you can wander into a different town or part of town and practice your navigation skills. Read How to Navigate a New City Solo: Stay Safe and Don’t Get Lost .

Travel Safety Gear to Pack

I'm not really a “prepare for the worst and hope for the best” kind of person, even when it comes to solo travel safety. That said, when I buy products for travel, I try to buy ones that will increase my personal safety and the security of my things. Necessary, they have rarely been. But it's great to know that they are there.

• An extra place to stash cash . This silk bra stash is a handy way of hiding a bit of extra cash. Available on Amazon . You can also consider a  money belt  or a  neck stash .
• Pickpocket-proof clothing . Pants and jackets with extra, hidden pockets offer additional places to keep cash.  Here's a link to Amazon's many pickpocket proof items .
• Anti theft day pack . The  Loctote  AntiTheft Sack is a safe and it's a backpack. Take it with you or leave it in your room locked to an immovable object with your valuables inside and everything will be safe. It's also great for the beach.
• Water purifier . Stay healthy and save plastic water bottles with the  Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier .
• hand sanitizer in travel-sized bottles
• Basic Band-Aids  or more colorful bandages, if you prefer. They're essential.
• NEOSPORIN® NEO TO GO!® First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Spray is a compact antibiotic spray. It's perfect for travel.
• For blisters, I carry  Dr. Frederick's blister plasters.
• Acetaminophen
• BENADRYL® Itch Relief Spray for insect bites. I used to use calamine lotion but it makes such a mess and stains everything. This spray is far easier to use and just as, if not more, effective.
• DEET-free Insect Repellent from Repel .
• Instant Cold Packs
• Any medications recommended by my travel clinic
• The right wallet . Identity theft is a real thing. RFID skimming is where, with the right technology, a person near you can gather data from your credit cards without your knowledge. There's little evidence that it constitutes a huge threat but there's no harm erring on the side of safety. RFID-blocking products are available in the form of  hard-shell card holders  and  leather wallets . Here's some more information about RFID-blocking from NordVPN.
• A doorstop.  Small and light, these can be very handy in smaller hotels off the beaten track where card keys and deadbolts are not common. Simply squeeze the doorstop under your door.
• Whistle . A whistle attached to your day bag can be handy if you feel the need to draw attention to yourself and scare away any unwanted attention.
• A VPN on all your devices . A VPN is mentioned below in the tech section but it can't be emphasized enough. Read:  Best VPN for Travel: What, Why and Feature-Price Comparison .

How to Keep Your Money and Documents Safe as You Travel

• Protect yourself from pickpockets . Pickpockets target travelers. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent them from pickpocketing you. Get all the details by reading Protect Yourself from Pickpockets: Keep Cards & Cash Safe .
• Use credit and debit cards wisely. How you manage your money as you travel is very important. For example, to save money, walk past those money exchange kiosks at airports and use an ATM in the city.
• Don't carry more than you need. If you have a card that does not charge you for taking funds from international ATMs, it's best to take out small amounts frequently rather than carrying large amounts of cash. The exceptions are when ATMs are hard to find or you will need more money than normal for a particular reason.
• Get a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.  The Chase credit cards are known for being good for this in the US.
• Carry a spare credit card. Not every card works everywhere. Carry a spare for such a situation or in case you lose your card.
• Keep emergency cash hidden . You can carry it on your body and have some tucked away in your suitcase or backpack.
• Don't take unnecessary documents with you . For travel, you likely need your passport, driver's license, visa (if the country you're visiting requires one), travel insurance, and possibly proof of vaccination. You don't need your social insurance card, checkbook, and the like. Leave the latter documents at home.
• Have multiple copies of your documents.  I carry my original documents with me as I travel. I like the security of knowing where they are at any given moment. I have scanned copies in my Lastpass vault. You can do the same with Nordpass . I also have photocopies of my documents in my suitcase or backpack which is, on a typical travel day, in the hotel or hostel. Finally, I leave copies of these documents with my husband at home. Read about using Lastpass and Nordpass for documents here: Best VPN for Travel: What, Why and Feature-Price Comparison .

Technology for Travel Safety

• Use a VPN. Before you use a credit card online or check your bank balance or, basically, go into any website that requires a password, make sure you turn on a VPN. It's almost impossible to travel and not use public Wi-Fi whether it's in the hotel or a café. Read:  Best VPN for Travel: What, Why and Feature-Price Comparison .
• Pre-program numbers into your phone, like your accommodation phone number, your government’s consulate office, and 911 if you are in North America.
• Make use of digital safety tools. There are hundreds of safety apps and tools on the market. From basic apps that come pre-installed on phones to a few specially designed for travel safety, we share our recommendations in 10 Solo Travel Safety Apps: Technology for Peace of Mind .

Solo Travel Safety Tips for While You're On the Road

Remember all those rules your mother taught you to ensure that you stayed safe as a child? They also make great solo travel safety tips. Apply them rigorously when you're traveling.

• Trust your intuition . If it doesn’t feel right, leave. Whether it's a bar or a park or a hostel, if you don't feel good in the situation, if your spidey senses are tingling, it's best to get out of there.
• Know the typical con games of your destination . If someone wants to give you something for free it may be a good idea to decline. A rose is often offered on the streets of Barcelona to draw travelers in for a con. A ring apparently found on the ground and offered to you as the person who possibly lost it, is another ruse to turn away from. Familiarize yourself with the common con games travelers encounter. Here's a list of 40 tourist scams .
• Stay in public.  I learned this lesson the hard way. I was caught in a con game and, fortunately, I did not leave a public place. Had I done so my life would likely have been much different.
• Where you're staying is personal information. Don’t tell strangers where you’re staying either in words or actions. Your accommodation should be your safe haven.
• Going out at night? Read this post on Night Safety for Solo Travelers: 17 Tips .
• Stay alert. Sleep well. Stay sober . While it's wonderful to sink into a destination, luxuriating in its culture, it's also important to stay safe. Being well rested and sober is key to being alert and exercising good judgment, both of which are key to your safety. If you are not one, the other, or both, recognize that fact and be extra careful.
• Walk with confidence.  In tourist areas such as around the Eiffel Tower, meandering as a tourist makes sense. However, there are other circumstances where you want to walk like a local, as if you know exactly what you're doing and where you're going. You don't want to look like a tourist. That requires that you walk with confidence. Read Solo Travel Confidence: How to Be Strong, Capable, and Safe
• Blend in as well as possible . Blending in requires more than just walking with confidence. Be aware of cultural differences and blend in if possible. Read  12 Ways to Blend In When You Travel Alone .
• Be polite. Be impolite. Being impolite can definitely get you into trouble. If people take offence at your behavior it's hard to know what can happen. So, definitely be polite under most circumstances. But if a person is bothering you, being polite can get you into trouble too. Know when and how to make a lot of noise and attract attention to yourself and the person bothering you.
• Pack right . You're more mobile and have less to lose when you pack light. Read:  Bare Minimum Packing . Use a distinctive mark on your luggage other than a name and address tag. Keep your luggage tags with your flight ticket. It's important to be able to confirm that the luggage is indeed yours. You may also want to keep your name and address inside your bag for proper identification if needed.
• Don’t flash wealth.  Leave expensive things at home. Don't wear jewelry or flashy clothes and accessories that will attract attention to yourself. Even if they don't go after your jewelry, they may target you and pick your pocket.
• Keep your belongings close . Hold your wallet, camera, and phone close to you. Never keep your wallet in your back pocket. Keep the number of things you're most concerned about to a minimum. For me, it's my wallet, phone, and passport. Having just three things makes them easy to carry and keep track of.
• Take special care of your documents . I keep my passport on me. I keep my plane ticket on my phone plus paper copies in my bag. I keep extra money in a couple of places and an extra credit card separate from the one I regularly use. Read:  Protect Yourself from Pickpockets: Keep Cards & Cash Safe .
• Carry the business card of your hotel or hostel.  Getting back to your hotel or hostel is pretty important but it can be a challenge if you're in a country where you don't speak the language. When you check in, get a business card from the establishment and carry it with you.
• Don't automatically jump in to help . If you see someone suddenly in need of help, get someone else to go to their aid with you. A local is better able to help and having someone else involved will protect you should the incident be a con game.
• Always carry a map. While walking around with a map in your hands may make you look like a vulnerable tourist, having one on you can be very helpful. If you're lost, stop into a shop to look at it and get assistance. They are especially helpful when you don't know the language. You can point to your destination, making communication easier.
• Understand the city transit system. Riding public transit is a great way to get to know a city and its culture. But, before you go, know how safe it is, how much the fares are and how they are paid, whether a pass is a good idea, and the basic routes you'll be taking.
• Take a break once in a while.  This goes along with staying aware of your surroundings. If you're experiencing travelers fatigue, join a day tour or cooking class or something that will make for a simple, interesting, and relaxing day.
• Ask for a room on an upper floor.
• If you are a woman, ask if there is a women-only floor and get a room there, if possible.
• Be aware of the alternative exits.
• Before you go out, ask about safety.
• When you return at night, ask for an escort to your room if you are nervous.
• Use the security lock.
• Lock important items in the room safe.
• When you leave your room, leave the TV and a light on, if possible. Put out the “do not disturb” sign to suggest that there is someone in the room.
• Check TripAdvisor.com for a review of your accommodation in case travel safety is highlighted as an issue.

Is Solo Travel Safe?

I believe that solo travel is as safe as traveling with a companion. Follow the advice above, use your smarts, and you should be okay.

There's more you can read about safety on Solo Traveler:

• Solo Female Travel Safety: Answering a Stranger’s Question-Or Not
• Solo Travel Over 50: Reasons, Benefits, Destinations & Safety
• A Road Trip Alone: Top 10 Tips to Prepare

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Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

15 Travel Vlogging Tips from a SOLO FEMALE Travel Vlogger

Last Updated on June 10, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

This post may contain affiliate links. I never leave home without travel insurance. Here’s an tirip insurance finder tool  to find one that matches your budget. I use World Nomads as it covers adventures . I also get the plan that covers gear and travel theft. 

Being a  solo female travel vlogger on YouTube and freelance camera operator, I love shooting stories in exotic and new destinations both, at home and abroad.  The one important rule to acknowledge with travel is that there is no do-over once you leave a destination. You need to get your shots and shot list checklist complete so you can tell the story. Thus, being thoughtfully prepared and packed for my shoot is most important to me. I’m sharing travel vlogging tips to prepare you for shooting a destination .

Read Benefits of Travel Vlogging on YouTube

Table of Contents: 15 Travel Vlogging Tips from a SOLO FEMALE Travel Vlogger

• 0.1 Travel Vlogging for Beginners: Is travel vlogging for women different from men?
• 1.0.1 1. Never pack your main camera gear in your checked luggage
• 1.0.2 2. Decide on the right gear to pack and which to leave behind
• 1.0.3 3. A wide-angle lens is a must for making travel videos.
• 1.0.4 4. Keep travel camera backpacks compact
• 1.0.5 5. Are you planning vacation or a film shoot?
• 1.0.6 6. Choose the right travel camera bag for solo travel
• 1.0.7 7. Do not assume you can “buy replacement gear” when you arrive.
• 1.0.8 8. Invest in an SSD
• 1.0.9 9. Capturing the details is key to a good story.
• 1.0.10 10. Ask permission to shoot locals
• 1.0.11 11. Prepare for all outcomes
• 1.0.12 12. Prepare for the weather
• 1.0.13 13. Insure your camera gear
• 1.0.14 14. Remember to wipe your lens
• 1.0.15 15. Check camera settings
• 1.0.16 Conclusion
• 1.0.17 What recommendations would you add to this guide on Travel Vlogging tips for beginners and how to start a travel vlog?

Travel Vlogging for Beginners: Is travel vlogging for women different from men?

Being a solo female travel vlogger brings unique challenges compared to male counterparts, even though our camera gear and YouTube styles may be similar. I strive to be authentic with my audience, but sometimes, I hesitate to share my struggles as a woman in a male-dominated industry, fearing I might be perceived as “whiny.” However, being a female vlogger on a solo travel journey presents distinct hurdles.

Safety is a top concern. Navigating unfamiliar territories while being a female traveler demands constant vigilance, especially in societies with traditional gender norms. Cultural differences and societal/dress codes can make it more challenging for me to blend in and stay safe. Additionally, carrying my gear around adds a physical and emotional burden, and dealing with touts and travel scams can feel overwhelming.

Read How to make travel videos for youtube

Each new destination requires me to adapt to a unique set of rules and customs while ensuring my storytelling remains informative for my travel audience. Speaking to my camera in public spaces can attract unwanted attention, leaving me feeling nervous and self-conscious.

Despite these challenges, I’m determined to overcome them and share my amazing experiences with the world. As a travel vlogger, I believe in inspiring other women to embark on their own solo adventures and break through the barriers. Here are some tips that have helped me along the way:

See my conference slides on How to Make Money with YouTube

15 travel vlogging tips for beginners, 1. never pack your main camera gear in your checked luggage.

A rule of thumb is that you never want to separate yourself from your main camera gear because it is both, essential to your film trip and valuable. Your flight can get delayed or your luggage can get tossed, lost or stolen.

So what can you pack in checked luggage?

• Cables, adapters and backup chargers (I always keep one for my main gear bag in case luggage gets lost and I have to charge things).
• Pocket light panels, gorilla pod, tripods and selfie sticks.
• If I pack valuable gear I’ll pack a short lens and wrap it up in my clothes or tuck it away in a shoe or cup.

Avoid packing camera and external batteries. You may carry a lot of batteries like me, but it’s against airlines regulations. I like to pack my accessories in my luggage (although I take mostly carry-on luggage so i’m never far from my gear period).

See my packing list for travel vlogging

2. decide on the right gear to pack and which to leave behind.

When you travel and film, you need to choose the right gear to bring with you, because you’re carrying it for the entire day. It’s like a marriage that has to last for the day.  Pack the wrong stuff – underestimate your shooting needs or the weather– and you’re kicking yourself for hours.

Think about the shots and content you want to capture first and then the weather. Then plan your packing around it.

I know photo journalists who carry two DSLRs, so they do not have to switch out lenses when they shoot for an event or red carpet. But solo travel run and gunning is a beast when you’re sightseeing, walking crowded markets and doing outdoor activities like hiking. It also takes mental preparation when your day spans into a long day of navigating public transportation, taking Uber or rickshaws and getting lost on foot!

Your camera backpack weight, the miles you’re walking, the obstacles of filming the shots you want and the climate…  they all add to the challenge.

• Leave some gear at your hotel or home. Although I pack gear for my trip, I also repack my gear for the day’s itinerary and shooting needs.
• For hiking, landscapes, I leave my heavy 70-300mm zoom lens at home and use my everyday cameras: GoPro , vlog camera and/or mini DSLR .
• For food content, I pack my vlog camera and/or mini DSLR with my camera shotgun mic.
• If filming a safari or street crowds, I’ll pack my zoom lens.
• For travel portrait days (I don’t really do portraits), I might bring a 50mm lens.

3. A wide-angle lens is a must for making travel videos.

A wide-angle lens is a must of travel content creators; you’ll be glad when you make that investment. Other camera lenses will not be able to capture the landscape as you experience it and even your wide lens will not capture the epic greatness you experience.

I’m typically the type of film coach, who advises that it doesn’t matter what gear/brand you get, but this is one piece of glass you will find the most use with.

The 11-24mm ultra wide angle lens offers stellar, high-quality performance and is great for architecture, landscape and weddings. The con is that it can be pricy and a bit more on the heavy side. It is a solidly built camera lens with heavy glass.

These two wide-angle lenses are the best bet to capture your landscape before the image begins to distort.

4. Keep travel camera backpacks compact

When you solo travel, you carry your all your camera gear and luggage with you. You want to have a light and maneuverable equipment backpack , as you’ll be wearing the weight on your shoulders and back within the course of your travel-film days. Check out my camera backpack (I absolutely love it for solo filming)

• Avoid large camera backpacks. I’ve had to fit my camera gear on anything from train lockers, plane cabins to maneuvering small and crowded buses in developing countries. Large backpacks also tempt you to want to pack more than you need.
• Adaptability. You want to comfortably transport your valuable gear on flights (laptop included, if you take one). But you also want to be able to downsize and strip down to the travel-film essential you need, during long haul sightseeing days when you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Being light and nimble helps you move quickly and fit into tight spaces.

See top carryon convertible luggage for solo travelers

5. are you planning vacation or a film shoot.

If your goal is to grow a successful YouTube channel, then plan your trips around your film shoot ideas. Each day is an expense, when I’m traveling a destination and even my sponsored stays come with a time limit.

I am IN for the shoot; OUT when I’ve collected the stories/videos I came for. It’s what is in my film budget. There are times that I certainly want to stay longer, but my time is often shared with freelance videography work at home that offers paying clients vs the passive income that blogging/vlogging brings and must be earned by investing time, energy and money into content.  Generally, it’s hard to take a vacation when your job is to film your “vacation”. I can only truly turn off my camera when I’ve reached home.

Being a solo female travel vlogger involves juggling two distinct aspects: the basic travel budget and logistics, and the filmmaking and content planning. It’s a challenging, rigorous but rewarding journey that requires preparation and adaptability.

• On the solo travel front, I meticulously research and plan my trip, trip dates, prices, considering factors like budget-friendly accommodations, transportation options, and personal safety as a female traveler . Dealing with language barriers, managing equipment gear, and navigating unfamiliar situations  … it all happens here . I need to know where I’m going, who I’m meeting and by what mode of transportation I’m using (i.e. bus, overnight train, ride share, rickshaw, etc..). I have to be prepared for every situational variable that’s thrown at me and if I’ve never experienced it, then whoa , there’s always a first time!  How to use a bathroom that’s got a squat toilet, in a stall with no luggage hook and with all your gear on you and luggage with you… that’s a learned female solo travel vlogger skill!
• As a travel vlogger, I dedicate time to plan my film shoots and create content. Researching filming locations, potential story angles, and researching and connecting to sponsors is crucial. Reaching out to sponsors takes much behind-the-scenes work, but it can help travel-to-film expenses be more manageable, unless my YouTube income covers that additional expense or I can upsell a stay into a paid freelance project! (And when I get home to edit all this footage and post social media posts, budget has to be factored in as well!)
• Taxes: I consider expenses associated with video creation, like flights, transportation, meals, activities, guides/fixers, Uber, food haul expenses and visa fees, which can be claimed as Costs of Goods Sold when I earn YouTube income.
• Being responsible for my content, including correctly pronouncing foreign words, is essential, even though mistakes can happen and jerks leave you a stinky comment about how I should know how to speak their language.

Balancing both aspects during a trip can be taxing, especially when facing physical fatigue and challenging weather conditions. Something as small as your ponytail getting caught under your camera backpack strap can be the last straw! Despite the difficulties, proper planning and finding support make traveling and filming more manageable and enjoyable.

Want to monetize your YouTube channel faster? Nab my book bundle on How to Make Money Blogging & Vlogging

6. choose the right travel camera bag for solo travel.

One of the most vital things about choosing the right travel camera backpack is functionality. It needs to be easy to access so you can remove your camera and start shooting immediately. You want your gear to be organized, easily accessible for breaking action. You also need to be protective of your gear and protected from pickpockets… Yes, it can be stressful if you’re a woman traveling alone carrying visibly expensive gear that needs to come out for you to do your job.

You want to think of your backpack in terms of how you’ll maneuver a crowded train in Japan, dirty back alley streets of Varanasi or on a city walking tour, where you’re in a group that has to keep moving.

Photographer’s bag cases that you have to lay on the ground to remove your camera are not practical. Avoid them, unless you specialize in cinematography .  Cinematographers will create more time in a place just to film it properly. Otherwise, some locations won’t afford you the space or privacy to open and expose your equipment. Tip: I’m in love with the Manfrotto NX CSC Camera Backpack. It’s compact, keeps everything organized with top and back loading entrances to the bag. ( check out my review )

7. Do not assume you can “buy replacement gear” when you arrive.

Before traveling, ensure your travel vlogging equipment kit checklist includes backup batteries and charging cables. Some countries may lack Apple stores or offer electronics at higher prices in airports. Moreover, be mindful of varying plug types in different countries. For instance, when I purchased a Mac laptop in Hong Kong at an Apple store, it did not occur to me that it would come with a  Hong Kong plug adapter , which required a specific plug adapter for use in the U.S.

Tip: B&H Photography delivers internationally , so if you need to replace a piece of gear, you may consider this option.  Amazon may also be an option if you are staying at a hotel for a set number of days.  Keep in mind, you may need to open an Amazon account in the country that you’re sending to and their international partners are limited! Amazon operates in over 20 countries, such as: United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, and Brazil . Here’s their international shipping policies.

Download my camera equipment buying gear list It’s a little dated but it’s still helpful, as I share reasons behind what I buy.

8. invest in an ssd.

Anything can happen on the road. You can lose your camera, your external drive can get banged up and corrupt, someone can steal your luggage …and whooops there goes all your hard work, planning, and expense.  I like to take two 2TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs and split them up in two bags. They  are wallet size and super durable and slim so you can stash them inconspicuously in many things. It allows you to edit and transfer footage anywhere– even on the toilet. TMI, i know. But I’m in love with them!

Avoid: Stop buying the regular brick external storage. Read my SanDisk review here, especially if you do not know what’s the difference between and SSD and external harddrive!

9. Capturing the details is key to a good story.

With vibrant landscapes and exotic cultures unfolding before you, it’s easy to get sucked into getting cinematic portraiture as your broll. Wide shot, wide shot, wide shot … can get boring for YouTube audiences. If you are planning to film your journey for YouTube and not a travel documentary like Baraka , you will likely need more activity, emotions and dynamics to fuel a story.

Find the story in your journey, the destination, its people and culture. If you see holy men on the steps of the Ganges from your Ganges sunrise boat cruise , use your lens to probe deeper into their lifestyle, the ornaments they wear, their actions. A cultural festival has deeper meanings to locals than it does tourists, so probe, probe, probe with your lens. Get close-ups of details! These also make great b-roll.

Pick a story and follow it through to give your videos more insight and a deeper meaning.

Want to know why your YouTube channel isn’t growing? Book a YouTube Channel Audit

10. ask permission to shoot locals.

Always ask permission before you film locals. It’s tempting to just film people without their awareness because you want to capture a beautiful moment and once they notice a camera, they botch that authenticity. But still, it’s their right to their privacy.  I’ve certainly had my moments when I was naive and took photos in secret. Some countries, the locals are happy to have their photo taken, but others may not be. The more western you go, the more stringent the rules get.

Japan can be a challenging country to film, as there are many “No photo” signs up at marketplaces and eateries.  Shops and locals may not appreciate being photographed.

I worked with a sponsor who wanted me to promote one of their many cooking classes in Tokyo . The vendor (aka “cooking teacher”) they chose, who was giving the cooking class agreed to let me film with the possibility the experience could show up on my YouTube channel. However, I didn’t have a filming permissions or media release contracts in place. To shorten a long story,  a few years later I decided to edit and publish that trip experience for my channel. A day after publishing, the vendor contacted me to request I pull the video down. He had a nasty split with the sponsor and didn’t want to be associated with them. I asked if there were ways I could re-edit it. It was possible to remove the sponsor as they had gone out of business during the pandemic.  But no. Was it a personal whim or bigger spat ?   As I did not have a signed contract, I did the honorable thing and pulled the video. But it sucked royally.  I paid to film, produce and edit that video with my personal time and money. I lost money on that video.

The U.S. is another country, where natives don’t like their privacy probed by lenses to the point they have no problem jumping into a lawsuit. It certainly adds to the challenge of filming inspirational travel videos.

I know it’s awkward as hell as a solo female creator to break into a very Real moment that you witness and say– Hey, is it okay if I film you?  It’s a cold shower to the moment and ends whatever real thing you were hoping for.

Filming a YouTube video to fit professional legal standards is a gray line for most creators.  You’re paying out-of-pocket for your trip’s expenses, for what can be considered a home video and you might not be making any money on it. Travel vlogging is an investment.

But if you’re hoping to monetize your videos on YouTube, learning the legality of things helps!

Note: If you are on a paid campaign or assignment, you must request permission from anyone you film. I know in some countries a head nod is the closest language to permission as it gets. Ask if you can film them stating their name and contact number on your recording, in case you ever need to follow up.

Tip: Jotform and Google Forms are free to use and set up a quick talent permissions form.

11. Prepare for all outcomes

Travel is exciting to shoot because you never know what’s around the corner. The downside is that things don’t always go as planned either.  Equipment failures happen when a situation arises that you did not expect.

If you have a content assignment that is paid or work-based, you don’t want to miss a moment and risk a part of your gear going down in the field. When my DSLR died – twice – under the Bangkok humidity,  finding a Canon repair shop to get it fixed took a good chunk of days, stress and wasting time in a search.

On one trip- my first planned solo trip – I had to buy a new point-and-shoot camera, so that I could at least get memories of my trip. It turned out to be a bombass Samsung ST500 camera that wasn’t yet in the U.S. and ultimately, I used upgraded versions of it for travel vlogging! It was a blessing in disguise but it was still time and stress, frantically running around shopping malls when I wanted to be exploring Thai temples!

Today, I travel with two vlogging cameras  , and most definitely,  if I am on a paid campaign!  I’m prepared if one of those cameras go down.

12. Prepare for the weather

Weather changes should always be prepared for when you’re packing sensitive camera gear.

Know how your gear and batteries react in different weather types.  Winter and snow wear your batteries down quickly, so going on an Arctic roadtrip with Mazda , I bought more batteries. This type of weather also causes lens fogging- when going from outdoor cold to indoors. It  can also create brittle plastics– I broke a clip on my extreme selfie stick!

Keep your equipment dry from humidity, condensation and rain are not good. They can cause the fine instruments in your gear to go wonky or corrode. If moisture is trapped in your lens over time , it may be subject to lens haze , a contaminant effect of your lens developing a fungus that makes it look foggy.

Tip: I keep silica gel packets in my camera bag when traveling through humid and moist weather, to keep the moisture from being locked in. These silica gel packets act as absorbers and dehumidifiers. You can order them by packet or save up the packets that come in the packing of new items.

Alternate solution: Buy silica gel dessicant . It’s a tiny container with holes for the gels to absorb condensation, but make sure the container is sealed. I bought one at a camera shop and when I dropped it. All the tiny silica gel marbles scattered throughout my room and I had to worry about my dog finding and eating them. But I have em!

13. Insure your camera gear

If you’re wondering about how to start a travel vlog, you need to think not only on the creative end, but about your business and its tools. What are the odds something could happen to your camera equipment gear when you’re on the road? Homeowner’s Insurance is a popular insurance for covering camera equipment. However, not everyone owns a home.

I purchase  World Nomads travel insurance for its tech equipment coverage for lost, stolen or damaged gear. It also doubles as trip insurance!

14. Remember to wipe your lens

This sounds soooo simple. It’s easy to forget to wipe your lens, when you’re running around famous landmark sites and content gathering gets demanding.

Smudges don’t always show up on your camera viewfinder when the sun is beating down on it, which often it is! But they are visible when you edit.

Tip: Be sure to clean your lens with a lens cloth at the end of the day, the start of it and the middle. Do this to your iPhone cameras too! (ai… this one is easy to forget)

15. Check camera settings

Checking your camera settings at the beginning of each day while traveling is crucial to avoid mistakes that can become troublesome during post-production. When you’re in a new and exciting location, it’s easy to forget to adjust your camera settings, leading to overexposed or underexposed shots, blurry images, or incorrect white balance.

Additionally, it’s easy to accidentally knock your settings off if you’re in a rush. If you have a camera with knobs, be careful that they don’t accidentally catch on something and turn your notice. If your camera has touch screen menus, then be sure while you’re operating it, you don’t accidentally swipe a feature and turn it on.

On a recent trip, I shot all super-wide footage on a GoPro because I didn’t realize I kept knocking my settings off. Such a rookie mistake! I can rush, when capturing footage as there are many places I try to film in one day. By taking a few minutes each morning to review and adjust your camera settings, you can ensure that your footage is of high quality and ready to use without spending hours fixing issues later.

Here are camera settings to consider:

• Exposure : Check your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to ensure proper exposure for the specific lighting conditions you’ll encounter throughout the day. Night time is challenging. Use a higher ISO in low-light situations .
• Focus : Check your focus settings to ensure your subjects are sharp and in focus. Consider using manual focus for more control, especially in challenging lighting conditions or when dealing with moving subjects.
• File Format and Resolution: Choose the right file format and resolution for your needs. RAW and 4K/60 fps files offer more flexibility in post-processing and look better tracking motion, but they take up more space on your memory card. I like to keep my settings at Full HD (1920 x 1080) 1080p and 60fps but sometimes, my hand accidentally changes it to 30fps, which drives me nuts! If using a GoPro, make sure you are not on the super-wide settings unless you mean to be. The menu is super sensitive and easy to accidentally nudge or swipe a setting. This was a mistake I made on my last trip!
• Battery and Memory Card: Make sure your battery is fully charged and your memory card has enough space for the day’s shooting. Carry extra batteries and memory cards to avoid running out of power or storage.
• Image Stabilization: Enable image stabilization if your camera or lens has this feature, especially when shooting handheld or in situations with potential camera shake.
• Audio Settings: If you’re recording audio with your camera, check your microphone settings and audio levels to ensure clear sound quality.

By taking the time to review and adjust your camera settings each day, you can avoid common mistakes and capture stunning footage that requires minimal post-production work. This preparation will ultimately save you time and help you tell your travel stories more effectively through your vlogs.

By being true to myself and my journey, I’m confident that my solo travel vlog will continue to grow and inspire others. As a YouTube coach, I’m passionate about helping fellow female travel vloggers achieve their dreams and rise to the top of the travel vlogging community.

What recommendations would you add to this guide on Travel Vlogging tips for beginners and how to start a travel vlog?

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South Korea Solo Travelling Guide: 20 Things To Know, Including Restaurants For Single Diners & Female-Only Hostels 

Guide to solo travelling in South Korea

Travelling alone to a foreign country requires a lot of courage and there are many things you’ll have to know before embarking on your trip. Here’s a guide to solo travelling in South Korea , so you can fully enjoy your stay in the country with less to worry about. 

Table of Contents

1. Book accommodations in bustling areas

2. stay at female-only hostels, 3. when to opt for goshiwon, 3. when to stay at hanok guest houses, 4. get a duffel bag for extra storage & convenience, 5. invest in a selfie stick with a tripod stand, 6. utilise lockers for your shopping bags.

• 7. Download Papago to communicate with the locals

8. Take buses & trains as cheaper alternatives

9. what to do when you lose your belongings, 10. travelling to other cities alone, 11. sim card versus wi-fi egg, 12. have fun alone at a korean coin karaoke, 13. 1-person meal options on delivery apps, 14. minimum 2 pax for bbq, – places to eat at, as a solo traveller –, 15. fast food restaurants, 16. korean eateries, 17. solo-diner restaurants, 18. street food, 19. traditional markets, 20. convenience stores, solo travelling guide for those who believe the world is your oyster.

Although South Korea is a relatively safe country with low crime rates, safety should never be taken for granted. It’s better to be safe than sorry w hen looking for accommodation.

We recommend checking out places in the bustling areas such as Myeongdong and Hongdae. Accommodation in these areas tend to be on the slightly pricier end, but there are plenty of shopping districts and restaurants in close vicinity.

Avoid staying at places that are hidden in alleys or are too far from the train stations and bus stops as they are not the safest for tourists. 

Females travelling solo may want to consider opting for female-only hostels. Living in a female-only hostel allows you to meet people from all walks of life, and who knows, you may even make a new female friend.

However, if you are uncomfortable sharing a room with other travellers, we strongly encourage you to opt for the next option instead.

A goshiwon may be a wise choice if you are tight on budget and would prefer more affordable accommodation options.

A goshiwon is an off-campus dormitory and the cheapest form of accommodation available in Korea. You don’t have to be a student to rent a goshiwon room.

Note that the rooms are usually small, and oftentimes, you’ll have to share a common bathroom with other occupants. 

If you’re in Korea and want to experience traditional Korean culture, definitely try staying at a hanok (traditional Korean house) guest house.

These hanok guest houses are revamped and outfitted with air-conditioning and modern toilets to let you have a comfortable stay.

Staying at a hanok guest house is also great for solo travellers who want to meet new people and learn more about different cultures too. 

Travelling alone means that no one will be there to carry your luggage. 

A duffel bag will come in handy if you are going on short trips to other cities as it serves as a great alternative to carriers.

Keep your hands free by getting a duffel bag that can be slotted into the handle of your luggage. This makes it more convenient for you to navigate around the bustling city without having to worry about accidentally leaving something behind because your hands are full.

Due to the language barrier, it can be intimidating to approach the locals to ask them to help you take photos. But fret not, when there’s a will, there’s a way. 

Investing in a selfie stick that comes with a tripod stand will be a game changer when it comes to taking photos beyond selfies. Most of these selfie sticks come with a Bluetooth shutter, which means you can snap away until you get the perfect shot without the help of strangers. 

It can be a hassle to carry all your shopping bags while you’re busy shopping till you drop.

Locker rental services are common in Korea and you can find them at train stations near popular shopping areas, such as Hongdae and the Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Mall.

The rental prices of these lockers are affordable, and it can go as low as KRW2,000 (~USD1.43) for a 4-hour rental.

There are 3 locker sizes to choose from. Typically, the small compartment is more than sufficient to hold your shopping bags. But if you need more space to store your luggage, you can opt for the medium or large compartments.

Note that the lockers found at different train stations may have different sizes, so we encourage you to check the size chart carefully before making your payment.

You can make payment using your credit card or T-money card (transportation card in Korea). It’s useful to note that not all places accept cash as a form of payment.

7 . Download Papago to communicate with the locals

Travelling alone in South Korea without knowing how to speak Korean can be daunting. But it will be less so when you download Naver Papago, an AI Translator app on Apple App Store or Google Play Store .

Besides language translation, the Korean words and phrases come accompanied with romanisation to help you pronounce them correctly.

Use the conversation function to effectively communicate with the locals. The app will automatically translate whatever you’ve said into Korean, and vice versa, it helps to translate what the locals said to a language of your preference. 

Another useful function of the app would be the image translation feature, where you can translate the words on an image. This will be extremely useful when you have to order a meal from a Korean menu.

It’s a no-brainer that taxis are the more expensive option when it comes to public transportation in Korea . Bus and train fares are not only cheaper, but you can also get discounted fees when you transfer between bus or train rides. 

Taxis are also difficult to flag down during peak hours. If you are in a rush, taking the bus or train save you more time because of their regular schedules . 

Losing your belongings in a foreign country is a nightmare, especially when you are travelling alone.

Stay calm and use this lost and found website to look for your lost belongings. If you happen to find someone else’s stuff, you can report them here as well.

Watch the video for clearer instructions and guidelines on what you should do when you lose or find something during your stay in Korea.

The Frequently Asked Questions section of the site is conveniently available in English.

Intercity buses often stop at rest stops for approximately 15 minutes during parts of the journey for you to take a quick toilet break.

Use this time to go to the bathroom, or if you’re feeling peckish, get yourself some popular snacks such as corndogs and walnut-flavoured cakes.

Pro-tip: Take a picture of the bus plate number of your bus so that you won’t board the wrong coach; you’ll find that there are many similar-looking buses at the rest stops, which can get confusing for travellers who are not as observant. 

Also make sure that you time yourself well, with ample buffer time as the bused will not wait for you if you don’t make it back on time. 

If you are deciding between getting a SIM card or a Wi-Fi egg, we recommend you get the former. It is more convenient as there’s no need to charge yet another device overnight. Plus, you don’t have to worry about losing it, then having to replace it. 

Getting a SIM card with a local number is not compulsory, but we recommend that you opt for one as it will be useful when you’re making reservations or ordering food delivery. 

Going to karaoke is not only for big groups of friends. In Korea, it’s an activity enjoyed alone as a way to destress or put your bathroom singing skills to test. 

Singing at a coin noraebang (coin karaoke) is the perfect activity for solo travellers when you have time to kill or simply want to have fun.

If you are craving for a late-night snack or dessert, you can get them delivered to you by ordering via delivery apps .

Most delivery apps impose a minimum order of approximately KRW15,000 (~USD10.76) per order, but it can be difficult to hit that amount if you’re ordering just a single serving. 

So you’ll want to download a delivery app such as Yogiyo, which lets you order a 1-person serving meal without having to hit the minimum order amount. Simply look out for the category that says “1인분 주문”, which literally translates to 1-person serving order.

Korean barbecue is a must-eat when you visit Korea. However, most of the restaurants do not accept solo diners as they tend to prioritise bigger groups of customers.

On the bright side, there are BBQ restaurants that specifically cater to solo diners; you may even get a personal table and grill when you eat at these restaurants. 

Eating alone in a foreign country can be a little overwhelming. Although most restaurants in Korea don’t mind solo diners, some places may prefer to serve bigger groups of people instead. 

The most convenient places to eat at, as a solo traveller, are none other than fast food restaurants. 

In Korea, there are many fast food restaurants to choose from. Ranging from local ones such as Mom’s Touch and No Brand Burger to famous ones such as McDonald’s and Shake Shack, the list is never-ending. 

Better still, self-ordering kiosks that have English menus are usually available at these fast food restaurants, so you won’t have to worry about the language barrier too. 

Korean eateries are also known as “분식 식당” ( bunsik sikdang ). They sell inexpensive food such as kimbap , donkatsu (pork cutlet), tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), and fried rice. 

You can get a roll of kimbap for as low as KRW2,000 (~USD1.43) , and a bowl of ramyeon at only KRW3,000 (~USD2.15) .

The most famous bunsik sikdang in Korea would be the Kimbap Heaven eatery, which has numerous franchise outlets all over the country.

Solo-diner restaurants that serve 1-person set meals or bento sets will be the go-to for solo travellers to South Korea.

The set meals usually include food items such as boiled pork and braised pig trotters that commonly come in larger serving sizes.

Since these restaurants target solo diners, you can often find solo-dining capsules or bar seats that cater to people eating alone.

The street food scene in Korea is amazing. From snacks such as hotteok (sweet Korean pancakes) to meals such as kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), you can probably find everything you need to fulfil your cravings when you hit up a food street. 

Note that not all street food tents or carts have tables and chairs for you to sit and dine at, but you are free to stand and eat while walking around the market. 

Going to traditional markets allows you to eat the most authentic Korean food and dine alone without feeling embarrassed.

Most of the food sold at the markets come in 1-person portions, so you can try a variety of dishes at the market too.

Find local cuisines such as bibimbap (Korean mixed rice with vegetables), and unconventional foods such as sannakji (live octopus sashimi) and yukhoe (seasoned raw beef).

Visit the Gwangjang Market for their famous kkwabaegi (twisted donuts) and   bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes). Not to be dramatic, but they are life-changing. 

Most convenience stores in Korea have tables and seats inside or outside the premises, so you can have a quick meal there whenever you have food cravings or are feeling a little peckish. 

Recreate the iconic Mark’s Meal while you’re there, or get cup noodles and light snacks such as the triangle kimbap and fish bars. You can also find interesting prepacked Korean food such as grilled intestines at the convenience stores too. 

If you are planning to travel alone to South Korea, bookmark this guide for easy access to the tips that will make your trip a memorable one.

For more travelling tips, also check out our South Korea public transportation guide ,  Han River Park guide ,  Mangwon guide ,  jimjilbang guide , and this list of  11 things to do in Jeju .

Cover image adapted from: Clara Quek, 순구 via Airbnb , 채구리 via Naver,   은비까비 via Naver 

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12 tips for solo travel in China (from a self-proclaimed expert)

Posted by Gayle Aggiss | Updated August 15, 2022 | Travel

Have you ever dreamed of traveling solo through China?

Some people may try to convince you that it’s too dangerous to travel solo in China. But in fact, the opposite is true.

China has a very low crime rate, the public transport is great, and even though you’ll struggle to communicate with the locals outside of the main cities, that issue will apply whether you’re alone or with someone else.

In fact, solo travel in China can be amazing. Trust me, I’ve done it!

It will allow you to immerse yourself in a way you just can’t manage when you’re with other people. It will force you to engage with people and with the country. And it will encourage you to have a truly adventurous and unique trip based on what you most enjoy to do.

That being said, traveling by yourself in China can be difficult. That’s why I’ve created this list of top tips for solo travel in China.

1. Expect a safe place

China is a safe country all around, with a low crime rate . But you’re even safer when you’re a tourist in China.

The Chinese government is very concerned about their public image on the world stage, so any criminals harming tourists are given hefty sentences. And to most of them, it really isn’t worth the risk.

You should still take the same precautions when traveling in China that you would take anywhere else. But you’re at very low risk of physical attacks of all kinds.

In fact, while you’re there, you’ll probably feel safer than you did back home.

I know that when I was in China, I was shocked at the fact that I could walk home at 3 am after a night out with friends.

Not only was I perfectly safe, but I felt safe too, in a way I hadn’t experienced when doing the same in Australia, where I’m from.

2. Get a visa

Know the visa rules before you travel to China. Image by i viewfinder on Shutterstock.

You may need to get a visa when you travel to China. It depends on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and what country you’re from.

For really quick trips (i.e. less than six days), you could be eligible for what’s called Visa Free Transit. But if you’re not, you’ll need to compile some documentation and pay a visa fee – again, this depends on where you’re from.

You can check the Chinese visa page for more information and help.

3. Be prepared for culture shock

Culture shock will affect independent travelers. Image by Ulrich & Mareli Aspeling on Unsplash.

Unless you’ve traveled extensively in Asia, or even if you have, you’ll experience culture shock when you get to China. I know I did.

For the first few weeks (or months) I felt as if I was wandering around with my mouth wide open at just how different it was to my home.

But that’s half the fun, isn’t it? Everything’s different in China, from the food to the sights , smells, and ways of doing things. And this can bring on feelings like disorientation, anxiety, irritability and even fear and depression.

It can be particularly bad for solo travelers, who don’t have someone with them to discuss and debrief after a shock.

So, go easy on yourself. Take breaks when you need to. And with a bit of time, you’ll find yourself adjusting to the way they do things in China.

Some travelers like to learn a lot about the country before they get there, so the culture shock isn’t as intense. If that’s you, check out some of the best China blogs before you go, or even a China documentary on Netflix .

4. Don’t expect the locals to speak English

You’ll need to find other ways to communicate in China. Image by SteveMushero on Pixabay.

Traveling throughout China is very different to being a tourist in the major cities like Shanghai or Beijing.

Outside of the big cities and the main tourist areas, you’ll find that the locals speak very little English, let alone other European languages.

This can be a huge barrier for any kind of traveler, but here are some tips to overcome it:

• Don’t be embarrassed to use body language to communicate (but counting with your hands is different in China, so be careful)
• Always have your hotel/destination names on your phone in Chinese so you can get back to your base
• Also have any dietary restrictions written down in Chinese on your phone
• Download a translation app on your phone (choose one like Pleco that doesn’t need internet access).

If you’re addicted to Google (for translation, maps, etc), make sure you get a VPN before you arrive in China. Otherwise, your access will be blocked by The Great Firewall of China.

5. Stay in hostels

Great hostels like this one (Hantang Inn, Xi’an) are ideal for solo travel in China. Image by Matyas Rehak on Shutterstock.

As long as you’re reasonably careful, then hostels are a great choice for solo travelers.

They’re generally safe and will give you the chance to meet other travelers so you can have company when and if you want it.

Most hostels in China have dorm and private rooms. So, if you don’t mind sleeping in a room with lots of strangers, you can take a dorm room and travel really cheaply.

And if you need more privacy, you can have your own room and still enjoy access to the shared facilities for friend-making time.

I recommend using Hostelworld as it specializes in budget accommodation and has a huge range of hostels in China.

6. Beware of scammers

Counterfeit notes are in circulation in China. Image by Ton Anurak on Shutterstock.

You’ll find scammers in almost every country and as a solo traveler, you’ll be an easy target. Most scammers set up shop in the popular tourist cities like Shanghai and Beijing , but you need to be careful everywhere.

Here are some tips for staying safe from scammers:

• Beware of anyone who comes up to you and speaks good English (Chinese people are usually pretty shy)
• Don’t exchange your money on the street – do it at a Chinese bank
• Check any change you get for counterfeit ¥50 or ¥100 bills
• Don’t go for a drink (even tea) with a friendly local who approaches you on the street, as they may leave you with a huge bill
• Try to use proper bank ATMs
• Be careful and cautious when giving money to people begging
• Always ask the price of your meal/snack/drink before consuming them.

You can read more about the most common scams in China here .

7. Be careful what you buy

Blink and you’ll miss the fake Nike shoes. Image by StreetVJ on Shutterstock.

If you’re from most Western countries, then you can be reasonably certain that the items in the shops are authentic. However, China is famous for its knockoffs, and these can appear in some unexpected places.

For example, don’t just assume that a bottle of your favorite perfume actually is the brand that the bottle says. Always check the bottle carefully, just in case it’s a knockoff.

And remember that fake goods may get confiscated at the airport, so this is an important thing to do when you buy branded products.

8. Be prepared for the toilets

When you travel solo in China, you have no one to remind you to bring toilet paper! Image supplied by Gayle Aggiss.

If you’re only traveling in the major tourist areas on a tour, then you probably won’t have major problems with the toilets. But if you’re traveling independently or outside of the tourist areas then things will be different.

Most of the toilets you find in China will be squat toilets , which means you will have to get used to them pretty fast.

You should also carry toilet paper with you at all times, because most toilets won’t have any. And remember that the used toilet paper goes in the trash can, not in the toilet.

9. Learn to haggle

You should haggle at places like this in China. Image by LapaiIrKrapai on Shutterstock.

One of the bad things about traveling alone is the fact that you have to do everything yourself. And that applies to haggling too.

Haggling is common in China outside of chain stores and high-end boutiques, so be prepared to argue the price you want.

And don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, the shopkeeper will have a calculator that you can use to exchange prices.

It would be worth getting familiar with counting money in Chinese so you’re not short-changed.

10. Wear sturdy shoes

Make sure you’ve got good walking shoes for China. Image by Tom Wheatley on Unsplash.

When you get to China, you’ll see lots of young women wandering around in very high heels. Don’t try this yourself unless you’re as sure-footed as an acrobat in heels.

China’s roads, pavements, and everything else are often uneven, covered with rocks and other debris, or made of a slippery type of rock or tile. So, unless you like tripping over, avoid shoes that are hard to walk in.

I remember taking a big fall in the middle of a street in Shanghai, where roadwork was going on in the middle of a busy intersection. I went straight down on my hands and knees, ripping up my hands and my nice jeans.

Not to mention, there were plenty of locals around, all of them staring curiously at the scene. Try to avoid doing that yourself if you can!

The guide on what to pack for China covers shoes as well as every other item you’ll need in your suitcase or backpack.

11. Stay on the path

Stick to the places you want to visit, and you’re comfortable visiting. Image by Gualberto Becerra on Shutterstock.

China is a fairly safe place to travel as a solo traveler, much safer than other parts of the world. However, it’s still important that you stay on the beaten path unless you’re super-adventurous, fluent in Mandarin or not very risk averse.

Some parts of China, most notably the western and remote regions, are so isolated that you might have trouble getting into and out of them. For example, you need a special permit to visit Tibet  and even then you’ll be in a tour group.

Venturing off on your own in a place like this could get you into a lot of trouble. Plus, you don’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere in such a huge country, with no one around who speaks English and not a single embassy in sight.

So, stick to the beaten path, at least for your first trip to China. And why would you want to stray from it anyway when the beaten path is so exciting, filled with delicious food, beautiful nature spots, and amazing cities?

You can check out Mike’s article on China travel tips for more helpful info like this.

12. Ask for help

Locals will be generous with their time. Image by Maud Beauregard on Unsplash.

This may surprise you a little, but the locals will be incredibly helpful when you’re in China despite their shyness. That’s been my experience, anyway.

They won’t usually come up to you and ask if you need help, which is where the surprise comes in, but if you ask for help then they’ll often be extremely helpful and friendly.

They’ll work hard to understand what you need, help you read your maps, and giggle as they practice their English on you.

In fact, some of the most heartwarming interactions you’ll have while you’re in China will probably be when you ask the locals for help.

Just remember that tipping is not customary in China , so please don’t pull out your wallet when you do receive help.

Are you ready for solo travel in China?

Traveling solo in China can be an amazingly rewarding experience.

It will test you, teach you, frustrate you, and enthrall you, and you’ll return home a different person than you were when you left.

Just make sure you keep these tips in mind when you’re planning a trip to China, and traveling across the country. And don’t forget your China VPN !

Want to keep reading? Then check out my article, “ Is China safe? ” for more helpful advice about traveling around this crazy country.

Main image credit: Vonnahmed1 on Shutterstock.

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Gayle Aggiss

Gayle loves learning and is intensely curious about the world. This curiosity has driven her to travel and work overseas, including China and Vietnam. Gayle is from Perth, Western Australia. You can follow her on LinkedIn .

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Home » Southeast Asia » Thailand » ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Thailand | Destinations & Tips for 2024

ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Thailand | Destinations & Tips for 2024

With a treasure trove of experiences that are equal parts natural beauty, cultural splendor, and pure, unadulterated fun, the ‘Land of Smiles’ opens its arms to solo travelers. Picture yourself sipping a Mai Thai on a golden beach, dining out at bustling night markets, and strolling through gold-clad temples that whisper centuries of ancient traditions.

Best of all? Solo travel in Thailand is relatively safe and incredibly affordable.

True, Thailand’s backpacker scene is a robust one, with plenty of destinations safe enough to travel solo, all for a super-duper low price. Traveling alone in Thailand will open you up to plenty of new experiences, people, and feelings of independence you never knew you were capable of.

After all, travel is about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, right? That said, understanding where to go and when to visit this colorful country can be overwhelming.

But worry not, that’s where I come in. Let’s get clued up on tips and tricks on how to meet other travelers, stay safe, and have the best damn time possible. Throw in a few personal recommendations for places to go and things to do, and we have ourselves the ultimate guide to traveling solo in Thailand.

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5 Things to Do in Thailand When Traveling Solo

5 best solo destinations in thailand, the best travel apps for solo travel in thailand, safety tips for solo travelers in thailand, tips for solo traveling in thailand, how to meet people when solo traveling in thailand, final thoughts for your solo trip to thailand.

Backpacking in Thailand is so fashionable right now. It’s the PERFECT location for first-time solo travelers, and was my first-ever solo travel destination.

Thailand is known for its contagious smiles and adventurous spirit, often shared by the tourists who visit. There is no better way to explore the country than getting right into the thick of Thai culture and nature; and damn, is there a lot of it…

Without further ado, here are five activities worth looking into as you plan your getaway. It would be a good idea to add these to your pre-planned activities, as mentioned earlier.

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1. Learn to Cook Traditional Pad Thai in a Cooking Class

A trip to Bangkok is a total assault on the senses. May aswell assault them nicely, eh? I’m such a huge fan of Pad Thai I would practically book a flight to try the dish in its authentic form. 

One of my favorite things to do in any foreign country is to join a cooking class. Not only will you gain a new skill and meet like-minded foodies, but you’ll also be able to taste the dishes you make. There are not many other activities where you can combine culture and socializing and come out with a new skill.

At this cooking class in Silom , Bangkok you really can have your cake and eat it too!

2. Charter a Boat and go Island Hopping from Koh Samui

Island hopping is one of those activities you just can’t afford to miss out on when traveling solo in Thailand . With over 300 islands across the Gulf of Thailand, pick a few islands you want to explore and go forth. 

And by going forth, I mean charter a private longtail boat and local skipper to guide you there. Affordable and easy to organize without booking too far in advance, there is nothing better than parking off on your own private island for the day. This really takes solo travel to the next level.

3. Explore the Ruins of the Ancient City of Sukhothai

Another ancient temple complex that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam (a whopping eight centuries ago), Sukhothai, is scattered with monuments and temple ruins you’ll need your comfortable shoes to explore. 

Whether you choose to visit Ayutthaya or Sukhothai is your choice, and both are easily accessible from Bangkok.

4. Trek Through the Northern Mountains of Chiang Dao

While everyone heads towards the beaches, go against the flow and travel north to the mountains near Chiang Dao for some of the best hiking in Thailand . Other than hiking through misty rainforests and summiting incredible mountains without large crowds, you can visit various local tribal villages like the Akha and Kahu villages.

Pro Thailand solo travel tip? I really recommend these treks for those interested in ethical and environmental sustainability. Many of these tour companies and organizations raise money for local health centers and schools.

5. Join a Night Tour of Bangkok via Tuk Tuk

There are night markets all over the country, but by far, the most vibrant and buzzing have to be the ones in the capital. Chatuchak is the most famous market, while the Lamai market runs only on Sunday evenings.

A great place to grab a bite, explore the local food scene, and really immerse yourself in Thai culture, I promise you will walk away with all your senses overwhelmed. Talk about a culture-shock.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

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I won’t play it down; there are countless beautiful places worth making the trip to Thailand for. It doesn’t matter if you’re more of a city-slicker, a beach-lounger, or a jungle-trekker; there is a spot in Thailand with your name on it. 

Here is my list of the top five places to visit in Thailand, especially curated for solo adventurers:

One thing that makes this such a perfect city for solo travelers is that it’s super small and walkable. Easy to navigate and stacked with adventures, Chiang Rai is located in a mountainous region of the same name in Northern Thailand. From any given viewpoint, you can expect gorgeous natural beauty of rolling hills, snaking rivers, and the odd ornate temple to top it off. 

Think of it as the older sibling of Chiang Mai , a busier, bigger, and equally as worthwhile city to visit. But Chiang Rai seems to fall slightly off the radar – which also means it’s a lot more affordable – big tick!

Of all Thai locations, this town might just be home to the most beautiful temples of them all. And that is saying A LOT in a temple-studded country like this. Wat Rong Suean Ten, Wat Rong Khun, Wat Huay Pla Kang – all beautiful and unique. You’ll also want to explore the gorgeous mountains surrounding the city. How about a hike to Huay Kaew Waterfall or Khun Korn Waterfall? 

After a day in the jungle or mountains, you’ll be able to pick from countless bars and nightclubs. Yup, this city is well known for its vibrant nightlife scene – perfect for a solo traveler in Thailand!

Just a few steps from the Clock Tower and fresh produce market, Mercy Hostel is one of the best located in Chiang Rai. Relax on the large terrace or spend some social time playing a game of pool in the games room.

With a name like Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, we won’t judge you for calling it by its nickname.  Ayutthaya is a small city a short drive north of Bangkok that was the original capital of the Kingdom of Siam before it became the Thailand we know today. 

From around 1350, Ayatthuya was a bustling international trading port – a metropolis of the time, you might say – until it was destroyed by Burma in 1767. Today, the ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. First on your to-do list is to explore this archeological site, featuring palaces, Buddhist temples, statues, and monasteries. You could call it the Angkor Wat of Thailand.

In fact, visiting the historical city might take two days out of your itinerary. Make sure to dress appropriately. That means no short skirts and shoulders covered!

Around these impressive ruins is a modern city, or town, if you will. Over fifty thousand people live and work in the region. 

Cozy, homey, and social – what more can you ask for? Early Bird Hostel Ayutthaya is your ideal base for exploring this historical region. It’s located on City Island, where you can easily walk to the major Wats, night markets, and nearby bars. 

As the capital and largest city in the country, it’s no shock Bangkok is one of the top places to visit as a solo traveler in Thailand . The bustling city is packed with high-rise skyscrapers, a boat scattered Chao Phraya River, canals, and ornate palaces and shrines. Add vibrant street life and an incredible food scene to the mix, and we have ourselves one of the most exciting cities in Southeast Asia – if not the world.

First things first, explore the city on foot or tuk-tuk, absorbing all the bright colors, lights, sounds, and smells along the way. Here, I recommend joining a food tour or a free city walking tour.

Next, take a step back in time and head to some historical sites. The Grand Palace is the official home of the King of Siam. Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (Wat Arun for short) is a Buddhist Temple from the 17th century worth checking out. 

Not to mention, Bangkok gets a double thumbs up from solo travelers, both for its ease of getting around on public transport and its affordability.

Khao San Social Capsule Hostel is one of the cleanest and most comfortable hostels I’ve laid eyes on. There are plenty of common spaces to socialize, with regular activities and events hosted through the hostel. 

After some time in the busy city, staying in Koh Samui is an epic time to recharge. Thailand’s second biggest island sits just off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus and is loved for its palm-tree-lined beaches, coconut groves, and tropical jungles.

Some of your best Thailand solo travel days will be spent lounging on the beach, snorkeling, diving, or enjoying boat trips to nearby islands and beaches. When the sun sets on a beautiful beach day (which is every day, might I add), head out for a bite to eat and a night on the town. Koh Samui is known for its party scene, mostly concentrated in Chaweng – the island’s party center.

Sure, a place as beautiful as this has its fair share of high-end hotels and resorts, but that isn’t to say you won’t find affordable accommodation on the island.

For a taste of beachy luxury, Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach is set right on the sand of Chaweng Beach (obvs). The trusted Lub d brand found elsewhere in Thailand offers a social hostel concept that perfectly blends a high-end hotel and a hostel. It’s the best of both worlds!

Falling slightly under the radar, Pattaya is a city on the mainland of Thailand, south of Bangkok. What used to be a charming fishing village is now a resort town known for its water sports, long stretches of beaches, and 24-hour night clubs.

I added this city to the list because it offers a small taste of everything. For historical beauty, explore the Phra Yai Temple and its towering golden Buddha. For sports fans, not only can you enjoy watersports from the beach, but you can also indulge in a game of golf or a hike in the nearby hills.

On top of this, Pattaya also offers a never-ending loop of nightlife, beautiful beaches, classy restaurants, and affordable shops. 

While there is a bar on the property (thumbs up from those traveling solo in Thailand ), I would say that Kaen Hostel is more suitable for solo travelers who enjoy a bit of peace and quiet in between the hustle of solo traveling. I love this spot for its clean and modern interiors and close proximity to the beach, but it doesn’t hurt that it also features plenty of common areas.

Having the right apps for travel makes your life a whole lot easier. Here are some of my personal favs.

• Hostelworld : To find hostels in every region.
• Booking.com and Airbnb : Your go-to apps for finding hotels, bed and breakfasts, and self-catering rentals.
• GetYourGuide and Viator : The best tour groups to find tours and experiences in the area. Check the reviews before booking anything, and try to find refundable options.
• Couchsurfing : Connecting locals with foreigners for cheap (or even free) accommodation.
• Tinder, Bumble, Hinge : Dating apps that can be switched to ‘friend mode’ to help you meet people in your vicinity.
• ThaiCupid, ThaiFriendly, and ThaiFlirting: Thailand-specific dating and friend-finding apps.
• Grab : Thailand’s equivalent to Uber.
• Line: Thailand’s version of WhatsApp, useful for communication.
• Thai Best Dict: A translation app that can be used offline to help you communicate in Thai.
• Foodpanda : Thailand’s first food delivery platform. Order in at your hostel and share with friends!
• Holafly : An e-SIM application that allows you to download a data-only SIM card without installing a physical card.

I also suggest joining relevant Facebook groups to get info about upcoming events, news, and important updates for the main cities you might visit. For example, “ Thailand Travel Advice” is an open group designed to give people tips and tricks for exploring the country.

Stop stressing about your phone service when you travel abroad.

Holafly is a digital SIM card that works smoothly like an app — you simply pick your plan, download it, and voilà!

Roam around Europe, but leave the roaming charges for the n00bies.

Onto the boring stuff. As I’ve mentioned, most solo travelers feel safe, welcomed, and comfortable traveling through Thailand. Most safety issues tend to revolve around scams. Tuk-tuk scammers might overcharge you for a ride, and pickpocketing is always a possibility. Keep your belongings close to you! I like to travel with a belt bag.

As with any country, you’re going to want to take extra care as a solo female traveling in Thailand . When you go out at night, stick to well-lit areas and do your research to make sure you do not end up walking down any particularly dodgy streets (even the safest cities have them). 

Don’t accept drinks from strangers, always keep an eye on your drinks, and try not to get blackout drunk when you have absolutely no one to carry you home. I’m also a big fan of sharing my geo-location with a friend in Thailand and back home.

• Stay in a hostel, and book them in advance. Hostels are the best and easiest way to meet other travelers.
• Meet your new ‘best friend’ at Bed Friends Poshtel in Chiang Rai. Modern, clean, and just a stroll from the city center, no wonder this is one of the top places to stay in town. The Yard Hostel Bangkok is one of the best spots in the capital. With a central terrace and a multi-national guest list, you’re bound to meet people here.
• Plan your own trip. This is one of the few times you are allowed to be totally selfish with where you go, what you do, and how much money you want to spend. Take advantage of this independence and call the shots yourself while taking template itineraries and any friend’s advice as guidelines.
• Take the time to understand the local culture and religions. When visiting temples or holy sites, make sure you are modestly dressed to show respect for the local customs and traditions. This is something that solo female travelers in Thailand need to be particularly aware of.
• Plan some booked adventures. Scatter these throughout your itinerary to create some structure. I always like joining a walking tour of every new city I visit, as well as checking out the local museums. In Bangkok, you can join unique tours like this midnight tuk-tuk food tour or this flower market tour .

Oh, and I almost forgot. Last but most definitely NOT least. The most important solo travel tip…

• Get insured. Always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I recommend getting comprehensive travel AND medical insurance for any trip abroad. 

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

• Join group tours . Take a guess at who else joins these tours… Spot on! It’s other solo travelers. Group tours are a good way to meet others who have similar interests to yourself. 
• Make use of shared spaces. Coffee shops or co-working spaces for digital nomads and hostels are packed with friendly people who are usually happy to meet others. I recommend Get Hi Hostel , an absolute social hub for travelers. With a multi-national guest list, you’re bound to meet people and enjoy endless karaoke nights and family dinners.
• Have an open mind and be willing to engage . There is no point in traveling solo if you aren’t interested in opening yourself up to new connections and relationships.
• Join hostel-organized activities and events . Other than sharing a room with others, hostels are known for being super social because of the events that they host (it is literally in the name).
• Volunteer. It’s always good to give back, but volunteering in Thailand is also an epic way to meet other humanitarian-minded friends.
• Utilise social media and dating apps . Social media was designed to help us make friends. If you have no mutual connections traveling solo in Thailand, this is an epic way to meet people in your vicinity.
• Sign up for a short-term membership . Not only will you get your daily sweat in, but you never know who will be willing to spot you on the weights.
• Attend local cultural events. Check the calendar for local Thai events and festivals . Usually attended by a good mix of locals and tourists, this can be an easy way to meet people.

There is nothing better than heading into the unknown with nothing but a backpack, a good attitude, and an adventurous spirit. No one to guide your decisions or sway your perceptions of the world. Just your own open mind, willing to expand across the four corners of the globe.

Traveling solo in Thailand will easily be one of the best things you will do for yourself. Not only does this Southeast Asian gem offer the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, but it’s also home to one of the world’s most colorful cultures, ancient traditions, and, let’s not forget, the food!

Of course, it’s also one of the safer countries in the region to travel solo (even as a female solo traveler in Thailand ), has a bustling backpacker scene, and well-run facilities in the odd case something does go wrong. Oh, and it’s also extremely affordable, which you’ll quickly come to appreciate when you have no travel bud to share your cabs and rooms with.

Let’s get packing, traveler friend. It’s time to write your solo travel manifesto and discover one of the best places in the world – Thailand.

Clair Cathryn

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Nak Travel Solo? Ini 19 Tip Travel Yang Perlu Anda Mahir

Travel solo memang best. Tapi banyak perkara perlu mahir dan sentiasa berwaspada. Bagi sesetengah orang travel sendirian atau solo ini memang booring. Tapi ini lah masanya untuk menguji diri sendiri. Nothing mustahil. Jika buat persiapan yang mencukupi InshaAllah semua akan selamat. Tapi kalau benda dah  nak jadi kita tak boleh buat apa. Yang penting kita dah berusaha. 

Ini ada 19 tip untuk mereka yang teringin travel solo. 

19 Tip Travel Solo Yang Perlu Anda Tahu

1. Phone sentiasa kena hidup, ada internet/ada kredit. Tak boleh tidak. Kalau phone mati, stay mana-mana, phone dah hidup baru gerak.

2. Kalau guna Uber/Grab tengah malam, bagitahu anyone. Bagi la location or bagi Uber login ID kt sesape. Nanti orang lain boleh track kau or dlm Uber/Grab, call sesapa. Cakap depan driver tu, bagitau la orang yg kau otp tu loc kau, destinasi, etc. Biar driver tau ada org lain aware

3. JANGAN TANYA DIRECTION KAT STRANGER . Ni ramai buat aku perhati. Rambang je tanya org tepi jalan. Kesannya klu kau tertanya kt org jahat? Tak pepasal org jahat tu tau kau org tak familiar dgn tempat tu and dia boleh lead kau tempat bahaya.

So nak tanya kat siapa direction? Pergilah kedai, tanya pekerja kedai. Sebaiknya org counter sbb dia tak boleh bergerak nk follow kau. Kawan aku jalan2 London, tanya direction kt stranger. Stranger kata oh nk gi tempat sama. Last2 sekali end up kat back alley. Kena samun.

4. Jangan attract attention. Stay lowkey. Pakai pakaian biasa2 bila travel (on the move).

5. Apa nak buat kalau kau kena attack/threatened? JANGAN MENJERIT . Please, don't. Rumah aku dsamun time kitorg kt rumah, xde sorg pun jerit. Stay calm. Amek phone. Call police. Pas bg loc jgn tutup phone. Kau bercakap dgn police officer tu sampai bantuan sampai. Jangan tutup phone.

6. Kalau kat rumah n rasa semacam apa nak buat? Gi kitchen. Benda first sekali, JERANG AIR . Then amek pisau. Knp aku kata jerang air? Sebab air panas kau boleh simbah dan tak perlu bergelut. Pisau tu prepare klu dia sampai time air tak sempat panas.

7. Klu ada org sexually harass, nak buat apa? JANGAN BUAT KECOH. JANGAN NANGIS. JANGAN BAGITAHU SEMORANG . Gi dekat org sekeliling kau nampak boleh percaya. Makcik ada anak ke apa ke, call for help, and duduk dekat org tu, sampai bantuan sampai.

8. Klu kau being sexually harassed org terdekat (family atau member), jangan freak out. First thing first fikir macam mana nak escape. Ni tricky. Kau kena tahu cane nak lure offender ke tempat public. Yg penting get out from private and quiet space tu dulu.

9. Klu kau travel, always guna bahasa melayu nk communicate dgn travel companions. JANGAN SPEAKING .

10. Klu dah kena attack jugak, tetap jangan speaking. Klu dia ckp bahasa inggeris, ckp jugak bahasa melayu. Dia akan fed up sbb kau x fhm. Member aku kena samun time europe trip, dia ckp jugak bahasa melayu dgn penyamun. Last2 sekali dia amek phone & duit dlm wallet je.

11. Kt oversea, passport bawak anywhere. N bukan dlm luggage. Dlm handbag. Nk jalan2, jgn tinggal kt hotel. Ni common sense tp org tak buat

12. Jgn bwk handbag, tapi bawa crossbody. N bag tu letak kt dpn. Bkn belakang kt punggung.

13. Jgn respond to anyone yg tahan kau tgh jalan if you're alone at unfamiliar place. terus jawab, no English. And teruskan jalan. Aku jalan kat London 1 pagi sorg2 sebab sesat, n laki ni ikut je, and tahan aku. Aku ckp aku tak faham English. Dia terus blah.

14. Tengok org nampak suspicious, jgn teruskan jalan menghala ke destination. Most prolly dia tahu kau nak gi mana. Pling selamat kedai mkn. Aku balik sorg2, ada dua laki tunggu depan rumah. Aku patah balik, dia ikut. N aku gi kedai makan bgtau ada org ikut. Pastu sekumpulan customers yg tgh makan, stop makan, and escort aku balik rumah ramai2. Laki perempuan semua ada. Alhamdulillah hidup lg aku

15. Org paling bahaya ialah org yg provide accommodation. JANGAN TOLERATE SUSPICIOUS HOTEL/LANDLORD . Cari lain. Sebab selain kau, landlord atau agent je boleh access rumah kau bebila. Dia ada semua kunci. Landlord semua housemates kena kenal muka.

16. Kalau kau kena samun, tapi dia tak amek duit. Dia rompak passport je. Ketahuilah tu bukan penyamun tp most likely terrorist. Takpun international crime. Ni bkn pengalaman aku tp cerita betul dlm My Prison My Home. Malaysia's passport is one of top passports. So..

17. JANGAN MAIN PHONE KAT LUAR . Pishang cane pun jgn. Time ni la kau nak judge org. Perhatikan org, judge org, baik ke, suspicious ke...

18. Klu caught up kt tmpt high terrorism risk (sbb area aku kena Manchester bomb haritu), minimize religious act kt public. Ni esp for girls sbb kita pakai tudung. Takleh sorok kita muslim. Takyah baca Quran, zikir kuat2 kt public, sebut Allahuakbar. Stay lowkey.

19. Last but not least, don't try to be a hero. Priority is to escape, bukan to defend. Sekian.

Thread dari  @ malissaali  

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Kuala Lumpur Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Kuala Lumpur ? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

• Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, with over 2 million people
• A relatively young city (founded in 1857), KL started out as a mining town
• The city’s motto is “Progress and Prosper”
• Nicknames: Garden City of Lights, KL

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Currency: Malaysian ringgit  (MYR)
• Spoken languages:  Malay  is the official language. Other languages spoken include Tamil, Mandarin, and Cantonese. English is generally understood by everyone.
• Best time to visit: from  November  to March  (KL is very warm and humid all year round)
• Arriving via airport: train is  38 MYR , bus is 10 MYR , taxi is 75 MYR (~25 USD, fixed price)

WHERE TO STAY

• Best social hostel for solo travelers in Kuala Lumpur: PODs (has a rooftop area, great for meeting people).
• For budget accommodations, look for cheap guest houses in  Chinatown  (the backpacker area).
• Upscale hotels can be found in the “ golden triangle ” area that surrounds the Petronas Towers.

GETTING AROUND

• An extensive rail network covers the city well. Note: the skytrains and regular trains are operated by different companies, so frequent transfers may be required.
• Taxis are widely available. Make sure to use official taxis and confirm that the meter is running. A trip to the train station to Chinatown will set you back about 13 MYR.
• For longer journeys, consider calling a car via Grab (Asia’s #1 competitor to Uber). It’s going to be cheaper than a regular taxi – and may get to you quicker, too.

KUALA LUMPUR NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age is  18 , last call varies (depends on the venue). Alcohol is relatively expensive in Malaysia.
• Hip scene: Jalan P. Ramlee (just south of the Petronas towers) is KL’s main clubbing spot.
• Backpacker crowd: Chinatown is the main backpacker hangout, with bars on every corner.
• For a great mix of bars and clubs, just head to TREC KL (a whole street where the night action is).

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• The Petronas Towers are a must see. Once the world’s tallest buildings, the towers offer a visually stunning look over the city (especially at night).
• For an even better look at the city, check out the viewing deck of the KL Tower . On a clear day, you will be able to see the entire city and even the Batu   Caves in the distance.
• The Batu Caves is a temple complex located within a hollowed-out limestone hill. While entrance is free to the main cave, some of the connected caves charge an entrance fee. The complex is located a couple kilometers north of KL.
• Asia’s largest aquarium is located in the KLCC shopping centre . Tickets are 50 MYR.
• The Berjaya Times Square is one of Asia’s largest malls, and contains over 1000 stores and an indoor amusement park.

INTERESTING WALKS

• Note:  Kuala Lumpur is a compact city and is very walkable. Cool off in one of the city’s many malls if the heat becomes too exhausting.
• Check out the buzzing evening market of Petaling Street in Chinatown, where you can buy anything from food and bootleg DVDs to clothes and jewelry.
• Go on a relaxing stroll through the air-conditioned  old market , and then continue on to the National Mosque and Islamic Arts Museum .
• Jalan Alor is Kuala Lumpur’s main food street, and becomes one long restaurant at night (with over 100 kitchens). Located within walking distance from just about anywhere in the city, the street is definitely worth a visit.

LOCAL WISDOM

• Malaysia is a Muslim country. While the rules are not as strict in some other Muslim nations, you are still expected to dress appropriately at all religious sites (cover your knees and shoulders).
• Must try dishes while you’re in Malaysia: Kway teow, Nasi lemak, Kari laksa, and Roti canai. You don’t need to go to fancy restaurants to get your fix of the best Malaysian cuisine – try stalls and food courts! The food in KLCC is a great starting point.
• Where to find  good cheap eats : Chinatown is the place to be. Don’t be afraid to venture into the dodgy looking alleys – that’s where the greatest cooks hide out! Jalan Alor street  is highly recommended. Good meals can be found for 5 MYR . Also, check out Lot 10 Hutong Food Court (great selection of hawker food stands).
• Dangerous areas : Kuala Lumpur is a very safe city with a low crime rate. In any case, exercise common sense (especially at night).

Recommended trip duration:  2-3 days

• Vientiane, Laos
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Bali, Indonesia
• Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Yangon, Myanmar
• Singapore, Singapore

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How to travel solo at national parks

Going at their own pace allows solo hikers to reduce distractions and fully immerse in nature.

Over the next few months, millions of visitors will flock to U.S. national parks to hike, climb, boat and explore. With a maximum cost of $35 per vehicle for entry, visiting a national park can be one of the cheapest, most rewarding vacations you can plan this summer.

And while entry requirements may complicate planning for groups or for multiday treks, solo hikers should be flexible enough to enter at off-hours and win last-minute lotteries .

Hiking and spending time in nature alone has demonstrably proved to improve mental health. It becomes easier to marvel at the natural world without distracting devices or another person’s hiking constraints. Beginner hikers can benefit from a few hours of silence to clear their minds and observe the trees around them at their own pace. Those with more experience outdoors can focus their energy on reaching new heights all by themselves.

But even seasoned solo travelers may balk at the idea of hiking by themselves if they haven’t done it before. Despite the rare story , you are highly unlikely to die in a national park, especially if you are a woman.

When I spent two years alone, living in my van and traveling to every national park in the Lower 48, I tested my own methods for getting the most out of my solo excursions. Here are my four biggest lessons.

Share your plan with people you trust

You may choose a park based on location, number of visitors, difficulty level or just because you’ve always wanted to go. Some parks are enmeshed in the surrounding community, like Acadia or the Great Smoky Mountains, and some are isolated even by nature’s standards, like Glacier or the Badlands. Consider your own heat and humidity tolerance. And while every park offers hikes to meet many different fitness levels, appraise your options for terrain and how mountainous routes may be.

If you plan to sleep inside a park, make sure there are viable (and available) spots for that, too. Once you’ve chosen a park, commit to a few key details of your adventure. Securing accommodations is a top priority as a solo traveler, regardless of whether you plan to camp, stay in a hotel or stay outside the park. Many parks, like Zion, have a shuttle system and actively discourage traffic, so determine in advance whether bringing or renting a car is helpful.

In addition to your camping gear, bring the Park Service’s 10 essentials , which include things like a first-aid kit, water and flashlight, plus any park-specific needs like bear spray or hypothermia apparel. Note that you are almost certain to find park-specific needs at the visitor s center at an upcharged price — great for forgotten gear, but not as a primary option.

Be sure to tell at least two trusted people which park you will be visiting, where you will be staying, what hikes you already have planned, a clear deadline of when they will hear from you again and what they should do if they do not. Keep in mind that parks typically have very little cell service. Include the phone number for the park ranger service.

Always start at the visitors center

The first thing you should do when you arrive at a park is stop by the visitors center. No matter how much research you do in advance, national parks still operate in a somewhat analog manner, often posting the most accurate weather concerns, trail and road conditions, events, and other announcements on-site. Talk to park rangers, and ask for advice on their hikes or must-see stops; they may have insider knowledge about how to beat the crowds. Learn at the park’s museum about the history of the land and animals to look out for — and, of course, be sure to get your passport stamped.

It’s important to start slow and small when hiking, even if you’re a seasoned veteran, to understand the park’s layout. Most parks have an short and easy “discovery” trail leading from or close to the visitors center. These low-impact trails are intended for less mobile visitors to see a snapshot of the park but shouldn’t be overlooked by more ambitious hikers. Some are geared toward educational exhibits, like the Fossil Exhibit Trail in Badlands. Others serve as examples of the landscape, like the Discovery Trail in Joshua Tree. Spend time acclimating to the park on easier trails before jumping into anything bigger, as you may find factors you overlooked and need to adjust your schedule.

Unless you have extensive experience hiking alone in the wilderness, do not hike anywhere other than an established, maintained trail. None of the parks I’ve visited required an off-trail excursion to embrace the beauty of feeling totally immersed in nature. There are plenty of groomed trails that are sparsely hiked. Stay on the trail, and hike smart .

Engage with nature — and other people

Just because you take a trip alone doesn’t mean you have to isolate yourself. Beyond the park rangers, visitors and staff alike are bound to have experience and opinions about the park. If you buy snacks in the store, ask the person working whether they have a favorite spot in the park; if you’re waiting in line for the shuttle, ask another traveler what they’ve hiked so far. You may find most other visitors are just as eager as you to learn about experiences.

During the busy season, parks offer a wide variety of educational and interactive events, including guided walks and ranger talks. You can join a morning geology walk any day of the week in the Badlands, learn about forest birds with a park biologist in Haleakalā, or have coffee with a ranger on Wednesday mornings in Yosemite. Participate in at least one event to gain a better understanding of the park and pick up additional advice from others’ questions you hadn’t thought of. And while some of the events may be aimed at younger visitors, don’t let the age designation fool you: Grown-ups can become Junior Rangers , too.

Be sure to take notes and keep track of suggestions for trails or vistas. Mark suggestions on your park map, and pay attention to regions of the park you may be overlooking. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to change your original plans — trail conditions can change frequently and unexpectedly, and feedback from other visitors in the park will always be more accurate. After all, changing plans is the boon of getting to travel alone.

Stay present and take time to reflect

Once you’ve done all of the above, it’s time to embrace what you came for: the solitude of nature. Both for safety reasons and to enhance your adventure, don’t explore the park with headphones or other distracting devices. Keep your eyes and ears open to people, animals and traffic around you. While your phone probably won’t have service, bringing a separate camera to document your time will be more enjoyable than fumbling with it anyhow.

Whether you day-hike, take a scenic drive, or simply find a good spot to sit and take it all in, consider keeping a journal of your time in the park. Write notes about the experience, from the plants you saw to the people you met. Reflect on what frustrates you about traveling alone and what feels better or different from expected.

What you write may help encourage another, bigger solo trip — or confirm that you prefer traveling with a group. Either way, you’ve taken one step closer to finding your own way to enjoy nature on your own terms.

Emily Edwards is a solo van lifer who writes the Stories From the Road newsletter. Follow her on Instagram: @em_inavan .

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: Take our destination quiz to choose your own adventure. Then read about 12 dream destinations at the top of our wish list — without the crowds.

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: Explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Trace a route along the southern coast of Puerto Rico . See how jamón gets made in the heartland of Spanish pork .

Produk Lainnya

Anna Cendana

15 Dec 2022 - 7 min read

7 Destinasi Solo Traveling di Bali, Tetap Puas Walau Budget Ngepas

Surganya dunia, mau cari keindahan alam, budaya, sejarah, hingga kerajinan tangan, semua ada di Pulau Dewata. Itulah sebabnya banyak orang berminat untuk mengunjungi berbagai destinasi solo traveling di Bali .

Selain destinasinya sangat beragam, masyarakatnya juga terkenal ramah. Kondisi lingkungannya juga aman serta nyaman. Terlebih lagi, biaya hidupnya juga tergolong murah dan sangat terjangkau.

Baca juga: 9 Rekomendasi Wisata Romantis di Bali paling Memorable

Buat kamu yang tertarik mencoba solo traveling, yuk simak 7 destinasi rekomendasi ini. Tak perlu khawatir soal biaya, 7 destinasi ini ramah di kantong, lho!

1. Pantai Jimbaran

Sumber: Unsplash @Sean

Destinasi solo traveling di Bali pertama yang mampu merangkum keindahan bali ada di Pantai Jimbaran. Hamparan pasir putihnya yang luas, jajanan seafood -nya yang lengkap, serta sunset -nya yang terlihat jelas, benar-benar memanjakan mata.

Pantai Jimbaran juga menjadi salah satu spot untuk berkenalan dan membangun relasi dengan penduduk lokal. Relasi ini penting sekali, karena akan sangat membantu melancarkan aktivitas solo trip Bali. Tidak jarang, kamu juga akan mendapatkan bantuan penawaran harga suvenir yang jauh lebih murah, lho!

2. Pantai Sanur

Sumber: unsplash @I Made Krisna

Setelah puas nongkrong dan berkenalan dengan penduduk lokal, saatnya beralih ke Pantai Sanur esok paginya. Berangkatlah sebelum subuh untuk mendapatkan suasana sunrise di Pantai Sanur. Horizon yang luas memungkinkanmu mendapatkan momen sunrise terbaik di Pulau Bali.

Enaknya trip sendiri di Bali ketika mengunjungi Sanur adalah tidak keburu waktu. Kamu bebas menikmati wahana wisatanya, seperti bersepeda santai, main kano, atau menunggang kuda di sepanjang pantai. Udaranya juga sejuk, jadi nyaman bila ingin berlama-lama.

Setelah puas bermain dan sebelum mengunjungi destinasi solo traveling di Bali berikutnya, jangan lupa mampir membeli sarapan terlebih dahulu. Tersedia berbagai resto dengan menu masakan lokal, Asia, dan Western. Harganya juga ramah di kantong, jadi bisa makan sepuasnya!

3. Desa Budaya Kartalangu

Sumber: Unsplash @Geio

Melipir sedikit ke arah utara, kamu akan menemukan tempat asik di Bali, yaitu Desa Budaya Kartalangu. Desanya masih asri serta alami, dikelilingi oleh sawah-sawah. Masyarakatnya juga masih kental memegang adat, sehingga suasananya terasa lebih tentram dan menyejukkan hati.

Uniknya, ketika berkunjung ke desa ini, kamu harus menempuh jalur tracking yang lumayan panjang. Namun, karena suasananya persawahan jadi tidak terasa berat, malah menyenangkan. Destinasi solo travelling di Bali ini, cocok buat kamu yang sedang kangen suasana pedesaan.

4. Sukawati Art Market

Sumber: Unsplash @Daryl

Masih satu area dengan desa wisata, Sukawati Art Market harus masuk ke rencana destinasi solo traveling di Bali. Sebab, Sukawati Art Market memiliki koleksi karya seni paling besar dan lengkap. Ada banyak jenis karya seninya, ada yang murni dekoratif, namun ada juga karya seni kriya.

Bila kamu ada ketertarikan dengan dunia seni, Sukawati art market adalah salah satu destinasi solo travelling terbaik. Kamu juga bisa membeli beragam oleh-oleh untuk keluarga atau teman di pasar Sukmawati ini, lho!

Baca juga: 17 Tempat Wisata di Bali Ini Menanti untuk Dieksplor

5. Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang

Foto hanya sebagai ilustrasi | Sumber: Unsplash @Hendrik

Kamu suka petualangan? Pastikan Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang termasuk dalam daftar destinasi solo traveling di Bali ya. Area Canyon masih asri, belum banyak terjamah wisatawan, dan jalur trekkingnya cukup menantang.

Meskipun jalurnya pendek, tetapi sangat menguras tenaga. Kamu juga disarankan untuk menyewa pemandu bila pertama kali mencoba jalur ini. Hal ini untuk menjaga wisatawan tetap aman, nyaman, dan betah berwisata ke Canyon Beji Guwang.

Salah satu tips bila datang ke tempat wisata solo traveler ini adalah hindari musim hujan. Jalur trekkingnya berpotensi tertutup aliran sungai deras. Sehingga cukup berbahaya bila kamu lewati.

6. Pura Ulun Danu Bedugul

Sumber: Unsplash @Reena

Setelah puas berkeliling di daerah selatan dan tengah, saatnya naik menuju daerah utara. Destinasi solo traveling di Bali kali ini adalah Pura Ulun Danu Bedugul. Salah satu landmark populer jika berkunjung ke pulau Bali.

Selain melihat keindahan pura di tengah danau, kamu juga bisa menikmati wahana wisata airnya. Salah satunya adalah naik perahu dan berkeliling area danau. Kamu juga bisa berburu oleh-oleh khas bali di sekitar area Pura Ulun Danu.

Suasana daerahnya yang aman, tenang, dan sejuk, menjadikan Pura Ulun Danu sebagai destinasi solo traveling yang aman.

7. Tanah Lot Bali

Sumber: Unsplash @Ishan

Destinasi solo traveling di Bali yang terakhir untuk kamu kunjungi adalah Tanah Lot . Area wisata ini masih kental dengan adat, budaya, dan tradisi masyarakat hindu Bali. Kamu bisa menyaksikan ritual ibadah umat hindu Bali bila berkunjung ke Tanah Lot.

Selain keunikan budaya dan keindahan pemandangan pantainya, Tanah Lot populer karena banyak sekali kios oleh-oleh khas bali. Kamu bisa mendapatkan jajanan khas Bali, kaos Bali, hingga kerajinan tangan Bali. Menariknya lagi, harganya sangat terjangkau, bahkan kamu masih bisa melakukan tawar menawar dengan pedagangnya lho!

Lokasinya juga cukup ramai, sehingga cocok kamu bidik sebagai destinasi solo traveling untuk pemula. Hal ini karena, bila kamu memerlukan bantuan, ada banyak orang yang bisa menolongmu.

Baca juga: Itinerary Bali 7 Hari, Liburan Asyik ala Traveloka

Tips Solo Traveling ke Bali

Sumber: Unsplash @Nicole

Solo traveling memang menyenangkan, tetapi harus kamu barengi dengan persiapan matang. Agar perjalanan lancar dan siap bila harus menghadapi tantangan tak terduga. Berikut beberapa tips untuk solo travelers :

1. Pilih Moda Transportasi yang Tepat

Angkutan umum di Bali cenderung minim, oleh sebab itu kamu harus mempersiapkan biaya untuk menyewa kendaraan. Bisa memilih motor, mobil, atau campervan, bergantung tujuan dan preferensi solo travelingmu.

2. Booking Hotel dan Penginapan Jauh-Jauh Hari

Bali termasuk destinasi wisata populer, sehingga ada kemungkinan kesulitan cari penginapan bila memesan secara mendadak. Pastikan booking hotel di Traveloka dari jauh hari, tentukan hendak menginap di mana saja selama di Bali. Gunakan aplikasi Traveloka agar lebih praktis dan nyaman.

RooMates Hostel Canggu by Ini Vie Hospitality

Roomates Hostel Canggu by Ini Vie Hospitality

Lokasi : Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong Gg. Bonton No.8x, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Bali, Indonesia, 80351

RooMates Canggu menjadi sebuah alternatif bila kamu sedang mencari penginapan untuk solo traveling yang berlokasi di Bali, tepatnya di kawasang Batu Bolong, Canggu. Lokasinya sangat strategis di Batu Bolong, sehingga kamu bisa berjalan kaki untuk mengunjungi berbagai kafe dan restoran menarik di kawasan Batu Bolong.

Kamu pun juga bisa berjalan kaki untuk pergi ke Pantai Batu Bolong yang lokasinya kurang lebih hanya sekitar 600 meter dari penginapan. Walaupun harganya cukup terjangkau, RooMates Canggu memiliki fasilitas yang cukup lengkap dari kolam renang, kamar full AC, dan brankas. Hostel ini cocok bagi kamu yang solo traveling karena kamar bertipe asrama bisa menjadi kesempatan kamu untuk berkenalan dengan berbagai traveler lainnya.

Booking Roomates Hostel Canggu by Ini Vie Hospitality dengan penawaran harga terbaik di Traveloka

La Vie Villa

La Vie Villa Legian by Ini Vie Hospitality

Lokasi : Jalan Pandawa No.88A Legian, Legian, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, 80361

Bila sedang mencari penginapan dengan nuansa yang lebih privat, maka La Vie Villa bisa menjadi pilihan bila sedang solo traveling di Bali. Ketika menginap di villa ini, kamu akan dimanjakan dengan kolam renang privat, kamar yang luas yang nyaman, serta pelayanan staff yang ramah.

Lokasinya pun juga cukup dekat dengan berbagai atraksi turis yang berlokasi di kawasan Legian dan Kuta, seperti Beachwalk dan Pantai Seminyak yang masing-masing jaraknya kurang dari 2 km.

Booking La Vie Villa Legian by Ini Vie Hospitality dengan penawaran harga terbaik di Traveloka

Harga mulai dari Rp 2.646.000*

Ini Vie Villa

Lokasi : Jalan Dewi Sri 3 No. 8, Legian, Legian, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, 80361

Untuk solo traveler ke Bali yang bisa mengeluarkan budget lebih, Ini Vie Villa juga bisa menjadi pilihan untuk menginap. Ini Vie Villa akan memanjakanmu dengan fasilitas yang sangat lengkap, mulai dari kolam renang pribadi, TV, jacuzzi, dan pelayanan hotel yang sigap. Villa yang satu ini juga cocok untuk solo traveler karena memiliki fasilitas dapur yang lengkap, dari microwave, kompor, dan kulkas.

Booking Ini Vie Villa dengan penawaran harga terbaik di Traveloka

Monolocale Resort

Lokasi : Jalan Umalas 1 No.8A, Kuta Utara, Umalas, Bali, Indonesia, 80361

Ketika solo traveling di Bali, tak ada salahnya bila kamu memanjakan diri menginap di penginapan mewah seperti Monolocale Resort . Ada beberapa tipe kamar yang bisa kamu pilih di sini, salah satunya ada yang menawarkan kolam renang pribadi. Dekor setiap kamar di resort ini juga sangat instagramable, lho.

Bila kamu menginginkan nuansa penginapan yang tenang, maka Monolocale Resort menjadi pilihan yang tepat karena berada di kawasan Umalas yang nuansanya seperti daerah residensial. Namun jangan khawatir karena akses ke berbagai destinasi turis seperti Seminyak dan Canggu juga cukup mudah dari Monolocale Resort.

Booking Monolocale Resort dengan penawaran harga terbaik di Traveloka

Harga mulai dari Rp1.260.000*

3. Pelajari Sedikit Kosakata Bahasa Bali

Mengerti sedikit bahasa bali mampu membantu berkomunikasi dan menjalin relasi dengan masyarakat lokal. Seperti “Punapi gatra?” (apa kabar?), “suksma” (terima kasih), dan “numbas” (beli). Tips biar cepat mengenal bahasa bali adalah gunakan google translate .

Agar perjalanan solo travelingmu makin nyaman, pastikan sudah download aplikasi Traveloka ya. Karena membantu sekali untuk menavigasi selama solo trip di Bali. Yuk rencanakan destinasi solo traveling di Bali sekarang juga, mulai petualang menjelajah indahnya Pulau Dewata!

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