5 Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Next Solo Trip
Porto, Portugal
Solo traveling is the ultimate opportunity for exploration, fun and learning. Whether you are in a new city closer to home or a different country altogether, taking a one-week vacation or long-term backpacking across Southeast Asia, there is no question that travel broadens the mind and can be a fulfilling and even life-changing experience.
With a little bit of research and an openness to new people and activities, you can take steps to make the most of your trip. Be sure to read TSTN’s The Solo Travel Code for more tips on how to travel responsibly and have a great time doing it.
1. Go for a Run or Walk in the Morning
Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona, Spain
I can already hear my fellow night owls disagreeing, but hear me out! Sleeping in while traveling is the best and in some cases absolutely necessary for recovery. On the occasional morning, however, it can be incredibly peaceful to enjoy a new city or the countryside before the rest of the world has woken up. Put your earbuds in and go get some fresh air.
When traveling– especially long term– sticking to the same fitness routine you had back home can be challenging. While you can certainly find some public workout spaces or multi-day passes for a local gym, running and walking are always free and a great way to keep yourself strong on your adventures.
Running in London’s majestic Hyde Park or through the streets of Barcelona were not on my itinerary, but I ended up having some of my most relaxed mornings on these days. I had the opportunity to see more of each city than I typically would have and was able to avoid the overwhelming crowds of tourists you typically see later in the day.
I also stumbled upon several shops and restaurants that I came back to later in the trip. I would only recommend this tip if you are staying in a relatively safe area and feel comfortable going out for a walk or run on your own.
2. Take Yourself Out to Eat
Delicious (and affordable!) tuna handroll in Porto, Portugal
Some say that there is a stigma around going to a restaurant by yourself to eat, but I have to disagree with these naysayers. There is something inherently fun and even romantic about sitting down at an outdoor cafe and people-watching while enjoying a delicious meal. Sometimes I will bring a book to keep me company, listen to music, or even journal if I feel like it.
Beyond having some time to yourself, dining solo is oftentimes your best chance of getting a seat at some popular restaurants, especially if you are open to bar seating. I have been able to skip long lines and wait times simply because I was traveling alone and could easily fill in an empty spot at the bar or take a smaller table.
On some occasions, I have even made new friends out of the experience. I once visited Willie Mae’s Scotch House in New Orleans by myself, and three kind gentlemen invited me to join their table. They were old friends of many years and we had a wonderful conversation over just as incredible soul food. They even insisted on paying my meal at the end and wished me well on my travels. A few years earlier, two of the best friends I made in Taiwan during my year there I happened to meet while eating at restaurants alone.
Although there will always be a plethora of well-known restaurants worth visiting, I also encourage you to try out the local restaurants and Mom and Pop shops less frequented by tourists. Ask people who live in the area where they recommend dining. You might just find a new favorite spot!
3. Pick the Right Lodging
View from my room at La Iguana Perdida Hostel in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Couchsurfing, homestays, room rentals, hotels, hostels, WWOOFing– there are so many of choices for where to stay on a trip! Couchsurfing, homestays and room rentals can be excellent opportunities to connect with residents when traveling alone. Hostels are often a blast and an easy way to make friends or join group activities. WWOOFing is a an excellent opportunity for educational exchange, especially when you are traveling longer term.
Couchsurfing allows you to find hosts in any country in the world and stay with local residents as an opportunity for cultural exchange. You do not pay for lodging, but do note that as of 2020 Couchsurfing charges a $14.29 annual fee (or $2.39 per month) which more than pays for itself if you are Surfing frequently.
I always suggest bringing a small gift or taking your host out for a meal as a thank you, since they are taking the time to welcome to you into their home (for free) and often will show you their favorite local spots. I highly recommend that you do your research before confirming with any host. Read through your host’s reviews from previous guests ahead of time, look through the photos on their profile, and make sure their home is a good and safe fit for you.
You can often find language exchanges, dance classes, hikes and dinners through the Couchsurfing website for your destination or on the city’s Couchsurfing Facebook Page. Many Surfers also decide to become hosts when they come home as a way to pay it forward and continue making new connections.
Hotels offer privacy and larger ones tend to have more amenities than some of the other options on this list. That being said, hotels can sometimes be the more expensive lodging. This is not a problem if you are looking to splurge, but maybe not the best choice if you are traveling on a shoestring budget.
Hostels are an excellent budget option for lodging and an easy way to meet new friends as a solo traveler. Many hostels organize events, classes or tours and some of the nicer ones even have pools, bars or co-working spaces. If you don’t love the idea of a dorm style sleeping arrangement, plenty of hostels offer private rooms with options for either private or shared bathrooms. How much you interact with other guests will be entirely up to you. You can spend time in the common area or sightsee all day then retire to your private room when you like.
My go-to website for hostel searching is Hostelworld. You can filter your options by price, amenities and guest ratings. There are typically plenty of photos under each listing to give you a good idea of what the hostel is like, and I would reccomemd reading through the reviews submitted by previous guests. Hostelworld will also show the age group of each reviewer. If you are looking to meet more people around your age, sift through the reviews and search for a pattern. This isn’t a foolproof method but it has not failed me yet!
WWOOF or Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms is a global movement dedicated to connecting visitors with organic farmers and promote cultural and educational exchange. The organization aims to provide helping hands to its hosts and at the same time allows visitors to learn about ecological farming and sustainability practices. You will gain practical skills in organic farming and gardening and experience rural living while sharing in the everyday life of your host.
WWOOFing membership varies around the world and membership with one country does not guarantee you access to other countries. In the United States for example, there are two options. You can pay $40 for a single WWOOF membership or $65 for a joint WWOOF membership. Joint memberships are ideal if you plan to WWOOF with a partner or friend. Your membership lasts a year and includes a personalized profile, access to the online host directory, member reviews, and online messaging tools.
4. Go on a photo walk
My trusty Fuji is always by my side
This one is for my creative friends. If you enjoy taking photos— be it with your phone or camera— go out and explore! Many cities have Facebook groups and events dedicated to photo walks you can join. Alternatively, you can try gathering a group from your hostel or go solo. A tripod will be a worthy investment if you are looking to do anything from astrophotography to self-portraits.
I am personally partial to shooting at sunrise and generally early in the mornings as opposed to golden hour or sunset if I can help it. Depending on the location and situation, I find that most travelers are out taking photos during the day and sunset. Oia in Santorini is a famous example of this. You have likely seen photos online of multitudes of cameras and people stepping all over each other to get that perfect shot for Instagram.
These popular photo ops can result in a crowded, sometimes frustrating environment (prime hunting grounds for pickpockets), and it can take away from the experience of just enjoying the view. Some of my favorite photos were taken at sunrise or early in the day when I had great lighting, plenty of time to set up my tripod, and was in no rush to move for other visitors waiting in line for their turn.
5. Join events at your hostel/hotel
Pre-dinner drinks at Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
I’m biased if you couldn’t tell, but one of my favorite things about hostels is that many of them have scheduled events each week. This creates a space where you can either learn a new skill, get an insider’s knowledge on local spots to explore or meet a new travel buddy.
Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel has a free daily happy hour as long as the beer lasts from 6:00-6:30 PM. The Meininger Hostel in Brussels City Center hosts informative historic walking tours of the city and La Iguana Perdida in Guatemala puts on one hell of a BBQ and costume party every Saturday. From pub crawls to yoga classes and free walking tours, there are countless (often free) opportunities to explore your destination.
Hotels have offerings of their own, but these tend to come with additional costs and the environment is typically less communal in my experience. Many hotels offer spa services and packages or cooking classes. Some even have tennis courts, golf courses, and media centers for their guests. Even if you are a die-hard hostel fan, a bit of luxury every now and then can be very much worth it.
