10 Fears of Solo Travel and How to Overcome Them
Traveling can often be stressful, even if it's the trip of our dreams that we’ve planned for a long time, or even if we’ve entrusted it to the best travel planning expert (hey, that’s me!)Stress and anticipation are always present before, during, and even after the trip, especially when traveling solo. You have to think of everything and rely solely on yourself. You need to feel safe while continuing to explore, meet people but avoid bad encounters, enjoy the moment while staying alert to potential dangers, and live in the moment without forgetting possible challenges. All of this can easily discourage someone from travelling light alone.
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Personally, it took me a while to realize that one can enjoy travelling light alone.That often, people choose to travel solo, and it’s not always due to personal constraints. For my part, I always thought I could never enjoy a solo trip as much as one with others. I used to live by the idea that “Happiness is only real when shared.” I missed travel opportunities because I had no one to go with.
The realization that I was wrong came quite late. In 2023, while going through a personal crisis, I went in search of happiness. Or rather, I decided to fulfill one of my dreams and volunteer with elephants,Since it was my dream and not someone else’s, I decided to spend a month travelling in Thailand alone. And it was an extraordinary experience that completely changed my understanding of how I travel.
But before that realization, the hardest part was overcoming the fear: the fear of being alone, not being safe, not having fun, getting bored... I felt all those fears and discussed them with many travellers. I was reassured to discover that I wasn’t the only one with these thoughts. Fear blocks us and prevents us from enjoying the moment. In this article, I’ve summarized the 10 most common fears that hold us back and why they need to be overcome.
I’m afraid I won’t be safe when traveling solo
And that’s completely normal. We tend to feel safer in familiar routines, letting our guard down at home, which we associate with safety. Have you ever returned from a trip and needed to rest? This is partly because when we travel, our brain remains constantly alert. But have you ever felt tired after a long weekend at home? If we think logically, danger exists everywhere. The key is to be smart and make good choices.
Of course, preparation is essential. Research your destination ahead of time, avoid dangerous areas, dress appropriately, sleep, eat, and drink in safe places, and stay cautious. By following these tips, you’ll reduce risks. You’ll still feel scared, but with more experience, you’ll begin to appreciate the benefits of solo travel.
I’m a woman, it’s dangerous to travel alone
It’s true that solo travel can be more dangerous for women than for men. Let’s be honest—being a woman can be complicated, no matter where you are. But don’t let that stop you from discovering the world in a different way. Respect cultural norms, be cautious, and stay alert. If you still feel uncomfortable, know that there are many activities and agencies offering solo women’s trips where you can meet travel companions—or even furry friends!
I’m uncomfortable around strangers
This is also completely normal. We’re wired to be wary of strangers, an instinct that helps keep us safe. When I left Bulgaria, in 2006 to move to en FranceI was surrounded by my close friends, and suddenly I found myself alone in a new country where people didn’t speak my language. At 18, I had no idea how to meet people. I felt very isolated. But the desire to connect with others pushed me to reach out.
The first time I approached people in a hostel, I was terrified. With my A2-level French, I asked if I could sit at a free chair. And guess what? No one bit my head off or told me to leave. Instead, I was warmly welcomed. To this day, I’m still in touch with Martha, the Spanish girl I met that day.
Since then, I’ve applied the same principle when travelling solo.
Worst case? Someone says no.
What if my loved ones don’t approve?
We tend to project our fears and beliefs onto others or judge others for the courage we lack. I deeply admire people who manage to do things I wouldn’t dare to. Sometimes, I also disapprove of certain choices my friends make, but I’ve learned to keep my opinions to myself. After all, we can’t truly know what’s going on in others’ minds, and we don’t like being judged by loved ones—so why judge them?
If your loved ones don’t approve of your decision to travel solo, try to understand the reasons behind their feelings. If you dig a little deeper, you might find a way to convince them that you’re making the right decision for yourself.Or, simply learn not to worry about others’ opinions. I love the saying, “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” Make your choice and own it.
I’m afraid of feeling too lonely
This was probably my biggest fear when I first travelled solo. I was deeply influenced by the movie Into the wild and I often think of the scene where the protagonist declares, “Happiness is only real when shared.” For me, travel always had to be shared with loved ones. That’s also why I don’t like going to the cinema alone—I need to know someone is experiencing the same emotions as me in that moment.
In my article about Chiang Mai j’ai parlé de mon expérience avec un cours de cuisineChiang Mai, I mentioned my cooking class experience. I made it seem extraordinary because, in hindsight, it was. But at the time, I felt very lonely because I was surrounded by four couples. I was the 9th wheel. I had to take selfies and was the one taking photos of the couples. But do I regret it? Not at all. If I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t know how to cook Pad Thai or Khao Soi.
When I first travelled solo, I often felt lonely. There were moments when I desperately wanted to share my feelings with loved ones. When I had to say goodbye to the elephants in the jungle, I cried. I would have loved to be comforted by someone I care about. However, I was only with strangers. Yet, I’ll never forget the hug from Yaelle, a woman I had met just 10 days before.
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Travel friends are people we meet along the way, and for a brief moment, they become close. These friendships are often forged out of necessity. Sometimes they last, sometimes they don’t. But if you don’t travel solo, you miss out on meeting these kinds of friends. And that’s a real loss.
But I'm very shy, how do I meet people?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single recipe that works for everyone. But fortunately, there are several paths to explore. An excellent way to meet people is by staying in hostels or youth hostels. You’ll find solo travelers there, who, like you, are looking to meet others. Often, all it takes is the courage to go to the common room or the kitchen to find future travel buddies. Hostels regularly organize events for travelers, such as outings or tours. Sign up and go with the flow. Trust your intuition—if something feels off, leave.
Another option is to participate in organized events. Before traveling solo, I always join plenty of Facebook groups that offer local events for travelers. A pub crawl, a city tour, a picnic… With a little preparation, you can find an event that appeals to you. You just need to be bold enough to go.
And, of course, don’t forget about chance. You can meet future travel companions anywhere, anytime. Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy it.
Won’t travelling alone cost me more?
Probably, especially if you don’t plan ahead. Let’s be honest—travelling with others is sometimes more economical because you share expenses. Hotel rooms are generally designed for a minimum of two people, and you’ll end up paying for everything yourself. If your budget is tight, opt for a bed in a dorm. Look for good deals on food. Ask the locals. Be curious and plan in advance.
Here, the key is adaptability and planning. Anticipate your expenses, think about where you can save, and what your priorities are. You’ll find that even when travelling solo, you can manage for less.
What if I get bored travelling alone?
When traveling, you don’t really get bored—at least, in theory. Stay open to possibilities, and you’ll find excitement everywhere. Discover new places, taste local cuisine, participate in local festivals. No matter what you do, you’ll find ways to keep yourself occupied. A long train ride gives you the opportunity to take in new landscapes or read about your next destination. A rainy day at the hostel can lead to meeting new people. A stop in a remote village offers the chance to try local dishes. You just need to be bold.
In Chiang Mai, I really wanted to visit the Sticky Waterfall. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any travel buddies for the trip. So, I signed up for an organized excursion, and guess what? I had a blast. And for the photos, I could count on the guide, Annie. Sure, I didn’t enjoy it the same way as those traveling in couples or with friends, but I’m convinced I experienced it in a unique way because I was open to new possibilities.
I think I’ll miss my loved ones very quickly.
If you're lucky enough to have people who love you and whom you love, it's inevitable that you'll miss them. That's normal and actually a good thing. But don’t forget that everything comes to an end.Your trip will finish, and you’ll see them again. So, make the most of the moment. Create new memories that you can later share with your loved ones. They’ll be even happier to see you again and hear your stories.And fortunately, today we can rely on technology to stay in touch. When I travel solo, I ask my partner to send me frequent pictures… of my cat.
Is travelling alone worth it?
Yes! It’s sometimes difficult, sometimes stressful, sometimes frustrating… But it’s always new, always impressive, always full of emotions. I encourage you to try solo travel at least once before deciding whether it's for you or not. You might develop qualities you didn’t know you had. Or meet your future best friends. Or discover it’s not for you. But no matter what happens, you’ll never know if you don’t try.
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For more useful information
To find your plane ticket :
I can recommend you use ExpediaI trust them with my own travels and when I am working with clients
For your hotel reservation
I invite you to look into Hotels.fr they have a large choice of bookings and your client services are always available
Pour trouver des activités sur place :
I use either viator or GetYourGuideThe two plateforms offer a large choice of activities at reasonable prices
To rent a car
I recommend discovercarsTheir prices are competitive and they have a great customer service
Need more inspiration?
Get a look at my other blog articles to discover the Balkans and the rest of the world
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