I began solo travelling several years before there was a huge uptick in its popularity. In fact at the time, I don’t think I was aware of the term ‘solo travel’. There was still a faint whiff of disapproval, stigma even, of travelling anywhere on your own. You were seen as a ‘Billy No-Mates’, a sad and lonely individual. 

I have tended to think of my trip to Lisbon in February 2015 as my first ‘proper’ solo trip however in writing this post I’ve realised that a trip to Vienna in September 2009 was probably my first truly solo trip.  (Sandwiched as it was between stops in Paris, Brussels, the Netherlands and Slovenia, where I was with friends, I had forgotten that I was flying solo during my enjoyable weekend in Vienna).

There isn’t a universally agreed definition of Solo Travelling but for the purposes of this article, I like this definition:

Solo Travel: ‘travelling on your own, without anyone you know, and being the decision maker for the destinations, experiences and activities you undertake, based on your individual needs.’ ¹ 

Although Lisbon was not my first, second or even third solo trip (there were also trips to the United States and again to Paris), it was certainly when I fell in love with solo travelling. It started with a New Year’s Resolution to travel more, in 2015. I wanted to visit a different country every 8 weeks (which I achieved) and I didn’t want to be held back by trying to fit in my trips with my friends’ diaries (with on-calls and night shifts, it was almost easier to go make non-junior doctor friends!). So I booked a long weekend in Lisbon, had the most amazing time, and solo travel has since become my preferred way to travel. 

Here’s why I love solo travelling and think everyone should try it (at least once): 

• It gives you the ultimate freedom and independence 

Hands up if you’ve ever been ‘dragged’ to an activity by a friend while on a trip, feeling like you had no choice but to go with them, and absolutely detesting the experience? Me. Or spent hours trying to craft an itinerary that gives you all a little bit of what you each want, but you all end up feeling somewhat cheated by the end of the trip? Also me. Well, with solo travel, you get to do exactly what you want… where, when and how you want!

This was the first thing that sold me on solo travel, the freedom to do exactly what I wanted, and not have to take anyone else’s thoughts, feelings or needs into account. I accept this may come across as somewhat selfish. Nevertheless, the hours I spent at the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Monastery in Belem, Lisbon), marvelling at its intricate architecture and enjoying the quiet and solitude at this UNESCO World Heritage Site is something I would not have felt as comfortable doing had I been with a companion. I would have spent time worrying that they were uninterested or worse, bored. 

When you solo travel, you get to prioritise your interests.  

• It challenges your perceptions of yourself and leads to personal growth 

We often have fixed ideas and beliefs about ourselves, co-created within our familiar family, occupational, social, and cultural constructs. When you solo travel, you are not bound by those beliefs and constructs; you are free of expectations, and it creates an opportunity for you to go on a journey of self-discovery. You become more attuned to your wants and desires, and perhaps make choices the ‘you at home’ never would. You build your resilience as you navigate the experiences or challenges life throws at you on your trip. You learn to embrace the unknown and to trust your instincts.

As a self-confessed introvert, I’m continually surprised by how much I enjoy meeting and talking to new people when I solo travel. And how much better these interactions have made my trips. A chance encounter with Amandine, a French girl I met at a cafe at Iguazu, Argentina (she was also a solo traveller) led to me hopping on her itinerary and us travelling together for a couple of days: to new culinary experiences in Salta (llama steak and empanadas anyone?) and the most scenic drive along La Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate, against a backdrop of gigantic red hued mountains, rock formations and otherworldly vistas. Or the conversation struck up with Danya, a British-Iranian girl I met in Costa Rica, which led to me abandoning plans to go to El Salvador and instead spending a week in Antigua living with a local Guatemalan family, while learning Spanish. One of the most culture rich experiences of my sabbatical!

Solo travel has helped me realise I’m less introverted than I’d always thought, and it’s made me fearless about reaching out and connecting with others. 

• You are more likely to connect with locals (and other travellers)

As a solo traveller, you are more approachable. You are more open to the people around you, and vice versa. People are more likely to chat to you when you are solo than if you are in a group. It means you have more opportunities to connect with locals and to learn and experience your destination more authentically. This effect isn’t limited to locals, you are also more likely to meet other travellers, make connections and form friendships with like minded individuals.

I wouldn’t have met Juan, a retired history teacher in Arequipa (Peru) if I hadn’t been solo travelling. Born and bred in the area, he knew everything about Arequipa and was kind enough to give me a personal tour of Iglesia San Juan Bautista de Yanahuara and the Yanahuara district, one of the oldest in Arequipa. Or Denise in Cartagena (Colombia) who made me the 4th member of her posse and curated an epic evening of dinner, dancing and karaoke. From lunch dates (Croatia) to beach days (Sri Lanka), fika (Sweden) to festivals (Belize), the enthusiasm with which each local has shared their love for, and knowledge of, each place only served to enrich my experience. 

Often on my trips, I meet people who tell me how ‘brave’ they think I am for travelling solo. I’ve never really thought about it in that way. It started off as a means to an end for me – the desire to experience as much of this beautiful world that we live in, but it has enhanced my travel experiences in ways I could never have imagined. 

I’ll leave you with this quote I love, by Anaïs Nin, ‘Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage’. If the thought of solo travel scares you, embrace the fear and do it anyway. You may surprise yourself.

Have you ever been on a solo trip? Are you an avid solo traveller or does the thought of solo travel scare you? Should everyone try solo travel at least once? Tell me your thoughts, in the comments section below…

*(All pictures are from solo trips)

References

1. Institute for Tourism Development Research. Solo Travel: The Growing Trend in Coming Years. http://itdr.org.vn/en/nghien_cuu/solo-travel-the-growing-trend-in-the-coming-years/#:~:text=What%20is%20Solo%20travel%3F,based%20on%20their%20individual%20needs.