Travelling solo is one of life’s greatest adventures. It’s liberating, empowering, and full of moments you’ll never forget — but it can also feel a bit daunting at first. Whether you’re thinking about your first solo trip or you’re a seasoned solo explorer, 2025 brings new trends, tools, and tips to help make the experience smoother, safer, and more fulfilling.

This is a topic I am extremely passionate about personally, it is no understatement to say that solo travel has changed my life in all the best ways. A few highlights have been sharing meals with a Georgian babushka on an overnight Armenian sleeper train, exploring abandoned catacombs in Serbia with someone I met 10 minutes previously and dancing around a fire on the beach in Tunisia with a wedding party. All of which happened within a few months of each other. The world is full of kind and welcoming people, just waiting to open their hearts and homes to you. Just be respectful, considerate, and open to what travel can offer you.

Travel has never been easier than it is today. Make the most of it – trust in yourself and go and make memories for a lifetime!

What Are the Best Destinations for Solo Travellers in 2025?

Some places just get solo travellers. They’re safe, welcoming, easy to navigate, and full of opportunities to meet people.

Top picks for solo-friendly travel:

• Lisbon, Portugal – Easygoing vibe, walkable neighbourhoods, and affordable eats
• Kyoto, Japan – Impeccably safe, full of cultural wonders, and easy to get around alone
• Mexico City – Big city energy, excellent hostels and food tours, vibrant nightlife
• Ljubljana, Slovenia – Underrated gem with a compact centre and friendly locals
• Melbourne, Australia – Great solo café culture, co-working spaces, and beach escapes
• Budapest, Hungary – Incredible architecture, great night life and full of travellers

When choosing a destination, look for good transport infrastructure, high safety ratings, and a social scene — even if you’re not the party type. Local Facebook groups and solo travel forums are full of real-time destination advice too.

For someone looking for a cheap, alternative adventure that is easily accessible and brimming with culture and beauty, I can’t recommend the Balkans enough. The relatively small size of the region makes for easy (although maybe not efficient) travel options – and you can expect to find a warmth and generosity that I often find missing in more Western countries. Expect to be invited to barbecues as you walk past someone’s home, and be warned that EVERY occasion is an excuse for the rakija – pronounced rak-eea (a diverse collection of fruit brandy, often brewed in homes). If you are looking for nature, then kayaking on Lake Ohrid (Macedonia) or rafting on Tara Canyon (Montenegro and Bosnia Herzegovina) are just two of the many things you shouldn’t miss!

How Can You Travel Solo Without Breaking the Bank?

Without someone to split costs with, solo travel can be pricier — but with a few clever strategies, you can stretch your budget and still enjoy every bit of your trip.

Budget hacks for solo travellers:

• Book shared accommodation in hostels, guesthouses or capsule hotels (look for private rooms if you want quiet)
• If you are spending an extended period of time in a city, book an Airbnb for a few days, and then when you have their details, you can contact them directly to arrange a cheaper rate (this isn’t something we can officially encourage)
• Use public transport passes or local rideshare apps (like BlaBlaCar in Europe)
• Cook simple meals or eat where locals do — food courts, street stalls, and markets
• Travel during shoulder season (spring or autumn) for cheaper rates
• Sign up for free walking tours — most cities offer them daily (just tip your guide!)

Websites like Hostelworld and Booking.com now have solo-traveller reviews and filters for quiet, clean, or social places to stay. Also consider co-living spaces like Selina, Outsite, or Sun and Co if you’re working remotely.

How Do You Meet People When Travelling Solo?

One of the biggest myths about solo travel is that you’ll be lonely — but the truth is, you’ll often meet more people than you would travelling with a group.

Easy ways to connect:

• Join a free city walking tour on your first day — great for orienting yourself and meeting other travellers
• Use apps like Bumble BFF, or Travello to connect with fellow solo adventurers
• Stay in hostels with communal spaces or sign up for group dinners or cooking classes
• Try co-working spaces or cafes with long communal tables (ideal if you’re a digital nomad)
• Volunteer short-term via platforms like Workaway or Worldpackers
• A personal favourite of mine is using the Hangout feature on the Couchsurfing app. People post plans, or things they’d like to do in a city, and you can easily organise plans for now, tomorrow, or in a month’s time with likeminded people
• This last point might sound stupid, but look up more and wear headphones less. If you’re not staring at your phone, you can spot smiling faces around you – many of whom are often keen to welcome you. Many people miss out on the warm local hospitality because they’re too glued to their phone.

Just say yes to things — even if they’re a bit out of your comfort zone. That one conversation in a hostel kitchen might lead to a day trip, a dinner invite, or even a lifelong friendship.

How Can You Stay Safe as a Solo Traveller?

Safety is always important, especially when you’re travelling solo — but that doesn’t mean you need to be paranoid. A bit of common sense and a few tools can go a long way.

Key solo travel safety tips:

• The main one – have an active internet connection/phone data
• Share your itinerary and live location with a trusted friend or family member
• Use Google Maps’ location sharing or apps like Life360
• Only use registered taxis or local rideshare apps (like Bolt, Grab, or Uber)
• Avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas. If you find yourself in an area that feels unsafe, don’t take it as an opportunity to check your instagram stories. Just walk with purpose in the other direction!
• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, remove yourself
• Don’t do things that you wouldn’t do at home. Carrying your laptop in your hand down back alleys at 11pm, or putting your wallet in your back pocket. As with many things on this list – just use common sense and 99.9% of the time, you’ll be fine.

Also, make sure you’ve got travel insurance that covers medical and theft. Companies like SafetyWing and World Nomads offer flexible plans that are perfect for solo travellers.

And of course, if you’re out exploring and want to travel light, Stasher’s secure luggage storage can keep your bags safe while you roam hands-free. No one looks more like a good mugging victim than the lost tourist carrying all their belongings on their back as they leave the bar.

What About the Personal Side of Travelling Solo?

While solo travel brings freedom, it also offers something deeper: time to reflect, reconnect with yourself, and grow in ways you never expected.

Unexpected lessons from travelling alone:

• You get better at making decisions and trusting your judgement
• Time alone in new surroundings helps you understand what really excites or grounds you
• You build resilience by handling hiccups without backup
• You become more confident — asking strangers for help, navigating cities, or simply enjoying your own company

Many solo travellers swear by journaling during their trip — noting moments of gratitude, fears they overcame, or surprising joys. It is easy to get desensitised by how incredible your day-to-day is. Writing a few notes and taking some extra pictures to help you look back on your adventures in the future is something you won’t regret.

What About Solo Travel as an Older Explorer?

Solo travel isn’t just for gap year students and backpackers. More people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are hitting the road solo — and loving it.

Tips for older solo travellers:

• Look for guided small-group tours — they offer independence and structure (companies like G Adventures and Explore Worldwide cater to all age groups)
• Book mid-range hotels with 24-hour reception and concierge support
• Join interest-based activities: cooking classes, cultural tours, walking groups
• Bring key medical information and stay in touch regularly with someone at home

The beauty of solo travel later in life is doing everything on your terms — from choosing your pace to picking experiences that truly interest you.

Travelling Solo as a Parent? Here’s What to Keep in Mind

Solo travel with kids requires a bit more planning, but it can be incredibly rewarding. With the right prep, you’ll build special memories together — and still enjoy a bit of freedom.

Things to plan ahead:

• Choose accommodations with 24-hour security, family-friendly facilities, and ideally, kitchenettes
• Book central locations to avoid late-night commutes
• Keep copies of documents and contact info for both you and your child
• Plan downtime into your itinerary — not every day needs to be packed
• Use apps like Klook or GetYourGuide to pre-book skip-the-line tickets or family tours

Even short trips can offer a big confidence boost — both for you and your child. And when you need a break from your bags while wrangling little ones, Stasher’s family-friendly luggage storage points can be a real help.

Solo Travel Is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself

There’s something uniquely powerful about exploring the world on your own. It’s a chance to tune in, break out of routines, and discover what makes you tick. Whether you’re dancing in a Lisbon square, sipping chai on a rooftop in Jaipur, or just enjoying a quiet moment on a park bench in Berlin — solo travel reminds you that you’re capable of far more than you think.

And hey, need to stash your bags while you wander free? Book secure luggage storage with Stasher and enjoy your solo adventure, one step at a time.