Why You Should Travel Solo?

Quick answer: You should travel solo because it gives you complete freedom: you plan on your own terms, see places your way, meet new people, control your budget and come home more confident, with better stories. Here are the reasons I prefer to travel by myself.

“The man who goes out alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready” – Henry David Thoreau.

People often ask me, “What is the fun in travelling alone?” I always say the whole fun of discovering a place is doing it by yourself.

As a solo traveller you can fill every single moment with things that fascinate you. You don’t depend on anyone, and you never have to change your plans unwillingly because a travel buddy is whining that they don’t want to do what you want. The benefits of travelling alone are immense.

1. Your Trip Planning Gets Much Easier

Every traveller has a bucket list, but people often hold back because they have no one to travel with, or they feel insecure venturing somewhere new on their own.

When you travel alone, only your desires matter. You can plan something at the last minute or change an existing plan whenever you like.

2. You Get to Know Yourself

Travelling alone to a place where no one knows you lets you rediscover yourself. You shed your fears and insecurities and do the things you really want to do.

When you are on the road and every decision is up to you, you learn things about yourself that you never knew until you stepped out of your comfort zone. You get to try new things, and even if they go wrong, no one knows unless you tell them.

3. You See Places in Your Own Way

You enjoy the liberty of seeing the world the way you prefer, not through other people’s perceptions or prejudices.

Maybe you want to rent a bike and ride to a cliff to watch the sun go down while everyone else takes public transport there. Alone, you can.

4. You Do What You Want

You are your own BOSS. You decide what to do based on how you feel, without depending on what others want.

• Spend a day café hopping in Paris.
• Walk the museum mile in Amsterdam.
• Take a biking trip in Bagan (Myanmar).

5. You Meet Other People

One of the best things about travelling alone is meeting new people and being exposed to different cultures, food and customs. With no one to cling to, you naturally interact with other travellers and locals, and you never know how well you will get along until you start sharing stories.

While I was in Muang Ngoi Neua, a remote rural area in Northern Laos, I met a guy from France and a girl from the US. The three of us went on a biking trip along some unbeaten paths and ended up sharing a local meal at a restaurant. I felt I was among like-minded people, and we had a great time.

6. You Spend Money Only on What You Really Need

Different people have different tastes. Some travellers prefer plush villas, while others opt for a backpacker’s pod.

It’s easier to stick to your budget when you are on your own, and you can lower your standards without anyone complaining. Personally, I prefer street food, and instead of expensive pub pints I opt for cheap 7-Eleven canned beer or bottled wine.

7. You Become More Confident

I can still feel the fear I had when kicking off my first solo trip to Amsterdam, but nothing makes me more confident than exploring the world on my own.

On the road you will face unexpected challenges, and you will be surprised by how well you respond. It’s nice to have someone to rely on, but it’s particularly satisfying when that someone is you.

8. You Become a Storyteller

Solo travel creates plenty of memories to share with your folks back home. As long as you make the most of it, you will collect a number of epic accounts.

While touring the favelas in Rio de Janeiro late at night, I was robbed at gunpoint. I was petrified at the time, but narrating that story now makes me feel I have been on a real adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fun in travelling solo?

The freedom to discover a place entirely on your own terms, filling every moment with what fascinates you.

Is it easier to stick to a budget when travelling alone?

Yes. You choose where to sleep and eat, and you can lower your standards without anyone complaining.

Will I be lonely if I travel solo?

Travelling alone actually pushes you to meet other travellers and locals, like the French and American travellers I biked with in Northern Laos.

Conclusion: Why You Should Travel Solo

I hope this post triggers an impulse in you to go and travel. Pick up your stuff, shove it in your backpack, go solo and see how beautiful this world is.