---
title: 'Intro to Solo Travel: Tips for Your First Time Traveling Alone'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=1VsqF1yUmbM'
video_id: '1VsqF1yUmbM'
date: 2026-06-28
duration_sec: 0
---

# Intro to Solo Travel: Tips for Your First Time Traveling Alone

> Source: [Intro to Solo Travel: Tips for Your First Time Traveling Alone](https://youtube.com/watch?v=1VsqF1yUmbM)

## Summary



## Transcript

one of the best things about solo travel
is what you learn about yourself along
the way but booking that first trip can
be daunting that's why we've put
together some of our favorite tips to
help you feel more comfortable when
traveling alone hey i'm tom from pack
hacker and if you're new to the channel
consider subscribing and ringing that
bell icon for notifications instead of
waiting for your schedule to align with
friends or family solo travel allows you
to get up and go whenever and wherever
you want plus it's a great time to get
introspective eat pray love style this
video is sponsored by backcountry a
company that is all about getting out
there and experiencing new things so
stay tuned for an exclusive discount
later on in this video and let's dive in
[Music]
solo travel is a great opportunity for
growth and it's good to find the right
balance between challenging yourself and
having fun and the best is when both of
these combine knowing what you're able
to handle without getting overwhelmed is
crucial if that means going somewhere
that's fluent in your native language so
that you can navigate easier that's okay
don't feel bad building your way up to
places outside of your comfort zone
however if you play to your strengths
you'll be able to solve a problem before
it becomes one download maps on your
phone ahead of time if you're bad with
directions and leave early to avoid
missing a train more confident types may
feel comfortable striking up a
conversation with strangers so consider
staying in a hostel or bar hopping if
you're more of a wallflower try posting
about a restaurant patio where you can
people watch without being disturbed
personality types aside it is great to
get some practice in before your trip go
out to eat by yourself or take a day
trip to an unfamiliar city near your
home to get used to exploring solo
[Music]
we've said this before and we will say
it again pack light unlike when you
travel with a group you'll be carrying
everything around yourself leave behind
extra shoes and clothing to reduce the
weight of your bag on the plus side any
snacks you bring are all yours so no
more hangry arguing with your friend who
doesn't know the word share check out
the links in the description below for
some detailed packing tips on how to cut
down another thing to consider is your
luggage no one is around to watch your
bag while you run to the bathroom so try
to reduce it to a carry-on and personal
item at most the osprey farpoint and
fairview are great options for
first-time solo travelers they're
similar bags but the fairview is
designed for smaller frames both have a
40 liter capacity which means you can
stretch the one bag travel limits and
bring that extra sweater if it eases
your mind the sling is great for keeping
a smaller gear like a passport wallet
and phone close to your body you can get
some shut eye while you're at the
airport or on public transit without
worrying about theft before hitting the
road you want to make sure that you have
your gear dialed in the best part about
preparing for solo travel is finding
what works for you both in what you pack
and how you plan here at pack hacker we
put products to the test through reviews
and guides aimed at helping you select
the best gear for you that's why we've
partnered with backcountry they have
hundreds of gear heads to help answer
your questions via webchat email and
phone those folks are just like us
seasoned travelers committed to great
gear for even greater adventures plus
they have a solid selection of products
to choose from use the code down in the
description below pack hacker 15 for 15
off your first order at backcountry.com
some exclusions may apply that's 15 off
gear bags and travel accessories so get
out there explore and find your back
country wherever that may be and let's
get back into the tips
[Music]
when traveling alone you'll be footing
the bill yourself that means no
splitting meals or transportation costs
with a friend unless you happen to make
one along the way it may not be an issue
for everyone but it's worth factoring
that into your budget while you're
planning some travel amenities will also
charge for what's called a single
supplement this is a premium fee for
solo travelers who book tours or rooms
designed for groups of two or more since
they aren't making money off of a second
person they'll charge you extra to make
up the difference some companies will
pair you with another solo traveler if
you ask or you can just look at the fine
print to see if the single supplement
exists one last thing to consider is
travel insurance it covers most
accidents that happen abroad but some
also reimburse you if you have to cancel
you can find it through third party
providers however make sure to check in
with your own insurance first as they
may cover things or offer add-ons
certain credit cards will also offer
coverage too though she was with friends
our editor lauren was happy to have car
insurance when they popped a tire while
in ireland insurance won't stop things
from going wrong however it can prevent
that uh oh what now feeling
[Music]
traveling solo is a chance to be
spontaneous however a little planning
doesn't hurt so take the time to
prioritize on what you want to get out
of your trip that way when you get to
your destination you can get started on
your sightseeing and pick up other ideas
along the way look up restaurants and
destinations that you want to see before
you get there mark businesses on google
maps using their want to go feature so
you can reference it when it's time to
find food or an activity you'll cut down
on time when deciding what to do next if
you don't happen to find something
better you can also talk to locals to
see what places they recommend and what
you should skip however be realistic on
how much you're cramming in avoid
burning out early by taking a night in
if that's what you think you need since
you don't have a travel companion
there's absolutely zero pressure to keep
someone else happy with your travel
plans getting takeout and people
watching from your local hotel balcony
can be just as exciting as a night out
in the city
[Music]
once all of your documents are up to
date and you've confirmed any necessary
visas you'll want to keep that
information on hand at all times take
photos and keep them secure on your
phone or your computer so you have them
on you at all times in case you lose the
real documents it's also worth creating
a spreadsheet with any key travel info
you have including flights key dates and
where you're staying share this info
with select family or friends so that
they know where to find you in case of
emergency it'll also help keep you
organized without someone to wake you up
when you sleep through your alarm you'll
need to make it to your flight all on
your own however the great thing about
traveling solo is that if you do miss a
flight or tour it doesn't impact anyone
else's trip that said there still may be
consequences if you arrive late at your
destination some hotels hostels and
airbnbs have limited check-in times so
make sure to factor that in when you're
looking for places to stay it may be
good to find something that allows for a
later check-in time if you need some
flexibility
[Music]
even when you're in a foreign country
technology is a tool that can help you
feel right at home if you get a local
sim card or pay for travel wi-fi you can
stay in touch with friends and family
plus you may want to consider sharing
your location with a few people so that
they can check in every once in a while
other small gear may seem insignificant
but can make a huge difference
noise-cancelling headphones or
old-fashioned earplugs will help you
sleep if you end up bunking with a
snoring stranger on the other hand if
you have an extra plug converter you can
share it with someone and make a friend
download an app like google translate to
help with the communication barrier and
make it easier to communicate you can
translate by speaking or scanning a
portion or text so you can quickly ask
for directions or order at a restaurant
and though it may make you look like a
tourist consider bringing a tripod or
selfie stick to take photos that way you
won't have to hand off your phone to a
stranger to get that instagram worthy
pick
[Music]
we've already mentioned a few safety
tips in this video however it's good to
go into more detail you want to be
careful when traveling with a large
group but it's even more important when
you're completely alone choose gear that
adds an extra layer of protection so you
don't always have to think about it the
pacsafe metrosafe backpack is slash
proof and lockable and one strap even
detaches so you can secure the bag
around a table or chair or check out a
low profile lock like the hip block
z-lock to add the same security when
completing your booking look for places
in more populated areas or with reliable
transportation so you don't have to rush
home before dark for added safety bring
along a portable travel lock that you
install from the inside to help prevent
intruders they're also great for public
restrooms or for doors that won't lock
now that solo travel has given you the
opportunity to get to know yourself more
it is important to trust your gut if
something doesn't feel right then don't
do it full stop even if you've already
paid for a tour or lodging it's better
to be safe and miss it than run into a
problem you can't get out of
[Music]
even if it's your first time solo
traveling there are ways to make it look
like it's not put in one wireless
headphone and listen to directions as
you walk rather than staring at a map
you'll be able to enjoy the scenery and
look like you know where you're going
it's also handy for walking around at
night but check your route ahead of time
and stay alert our contributing writer
randaya likes jaybird vista headphones
because of the lasting charge and
comfortable fit one of my favorite
things to do while solo traveling is
just to pick a direction and walk it
allows me to get familiar with the area
and see local culture rather than
sticking to touristy spots my full
attention is able to be on the sights
sounds and smells versus walking and
chatting with a travel buddy i even make
notes of places to go later if i don't
have time to explore them right away if
you're less comfortable with alone time
find some outdoor seating at a
restaurant or public area read an e-book
for something to do or opt for a
physical book as a natural conversation
starter with other patrons
[Music]
when you finally realize that you
haven't spoken more than 10 words over
the course of a few days it might be
time to meet some people strike up a
conversation with strangers whether it's
a waiter bartender or other travelers at
your hostel local folks will have great
recommendations of places to see that
you may have otherwise missed even if
you've downloaded google translate like
we mentioned earlier it's also a good
idea just to learn a couple of common
phrases in the native language some
locals may appreciate the effort and
remember this trip is about growth
anyways you can also choose
accommodations that are naturally more
social apps like couchsurfing or renting
a room at an airbnb save you money and
are a great way to make friends if
you're going to be in one area for a
while or a hostel is filled with
travelers just like you and they can
point you in the direction of something
fun they've already done you may even
find a buddy who wants to do the same
thing and that's how you beat the single
supplement we mentioned earlier if
you're the shy type now is the time to
really stretch those wings and get out
of your comfort zone
[Music]
one final tip and perhaps the most
important one of all don't be afraid to
make mistakes you can plan ahead and
prepare though things may still go wrong
sometimes that restaurant you are
planning to go to is closed or a temple
is under construction so as long as you
roll with the punches those smaller
inconveniences won't become bigger
beasts solo travel is a chance to grow
and challenge yourself whatever that
means for you if you get scammed by a
street vendor or miss a planned tour
laugh it off and take it as a lesson for
next time and since you're alone there
is no one to please but yourself if you
decide you want to sleep in instead of
getting up early to watch the sunrise
it's 100 up to you go luxury or stretch
every dollar as long as you're having
fun you are on the right track traveling
alone is a great way to learn more about
yourself and the world at the same time
so let loose enjoy every second and take
some time to breathe so there you have
it our top 10 tips to get you started on
your solo travel adventure make sure to
check out the link down in the
description below and use code
packhacker15 for 15 off your first order
at backcountry.com and remember some of
the best tips come from you the pack
hacker community right here on youtube
so please leave your best solo travel
tip down in the comments below or a
funny solo travel story that you can
share with the community thanks for
keeping here at pack hacker your guide
to smarter travel and we will see you in
the next video