Every solo trip begins with inspiration
You want to book a trip. But something is holding you back… there’s just you that wants to go. Well, we’re here to tell you - the idea of solo travel needn’t be an inhibitor. In fact, we want to turn that around for you so that hitting that book now button feels like the most exciting next step possible!
We understand that there are many reasons why you might be nervous about booking a trip as a solo traveller - from finding a trustworthy solo travel company to whether you’ll fit in or even want to be part of solo travel groups. You may even assume that booking things for one traveller is more expensive. Below, we dissect the typical worries associated with travelling solo. Without diminishing them, we provide an alternative outlook that we hope helps you feel more confident and excited about arranging that amazing trip that you haven’t quite plucked up the courage for yet.
And as the title suggests, we’re here to point out all the fantastic benefits of travelling solo so that nothing holds you back from your next adventure!
Travelling solo means you get to choose EVERYTHING
Because you’re probably here primarily to buoy your confidence in booking a solo travel adventure, we'll start with some of the more obvious (and probably best) advantages of travelling alone.
Go where YOU want
Travelling with a companion often means compromise. You might have different priorities about what you want to see and do. There might be a travel itinerary that one of you is interested in, and the other isn’t.
Choosing a destination is just the start; once you arrive, there are smaller decisions to make all the time, such as tours to book, what order to do things in and whether you have space to fit in everything you both/all want to do.
Solo travel gives you complete freedom to design your trip exactly as you want. No compromises, no debates—just the ability to tick off places and items from your bucket list as you choose.
Do things at your pace
Another fact of travelling with others is having to consider their timekeeping. This might be at a pace that is faster or slower than yours. Either way, over time, this can really start to grate and can even lead to arguments.
The beauty of a solo adventure is that you can move at a pace that suits you to a tee. Take as long as you want to explore somewhere you’re enamoured with, move on when you’ve had enough. Take a late train so that you can amble around a city at your leisure, get up super early and run for your next bus. Do things as and when you want, without feeling guilty about hurrying someone or feeling hurried.
Socialise your way
It’s pretty normal for friends not to agree on everything. Including other friends. Travelling frequently involves meeting new people and socialising in new ways and it can be jarring when you and your travel companion don’t see eye to eye on those you meet along the way.
When you adventure on your own, you’re free to spend as much time as you want with anyone new that you click with, without needing to consider someone else’s preferences. New friendships often lead to discovering new places or activities, such as hiking or climbing, which is potentially less likely to occur if you are tethered to a companion.
Travelling alone helps you grow
So often in life, we rely on other people’s opinions when making decisions. While this is pretty normal because we're brought up to listen to authority and peers, it also means we often look outside ourselves for guidance and can interfere with our inner guidance and what might be right for us.
When you travel alone, you start to rely more on gut instincts to make decisions - whether it’s choosing a restaurant, navigating a new city, or assessing a situation. Over time, this hones your ability to trust yourself and make confident choices in other areas of life too.
The constant chatter and interaction with a travel companion mean you’re always involved with external stimuli. But solo travel gives you more opportunities for moments of stillness or reflection. These moments can deepen self-awareness and help you feel more at ease in your own company, which is something you can carry through life forever.
Travelling solo means no one knows your past, your habits, or your usual way of doing things. While it can be comforting to travel with someone who knows you well, solo adventures free you up to explore other parts of yourself and step outside your usual identity, without being called out on it.
Solo travelling is for everyone
We commonly hear concerns about whether solo trips are just for single people - from both single people and people in relationships. No one wants to feel like they’re being pigeon-holed, or made assumptions about based on their relationship status. Let’s tackle those uncertainties and why being discerning about the travel company you book with could be the key to overcoming them.
Feeling excluded
Whether you’re single or in a relationship, solo holidays aren’t just for single travellers—especially in group trips.
You might worry about feeling excluded if you’re not there to "meet someone," but at Kandoo, our groups are always a mixed bag - with people of all ages, backgrounds and from different walks of life. In our experience, adventure group travel is inclusive and people are there for an amazing time which often includes meeting a variety of people with shared interests and making connections on a friendship level. Adventure travel is about shared experiences, not relationship status.
Research your travel company. Their website language and reviews will reveal if they focus on adventure or matchmaking, helping you find the right fit for your trip.
Unwanted perceived stigma
Maybe you believe solo travel is for lonely people or that others will pity you—but that’s outdated. Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely, and anyone can feel lonely, even when they’re not alone. Updating this mindset could open you up to new possibilities.
Solo travel is more popular than ever. A 2024 American Express survey found 69% of travellers planned a solo trip, and searches for “solo travel deals” and “best solo destinations” are up 30% for 2025.
With so many benefits to travelling alone, letting go of old beliefs could lead to unforgettable adventures and unique social opportunities. To meet like-minded travellers, consider booking with an adventure-focused travel agent.
Solo travelling can be cheaper
It’s common to have concerns about finding it more expensive as one traveller. But solo travel can often be cheaper than travelling with others. You have full control over your budget, choosing affordable accommodations like hostels or homestays without needing to compromise. You can book flights at the cheapest times without coordinating schedules or needing more than one seat. Eating alone means dining where and when you want, often saving money. Discounts for solo travellers, such as last-minute deals on single fares, can also reduce costs. Overall, solo travel actually gives you more flexibility and sometimes smarter spending choices.
Solo travel is safe
You may be worried about personal safety as a solo traveller. While this is a natural concern, the perception that you’ll be more unsafe when you leave your home country is usually based more on other fears or stories you may have heard about travellers.
The reality is that lots of places around the globe are perfectly safe to explore and travellers are usually welcomed gladly. If you look for the best places for solo travel in Europe or travelling solo in South America, for example, you’ll find tons of accounts and reviews from people who have travelled far and wide on their own and stayed perfectly safe.
There are many ways to reduce travel risks as a solo globetrotter that anyone can take heed of:
• Like many elements related to going somewhere different from home, research is key to being prepared and looking after yourself. Learn about local customs, safe areas, and common scams before you go. Choose well-reviewed hotels or hostels in safe neighbourhoods.
• Share your itinerary; give a trusted friend or family member your travel plans and check in regularly. If you know you might be off grid for a while, let them know so they won’t be expecting to hear from you.
• It sounds obvious, but keep your wits about you. Avoid taking valuables away with you, but if you do, store them somewhere secure. Don’t be distracted - this can be a tactic thieves use, and always trust your instincts in unfamiliar situations.
• Use reliable transport by sticking to official taxis, rideshares, or public transport recommended for travellers. If you’ve booked with a company that offers solo adventure holidays, they will usually cover any transport related to the trip you are taking part in, and should be able to provide advice if you’re travelling outside the trip too.
• Keep local emergency numbers and embassy details handy. This means keeping a separate paper copy outside of a smartphone and somewhere secure. Chances are, you’ll never need them, but it’s always better to be prepared.
Solo female travel - are extra precautions needed?
Safety is certainly a significant concern for solo female travellers. A 2023 global survey revealed that personal safety is one of the main obstacles preventing women from embarking on solo trips.
Despite these concerns, solo female travel is getting more popular. In a survey of women who were asked who they had travelled with in the last 12 months, 60% had taken a solo trip. 80% of those surveyed admitted that flexibility and freedom were their driving reasons to travel alone. And searches such as - girl travel - and - solo trips for women - are increasing year on year.
So, as well as following the tips above, what can women do to enhance their safety if they travel alone?
• Understand local customs and potential risks. This will vary from country to country - for example, solo travel in Africa will present different circumstances and factors to consider than travelling Europe alone - so do your research well.
• Respect cultural norms to avoid unwanted attention by dressing appropriately. This might mean covering up skin, wearing a headscarf, avoiding certain colours and wearing loose-fitting clothes.
• Depending on your destination, you could also take note of other cultural norms as a solo female. Direct eye contact, smiling at strangers, or physical contact with members of the opposite sex may be inappropriate in certain countries.
• Consider investing in a personal safety device such as an alarm that can be activated to deter threats and attract attention in emergencies.
• Solo female travel doesn’t have to mean restrictions or worry. It’s just about taking care of yourself and a lot of the time, using common sense. But this should be the case regardless of gender.
Solo travel adventure holidays - the Kandoo way
With more and more people opting to take solo holidays, it begs the question: why not you? Think of all the fun and adventure waiting out there for you - the awesome sights, and the feeling of accomplishment you’ll have! Hopefully, this feature has convinced you to take that step and book that adventure trip you’ve been dreaming of. If you’re a solo traveller, Kandoo welcomes you with open arms. Our trips are inclusive, friendly and usually on the small side. So there’s no need to feel overwhelmed or pressured to fit in. Just be yourself, do what you love and leave the rest to us!