Tips for Planning a Solo Trip Abroad

Last updated on June 29th, 2023

There are many reasons that you might be looking to take a solo trip abroad. It could be that you want to do some good and book a non-profit trip through a humanitarian travel agency to help out somewhere else. You might be wanting to become a digital nomad in another country for a while and work in a new environment. Or perhaps you just want to gain some independence and discover somewhere new, outside of your comfort zone.

Taking a solo trip is one of the scariest but most rewarding things you will ever do and you will return having built new connections and skills that you never even imagined. If you are looking for some top tips for planning a solo trip abroad, we have put together some for you to check out.

Decide on a Budget

When you are planning a solo trip abroad, you will be solely in charge of the money and what you spend. You won’t be able to split the cost with others (at least not right away – you might meet people when you are there!). Because of this, you might be inclined to be sensible with your hard earned funds. Think about everything you will need to spend on, from your food and drink to your accommodation and your means of getting around. Set aside an average weekly spend while always having some spare cash for any incidentals.

Figure Out Your Accommodation Type

There are many different accommodation types you can choose from when going abroad. Do you want to stay in a luxury hotel for a pamper? A hostel can also be a great idea as it can be a fantastic way to meet new people and make friends with others in the same boat as you. If you’re travelling to Asia, you’ll find that some hostels cost around the same as standard hotels, but will have common work, living and even cooking areas for you to have your chance to mingle.

If you want to live the local life, why not give AirBnB or renting an apartment a go? This way you will also have a kitchen where you can cook food and this can save you some money too. Figure out what you’re hoping to get out of your trip – independence and local experience, meeting new people on a budget, or a gratifying and indulgent stay. You may even be open to mixing all three styles and more as you progress through your solo trip, depending on each destination and the circumstances of your time there.

Consider Your Country Destination

When planning your trip, think about where you want to go. Do you want to visit more than one place? How easy is it to get around? Consider the safety of the place for solo travellers and make sure you do your research ahead of time. Check out local laws and customs and if you need a certain amount of months on your passport before going – typically, you’ll need a minimum of 6 months of passport validity before your return home. Having this all organized will make it much more stress-free when you’re there.

Protect Yourself With Travel Insurance

Travelling longterm? Remember to protect yourself with travel insurance to cover your bases and give you peace of mind! For 4-week trips or longer, our most recommended policy is with SafetyWing for a number of reasons. First off, it’s the most affordable on the market at only US$45/4 weeks. Secondly, it covers travel delay, lost checked baggage, personal liability to name a few travel benefits as well as emergency medical insurance when outside your home country. And thirdly, it is the only insurance that you can get on the go within minutes, while already travelling, and that you can cancel at any given time, allowing you to subscribe on a monthly basis.

Since most credit card travel insurance expires after after 21 days of the trip, if you are going for longer than 3 weeks, SafetyWing has got you covered!

These are just a few top tips for planning a solo trip abroad that should help you when you are there. Remember when you are travelling on your own to always keep loved ones informed of your whereabouts and keep in regular contact. Send them your itinerary prior to your trip (with contacts for your accommodations in case they can’t reach you by phone) and give them updates if anything in your travel plans change. This is vital for safety and peace of mind, both on your part and theirs.

Have you traveled solo recently? If so, what have you done to ensure it is a success? Let us know in the comments below what worked best for you!