When you’re planning a solo trip, the first question you’re probably asking yourself is “is solo travel lonely?” or “will traveling alone even be fun?”.
And it doesn’t help much that when you tell people about your solo travel plans, they always seem to ask: “aren’t you scared?” or “won’t you be lonely?”.
Solo travel is an amazing opportunity to see the world and learn more about yourself. You’ll have the chance to discover new cultures and traditions, see stunning views and landscapes, try exotic new foods and immerse yourself in the local way of life. You’ll spend hours perfecting the perfect travel Instagram photo, marveling at ancient ruins and buildings, standing in front of famous artworks, and recounting stories of all your exciting travel adventures to your friends and family back home.
But, you will also have to navigate your way through difficult situations alone, learn to rely on yourself, and be forced to become completely independent. More often than not, you’ll find yourself missing out on your friend’s important life events, feeling disconnected from the people and places you love, and struggling with feelings of loneliness – longing for the comforts of home.
Is solo travel lonely?
So, is solo travel lonely? Well, solo travel is definitely not for everyone. It takes a certain type of person to feel comfortable in their own company for extended periods of time. If the thought of being alone in a foreign country fills you with dread, then solo travel is probably not for you.
That being said, solo travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows you to step out of your comfort zone, learn more about yourself and the world around you, and make memories that will last a lifetime. The lessons I’ve learned from the experiences I’ve had abroad are ones I would never have learned if I had been with someone else! Traveling alone really does force you out of your comfort zone and makes you confront your fears, insecurities, and doubts head-on.
Is solo travel lonely? 11 Tips for Dealing with Homesickness while Traveling Solo
Of course, there are downsides to solo travel. One of the main ones being that you will have to deal with homesickness while abroad.
Homesickness is a very real and very normal feeling, no matter how old you are or how many times you’ve traveled before. It’s perfectly natural to feel a sense of longing for the people and places you love and are familiar with when you’re in a new and unfamiliar environment.
Here are a few tips on how to avoid feeling lonely while traveling solo:
1. Keep in touch with your loved ones back home
One of the best ways to combat homesickness is to stay in touch with your friends and family back home. Whether it’s through social media, text messaging, video chatting or good old-fashioned letter writing, staying in touch with your friends and family will help you feel connected to the people and places you love.
This is especially important if you’re traveling for an extended period of time. Make sure to set aside some time each day to check in with your loved ones and let them know how you’re doing. Talking to friends and family back home, even if only for a few minutes a day can do wonders for your mood!
2. Make friends with locals and other travelers
Another great way to combat homesickness is to make friends with locals and other travelers. This can be done by joining local tour groups, signing up for activities and classes, or simply striking up conversations with people you meet while out and about.
Like I always say, you’re never actually truly alone while solo traveling unless you want to be. There are always people around you who are in the same situation as you: traveling solo and looking to make new friends. Solo travel can be a great opportunity to make new friends from all over the world, and is actually how I’ve made most of the friends from around the world that I have now!
3. Keep yourself busy
Another way to avoid feeling homesick and lonely while traveling solo is to keep yourself busy. This can be done by filling your days with activities and excursions, or simply by exploring your surroundings and taking the time to soak up all the new sights, sounds and smells.
Remember, the whole point of your solo trip abroad was to experience all the fun and exciting new things your destination has to offer, so take advantage of it! Don’t let homesickness and loneliness ruin your trip.
4. Join a tour or group activity
If you find yourself feeling particularly lonely while traveling solo, why not join a tour or group activity? This is a great way to meet new people and see some of the best sights your destination has to offer, all while being in the company of other people.
There are all sorts of different tours and activities you can sign up for, from food and wine tours to hiking and biking excursions. There’s sure to be something for everyone!
5. Stay in a hostel or guesthouse
If you’re looking for a more social travel experience, then staying in a hostel or guesthouse is a great option. Hostels are designed for travelers and usually have common areas where you can meet other guests, as well as staff who are more than happy to help you find things to do and see in the area.
Guesthouses are another great option if you’re looking for a social travel experience. These are usually family-run businesses, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet and interact with locals on a more personal level.
I stay in a hostel almost 100 percent of the time when I’m traveling solo. Not only are they super affordable for a budget traveler like myself, but the majority of the other guests in the hostel are solo travelers as well. This makes for a perfect opportunity to make new friends and explore your destination together!
6. Get out of your comfort zone
One of the best ways to combat homesickness while traveling solo is to get out of your comfort zone. This can be done by trying new things, meeting new people and exploring new places.
Some of the best experiences I’ve had abroad came only after I decided to step out of my comfort zone. It can be scary at times, but that’s what makes solo travel so exciting. The more you step outside of your comfort zone, the more you’ll realize that there’s nothing to be afraid of!
7. Write down your thoughts and experiences
One of the best ways to combat homesickness is to write down your thoughts and experiences. This can be done in a journal, blog or even just on a piece of paper.
Writing down your experiences while solo traveling is a great way to look back on all the amazing things you’ve done and seen. It’s also a great way to remember all the new people you’ve met and the friendships you’ve made. When you look back on the experience after you’ve returned home, you’ll be able to see just how far you’ve come and how much the experience has shaped you.
8. Find familiar things in unfamiliar places
When you’re feeling homesick, try to find things in your current surroundings that remind you of home. This could be a certain food, a type of architecture, or even just the way people interact with each other. Try to find the beauty in the unfamiliar and you’ll soon start to feel more at home in your new surroundings.
For me, one of the things that always makes me feel less homesick is finding a good cup of coffee. No matter where I am in the world, if I can find a decent cup of coffee, it always makes me feel a little bit better!
9. Find a place to call home
When you’re traveling solo, it’s important to find a place to call home. This could be a hostel, guesthouse, or even just a coffee shop or park that you feel comfortable in. Having a place to go back to at the end of the day will make you feel less alone and more at home in your new surroundings.
A lot of times, I’ll find a place to call home for a few days or weeks and then move on to somewhere else. This gives me a sense of stability while I’m on the road and makes the transition from one place to another a lot easier.
10. Embrace your independence
One of the best things about solo travel is that you get to experience complete independence. When you’re traveling solo, you don’t have anyone else to rely on but yourself. This can be both exhilarating and empowering, but it can also be a bit scary at times.
The key is to embrace your independence and use it to your advantage. Learn to enjoy your own company and use this time to get to know yourself better. Take advantage of this time alone with yourself to learn what you like and don’t like, what makes you happy and what doesn’t, and what you’re truly capable of.
Solo travel is the perfect opportunity to learn more about yourself and grow as a person. Embrace it – this is an experience that you’ll never forget!
11. Relax, it’s only temporary
The best way to combat homesickness and loneliness while solo traveling is to remember that it’s only temporary.
No matter how hard it may be at times, you will eventually adjust to your new surroundings and find your place in the world. With time, you’ll slow start to feel more at home and the homesickness will start to fade away. Before you know it, you’ll be back home again with all the amazing stories and experiences to share.
And, to be honest, you might even miss being away from home!
Solo travel is an amazing and incredible experience that everyone should try at least once. It’s a great way to see the world, meet new people, and learn more about yourself.
So, the question we’ve been asking ourselves: is solo travel lonely? Honestly, yes, it can be lonely at times. I’d be lying to you if I said that I never felt sad and isolated or missed my family back home. But with these eleven tips and a little bit of faith, you’ll be able to combat those feelings of loneliness and make the most of your solo trip.
Ready to take the solo travel plunge?
You’ve come to the right place. If you’re planning a solo trip and looking for some tips and advice, be sure to check out my solo travel blog page!
My solo travel blog is packed with helpful solo travel tips, from the best cities for solo travelers to advice for women traveling solo – all based on my own personal experiences. So whether you’re looking for inspiration or practical advice, you’ll find it all here.
Happiest (and safest) solo travels! x
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!