Well Traveled's Guide To Solo Travel — From Planning To Safety Tips

Every year it seems there's a fresh batch of articles that espouse the benefits and joys of solo travel—and why it's a must for everyone at some point in their lives. For full disclosure: I totally agree! I have found that traveling alone is one of the most empowering, fun, and enriching experiences. It's something I try to regularly do, be it a day trip somewhere nearby or a long weekend somewhere new.

But not everyone is up for it, be it due to fear, family, finances, or any number of roadblocks (which are all valid). Even if you can, you may have some apprehension about going forward with a solo trip—as there's a certain comfort in traveling with a partner or group.

Luckily, for those wishing to go their own way, modern technology has made it increasingly easier with resources and safety tools to keep you feeling comforted far from home.

Also: Some good ol' common sense helps too. So, if you are considering—and have the time and means—here's what you need to know.

When you set out to explore, it's important to know your priorities:

Because solo travel is usually a larger undertaking, you want to make sure the outcome will be worth it. Plus: It's all up to you. When traveling with family or friends, there are other needs and wants to consider. Here, it's all about your goals and purpose.

"You need to think about what you want out of a trip," says Sheryl Ott, avid traveler and founder of Dare To Detour. "Know what you want, first, and go to where you can breathe it in the air."

What does this mean in practice? Different locations inherently offer different experiences: You're going to have a wildly different experience from a city tour than you would the rugged American West or a small beach town.

So think about your goals—whether it be culture, quiet, or a challenge—and really try to tailor your location and experiences around them.

Sure, this means the basic stuff—from simple geography to restaurant picks to turns of phrase—but it also means the cultural aspect.

"Always do your research on cultural norms and what you should know about the place you are going," says mbg Collective member and energy healer Kelsey J. Patel. "Don't just assume that just because you are tourist people will cater to you. This is especially true if you're on your own since if you need anything, you'll have to interact with someone you likely don't know."

One of the benefits of group travel is you can end up splitting costs in a lot of areas: hotel, food, supplies, and the like. When you're on your own, you're the sole financier.

Of course, you can adhere to the basics of cheaper travel—scout flight deals, travel in the offseason, and the like—but there are other ways to be more responsible.

Here's how to bring the cost down if you're on your own:

You don't need to go full Eat, Pray, Love for your solo travel. If you're not there financially yet, or perhaps just not ready for an around-the-world trip, keep it close to home. A staycation or near-cation is nothing new, but hotel apps can help you take it to the next level: Book a last-minute room for yourself with hotel booking sites, like Hotels Tonight, where you can find luxe rooms marked way down from their asking price.

It's small but adds up: As low-waste expert and nutritionist Abby K. Cannon, J.D., R.D., tells us, bring around a reusable water bottle—use one with a filter if you can't be sure of the tap water—so you can stay hydrated without buying one-time-use bottles. Plus: It's environmentally friendly.

"Just pick one meal a day that is going to be your experience, and spend the money there," says Patel. "The other meals can just be for fuel."

As registered dietitian and nutritionist Maya Feller, R.D., says: Stop at the local store and pick up basics, like whole fruits and vegetables, that make cheap and healthy snacks or breakfast.

For some group tours, outings, or retreats, going it alone might cost you: It's called the single supplement fee. So read the fine print before you book anything.

No matter what, taking care of yourself is the first priority.

Of course, one huge part of solo travel is putting yourself in new environments, which inherently comes with some risks, but you can always be smart about it. "Challenging yourself looks different for everyone; just know your limits," says Ott.

As author and mbg class instructor Shannon Kaiser, an avid solo traveler, tells us, "It's key to trust yourself. There are times I have ignored people who approached me in a way that didn't feel right. I often tell people I am from Canada (not America), or my boyfriend is on his way to meet me (no boyfriend), or my friend is in the hotel room on her way to meet me later. These little fibs can protect you if you feel uneasy."

"You know when you walk into a bar or restaurant if it's a place that you are going to be OK and not be bothered by questionable people; you can read a situation," says Ott.

If it's a place that you feel someone might approach you, and you rather they didn't, always ask for a table by yourself. But if it's a place that you feel safe in—and that you can trust the staff if needed—consider sitting at the bar, where you can more easily have conversations with locals.

Other great advice from Kaiser: "A benefit of being alone is that a solo traveler can blend in more easily than a group—and not drawing attention to yourself as a tourist is one way to stay secure. Don't wear flashy jewelry or clothes; pay attention to local customs. Finally: Act and walk with a purpose."

The latter being great advice. Stumbling, wandering people are the easiest to identify as tourists.

We've talked about this walking, running, and biking app before, but it really does come in handy: Strava is a data-powered and athlete-curated guide that will show you the best routes in hundreds of domestic and international cities.

Essentially it tracks and curates a city's most popular tracks, so you can trust that your journey will be well-populated and scenic. It also shows you the best coffee shops and spots for a break in case you need a quick refuel—and the best places to snap a photo.

"If you are timid about a location, you might want to consider sharing your location with a friend or family member. I don't do this for every trip, but I will if I feel unsafe and I want someone to be able to know where I am instantly," says Patel.

Or download MayDay, which is available in 85 countries and will instantly share your location with select individuals when activated.

"My daughter travels alone frequently, and the No. 1 thing she does is she checks in," says Ott. "Even if she's out camping, in the morning she'll make it to a rest stop to get coffee where she has reception or she can use their phone to let me know she's OK."

Not only is it good to limit mindless phone scrolling for the obvious reasons—um, missing out on your vacation being one—it takes you out of your surroundings so you're not aware of potential dangers.

No, you don't need to be on high alert every moment of your trip, but it helps to be present. "It's not just a mindfulness thing; it has real practical uses," says Ott.

"When I get to a new city, I check out if they have the bike shares, scooters, or anything like that," says Ott. "It can help you in a pinch. You know, Uber isn't always available!" In that same vein, Patel suggests snagging a business card from your hotel when you leave for the day: "Then, if you're lost or your phone dies, you can give it to a cabdriver to get you back."

There are a few retreat-focused booking agencies that have popped up recently, largely due to the increased interest. They can help you book an excursion or connect you with a retreat. "Even if you're going on a retreat, if you're going by yourself originally, it lets you open up in a way that you might not if you had someone you knew around," says Ott.

Not to mention, retreats are a great option for those looking for something between solo and group travel: "It gives you the freedom and experience of solo travel, but you have the comfort and safety of a group—plus they are so popular right now that there are tons of good options," says Patel.

There's so much empowerment to be found in solo travel. But it does mean you need to be smarter when you do it: from planning to finances to safety, think holistically about the trip you want.