Even as someone with multiple solo trips under my belt, I am not going to tell you that you shouldn’t be afraid. Because, of course you’re scared to travel alone if you’ve never done it before!

But what I will do is tell you that in this case, that fear is worth pushing through. I’ll even give you my best tips for how to do just that. 

And I’m so committed to empowering you to travel alone as a woman that I’ll even hop on a call with you (or several) and coach you through it myself. 

Scared of Traveling Alone? Here’s What to Do About It

This post is for you if you’re ready to stop using fear as an excuse. If that’s you then read on for practical tips you can start using immediately. 

1. Embrace fear as part of the journey

One confusing thing about fear is that we might sometimes incorrectly interpret it as intuition. If I’m scared to do something, what if it’s my body / mind telling me it’s not right for me? 

This is tricky territory, and ultimately intuition is deeply personal. 

All I can do is tell you that based on my personal experiences, intuitive fear and ‘growth’ fear feel different in my own body and brain. 

Our brains are evolutionarily wired to protect us. So, when we stand at the precipice of unfamiliar territory all the alarms go off. In such cases, the only danger your brain is protecting you from is that of transformative growth. 

Because you will evolve when you do something new, and scary, like solo travel for the first time. 

The first step to addressing your fear of traveling alone is to accept it. Embrace it as a signal that you’re actually on the right track, on the brink of something truly meaningful.

2. “Name it to tame it”

Once you allow the fear, the next step is to begin to break it down. Instead of one big ball of fear, get clear on what it is specifically that you’re afraid of. 

This way, you can more directly address these feelings and take relevant action instead of drowning in overwhelm. 

Some common solo travel fears you might be experiencing are: 

Will I feel lonely? 

Touristing alone, eating alone, seeing other people traveling with friends or lovers – will you feel lonely in the midst of all that? If you’re worried about this, you’re not the only one. And the answer? 

Well, you might. But just like there are practical ways to minimize and navigate through being scared to travel alone, there are also ways to navigate potential loneliness.

How will I make friends? 

Some people travel solo to spend time with themselves. Others hope to meet new people while traveling alone but aren’t sure how.

If you want to make friends while solo traveling there are ways to set yourself up for success with this. 

It’s actually easier than you might think, but I personally find the best approach is to both be comfortable in your own company and open to organic connections if they occur. 

If you want some surefire ways to have a pretty social solo trip watch this. 

Is solo female travel safe? 

As women who travel alone it’s no secret or surprise that we have to ask this question and take some extra precautions.

But after traveling alone to places all over the world, from Costa Rica to Japan, I can confidently tell you that solo female travel is safe. 

As long as you use your common sense and employ a certain degree of vigilance you can be as safe as you would be in your hometown. 

I’ve compiled all my top solo female travel safety tips into a free guide that you can download: 

What if I get bored? 

A big part of solo travel involves knowing or learning how to enjoy your own company. We’re so used to being consistently stimulated in our daily lives that boredom can feel like a threat. 

My advice? If you find yourself feeling bored on your trip, notice it. Allow it, even for a few minutes. And then become curious.

This is an opportunity to learn about your own likes and interests. What sounds like it would be fun to you in that moment? 

Maybe it’s visiting a museum, sitting in a cozy coffee shop to read, joining a food tour or something else. Identify what you’d like to do and then?

Go do it! That’s the beauty of solo travel, you get to do what you want whenever you want.

What if something goes wrong? 

If you’re unsure what the exact nature of your fears is, chances are this is the underlying question it’s built on.

Most of the time, fear of solo is more about not yet fully trusting that you’ll know how to take care of yourself when discomfort or inconvenience shows up.

Know that self trust is built through the process. Whatever comes up, you will be able to figure it out and your self confidence will grow in the process. 

If you want, I can help you feel more prepared to take on anything that may come up. Let’s talk. 

3. Prepare well 

One way for how to deal with anxiety while traveling alone is to be as well prepared as possible before your trip. 

It’s not about having a solution in mind for every possible scenario that might occur. You can’t predict them all and that’s part of the thrill of it. 

But thinking through and game-planning for potential scenarios you’re feeling most anxious about can help you feel more grounded. 

4. Test the waters 

Your first solo trip doesn’t have to be a 6-week journey on the other side of the world. Start small by taking a solo day trip near home, or a nearby weekend staycation. 

This will help you get a gauge on what you’re ready for and a chance to practice the parts of solo travel you find most intimidating. 

You can take a full solo travel readiness assessment in this solo travel guidebook I designed as a step-by-step DIY resource for first time solo travelers. 

5. Choose the right destination for you

There’s tons of inspiration out there but the right destination for someone else might not be the right one for you. 

Consider this:

• How big of a language barrier are you comfortable with? 
• How big of a time zone difference? 
• How long of a flight between your destination and your home feels comfortable?
• Do you feel most energized and happy in big cities, small towns or in nature?

Answering questions like these will help you choose a place that feels right for you, not just what’s going viral on social media lately. 

When you travel to somewhere that resonates with you and your personal travel style, you’re likely to feel more comfortable and less scared. 

6. Look for success stories 

Before I started traveling solo I was only met with fear and uncertainty from my close friends and family.

They didn’t understand why I wanted to go alone and they didn’t (and still don’t) always agree with my choice of destinations. 

When you’re already feeling scared, doubtful or uncertain yourself these are not helpful voices to add to the mix.

I actively sought out examples, both in my network and on social media, of people who normalized solo travel. 

Look for the wins, the people for whom traveling solo is no big deal. Surround yourself with the people who are where you want to be, doing the things you want to be doing and thinking the way you want to be thinking. 

That is one of the cheat-codes for anytime you want to evolve into a newer version of yourself. Start here.

7. Activate your support network 

Have a plan for checking in with your loved ones while you’re away. Who makes you feel most comforted and inspired?

Make sure you have a way to stay connected with them while abroad. I use this eSIM every time I travel internationally. 

Share your travel itinerary, hotel and flight information with this person for added security as well. 

Your support network can also include familiar routines that help soothe you when you’re stressed. 

No matter where I am in the world, even at home, I know what shows I can put on in the background to instantly feel lighter and calmer. 

Whatever your familiar touchstones are, be aware of them and ready to deploy if needed. 

8. Visualize 

Visualization is an underrated way to support yourself through your solo travel fears. When you notice fear building within you around a solo travel scenario, pause and take some time to visualize everything going smoothly. 

I do this before my trip even begins, to visualize smooth flying on travel days. It’s a very grounding exercise that shifts you into a more positive mindset.

From there, regardless of how things actually unfold you’re well positioned to calmly handle it all. 

9. Talk to people 

Of course be safe and take standard precautions but talking to people is one way to realize we all have more in common than not. When we feel like we’re in totally unfamiliar territory, that can be scary. 

Recognize that wherever you’re visiting that’s foreign to you is extremely familiar for someone else. It’s still a place where daily routines are taking place, celebrations and losses are happening, and everyday life is unfolding. 

Also the chances that you’re the only tourist, even the only solo tourist, are slim. Go to the touristy places and let yourself be surrounded by others who are similarly out of their element in the name of travel. 

You can also join group tours if you want more of a container vs striking up a convo with someone on your own. 

10. Journal 

Having an outlet for your fears can help you better understand and process in real time. Bring a journal along not only to document your experiences but also to be able to reflect on and work through the fears you face along the way.  

11. Release your expectations

Solo traveling is not about showing up perfectly. There’s no one right way to be a solo traveler. You can’t mess this up.

Either you’ll make mistakes along the way, correct and learn from them, and build up more self trust by doing so. 

Or, you’ll get valuable first-hand data about the solo travel experience. Or both! 

What’s next? 

How’re you feeling, ready to push through the fear and take the next step? Then read this next for the nuts and bolts of how to plan your solo trip!

And on a final note, I encourage you to celebrate your fear. It means you’re on the brink of doing something new and growing through the process.