Solo travel: Tips for planning your trip

Few activities can be as soul-nourishing as solo travel. It offers opportunities to build confidence. It can make you more resourceful, a better planner, a more effective problem-solver and a stronger communicator. Plus, when you’re traveling solo you can do what you want, when you want. But that also means planning your own itinerary and taking care of all the details yourself. 

This article can help you prepare for a successful solo trip, and it even includes some destination ideas. So before you pack your backpack, take a few minutes to learn some time-tested tips and strategies for successful solo travel.

What you’ll learn:

• Broad planning, while still allowing for spontaneity, can help make a solo trip a life-changing adventure.

• Arranging accommodations in advance can help you avoid surprises.

• Sharing your itinerary and checking in with family and friends back home can help you stay connected—and ensure people are looking out for you.

• Having a travel credit card can offer benefits while you’re planning, booking and traveling. 

Solo travel can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Here are some tips that might help you get there:

The difference between a life-changing adventure and an early flight home could come down to planning. Especially for first-time solo travelers.

Once you’ve decided on your destination (or destinations), it’s time to start your research. Look up where you’ll be traveling to and familiarize yourself with the surrounding area. Learning the local currency and exchange rates can help too. 

You’ll also want to check visa requirements for each country you plan to visit. According to the U.S. Department of State, “Some countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.”

Once all that is out of the way, it’s time to find a place to stay.

Making reservations ahead of time can help you avoid being in an unfamiliar location, luggage in tow, looking for a place to stay. Even if your plans involve the outdoors, it could still help to have a plan in mind.

Budget could be a good place to start. For example, if you’re backpacking in Europe, you’ll ideally be on the hunt for safe, central locations with good reviews from solo travelers. Hostels may be an economical option. But if there are hotels within your budget, they might offer more comfort and privacy. Finding a centralized spot that isn’t too far from places you intend to visit can help you avoid a long trek back once the day is over. Speaking of travel …

Finding reliable transportation and understanding how to best get around when traveling solo is another essential—for efficiency and safety. Getting a feel for your destination’s transportation options ahead of time can help save you hours each day.

If you’re in a bike-friendly city, you may want to research bike rentals. If you’re in the type of place where a car is needed, make sure you budget for a vehicle rental. If your destination has a robust subway or metro system, do your best to familiarize yourself with the key stops ahead of time. 

Taking precautions and avoiding risky situations are a couple ways to keep yourself safe while traveling alone. One particular precaution is to share your itinerary with friends and family, so it’s easier to find you. Checking in regularly is another. The good news is, it’s never been easier to keep in touch from around the globe.

Before the internet, cellphones, emails and texts, there were letters and postcards. Snail mail has its charm, but modern technology has made staying connected with friends and family while traveling easier. Before you leave, you can check how your cellphone plan handles international calls. Communication apps and social media could be good alternatives too. 

STEP is a free service sponsored by the State Department that helps keep U.S. travelers informed about potential risks. These could include political unrest, natural disasters, health scares and disease outbreaks—anything you need to be aware of as a traveler. 

It also allows for the U.S. Embassy in your destination nation to quickly get in contact with you in case of an emergency. The State Department also has a site with a list of U.S. embassies around the world. Some larger countries, such as Brazil, have multiple embassies (and similarly functioning consulates). 

A travel rewards credit card could be the most helpful tool for travelers since the invention of the suitcase. Some potential benefits include airport lounge access, credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, travel insurance and more. 

If you’re planning to travel abroad, it’s worth checking whether a card issuer charges foreign transactions fees. 

A travel rewards card can be helpful—for many reasons. But there might be some cases where cash is the only option. So it might be helpful to have a plan to exchange currency somewhere along your travels.

Odds are, you didn’t travel to eat the same things you do at home. Experiencing the local cuisine is a major part of any trip and one way to get a feel for your destination’s local culture. 

If you’re staying at a hotel, you could ask the staff about some of the best local restaurants. You can also find plenty of recommendations online. There are wonderful places all over the world. Your biggest problem might be finding the time to fit them all in. 

The State Department recommends making multiple copies of your travel documents, including the photo page of your passport. In case they’re lost or stolen, the copies will make it easier for you to replace the originals. They also recommend you give a set of copies to a trusted family member or friend. Keep another set of hard copies with you. And take photos of your travel documents with your phone, so you have digital copies on hand.

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications that are legal in the U.S. are outlawed in other countries. According to the State Department, your best course of action is to bring copies of all your prescriptions, along with your labeled medication bottles, on your trip. For more information, you can consult guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Looking for inspiration for your next solo trip? Here is a brief rundown of some potential destinations:

• Italy: Tour the Colosseum in Rome. See Michelangelo’s David in Florence. Take a gondola ride in Venice. Explore the vineyards of Tuscany. Take a selfie overlooking the ocean on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

• France: Maybe spend time in Paris? Take a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Tour the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa (along with countless other masterpieces). Stroll along the Seine or sip café au lait at a sidewalk cafe. 

• Costa Rica: Like exploring nature? Visit the world-famous Fortuna River Waterfall. Explore jungle trails and postcard-perfect beaches at Cahuita National Park. Or hike amid the tropical clouds at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. 

• Australia: Enjoy cosmopolitan cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Experience natural beauty like the Great Barrier Reef. Book wildlife tours where you can see kangaroos, koala bears and more.

• Japan: From the old world to the ultramodern, Japan is a feast for the senses. Explore Tokyo and Osaka, two of the most visually splendid cities on Earth. Take a leisurely hike along the Old Hakone Highway. And for a look at classic Japanese culture, you can’t beat the photogenic temples and lantern-lit streets of Kyoto.

Traveling solo can be one of the most worthwhile experiences you’ll ever have. To lay the foundation for a successful voyage, it can help to take the time to plan things right. And you can make the trip more rewarding when you use a travel rewards credit card. 

The Capital One Venture X card rewards travel with flexible benefits. Eligible cardholders can earn a 75,000-mile bonus, plus enjoy a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.