Anna Cullen shares her experiences of exploring the world as a solo female traveler.
After over two years of travelling alone, I've established that solo travel can be done in two ways; independently or with a group. Yes, a group - hear me out!
From my experience, independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the trip by yourself. Group solo travel is when you travel alone but join a pre-organised group (like a guided tour or travel group) and you share the journey with other solo travelers.
Either way, both options give you the choice of exploring the world and both are incredibly rewarding.
So many people defer their trips because they don't know the different solo travel options available to them. They have concerns about feeling lonely, personal safety, costs, language or cultural barriers and of course, unforeseen circumstances. They feel they must travel independently for it to be deemed 'solo travel'. Yes, these are all real concerns and pressures, but they should not deter you from making that trip.
While it's understandable to feel apprehensive before embarking on a new adventure, it's also important to embrace this feeling and recognise that stepping out of your comfort zone often leads to the most memorable experiences.
While I started my journey with independent solo travel, I often recommend that people start with group solo travel if they are nervous. This eases people into the experience and helps dissipate the fear. Following a couple of group trips, you'll likely be ready to navigate a trip entirely by yourself.
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The benefits of group travel
Travelling alone but with a pre-organised group has lots of great benefits, so it's no surprise that it's a popular option for many. Travelling with a group means you have a planned schedule with set accommodations, activities and most of the time, meals. It allows you to meet other solo travelers which may lead to new friendships.
The pressure is taken away from you when you travel with a group, as your tour organiser usually handles all the logistics of the trip. As well as this, you will have an increased sense of security and support as you travel with a group. You know what they say - safety in numbers!
The benefits of independent travel
In my opinion, traveling independently without the company of a group is incredibly freeing and exciting experience. When you travel alone, you travel on your own terms. You get to do what you want when you want - you do not have to stick to a set schedule or plan.
You can connect with people, if you wish, or avoid them completely. The experience inspires you to grow as a person as it gives you multiple opportunities for self-discovery; you gain confidence as you understand yourself better.
Travelling independently forces you to overcome challenges on your own, showing what you are truly capable of. Overall, you become a more interesting person.
Lessons learned
For some people, enjoying an independent solo trip comes naturally. For others, they may have to work a little harder to have a good time. There are a few things you can do to ensure you enjoy independent solo travel, but the main advice I would give is to not put pressure on yourself.
Travel is all about enjoying life and experiencing new people and cultures. You want to spend this time relaxing and being comfortable, not worrying or fretting. Remember that this trip is yours - it's all about you and what you want to do.
Do your research. Is it downtime you are looking for? Is it a creative experience you need? Get online and do your research and, where possible, reach out to those traveled to your destination. I have sent so many Instagram messages to different people asking about their experiences. This is effective as you gain firsthand knowledge from people you trust.
I use this method to clear up any concerns I may have about safety or other. It also helps when planning logistics - you will find out what is and isn't for you. I am quite an introverted person, but I always know when it's the right time to push myself and chat with strangers - I would highly recommend you learn this skill. I'm not saying it's easy, but after some time you will pick up on the techniques of an extrovert. This is important and can be so advantageous for your trip, if not your life.
Learn to be flexible. There are times when your schedule or itinerary will need to change. Opportunities arise, so go with the flow if you are comfortable. For example, when I travelled to Brussels in Belgium, I had two days planned in the city. On my second day, I impulsively decided to travel to Bruges instead. It was the best decision I could have made; Bruges is a fantastic historical city in the northwest of Belgium with medieval architecture, amazing canals and even better hot chocolate. Just be sure to stay in touch with friends and family at home and keep them up to date with your plans.
Give yourself time to relax. Travelling by yourself requires more energy than if you are with someone else. The pre-trip anxiety can leave you a little drained, so take some extra time having your coffee in the morning or plan a relaxed visit to a museum or market.
Ask for help when you need it. Standing around looking confused or overwhelmed might attract the wrong kind of attention. Go into a restaurant or store and ask someone for advice or guidance. Being proactive will help keep you safe. I find taking day tours brilliant to socialise and interact with new people - not all solo travelers are loners! These day tours give you a new way to explore your destination and will also give you a mini break. You can focus on enjoying the tour, while the guide runs the logistics.
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Stay alert. Just because you're travelling solo doesn't mean you have to stay in at night. There are many options for things to do in the evening, just remember to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your wits about you. Make sure to keep your phone charged and bring a power bank out with you - this way you can share live locations with loved ones, especially on nights out. It's also a good idea to take a picture of key travel documents like your passport or flight itinerary to keep on your phone.
Give it time. Let's face it, everyone is different, and you might not enjoy travelling by yourself. Some people like companionship and want to share their experiences with friends or family. That's perfectly understandable! However, before you give up entirely on travelling alone, I would suggest patience.
You're not going to fall in love with solo travel on the first day of your first trip; you need to give yourself time to settle into your destination and build up that confidence. If then you're still not loving it, at least you gave it a go!
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Beginner destinations
If you want to dip your toe in the solo travel water, find somewhere that feels comfortable to you. Perhaps a country that is only a few hours away or perhaps somewhere you're already a little familiar with.
Personally, I felt safest when travelling across Europe. I love the Scandinavian countries; Norway, Sweden and Denmark. While there, I felt incredibly safe on my own - even late at night. For anyone starting on their independent solo travel journey, I would recommend you start with these countries and work your way through your list from there!
Before you take flight, be sure to visit Ireland.ie to check what advice the Department Of Foreign Affairs has for visiting any particular destination. They will also have information on travel insurance, visa information, and contact information for if you need assistance abroad.
You can visit Anna Cullen's website at https://annacullen.blog/ or follow her on TikTok and X (Twitter).
