First Time Travelling Solo? Here Is What Actually Helps

Every confident solo traveller you see on Instagram was once terrified of their first trip.

They just do not post about the part where they cried in their hotel room, panicked at the airport, or almost cancelled the whole thing the night before.

If you want to travel but the idea of doing it alone scares you, you are not being dramatic. You are being human.

Why Solo Travel Feels So Scary

Our brains are wired to seek safety and familiarity. Heading off alone into an unfamiliar country triggers every alarm bell evolution gave us.

Common fears include:

• What if I get lost?

• What if something goes wrong and no one is there to help?

• What if I feel lonely the whole time?

• What if I look stupid, not knowing what to do?

• What if it is not safe?

These are not irrational fears. They are reasonable concerns. The trick is not to pretend they do not exist, but to prepare for them so they do not control you.

I Remember My First Time

My first ever flight was a local one within Nigeria. I remember being so anxious. Do I need to watch a video to know how to fasten the seatbelt? I had seen videos where people said their ears popped. Do I need to do something about that? I was nervous about every small detail.

My first international trip was bold. I took a group from the UK to Albania. I had done so much research, but I was still worried about the visa situation.

When we got to the airport, the lady at the check-in counter said, "Sorry, Nigerians need a visa to go to Albania."

My heart dropped. But I knew I had done my research. I said, "No, we need to speak to the manager. Nigerian passport holders with UK residence can travel visa-free."

The manager confirmed I was right, and we travelled.

That moment taught me something important: confidence comes from doing, not from waiting until you feel ready. And now I try to transfer that confidence to every traveller who comes on our trips.

What Actually Helps (Practical Tips)

1. Start with an "easy" destination

For your first solo trip, choose somewhere with good infrastructure, English widely spoken, and a reputation for being safe and tourist-friendly.

Good first-timer options: Portugal, Morocco (with a visa on arrival for many), Malta, Albania, or cities like Amsterdam or Lisbon.

Save the more adventurous destinations for when you have some confidence built up.

2. Book your first night in advance

Arriving in a new country with nowhere to stay is a recipe for panic. Book at least your first night (ideally your first two) before you land.

Choose accommodation close to transport links or the main area you want to explore. You can figure out the rest once you are there and have your bearings.

3. Have a working phone with data

This is non-negotiable. You need to be able to look up directions, translate signs, contact accommodation, and call for help if needed.

Buy a local SIM at the airport, use an eSIM provider like Airalo, or check if your UK plan includes roaming. Just make sure your phone works when you land.

4. Share your itinerary with someone at home

Send a trusted friend or family member your flight details, accommodation addresses, and a rough plan of where you will be. Check in with them periodically.

This is not about being paranoid. It is about having a safety net.

5. Join activities where you will meet people

The loneliest moments in solo travel are usually meals. Sitting alone at dinner can feel isolating, especially at the start.

Solve this by booking group activities: walking tours, cooking classes, day trips, or hostel events. You will meet other travellers naturally without it feeling forced.

6. Give yourself permission to feel weird

The first day or two of any solo trip often feel strange. You might feel anxious, lonely, or question why you came.

This is normal. Push through it. By day three or four, something usually clicks. You find your rhythm. You start enjoying your own company. You realise you can actually do this.

Do not make any big decisions (like flying home early) in the first 48 hours.

What I See on Our Trips

Many of our travellers have never travelled internationally alone before. For some, their last flight was when they moved from Nigeria to the UK, and they have not been anywhere since. Even the airport can feel overwhelming.

So I am always at the airport before the flight. I help everyone check in, help with luggage issues, and make sure everyone gets through the gates together.

One time, a traveller was running late for a BA flight. She was the last person to board. I was at the counter speaking to the staff saying, "She is coming. She is at gate 19. We are on our way." We made it, but only because someone was looking out for her.

There is a confidence that comes from knowing someone has your back. I see travellers arrive nervous on day one, unsure of themselves. By the time we are flying home, they are navigating airports like they have done it a hundred times. They answer for themselves. They move with confidence.

The Shortcut: Solo Travel Without Being Alone

Here is something most solo travel advice does not mention: you do not have to be completely alone to travel solo.

Group trips are designed for exactly this situation. You book by yourself. You arrive by yourself. But you travel with a small group of people who are all in the same boat.

You get the independence of solo travel with the security of having people around.

One of the ladies who came on our Montenegro trip told me she had always wanted to travel but did not know how to start. After that trip, I have seen her go on solo trips to different countries. She always says TravelWithAuntie was her best travel experience and that it gave her the confidence to keep going.

That is what a good first experience can do.

What If It Goes Wrong?

Here is the truth: something probably will go wrong. A missed connection. A dodgy meal. Getting lost. A moment of homesickness.

But these things also happen when you travel with other people. The difference is that when you handle it alone, you prove to yourself that you can.

That is the real gift of solo travel. Not the photos or the passport stamps. The knowledge that you are more capable than you thought.

You do not need to be fearless to travel solo. You just need to be willing to feel scared and do it anyway.

If you want to ease into solo travel with a safety net, our group trips are a great place to start. You will travel with a small group of like-minded people while still having your own adventure. See upcoming trips here.