The Virtues of Solo Travel

I’m headed to London this week—alone. I’ll be meeting up with friends and making new ones along the way, but every night when I head back to my hotel, I’ll be barricading myself inside, making a cup of tea, and watching Sister Wives to my heart’s content. The next morning, I won’t have to work out the day’s priorities with a partner or democratically decide on a restaurant that will fit the dietary needs of four separate 20-somethings. This trip is a solo voyage, and I could not be more excited.

I bought this scarf in Galway last January and now I can’t find it. It’s driving me nuts.

Traveling solo is a transformative experience—a chance to dive deeper into not just the world around you, but into yourself. As an almost-30-year-old who has been fortunate enough to wander the streets of picturesque cities and stand in open-mouthed awe of historic landmarks, I’ve come to appreciate the unique joys that solo travel offers.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I also adore traveling with friends and my partner. My fiancée and I just visited Scotland in June, and I wouldn’t have traded that experience for the world! (Shane, if you’re reading this, I miss you already). But ultimately, solo travel and traveling with a companion offer two distinct experiences, both of which I value immensely. Solo trips are for self-discovery and reflection, while journeys with a friend or partner allow us to grow closer, creating stories and memories that are uniquely ours. We learn from each other as we each notice different aspects of the world around us—I might spot the perfect local spot to grab lunch, while they’ll point out a piece of history or architecture that captivates them.

This trip to London will be a great blend of solo and group travel; even though I’m embarking on my own, I’ll be meeting up with a group of 10 followers next week! But when deciding whether to take advantage of my plus-one perk, I acknowledged that in order to lead a group through London, I also needed some time to myself to settle in, get my bearings, and prioritize some self-care.

When I say “self-care” here, I don’t just mean face masks and bubble baths (although there is an appointment in my name at The House of Elemis waiting on the other side of the pond for me). I mean that I need to spend a few days getting reacquainted with myself. I haven’t been left entirely to my own devices for quite some time, and I’m beginning to chafe at the edges a bit. Perhaps it’s just in my nature to need scheduled blocks of independence in my routine (I have an Aquarius stellium, after all), or maybe this is a trait I’ve acquired because I’ve spent so much time traveling alone.

Traveling alone teaches you to rely on yourself in ways that few other experiences do. From navigating unfamiliar subway systems to managing language barriers, solo travel forces you out of your comfort zone, fostering a profound sense of empowerment. My first overseas trip ever was to Lille, France for a 7-month study abroad term, and I embarked solo and returned solo. I landed in Paris, somehow navigated the train system to get to the city of Lille, and took up residence in a studio apartment (it was painted purple and overlooked a tree where a very vocal owl lived) all by myself. It was such an affirming, perspective-bolstering experience that I would recommend to every single American college student.

When you travel alone, you are the captain of your own ship, making decisions without the need for compromise. Want to spend an entire afternoon in a tiny museum that no one else would have patience for? Go ahead. Maybe you’d prefer to sit in a coffee shop with a book, ignoring any sort of timetable? That’s your prerogative. Feel like taking an unexpected detour to a charming village you’ve only just heard about? No problem.

This kind of freedom is rare in everyday life, where so many of our decisions are made with others in mind. Solo travel gives you the space to indulge your own curiosities and, more importantly, whims. For me, as someone who loves history and culture, this has meant wandering off the beaten path to explore historic buildings and taking my time in a stationary shop nestled in a centuries-old European city. There’s a quiet thrill in knowing you’re fully in charge of how you spend your time.

Of course, captaining a solo ship is bound to lead to unpredictability—missed trains, confusing directions, unexpected weather—and traveling alone means you’re the one who has to solve these problems. As daunting as that can be, it’s also incredibly empowering. Each challenge you face becomes an opportunity to build confidence and adaptability.

There was a time when I studied abroad in France when I accidentally boarded the wrong bus, ending up miles from my intended destination. Rather than panic, I took it as an adventure, figuring out how to reroute myself and even discovering a hidden gem of a town along the way. I went back on a different day to explore, and discovered one of the most beautiful art museums in the process.

La Piscine, or Le Musée d'art et d'industrie, housed in an art deco indoor swimming pool in Roubaix, France.

These are the moments that teach you how capable you are, and how rewarding it can be to rely on no one but yourself. Over time, solo travel nurtures a mindset of “I can handle this,” which spills over into all areas of life.

One of the things I cherish most about traveling alone is the way it allows for a deeper connection with the places I visit. Without the distractions of conversation, I find I’m more attuned to the details around me. I’ll linger longer over the stonework of a Gothic cathedral or lose myself in the stories shared by a museum guide. When I travel with others, there’s a natural tendency to focus on our shared experience, but alone, you can feel free to lose yourself in the local culture.

In cities like Edinburgh, Lille, or Ghent, walking alone through the streets feels like stepping into a different time. I’ve had some of my most profound moments sitting quietly in a little square, just watching the world go by, reflecting on the centuries of life that have unfolded there. These moments of solitude foster a deep sense of connection with the past and the people who once inhabited these spaces.

Speaking of connection: one of the biggest misconceptions about solo travel is that it’s isolating. While it’s certainly true that you’ll have moments of solitude, solo travel also opens the door to meaningful connections with strangers. When you’re traveling alone, people are often more inclined to approach you, whether to seek or offer help, or just to strike up a conversation. You, too, become more open to these encounters.

I’ve had wonderful conversations with locals and fellow travelers that I might not have experienced if I were in the comfort of a group. In a small bistro in Paris, I once struck up a conversation with the owner about the history of the building, which had been in his family for generations. These spontaneous connections remind you that, even when you’re physically alone, you’re never truly isolated.

It doesn’t stop at connections with strangers. (And don’t worry; I have a good eye for weirdos). Journeying out alone just naturally lends itself to introspection, the time to reconnect with yourself. Without needing to cater to others, you’re left with your thoughts and the space to reflect on your journey to reach this point—both the physical and the personal. Solo travel provides a rare opportunity for self-discovery, offering a new perspective on who you are and what you want out of life.

For me, solo travel has often been a time of personal growth. The challenges of navigating a new place on my own have made me more resilient and self-assured.

Photo taken moments before some severe introspection in Killarney, Ireland.

Since then, there have been multiple times where, in the quiet of a foreign place, I’ve found clarity on decisions that had been weighing on me. Turns out, it’s only when removed from the mess and responsibility of everyday life that I’m able to tap into my inner monologue in a non-judmental way.

So if you’ve ever been tempted to book a solo trip but hesitated in the end, my advice is simple: Do it. Take the first step. The whole world is waiting for you, and you’ll be surprised at how much you discover—not just about the places you go, but about yourself.

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The point of this post was not to advertise to you, but I’d be the world’s worst influencer if I didn’t at least remind you here that I am hosting an excursion to Ireland next summer. From Dublin to Killarney, we’ll be soaking in the Emerald Isle in all its captivating glory. You can see the itinerary here, or sign up to receive email updates from TrovaTrip for my future trips!

I love working with TrovaTrip because they allow travelers to put down just 25% of the total trip cost to reserve their spot. In a world where inflation is wreaking havoc on a lot of my vacation plans, I like knowing that you can lock in the cost of a hotel and a private tour guide a year in advance. If you have any questions about my trips, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message or leave a comment!