Solo Travel Advice for Introverts
Traveling alone often presents unique challenges -- from where to stay and safety to eating alone and making friends. But these unique challenges can also depend on whether we are introverted or extroverted.
With this in mind, I invited 7 introverted female travelers to answer the question, “What advice would you share with another introvert considering or preparing to take her first solo trip?” Introverted or not, I think we can all get a lot out of the advice they shared.
GO ON A RETREAT
Roxanne from Far Away Worlds
As someone who likes my own space, navigating solo travel can be a challenge. On the one hand, I’m tempted to switch off from the rest of the world and travel completely alone. On the other hand, I enjoy being able to share experiences with people while I travel. For me, the balance comes in doing something based around an activity or interest, preferably limited to one location, as I usually prefer travelling slowly.
I realised this while on a yoga retreat in Bali. With over five hours of yoga and meditation each day, there was plenty of time for quiet introspection. The retreat was in a beautiful setting with lots of open space where I could sit and relax by myself. While there were options to go to Ubud on a daily basis, I could always opt to spend quiet time at the resort, or choose to wander around the town alone.
Not only did I find that I had enough time by myself on this retreat, but I also really connected with a few people there, and enjoyed socialising with them. As we were all there for a similar reason, I had more in common with other participants on the retreat than I would on a more generic group tour.
Of course, yoga retreats may not be your thing – only a certain sort of person will commit to that much yoga and meditation while on holiday – but there are many other options too. From archaeological digs to food and photography retreats, solo travel can be much less socially awkward when you’re all there for a purpose. And, around so many people with similar interests, you may make some new friends too.
USE COUCHSURFING TO MAKE FRIENDS
Kendal from Getaway Girl
Couchsurfing is my secret to making solo travel amazing, even as an introvert. It can be difficult to approach strangers for conversation or to appear as approachable as I may want to. My resting face (which appears angry) is not great for making friends!
With Couchsurfing, you don’t have to worry about any of that! When you stay with someone in the city you’re visiting, you automatically have a friend with all the insider knowledge.
I recommend being specific about how much time you plan on spending with your host in your Couchsurfing requests so that there’s a mutual understanding. I’ll tell the host in my request that I’m only looking for casual company in the evenings, or I’d love someone to spend a lot of time with and show me around. Sometimes I’ll just have a conversation at night with my host who might be running between work and other life activities. Other times, a host becomes my best friend for a few days.
My favorite part of Couchsurfing is when hosts introduce you to their culture and hobbies. I’ve made cheese fondue in Paris and drank homemade vodka in Poland with my hosts and their friends!
If you prefer your own space at night, or sleeping in random beds isn’t your thing, you should still check out the Couchsurfing Hangout feature. You can explore who else is traveling in the area and wants a buddy! You can chat with them online first to make sure you have a decent conversation, or you can simply show up to a hangout.
TAKE SMALL STEPS
Delphine from LesterLost
Travelling solo -- in a new place, among strangers and with no language skills -- can be difficult, especially for introverts. If the idea of a completely new environment is overwhelming, why not take your first solo trip in a relatively known environment?
Local travel is a great way to get used to the idea of getting out of your comfort zone without too many difficulties. You won’t have to deal with another language or foreign customs; the currency will be the same; and you won’t be too far from home.
My most recent local trip was only a couple of hours away from Sydney (where I am based), in Kiama, on the NSW South Coast. Sorting out accommodation for a couple of days was easy, and I was able to concentrate on what I like best. I hiked the Kiama Coast Walk and even rose before dawn to take some spectacular sunrise photos. I enjoyed long days out and only had to worry about what I wanted to do -- bliss!
Travelling locally will still give you the opportunity to meet new people and explore new places, but without the added challenges of a far-flung destination. It’s a great opportunity to learn about yourself and figure out what you like and don’t like about solo travel. You like driving but dining alone isn’t for you? Well, your next solo adventure might be a road trip, staying in self-contained accommodation, where you can cook your own meals. After your first experience, it will be easier to add more and more challenges and become a more confident solo traveller.
JOIN A CLASS OR WORKSHOP
Julien from Cultures Traveled
Group classes bring fellow travelers together over a shared interest in learning more about an aspect of their travel destination. There’s no better way to meet people while traveling solo without committing to hanging out for an entire day. In fact, the activity itself can be an easy way to break the ice as you share the same experience during the class.
To kick off my grand tour of Colombia, I took a chocolate-making class, one of the many things to do in Cartagena, which led to meeting other travelers with similar interests. We were drawn together by the promise of learning about the history of chocolate cultivation, its process, and the tasty thoughts of sampling our creations.
While not shy, I do crave time alone to give myself space to renew and recharge while I travel. In the class, there was no pressure to continue the conversation. I was able to be in my own thoughts and fully immerse my mind in learning about chocolate. And then, when the fun part began, we were able to bond over the shared experience of creating our own chocolates.
I met up with two girls from the class that evening for sunset overlooking the water. It was a nice way to connect again but continue to be in my own travel space. We shared a second experience together but never met again during our travels. The people you meet will shape your solo travels regardless, but it is possible to balance the amount of time you spend with others based on your individual needs.
CHOOSING HOSTELS FOR ACCOMMODATION
Veronika from Jigsaw Puzzle Queen
If you’re travelling solo but interested in finding people to share your experiences with, then there is no better place to meet like-minded travellers than a hostel.
Hostels are beaming with life. The common areas create an environment in which it’s easy to start a chat with anyone. Oftentimes you learn valuable tips on your destination and can even find a new travel buddy.
BUT – if you’re an introvert -- hostels can be so exhausting! Sometimes the energy becomes simply too much. And if you want to find a quiet corner to crawl into with a (guide)book, it may be impossible in shared dorms. Many hostels also double as nightlife hotspots and beats are on constantly.
So as an introvert, you’ll set yourself up for success if you get a private room. That way, you don’t miss out on mingling with travellers, but, at the same time, have your own space to retreat to when you feel like recharging your introvert batteries. Spending a night in your own room, without anybody disturbing your sleep, becomes invaluable and you’ll feel more prepared to be around people the next day too.
The key is to listen to what you need at the moment. We introverts need space to be alone, but many of us feel lonely when alone for too long or in an anonymous hotel. Private rooms in hostels can offer the right balance by giving you a crowd to hang out with when you feel like it, but not forcing you out of your room when you need your own safe space.
BOOK SMALL GROUP TOURS
Kay from The Awkward Traveller
As someone who is not only an introvert, but one who actively avoids unwanted conversations, staying in high traffic areas isn’t really an option for me and my comfort level.
However, I still do want to meet other travellers abroad and make new friends along the way when I feel conversational. That is why my biggest advice to other solo introverts that like to be more selective in their social environments is to book small group day tours and excursions.
The benefits of small groups, as opposed to larger tour bus options, are that the tour will be more intimate with more opportunities to speak with both the guide and the group without shouting over anyone else or feeling excluded. Plus, everyone else on the small group tour will also be equally interested in talking to you.
Since you all booked the same kind of tour, you already have something in common, whether it's a cultural tour, a culinary experience, or even the fact that you're in the same country.
If you start to hit things off with someone in your group, you can exchange information to meet up later on your own or even join up for the rest of your trip. Or, if you don't meet anyone you like, you are not obligated to keep in contact, and you can go back to your solo trip with no strings attached.
STAY AT PARTY HOSTELS
Megan from Red Around the World
One thing I was worried about when it came to solo travel (and even cried about in the airport on my way to Mexico) was that I wouldn't make friends or meet anyone as an introvert. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Over the two and a half months in Central America, I made plenty of friends even though I was by myself and pretty shy. One thing I learned along the way was that staying in party hostels made meeting people a lot easier.
I noticed at more quiet/relaxed hostels people usually kept to themselves, but at party hostels, almost everyone is there to be social. Just hanging out in the common area during the day or near the bar in the evening (if they have one) can help. People will inevitably introduce themselves or start talking to you. I would recommend making yourself approachable by reading, using the computer or something similar but without headphones.
This can result in invitations to meals, beaches, local activities, or just walking around wherever you are. Sometimes small groups would invite me, and I'd end up spending a couple of days with them. Other times it would be one other person with whom I ended up with for weeks.
If you want to try the introduction, it's easiest to start with other solo travelers because small groups of friends can be intimidating. It helps to start small but can pay off with adventures. I think this is an especially good idea early in the trip, so you can get your feet wet and may feel more comfortable towards the end of your trip traveling on your own or initiating the introductions.
Party hostels are easier to find in some places than others, but reading reviews and HostelWorld* pages will easily help you find them. And all of this is coming from someone who isn't a huge partier. I've just found more outgoing people tend to stay at party hostels, leaving me with friends around the world to this day.
*This is an affiliate link. If you make a booking on HostelWorld through this link you will be helping to support Her Bags Were Packed with a small commission.
Do you have other tips on solo travel for introverts?
Let us know in the comments below!