I love solo travel. I've been doing it for years, and I'll never stop. But if you're thinking about booking that one-way ticket and going off-grid, I need to tell you some things. Not to scare you — the opposite, actually. Because the worst thing about solo travel is the marketing. It's all sunsets and yoga poses and freedom. Nobody talks about the moment you're sick in a hostel bathroom in a country where you don't speak the language, wondering why you left home.
The Loneliness Is Real (And It Hits at Weird Times)
Everyone talks about the freedom of solo travel, but nobody talks about the loneliness. It's not constant — most days are amazing. But it hits you at unexpected moments. For me, it was in a restaurant in Chiang Mai. I was eating khao soi at a popular spot, surrounded by groups laughing and sharing meals. I had my phone out, scrolling through Instagram, pretending I wasn't alone. It sounds dramatic, but in that moment, I would have paid anything for someone to talk to. The next day, I joined a group tour and had a blast. The loneliness passed. But it came back. It always does. The trick is to acknowledge it, not fight it.
The Money: It's Not Just the Flights
Solo travel costs more than people admit. Double occupancy rooms? You're paying for the whole thing. Taxis? Same price whether you're alone or with four people. Food? Eating alone means no sharing. I spent two months in Vietnam and my daily food costs were almost double what I'd pay if I had a travel partner, because you can't order family-style dishes for one person. And the biggest hidden cost? Emergencies. I got food poisoning in Laos and had to go to a clinic. The bill was $120, plus a missed day of travel. A friend got scammed by a fake tour operator in Cambodia and lost $300. If you're solo, you eat all those costs.
The Safety: It's About Situational Awareness, Not Fear
I'm not going to tell you the world is dangerous. Most places are safe, and the media exaggerates risks. But being solo means there's no backup. I've had to navigate sketchy situations — like the time a taxi driver in Bangkok took me to a different hotel than I asked for. I had to be firm, use Google Maps on my phone, and insist on being taken back. If I was with a friend, it would have been less scary. The key is to never let your guard down. Keep your phone charged, share your location with someone back home, and trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.