I’ve already written a post about why I love traveling solo and I recommend everyone try it at least once. When considering traveling solo, the feelings of anticipated loneliness can be discouraging.  This is usually the first place I get resistance. Go Alone? No Way! Look, I’ve done it and I promise it’s better than not going at all. Although I do enjoy traveling solo, human connection is important and how I’ve made some of my best travel memories. Not wanting to be alone is a normal part of being human, but it should not deter your travel plans. The good news is, even if you do head out on your own, you don’t have to spend your entire solo trip completely alone. You can manage loneliness while traveling solo by using some of these tips I’ve learned along the way.

1. It’s all about your attitude. Be friendly and approachable and people will naturally gravitate towards you. Make eye contact, smile at strangers, don’t walk around with your headphones in, go out of your way to make small talk with those around you, be it other travelers, shop owners, or waitstaff. Get comfortable enough to strike up conversation with anyone anywhere you go and then do it! Even just a few sentences here and there with others can help you feel less lonely and you never know where that could lead.

2. Eat at the bar. Eating alone can intensify your feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can be a little uncomfortable since dining alone in public is so uncommon in our culture. Sometimes, I do just want to sit down, eat, and catch up on social media but sometimes, sitting down to share a meal and some conversation sounds like a better time. During those times, I recommend sitting at the bar. I did this through Savannah and not only did I not stand out as a vulnerable solo female traveler, I was seated quicker and I was able to interact directly with others since we were seated so closely. There ended up being a group of three of us solo travelers sharing our food and discussing our travel plans at the bar at The Olde Pink House. It turns out that one of the people I met was doing the same trip I was but in reverse and she had just come from where I was headed. So, don’t be shy and sit at the bar or communal tables for your meals and have a chat while you wait for your food.

3. Stay in a hostel or rent a room in a shared home. I haven’t been comfortable enough to sleep in a shared dorm room, but I will stay in hostels with private rooms or rent a room in an Airbnb. Your room will be private but you will share a bathroom and all common spaces such as the living room, kitchen and any outdoor areas. I really love the communal aspect of shared spaces and the opportunities to interact with like-minded people.  Additionally, your hosts, if you are lucky enough to meet them, are usually also friendly and very passionate about their home and city. They do save some secrets from their guidebooks so feel free to have a chat with them if you happen to cross paths. 

4. Join group tours, activities, classes or photo walks. Sometimes, just being with a group is all you need to cure any feelings of loneliness that may arise while traveling solo. You don’t have to be in constant conversation with others, but shared experiences might ease some of your loneliness. Just tagging along and not having to roam about alone really helped me to not feel as secluded over a multi-day trip. Why not learn to cook the local cuisine, take a dance, cultural jewelry or painting class? I have done a private yoga class in Forsyth Park, and many photo walks and ghost tours. Classes and tours are also great ways to learn more about your current location and its culture, learn a new skill and make friends all in one.

5. Take public transportation or Uber. Staying silent all day does become quite monotonous especially during transportation. I personally love and use Uber and usually enjoy chatting with my drivers or other passengers. In New Orleans, I broke away from my group for a day and one of my drivers was a former NOLA police officer who had three heart attacks before finally retiring, changing his lifestyle and building his business. He was a fascinating guy and taught me all about NOLA and the city’s homeless community. I have a major soft spot for the homeless community and was shocked to learn about those on NOLA’s streets. Just that one conversation added so much value to my trip so I always recommend striking up conversation with those you’re sharing transport with or your driver.

6. Get your friends and family on the line or face-to-face. If time differences and WIFI allow, call your friends and family while you are traveling. Calling goes a lot further than texting when you are looking for a cure for loneliness. You can call your favorite people back home in the morning or before bed to recap your day but you can also video chat with them from your destinations. I’m sure they would love to experience them with you and you would be happy to see a familiar face.

7. Remember why you are traveling alone. This is a big one. I am leaving for a one-night trip out of town to embark on a bucket list adventure by myself this weekend. I have to remind myself why I am traveling solo and that it is simply because I want to have this experience and I don’t want to wait for someone else to have the availability and finances to join me. This trip is important to me and one I do not want to miss. Remembering this, usually lifts my spirits just a bit if I happen to have any low thoughts surrounding traveling alone. A lot of people feel bad about traveling alone but it should not bring up any negative feelings. If you take life by the horns, don’t let anything hold you back and travel alone you are a bad ass! Remember that.

I hope you have found these tips helpful. It was fun to reflect on some of the things I’ve done to connect and feel less lonely while traveling solo. How do you ease your feelings of loneliness while traveling alone?