5 Solo Travel Tips That Actually Make the Trip Better
Diana in pub
Whether you’re setting out on your very first solo adventure or you already have years of independent travel under your belt, the difference between a good trip and a great one often comes down to the smallest details. It’s the choices you make—how you plan your days, where you choose to spend your time, and the ways you move through your journey—that shape the solo travel experience. With just a few practical tips, solo travel can feel smoother, more enriching, and ultimately far more memorable.
Solo travel, for me, is less about checking things off a list and more about how the trip feels. The small choices you make, where you stay, where you sit, what you pack, end up shaping the entire experience. These are the five things I come back to every time.
1. Where you stay matters This is everything. I always gravitate toward boutique hotels, especially ones that offer a cocktail hour. It’s such an easy, low-pressure way to be social without forcing anything. You can chat with other travelers, talk to staff, or just sit back with a really good drink and take it all in. Some of my favorite stays:
● Kimpton Fitzroy London — their cocktail hour was next level
● The Darcy Hotel (Washington, D.C.) — one signature cocktail, no choices, but great conversation
● 86 Cannon Historic Inn (Charleston, SC)— cocktails, charcuterie, music, the whole vibe
● The Hoxton Amsterdam — no formal cocktail hour, but a lively bar and guest-only spaces that made it easy to feel part of something
● Perry Lane Hotel (Savannah, GA) — cocktail hour plus champagne available throughout the day… which says enough
2. Sit at the bar Always. Bring a book, your Kindle, or a notebook. It gives you something to do, but it also makes you approachable if you want conversation. I’ve had some of the best, most unexpected conversations this way. And the bartenders? They know everything. Where to go, what’s worth it, what to skip. It’s one of the easiest ways to get a real feel for a place. (If you are ever in Washington, DC, and want an amazing cocktail experience, go to Death & CO.)
3. Pack light I will never not say this. Traveling solo means you’re carrying everything yourself, and you don’t need as much as you think you do. I stick to:
● a great pair of walking shoes
● leggings
● a few easy tops or sweaters
● a lightweight raincoat (saved me in Amsterdam more than once) You end up wearing the same favorites anyway, and moving through a city is so much easier when you’re not weighed down.
4. Stock your fridge This is one of those small things that makes a big difference. I’m mostly vegan, so I like to have a few basics on hand, non-dairy yogurt, oat milk, some snacks. It’s saved me so many times when I don’t feel like going out, can’t find what I need, or just want something easy in the morning. It makes your hotel feel a little more like your own space.
5. Look for local events If you want connection without pressure, this is the way to do it. I’ll check Facebook events or Meetup wherever I am. When I was in Boulder, I joined a local hike and ended up meeting a few great people. It felt natural, low-key, and not forced in the way some social situations can be. You can always leave, or stay longer than you planned.
Being with yourself in a new place
Solo travel doesn’t have to feel lonely or overwhelming. When you build in small moments, a good hotel, a seat at the bar, a walk, a familiar snack, it starts to feel less like “being alone” and more like being with yourself in a new place. And honestly, that’s the best part. Also, always bring a portable battery charger for your phone. The last thing you ever want to be is STUCK with a dead phone in an unfamiliar place! I have this one and love it
~Diana Jemielity writes about solo travel, books, and finding the best bars to read in. Read more at coffeechalk.wordpress.com