The side of solo travel no one talks about is just that. You’ll see a multitude of the highlights on Instagram or travel recaps but the truth is, travelling solo is a challenge. There will be moments that catch you off guard, and for the most part, inconvenient. However, there’s definitely positives that outweigh the negatives.
In this post, I’m sharing nine truths about what it’s really like to travel alone. Whether you’re planning your first solo trip or have already done a few, this honest look might just prepare or reasonate with you for what is rarely mentioned.
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- IT’S NOT ALWAYS BUDGET FRIENDLY
- PLANNING ISN’T EASY
- YOUR SOUNDING BOARDS ARE LIMITED
- YOU RELY ON STRANGERS MORE THAN YOU’D EXPECT
- WHICH ALSO LEADS TO MISSING PEOPLE WHO REALLY KNOW YOU
- LONELINESS HITS AT UNEXPECTED TIMES
- YOU’RE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.. A LOT
- IT’S HARD TO CAPTURE
- YOU COME BACK A LITTLE DIFFERENT
- SUMMARY
IT’S NOT ALWAYS BUDGET FRIENDLY
One side of solo travel no one talks about is that it can stretch your budget faster than expected. Solo rooms, full-priced car rentals, and single-entry fees add up quickly. There’s no one to split meals with or divide fuel costs. Even the most affordable trips come with surprise expenses that group travellers often avoid.
According to Lonely Planet, solo travellers can spend up to 50% more on accommodation than those in pairs. Budgeting takes more effort and I know in my case I spent many hours trying to find the best deals on accommodation, car rental, flights and everything else involved in solo travel.
Sometimes, even the best-laid budget plans fall apart. One moment that stands out for me was when I flew into Las Vegas and went to collect my vehicle from Alamo. It had been booked months in advance but when I arrived, it was refused as they wouldn’t accept my travel card. After a tense chat with an unhelpful rental car agent, I walked across to Avis. They happily accepted my card and luckily had a Jeep Wrangler available for the week. It cost more, but honestly, that car made the trip.
The best thing to know in these situations is that sometimes financially things don’t work out at the time but as corny as it sounds, everything happens for a reason.
PLANNING ISN’T EASY
Another side of solo travel no one talks about is the thinking that’s involved. From booking accommodation to mapping directions, every choice falls on you. There’s definitely people to bounce ideas off but none that are coming with you to catch the details you miss.
Planning isn’t hard, but it is constant. You weigh up weather forecasts, trail conditions, fuel stops, and budget in every decision. While this may sound negative, there are definitely positives. The first is that you can go wherever you want, whenever you want. There is no one to determine your route or where to stay, it’s completely and utterly your own trip.
Planning can be mentally tiring but well-worth the minutes and hours spent.
YOUR SOUNDING BOARDS ARE LIMITED
Decision fatigue is a real part of solo travel that no one warns you about. Whether you’re picking a trail, choosing a cafe, or deciding to skip a stop, it’s your call.
I tend to overthink things, especially when I’m alone. Just this morning, I planned a solo loop hike. One direction meant starting with a steep climb and ending along a highway. The other meant walking the highway first, with a descent to finish. I opted for the second, for a few reasons but it took a while to decide.
Some days, that kind of freedom feels great. Other days, it would be nice to have a sounding board. As you might guess, I’ve spent hours staring at maps, wondering what someone else would say if they were in the thick of it with me. Ultimately, you do grow to trust your judgment. It’s definitely character building. The lessons are quite hard but it’s well worth it when you can have that much trust to make the right decision for yourself.
YOU RELY ON STRANGERS MORE THAN YOU’D EXPECT
This one you may be aware of but even a casual cafe conversation, asking for help, directions or recommendations, relying on strangers when on a solo trip is something that happens often.
I definitely felt vulnerable whenever it did happen, especially at first. But it also restores your faith in human kindness. People will more often than not want to help or point you in the right direction.
WHICH ALSO LEADS TO MISSING PEOPLE WHO REALLY KNOW YOU
There’s comfort in familiarity and it’s one side of solo travel you don’t often experience.
In all my solo trips, I’ve only truly felt like my authentic self among strangers once. That was on a Contiki tour, where you bond quickly with like-minded travellers. But in many ways, that wasn’t really solo travel. It may have started solo, but it didn’t carry the same sense of navigating every decision alone.
When you’re planning everything yourself, moving from A to B on your own, and constantly surrounded by new faces, you start to miss the people who know you. You also wish they could experience those moments with you.
With strangers, conversations always start from zero. It’s refreshing, but it can also feel repetitive. What I’ve learned, though, is that solo travel teaches you to become your own anchor. And even on the road, staying connected to those who know you is always possible.
LONELINESS HITS AT UNEXPECTED TIMES
Even if you’re independent and have all the confidence in the world, loneliness is definitely one side of solo travel no one talks about often enough.
Sometimes it hits in a beautiful place you wish someone could see with you. Other times, it’s eating dinner or exploring a city alone.
In my solo travels, the feeling didn’t last, but it’s good to acknowledge it. Sometimes when I felt extra lonely I would jump on a video call with family (particularly my Mum) and show them the beautiful place I was exploring. It definitely eased that feeling.
YOU’RE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.. A LOT
One major side of solo travel no one talks about is how often you’re uncomfortable. New places, new people, new routines–it’s constant growth.
At first, that discomfort can feel overwhelming. You’ll question your decisions, abilities, even your desire to travel solo. But as you keep going, those uncomfortable moments build resilience. They stretch your boundaries and make you proud of showing up for yourself every day. It really is an achievement to be out of your comfort zone, so make sure to celebrate it.
IT’S HARD TO CAPTURE
This one might be a little vain but it can be really hard to capture moments, especially when you’re behind and in front of the lens.
Whether you’re using a phone or a professional camera, it’s a balancing act. You’re not just holding a camera, you’re lugging batteries, a tripod, and maybe even a drone. I travel with a backpack that fits everything. If you’re curious, I’ve shared everything I use in my camera bag here.
Self-timers and tripods help, but sometimes, the best approach is to put the camera down and soak it in.
YOU COME BACK A LITTLE DIFFERENT
An additional side of solo travel no one talks about often enough is what happens after the trip. You return home different but home hasn’t changed.
Friends and family might not fully understand your stories. You’ve seen and felt things that can’t be fully explained in words–it’s bittersweet. You carry the experience with you, but often alone.
However, there is a beauty in this. It’s remembering the reason for travelling solo in the first place. Experiencing beautiful places and knowing you could do it all by yourself is a pretty incredible thing, and even if no one understands, the important thing is that you do.
SUMMARY
In this post we explored the side of solo travel no one talks about—from planning fatigue to unexpected loneliness, deeper self-knowledge, and emotional change.
Solo travel is rewarding, yes, but it’s also layered, honest, and at times, challenging. These are the truths that rarely make the highlight reel, but they’re just as important.
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