Solo Travel Guide: Planning, Safety, Money and Insurance

Travelling alone means every decision is yours: where to go, when to leave, what to skip. It also means there's nobody to catch a mistake before it becomes a problem. The good news is that most solo travel problems are preventable with a few hours of planning.

This guide walks you through the planning system that experienced solo travellers use, based on official government travel advice. It covers where to find reliable safety information, the documents you'll need, how to budget, what your insurance should include, and the scams that target people on their own.

Why solo travel is worth planning properly

Solo travel has real advantages. You set your own pace, you meet more people because you're more approachable, and you learn quickly how capable you are.

The trade-off is that you carry all the risk. The UK government's guidance on solo and independent travel points out that people travelling alone can face extra challenges, including a higher risk of being targeted by criminals. That isn't a reason to stay home. It's a reason to plan the parts of the trip where things tend to go wrong: arrival, money, transport and health.

If you want your trip to include volunteering or a purpose beyond sightseeing, read our guide to combining adventure and volunteering responsibly as well.

Start with official travel advice, not social media

Before you fall in love with a destination, check what your own government says about it. Official advice pages cover crime, terrorism, local laws, health risks, natural disasters and entry requirements. They're updated when things change, which blogs and videos often aren't.

The most widely used services are:

• UK: GOV.UK foreign travel advice, from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Canada: travel.gc.ca travel advice and advisories
• US: travel.state.gov country information and travel advisories
• Australia: Smartraveller

Canada uses four risk levels, which make a useful shorthand even if you're not Canadian:

Advice can differ between countries for the same place, and a whole country can have different levels for different regions. Read the page for every country on your route, including transit stops, and check again a few days before you fly.

Documents and entry rules

Entry rules have become more digital in the last few years, and more countries now screen visitors before they board.

Passport

Check the expiry date first. Some countries want your passport to be valid for a period beyond your stay, and airlines can refuse to board you if it isn't. Each official advice page has an "entry requirements" section that tells you the rule for that country.

Also check you have enough blank pages, and that the name on your passport matches your tickets exactly.

Visas and electronic travel authorisations

Visa-free doesn't always mean paperwork-free. Several countries now require an online travel authorisation for visitors who don't need a full visa:

• United Kingdom: Many visitors, including from Europe, the US, Canada and Australia, need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). GOV.UK says it costs GBP 20, each person needs their own, and it doesn't guarantee entry.
• United States: Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before they fly. The fee changed in 2025, so check the current amount on the official ESTA website.
• Schengen area in Europe: The Entry/Exit System (EES) records non-EU travellers' fingerprints, facial images and entry and exit dates at the border. The European Commission says it became fully operational on 10 April 2026. A separate pre-travel authorisation called ETIAS has been announced but was not yet operating at the time of writing, September 2026.

If you need a full visitor visa, for example for the US, apply early. Our guide on improving your chances with a US visitor visa explains what consular officers look for.

Copies and backups

Keep a photo of your passport, visa, insurance certificate and bookings in secure cloud storage, plus one paper copy in a different bag from the originals. If your phone is stolen, you'll still be able to prove who you are and call your insurer.

Budgeting and money when you're alone

Solo travel usually costs more per person than travelling in a pair. You pay the full price of a room, a taxi or a rental car instead of splitting it. Plan for that from the start.

Access to money

The UK government's solo travel advice stresses making sure you can get money while abroad, including in an emergency. In practice that means:

• Carrying at least two cards from different banks or networks, kept in different places.
• Telling your bank about your trip if it asks you to, and checking the fees for foreign card payments and cash withdrawals.
• Keeping a small amount of local cash for the first day, in case card machines fail.
• Knowing how to freeze a card from your banking app.

Compare the exchange rate you're offered, not just the fee. When a card machine asks whether you want to pay in your home currency or the local one, choosing the local currency usually avoids a poor conversion rate set by the merchant.

Travel insurance: what to check before you buy

When you travel with others, someone can sit with you in hospital, deal with the insurer and pay a deposit while you wait. On your own, your policy has to do all of that. Don't treat it as an optional extra.

GOV.UK gives examples of what medical treatment abroad can cost without insurance, including a broken leg in Spain at more than GBP 25,000 and a stomach infection in the US at more than GBP 150,000. The Canadian government warns that provincial and territorial health plans may cover none, or only a small part, of medical costs abroad, and they never pay bills up front.

The UK also warns that the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are not a substitute for travel insurance, because they don't cover private treatment, repatriation or costs such as mountain rescue.

A good solo travel policy should cover:

• Emergency medical treatment, in state or private facilities.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation, meaning getting you home or to a better hospital.
• Pre-existing medical conditions, declared in writing. Travel.gc.ca advises getting written confirmation that your condition is covered.
• The whole trip length, since many policies cap the number of days.
• Every activity you plan, including scuba diving, trekking at altitude or riding a scooter.
• Trip cancellation and interruption, so you can recover costs if you have to come home early.
• Personal belongings and cash, with realistic limits for your phone and laptop.

Ask whether the insurer pays hospitals directly or expects you to pay and claim later. If it's the second, you'll need access to a large sum quickly. Keep the 24-hour emergency number in your phone and on paper.

Staying safe on your own

Most solo trips pass without incident. The habits below reduce risk without making travel feel like a chore.

Arrival and accommodation

GOV.UK's solo travel guidance says you're most vulnerable when you first arrive, because you're tired and unfamiliar with your surroundings. So:

• Book your first night before you travel, and plan how you'll get there from the airport or station.
• Arrive in daylight when you can.
• Check fire exits and whether the room has a working lock. A simple door wedge adds a layer of security.
• Don't let people see or hear your room number.

Getting around

• Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, and check the car and driver match the booking.
• On trains, sit in busy carriages.
• Don't hitchhike.
• Download offline maps so you're not wandering with your phone out looking lost.

Staying in touch

Leave your itinerary with someone at home and agree how often you'll check in, as UK government advice recommends. Share live location with one trusted person on days you're hiking or moving between cities. Some governments offer free traveller registration, such as the US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), so the embassy can reach you in a crisis.

Advice for women travelling alone

The UK government publishes separate advice for women, noting that in some countries women travelling alone face extra risks. It warns that drugs used in drink spiking are normally colourless and tasteless and work in non-alcoholic drinks too. Watch your drink being made, don't leave it unattended and trust your instincts if a situation feels wrong.

Read the local laws section of the travel advice page as well. Dress codes, rules on public behaviour and attitudes to women travelling alone vary widely.

Scams that target solo travellers

People on their own are easier to distract and less likely to have someone watching their bags. Common tricks include:

• Fake travel authorisation sites that charge several times the official fee.
• Unlicensed airport taxis that quote one price and demand another, or take a long route.
• The friendly stranger who suggests a bar, gem shop or tour where you're pressured to pay inflated prices.
• Distraction thefts, such as someone spilling something on you while an accomplice takes your phone.
• Card skimming at standalone ATMs. Use machines inside bank branches when you can.
• Romance and friendship scams that start on apps or social media and end with a request for money.

If something goes wrong, report it to local police and get a written report for your insurer. For a lost or stolen passport, contact your nearest embassy or consulate.

Your solo trip, step by step

1. Shortlist destinations and read your government's travel advice for each one, including transit countries.
2. Check entry rules: passport validity, visas and any electronic travel authorisation.
3. Set a budget that allows for single-occupancy costs and an emergency fund.
4. Book flights and your first night's accommodation, plus an airport transfer if you arrive late.
5. Buy travel insurance straight away, declaring any medical conditions and listing risky activities.
6. Sort money: two cards, a small amount of local cash and fee-free options where possible.
7. Check health requirements, such as vaccinations and medication rules, with a travel health clinic.
8. Share your itinerary and agree a check-in routine.
9. Back up documents in cloud storage and on paper.
10. Recheck travel advice a few days before you leave.

Making the most of travelling alone

Planning isn't only about risk. It also frees you to enjoy the trip. A few habits help solo travellers feel less isolated:

• Book social activities such as walking tours, cooking classes and group day trips, especially in your first days.
• Choose accommodation with shared spaces, like a guesthouse lounge or hostel kitchen, even if you book a private room.
• Eat out at lunch when restaurants are busier and cheaper, and sit at the bar or counter where it's easier to chat.
• Slow down. Staying longer in fewer places reduces transport costs and makes it easier to build a routine.
• Plan for low days. Homesickness is normal. A regular call home and a quiet day off can reset your mood.

If a trip abroad is the first step towards living or working overseas, keep your visitor status clear. Visitors generally can't work, and saying the wrong thing at a border interview can cause problems. Our article on what not to say in a US visitor visa interview covers the common mistakes.

Solo travel checklist

• Travel advice read for every country on your route, including transit stops
• Passport valid for long enough, with blank pages
• Visa or electronic travel authorisation approved through the official website
• First night's accommodation and airport transfer booked
• Travel insurance bought, conditions declared and emergency number saved
• Two payment cards kept separately, plus some local cash
• Copies of documents in cloud storage and on paper
• Itinerary shared and check-in times agreed
• Offline maps and key addresses downloaded
• Embassy contact details for each destination saved

Travelling alone rewards preparation. Get the official information, protect yourself with the right insurance and documents, and you'll have the freedom to enjoy the trip on your own terms.