14 Major Mistakes I Made On My First Solo Trip

From a solo traveler who's been there and done that.

1. Planning every single detail.

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Solo travel is all about spontaneity and going with the flow. Plan ahead, but don’t forget to leave time for aimless wandering and chance encounters.

2. Booking accomodation without checking reviews.

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Your accommodation will be your temporary home, so read reviews and book with caution. Is the neighborhood sketchy? Are there video cameras or security features? You need to know these things!

3. Listening to people who have never traveled solo.

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Everyone and their mother will tell you not to travel alone, except for those who have done so themselves. Avoid taking advice from people who have never done it! Read solo travel blogs and join Facebook groups like The Solo Female Traveler Network for firsthand advice.

4. Tagging photo locations in real time.

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You’ll want to tag that really cool Balinese villa you’re sleeping in, but it may be best to wait until you’ve left. You don’t want any weirdos showing up, especially if you’re alone.

5. Compromising your safety for a few dollars.

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Pay for the Uber instead of walking down a dark alley at night. Your safety is worth more than a few dollars.

6. Telling strangers you're alone.

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This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's easy to let the words "solo trip" slip out of your mouth when a stranger asks who you're traveling with. Be ready with a response — "my group is resting in the hotel" or "my friend is grabbing a drink." A white lie can definitely deter unwanted attention.

7. Leaving your valuables unattended.

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Always pack your valuables in your carry-on instead of your checked baggage to reduce the risk of them being stolen or damaged during your journey. Don't allow them to leave your sight!

8. Traveling without insurance.

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In an ideal world, traveling solo would be a walk in the park. In reality, anything could go wrong, so it’s best to be prepared with travel insurance that could cover those not-so-pretty travel moments.

9. Burying your head in your phone.

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I’ve been guilty of using my phone as a safety blanket in new situations, but this is totally the wrong way to go when you're traveling alone. Don’t let the world pass you by!

10. Forgetting to ask for help.

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Strangers are just friends you haven’t met! Don’t be afraid to ask for help or simply speak to the people around you.

11. Forgetting your limits.

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Drinking until you can’t stand or going until you can’t go anymore is totally not the best idea. It's especially important to know your limits when you're the only person looking out for yourself.

12. Showing up without doing any research.

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Always do your due diligence by researching local customs, common scams, unsafe areas, natural disasters, and the political climate.

13. Showing up with too many expectations.

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There’s no way to predict how things will go, so it’s always best to arrive with an open mind.

14. Following everyone else's itinerary.

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Do you, boo! Solo travel is all about marching to the beat of your own drum, so take advantage of this opportunity to do it your way.