Solo Travel for Beginners: 5 Easy Adventures Close to Home
LOOKING FOR IDEAS AND SUPPORT FOR YOUR FIRST SOLO TRIP?
Many people dream of traveling on their own but feel nervous about going too far from home. The good news is that your first solo adventure doesn’t have to involve another country or even a cross-country flight.
One of the best ways to build confidence is to take short trips close to home. In this article, I’ll share five easy solo travel ideas that are perfect for beginners and can still feel like a real vacation.
Tips to Build Confidence as a First-Time Solo Traveler
Like anything we try for the first time, solo travel can feel uncomfortable, awkward, or even a little scary. That’s completely normal. Here are a few ideas to help you build confidence and take that first step…or even your first leap!
Start Small, Grow Gradually
One of the biggest myths about solo travel is that your first trip has to be a big adventure. It doesn’t. In fact, I recommend starting much smaller.
I love talking to guests on my podcast who take incredible solo adventures, from cruises to cross-country road trips. Their stories inspire me, but they’ve also reminded me that there isn’t one “right” way to travel solo.
Their stories inspire me to keep planning my own adventures. I’ve chosen a slower pace, and that’s what works best for me. There’s no prize for taking the biggest trip first. Starting small and gradually may be perfect for you if you have been itching to take that first solo trip, but aren’t ready for a trip abroad or to jump on a cruise ship. Get excited about a smaller adventure!
Focus On What Excites You, Not What Scares You
If you are excited about a destination or an idea you have, what may seem uncomfortable will not be at the center stage. When I’m planning a solo trip, I focus on the museums, galleries, walking trails, and experiences I’m excited to explore. I love the idea of exploring and finding things I have never seen before.
Instead, I try to focus less on the unknowns and more on everything I’m looking forward to experiencing. You can see how travel can be an excellent tool for life! The planning, the follow-through, doing things that feel uncomfortable, and enjoying yourself, even with possible bumps in the road – it’s all good experiences.
Create An Itinerary
You don’t need to have everything planned out in advance. But if that helps you to feel more excited and confident about your trip, even your day out, do it!
You can create a document and enjoy the process of picking your activities and laying out your plan, whether it’s for a day, overnight, or just for a few hours. I still save many of my itineraries because they’ve become keepsakes that remind me of the places I’ve explored and the confidence I’ve gained along the way.
If you’re wondering how to get started, my article Solo Travel for Women Over 40: How to Start When You’ve Never Traveled Alone will walk you through taking that first step with confidence.
Celebrate Each Solo Step You Take
Whether you journal about each adventure or trip you take, make a scrapbook, or put all your itineraries in a notebook, you can create a fun way to celebrate and remember each solo step you take as a beginner solo traveler. Then build on your memories once you feel you want to expand your range and explore further. Confidence grows one experience at a time, and every solo outing is another step forward.
5 Easy Solo Adventures You Can Try Near Home
Building your confidence doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These five simple solo adventures will help you practice traveling on your own while having fun along the way.
1. TAKE A SOLO DAY TRIP
- Visit a nearby town, historic site, or hiking trail. A day trip for me would be driving in my local area or within an hour. That way, I’m not in the car for too long and have plenty of time to explore, eat a meal, and get back home before it’s too late. Choose one or two activities you want to enjoy so your day has a purpose without feeling overplanned.
- Why it works: short, simple, and gives a taste of freedom.
If you live in Colorado, my Colorado Solo Travel Guide is full of ideas for easy day trips and weekend adventures.
2. PLAN A SOLO STAYCATION
- Book one night at a boutique hotel, B&B, or Airbnb in your own city. Some people think a staycation is unnecessary, but changing your surroundings, even for one night, can feel surprisingly refreshing. Our family took a staycation in a major city close to us, and we saw things in a different light. It was Christmas time, and very enjoyable.
- Why it works: a safe way to practice overnight solo travel.
3. TRY DINING ALONE WITH CONFIDENCE
- Start at a café, food hall, or brewery. Every community has restaurants you’ve probably driven past but never tried. Try one you have been curious about, or that has a good rating and reviews. You can always sit at the counter if you prefer not to sit at a table by yourself.
- Tips: Bring a book, a journal, or consider people-watching and being present.
- Why it works: builds confidence in being comfortable in public solo. If you’re still feeling nervous, my article on eating alone while traveling offers simple ways to make the experience more enjoyable.
4. TAKE A MINI ROAD TRIP (1–3 Hours)
- Explore a scenic route, a small town, or a local festival. A one to three-hour drive will get you somewhere you don’t usually explore. You could pick an activity ahead of your road trip so you have a destination.
- Why it works: practice trip planning and navigation while enjoying total freedom.
5. EVERYDAY SOLO ADVENTURES
- Try small activities solo, such as a movie, a museum visit, a local class, or a trip to a farmer’s market, or a visit to a nearby national park or historic site. Spending a few hours exploring somewhere new can refresh your perspective and remind you that adventure doesn’t always require traveling far.
- Why it works: small steps add up to confidence.
Want more encouragement? Listen to Podcast Episode #32: First-Time Solo Travel, where I share additional tips for building confidence and taking that first solo trip.
Activity Brainstorming List
One of the best ways to build confidence as a solo traveler is to practice close to home first. You don’t need to book a week-long vacation to start feeling more comfortable exploring on your own.
Use this list of solo day trip ideas as inspiration. Every community is different, so choose activities that fit your interests and location. As your confidence grows, you can gradually expand your adventure radius until you’re ready for longer solo trips.
Why Start Solo Travel Close to Home?
Starting your solo travel journey close to home has many advantages. While some people jump right into an international adventure, building your confidence with shorter trips can make solo travel feel much more enjoyable and less overwhelming.
The benefits of solo traveling close to home include lower costs, reduced stress, and familiar surroundings.
Lower Costs
- Since you are staying close to home with your beginner solo trips, you won’t have to worry about expensive flights or rental cars. However, if you don’t own a car or don’t want to put miles on your own vehicle, you may need to rent one. I have rented cars in the past for more extended road trips to save the wear and tear on my own car. It’s just a personal preference.
- You can bring your own snacks and food. For me, eating at local restaurants when I visit is part of what I enjoy doing on my solo trips. I usually bring snacks and drinks for the road, and eat meals at restaurants. Even then, my overall food costs are usually lower because I’m only paying for myself.
- Shorter trips = fewer hotel nights. Since you are taking shorter trips, your expenses will be lower, especially for hotels. Depending on where you go, smaller towns may have less expensive hotel stays, or larger towns or cities that have the chain hotels you can use points for a night. I have done this on several occasions.
- One thing I like about shorter trips is that I can test new travel gear before taking a longer vacation. I’ve tried apps, packing tools, and other travel products that sounded great but didn’t work well for me. It’s much better to discover that on a weekend getaway than during a bigger trip.
Less Stress
No one wants a vacation or adventure to be stressful. Starting with small steps will help to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Easier planning—just a quick drive or local booking. If the thought of being in the car for a long road trip feels overwhelming, no problem, plan a trip that is a quick drive or within an hour of your location.
- No navigating airports or long travel days. Not having to deal with an airport sometimes feels like a relief to me. However, the more I travel by plane, the easier it gets for me. Flying gets easier with experience, just like every other part of solo travel.
- If something goes wrong, you’re still close to home. If you find that you are uncomfortable or if something doesn’t go as planned, you have the option to drive home. Knowing you can head home if you need to can make your first few solo adventures feel much less intimidating.
- Less pressure—because it’s a short adventure, not a bucket-list trip. Since this is a simple, shorter trip, there’s less pressure to make everything perfect. You don’t have to start with your biggest dream vacation. Save those ideas for your travel vision board while you build your confidence one adventure at a time. Before long, you may get bitten by the solo travel bug!
Familiar Surroundings
- Comfort of knowing the language, culture, and layout of your area. Being familiar with the language, culture, and area reduces many unknowns while still giving you the excitement of exploring somewhere new. You can be familiar, but step out of your comfort zone just a little.
- You can ask locals for recommendations without feeling out of place. I love talking to people at my destination. Even if I have been to the town or city before, I know there is always something new I can learn or an activity I may not be aware of. I do a lot of research, but I am always surprised at what I learn from a local. The visitor center can be a helpful and friendly resource, too.
- It’s easier to feel safe when you’re not far from home. Many first-time solo travelers feel more confident knowing they’re only a short drive from home if they need anything.
You may see your familiar region in a whole new way when you explore solo. Even if you are familiar with the area, enjoy the possibility of exploring new things and finding hidden gems.
Confidence-Building
- Practicing independence without being too far from your comfort zone. Sets the stage for bigger trips later.
- Small successes (navigating a nearby city, dining alone) prepare you for bigger solo trips later. As your confidence grows, you may decide you’re ready to explore farther from home, or you may discover that local adventures are exactly what you enjoy. There isn’t a right or wrong way to travel solo. As long as you are happy and satisfied, it doesn’t matter where you go. Just enjoy your solo travels. You don’t have to have the big goal of riding your bike through the vineyard hills in Italy. An overnighter may be all that is required to fill your cup!
Every solo outing strengthens your independence and confidence. If solo travel is important to you, intentionally make time for it. Those small adventures can lead to bigger opportunities than you ever imagined.
Flexibility
- You can go for a few hours, one night, or a weekend. Start small and build up. Having flexibility will take the pressure off, knowing that things don’t have to be perfect or set in stone.
- No rigid itinerary—adjust as you go. Plan a few things to have a starting point, but feel free to add to your adventure once you arrive if that suits you better. Some people may want an itinerary, while others may feel more at ease and excited about not having a detailed plan.
Hidden Gems at Home
- You’ll likely discover places nearby you’ve never taken the time to see. Researching before you plan your adventure, you may find things you have never heard of before. This has happened to me! Or visit the visitor’s center and gather ideas from their information rack or the volunteers, who are happy to help.
- Builds appreciation for your own state and nearby cities. Discovering things that are tucked away or newly built will give you a deeper appreciation for where you live and open doors to more adventures.
Looking for ideas beyond the usual attractions? The Federal Highway Administration’s America’s Byways directory can help you find scenic drives and nationally designated routes in your state.
FAQS
Planning your first solo trip can bring up a lot of questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns I hear from first-time solo travelers.
Is solo travel safe for beginners?
Solo travel can be very safe for beginners when you prepare ahead of time and make smart decisions. Start with destinations where you feel comfortable, share your itinerary with a friend or family member you trust, and check in a few times during your trip. As your confidence grows and you gain experience, solo travel often feels much more natural and enjoyable.
If you’d like more tips, read my article on Traveling Alone Tips for Women: What Actually Matters for Your Safety.
Where should I go on my first solo trip?
Deciding where to go depends on how much time you have and how far you feel comfortable traveling. For your first solo trip, you can start with a staycation, a nearby town, or a weekend getaway that’s only a short drive from home. As your confidence grows, you can gradually explore destinations farther away.
If you’re looking for ideas, my article, “Travel Planning Tips: How to Plan Your Trip Without Feeling Overwhelmed,” shares simple ways to plan your first solo adventure.
What if I get lonely?
Feeling lonely from time to time is normal, especially on your first solo trip. The good news is that there are many ways to connect with others, and you’ll often find it easier than you expected. Whether you join a tour, strike up a conversation, or attend a local event, meeting people while traveling solo is easier than many beginners imagine.
I share more ideas in my guide on How to Meet People While Traveling Solo.
How do I eat at a restaurant alone?
You have several options when dining alone as a solo traveler. Enjoy a quiet meal in a booth, sit at the bar for a livelier atmosphere, or choose a restaurant with community seating if you’re interested in meeting others. If you’re wondering, “Is it weird to eat alone?” the answer is no. Most people are focused on their own meal, not who’s sitting at the next table, and eating alone becomes easier with practice. Many solo travelers discover that dining alone becomes one of their favorite parts of traveling.
If dining alone makes you nervous, my article on Eating Alone While Traveling shares practical tips to help you feel more comfortable.
Final Thoughts On Solo Travel for Beginners
Solo travel is a skill you build, not something you’re instantly confident doing. Like anything new, it can feel intimidating the first time you try it, but it gets easier with every trip.
When you’re ready, you can venture farther from home. Whether your dream is to explore the United States, take your first solo cruise, or travel internationally, the confidence you build on smaller adventures will help you enjoy those bigger trips with less stress and more excitement.
Which of these solo travel ideas will you try first?
