When people find out I’m a solo traveler, the first question they ask me is how I manage to enjoy traveling alone without getting bored. But to be quite honest, I never felt alone on my solo adventures; in other words, I never felt lonely. Travel boredom can definitely threaten your chances of enjoying your trip, especially if it’s your first time traveling alone. However, being on your own doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be lonely.

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Is solo travel boring?

Unfortunately, this is not a yes or no question. Yes, solo travel might be boring for some, or in certain cases, but to others (like myself), it could be quite fulfilling. You first need to answer a few questions; are you an extrovert or an introvert? Do you cherish your ‘me time’ or you can never have fun without company? What is your travel lifestyle and what are your interests?

There are some things you can do to help you avoid boredom when traveling solo, but you should answer these questions first. Your answers would determine what would work for you.

But first, why do I travel alone? And is it worth the travel boredom risk?

Well, for starters, solo traveling is a life-changing experience that one needs to try at least once in their life. From self-discovery to incomparable memories, there are over a dozen reasons why you need to consider solo travel, and I talk about them all here.

In addition to these, waiting for your friends to make up their minds will kill you. If you wait for your friends, you probably won’t go anywhere. Don’t get me wrong, but others’ indecisiveness will make you wait too long that you’ll either end up canceling your travel plans or end up with extra costs. Waiting for others made me cancel trips; forced me to get more expensive flight tickets; and made me miss out on booking opportunities. In fact, take that as a general rule in life: Don’t wait for others to make YOUR life happen!

So, the short answer to the question of whether or not a solo trip is a good idea: Yes, solo travel is definitely worth it!

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6 Tips to Avoid Travel Boredom on Solo Trips

Sure, there are days when I don’t make new friends or have meaningful stranger conversations, but these days don’t have to be boring and not all days are like that. Nevertheless, there are some tips that could help you meet people if you’re not so good at keeping your own self’s company.

#1 Stay in a Hostel

Hostels are the perfect place to meet people and make new friends as most probably, you’ll find like-minded people there. Solo travelers, digital nomads, and backpackers all usually stay in hostels, so if you’re traveling alone (whether it’s your first time or not), you’ll definitely meet someone whom you’d enjoy his/her company.

You also want to join activities and group trips organized by hostels such as hikes and cycling outings. This is a great way to not just avoid travel boredom but also the perfect setting to socialize.

Just make sure you pick your hostel wisely; you want to stay somewhere that suits your mindset. Click here for everything you need to know about how to pick and book your hostel.

#2 Join Free Walking Tours

Just like organized trips by hostels, most tourist cities have free walking tours that you can join. These are great for your first day in a city – not just because you can meet other solo travelers, but you can explore the destination and get an understanding of how it is over there at the beginning of your trip.

#3 Take a Class

This is another way to avoid solo travel boredom; you may learn something new, enjoy a fun activity, AND you might meet people as well. Be it a cooking class or a yoga class, there must be something that would tickle your fancy.

#4 Facebook Travel Groups and Communities

This is one of the easiest ways where you can ask other solo travelers out. Lots of travelers post of Facebook travel groups and communities, looking for travel partners or locals to show them around or simply just hang out. I personally did this before when I was in Bali. And if you don’t find anyone who’s available at the same time as you are, you’ll at least get loads of recommendations and tips for your destination.

Here are some of my favorite travel groups:

• Women Who Travel
• Female Travel Group | Women Group Travel | GoWonder ®
• Solo Female Travelers (FIRST FB group for women who travel solo!)
• The Solo Female Traveler Network

#5 Common Interests

The power of common interests can help strike conversations with random strangers. YES, people do walk up to others to ask about the book you’re reading or the camera you’re shooting with. And if no one walks up to you, don’t be afraid to approach others if anything seems of interest to you.

#6 Be Open

Speaking of not being afraid to approach strangers, this is a very important mindset you need to travel with. If you’re an extrovert, then good for you; it’s time to unleash your social butterfly. However, if you’re an introvert, then this is the best opportunity for you to get out of your comfort zone and mingle with others.

Have an open mind when others approach you and try to keep the conversation going. Meet everyone with a big fat smile, even your cab driver. And of course, don’t be afraid to talk to strangers!

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Tips for Solo Dining

Travel boredom aside, one thing A LOT of people worry about when they consider solo traveling is having to eat alone at a restaurant. This kind of anxiety is often a result of the fact that certain activities are dubbed as “social activities”. That’s why things like going to the movies, clubbing, and eating at a restaurant become socially awkward when done alone. However, solo dining is only awkward if you let it be.

Here are some tips so you could eliminate the awkwardness that comes with solo dining:

How do you feel about solo traveling now? Are you still worried about solo travel boredom or are you now more willing to try? Let me know in the comments section.

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Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.

SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.

GET INSURED NOW – Nomad Insurance

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You might also like:

• How to Make Travel Friends As a Solo Globetrotter
• Having Anxiety About Traveling Alone? Here’s How to Overcome It
• A Beginners Guide to Traveling Alone for the First Time
• Going to a Music Festival Alone – How to Make Friends, Stay Safe, & Have a Great Time

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