This was my first trip completely by myself, and definitely my first time traveling internationally alone. Naturally, I was apprehensive. I was nervous, a little scared, and very aware that once I got there, I would be the one figuring everything out on my own. If you’re traveling alone for the first time, I completely understand that mix of excitement and nerves.

But traveling solo had been on my bucket list for a long time, and eventually I decided I was just going to do it. I booked the trip, prepared as much as I could, got on the plane, and went.

There were absolutely moments when I had to push past my nerves, but the experience gave me confidence in a way I don’t think I could have gotten from simply talking about traveling alone someday. If you’re planning your first solo international trip and feeling excited and nervous at the same time, I completely understand. These are the things I would make sure you know and have in place before you go.

Traveling Alone for the First Time: 12 Things to Know Before You Go

Research More Than Just The Fun Stuff

Before your first solo international trip, take some time to learn more about the country beyond the places you want to visit. Read up on the culture, local customs, social norms, dress expectations, and anything that may be noticeably different from what you’re used to at home. Even small things, like knowing whether tipping is expected, how people typically greet each other, or what behavior may be considered disrespectful, can help you feel more prepared once you arrive.

Learn a Few Useful Words and Phrases

You don’t need to be fluent before your trip, but learning a handful of useful words and phrases can make everyday situations much easier. Knowing how to say things like “hello,” “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “help” can go a long way, especially when you’re navigating a new place by yourself. It also shows respect for the local culture and can make interactions feel a little less intimidating.

Translation apps can help fill in the gaps when you need more than a few basic phrases, so it’s worth having one downloaded and ready to use before you leave.

Have a Backup Plan When You’re Traveling Alone for the First Time

You don’t need to spend your entire trip thinking about what could go wrong, but when you’re traveling alone, it’s smart to know what you would do if something did. Keep important phone numbers and copies of your travel documents somewhere you can access them, know how to contact local emergency services, and have a plan for situations like losing your phone, passport, or wallet. If you’re traveling internationally from the United States, you can also enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before your trip so you can receive important updates about your destination.

It’s also worth checking what medical coverage you have while traveling internationally and whether travel insurance makes sense for your trip. Depending on the policy, it may help with unexpected medical expenses, trip disruptions, or lost belongings.

Have More Than One Way to Access Your Money

Keep more than one payment option available when you travel, and avoid keeping everything in the same place. A combination of cards and some local currency gives you a backup if a card is declined, lost, or temporarily unavailable. Before your trip, check your card issuer’s international-use policies, foreign transaction fees, and ATM access so there are no surprises once you arrive.

It’s also worth setting a realistic spending budget before you go. Solo travel can get expensive quickly when hotel rooms, transportation, and other costs aren’t being split with someone else.

Check Your Passport and Entry Requirements Early

Before booking too much around your trip, make sure your passport will still meet the requirements for the country you’re visiting. Entry rules vary by destination, and some countries require additional passport validity beyond the dates of your trip or may require a visa or other travel authorization. Check the official requirements early so you have enough time to handle anything that needs to be renewed or approved before you leave.

Know How You’re Getting From the Airport to Your Hotel

Figure out your airport transportation before you land; actually while you’re initially booking the trip if possible. Look into the most practical option for your destination, whether that’s an official taxi, rideshare, hotel transfer, train, shuttle, or other public transportation, and know where you’re supposed to find it once you arrive. Having those details worked out ahead of time makes that first hour in a new country much easier, especially after a long flight when you’re tired and carrying luggage.

Choose Your Accommodation With Location in Mind

When you’re traveling alone, where you stay matters just as much as the hotel itself. Look at the neighborhood, how close you’ll be to the places you plan to visit, what transportation is available nearby, and whether you’d feel comfortable getting back there after dark. Reviews can also give you a better sense of the area and whether other solo travelers felt comfortable staying there.

A beautiful hotel at a great price isn’t much of a deal if it leaves you far from everything or depending on complicated transportation every time you leave.

Know How You’ll Get Around Once You’re There

Before your trip, look into how people typically get around your destination and which options make the most sense for the areas you plan to visit. Check public transportation, rideshare availability, taxi practices, and whether walking is realistic in the neighborhoods you’ll be exploring. Knowing your main transportation options ahead of time can save you from trying to figure everything out on the spot.

Pack With the Reality That You’re Traveling Alone

When you’re traveling by yourself, you’re also responsible for carrying, watching, and moving all of your luggage, so packing strategically matters. Bring what you’ll actually use, keep important medications and essentials in your carry-on, and pack a few basics you’d want with you if your checked bag were delayed. A copy of your passport, a universal power adapter, and any destination-specific necessities are also worth having organized before you leave.

If you want a closer look at what actually makes it into my luggage, I also have a list of 15 things I never travel without.

Figure Out Your Phone and Internet Situation Before You Leave

Check how your phone will work at your destination before you travel. Depending on your carrier and where you’re going, that may mean adding an international plan, using an eSIM or local SIM card, or relying partly on Wi-Fi. It’s also smart to download anything you may need offline, like maps, reservation details, or important travel information, so you’re not completely dependent on having service.

Share Your Plans With Someone Back Home

Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone you trust, including where you’re staying, your flight details, and any major plans you already have booked. Check in periodically during the trip so someone back home has a general idea of where you are, especially on travel days or when you’re moving between cities. For me, my mom is literally the person who always knows every detail of my trip from beginning to end.

Don’t Spend the Whole Trip Being Afraid

Being aware of your surroundings matters, but fear doesn’t have to become the theme of your trip. Traveling alone gives you the freedom to move at your own pace, make your own decisions, try things that interest you, and experience a place in a completely different way. Take the photos, talk to people when it feels right, try something new, and let yourself enjoy the fact that you actually did something that once made you nervous.

I’m Glad I Went Anyway

Taking my first solo international trip pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a way I’m really grateful for now. I was nervous before I went, but I prepared as much as I could, trusted myself, and did it anyway. Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t let fear talk me out of something that had been on my bucket list for so long.

If you’re planning your first solo international trip, prepare well, stay aware, and give yourself the chance to enjoy the experience once you get there. And if you want to read more about what my first solo trip was actually like, you can check out my first solo travel experience.

Have you traveled solo before? What’s one thing you’d tell someone taking their first trip alone?

Sometimes the things that scare you a little are the same things you’ll be so glad you were brave enough to do.

Thanks for doing life with me,
— Lexi 🤍