I got my first taste of flying solo when I was 17. My friends had already left for a spring break trip, but I had an obligation that meant I couldn’t leave the same day. So I did what felt incredibly brave at the time: I got on a plane by myself to meet them a couple of days later.

I felt so grown-up navigating the airport on my own, even though I did have to ask a kind fellow traveler to keep me from falling asleep and missing my layover connection in Cincinnati. (Spoiler: I made the flight!)

While I eventually met up with friends, what really stuck with me was that first little taste of independence. I liked solving problems. I liked making decisions to go somewhere, even if no one else was coming with me. I liked not waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect travel companion. I liked making life happen on my own terms.

Since then, I’ve taken off on solo trips for work, for fun, and sometimes just because I felt like going. I know solo travel isn’t for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend it if it feels unsafe or genuinely stressful to you. But if you’re feeling the itch to go, and your only hesitation is “what if I have to eat dinner alone?”, I think it’s worth giving it a shot.

And to help you weigh your options, here are my honest takes on the pros and cons of solo travel.

Pros of Solo Travel

Total Flexibility

You can do what you want, when you want. That’s it. That’s the pro.

Fine, fine, here’s more detail. You’re in charge of the schedule, the snacks, and the soundtrack. If you feel like leaving a museum halfway through, you can. If you want to sleep in, no one’s tapping their foot. If you’d rather spend the day wandering between bookstores and bagel shops instead of “doing the sights,” that’s the day. No compromise, no negotiation, no “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” loops. Just following your own interests.

Nimble Logistics

Traveling solo makes everything easier. Packing light? No one sees you rewearing the same outfit. Restaurant waits? I once skipped to the front of a mile-long line at a ramen spot just because they had one solo seat open. Changing plans on the fly? I’ve pivoted full afternoons because I was tired, curious, or hungry. Things tend to move a little faster if you want them to.

Personal Growth

I’ve learned a lot about myself by traveling alone. Like:

• How to ask strangers for recommendations
• How to laugh when I realized I forgot to check the operating hours…again
• How to stop being embarrassed about checking Google Maps and turning around mid-sidewalk when I walk several blocks in the wrong direction

Solo travel made me more confident, more adaptable, and honestly, a little better at being alone with my own thoughts.

Deeper Local Engagment

When you travel with a buddy, you mostly talk to…your buddy. When you’re alone, you’re more likely to chat with locals, ask for recommendations, or pick up a conversation at a coffee shop or bar. I’ve had some of my best travel tips come from casual conversations with baristas, bookstore clerks, or fellow solo diners.

No Social Performance

No small talk. No pretending you’re not hungry when you are hungry. No saying “I’m fine” when you’re absolutely not. Solo travel means zero people-pleasing, and sometimes, that’s the real vacation.

Cons of Solo Travel

Lack of Shared Experiences

It can be a little sad to take in a beautiful view and only have your inner monologue to share it with. “Wow, self. That’s stunning.” “I agree, self. Let’s remember this forever.”

You don’t get to debrief in the moment or reminisce afterward with someone who was there. Sometimes, you just wish someone else was around to say, “Hey, remember that?”

Safety Concerns

Being alone means you’re extra responsible for your own well-being. From walking at night to handling minor emergencies, it can feel more vulnerable when there’s no one else looking out for you. That said, I believe in practicing smart safety habits no matter how many people you’re with. Just know that awareness and preparation are especially important when you’re solo.

Planning Fatigue

All the decisions (where to eat, how to get there, what to do next) fall on you. It’s like being your own personal assistant, travel agent, and life coach all at once. After a few days of nonstop decision-making, your brain starts sending “I’m officially tapped out” signals. Even when it’s fun, it can wear you out.

It Can Be More Expensive

There’s no one to split the hotel room with, no partner-in-crime for a shared Uber, and definitely no “let’s split the appetizer and entree” to save a few bucks. By day three, your wallet might start sliding you passive-aggressive texts like, “Really? Another artisanal coffee?” Yes, wallet, let me drink my latte in peace.

Occasional Loneliness

Even introverts can feel a little isolated on solo trips, especially if you accidentally pick a spot where you’re surrounded by couples on a romantic weekend getaway like I did once. Lonely? Yes, a little. Awkward? Oh, most definitely. But it taught me how to sit with that feeling, and how to work through it without letting it ruin the trip.

Final Thoughts

Solo travel isn’t better or worse. It’s just different. And sometimes, different is exactly what you need.

If you’re even a little curious about traveling alone, I recommend starting small: a weekend getaway, a short road trip, or tacking a solo day onto a work trip. You don’t have to commit to solo travel forever. Try it once, and see what you learn about yourself.

And hey, if you’ve already taken a solo trip (or are thinking about one), let’s swap stories. Drop a comment about your own pros and cons below.