The Pros and Cons of Travelling Solo

Travelling solo is an experience everyone should try at least once. Exploring the world on your own can boost your confidence, push you outside your comfort zone, and help you realise just how capable you are. At the same time, solo travel isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay.

If you’ve ever thought about travelling alone but weren’t sure whether it’s right for you, this post is here to help. Based on my personal experience, I’m breaking down three pros and three cons of travelling solo, so you can decide for yourself whether solo travel suits your personality, travel style, and expectations.

Let’s dive right into it starting from the good part…

Pros of travelling solo

1. Freedom and flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of travelling solo is complete freedom. There’s no one to compromise with, no debates about what to see or where to go, and no need to adjust your plans to someone else’s mood or energy levels. You decide how your day looks, where you go next, and when it’s time to move on — and that feeling is incredibly liberating. On top of that, it saves a surprising amount of time, as you’re not constantly negotiating plans or waiting around.

2. Personal growth and confidence

Travelling alone pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best possible way. When you’re by yourself, you often become more approachable, and people are more likely to start conversations with you. Joining tours as a solo traveler can be especially rewarding — you tend to engage more, ask questions, and connect with guides and fellow travelers more naturally. Over time, solo travel helps you build confidence, trust your instincts, and learn how to read situations and people better, which is an invaluable life skill.

3. You get to see and so more

When you travel alone, you move at your own pace. There’s no one slowing you down because they’re tired, not in the mood, or not interested in the same things as you. You can walk longer, explore more, and make spontaneous decisions without overthinking them. Without the need to constantly plan around someone else, you often end up seeing more, doing more, and fully immersing yourself in the experiences that matter most to you.

As everything in life unfortunately even solo travelling has its bad parts...

Cons of travelling solo

1. It can feel too quiet for some people

Unless you make friends straight away, solo travel can feel a little too peaceful at times. You might go hours or even days without having proper conversations, especially if you’re not naturally outgoing or staying in social accommodations. For some people, this quiet can be relaxing — but for others, it can feel lonely and take some getting used to.

2. Some extra costs

One downside of travelling solo is that certain costs tend to be higher. Accommodation is a big one — when travelling with friends, you can split the cost of hotels, rental cars, taxis, or Ubers, whereas solo travelers often pay the full price. If you prefer private rooms over hostel dorms, this can add up quickly.

That said, affordable options still exist. In many destinations, you can find decent accommodation for around €25 per night, although some cities are simply more expensive than others. Car rental is often the biggest extra cost when travelling solo. While public transport can work in some places, in others a car is almost essential. I experienced this firsthand during my solo trip to the Algarve in autumn — getting around without a rental car during the low season would have been extremely limiting. Having a car gave me the freedom I needed to explore properly.

3. Stress and anxiety can be higher

Travelling solo means every decision is on you — from planning and navigation to dealing with unexpected situations. If you already struggle with anxiety, this can sometimes feel overwhelming. Even though I’m used to planning trips and solving problems on the road, I still experience moments of stress when travelling alone.

During my solo trip to the Algarve, for example, I wasn’t feeling 100% well at one point, and being alone with a rental car made me feel a bit uneasy. However, once I pushed past that initial fear, I was able to enjoy my time in Portugal to the fullest. Solo travel often requires you to face your fears head-on — and that’s exactly how confidence is built.

One thing that doesn’t fit into pros or cons: taking photos

These are the three main pros and cons that come to mind when it comes to solo travel. However, there’s one slightly annoying aspect that doesn’t quite fit into either category: taking photos of yourself while travelling alone.

As you may have noticed, many of the photos on this blog are currently selfies. I still haven’t fully mastered the art of taking photos of myself in cities. You might be wondering why I don’t just use a tripod — and while that’s a great solution in theory, I’ve heard too many stories of solo travelers having their tripods stolen while taking photos. That alone has put me off using one in busy urban areas.

Things are different in remote locations, of course. When there’s no one around, a tripod, a remote control, or even my drone works perfectly. I’ll let you decide — should taking photos alone be added to the cons of solo travelling? 😁

Solo female traveller?

If you’re planning your first solo trip as a woman, check out my dedicated post where I share my top 5 tips for female solo travelers, based on my own experiences in here!