Solo Flight: 20 Tips if You're Traveling Alone 

It’s certainly fun to travel with family, friends, or your SO. But if your family’s busy, your friends are fully booked, and you don’t have a special someone, traveling alone isn’t so bad. In fact, it could be one of the best things you’ll ever experience. 

Is it good to travel alone? It actually comes with a lot of benefits. 

You get to explore a place on your own terms. You develop new skills. You meet new friends. Ultimately, you get to know yourself better. 

If you’ve been mulling over a one-man trip, this is your sign to do it. But before you go, check out these helpful tips for traveling alone.  

Tips for Traveling Alone: What to Do Before Your Trip 

Before you book that flight or become part of a joiner group, you need to prepare first. Here are some things to take note of: 

📌 Choose Your Destination

Your destination will depend on your travel purpose. But the general rule is to pick a safe town or country, especially for women traveling alone. 

Here are some guidelines for choosing your destination:

• Number of vacation leaves – If your VLs are limited, a quick beach or mountain getaway over the weekend should suffice. 
• Your savings – A trip abroad will definitely cost more than a local vacay. But it’ll still depend on how you hunt for seat sales and deals. 
• Your type of adventure – If you like visiting new cities abroad, the likes of Singapore, Taipei, Seoul, and Tokyo are great choices. If golden sunsets and island hopping are what you’re after, our local islands are the best bets. Love temples? Check out Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. You get the drift.  

Once you choose a destination, research its attractions, language, traditions, and customs. That way, you’ll be able to draft your itinerary better. This shouldn’t be hard since the internet has a wealth of travel blogs and vlogs dispensing advice. 

📌 Get Travel Insurance 

Whether it’s your first time traveling alone or you’re already a veteran, you know too well that the road you’re taking is paved with risks and inconveniences. Lost luggage, delayed flights, accidents, and illnesses are just among the things you may just experience. 

Protect yourself financially from such worries by getting travel insurance. Moneymax’s comparison tool lists the country’s top insurers and each policy’s features. 

Compare some of your options below. Once you’ve taken your pick, you can apply right away:

Provider	Starting Premium for a 4-Day Trip	Coverage	Features
OONA Insurance	₱299	Up to ₱5 million coverage in medical, hospitalization, and travel inconveniences	24/7 worldwide protection and assistance services Car rental excess protection Cashless medical assistance
PGAI Travel Shield Insurance	₱361	Up to ₱2.5 million coverage in medical and emergency expenses benefit	24-hour worldwide assistance Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation  Cashless settlements of claims up to the policy limit
PGA SOMPO TravelJOY Plus	₱463	Up to ₱2.5 million coverage in medical expenses	Covers infants and adults up to 75 years old (up to 99 for Schengen countries) 24/7 hotline assistance and mobile support Loss of money and travel document cover Cashless benefits in case of emergency treatment or hospitalization

Learn more about travel insurance by clicking the banner below:

📌 Check the Requirements 

Local trips don’t usually have strict requirements. But if you’re flying internationally, you need to check the documents you need to bring. 

Don’t forget the following: 

• Your passport (with at least six months validity)
• Visa 
• Confirmed roundtrip flight tickets 
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of employment (COE) or financial capacity (bank certificate or statement) just to be sure

See to it that the details in your travel documents are accurate and consistent. That way, you’ll avoid being questioned by the authorities. 

While you’re at it, make copies of your documents, especially the passport. Once you’re at your destination, just bring the copies with you and keep the originals in your hotel safe. 

Read more: Prepare These Requirements for Travel Abroad Before You Fly Out

📌 Draft Your Itinerary 

Creating a travel itinerary requires a lot of legwork. You need to plan everything to maximize your time and reduce travel hassles. 

Here are the details you need to cover: 

• Addresses of tourist spots – Take into account the mode of transportation to reach your destinations. Likewise, check train and bus schedules, fares, and commute times. 
• Schedule – Your schedule will depend on the number of destinations you’ll visit. Just make sure you have enough time to rest. 
• Expenses – List down all the activities you’re planning to do and the corresponding expenses. After drafting the itinerary, the sum of all the expenses should give you an idea of how much you should bring for this trip. 

📌 Book Your Travel Essentials 

Avoid any hassles in your destination by getting your travel essentials beforehand. These include attraction tickets, pocket Wi-Fi or SIM card, bus or train tickets, and transfer services. This will help you save time and keep stress at bay. 

Thankfully, online platforms like Klook and KKday give you access to different vendors. You may even enjoy big discounts. 

Your travel agency, should you decide to avail of the services of one, may also help you book these trip essentials. 

📌 Bring a Credit Card

If it’s your first time traveling alone, you may have the impression that cash, debit cards, and digital wallets are enough for making purchases. However, a credit card offers a few benefits. 

For one, your credit card can serve as your backup if you run out of cash. You can either use it to pay for your purchases or get a cash advance. 

Plus, a credit card makes spending rewarding. Depending on your card, your purchases abroad may earn rewards or even qualify for exclusive discounts. 

Compare the best credit cards for traveling below:

Credit Card	Travel Benefits
UnionBank Rewards Card	3x non-expiring rewards points when you shop and dine here and abroad Worldwide acceptance Rewards at participating restaurants, shopping outlets, and leisure establishments nationwide
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend Points redeemable for air miles
Metrobank World Mastercard®	2x rewards points for international purchases Exclusive access to airport deals
HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate	5% rebate on travel and shopping transactions Free travel accident and travel inconvenience coverage Exclusive deals at shopping, travel, dining, and health and beauty merchants worldwide
Security Bank Platinum Mastercard	Dual currency billing 2 complimentary lounge access annually in more than 1,300 lounges in 500 airports worldwide Unlimited access to A Lounge, Marhaba Lounge,  and PAGSS Lounge Up to US$200 coverage with Mastercard E-Commerce Purchase Protection  Free travel insurance
Security Bank World Mastercard	6 complimentary lounge access annually in more than 1,300 lounges in 500 airports worldwide Free travel medical insurance worth up to US$100,000 with COVID-19 coverage Exclusive automatic cashback offers from participating stores overseas
BPI Platinum Rewards Card	2 BPI Points for every spend on foreign transactions abroad or online worth ₱20 Low forex conversion rate of just 1.85% Up to ₱10 million in travel insurance coverage 0% interest on airline installment all year round Up to 4 free lounge access annually to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
BPI Signature Card	2 BPI Points for every ₱20 spend Complimentary lounge access to PAGGS at NAIA 1 and NAIA 3 Preferential exchange rates on foreign currencies 24/7 worldwide concierge by Visa

📌 Plan Your Wardrobe 

Now that your flights, accommodation, and other travel essentials have been booked, it’s time to plan your ‘fits. Your OOTDs will mainly depend on the weather and temperature in your destination. 

If your destination is in the tropics, wear lightweight fabrics, such as cotton and linen. Wear shorts, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring aqua shoes for water activities. 

In case you’re visiting another country during fall or winter, a cozy coat is a must-bring. Include thermal shirts,^[1] sweatshirts, boots, scarves, gloves, and even earmuffs. 

It also helps to look up the weather for a specific day, so you can make the necessary adjustments. 

Read more: Travel Packing List: Clothing, Toiletries, and Other Essential

Tips for Traveling Alone: What to Do During Your Trip 

You’ve reached your destination. Now what? Make your solo trip safer and more immersive with these tips. 

📌 Adjust Your Itinerary 

How to travel alone minus the stress? Don’t follow your itinerary religiously. 

An inflexible itinerary may make you anxious, especially if you feel like you’re not on track. Instead, give yourself some leeway. 

Tired from the night before? Wake up late. Want to stay longer in a destination? Do it. Want to explore a local recommendation? Visit it. In a nutshell, be spontaneous. 

More importantly, don’t feel guilty when you’re resting instead of moving around. After all, vacations are supposed to relax and rejuvenate you. 

📌 Visit Places Frequented by Locals

One of the best ways to explore a destination is to take a look at the lives of the locals. So instead of dining at tourist-laden restaurants, visit the market or mom-and-pop shops. Alternatively, you may visit the local grocery or mall. 

When you have a lot of downtime, sit at a park where locals relax. Watch them go about their day and consider talking to them. 

📌 Use Your Maps App

Navigating places these days is easier with a maps app. Whether you’re driving or walking, your online map will provide recommendations on the best routes to take. If you’re in a country where trains are the main public transportation, check your app for the schedule to avoid missing the train. 

📌 Join Tours and Classes

How to travel alone if you want to be social? One of the easiest ways is to join tours and classes.

A guided tour is the best option for those who don’t have time to plan their trip. It’s also convenient since transportation, meals, and the tour guide are usually part of the package. Tours also let you meet people from different walks of life. 

Joining classes, on the other hand, can give you new skills. Some workshops may focus on the following: pottery, cooking, and wine tasting, among others. 

Read more: On a Budget? Travel Tips and Hacks to Try for a More Meaningful Trip

📌 Listen to Your Tour Guide 

Remember, you don’t have a travel buddy who will keep you from doing something risky and even embarrassing. In case you’ve booked a tour package, listen to your tour guide. 

If your guide tells you not to swim far from the shore, listen. If your guide advises you not to enter the restricted section of a temple, listen. Spare yourself the danger and awkwardness. 

📌 Meet New People, But Be Careful 

Meeting new people can broaden your perspective in life. Throughout your trip, you may meet friendly locals, students, corporate executives, backpackers, digital nomads, and more. 

It’s okay to make friends, but be careful. Don’t invite new acquaintances to your hotel or reveal too much information about yourself. 

Conversely, don’t be too friendly that you make the other party uncomfortable. Be a good listener and don’t monopolize the conversation. 

📌 Stay Low-Key 

This is something you must do if you’re staying in a destination for quite some time. Standing out may put you in a vulnerable position. 

So how do you blend in? Learn a few local phrases. Stay away from clothes and accessories that make you look like a tourist. 

In this regard, you may want to keep your camera in your bag instead of hanging it around your neck. And if the locals dress modestly, you may need to follow suit. 

📌 Don’t Let Your Guard Down When in Public

When you’re out and about, always keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t keep your money in one wallet. Instead, put some in a wallet you keep in your pocket and some in another wallet you keep in your bag. 

Experienced travelers recommend using cross-body bags instead of totes and handbags since snatchers won’t be able to grab them. Always make sure that your bag is properly zipped up. 

📌 Make Sure Your Room is Secure 

Women traveling alone can use a tip or two on how to keep their hotel room secure. Nevertheless, the following applies to travelers of all genders: 

• Use a door jammer when you’re sleeping or showering. While your hotel may have security personnel, some individuals may have copies of keys they can use to access your room. 
• Place a door alarm to alert you in case an intruder tries to enter your room. You can find one on Lazada^[2] at an affordable price. 
• Before sleeping, make sure your door and windows are locked. 
• Don’t share the address of your hotel with strangers or acquaintances you meet during your trip.

📌 Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi 

Free Wi-Fi is a godsend, especially if you’re working while you’re on the go. But think twice about using them if you’re accessing banking apps and websites that contain sensitive information. Some hackers use public Wi-Fi to steal sensitive data.^[3] 

As such, you’re better off using your own mobile service.

📌 Know How Scams Work 

Popular tourist destinations tend to attract scammers and even overcharging vendors. Be aware of the local modus operandi to avoid becoming a victim. 

For instance, always make sure that your taxi turns on the meter. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying a lot. 

When it comes to vehicle rental scams involving motorcycles and jet skis, you may be accused of damaging the rented unit and forced to pay more. Some of these scammers even require passports before renting out the unit. Then they use the passports as collateral. 

Some concerned locals may give you tips on how to spot scammers from a mile away. Listen to their advice and always be on guard. You may also save the phone numbers of the local hospital and the police station. 

📌 Always Update Your Family and Friends 

Since you’re traveling alone, you don’t have someone you can rely on. Always inform your family and friends of your whereabouts and activities. Better yet, send them pictures and videos. 

📌 Trust Your Gut 

There may come a few instances where your mind will tell you to leave the place. If this thought is persistent, listen to it. You may feel like you’re being paranoid, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Related: Be a Wiser Traveler: Learn the Air Passenger Bill of Rights

Final Thoughts 

Traveling alone may be scary, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. You may also get caught in awkward situations, but it’s all right. On your second or third solo trip, you’ll get the hang of it. 

Aside from these tips for traveling alone, seek advice from those who’ve gone on solo trips. They can share words of wisdom that will help you plan your journey. 

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Sources: 

• ^[1] The Best Thermal Underwear, Tried And Tested To Keep You Warm (Forbes, 2024)
• ^[2] Door Alarm on Lazada
• ^[3] Five Ways Hackers Can Steal Your Data on Public Wi-Fi (TechRadar, 2023)