The golden rules of solo travel

The joys of travelling solo are endless. There is something truly freeing about exploring new places alone – you can go where you please, eat when you want, and have uninterrupted quality time with yourself. The interest in solo travel has been slowly rising for a while, but new data from UK-based travel organisation ABTA shows that 16 per cent of travellers went on holiday by themselves in 2023, a five per cent increase from the previous 12-month period. Plus, there is a huge increase in solo travel from “those aged 35-44, where solo traveller numbers more than doubled to 13 per cent in 2023 from just 6 per cent in 2022.”

Alongside this shift is a need for deeper, slower, more connective travel. For many, solo travel is the perfect way to achieve this – it provides an opportunity to trust your instinct, go with your gut and get lost in the experience. You rely on yourself rather than on others’ whims or desires.

But, if you’re not a seasoned solo traveller, it can be a daunting prospect. In an age of constant connectivity, the idea of being alone for an extended period of time is a convoluted one. Below, we spoke to travellers who frequently book solo trips about their golden rules for travelling alone.

Dining alone isn’t weird

For most people, the thought of dining alone is one of the biggest barriers to travelling solo. But once you get past the conviction that everyone is noticing or judging you, it’s a totally freeing experience. “Dining alone isn’t as uncommon as you might imagine,” says Estée Lalonde, a creative director and influencer with a passion for solo travel. “I personally find it empowering! Sometimes I bring a book with me or watch an episode of my favourite show on Netflix with my headphones on, but other times I just enjoy the atmosphere and end up chatting to the people at the table next to me.”

Fake it til you make it

Most people feel nervous about meeting new people, and introverts especially can struggle to make the first move when arriving in a new place. But remember that everyone is in the same boat, and most solo travellers will have experienced those same emotions. The first five seconds are the hardest, but once you’ve introduced yourself, you’ll quickly realise it wasn’t as big a deal as you originally thought. You’d kick yourself if you let a bit of shyness ruin your trip, so use that as the motivation you need to approach a fellow traveller. And remember, if you pretend to feel confident, that will show – fake it til you make it is a reliable life rule to follow.

Book counter dining at restaurants

If you are someone who does feel uncomfortable about dining alone, opt for a bar or counter seat. It’s much less intimidating than having a whole table to yourself, and you are more likely to end up chatting to the staff or the person sitting next to you. “The first time I went out for a meal alone, I went to JG Melon on the Upper East Side of New York City,” Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveller’s deputy digital editor, says. “I took a book, and nervously shuffled onto a bar stool for my burger – but ended up chatting away to the charming bartender and the women sat next to me. Now I often opt for a counter seat when eating alone, and no longer take a book with me. Either I end up talking to someone or just enjoy the peace. A general rule I live by – we’re all so wrapped up in our own lives, no one is paying much attention to other people.”