Solo Travel Anxiety? How to Overcome the Fear of Traveling Alone

Solo travel anxiety is real. So let's talk about it.

If the idea of traveling solo makes you anxious, please know you are NOT alone. For many first-time solo travelers, the thought of exploring a new destination without a familiar face around brings up serious anxiety. We all battle those little intrusive thoughts about what could happen when we travel solo: worry about safety, fear of the unknown, or simply feeling lonely. These emotions are valid, but they don't have to hold you back.

The truth is, traveling alone can be one of the most empowering and transformative experiences of your life. It surely has been for me! It gives you the freedom to move at your own pace, immerse yourself fully in new cultures, and rediscover who you are outside of your comfort zone. But transitioning into that confident traveler who's comfortable exploring the world on her own takes a little practice. Solo travel anxiety is real, but it’s absolutely possible to manage and overcome it with the right mindset and preparation.

If you're scared to travel alone but still feel the wanderlust tug, this guide will walk you through practical, encouraging steps to help you move from fear to freedom.

 

 

Start Small: Build Confidence Close to Home

If the thought of hopping on a long-haul flight alone makes your palms sweat, a weekend getaway may be a more comfortable place to start. A solo trip to a nearby city or even a staycation is a low-stakes way to ease into solo traveling. You’ll get to practice booking accommodations, finding local spots, and navigating unfamiliar areas, without dealing with the overwhelm of a major international trip.

When I was first getting comfortable with solo travel, I took myself out on dates around the city. Don't underestimate the practice of dining solo or watching a movie alone. These small acts can lead to big confidence boosts that help you feel more comfortable with the idea of traveling solo.

These small trips and outings also come with fewer unknowns: you're less likely to face language barriers or intense culture shock, which helps reduce solo travel anxiety and allows you to focus on simply enjoying yourself.

 

Plan Ahead to Ease Your Mind

Planning ahead is one of the most effective ways to calm the fear of traveling alone. A solid plan can take away a lot of the uncertainty that triggers solo travel anxiety. Start with the basics—know where you’re staying, how you’ll get there, and how you plan to get around.

It's good practice to always research the destination in advance, bookmarking key locations like the U.S. embassy and your hotel. Also making the effort to save digital and physical copies of important documents (aka your passport!) so you're ready for anything that may come your way. This kind of preparation may sound rigid, but it actually gives you more freedom to enjoy your travels with less stress. You’ll have time to be present and explore instead of scrambling for logistics on the go.

Planning also helps reduce the fear of being caught off guard. When you're well-prepared, you're more likely to feel in control, and confidence is the key to overcoming solo travel anxiety. If you’re not sure where to start, my curated travel guides do the heavy lifting for you with handpicked stays, local gems, safety tips, and budget-friendly finds tailored for any solo traveler.

  

Choose Solo-Friendly Destinations for Beginners

Not all destinations are created equal when it comes to first-time solo travel. Some places are just easier to navigate, safer for solo female travelers, or more welcoming to foreigners. The key is to look for countries with strong tourism infrastructure, walkable cities, and good public transport.

Destinations like Lisbon, Bali, and Curaçao are some of my favorites and popular amongst Black solo travelers for a reason. They’re beautiful, budget-friendly, and offer countless opportunities to cross paths with other solo travelers, helping ease the fear of being completely alone.

Starting with a solo travel-friendly location gives you a smoother experience while helping you build your confidence for more adventurous trips down the road.

 

Lisbon, Portugal is a solo-friendly destination I'd recommend any traveler to give a try.

 

Use Technology to Stay Safe and Connected

One of the easiest ways to ease solo travel anxiety is by using technology to stay connected. Honestly, these days, we’re never really alone. Not with apps that allow us to share our location, check in with loved ones, and stay in touch from anywhere in the world.

Before setting out on your solo adventure, send your itinerary to someone you trust and consider sharing your location with them. Doing this while traveling solo offers peace of mind for you, while helping your loved ones feel more at ease too.

During your trip, apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and even Instagram can help you stay socially connected while being physically solo. A quick video call or voice message can be comforting in moments of loneliness or offer a much-need emotional boost. Some of my favorite heart-to-hearts have happened while sitting in cafés across the world, updating friends and family about my latest adventure.

Staying connected while traveling alone won’t take away your independence. It will actually help you feel more supported and confident along the way.

 

Join Local Tours or Group Activities

Traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone the whole time. Group activities like walking tours, cooking classes, or day trips are great for solo travelers. And honestly, theey're one of my favorite ways to meet new people.

These experiences offer structure, local insight, and a chance to connect with other travelers, all without the pressure of finding a full-time travel buddy. It’s the ideal balance between independence and community.

Putting yourself out there might feel intimidating at first, but you never know who you’ll meet. Being open to shared experiences not only builds your confidence—it also adds depth to your trip through cultural exchange, conversation, and spontaneous friendships.

 

Quick selfie with the world's tallest Virgin Mary on a group tour I joined while traveling solo in Ecuador.

 

Create a Flexible Itinerary

You don’t need to plan out every single moment of your solo trip, but having a loose structure in place can go a long way in easing the fear of traveling alone. A flexible itinerary creates a helpful rhythm to your day without making your trip feel overly rigid or stressful.

When I travel solo, I like to plan one or two “anchor” activities each day. Things like doing a guided tour, visiting an iconic landmark, or checking out a cool café I’ve seen on social media. This gives me something to look forward to and keeps me grounded, while still leaving room for spontaneous moments that often end up being the highlight of the trip.

Flexible planning also helps reduce decision fatigue, which can be especially draining when you’re navigating a new place by yourself. Without a general plan, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next, which only fuels solo travel anxiety.

Some days, you’ll feel adventurous and social. Other days, you might crave rest or a slower pace—and that’s okay. All of my Wander Box travel guides are built with this balance in mind. They’re curated to help you create a flexible solo travel itinerary that blends thoughtful planning with room for freedom, so you can enjoy the adventure without feeling overwhelmed.

 

Talk to Other Solo Travelers Online

Another way to ease solo travel fear is to start building your support system before you even leave home. Connecting with other solo travelers online can provide both encouragement and practical advice, especially if you’re feeling anxious about going alone for the first time.

There are several online spaces where solo travelers gather and share their experiences. Niche travel apps, Reddit threads, and Facebook communities like the Black Girl Solo Travels are filled with stories, tips, and real experiences from other solo travelers who have been there. Reading about their journeys and challenges helps normalize the nerves and gives you a better idea of what to expect on your own adventure.

Online spaces aren’t just about tips and travel hacks though. They’re a place to find genuine connection. I’ve met people in group chats who later became real-life travel buddies! Even if you don’t end up meeting in person, having someone to message when you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed can be incredibly grounding.

Virtual support gives you a sense of belonging that makes all the difference when you're navigating a new place solo. The more you immerse yourself in these types of communities, the more you’ll start to see yourself as someone who belongs in that world, too.

 

From Facebook groups to real life! Another solo traveler and I quickly became friends and traveled to Morocco together after connecting online.

 

Embrace Discomfort as Part of Growth

While solo travel is an incredible opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery, that means it isn't always glamorous. It's possible that you'll get lost, feel awkward at times, or have to solve problems on your own. But that's good news because it's how the real growth happens!

When we embrace discomfort, we open ourselves up to new learning opportunities. You might get flustered trying to order food in a different language or feel silly after hopping on a bus going 40 minutes in the wrong direction (true story 🥹) but in the end, you will overcome whatever the obstacle is and the experience will teach you things no book ever could: how to become more resourceful and self-aware.

Don’t expect perfection. Embrace the messiness. It’s all part of becoming the confident, fearless solo female traveler you’re meant to be.

 

Celebrate Your Wins After Every Trip

No matter the distance or duration, completing your first solo trip is a big deal...and you deserve to celebrate it, sis! 

Whether it was a weekend road trip or a two-week journey across the globe, you faced the fear of traveling alone and came out stronger, braver, and more capable than before. Solo travel takes courage. From booking that first ticket to navigating a new place without a familiar face, every step is worth acknowledging.

Taking time to reflect on what you accomplished reinforces just how far you’ve come, both geographically and personally. After each trip, I like to journal a few things I learned or moments that surprised me. I also go back through my photos and note the ones that capture not just the places I visited, but how I felt in the moment: curious, proud, peaceful.

Celebrating your wins builds momentum for your next adventure. It boosts your confidence and helps you show up with even more clarity and self-trust the next time you step out on your own. Solo travel isn’t only about the destinations you visit. It’s about the version of you that emerges each time you say yes to the unknown.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Solo travel fear is real, but it doesn’t have to control your story. With a bit of planning, connection, and courage, you can turn fear into freedom. And once you do, the world opens up in ways you never imagined.

If you're ready to make solo travel feel less intimidating and a lot more doable, take a look at my curated Wander Box travel guides. Each one is filled with solo traveler tips, destination insights, and resources I wish I'd had on my first trip—designed to help you explore the world with ease and confidence.