How To Overcome Loneliness While Traveling Solo

May 31, 2022 by jordangassner

How To Overcome Loneliness

While Traveling Solo

Considering a solo trip, but scared you might feel lonely, sad or homesick? Well, you’re not alone. I used to be scared of that too. It wasn’t until Christmas 2017, the first Christmas after my dad passed away, that I finally decided to give solo travel a try.

I’m not really sure at what point I stopped being so scared of traveling alone and started preferring it over other ways of seeing the world, but I like to think that it was a number of things I did along the way. So if you’re thinking about a solo trip of your own, read on to see all my recommendations on How To Overcome Loneliness While Traveling Solo:

solo travel

Go On Tour

Jordan Gassner wearing a bright green floral midi dress and straw sunhat while walking up to the Temple of Nefertiri at Abu Simbel in Upper Egypt

Book a day tour, city walking tour, culinary tour – you name it. And best part? You can book ahead or sign up for one while on vacation. My favorite websites to search for individual day tours are Airbnb and Viator.

Jordan Gassner wearing an Indiana Jones inspired outfit while studying one of the Osiris statues that sit along the terrace of the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt

solo travel

Hold Out For A Hostel

‘Til the end of the night – It’s gotta be the perfect place to meet fellow travelers and make new friends. While it’s easy to assume hostels are only for budget travelers in their early 20s, that’s not always the case. And even if you find yourself surrounded by younger backpackers, it always makes for a fun story.

Even if sharing a room isn’t your style, many hostels offer private accommodations too! Just be sure to choose one that has a shared space and nightly guest activities if you’re looking to meet people.

Hostel Bed

solo travel

Book a Vacation Photography Session

Jordan Gassner twirling in a black dress in front of one of the fountains at Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy — Shot by Stas for Angle

If an organized tour isn’t quite your style, consider a vacation photography session instead. Every single photographer I’ve had the opportunity to work with while traveling has been fun, welcoming and collaborative – even when there’s a language barrier. Exploring with someone while doing something creative really just makes you feel like you’re exploring with an old friend, plus you’ll get some amazing souvenirs to boot!

TIPS ON HOW TO BOOK A VACATION PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner wearing a black floral short sleeve dress while leaning up against an old fountain and touching her hair, peering of into the distance, in front of the Pantheon in Rome, Italy — Shot by Stas for Angle

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner wearing a green floral dress and fighting the wind on top of a balcony in front of Vienna's Opera House in Austria — Shot by Natascha for Flytographer

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner wearing an explorer hat, indigo scarf, white button down and green midi skirt in front of the Sphinx in Giza, Egypt — Shot by Local Agency with Memphis Tours

solo travel

Bring A Book

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner reading Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile on one of the guest room balconies overlooking the Nile River at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt

Even with the most well-thought itinerary, chances are that you’re going to have some downtime. If you think you can only people watch at a sidewalk café in Paris for so long or you find small talk with the strangers in line next you at the Van Gogh Museum too intimidating, have a book handy! Not only will it help you feel less lonely, but it’s also a lot less awkward than pretending to be immersed in your phone to pass the time.

Even with the most well-thought itinerary, chances are that you’re going to have some downtime. If you think you can only people watch at a sidewalk café in Paris for so long or you find small talk with the strangers in line next you at the Van Gogh Museum too intimidating, have a book handy! Not only will it help you feel less lonely, but it’s also a lot less awkward than pretending to be immersed in your phone to pass the time.

An Art Deco designed cover of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile held up in front of one of the bedrooms at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt

SECRET TIP: Fully immerse yourself into your destination by bringing a book that takes place there. (In Aswan, Egypt, I loved reading Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile).

solo travel

Keep It Moving

Jordan Gassner standing and smiling on the historic main street of Durnstein, Austria

The loneliest times I’ve had while traveling solo have been those when I’ve slowed down. Say it’s eating in a restaurant with a whole booth to myself or sunbathing by the pool without a friend to talk to, those are the worst!

And while keeping things moving is definitely my personal solve in these moments of loneliness, I also encourage you to give it a try. Go peruse all the shops you pass and ask all the questions – even for items you would never buy. Challenge yourself to find 5 different people to go and give a genuine compliment to. Volunteer to take another traveler’s photo if you see them struggling. Ultimately, just get out there keep things moving, find those genuine human connections. You might surprise yourself.

solo travel

Don’t Pass the Bar

No, I’m not talking about the American law exam. Dining alone can make even the most independent traveler hyperaware of their own loneliness. Maybe it’s that you’re sitting in one spot for an extended time, maybe it’s the fact that restaurants never seem to have tables with just one seat…

In either case, the best way to combat this is to simply not pass (up) the bar. It’s where most solo guests tend to congregate and, if you’re looking for a conversation, it’s so much easier to start one with a server, bartender or other diners there.

solo travel

Have Fun

Once you get past the Hallmark sentiment behind this piece of advice, know that you’re the only one stopping yourself from having a great time. So go test out all the flavors at the Florence gelateria you’ve been wanting to try or venture to that way-too-out-of-the-way Belize waterfall that you saw on Instagram. This is your trip, travel with no regrets.

Jordan Gassner twirling in a turquoise dress and hunter green head scarf in the courtyard of the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan in Cairo, Egypt