How To Travel Alone Without Feeling Lonely

While it’s normal to feel pangs of loneliness while solo traveling, you don’t want the feeling to overshadow your trip entirely. With that in mind, therapists and seasoned solo travelers share their top tips to avoid feeling lonely while traveling.

1. Before Your Trip, Come Up With A Plan To Handle Your Loneliness

Some tactics, Bender says, that can be part of your plan include:

Bring some journaling prompts
Download your favorite podcasts or songs for a mood lift
Start a travel journal where you can collect mementos and photos

As part of your plan for preparation, create a plan for when you return home. Schedule an appointment with your therapist where you can share new revelations or insights that you gathered while on your trip.

2. Write Postcards While On Your Trip

Writing can be very therapeutic especially if you’re feeling lonely or dissociated, Bender says.

“When we write, it helps us feel present in our reality,” she says. “Try writing a letter or sending a postcard to a loved one while you’re on your trip. You can even send a note of gratitude to yourself so that you have something waiting for you in the mail to remind you of your experience.”

3. Consider Low-Energy And High-Energy Options To Address Feelings Of Loneliness

If you find yourself lonely on a trip, consider your energy level, and go over different high-energy and low-energy options you have, Bender recommends. This practice is applicable for daily life, but even more important when you’re traveling because it can be so tiring.

A high-energy option would be signing up for a group activity, such as a guided tour or a cooking class, she says. That is a structured way to introduce yourself to others while learning a new skill, and both can be healthy distractions or preventions for loneliness.

Medium shot of women learning how to make tortillas during traditional Mayan cooking class

People-watching is a low-energy thing you can do to feel less lonely while you travel, she says. Embrace that time to people-watch as a way to connect to the world and the people around you.

4. Look For Opportunities To Connect With Others

While traveling, look for activities where you can connect with other travelers or locals, Marshall suggests. For example, rather than going through the museum alone, join a tour guided experience.

“Connection is all around us, we just need to join in,” she says.

Some other ways to meet people organically while traveling solo is to go to local cafes, markets, community events and learn about their culture, says Reen B. Patel, a Licensed Educational Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Participate in group excursions like day trips and tours, she suggests.

5. Co-Work in A New Place

High angle view of business people taking break in office after meeting

Ahead of your travels, check out your LinkedIn to see if you have any connections in the destination that you’re traveling to, suggests Katya Varbanova, says CEO of Viral Marketing Stars. If you’re a digital nomad or traveling for bleisure (business plus leisure), rent a desk at a coworking space and meet some fellow travelers or locals. Another option is being a part of a member’s club like Soho House, she points out. The “Every House” membership unlocks access to the houses all around the world, including their amenities, like spas, screening rooms and events.

6. Book an Airbnb Experience

Musician Alissa Musto has taken dozens of solo trips over the past few years and recommends booking an Airbnb experience, which are hosted by locals and are popular among solo travelers who you can connect with over shared interests. These types of experience range from city tours to the ins and outs of beekeeping to learning the art of origami.

7. Volunteer With Other Travelers

Activists Working Together Making a Difference

Another idea? Give back to the place you’re visiting. The Hawaiian islands, for example, started the Mālama Hawai’i program to better connect tourists with Hawaiian land and culture.

“I’ve also found that volunteering is a great way to be part of a community for a day, and do something good with your time and talent,” Musto says. “I’ve met several interesting people from all over the world as a volunteer and they’re always happy to have additional help and meet new friends.”