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The Ultimate Guide to Solo Traveling for Introverts
For some reason, traveling with someone always makes me feel as though it’s my responsibility to entertain them. If they start yawning or look bored, I immediately blame myself for not being interesting enough, for not keeping the conversation going.
Then, I start worrying that they regret choosing me as a travel companion. That feeling drags me down, and I retreat further into my shell, hating myself for being that way. By the end of the trip, neither of us is really enjoying ourselves. At least, I certainly am not.
So, when I first realized that solo travel was a thing, I was elated. To be honest, I don’t get it when people think traveling solo is more difficult if you’re an introvert. I think solo travel was made for introverts.
It’s a no-brainer, really. When I travel solo, I get to be on my own whenever I want. I don’t have to talk if I don’t feel like it. I don’t have to disappoint anyone for wanting to go somewhere without them.
Basically, I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without the pressure to please anyone.
What’s not to love?
So, if you’re an introvert who’s having doubts about traveling solo because of your personality, my advice is:
Yes! Embrace your introverted nature, your love for peace and quiet, and your need for solitude.
For years, extroversion was seen as the ideal. Teachers constantly told kids to speak up, participate in group activities, and ask more questions.
But now, thanks to books like Quiet by Susan Cain, and Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe, people are beginning to see introversion for what it is: not a flaw, just a different way of interacting with the world.
Some people feel energized by social interaction; others simply feel drained by it. Both types come with their own strengths and weaknesses.
But when it comes to solo travel, I think we’re at an advantage.
Most people worry about getting bored or lonely when traveling alone. To them, long flights or bus rides sound daunting when they don’t have anyone to talk to.
But for introverts like me (and if you’re reading this, I guess, you too), none of these are a problem. I have always loved my own company. In fact, I feel lonelier in a group than when I’m on my own.
That doesn’t mean I avoid all social interactions. I do enjoy occasionally connecting with locals and fellow travelers. They make my trips more meaningful. But the beauty of solo travel is that I get to do it on my own terms.
Venture out of your comfort zone (gently)
The fact that you’re willing to travel alone already shows you’re open to pushing your boundaries.
While I’m all for embracing your true selves and doing what feels right for you, I also encourage gently stepping out of your comfort zones from time to time. And I’d say this to everyone, regardless of their personality types.
Why? Because growth happens outside the familiar. When you stay in your comfort zone, your brain doesn’t get to rewire itself to become stronger and more adaptable to change.
Travel, at its best, is a character-building experience — an opportunity to try something new and see ourselves in unfamiliar situations. For introverts, this might mean striking up a conversation with someone you’ve just met, or saying yes to a shared activity.
With billions of people in the world, the chances of meeting someone on your wavelength are actually pretty high. You might even make lifelong friends or meet someone who changes your life for the better.
Start slow
If you struggle with social anxieties like I do, don’t overwhelm yourself in the beginning. You don’t have to dive in headfirst. You don’t have to stay in a party hostel or approach a group of strangers on your first day of solo travel.
Start small: make eye contact, smile, or chat with someone whose role already includes interacting with travelers, such as hotel receptionists, waiters, and shopkeepers. They are trained to be friendly, so these interactions are low-pressure ways to practice socializing.
When you feel ready, connecting with other travelers becomes easier than it sounds. Simple questions like where they’re from, how long they’ve been traveling, and where they’re headed next are usually enough to open a conversation.
Master the art of dining alone
I’ve always enjoyed eating alone. To me, a meal can be a quiet pause, a chance to read, think, or simply exist without conversation.
It wasn’t until I met other solo travelers that I realized how uncomfortable dining alone can feel for some people. If that’s you, start with casual places: cafés, street food, small diners.
Sitting near the bar or counter can make things feel less isolating, and it’s often easier to interact with staff if you feel like it.
And if you don’t? That’s fine too. There’s nothing strange about enjoying a meal in your own company.
Remember that they don't know you!
One of the underrated joys of traveling solo is anonymity. The people you meet don’t know who you’re “supposed” to be.
At home, I often hold myself back, worried about how others might perceive me if I act out of character. On the road, that pressure fades. If you start a conversation, tell a joke, or act more confidently than usual, no one questions it. They simply accept it.
And if you say something awkward or a joke falls flat, it helps to remember that you’ll likely never cross paths with these people again. That freedom can be incredibly empowering.
Have your "me" time
As an introvert, alone time isn’t optional. It’s how you recharge and stay sane. After a full day of stimulation, it’s normal to want to retreat. Listen to that instinct.
Give yourself permission to slow down. Take a private room if you need it. Spend a day reading, journaling, wandering a park, or sitting quietly in a museum. Travel doesn’t need to be super productive to be meaningful.
Don't be afraid to speak up
Most people I’ve met while traveling solo have been kind. Still, there have been moments when someone crossed a boundary or made me uncomfortable.
Being quiet or reserved can sometimes make others assume you won’t push back. Earlier in my travels, I worried too much about being polite. Over time, I learned that your comfort and safety matters more than sparing someone else’s feelings.
If something feels off, trust that instinct. Say no clearly and without over-explaining. You don’t owe anyone your time or an explanation. Being introverted doesn’t mean being passive. You can be quiet and still be firm.
Final thoughts
Despite what people often assume, introverts make excellent solo travelers — in our own special way. If extroverts enjoy their travels by engaging with the people they meet, we enjoy ours by silently observing and absorbing all the world has to offer.
So, if you’ve been telling yourself that you shouldn’t travel because you’re shy or socially awkward, you need to stop. Right now. Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear. It means choosing not to let fear dictate your life.
You don’t need to change who you are to see the world. You just need to trust that who you are is already enough.
Are you an introvert? What do you think is the worst obstacle when traveling solo as an introvert? Comment below.
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OK, for a long while I didnt really know what an introvert was or why people would keep saying that they are one, but you explained it well for me. So I understand. And now I can see why this solo guide to travel was written. The last bit of advise is really important, never be afraid to speak up (and thats for everyone!). Great post and has got me thinking about others who are introverts and how they deal with everyday life. I understand it now.
Glad to have given you — and I hope more people out there — a better understanding of introversion, Danik. Introverts make up at least 40% of the world’s population, but people may not realize it because these introverts may have learned to hide their true nature, as they have been told from young that it’s ‘unhealthy’ and that an extroverted personality is the ideal.
I agree 100%! Traveling with people is a lot of pressure, I worry that the travel partner won’t like activities I really want to do or will want to do something I really don’t want to do. It’s great to be on my own schedule to push myself to do a little more or to slow down without worrying about someone else’s pace. I have had a friend join me for part of the trip a few times and it has gone well. If I have a week on my own, travel with someone for a week and finish the trip on my own it’s the best of both worlds.
That sounds perfect, Sherianne. It’s lovely when you get to find a balance between traveling with someone and traveling on your own. I have also traveled with my significant other many times, but they acknowledge the fact that I have been a solo traveler since before I met them, so they understand my need to travel alone. Sometimes I start a trip alone and they join me halfway, which is indeed the best of both worlds — to borrow your words. 🙂
I have always traditionally been an extrovert, but I have been recently noticing more introverted tendencies most likely because of the lockdowns and lack of social gatherings. I’m really learning to love spending time with myself – something that previously made me very anxious. I would love to solo travel one day, and I think it would be the perfect out-of-my-comfort-zone activity that would allow me to learn so much. Thank you for your tips!
You’re welcome, Chloe! I hope they will be useful for your future solo trip. I would seriously recommend traveling solo as something everyone should try at least once in their life — whether they’re an extrovert or introvert, but especially if they’re an introvert. 🙂
Hi there,
I am an extrovert and then some but I do enjoy my own company and I have traveled many times solo. And, I agree there are many benefits of solo travel. When my husband and I travel with others we occasionally run into issues around entertaining people. I like to fly by the seat of my pants and do I please, so solo travel does enable this:) Good for you for getting out there! Nikki
Thanks, Nikki! I’m really glad I found the courage to travel on my own. Otherwise, I would have been stuck with people and not been able to enjoy my trips. I think both extroverts and introverts can benefit from solo travel, albeit in different ways. 🙂
I seldom travel alone. Most of the time I am with my husband, or with travel writers’ groups where I know at least 2-3 people. But like you, if I am in a group I always feel it’s my responsibility to entertain others and that’s very tiring sometimes. I don’t particularly like traveling with people I don’t know and neither do I like dining alone. However, sometimes you have no choice, so your have some very useful tips here.
Thank you, Anda. Glad you found these tips useful. Weirdly enough, I find it easier to talk to strangers than people I already know (but not close enough with). With strangers, there are lots of things to ask and discover about each other. With friends, you already know these details, so the conversation will inevitable veer towards small talk, which I’m terrible at. Haha. I guess I’m strange like that.
As a fellow introvert, I read your blog post with interest. I can socialize when I want to. But I find being around people all the time stressful. Sometimes just venturing into large groups pushes me out of my comfort zone. But I agree that engaging in more adventurous activities helps you get comfortable a little more when out of your comfort zone. I think that time bounded group activities help for me. I would not do a large group tour for weeks. But a group tour for a day works ok! And I never worry what people think when I head off on my own because I need it.
That’s great, Linda. Same with me — I wouldn’t mind going on day tours with a group of people, it’s actually quite refreshing after traveling solo for some time, just as long as I’m not stuck with them for days! I think 2 nights is the maximum amount of time I can spend traveling in a group before my social quota runs out. Haha.
I’m introverted as well and love traveling solo. You’re right, it’s a no-brainer. It’s been pretty easy to meet people when traveling solo because extroverted couples usually reach out because they can’t fathom why someone is traveling solo and think I’m lonely. I’ll have to remember to reach out to you the next time I’m in Kaula Lumpur.
Oh, please do, Debra! It’s always lovely to meet other travel bloggers, especially if they are also solo travelers. 🙂 I find it easy to meet people too when I travel, especially as I tend to either stay in hostels or Couchsurf. And when I feel like I’ve maxed out on my social quota, I can always choose to get a private room instead.
This is such a great article for introverts! It’s funny cause my partner who I travel with, is an introvert while I’m more of an extrovert. And I can definitely see some of the things you’ve said here projecting into him. It’s a nice balance from me being more sociable and outgoing, while him grounding me and making me appreciate “quiet time.”
Thank you for sharing, Marielle! Sounds like you and your partner complement each other perfectly. And I’m glad that you’ve also learned to appreciate some “quiet time”. My partner and I are both introverted in our own ways. I like being alone as much as possible but I don’t really have a problem talking to strangers or making new friends. My partner, on the other hand, don’t like being alone but is more shy in social situations.
I can very much relate to your post Ummi because I am an introvert myself and although I used to travel only with my (now ex) husband earlier, the moment I started to travel solo, I realized how liberating it is! I love it so much that I’d rather travel solo than with a group of friends. I do not mind dining alone at all, and getting bored is never a fear for me! I agree about getting out of your comfort zone though, like making friends while you travel or talk to locals/ other travellers.
Oh, that’s amazing, Medha! Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad that you tried solo traveling and loved it. I think it’s something that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime, especially if they’re introverts like us. Like you said, it’s so liberating!
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