11 Solo Travel Tips for Introverts To Feel Confident
I’ve gotta be honest: most solo travel advice out there feels like it’s written for extroverts. Big bus group tours, pub crawls, constant socialising… it’s exhausting just reading about it!
But if you’re someone who loves your own space, gets overwhelmed easily, or just doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea of staying in a hostel (because honestly, same!) this post is for you. These are my 11 top solo travel tips for introverts who actually want to feel calm and confident on the road, rather than forced to fake it.
I’ve travelled solo through 24+ countries in Europe as an introvert and I’ve made (and regretted!) all the solo travel mistakes – booking overwhelmingly social accommodation, saying yes to things I knew I wouldn’t enjoy, overplanning to avoid uncertainty…
So I know what it’s like to want the freedom of solo travel, but on your own terms!
If you’re dreaming of exploring the world alone, but need a way to do it that feels safe while staying true to who you are, these tips (that I now swear by on all of my trips), are here to help.
Let’s talk about how to make solo travel feel less overwhelming!
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Can Introverts Really Travel Solo?
Let’s clear this misconception up right away: being an introvert doesn’t mean you’re not brave, adventurous or independent enough to travel solo.
It might mean you experience and process the world around you a little differently, but that definitely isn’t a weakness and it definitely, definitely shouldn’t stop you from that dream solo trip.
The truth is, solo travelling for introverts can be incredibly empowering – but only when you do it your way. On your own terms.
That might mean slower days with less packed into your itinerary than what’s suggested online, quiet nights in instead of embracing local nightlife, or choosing destinations away from the big, overwhelming cities.
Just have a think about what comfortable solo travel looks like for you.
And as a fellow introvert with social anxiety, I know the idea of exploring unfamiliar cities alone or having to make small talk with strangers will feel daunting at first. I know it did for my first solo trip, anyway…
But daunting doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) do it. Remember that.
Katie’s Top Tip: Introvert solo travel success starts with self-trust and also knowing yourself. You don’t need to suddenly become more outgoing or change anything about yourself, you just need to make a conscious decision to travel in a way that honours who you already are.
Why Solo Travel Is Perfect for Introverts
This might sound surprising, but as an introvert myself, I truly believe (and have experienced), solo travel and introversion being the perfect match.
Unlike group trips or travelling with friends, family or a partner, solo travel gives you total control over your pace, plans, space and energy.
You don’t have to negotiate where to eat, rush through museums because your partner is bored or force conversation when you’d rather enjoy the moment in silence for just a bit longer.
Sounds like every introverts dream, right?!
And as an introvert, I’ve also found solo travel lets me connect deeper to the places I’ve visited. I notice the small details, journal more and actually, most surprisingly, have ended up having some truly meaningful one-on-one conversations with strangers along the way – on my terms. And this is something I would never do at home!
Katie’s Top Tip: Don’t try to copy someone else’s travel style. Even mine. The magic of solo travel for introverts is that you have complete say over your experience – no compromises – so take these tips and run with them, however you want to!
11 Solo Travel Tips for Introverts To Feel Confident
Before we walk through the tips I swear by, I first want to say this: you don’t need to be fearless to be a solo traveller.
And me sharing these tips with you today (or the fact that I’ve solo travelled to 24+ countries), doesn’t mean I’m braver than you or more capable than you or that I’ve got it all figured out.
Because I definitely haven’t!
Instead, these solo travel tips for introverts are just what I’ve figured out along the way – after a LOT of trial and error and solo travel mistakes learned the hard way…
1. Start With Small, Safe Solo Trips
If the idea of flying solo across the world gives you anxiety, you’re not failing by starting smaller and closer to home.
I know, I know: Instagram tells us solo travel looks like backpacking in Southeast Asia or weeks interrailing in Italy (and it can absolutely look like that), BUT it doesn’t have to.
Especially not for your first trip.
A weekend away close to your home or a few nights somewhere you’ve already visited and are familiar with are just as valid as solo trips. And can also be the perfect way to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
For example, I started my solo travel journey with a two-night trip to Montreux Christmas Market. It was close enough to feel safe, but different enough to be exciting.
But let me tell you, that trip still felt monumental to me and I was still very freaked out. I mean, I swear I almost talked myself out of the trip on about 10 different occasions (and I only planned it the week before!)
I also booked a literal 5 star hotel (with leftover points), and then found that 5 star hotel to be so huge I got lost finding my room and almost had a panic attack…
And I planned my must-sees in advance, to within an inch of their life. Spontaneity, who?!
And I gave myself full permission to come home early (yes, from a trip that was only 2 nights in the first place!) if it didn’t feel right. Spoiler: I didn’t do that. I ended up loving the trip and booking my next solo adventure before I’d even left!
Why am I telling you all this? Because my point is: you don’t need to leap into the deep end on your first ever solo trip. Just going is plenty brave enough.
Katie’s Top Tip: Choose somewhere familiar, well-connected and walkable for your first trip. Your first time isn’t about the destination – it’s about building the belief that you can do this.
2. Choose Introvert-Friendly Destinations
Not all travel destinations are created equal – especially if you’re sensitive to crowds or noise. For example, I get super stressed in busy spaces so would never book a city break, like Rome or Seville, for peak season.
And as an introvert, picking a location that matches your energy can completely transform your trip.
So instead, look for places known for a balance of city and nature, slower paces of life (like the Scandi countries), and peaceful atmospheres over party destinations or high-stimulation cities.
It might sound strange, but my favourite place in the whole world is Stockholm, Sweden. It may be a capital city but it doesn’t really feel like one at all – especially if you stay near the water in Gamla Stan.
Stockholm is calm, feels very safe to explore alone and is easy to walk around and navigate without feeling overstimulated. You’re also surrounded by water and can easily escape city life for one of the nearby islands on a whim!
Katie’s Top Tip: Search for places that are peaceful but not isolated or completely free from tourists. Look for keywords like “quiet,” “walkable,” or “solo travel friendly,” when browsing blogs, Airbnb listings or guidebooks.
3. Book Private Rooms, Not Dorms
If you’re travelling solo and are also introverted, do yourself (and your nervous system!) a favour and skip the bunk beds and loud hostel dorms.
For me, having a private space where I can close the door, breathe and just be alone for a while is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
In fact, I definitely wouldn’t have solo travelled anywhere if I was relying on dorms and hostels. It’s just not my vibe at all.
And private accommodation doesn’t have to be expensive either. I love picking guesthouses, local-run apartments or bed and breakfasts. Sometimes, even hostels offer affordable private rooms.
Don’t get me wrong, during my early solo trips, I definitely thought I should book dorms to meet people and be social. Even my anxious, introverted brain had been convinced by Instagram that I’d be missing out if I didn’t. After all, that’s what true solo travel is like, right?
Wrong! There is no right or wrong way to solo travel.
And I quickly learned that I’m way more relaxed – and actually enjoy the social side of travel more – when I’ve had time alone first.
Having a safe, quiet space to come back to at the end of the day helps you stay grounded and in control of your energy levels.
Katie’s Top Tip: Use filters to search for private rooms. Also read reviews carefully – words like “peaceful,” “clean,” or “welcoming” are major green flags.
4. Plan Your Alone Time
One of the most powerful solo travel tips for introverts? Don’t just plan what you’re going to see or do – plan how you’ll rest and make time for yourself.
Most travel advice focuses on filling your calendar with must-sees, day trips and non-stop experiences.
And I get it. You’re in this dream destination, right? You want to see and do everything!
But as introverts, we often need just as much time to relax and recover as we do to explore. That’s what makes travel sustainable for us.
Again, not a weakness – just different.
When I first started travelling solo, I’d cram my itinerary full of things I felt I should be doing… and then wonder why I felt overstimulated and low (or even ill), halfway through my trip.
I especially felt this during my first ever interrail trip, where I only made it as far as Nice before I was in bed, feeling rotten with a nasty bug – all because I hadn’t made time to look after myself or my body.
Now, I block out guilt-free buffer time into every itinerary and have a set travel morning routine and travel evening routine that focuses on the things I need to do to come back to myself and relax. Whether that’s a slow morning in bed with my journal, a sunset walk, or even a full day doing absolutely nothing on a longer trip.
And giving yourself space to recharge isn’t wasting your trip, either. Instead, it’s protecting your energy so you can continue to enjoy it.
Katie’s Top Tip: Block recharge hours into your daily itinerary and treat them like non-negotiable appointments with yourself.
5. Create a Loose Itinerary
Us introverts love a plan, but too much structure can backfire.
The solution to this? Having a loose itinerary helps ease decision fatigue, without locking you into a schedule that feels rigid or overwhelming.
It also gives you the mental clarity to focus on being present and enjoying the moment, rather than constantly looking ahead to what’s next.
Before a solo trip, I like to list my top 3–5 must-dos in each destination. And that’s it.
I then create a second document of other nice to-dos, map out transport, jot down opening hours and take a look at how to get between places in advance – but I always leave time unscheduled too.
That way, if I’m tired, overstimulated, or want to spend longer at that charming waterfront café I’ve just stumbled across, it’s okay.
You don’t need to maximise every minute of your trip.
The goal with solo travel is never to tick boxes or treat what should be an experience as a checklist. Instead, the real goal is to enjoy your trip in a way that feels good for you.
Katie’s Top Tip: Use Google Maps to pin your must-sees ahead of time, but only pick one big thing per day as a non-negotiable. Anything else you fit in is a bonus!
6. Practice Quiet Confidence
Here’s one of the most underrated travel tips for introverts: you don’t need to be bubbly or outgoing or change yourself to explore the world solo – but you should practice quiet confidence.
How you practice will depend on you and how your introversion makes you feel.
For example, you might jot down a few prepared phrases for checking into a hotel or ordering food. Or you might commit to practicing looking confident while walking (good posture, not looking at your phone all the time, etc) even if you’re a bit lost.
And as you find new ways to practice faking confidence till you feel it, you’ll begin to feel more calm in situations like checking into a hotel, ordering food or asking for directions – even if it doesn’t come naturally to you.
When I first started travelling alone, I’d rehearse phrases in my head before every interaction and even keep go-to scripts in my notes app.
It may sound so simple, but preparing in advance takes the pressure off in real moments.
And practicing regularly will also help ease travel social anxiety, without trying to become someone you’re not.
Katie’s Top Tip: Prep 5–10 useful phrases and practice them out loud so they feel familiar when you need them. Think: ordering at a cafe, checking into accommodation or asking for help or directions.
7. Use Your Phone to Feel Connected
Solo travel doesn’t mean you have to feel alone in the world. But this also comes with a caveat, because connection shouldn’t come at the cost of your energy.
The right apps will help you stay safe, feel reassured and even find low-pressure ways to meet others, without throwing yourself too far out of your comfort zone.
Some of my must-have apps?
- WhatsApp: For staying in touch with my loved ones back home.
- Google Translate: For instant help understanding local signs or menus without having to ask.
- Notion: To store and organise my itinerary.
- Google Maps: To save places I’d like to visit during my trip.
- Booking.com: To book accommodation, with filters set up for private rooms.
- GetYourGuide: To find small group tours (because big bus tours overwhelm me like crazy!) Plus it’s a great, low stakes way to find in-person connection, if you want.
Katie’s Top Tip: Download everything you need before you leave – especially offline maps and translation tools. That way, you’re never relying on patchy WIFI!
8. Prioritise Meaningful Connection Over Frequent Connection
As an introvert, it’s easy to feel like you’re “failing” at solo travel if you’re not constantly meeting new people or making friends, like you see others do online.
But the truth? When it comes to connections, Quality > quantity. Always.
And that’s true whether you’re an introvert or not.
One fun, insightful or meaningful conversation with a tour guide, hotel receptionist or fellow traveller means so much more than three nights of small talk over beers you didn’t want.
So before your trip, think about what kind of interactions (if any) light you up.
For me, it’s chatting with a fellow solo traveller on a day trip, joining a walking tour with a small group, or connecting with a local tour guide during an excursion.
These slower, one-on-one, more intentional moments of connection are where us introverts thrive!
But no: you don’t have to constantly “put yourself out there” (or even talk to anyone at all, if you don’t want to!), just because everyone says you should. It’s your solo trip. You do you.
Katie’s Top Tip: Look for low-pressure social experiences like cooking classes, talks or guided walking tours that will attract like-minded travellers. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to connect when you’re distracted by something you enjoy.
9. Set Boundaries Without Guilt
This one took me the longest to learn, but it’s easily one of the most powerful solo travel tips for introverts.
You’re always allowed to say no.
No to conversations that feel draining. No to group activities that feel like too much. No to pushing through when you’re tired. No to that guy who is being way too pushy.
Setting boundaries doesn’t make you rude. It makes you self-aware – and, contrary to some beliefs, that’s a good thing!
An example of this is on one of my solo trips, I met a lovely but chatty woman on a small group day trip to Durmitor National Park in Montenegro.
We started with one chat over breakfast, but then she quickly wanted to hang out and talk at all of the stops. I felt bad saying no… until I realised I wasn’t enjoying the trip for myself anymore.
And don’t get me wrong, that realisation that I had to set a boundary to be able to enjoy the trip I’d paid for was super uncomfortable. I hate any kind of (even low-level) confrontation.
But I compromised with myself and with her, and gently and kindly excused myself when she wanted to walk the circuit around the Black Lake, so I could spend some time alone.
And she was fine with it! No dramas at all.
I learned a valuable lesson that day: Protecting your peace isn’t selfish, and people are almost always receptive to your boundaries when you’re kind with them.
And if you can, finding a compromise that doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings (like I did by stepping away just for that stop), is a great middle ground.
Katie’s Top Tip: Practice a few friendly boundary-setting phrases ahead of time so they feel easy.
10. Don’t Compare Your Travel Style to Others
Here’s something no one tells you before your first solo trip: it’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re doing it “wrong.”
You scroll through TikTok or chat with someone at your accommodation who’s ticking off a new country every two days, and suddenly your slow morning spent journaling in a cafe feels underwhelming, at best.
But I promise it’s not. It’s just different. And different doesn’t mean worse.
Besides, there’s no right or wrong way to solo travel, anyway.
Solo travel for introverts looks completely different than it does for extroverts, but again: that’s okay.
Maybe you’d much rather explore a botanical garden alone at sunrise than party till 2am. Maybe you love staring out of the window on train rides, reading on the beach, journaling in a local park, spending hours over a long lunch in an old town square…
Whatever your idea of a dream trip looks like (and no matter how different it looks to someone else’s itinerary), it doesn’t make your experience of a place any less valid than someone else who, for example, only wants to tick off the sights.
The moment I stopped trying to solo travel like everyone else was the moment I started actually enjoying it.
Katie’s Top Tip: Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel like you’re travelling wrong or not doing enough. Instead, fill your feed with other solo female travellers who reflect your pace and personality.
11. Reflect Often
If you only take away one thing from this guide, let it be this: the real magic of solo travel doesn’t happen in your itinerary or the things you see – it happens in the self-growth that follows.
And how do you notice that self-growth? By taking the time to pause, journal and notice how much you’ve grown.
That’s when you’ll realise: I’m actually doing this! I’m capable!
I now make it a non-negotiable travel ritual to journal every evening during a trip. Nothing fancy. Just a few lines about what I did, how I felt, what surprised me or what I’d do differently next time.
Travel journaling also helps me to process emotions I don’t want to carry into the next day, and reminds me that I am so much braver and more capable than I often think.
And let me tell you, that builds confidence faster than any pep talk or self-help book ever could!
Katie’s Top Tip: Carry a notebook or keep a note on your phone where you jot down a few sentences per day. It can even be as simple as one line.
Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe for Introverts
As I mentioned in tip #2, finding the right destination as an introvert makes all the difference. So below are some of my favourite solo travel destinations for introverts in Europe – each one safe and walkable.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon may be a capital city, but it has a laid-back charm that makes it ideal for introverted solo female travellers. You can wander colourful alleyways in Alfama, journal over pasteis de nata at a quiet cafe, or take the train to Belem and hop on a relaxing boat trip.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This one might surprise you. After all, Dubrovnik is famous literally for being busy. And I get it, as someone who hates crowds, I wasn’t sure I’d like it either. But if your heart lights up at the idea of historic old towns and sea views, Dubrovnik is the place for you!
But one caveat: I’m only recommending Dubrovnik in shoulder season (April-May, September-October). During these months (especially early in the morning or, in my experience, on Sundays), you’ll find quiet alleys, breath-taking coastal views from the famous walls, and loads of options for relaxing boat trips to get away from the city.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is like Dubrovnik’s quieter cousin, again especially in shoulder season. Tucked inside a dramatic fjord-like bay, Kotor is perfect for introverts who love nature and water without the overwhelming crowds. Although again, for the most introvert-friendly experience, do your exploring in the early morning.
You can walk the old town streets and never truly get lost, take relaxing boat trips around Boka Bay, sit on a bench and read (surrounded by the resident cats!), or even just people-watch from a cafe in a shaded square. Kotor is safe, small and ideal for solo travellers!
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden is my favourite country in the world! And, in my opinion, very introvert-friendly. And the capital, Stockholm, is no exception. This city is very walkable and has great public transport, endless museums to explore, islands to hop between, plenty of green space to get out of the city centre, and a culture that values personal space (finally!)
Gibraltar
Hear me out because I know Gibraltar is a wild card, but it really works for solo travel introverts. I even ended up moving there for a year after my own solo trip – yep, really! Gibraltar is English-speaking, small, walkable and full of nature.
This British Overseas Territory on the tip of southern Spain has some amazing things to do like those famous monkeys, nature reserve walks, stunning viewpoints, relaxing botanic gardens and sunset beaches. Plus, the mix of cultures gives it a quirky, one-of-a-kind feel!
Final Thoughts
If you’re still wondering whether you can solo travel as an introvert, I want you to know: you absolutely can.
Being an introvert doesn’t exclude you from solo travel. It just means you get to do it differently, so you stay true to yourself.
And in fact, introverts often have the most meaningful travel experiences of all, because we notice the details, feel things more deeply, and don’t need company to be able to enjoy the moment and live life fully.
With the right mindset and by trying even just a few of these solo travel tips for introverts, you’re not only going to be fine – you’re going to have the best time! I promise. 💛
Let me know in the comments: what is your dream solo trip? Mine is Slovenia! I would absolutely love to visit Lake Bled in autumn!
Read More About Solo Female Travel:
- 11 Solo Travel Tips for Introverts To Feel Confident
- Solo Travel With Social Anxiety: What It’s Really Like
- 11 Tips to Overcome Solo Travel Anxiety (That Actually Work)
- 7 Steps to Create a Solo Travel Evening Routine You Love
- 7 Easy Steps to a Stress-Free Solo Travel Morning Routine
