7 Steps to Create a Solo Travel Evening Routine You Love
Have you ever got back to your accommodation after a long day of solo travelling, flopped on the bed with your shoes still on, and felt weirdly unsettled?
Or is that just me?!
Because I’ve been in that situation more times than I want to count, especially on my earliest solo trips, when I didn’t realise that having a solo travel evening routine could completely shift how I felt while travelling alone.
And now, over four years of solo travel across Europe (and many nights of trial-and-error!), I’ve figured out that the way I wind down after a travel day matters just as much as what I did during it.
And no, this routine isn’t about being productive, or rigid, or trying to recreate your 9–5 lifestyle on the road.
Who wants to do that on holiday?!
Instead, I’ve found it’s about grounding myself. Because when you’re travelling solo, especially as a woman, your nervous system is constantly working on over drive – scanning for safety, navigating new spaces, translating signs, managing budgets and feelings and Google Maps!
A gentle travel evening routine is how you give yourself a reset at the end of each day. So let’s build one together!
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Why You Need a Solo Travel Evening Routine
When you’re travelling solo, your days will feel full-on. It’s an incredible adventure, but also intense.
You’re making constant decisions: where to eat, where to go next, how to get somewhere, whether that side street feels safe, if you’ve budgeted right for the day… It’s endless!
And without someone else around to carry any of that decision-making weight, you’re carrying it all alone.
So, if you don’t give yourself a way to relax in the evening, that pressure will build up.
And that’s where your solo travel evening routine comes in!
A solo travel evening routine gives you something consistent and relaxing return to at the end of the day, no matter how your day went.
And from experience, I can say it’s especially powerful when things feel off. For example, if you had a moment where someone made you feel uncomfortable or you just feel a bit lonely or homesick (because let’s be real, we all have those moments).
For me, having an evening routine isn’t even about being in control of something in my ever-changing life…
It’s about reminding myself that I am my own safe space, wherever in the world I am.
Katie’s Top Tip: Your routine doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s (even mine!) This isn’t some TikTok aesthetic thing, it’s an essential nervous system thing. The best evening routine is always the one that feels good to you, whether it’s two steps or ten.
Why Routines Still Matter When Travelling
There’s a myth that routines kill spontaneity, but as a solo female traveller, I’ve found the opposite to be true.
In fact, having a simple, flexible travel morning routine and evening routine is what actually gives me the freedom to explore and enjoy my trip, without constantly spiralling with solo travel anxiety!
At least in my experience, when you know how your day will begin and end, it takes away decision fatigue and makes you feel more grounded.
This is especially important if you’re moving between new places every few days, for example on a road trip or interrailing.
And routines are even more important when (like me) you’re also navigating a tricky mental health side of solo travel.
If you’ve ever felt anxious, overwhelmed or just low while travelling (which is way more common than most people will ever admit in their social media highlight reels!), your routines will be a reassuring constant for you.
Katie’s Top Tip: Try anchoring your usual evening routine with just one consistent thing that makes you feel good: journaling, skincare, a quick stretch, listening to music… When everything else is new, even one familiar habit makes a huge difference!
How to Actually Stick to a Travel Evening Routine
So, it’s one thing to want a travel evening routine, and another thing to actually do it. Especially when you’re tired, jet-lagged or in a shared hostel dorm where five people are snoring and someone’s fidgeting at 3am.
But the trick is to make your routine so easy that it actually feels harder to skip than to do.
Think low effort, high comfort.
Something you look forward to, not something that feels like a chore.
You can also pack small, lightweight things that help with your routine. For example, for my solo trips, I bring travel sizes of my cleanser and moisturiser for skincare, my journal, noise-cancelling earphones, and a lavender essential oil roller.
Then, using those items, build a simple routine that takes 10–20 minutes max.
The easier it is to do, the more likely you’ll stick with it, no matter where you are.
Katie’s Top Tip: But what if you skip a night? Well, there’s no shame here! And don’t shame yourself, either. Just start again tomorrow.
My 7-Step, Easy Solo Travel Evening Routine
So what does a good solo travel evening routine actually look like in practice?
I’m going to walk you through the exact 7-step travel evening routine that has helped me feel more in control, calm and less anxious while travelling solo.
It’s not fancy, and I definitely haven’t got a perfect track record with sticking to it. But it is doable and it does work – even on the hardest days.
Step 1: Wind Down From the Day
Honestly? Some travel days are going to be chaotic.
And we can’t change that – it’s just life.
Maybe your feet hurt, or your phone’s on 7%, or you haven’t had a proper meal since lunchtime, or you’re still half-worried about whether that street you walked down was sketchy or just unfamiliar.
On days like these, I’ve had nights where I’ve done nothing more than collapse onto my hotel bed, still wearing jeans, jewellery and a full face of makeup. (Not ideal!)
So, once you get back to your accommodation (and before you do anything else), give yourself permission to stop. Change into comfy clothes. Take your makeup off. Sit or lie down. Allow yourself to breathe.
You’ve been holding it together all day – navigating, translating, figuring things out – don’t underestimate how much of a big deal that is. Or how proud of yourself you should be.
And now it’s time to let your brain and body catch up.
Katie’s Top Tip: If I’m feeling wired, I’ll put my phone on silent, stretch out on the bed for a few minutes and focus on my breathing with my eyes closed. It’s not a nap, exactly, just a moment to pause.
Step 2: Create a Cosy Atmosphere
Hotels and Airbnb’s aren’t always the warmest spaces and, even if they are, they won’t feel like home.
That’s why this step matters so much.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not about recreating your entire bedroom from home, but it is about helping your brain feel safe enough to relax in an unfamiliar space.
For example, you could turn off the harsh overhead light in favour of a lamp, unpack your day bag so you’re tidy and organised, or get out of your day clothes and into comfy pyjamas.
During my travels, I’ll usually swap into comfy socks and pyjamas/loungewear, open a window if the room feels stuffy, switch to lamp light if it’s dark, and pop on a favourite podcast or playlist.
Whatever you can realistically do to make your space feel more homey, do it. Even if that means bringing something small from home to help.
Katie’s Top Tip: Bring one tiny thing that makes every space feel like yours. For me, that’s my little lavender spray. It sounds silly, but it makes even the most sterile rooms feel more cosy, thanks to the familiar scent!
Step 3: Unplug From Screens
I get it. It’s so tempting to scroll mindlessly before bed, especially when your brain’s a bit fried.
But honestly? Excess scrolling will usually make you feel way worse.
I’ve definitely stayed up way too late, on so many occasions, watching random videos I don’t really care about or doomscrolling because I felt low or lonely and was looking for a quick dopamine fix.
And every time? It’s ended in overstimulation, worse sleep and feeling even more rubbish the next morning.
So now I try to always give myself a cut-off time for screens. Even just 30 minutes before bed is enough.
And during that time, I relax, listen to music, read a few pages of a book, stare out the window for a bit, etc…
Katie’s Top Tip: Download something relaxing before your trip so you’re not relying on (famously unreliable!) WIFI. I like to always have my favourite podcasts and playlists ready to go.
Step 4: Reflect on the Day
One of the weirdest things about solo travel is that so much can happen in a single day, and yet you’ve often got no one to talk it through with.
That funny interaction with a stranger? The mini panic attack on the metro? The sunset that made you tear up a bit? All of it can feel like it vanishes unless you record it.
So this is where reflection becomes your best friend on the road. (And no, you don’t have to write a full, high school style diary entry!)
Just spend five minutes journaling on a few thoughts (or you could even record a voice note).
- What felt good today?
- What was your highlight for the day?
- What felt off?
- What surprised you?
- Did you learn anything?
Journaling helps you process your day and experiences in the moment, but also creates a little permanent reminder of your trip that future you will love looking back on!
Katie’s Top Tip: I love journaling anyway, but on my low energy days I use a super simple 3-line prompt: “Something I loved today / Something that felt hard / Something I’m grateful for.” It keeps it doable, even when I’m tired or can’t be bothered.
Step 5: Hydrate and Eat Something Decent
I’ve definitely had one too many moments where I’ve come back late, crashed on the bed, eaten a random biscuit or cereal bar I found in my bag, and called it dinner.
But I’ve learned (the hard way!) that your body really notices when you don’t give it what it needs to refuel.
And no, this isn’t about clean eating or being perfect with your nutrition on the road (even McDonald’s is better than eating a stale cereal bar for dinner!), it’s about taking care of your body and your health.
It’s also so easy to forget to drink enough during the day, because you’re busy or maybe there aren’t loads of public toilets available to use. So when you get in, make it a top priority to drink a full bottle of water.
This is important for everyone, but especially if you’ve been walking loads, drinking alcohol or in the sun all day.
Katie’s Top Tip: I always head to the supermarket on my first day and stock up on a few emergency dinner options for my room. Things like fruit, salad, cooked meat (if I have a fridge), and a few fun snacks too. They’ve saved me more times than I can count when everything’s shut or I’m too knackered to go out again!
Step 6: Get Ready For Tomorrow
I used to leave everything till the morning. Clothes, packing, directions, tickets…
And then I’d wake up groggy and rushed, stressing about whether I had time for breakfast or if I’d miss the train that only leaves once every four hours!
Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that stress in my life when I’m travelling! So now I always spend 5-10 minutes the night before getting sorted for the next day:
- Lay out what you want to wear
- Charge your tech
- Review your itinerary or Google Maps saved locations
- Check (or book) any transport times or tickets
- And if you’re moving on to a new destination, double check your checkout time
Katie’s Top Tip: I keep a running tomorrow to do list on my phone with stuff to pack, directions and any reminders. Getting it out of your head = a better sleep and a much calmer morning.
Step 7: Do One Little Thing Just For You
This is where your travel evening routine becomes something special and personal to you, rather than just practical: end your day with something small that fills your cup.
It could be anything:
- A short skincare routine
- A breathwork exercise
- Reading a few pages of a book
- Journaling
- Meditation
Basically anything that makes you feel good. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference doing this one thing will make to your mood!
Katie’s Top Tip: Don’t overthink it. Pick the first thing that comes to mind when you consider what makes you happiest. And if you hate rigidity? Pick a few options and create yourself a menu. That way, you can pick and choose based on how you feel in the moment.
Final Thoughts
Solo travel can be chaotic, beautiful, emotional, overwhelming, exhausting, freeing – and all of that in the same day!
And when you’re the one making all the decisions and holding it all together on your own, it’s so easy to go to bed still carrying the pressures of the day with you.
That’s where a travel evening routine becomes less about structure and more about giving yourself time to process the day, relax and move on ready for tomorrow.
And no, you don’t need to do every single step perfectly every night. (Honestly, some nights I skip half of my routine and just eat chocolate in bed. Still counts. Ish!)
But the more you create little rituals that help you wind down, reflect and reset, the more grounded and confident you’ll feel while travelling solo. And you deserve to feel confident!
What does your travel evening routine look like? Let me know in the comments!
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
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