7 Easy Steps to a Stress-Free Solo Travel Morning Routine
Mornings while travelling don’t have to feel messy, rushed or like you’re already behind before you’ve even had your morning coffee!
So in this blog post, I’m going to help you build an easy solo travel morning routine that actually works (and feels realistic), no matter where in the world you’re waking up.
As a solo female traveller who’s travelled to 24+ countries in Europe, staying in countless hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and Airbnb’s, I know how much smoother and more confident days feel when they start with just a little bit of structure.
And I’ve also found that having a solo travel morning routine feels like an anchor when everything else around you is changing on the daily.
This realistic guide is for anyone who wants to feel a bit more put together while travelling – without lugging around a full case of skincare or spending time on an unrealistic 90-minute routine!
Instead, I’ll walk you through the 7 exact steps that make up the stress-free solo travel morning routine I swear by on the road.
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Why You Need a Morning Routine While Travelling
You might think morning routines are just for your 9–5 life back home, but a solo travel morning routine will keep you calm and grounded, no matter where in the world you are.
And you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of that.
Look at it this way: travelling solo means you’re making thousands of decisions, on your own, every day. I mean it’s exciting, sure. But it’s also a lot. And so without any kind of structure in the morning, it’s super easy to wake up feeling overwhelmed or like you’re already behind.
Having a predictable routine in the morning will help you feel more in control of your day. And especially if you’re someone like me who’s dealt with solo travel anxiety, these few moments of predictability can honestly be the thing that keeps you sane!
Katie’s Top Tip: Keep your solo travel morning routine flexible but always familiar, with just a few non-negotiables that make you feel good.
How to Stick to a Morning Routine While Travelling
Keeping any sort of routine on the road can feel impossible when you’re in a different bed every week, changing time zones, or sleeping next to a stranger in a dorm.
But your solo travel morning routine doesn’t have to be perfect or aesthetic, like you see online. It just needs to be realistic and easily repeatable.
And yep, the keyword in that is easy! No ten-step morning routines here!
The key to this is to ditch your all-or-nothing mindset. You don’t have to do the exact same thing every morning in the exact same order. If you’re tired, overslept or you’re catching a 6am bus, you can skip it! It’s totally okay.
But on most mornings, having a few non-negotiables will seriously help.
Katie’s Top Tip: Save your morning routine travel edition as a simple list in your phone. That way, you can glance at it and follow it like a checklist – no decision fatigue required!
The 7-Step Solo Travel Morning Routine I Swear By
This is my actual, real-life, solo travel morning routine – the one I come back to again and again.
I’ve tweaked it over the years and even trialled fancier versions (green juice from a local café in Montenegro, anyone?!) But ultimately I’ve always simplified it back down to what really works for me when I’m living out of a suitcase.
And each of these 7 steps is in my routine for a reason: they either make me feel grounded, calm my anxious brain, or help me start the day with intention.
They’re all short, doable habits, and I promise, even if you only try two or three on your next solo trip, you’ll feel the difference.
Step 1: Wake Up Gently
When you’re travelling, you don’t need to leap out of bed like you’re late for work!
Instead, let your body come round slowly.
Some mornings, if I haven’t got a tight schedule, I don’t set an alarm at all and let natural light wake me up. But on early days, I always make sure to use a soft, non-jarring alarm.
But whatever your wake-up style, don’t reach for your phone immediately. (I know, I know – it’s oh so tempting to scroll!) But that flood of notifications, texts and random news will spike your cortisol before you’ve even blinked.
Instead, wake up and take a few breaths. Sit up slowly. Let your thoughts wander. Give yourself time to check in with how you’re feeling.
You’re not at home now and that can feel disorienting, even for experienced solo travellers, so give your mind a few minutes to catch up to your body.
Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re prone to doom scrolling (guilty!) charge your phone across the room overnight. You’ll sleep better and you’ll have to physically get up to turn off your alarm. Double win!
Step 2: Make Your Bed
It sounds basic, but making your bed while travelling (even if you’re in a hotel with a cleaning service), is one of the fastest, easiest ways to feel a tiny bit more in control of your day.
It’s a task that takes under a minute, but it tells your brain okay, we’re up. We’re doing this.
Especially when you’re dealing with solo travel anxiety, this small act of normalcy will feel like an anchor to your life back home.
And on some tougher days, that made bed might just be the only thing that feels put together – but that’s still a win!
Katie’s Top Tip: Even if you’re leaving that accommodation in 30 minutes, make the bed. It’s a low-effort win that gives you a quick sense of structure.
Step 3: Freshen Up
When you look good, you feel good.
That might sound simple, but don’t underestimate the power of a basic freshen up in the morning.
Even if you’re running on four hours of sleep, taking a few minutes to wash your face, brush your teeth and do a simple skincare routine will completely shift how you feel.
When I travel, I keep my travel skincare routine super simple: cleanser, moisturiser, SPF. That’s it.
Or, if I’m feeling a bit meh about my appearance., I’ll add a bit of concealer or tinted moisturiser too. But honestly, most of the time I let my skin breathe.
And what about clothes? My advice is don’t just throw on whatever is on top of your suitcase. Instead, wear something you feel confident in.
Travelling solo as a woman can feel very vulnerable sometimes, and how you dress is one small way to reclaim that confidence and feel more like yourself again.
Katie’s Top Tip: Build a minimalist kit for your solo travel morning routine that includes travel-size cleanser, moisturiser, SPF and a hydrating lip balm. That’s usually all you will need.
Step 4: Practice Some Mindfulness
Before you click off or roll your eyes, this isn’t about sitting cross-legged in silence, meditating for 30 minutes or completing a full yoga flow before your train leaves (unless you want to, of course!)
Instead it’s as simple as checking in with yourself.
When I was younger and first started solo travelling, I’d always wake up overwhelmed by my plans and anxieties, overthinking everything. Mindfulness felt entirely out of reach – I didn’t have the time or headspace spare for that, right?!
But as I’ve become more experienced at solo travelling and tweaked my solo travel morning routine to suit, I’ve come to realise mindfulness can be super low effort.
For me, mindfulness is as easy as scribbling a few thoughts in my journal or even just sitting in silence and feeling grateful for the trip I’m on.
This tiny pause helps you process the experience of travelling, especially when you’re moving through new places quickly. Which is so important because it’s so easy to rush through your trip without really experiencing anything at all.
And for solo travellers dealing with mental health struggles on the road (because been there, done that, many times), mindfulness in the morning is a powerful way to remind yourself: I’m safe. I’m okay. And I’m so lucky and grateful to be here.
Katie’s Top Tip: If journaling feels overwhelming, try voice notes! I often just record a quick check-in while walking to breakfast or doing my skincare.
Step 5: Eat Something That Nourishes You
I say this with love: girl, you need to eat!
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve powered through mornings with nothing but caffeine. Only to crash hard by 11am, hangry in the middle of a castle tour or city walking route I’m supposed to be enjoying.
Your travel breakfast should be nourishing, ideally with protein and fibre. But it doesn’t have to be fancy. Fruit and yoghurt, eggs on toast, even a cereal bar.
And no, coffee doesn’t count!
It’s more easy than you would think to skip meals out of convenience or even nerves about eating alone. But starting your day with good food sets you up for a safer, more enjoyable day of exploring.
Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re in a rush or staying somewhere without breakfast, keep a protein bar or banana in your day bag. That way your healthy solo travel morning routine doesn’t get derailed before you’ve even left your accommodation.
Step 6: Get Some Movement In
You don’t need to smash out a HIIT workout or hit the hotel gym (unless you love that, in which case, go you!) Movement can be as gentle as stretching on your balcony, walking a few streets of your local neighbourhood or taking the longer route to your favourite bakery to grab breakfast.
Personally, I love combining movement with exploring: heading to a viewpoint for sunrise, wandering through a peaceful park, or even just walking through a new area of a city while listening to a podcast.
Whatever you choose, getting your blood flowing first thing will help you wake up, regulate your mood and boost your confidence.
And when I’m struggling with solo travel anxiety or feeling homesick, a short walk and some fresh air will almost always turn my whole day around. Even better if it ends with a takeaway croissant and a stunning view!
Katie’s Top Tip: Try getting in some movement before you scroll on your phone. A quick walk will help you connect with where you actually are, not just what’s happening on your screen.
Step 7: Review Your Plans for the Day
Before you dash out the door in pursuit of that bus, train, guided tour or attraction, first take five minutes to mentally walk through your day.
- Where are you going first?
- How are you getting there?
- Do you need tickets or directions saved offline?
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t about being rigid or boring. It’s just about feeling prepared. (But also don’t over plan or stress at this stage either – leave room for spontaneity!)
For example, I keep a loose outline in Google Maps and Notion, with major stops I want to cover, any bookings I may need to reference, and ideas for places I want to eat.
But I also check in with myself as I review. Things like:
- How much energy do I really have today?
- What’s the weather like?
- Is this the day for that three-hour hike, or would a museum visit and a long lunch feel better?
Trusting your energy and adapting your plans is a big part of what makes solo female travel feel more sustainable, especially on a longer trip.
Katie’s Top Tip: Leave at least one unplanned hour in your itinerary every day. That’s almost always when the magic happens – a local recommendation, a backstreet café, a random beach you didn’t know you needed!
Final Thoughts
Solo female travel can feel unpredictable, but your solo travel morning routine definitely doesn’t have to be.
In fact, setting aside time to complete just a few healthy morning habits is one of the best ways to feel calm, confident and connected on the road.
I’ve cried in hotel rooms. I’ve skipped breakfast out of anxiety. I’ve felt lost, overwhelmed and like I didn’t belong out here in the world. And so much more. But building a simple, flexible solo travel morning routine has helped me feel safer, steadier and more like myself in every corner of the world.
And you deserve that too.
P.S. Please don’t feel you need to follow this routine perfectly every day – because you won’t. Stuff happens. Even I don’t follow it religiously, and I’ve been working on perfecting it for years! This isn’t about perfection.
What does your solo travel morning 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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