r/solotravel

This happened on my recent solo trip to Istanbul.

I (20M) was at my hostel at 10 pm, almost asleep, but decided to go out again.

Outside of a bar, I meet this Azerbaijani guy who’s super friendly, starts talking to me, and then invites me to a “lounge club.” so I’m like sure, why not.

We take a taxi there, he pays for it. We walk in and yeah… not really a “lounge club.” More like a "gentlemen's club" he says. I don't know why i didn't just turn around at this point...

We sit down, order drinks for us and two Russian girls who join us. They also bring these plates of cut vegetables for the table, which was random but honestly pretty good.

At this point I’m slightly drunk and having fun trying to speak Russian with them. My vocabulary is basically “privet” and vibes, but somehow we manage.

Neither of them really makes any move on me (like I saw at other tables). At one point one of the girls literally tells me I'm like her younger brother.

Anyway, time passes, drinks keep coming. I’m also a bit drunk and decide I should probably leave, except everything inside looks exactly the same.

Eventually the Azerbaijani guy goes, “let’s pay now.” They bring the bill. 18,000 Turkish lira (350€)

I pull out my wallet and show him I’ve got like 50€ total on me. He looks at me, pauses for a second, and then just goes, “bro… take your 10€ and leave.”

I think i lost 40€, they let me walk out, and he ends up paying the rest.

Looking back, I’m pretty sure the guy works with the club and brings people in. But weirdly, it didn’t feel like he wanted to completely screw me over, maybe because of my age.

Anyway, lesson learned. It could have been a lot worse.

So I split my time between two cities for work (Toronto and LA area) and I travel a decent amount for that alone. But last fall I took my first real solo trip that wasn't work related. Five days in Mexico City, no agenda, no one else's restaurant preferences to navigate.

And like. It was the best trip I've taken in years?

I went back in February for another solo stretch and it was even better. I ate when I was hungry, wandered neighborhoods until my feet hurt, sat in cafes for way too long, changed my plans three times in one day because I felt like it. Nobody was tired when I wasn't tired. Nobody wanted to go back to the hotel when I wanted to keep walking.

The thing that surprised me is how much MORE I talked to people when I was alone. I'm not shy but I'm also not the person who strikes up conversations with strangers normally. Something about being solo just made me more open to it. Had a 45 minute conversation with a woman at a mezcal bar about the neighborhood she grew up in. Never would have happened if I'd been with a group.

But here's where it gets weird. I went on a trip with two close friends last month and I kept catching myself wishing I was alone? Not because they're bad travel companions. They're great. I just kept thinking about how I'd be doing this differently solo. And then feeling guilty about thinking that.

Does solo travel kind of ruin group travel for anyone else or do you eventually find a balance? I don't want to become the person who only travels alone but I also can't unsee how much easier it is.

For context I'm 33F if that matters. I think there might be a gendered element to this too because a lot of my friend trips involve a LOT of planning and consensus building and honestly that's the part that exhausts me more than the actual travel.

All packed and ready to go, hotel check in is late so I'm just killing another hr at home before hitting the road. I recently found this awesome little village in the mountains with a hot springs that I cannot get enough of.

After a VERY social month I am due for a much needed break, and a weekend away alone at a hot springs is just what I need. I long drive through the mountains, an awesome dinner at this mom and pop restaurant in the village, a good 2hr soak in the springs followed with a nice tea on my balcony watching the sun set behind the mountains.

This is my peace lol

I have alrdy been to this spot a few times and its very clear its my new "spot" - Im looking at property there lol I guess this is more of an open letter/time killer before my trip.

But anyone else have a little spot they like to run away too when life gets too over stimulated for them? Wheres your escape from the world/recharge heaven?

Fingers crossed this doesnt get taken down and I have a good batch of stories for when I check in XD

Hello everyone,

I'm unsure if anybody else has ever posted anything similar or not- but in any case I thought this reddit to be the most appropriate place for it.

I do not want anybody to try to convince me to not do this or give me reasons not to. I know in my bones that I need to do this.. and Ive been wanting to for a while. But I know its risky. I want to do a solo vacation without telling a single soul where I am going/what I am doing other than a vague "I'll be gone for x amount of time" (though if i could say nothing at all I would like to do that even..) to anyone who absolutely needs to know, but not telling them what Im doing. I am doing this for me and me only. I want the mental reset and total autonomy and freedom that comes with such a thing (and admittedly a bit of a rush of that secrecy). I am considering a cruise. I am seeking advice from anyone whos done anything similar. What are some things to keep in mind to make sure I dont get "caught" so to speak? I live with family, and though Im very much an adult and capable of making my own decisions without them controlling me, I want to make sure I keep it under wraps. I want to own this. This will be my adventure and mine alone. I know thats fucking weird.. but its what I want. I made a whole new reddit just to post this anon.

Any suggestions? Thank you

EDIT: Yes, I know. There can be emergencies back home or during my trip. What are your suggestions for these that give me the best of both worlds? The point is I tell nobody.. so...

Hey everyone, just got back from 7 months travelling South America. I'm from the U.K, and it was my first big solo trip backpacking. Staying in hostels, moved around 5 countries and I think saw 20 cities/towns.

On top of this I was teaching Maths - I have my own private tutoring business helping students get into college via their GCSEs.

I feel very anxious and sad, randomly crying too, I know it's okay to feel hard emotions.

But I didn't imagine this level of down and flatness. I've got 0 motivation to do anything and nothings stimulating me. I'm not searching for cheap dopamine either.

I wanted to come home because I was getting a bit burnt out and fed up of travelling, but then this current situation isn't ideal either.

I wanted to just share and write it down and see if anyone had anything similar after they had travelled?!

I’ve done Tokyo by Myself for a week. That’s been my only solo (international) trip. I felt very safe, it was peaceful, quiet & I don’t think anyone looked at me twice. I would love to try a europe destination but safety is my main concern. I know moderate/close to advanced Spanish so im think Spain considering I can communicate better than I did in Tokyo

budget is undetermined right now until I can narrow down a city. Right now im sitting at $1k just for food/site seeing (not including hotel/flights I have points for that).

it will be 7 days at said destination. either July or august.

trying to decide between Barcelona, Madrid, Seville.

I mainly just want to walk around, site see lots of architecture, a dance class/or just a place to dance with someone & eat. Maybe a boat tour if budget permits. But im not interested in nightlife or bars.

primary concerns are safety. Im not renting a car & would prefer walking or public transportation (user friendly transportation, im challenged when it comes to directions)

I don’t mind touristy/density but im age 30+, not trying to be around a bunch of drunk college kids around me trying to party

which city is most safe and walkable with things close by?

Sooo I've not been solo travelling since I went backpacking around South / Southeast Asia in my early twenties, and it feels like a lot has changed both in the backpacking landscape and for me personally - comfort was MUCH less important to me back then, hahaha. But I'm entitled to a sabbatical next year for 3 months, and I've always wanted to go to East Asia, so I'm beginning to plan a trip around Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and maybe somewhere else if I feel I have time.

I'd love some tips for solo travelling (especially as a female) and to know what the 'backpacking' culture is like in these countries, how best to meet people, any useful tips (e.g. best time to go, ways to travel around, cultural knowledge that could come in handy), any great travel anecdotes are more than welcome too!

I'm probably going to organise the trip myself for freedom/budget reasons, but if anyone has done a similar trip (or sections of a trip) as part of an organised tour, I'd love to hear which one and how that went.

Three months is quite a long time to travel alone so I would also really like to meet some people while I'm out there. I'm not against staying in hostels, but I do think I'm over shared dorms, so if anyone has tips on how I can meet people and socialise (apps, online groups, tours etc) then that would be amazing.

Also, I've never had problems with this before when travelling, but I do have a mixed heritage, very curly hair etc. Interested to know whether any non-white / non-east Asian travellers have ever experienced any race-related issues while in these countries.

In terms of what I'd like to do when I'm out there - my travel tastes are very broad! I like going to museums and historical sites, walking tours, I love nature and hiking, eating (nom nom nom) and food tours/cooking classes, relaxing in thermal spas/beach days, dancing (but I doubt I'd go to a club or bar alone). I'd obviously love to hit the big cities too, but I'm not really into shopping or I guess "lifestyle" stuff.

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

Female early 30s - planning my first solo travel trip to Vietnam from Dublin Ireland in MidJuly/Early August - I will have approx 14 -16 days to work with. Thinking of a 1 night stopover on the way home in hong kong or singapore. I'm looking for thoughts on the below brief Itinerary. I'd like to join some tour groups along the way for certain activities. Anything im really missing out on, Ho Chi minh seems tricky logistically

Day 1: Arrive → Hanoi

Days 2–3: Hanoi (2 full days)

Days 4–5: Ninh Binh (2 nights)

Days 6–7: Ha Long Bay cruise

Day 7/8: Fly south

Days 8–13: Hoi An ( beach/chill time)

Day 13 fly to singapore or hong kong for 1 night and then home to dublin

So for context I (22M) recently graduated college and always wanted to do a big trip in Europe before I start my career and have any serious life commitments. So naturally I planned a grand adventure touring 8 cities in 8 countries in about 4 weeks or so. My first week is with a family member visiting Lisbon and Barcelona (They always wanted to go there so I extended the invite). The next 2-3 weeks is completely solo visiting Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and finally Krakow.

I’ve never done anything like this before but that doesn’t really bother me too much. I am a little worried about feeling lonely or out of place but I booked nice hostels with activities to help curb this. I don’t have many plans once I’m in these cities I just want to figure it out when I get there. I feel like I got over ambitious but what the hell.

I have done basic research on what to pack, visit, budget, etc but I’m always open to hearing any suggestions or recommendations on what to bring or do. I really just wanted to reach out to this community since it seems so open and cooperative. I leave in 1 week and am so excited but want some advice and see what other more experienced travels may think

Sorry for the rant maybe I’m more nervous than I thought!

I know you shouldn't use a direct USB-C wire from the wall to the phone, but what about electrical sockets in general to charge your phone? Are they safe? Or am I better off just using a power bank and using the ports to charge the power bank?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 5–6 day solo trip in May and looking for destinations in India with cool weather and beautiful natural views. I prefer mountains, greenery, and peaceful places over crowded cities.

My budget is around ₹10k–₹15k, and I’m open to both popular and less crowded spots.

So far I’m considering places like Himachal, Uttarakhand, or maybe Kashmir, but not sure which would be best in terms of weather and overall experience.

Would love suggestions on:

• Best destinations for this time
• Budget-friendly options
• Any short itinerary ideas

Thanks in advance!