Travelling Alone

Advantages and Disadvantages of Travelling Alone

Travelling solo doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone—it depends on the destination, the cultures you encounter, the type of trip and its duration, as well as your experience, personality, and even gender. The one thing everyone shares is that the feeling of solitude often hits hardest at nightfall.

That said, it’s best not to go too much against your "nature" when deciding whether to travel alone or with others. Compromises exist, though—you can travel with a group while still carving out moments, or even days, to explore solo.

The Advantages

Die-hard solo travellers will tell you that being alone means absolute freedom: travelling at your own pace, changing your itinerary, and doing what you want when you want. Solo travel also pushes you to connect with others, multiplying encounters—though outside Europe or North America, it can be hard to stay isolated, as locals’ "curiosity" is often intense. On the flip side, travelling with others can unconsciously encourage people to stick together, limiting interactions with fellow travellers and locals.

For some, this solitude can also be a chance to get to know themselves better, push their limits, build confidence, and even serve as a form of therapy.

That said, solo travellers should pack a few good books, their music, films, and anything else that matters to them to fill the moments without encounters. Some may even use that time to keep a travel journal.

The Disadvantages

Challenges

Solo travel has its downsides. For women, certain countries or regions can be particularly tough.

Beginners may find it easier to travel with others or someone more experienced, especially for challenging trips or destinations very different from what they know. And if your language skills are limited to French, you might end up seeking out other French speakers, which can limit your opportunities for broader encounters.

Costs

Travelling alone is also more expensive—starting with accommodation, which costs proportionally more than when sharing. You’ll often get the worst room or table at restaurants, too.

If you want to split costs (or meet people), the easiest way is to wait at reception for another solo traveller and suggest sharing a room. You can also leave a note at the front desk—this works nine times out of ten.

Logistics

If you’re camping, cooking for yourself, or carrying a lot of gear, there’s no one to share the load. You might not always find someone to watch your things while you look for a hotel, and no one will split the long waits in line for train or bus tickets. You’ll also have to handle all the usual travel tasks alone—exchanging money, making reservations, and so on.

Risks

The biggest downside is dealing with problems or risks alone (avoid solo travel if there are too many). Women, in particular, should be cautious, as thieves everywhere prefer targeting people on their own. Being sick without anyone around is also far less pleasant, as is dealing with what could be called "travel stress and culture shock".

Over time, constantly travelling alone—or just with people you meet along the way—can also lead to frustration. You might end up feeling like you’ve seen and experienced so much that you can’t share it with anyone close to you.

Finding and Choosing Travel Companions

You can look for companions before or during your trip.

If you’re particularly wary of loneliness, it’s better to find them before you leave rather than hoping to meet someone with the same itinerary and timeline along the way. For long trips, though, remember that everyone’s goals and preferences (budget, interests, activities, comfort level, etc.) need to align at least somewhat for the journey to work.

Along the Way

If you’re looking for companions on the road, don’t rely on chance alone. Leave notes in hotel lobbies (not just your own)—especially in places with TV rooms, terraces, or gardens, which make it easier to meet other travellers. Use public transport, which gives you time to connect. Stick to the top recommendations in the *Guide du Routard* if you’re looking for French speakers, or *Lonely Planet* (or *Rough Guides*) for English-speaking travellers.

Most importantly, don’t overthink how to approach people—just go for it. If you’re tired of travelling alone, say so; refusals will be rare. But be careful not to become a burden to your new companions later on.

Before Departure

The easiest way to find travel companions before you leave is to post an ad in VoyageForum’s "Travel Companions" section, which can also be used for searches on the road.

How to Search Well

Be precise in your ad: detail who you are, what you’re looking for, and the type of trip you’re planning. To avoid disappointment, don’t wait until the last minute. Look for companions (more than one if you’re wary of one-on-one situations) who share your interests and travel style. Talk and "test" each other beforehand—especially if it’s a trek, bike trip, or boat journey.

A common scenario: if a male traveller is looking for a female companion (or vice versa), personal considerations will likely come into play, especially on long trips. Be aware of this and address it openly to avoid letting it affect the journey later.

If you don’t find anyone (which would be surprising), don’t stay home—try an organised trip. Some tour operators offer group trips that feel almost like independent travel. Even for long-term travellers, group trips of varying lengths exist. That said, this option is far less common in France than in the UK, where many local operators offer (very) long-term group trips across all five continents.

In the end, travelling with others is like being in a relationship: for it to work, everyone has to put in the effort.