Solo Travel Tips for Introverts & How to Start

One of the biggest reasons I hear why people hesitate going on a solo trip is that they are uncomfortable with strangers.

I hide my introverted-ness pretty well because when I’m amongst people I am high energy baby. But it’s taken years to become this person. I had to learn when to lean into being alone and when to engage with society.

These are my top tips for meeting and/or avoiding people when traveling alone:

Befriend an extrovert

This is my absolute favorite introverted travel hack. It is the easiest and fastest way to reduce anxiety over meeting new people. Sure, that first interaction might be uneasy. But your new extroverted friend will CARRY you into twenty new conversations before you can even ask for their last name. Stand back and watch them thrive.

Hangout in a lobby

The same thing applies to hostel lounges, hotel pools, and rooftop bars. People on vacation love meeting new people while sipping cocktails. The trick is to go during happy hour, even if you don’t drink. This is because everyone has either arrived for the day or finished their daytime activity. Stay off your phone and someone will approach in no time.

Join a Tour

Needless to say, the type of tour greatly affects your chances of meeting people. A wine tour, for example, usually gets everyone tipsy and friendly. I hate a walking tour as much as the next guy, but I can’t deny it’s an effective way to meet people. You go to a walking tour alone and leave with four people looking to split dinner.

Find quiet places

I’m sure you seek these out instinctively, but remember to save some in advance on your maps. If you’re ever overwhelmed, quickly go and relax. My favorite quiet places are cafes, book stores, parks, botanical gardens (off peak hours), water fronts, and empty stores where I can browse in silence.

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