The Honest Side of Solo Travel (That No One Talks About)
I know how Instagram makes solo travelling look — amazing, life-changing, freeing. And sometimes, it really is.
But the truth? It’s not always that picture-perfect. In this article, I’m peeling back the curtain to share some of the Honest side of solo travel — the parts people rarely talk about.
I’m not trying to scare you off, just to give you a more honest idea of what it’s really like before you book that big solo trip.
When Solo Travelling Gets Exhausting
At first, the idea of not having to do anything you don’t want to do sounds amazing. But after a while, even the honest solo travel experience can start to feel a bit tedious, always deciding where to eat, what to see, and planning every single part of your day. Being the planner of literally everything on your trip is exhausting, and sometimes, you just wish someone else would take the reins for a change.
Decision Fatigue and Constant Planning
If you’ve ever travelled solo, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say planning everything gets exhausting.
Where to eat, what to do, how to get there — it’s all on you, every single day. And after a while, that freedom can start to feel like a chore.
Decision fatigue and travel burnout are real, and they hit when you least expect it. It’s frustrating too, because you know you’re in an amazing place and feel like you should be out exploring — but sometimes, you just can’t.
The best thing you can do is give yourself permission to take a break. Spend a day “off” from travelling: chill at the hostel, Watch a Netflix show, grab some take-away. You don’t have to be on the go 24/7 — rest days are part of the journey too.
The Mental Load of solo travel
Solo travel is incredible — but it also comes with a lot to juggle. You’re constantly thinking about where to go, how to get there, staying safe, managing your budget, and keeping track of everything in between. In unfamiliar places, that mental load can really build up and lead to travel burnout if you’re not careful.
That’s why planning rest days into your itinerary is so important. Give yourself downtime to recharge, and make use of helpful travel apps and resources to take some pressure off. When you have tools and breaks built into your trip, you’ll be able to actually enjoy the experience — without the constant stress of “what’s next?” hanging over you.
Feeling Lonely Doesn’t Mean You’re Failing
When you’re solo travelling, feeling lonely is almost inevitable at some point. After all, you are on your own — but that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Instead of getting caught up in the loneliness, try to embrace it as part of the experience. You’ve given yourself the chance to explore the world on your own terms — and that’s something to be proud of.
Dining and Exploring Alone
There will be times when you’ll explore a city on your own. I remember when I first started solo travelling, I would try to avoid going out alone, always looking for a group or a friend I’d met the night before.
Now, I’ve realized I was just limiting myself from the true solo travel experience. Some of my best memories have come from wandering streets by myself or trying a restaurant I’d heard about. It’s not about feeling lonely — it’s about enjoying your trip on your own terms. Don’t wait for others; they’ll likely want to do something different anyway.
Turning Loneliness into Connection
Sometimes, going out alone can lead to the most memorable experiences. Whether you’re grabbing a meal or having a drink at a bar. People are often more likely to strike up a conversation, especially in popular tourist spots. I’ve met some of my best travel buddies at backpacker bars or after joining a tour on my own.
Being solo doesn’t mean being isolated. Often, it’s the perfect opportunity to meet new people and make unexpected connections that you wouldn’t have if you were traveling with friends.
Instagram vs Reality: What You Really Experience
Those Instagram photos make every destination look flawless and life-changing — but the truth is, most places won’t look quite like that in real life. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still incredible, just not as empty or filtered as they appear online. Expect crowds, queues, and the occasional travel hiccup, especially in the big tourist hotspots.
We’ve all seen the solo travel photos: dreamy beaches, mountain views, perfectly lit breakfasts. And while those moments are real, they don’t show the full story. The honest solo travel experience includes missed buses, language mix-ups, and the occasional lonely night. Solo travel can be both incredible and inconvenient — and that’s okay. Your trip doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to be worth it.
Why Social Media Can Be Misleading
Behind almost every stunning travel photo on Instagram, there’s usually a lot of editing involved — whether it’s removing crowds, tweaking the colours, or capturing that one perfect lighting moment. For many travel influencers, it’s part of their job to make destinations look dream-like — and honestly, they do it well.
That doesn’t mean these places aren’t worth visiting, but it’s good to keep your expectations realistic. Social media shows the highlights, not the heat, the waiting, or the chaos behind the scenes. The reality might be a little less glamorous, but it’s still just as memorable.
10 Solo Travel Tips You Can’t Miss
Want to make your solo trips easier and more enjoyable? Check out my 10 Essential Solo Travel Tips — full of practical advice to help you avoid burnout, meet new people, and get the most out of your adventures!
The Challenges You Don’t See Coming
Anyone who says solo travelling is easy is… not telling the whole truth. Navigating foreign bus and train stations can be stressful — especially if you leave things to the last minute. I’ve definitely missed a few trains or buses and ended up stuck waiting in random stations for hours.
There are countless challenges that only become apparent once you’re actually in the moment. Solo travel is full of surprises, and while some can be frustrating, they’re also part of the adventure — and the stories you’ll remember long after the trip is over.
Travel Mishaps and Delays
I’m not the most organised person, and I usually just go with the flow — which means I end up in more travel mishaps than most. While they can be frustrating, one of the perks of solo travel is that you’re on your own schedule.
For example, I once booked a connecting flight through Milan after a few drinks, only to realize I’d scheduled it for the day after I landed. What was supposed to be a two-hour layover turned into an unexpected day exploring the city. Solo travel has a way of turning mistakes into memorable experiences — you just have to be willing to embrace them.
Culture Shock and Language Barriers
One of the trickiest parts of solo travel is navigating unfamiliar cultures and languages. Small things, from reading menus to understanding local customs. It can sometimes feel overwhelming. Coming from Australia, I’ve definitely had moments where I felt out of place or unsure how to act, and yes. There are occasional scams to watch out for as a solo traveller.
The key is awareness and flexibility. When you approach new cultures with curiosity rather than frustration, even challenging situations can turn into memorable experiences. Learning a few local phrases, observing customs, and staying alert helps you avoid mishaps and often leads to some of the most rewarding interactions on the road.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Solo Travel
There are so many positives to travelling, and while I’ve highlighted some of the parts people often forget to mention, they’re actually integral to the solo travel experience. Interestingly, it’s often these very moments that keep me coming back.
Sitting at a café by yourself, or trying to decipher what the old French lady is trying to say — these are the moments that stick with me, sometimes even more than the attractions themselves. It’s the small, unpolished experiences that make solo travel unforgettable.
Personal Growth and Confidence
This is one of the most rewarding aspects of solo travel. Having to handle everything on your own. With no one else to rely on, pushes you in ways you don’t expect. By the end of your journey, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve grown. Solo travel builds confidence and independence like nothing else, leaving you more self-assured and capable than when you started.
Conclusion: Real, Rewarding, and Worth It
The positives of solo travel far outweigh the challenges. And honestly, many of the things I’ve mentioned aren’t really “negatives” they’re just part of the full experience that most people don’t talk about. My main goal is to show you the honest side of solo travel and what it can be like, so you’re prepared when you book that trip.
Solo travel pushes you out of your comfort zone, teaches patience, builds confidence, and gives you the freedom to explore the world on your own terms. There will be moments of loneliness, mishaps, and unexpected challenges — but these are often the very experiences that make the journey unforgettable. Embrace the ups and downs, trust yourself, and you’ll come home with memories, skills, and stories that stay with you long after the trip is over.
