My first European solo journey

I’ve been fortunate sufficient to expertise every kind of journeys through the years, from a multigenerational vacation in Germany to an outdoorsy honeymoon in Madagascar. But till just lately, I had by no means actually taken a giant solo journey.

Sure, I’ve achieved my justifiable share of solo journey across the U.S. — however most of my journeys are to go to family members or attend work occasions, so I’m not likely alone. The final and solely time I flew internationally on my own was after I studied overseas in Ireland over a decade in the past, and even then, I had no scarcity of fellow college students to pal round with.

I made a decision it was time to see what solo journey is all about, so I booked a weeklong journey to Lisbon, get together of 1. Here’s what I realized, why I’d completely do it once more — and what I’d do in a different way subsequent time.

Travel is extra draining

The very first thing I seen about solo journey is that the journey half is extra demanding. You are 100% chargeable for getting your self to your vacation spot — that features retaining tabs in your flight standing, studying indicators (typically in international languages), navigating public transportation and extra.

In different phrases, you should be consistently “on.” You cannot danger dozing off at your gate; you’ll be able to’t even go to the restroom with out squeezing your baggage into the stall with you. And you is likely to be stunned how scary it’s strolling as much as a Portuguese metro ticket machine for the primary time, particularly after an extended, sleepless transatlantic flight.

I’m used to divvying up these tasks after I journey with my husband, however on my solo journey to Lisbon, all of them fell to me. As a end result, I felt extra drained by the point I reached my first Lisbon resort — however I additionally felt empowered.

Traveling solo wasn’t as troublesome as I had imagined, and as soon as I noticed this, I started to see the chances.

It’s not as exhausting for introverts as chances are you’ll assume

Once I arrived at my vacation spot, a brand new concern started to sink in. I’m a reasonably introverted particular person, and I haven’t got a lot of a observe report of chatting with strangers. I fearful I’d really feel awkward whereas eating alone or self-conscious about taking selfies close to Lisbon landmarks.

But I compelled myself to do it anyway. (For science, after all.)

And the outcomes stunned me.

While navigating airports and metro stations was extra draining as a solo traveler, I discovered all the pieces else extra stress-free. Rather than feeling awkward, eating alone felt calm and aware. Sightseeing was much less exhausting, too. Without companions to converse with, I used to be in a position to be extra current and actually soak in each new expertise.

Plus, after I did meet different folks, it was really simpler for me to speak to them one-on-one. Without my (a lot chattier) husband round, I discovered myself making small speak with servers at eating places and bonding with my tuktuk tour information, which helped me construct confidence and stave off loneliness.

However, by the tip of my week in Lisbon, my social battery was working low. I used to be prepared for a break from town’s hustle and bustle, so I deliberate an city mountaineering day within the large Monsanto Forest Park. A day spent within the firm of timber and birdsong was simply what I wanted.

That’s the fantastic thing about solo journey: You can design your journey in line with what you need — and alter plans on a dime if wanted — with out worrying about anybody else.

Related: The finest locations for a solo weekend getaway

It’s simpler to e book with factors and miles

For factors and miles fans, it is simpler to search out epic award flight offers once you solely want one ticket quite than two or extra seats collectively. Plus, you need not amass as many factors to e book your dream journey.

When it involves lodging, chances are you’ll pay extra in money when touring alone since you will not be splitting prices with anybody else — that is the place factors are available in. I stayed at factors properties, together with Andaz Lisbon and The Vintage, to reduce out-of-pocket bills.

You may even e book actions in your vacation spot with factors or different journey rewards.

After utilizing most of my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card’s annual $300 Capital One Travel credit score on a earlier journey, I had round $40 left over — simply sufficient to snag a ticket for one to the world-famous Lisbon Oceanarium. I did not pay something out of pocket, which I’d have if I had been touring with a companion.

You can fly standby with ease

Because I needed to check out TAP Air Portugal’s new financial system prime cabin on my method residence from Lisbon, I wanted a positioning flight from New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Denver International Airport (DEN).

United had a number of direct choices, however I did not have MileagePlus miles at my disposal. Instead I had Amex factors, which I might switch at a 1:1 ratio to Air Canada Aeroplan, certainly one of United’s Star Alliance companions. On my date, Air Canada supplied a nonstop United flight from EWR to DEN for simply 15,000 Aeroplan factors and 47 CAD (roughly $34) — a steal for a four-and-a-half-hour cross-country flight.

The catch? The flight departed at 9 p.m. and would land simply shy of midnight.

I did not thoughts having a day to kill in New York City, however I wasn’t thrilled on the prospect of getting residence in the midst of the night time, particularly after I was already jetlagged. So, on the final minute, I put myself on the standby listing (United makes it simple to do that on the app) and confirmed up at EWR a number of hours forward within the hopes of catching an earlier flight.

It labored, and I managed to expertise the most effective of each worlds: Spending my free day visiting household in New York City and returning residence at an affordable hour.

Some vacationers could shudder on the uncertainty of flying standby, however I form of loved the fun. When you journey solo, you could have the liberty to play issues by ear if you would like. Plus, you could have a significantly better probability of snagging one seat in your standby flight than two or extra.

Everything takes much less time

One of the unwritten guidelines of journey is the extra folks you journey with, the longer all the pieces takes. More folks means extra time required to prepare, the next probability of forgetting one thing, and an extended wait to get into well-liked eating places or sights.

As a end result, I all the time construct slightly further time into our schedule after I journey with my husband; I add much more after we journey with mates or kin.

But on my solo journey to Lisbon, all the pieces took much less time than I anticipated. I left early for the Oceanarium as a result of the web site advised allotting two to a few hours, and as a self-identified fish nerd, I figured I would wish slightly further time. Instead, I used to be out and in in simply over an hour.

I spent the additional time exploring colourful avenue artwork within the surrounding neighborhood and shopping used books within the close by metro station, then discovered my method again to my resort with out feeling rushed.

For vacationers searching for a soothing getaway, a solo journey can present a mild tempo and loads of time to find hidden gems. On the opposite hand, if you wish to pack in as a lot as potential, flying solo means that you can fill your schedule with a lot much less buffer time between actions.

Related: The finest cruise traces for solo vacationers

Decisions might be robust

The one space that did not take much less time on my solo journey was determination making.

In my pursuit of a soothing solo retreat, I intentionally did not plan a lot forward of time. I assumed selecting what to do or the place to eat can be simple with simply certainly one of me.

As it seems, I’m a really indecisive particular person when left to my very own units. Without anybody else to assist slim down my choices, I typically felt overwhelmed. The most disturbing a part of my journey was spending the night in my resort room, agonizing over a plan for the subsequent day.

I hope it will get simpler as I take extra solo journeys, and I’ll in all probability plan extra actions upfront subsequent time to keep away from falling into this entice.

European cities are nice candidates for solo journeys

Ultimately, I used to be glad I had chosen Lisbon for my first solo journey. If you need to dip your toe into worldwide solo journey, most European cities are good choices.

English is extensively spoken, there are many award flights and factors accommodations, and there’s no scarcity of issues to do to maintain you busy (or not). Plus, the general public transportation and rideshare providers make it simple to discover farther afield with out the price and trouble of renting a automotive.

When planning a solo journey, you’ll be able to select the vacation spot based mostly in your pursuits with out having to consider anybody else. Love artwork and museums? Head to Paris or Amsterdam. Hungry for a superb eating scene? Try Athens or Berlin. Looking for a vigorous pub scene with pleasant locals? You cannot beat London or Dublin.

Related: The finest locations to journey solo in 2026

Bottom line

My favourite journeys are nonetheless those I get to share with family members. But family and friends could not all the time give you the option (or keen) to go on some journeys, and that is no purpose to cross up a possibility to see the world.

It could appear formidable to plan your first worldwide solo journey and deal with new challenges by yourself — whether or not meaning navigating a international airport or deciding the place to eat dinner. But I believe you may discover solo journey is extremely empowering and rewarding.

One journey was all it took for me to recover from my nerves and uncover the numerous joys of solo journey. I’m already fascinated with the place to go subsequent — and no metro ticket machine can cease me.