Solo travel is one of the most freeing, confidence-building ways to see the world. Whether you're travelling alone by choice, finding your feet after a life change, or simply not willing to let friends' schedules hold you back, going solo means the trip is entirely yours — your pace, your interests, your itinerary. It can feel daunting the first time, but with a few smart choices it is safe, surprisingly social and deeply rewarding. This guide helps Canadians plan a first solo trip with confidence.
After more than twenty years planning trips for travellers of every kind, I've sent plenty of people off on wonderful solo journeys, and I can tell you the nervousness almost always turns into a craving to do it again. Here's how to set yourself up for that — the right kind of trip, the cost trap to avoid, and how to stay safe, connected and (if you want) anything but alone.
The best kinds of trips for going solo
Some trips are simply easier and more enjoyable solo, because they build in company, structure or safety. For a first solo trip, these are the ones I most often recommend.
- Small-group and escorted tours: instant travel companions and all the logistics handled — the most popular and reassuring way to travel solo.
- Cruises: sociable and safe, with no driving, a single base and plenty of people to meet; river cruises in particular are gentle and convivial — see my river cruise guide.
- All-inclusive resorts: easy, relaxed and secure, with everything on-site and no daily logistics to manage alone.
- City breaks: a walkable city with lots to see, eat and do keeps a solo trip full and engaging, with easy day tours to meet others.
Beating the single supplement
Here's the solo traveller's biggest and most legitimate gripe: the single supplement, the extra charge for occupying a room or cabin built for two. It can add anywhere from a modest amount to nearly the price of a second person, which feels unfair when you're one. The good news is there are ways around it: some tour and cruise lines waive or reduce single supplements on certain departures, others offer a room-share matching service that pairs you with a same-gender roommate, and some cruise ships have dedicated solo cabins (with their own solo lounge) priced for one. Travelling in the off-peak season helps too. Finding the single-friendly options is exactly the kind of thing I dig out for solo clients.
Staying safe as a solo traveller
Solo travel is safe for the vast majority of travellers with ordinary precautions — the same awareness from my money-and-safety guide, with a little extra care because there's no companion as a backstop. Research which neighbourhoods are best to stay in, arrive in a new place during daylight when you can, share your itinerary and check in with someone at home, and trust your instincts — if something feels off, remove yourself. Blend in rather than advertising that you're a tourist travelling alone, keep emergency numbers handy, and know where the nearest Canadian embassy is. For solo women especially, these habits — plus choosing reputable accommodation and transport — make all the difference, without letting fear shrink the trip.
Staying connected
When you're on your own, being reachable and able to navigate is more than convenient — it's a genuine safety tool. A travel eSIM gives you data the moment you land for maps, translation, booking a ride and calling home, with no roaming charges or hunting for Wi-Fi; my eSIM guide makes setup simple. Download offline maps, save key numbers, and agree on a regular check-in with someone at home so a friendly text is part of the routine. That single thing removes most of what makes first-time solo travellers anxious.
Meeting people — if you want to
Solo does not mean lonely unless you want solitude, which is also perfectly wonderful. If you'd like company, the easiest ways to meet people are group tours and cruises, social or boutique hotels, free walking tours, day excursions, cooking or wine classes, and simply sitting at the bar rather than a table at dinner. Travellers are an open, friendly bunch, and a solo traveller is often the most approachable person in the room. Equally, there's a quiet joy in a trip that answers to no one but you — many people fall in love with solo travel precisely for that.
Insurance matters even more when you're solo
Travel insurance is essential for everyone, but it carries extra weight when you travel alone, because there's no companion to help if something goes wrong. Comprehensive coverage — emergency medical plus trip cancellation and interruption — and the insurer's 24-hour assistance line mean that if you fall ill or hit a problem, there's a professional on the other end of the phone arranging help. My travel insurance guide covers what to look for; for a solo traveller, it's non-negotiable.
Practical solo travel tips
- Book your first night's accommodation in advance so you arrive with a sure landing spot.
- Pack light — there's no one to watch your bags, so a manageable carry-on is your friend.
- Make lunch your big restaurant meal if dining alone at night feels less comfortable, and bring a book or sit at the bar.
- Keep copies of your passport and key documents, stored separately, and a backup card in a different bag.
- Build in downtime — travelling solo is more tiring without someone to share the planning, so don't over-schedule.
Mistakes I help solo travellers avoid
- Paying a steep single supplement when a solo-friendly tour, cruise cabin or room-share would have cost far less.
- Choosing a destination or style that's harder to do alone for a nervous first trip.
- Arriving somewhere unfamiliar late at night without a plan.
- Skimping on insurance or connectivity — the two things that matter most when you're on your own.
- Over-scheduling and burning out instead of leaving room to enjoy the freedom.
How I help
Solo travel is where a good advisor quietly becomes your travel partner. I match you to the right solo-friendly trip — a tour, a cruise or an easy resort — hunt down the options that reduce or waive the single supplement, make sure your insurance and connectivity are sorted, and brief you on the destination. Most importantly, you have a real person to call before, during and after the trip, which is exactly the reassurance solo travellers value most. Booked through my Quebec agency, your trip is FICAV-protected too.
The first solo trip is the scary one. Almost everyone I send comes home already planning the next — because they discovered the trip could be entirely, wonderfully theirs.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best trip for a first solo traveller?
A small-group or escorted tour is the most reassuring first solo trip — built-in companions and handled logistics — followed by a cruise or an all-inclusive resort for safety and ease. A walkable city break is great if you're comfortable with more independence.
What is a single supplement?
It's the extra charge a solo traveller pays to occupy a room or cabin designed for two. It can range from modest to nearly double, but some tours and cruises waive or reduce it, offer room-share matching, or have dedicated solo cabins — which I'll seek out for you.
Is solo travel safe?
For the vast majority of travellers and destinations, yes, with ordinary precautions: research your areas, arrive in daylight, share your itinerary, stay connected, trust your instincts, and check the Government of Canada advisory for your destination. A little extra care replaces a travel companion as your backstop.
What's the best way to meet people while travelling solo?
Group tours and cruises make it effortless; beyond those, social hotels, free walking tours, day excursions, classes and sitting at the bar at dinner all help. Solo travellers are often the most approachable people around — but enjoying your own company is equally valid.
Any tips for solo female travellers?
The same good habits, applied with a little extra care: choose reputable accommodation and transport, arrive in daylight, keep your plans shared with someone at home, dress to blend in, and trust your instincts. Group tours and cruises are popular, comfortable choices. These let you travel boldly without taking unnecessary risks.
Thinking about a first solo adventure? Tell me where you'd love to go and how independent you want to feel, and I'll match you to the right trip — single-supplement-friendly, safe and set up so you're never truly on your own. Request a free quote below, or call me directly and we'll plan it together.