How to Travel Alone as an Introvert

Opening a hostel room’s door to seven other strangers might make any introverted traveler stop dead in their tracks and question why in the name of all that is good they thought this would be a good idea. Yet, getting familiar with a few introvert travel tips beforehand may help avoid those uncomfy situations.

Here we see one of introverts’ worst nightmares come true.

A wide spectrum of people can wear the title of introvert, from the socially anxious to those who come off as the life of the party but want nothing more than to recharge alone in bed with a good book. For the introverts who have never set foot on foreign soil alone, the sheer thought of solo international travel and all the brave new experiences that come with it can seem daunting and maybe even not worth the discomfort.

But what if we told you that no matter what crowd you find comfort in (or lack thereof), you can shape travel to fit your needs? Learn how to make the absolute most out of a trip with these travel tips for introverts.

What is it like to travel alone?

Traveling alone requires more self-dependence, bravery, and planning than doing it with your homies. But thousands of miles away from close friends and family and surrounded by total strangers sounds like a recipe specially made for the more extroverted side of the population.

So why, oh why, would a reserved introvert plunge into the scary, vast expanse of the unknown alone where you need to chat it up with new people day after day?

The truth is, that’s how it might seem from the outside. But once abroad, it’s a whole different story.

And that’s because travel can be an eye-opening, *beautiful*, fantastically enriching, and UNFORGETTABLE experienceㅡno matter your personality.

The unknown is always intimidating, especially if you’re planning something solo with no one else to depend on. The reasons why we travel vary just as much as the new person we become when we land back home. But if you have that itch to go out and explore, then by Jove, you scratch that itch!

It’s easy to put up with a few strangers when there’s a promise of adventure, right?

As the famous travel quote by Neale Donald Walsch goes, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Uncomfortable situations while traveling are what help you grow, reflect, understand, and derive more value than you would staying at home.

So, how do you travel the world alone as an introvert? It all starts with the decision to go, followed by a wee bit of planning.

5 essential travel tips for introverts

Even when traveling the world alone, you are never truly alone. This article full of introvert travel tips is living proof! Just think about all the introverts before you who have had lifetimes to refine travel systems that work for them.

Here are just a few tried and true ways to go about it.

1. Dare to inch away from your beloved comfort zone

Why are you traveling? The answer should be your top priority to achieve before landing back at home. Language learning, cultural immersion, self-fulfillment, and professional and academic gains all require steps into the unknown to foster growth.

And even stepping away from those hardwired goals can bring immense fulfillment while traveling. Oftentimes, the most memorable snippets of an experience abroad involve the unexpected.

Mustering the courage to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Befriending fellow travelers in the hostel’s common area and planning a trip for the next day.

Getting lost in a quiet part of town, only to have a little old lady help you out in a different language.

All the new takes courage and a few deep breaths, but you certainly won’t get the same experience marching straight back to a hotel room for a quiet evening alone every day.

Putting yourself in unfamiliar situations will help you grow as a traveler (and person)!

2. Find accommodations where you can still have your own personal oasis

Now, making the most of your time abroad and seizing more opportunities outside of your comfort zone doesn’t mean throwing away alone time and going couch surfing in various living rooms day after day.

As any introvert knows, there is nothing more sacred than time away from others to recharge. After a long day spent figuring out how to travel the world alone, the true alone time starts when you’re no longer surrounded by people on the street, at the store, or anywhere else—accommodations included.

Whether you’re looking to study abroad for a summer or planning on galavanting Europe solo before a volunteer program starts, there are tons of different options for where to stay. These include hostel dorms or single rooms, hotels, AirBnBs, homestays, and guest houses. When making the choice, opt for somewhere that still provides an introverted oasis, so you can tackle the next day feeling mentally well rested.

Don’t break the bank either! The right choice can even be a 16-person hostel dorm room with a curtain around your bunk for added privacy.

Another pro tip: Read hostel reviews before you book, if possible. They’ll give you insight into whether you’re going to stay in a “party” hostel or not. That way, you can dive in knowingly, or avoid it altogether.

3. Participate in organized programs that do the planning and logistics for you

Everyone inside this cable car probably just became best friends.

Let’s be real. One of the top concerns when traveling as an introvert is how in the world you can mingle with new people in a completely new setting. Every. Single. Day.

The solution? Take the exhausting parts of travel (like planning and booking) out of the equation with a tour or group travel.

It may sound counterintuitive, given that you’re signing up to surround yourself with other people. But a more intimate travel group can work in an introvert’s favor, giving a much more manageable crowd to slowly get to know and build friendships with over the course of your travel.

The tradeoff of choosing to spend your travels with a small group is that you don’t have to make any calls or strike up conversations to set up accommodations, cultural excursions, educational workshops, and transportation. Any excuse to skip a phone call is a relief, right?

For travel spanning a few short weeks, adventure travel, study abroad, and even volunteer programs are great options to look at. Longer trips could benefit from all the above, as well as gap years, language school, and sometimes even organized internships and jobs abroad.

4. Get a global data or a local phone plan for internet access anywhere

While WiFi is readily available in most large cities, having internet access with you at all times eliminates the additional hassle and small talk needed to ask for directions and WiFi passwords.

If you’re traveling completely on your own, global data is also a lifeline in case of emergencies, quick translations, maps, and anything else you need. For shorter trips, it may be more affordable to buy a local SIM card with limited data or a monthly plan to use with your phone.

READ MORE: ​​How to Use Your Phone Internationally Without Charges

5. Ease your way into new social groups online first

What else can you do with a global internet connection? Make use of it before and during your trip, of course!

It’s the 21st century—it’s totally normal and okay to connect with people online.

When it comes to meeting new people abroad and expanding social horizons, introverts just need a bit more time than the chattier, extroverted side of the population. Ease into new friendships by getting involved in Facebook groups for your target destination, Meetup.com groups for travelers and expats, and other social media channels.

Through these groups, you might discover local meetups in-person with people you’re already acquainted with, fun things to do, and hidden gems you don’t yet know about, for once you arrive.

Traveling as an introvert isn’t scary—it’s awesome!

Rather than thinking of introverted personality traits as obstacles when traveling, consider all the advantages that make introverts the perfect traveling powerhouse. As active listeners and skilled observers, introverts take the time to quietly read the room, soak in new information, and think critically before replying. What more can you ask for when navigating unfamiliar cities, cultures, and languages?