7 Facts About Solo Travel For Introverts

Does the idea of solo travel intimidate you? Do you consider yourself an introverted person? Then you’re in the right place! Being an introvert doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll enjoy traveling alone, contrary to what many would assume.

Actually, introverts might encounter more difficulties traveling alone compared to other people. This is because whether we realize it or not, as introverts, we rely on others to mitigate some of the overstimulation that we experience when we are in social environments. If we travel with others they can do some or most of the talking, we might have sort of a buffer in place between us and interacting directly with the world if we have people who know our preferences nearby.

Even though being alone in an unfamiliar place can be a scary, it doesn’t mean you should avoid it. Traveling alone is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. Not everyone has the means to do so, but if you do decide to travel alone, here are some of the things you can expect to get out of your trip.

You Always End Up Challenging Yourself

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that you’ll be challenging yourself in an entirely new way on a solo trip as an introvert. The very act of taking that first step out the door could very well be the biggest challenge of all. Once you do take that first step though, and the next, and the one after that… you’ll start to change.

Just the act of thinking and planning about your trip will cause that change as well. Maybe at first you’re too fearful or worried about the logistics involved. Me? On a trip? Alone? Never! But what if it was only a week long trip, nothing extreme. What if you had everything taken care of so you knew where your lodging and all the places you would visit and what you could expect when you got there?

You start to entertain the idea and before you know it, you’ll be on a plane, or a ship or a train to somewhere on your own; you’ll be off to challenge yourself in even more ways than you could ever imagine. After that, you won’t question if you can handle solo travel, you’ll know it.

You Question Being Alone

For an introvert, being alone is often rejuvenating. So it may come as a surprise to find out that traveling alone will actually make you feel…. lonely? You’d think you would be grateful for the opportunity to be on your own, but for what might be the first time, you’ll start to question whether you want to be alone.

You could come across an unforgettable view on a hike and wish you could share it with someone. You might order too much food and be reminded that it’s on you alone to finish it. In subtle ways, you’ll be reminded of the value in companionship. It might seem like a bad aftereffect of solo travel, but it’s actually the opposite for introverts.

Since you’re out of your comfort zone (your neighborhood, your city, the places you frequent alone without a second thought), you’re forced to consider what is the best balance between being alone and being with others.

You Might Become a Different Person

No matter how long the trip is, regardless of where you go, if it’s a completely new environment that you’re unfamiliar with then you’ll probably come back a different person. It could be in small ways; you used to hate seafood, now you love seafood. But there’s the potential for so much more change than new eating habits.

Traveling alone pushes you to do the things that you were scared to do, or maybe just didn’t want to bother with. You could have left home as a person that would never be comfortable around strangers, but by the end of your trip be capable of starting a conversation with anyone.

Beyond improved communication and social skills, you could feel a difference in how you live. Rather than hesitating to get out and try new things, you don’t overthink as much. The people who know you could mention that you seem different as well. It’s the result of a journey that brought out a new side that you never expected.

You Get To Travel On Your Terms

One of the best things about solo travel as an introvert? You’ve likely already guessed it. Traveling with other people naturally also involves their wants and needs on a trip, which might de-prioritize your own. If you’re traveling alone, you get to choose every single aspect of your itinerary.

Others might not understand why you prefer or even need certain accommodations over others, which also makes traveling solo an appealing prospect compared to group travel. For instance, staying in a hostel or shared housing with other travelers outside of your own party could work maybe once or twice during your trip, but not every night and definitely not back-to-back.

If you travel solo, you’ll know that your specific needs will be met because you don’t have to accommodate anyone else’s needs. You come first and last, every leg of the trip.

Related: The Advantages of Traveling With An Introvert

You Don’t Feel As Much Pressure

Being somewhere completely new and far away from what you know doesn’t have to be scary. It’s all about your perspective of it. A new place offers you a blank slate and the chance to develop positive affiliations with them.

You might have reservations to visit certain places in your hometown or your neighborhood because you’re worried about running into someone you know, or you feel more pressure or judgment for going out.

You can let go of any feelings you’ve held on to when you travel because wherever you go, you don’t know what to expect – it’s an entirely new experience and that’s something you didn’t know you needed to feel more confident and free.

You Learn To Navigate Social Situations

For an introvert, one of the most valuable things they’ll take away from a solo trip is probably the growth they’ll experience navigating social situations. When you’re on your own, you’ll be more likely to reach out to others and interact in different scenarios. Maybe you’re lost and aren’t sure which way to go and need to pluck up the courage to stop and ask someone for directions.

Even simple exchanges like small talk in an elevator or going through the process of checking out of a hotel room can make you a better communicator. You only have yourself to depend on for each act and you’ll likely find and need people to some degree when traveling, so you’ll inevitably adapt to facing new social situations.

You might even get the chance to navigate communication and sociallizing in another language, which is an entirely different experience on its own that can be challenging to even the most approachable and talkative people. What’s important is to remember that trying is what matters the most and what will make a difference. If you don’t even try, you might look back on it and wonder what could have happened if you had, especially with nothing to lose.

Your World Opens Up Forever

If it’s the first time you’re considering solo travel, then the moment you depart your world will open up. The more you see and experience the more capable you will become to do it again. It can be easy for introverts to limit or restrict themselves based on their fear of the unknown or unexpected.

They crave familiarity in their day because it gives them an idea of what they can expect and how much energy they’ll prepare to face it. Introverts can expend themselves mentally a lot quicker because they’re more sensitive to what’s happening around them.







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Hana Othman

Hana Othman is the founder of SimpleHermit.com and identifies as an INFJ. Most days you can find her typing away or reading a book. Beyond that, she keeps busy as a dog and cat mom.