How to Plan Your First Solo Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Traveling is fun, but planning one isn’t always as enjoyable
This is especially true for those planning their first-ever trip, and even more so if you’re on a tight budget—like many of us out there.
Not everyone who loves to travel has experience in planning a trip. How many times have we joined family vacations or trips with friends that are organized by that one person who loves arranging everything? Or maybe you've gone on trips planned by a travel agency or as part of a tour package.
This guide is for those who are organizing a trip for the first time and tackling a solo adventure. The most important opinions in this planning process are yours and yours alone. It’s your time to travel your way!
Step 1: Deciding Where to Go
Step 1: Deciding Where to Go
If you already have a destination in mind, that’s great—start there. You can use this as your initial idea and build your trip around it. But if you're unsure where to go, your first step is to narrow down your options to about three potential destinations.
How do you narrow down your options to just three?
First, avoid starting with an entire country unless it’s a small one like Singapore. Instead, do some research. Look through your saved travel posts on social media, bookmarks, or wish lists.
Begin by listing five cities you're interested in. Write them down, create a simple table, or use an Excel sheet to organize your list.
Next, for each city, jot down at least five must-see attractions, must-do activities, or must-eat foods. These are your priority items that excite or inspire you the most.
If you find that a city has fewer than five exciting options, consider removing it from your list. The goal is to pick the top three cities that get you most enthusiastic.
And remember, if you only have two destinations that excite you, that’s perfectly okay. The point is to have some backup options in case plans change during your trip planning.
Tip: Before finalizing your choices, check if you need a visa for each destination. Look into the visa process, how long it takes to get one, and any travel restrictions before moving forward.
Step 2: Decide When to Go, and for How Long
If you have no restrictions on travel dates—lucky you!—the next step is to see if any of your must-see or must-do items are tied to specific dates or seasons. For example, maybe you want to see the cherry blossoms in Japan or attend a local festival. Knowing this will help you choose the best time to visit.
If your travel dates are flexible, you can consider a wider time frame. Use factors like flight prices and accommodation costs to narrow down your options. If you’re on a tight budget, make sure to look for non-peak travel seasons. Traveling during off-peak times can save you a lot of money and often mean fewer crowds.
For those with limited schedules—perhaps only a few vacation days available—start by identifying your ideal travel dates. Keep in mind that your trip length will likely be constrained by your time off, so plan accordingly.
Tip: Keep a list of potential travel windows and compare costs and weather conditions for each. This way, you can pick the best possible dates that fit both your schedule and your budget.
Step 3: Check Flight Schedules and Prices.
Assuming you will need to fly to reach your destination, the next step is to look up flights using your travel dates from Step 2. Check the flight options for each of your top three destinations and take note of the schedules and prices.
Tip: As a solo traveler, it’s a good idea to try to arrive in the morning rather than late at night. Arriving during daylight makes it easier to find transportation from the airport to your accommodation and helps ensure your safety. Plus, if your flight is delayed, you won’t risk losing your first night’s lodging. Arriving when it’s light outside also helps you get your bearings in a new place.
Use the flight availability and times to narrow down your destination and travel dates. By the end of this step, you should have a clear idea of where you’re going, when you’ll be there, and which flights fit your schedule and budget.
Important: Do not book your flights yet. Wait until you complete Step 4, which is researching your accommodation options.
Step 4: Check Accommodation Options and Prices.
Use your travel dates and destination to search for accommodations in safe neighborhoods. Focus on budget-friendly options like hotels, hostels, Airbnbs, or couchsurfing. Map out your must-see spots to see if they cluster in one area, then start your search there.
Select your top three options, save the details, and bookmark the links. Make sure accommodation is available within your budget before booking your flight. Once your flight is booked, secure your accommodation early—especially in popular cities like Tokyo or Kyoto.
Important: If you need a visa, wait until it’s approved before making bookings.
And if you’re on a tight budget, don’t buy flights until you’re confident that affordable accommodation is available.
Step 5: Add flexibility to your accommodation choices
If you tend to change your mind or are unsure about your final choice, look for booking options that offer free cancellation up to a certain date. These options may cost a bit more but are worth the extra peace of mind, as they save you from losing your money if plans change.
Make a note of the last free-cancellation date and set a reminder on your calendar.
After securing your accommodation, you can start planning your itinerary.
I recommend taking a short break after booking flights and accommodations, since these steps can be pretty exhausting.
Tip: Many booking sites charge more for free cancellation options. Check platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb, as they often offer more flexible and budget-friendly options with free cancellation.
Step 6: Must-have Items
Before diving into your daily plans, there are some essentials to budget for:
Travel Insurance: Covers health issues and accidents, giving you peace of mind during your trip.
Roaming Options: Consider eSIMs or local SIM cards for reliable mobile connectivity, which is crucial for safety and staying connected.
Visa or Visitor Permits: Ensure you have the necessary documents to enter your destination legally.
Cash and ATM Access: Bring some cash, but also check if your bank’s cards allow international withdrawals. ATMs are usually more convenient and urgent-friendly than money changers.
Digital Wallets/Banking Apps: To minimize carrying cash, use digital payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, or platforms like Wise, Revolut, and Youtrip for international cards. They help keep your money safe and accessible for emergencies or cash-only situations.
Step 7: Plan your Day-to-Day Itineraries
Once you get the above steps covered, it is time for the fun stuff!! The day-to-day Itinerary. I will cover this in a separate post soon!!
Note: This post is not sponsored. I do not earn any commission or benefits from recommending any of the services or products mentioned here.