Solo Travel Starter Guide
Solo travel is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself. You set the pace, change the plan on a whim, eat where you want, and leave when you're ready. But getting started can feel daunting — especially if you've always travelled with others. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you everything you need to step off the plane, bag in hand, with total confidence.
At Aerolite, we've spent years building luggage for every kind of traveller. Solo travellers, in particular, have taught us a lot about what really matters in a bag — and it's almost never what you'd expect.
01 — Why Solo Travel Is Worth It
There's a reason solo travel has grown dramatically in popularity over the past decade. It's not just for gap-year students or retirees with nothing to tie them down. People of all ages and backgrounds are discovering that travelling alone offers something group trips simply can't replicate: genuine freedom.
Total Freedom
No compromises on destinations, pace, or itinerary. If you want to spend three hours in a single museum or skip the tour entirely, that's your call.
Deeper Connections
Solo travellers are more likely to strike up conversations with locals and other travellers. You're approachable in a way that groups aren't.
Self-Confidence
Navigating a new city alone, solving problems on the fly, and arriving somewhere unfamiliar — it builds a kind of confidence that stays with you long after you get home.
02 — Choosing the Right Luggage for Solo Travel
Your luggage matters more when you're travelling alone than it does in a group. There's no one to watch your bag while you check your phone, no one to help you haul a heavy case up three flights of stairs in a hostel, and no one to share the cost of excess baggage. You need a bag that is light, secure, airline-approved, and genuinely manageable by one person.
The choice usually comes down to two formats:
Cabin Bag Only
- No checked baggage fees — ever
- Straight off the plane, no waiting
- Less to lose or have stolen
- Forces smart, minimal packing
- Best for trips up to 10 days
Cabin Bag + Small Hold Case
- Maximum flexibility for longer trips
- Cabin bag for valuables & essentials
- Hold case for clothes & extras
- Lightweight hard shell keeps things safe
- Best for trips of 2+ weeks
For most first solo trips — a week or two in Europe — a quality cabin bag is all you need. It keeps you nimble, saves money, and means your luggage is always with you, always in your control.
Aerolite Cabin Bags — Built for Solo Travel
Sized to the exact maximum for Ryanair, Easyjet, British Airways, Wizz Air, and more. Lightweight, hard shell, TSA-approved locks, and backed by up to a 10-year warranty. Everything a solo traveller needs, nothing they don't.
Shop Cabin Bags →If you're flying budget, match your bag precisely to your airline's free allowance. Here's a quick reference:
| Airline | Free Cabin Size | Aerolite Bag to Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40×30×20 cm (underseat) | 40×30×20 cm Holdall or Backpack |
| Ryanair Priority | 55x40x20cm (underseat) | Expandable 55x40x20cm Cabin Suitcase |
| Easyjet | 45×36×20 cm (overhead) | 45×36×20 cm Hard Shell Cabin Bag |
| British Airways | 56×45×25 cm (overhead) | 56×45×25 cm Large Cabin Suitcase |
| Wizz Air | 40×30×20 cm (underseat) | 40×30×20 cm Cabin Holdall |
| Wizz Air Priority | 55×40×23 cm (overhead) | Expandable 55×40×20–23 cm Cabin Suitcase |
03 — The Solo Traveller's Packing List
Solo travellers need to pack differently to group travellers. You carry everything yourself, you're responsible for it all, and you'll likely be moving more frequently. Pack light, pack smart, and leave the "just in case" items at home.
🎒 Solo Traveller Packing List
04 — Staying Safe as a Solo Traveller
Safety is the concern most people raise about solo travel, and it's worth taking seriously without letting it become a source of fear. The vast majority of solo trips are completely uneventful. A few sensible habits dramatically reduce the small risks that do exist.
Keep Your Valuables Close
Use a hard shell cabin bag with a TSA-approved lock for your main luggage. Carry your passport, money, and phone in a money belt or internal pouch, not a back pocket.
Share Your Itinerary
Before you leave, send your accommodation details, flight numbers, and a rough itinerary to someone at home. Check in with them every few days.
Get Travel Insurance
Non-negotiable. Medical costs abroad — even in Europe — can be eye-watering without it. A basic annual policy costs less than a single airport meal deal.
Trust Your Instincts
If a situation, person, or area feels off, leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Your gut has processed information your conscious brain hasn't caught up with yet.
Keep Digital Copies
Email yourself photos of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and hotel bookings. If your phone or bag is stolen, you can access these from any device.
Know Where You're Going
Download offline maps before you land. Walking confidently with purpose is the simplest way to avoid looking like a target. Looking lost in an unfamiliar area is when risks increase.
05 — Money, Booking & Logistics
The practical side of solo travel is simpler than most people think, but a few small decisions at the planning stage save a lot of stress on the ground.
Accommodation: For first trips, hostels with private rooms give you the social atmosphere of a shared space without sacrificing privacy. Apps like Hostelworld and Booking.com show verified reviews. Check that your accommodation has secure luggage storage — especially useful on check-in and check-out days when you're between rooms.
Money: Take a Wise or Revolut card for fee-free spending in foreign currencies. Have a small amount of local cash for emergencies, taxis, or markets that don't take cards. Keep your main card and a backup card in separate places — never both in the same bag.
Transport: Book trains and buses in advance where possible — seat reservations on European trains can be surprisingly cheap. For flights, compare Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz Air, and BA directly; and remember that flying with cabin bag only makes budget carriers far more cost-effective.
Aerolite 55×40×20 cm Cabin Suitcase Collection
Our most versatile cabin size — and the one we recommend for solo travellers. At 55×40×20 cm, the range is accepted on Ryanair Priority, Wizz Air, Easyjet, and British Airways. Most styles expand to 55×40×23 cm, unlocking compatibility with Lufthansa and giving you extra packing room when you need it. Lightweight, 4 spinner wheels, TSA lock — one bag, every airline.
Explore Now →06 — The Mindset That Makes It Work
The logistics of solo travel are learnable. The mindset is what separates people who do it once and fall in love with it from those who find it overwhelming and never try again.
Embrace the slow moments. Sitting alone at a café table watching a street go by is not a failure to fill your time — it's one of the best things about solo travel. You notice more. You think more clearly. You're actually present.
Talk to people. Hostels, walking tours, cooking classes, day trips — these are all environments designed for solo travellers to meet each other. Ask hostel staff where they'd eat if they had the night off. Most people, in most places, are genuinely happy to help.
Expect things to go wrong. Missed trains, rained-out plans, accommodation that doesn't match its photos — these aren't disasters, they're the stories you'll tell for years. The ability to adapt is a skill you build with practice, and the first time you solve a problem alone in a foreign city, you'll feel better about yourself than any itinerary going perfectly ever made you feel.
Start small if you need to. If the idea of two weeks solo in South East Asia feels too much, start with a long weekend in a European city by train. Porto, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Edinburgh are all excellent first solo destinations — safe, English-friendly, compact, and endlessly walkable.
Ready to pack for your first solo trip?
Shop Aerolite's best-selling cabin bags and suitcases — trusted by thousands of solo travellers across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from first-time solo travellers — answered.
Is solo travel safe for first-timers?
Solo travel is safe for first-timers when approached with basic preparation. The most important steps are taking out travel insurance before you go, sharing your itinerary with someone at home, keeping digital copies of your passport and documents, and staying alert in unfamiliar areas. Popular European cities like Lisbon, Porto, Amsterdam, and Edinburgh are widely considered excellent starting points for solo travellers due to their safety, walkability, and English-language accessibility.
What luggage should I take on a solo trip?
For most solo trips up to two weeks, a cabin bag only is the recommended choice. It eliminates checked baggage fees, keeps your belongings with you at all times, and means you can move between destinations quickly without waiting at baggage carousels. A hard shell cabin suitcase with a TSA-approved lock — such as Aerolite's 55×40×20 cm range — offers the best balance of security, capacity, and airline compatibility. For longer trips or warmer climates requiring more clothing, a lightweight hold suitcase alongside a cabin bag works well.
How do I meet people when travelling solo?
The easiest ways to meet people solo travelling are staying in hostels (even just in common areas), joining free walking tours, taking cooking or craft classes, visiting local markets, or using apps like Meetup and Couchsurfing events. Solo travellers are naturally more approachable than groups, and most other travellers in these environments are in the same position — open to conversation. Simply asking hostel staff for their local recommendations is one of the most reliable ways to start a conversation.
What is the best first solo travel destination from the UK?
For UK travellers taking their first solo trip, the best destinations are compact, safe, walkable European cities with strong English-language presence. Top picks include Lisbon (affordable, warm, extremely friendly), Porto (less touristy than Lisbon, beautiful riverside), Amsterdam (very English-friendly, excellent public transport), Edinburgh (no language barrier, great culture), and Barcelona (vibrant, well-connected, large solo traveller community). All are easily reached on budget airlines with cabin bag only.
How much money do I need for a solo trip to Europe?
Costs vary significantly by destination and travel style, but a solo week in Western Europe on a mid-range budget typically runs £600–£1,200 all-in including flights, accommodation, food, and activities. Budget destinations like Lisbon, Porto, Krakow, or Seville can come in under £600 for a week with careful planning. Flying cabin bag only on a budget airline is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs — on a return trip, avoiding hold luggage can save £50–£100 compared with checking a bag.
Do I need travel insurance for a solo trip?
Yes — travel insurance is essential for solo travellers, arguably more so than when travelling in a group. If you fall ill or are injured abroad, you have no travel companion to assist you, and medical costs in many countries (including within Europe beyond the EHIC/GHIC coverage) can be substantial. A basic annual multi-trip policy from a reputable UK insurer typically costs £30–£80 and covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost or stolen luggage. It should be the first thing you book after your flights.
What cabin bag size is best for solo travel in Europe?
The 55×40×20 cm cabin bag size is the most versatile for solo travel across European airlines. At these dimensions, a bag is accepted on Ryanair Priority Boarding, Wizz Air Priority, EasyJet, and British Airways, making it compatible with the vast majority of UK-departure routes. Aerolite's 55×40×20 cm collection — most of which expands to 55×40×23 cm — is specifically designed around this requirement. A hard shell version with a TSA lock is strongly recommended for solo travellers due to its added security.
How do I keep my passport and valuables safe when travelling solo?
The most effective ways to protect valuables when solo travelling are: keeping your passport and cards in a money belt or hidden travel pouch worn under clothing rather than in a bag; storing a backup card in a separate location from your main card; using a hard shell suitcase with a TSA-approved lock for your main luggage; emailing yourself photos of your passport, insurance documents, and booking confirmations so they can be accessed from any device; and using a padlock on hostel lockers. Never keep all your money and cards in one place.
