Travelling by yourself isn't always easy. It can be the most incredible and uplifting experience that changes your life. But at times it can also be lonely, and hard. I know so many people, like myself, who have loved every second. People who have thrived off being alone and who have grown confident and stronger by the day. But not a single one of us would say it was all sunshine and roses. Because there are always going to be things you struggle with. There will always be moments when you have to step out of your comfort zone. But I've been told, that is where your life begins.

When I first started a life of solo travel over three years ago, everything was a shock to the system. It all seemed huge and a bit terrifying, everything was a challenge and dragged me out of my comfort zone. I soon realised that to have fun as a solo traveller, you've got to learn to let go of all your fears and worries. You've got to wholeheartedly embrace travelling by yourself and make it work for you. That's the best way to fall in love with the life you create.

Travelling by yourself – Q&A

Some of the questions I get asked the most revolve around travelling by yourself and coping with situations that have now become second nature to me. It's amazing really how quickly we adapt to this style of living, but what we learn along the way is invaluable. That's why I wanted to put together this ultimate guide to coping with travelling by yourself that can be quite intimidating for first-time or those new to solo travel. Instead of being put off the biggest adventure of your life, let me give you the tools to tackle anything that comes your way.

It doesn't matter whether you are going to France or Florida, the trickiest situations can strike anywhere when you're travelling by yourself. This post will focus on helping you avoid the awkward moments and your greatest fears. Skip the most frustrating parts of being a solo traveller so you are free to sit back and enjoy every second. All the things I learned the hard way, served up in a blog post covering everything from staying safe to hidden costs.

Girl sitting on rock in front of hidden pool in gorge in Australia

Is it embarrassing to eat alone?

This is one of the biggest fears for new solo travellers and I can understand, it's super daunting at first. Surely no-one wants to sit in a restaurant alone. Won't people stare at me and think I've been stood up? Is it weird or embarrassing to eat out alone? It's normal to have all these thoughts and more. But let's be serious, a girl's gotta eat and there's a good chance they may not have Deliveroo where you'll be travelling. I felt so weird eating out solo when I first tried it, but now I love it. It gives me an opportunity to really be present in the moment, to take in the surroundings and focus on my meal.

Remember one thing – people actually don't care as much as you think they do. People rarely ever stare and usually if they do, it's because they're marvelling at this mysterious stranger who dares to eat alone. Just relax, smile and you'll usually find they either smile and look away or they'll start chatting with you. I've found lots of times that other diners love to strike up conversation when you're alone, it's a good way to meet people.

How can I dine alone without feeling awkward?

  • Change the way you think about it – think of this as a time to recharge your batteries and rest your legs.
  • If you hate being sat alone, why not eat at the bar? Or talk to the staff.
  • Read a book, listen to a podcast or even plan your next day's activities.
  • You could even take a laptop with you and respond to emails or write a blog.
  • Or just allow yourself to be – remember the joy of people-watching.
  • Really take the time to savour your meal.

If you still hate eating alone – try these 4 tips:

  • Change your mealtimes and eat out at lunchtime instead of dinner when it's less noticeable
  • Stay in a hostel – great for communal dining and finding friends to eat out with
  • Join travel Facebook groups and meet with people for dinner
  • Stay at a homestay and dine with the family hosting you

Read: How travelling solo gives you the confidence you never knew you had

Absolutely Lucy in orange at edge of water in a gorge, australia

How can I stay safe when travelling alone?

This is so important – especially if you are a woman travelling by yourself. My best advice for anyone who chooses solo travel – learn to trust your gut. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe, get yourself out of that situation as quickly and safely as possible. I hate that I need to give extra advice to solo female travellers to protect themselves, but sadly this is the world we live in. Don't ever feel that the world is just looking to harm you – that's not the case. But please, be smart, put your safety first and always do your research. There are some extra measures you can take which could help give you peace of mind and also to feel more in control of the attention you receive.

How can a single woman travel safely? 10 tips:

  1. Don't take the shortcut at night, stick to well-lit and busy areas.
  2. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel threatened or lost.
  3. Know the country you are in and do your research to avoid risky situations.
  4. Avoid motorbike taxis where possible, not only are they far more intimate but they are far less monitored.
  5. Try to stick to registered taxis and public transport where possible.
  6. Make friends at your accommodation and go out as a group so you feel safer.
  7. Don't drink too much alcohol, take drugs or do anything that could impair your ability to look after yourself.
  8. Dress appropriately for the country, particularly in modest Asian or strict Muslim countries.
  9. Some women recommend wearing a fake wedding ring in certain countries to prevent unnecessary attention.
  10. Remember, you can always say NO if anything makes you feel uncomfortable.

Read: The dangers of travelling solo as a woman

travelling by yourself – woman (absolutely Lucy) lifting herself out of the water, smiling up at camera

Is solo travel lonely?

Loneliness hits all solo travellers at one time or another, it's inevitable. But how you deal with it can lead to very different outcomes. I knew a girl in Sydney who was homesick and missed her mother, she would spend every night on the phone to her mum crying and upset. Then she would spend all day in bed recovering from the phone call. She barely spoke to anyone else except to tell them how miserable she was. She wouldn't listen to anyone who tried to persuade her to hang out and leave the hostel to do something fun. In the end, her parents flew her home.

I've had times when I've felt lonely, but instead of allowing myself to wallow I pick up the phone and call home. You've got Facetime and Whatsapp at your disposal 24/7 and even living in a different timezone doesn't have to be a struggle. If you need a few hours to feel crappy, that's fine. But don't let it carry on all day or become a habit. Get up, get dressed and get outside. Catch up with friends, go meet new people in the hostel, book on to a group day trip or walking tour. Throwing yourself in the deep end is the best way to beat loneliness. Its okay to wallow sometimes, but don't let it take over and stop you having fun. You never know what you could be missing out on while you sit there feeling sad.

Read: The importance of of contact with home when you're nearly 10,000 miles away

girl in yellow bikini lying on rock at waterfall, kakadu national park, australia, northern territory

Get organised – it's the key to your success

It's exhausting being the only organiser, even if you usually enjoy it. Everything from flights and hotels/hostels to activities, visas and food shopping. It soon becomes a huge job when you're travelling by yourself. With only you to tackle it, things can seem pretty daunting. Deal with it by turning your attitude upside down, focus on how exciting it is to have full control of your life. You're finally able to plan exactly what YOU want to do, without worrying about anyone else. Enjoy the process and looking forward to the next adventure.

  • Make a list of all the tasks you have to do – include everything!
  • Now organise these – split them according to travel/practical/fun and list them in order of priority
  • Don't take on the whole thing at once, break it up over a few days and do the most difficult or boring tasks first
  • Tick them off when complete! It's so satisfying and will help you keep track

Read: 11 invaluable life skills solo travel teaches you

travelling by yourself, girl in yellow bikini sitting on rock at waterfall, kakadu national park, australia, northern territory

How do you meet people when travelling solo?

My favourite solo travel topic can be one of the scariest for first-time travellers. If you're naturally an introvert and you're travelling by yourself, it will really push you out of your comfort zone, but that's exactly where all the best moments happen! You will save yourself a world of stress if you push yourself to go up to complete strangers and introduce yourself. It's terrifying at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Plus everyone else will be super grateful you made the first move. Remember this: Every single solo traveller is in the same boat as you. They're scared, lonely and just want someone to drink a beer with.

  • Start small, hang out in the public areas of the hostels/hotels and chat to other people sitting nearby.
  • See a group having a drink? Grab a beer and head over, ask if you can join them.
  • Work on your body language – sit back, relax and chill out, and don't forget to smile at everyone.
  • Positivity attracts positivity! Always say hello and ask how people are, it makes them more likely to want to hang out.
  • Try Facebook groups for travellers – there are always people looking for friends to hang out with!
  • Have ideas for group activities – if you can suggest something, people are usually up for it!

Read: You're never alone, but you're always lonely

solo backpacking, solo travel, girl in yellow bikini at waterfall, kakadu national park, australia, northern territory

8 ways to keep your valuables safe when you're travelling by yourself:

  • Never leave your bags unattended – especially if they're in a hostel lobby or cafe.
  • Know where your passport is at all times – use a safe or locker if possible.
  • Spread your money out – keep some on you and some locked away in your hostel when you go out.
  • Separate your money into different bank accounts and keep your cards in different places.
  • Don't leave your valuables in your big bag/suitcase while travelling on buses/trains, keep them with you.
  • Watch out for pickpockets when you're visiting crowded sights/tourist attractions. Keep a hand on your bag/camera.
  • Ladies, get a long strap zip-close bag and wear it across your body so it's not easy to grab
  • Don't waste your time on padlocks for your rucksack or suitcase, it just makes it more appealing to thieves

Read: Top tips for keeping your home safe when you travel

travelling alone, girl in yellow bikini at gorge lake, kakadu national park, australia, northern territory

How can I avoid getting ripped off?

First-time travellers worry a lot about getting ripped off and quite right, when you first start travelling it's easy to stick out like a sore thumb. Here's my best tips for avoiding the scams and getting ripped off when travelling by yourself:

  1. Do your research – speak to travellers and read blogs for the latest information. This can help you find out average prices so you know when to say no, it can also help warn you of scams in the area.
  2. Be prepared to barter in Asian countries and don't be afraid to be cheeky and firm about it. Walk away if you don't like the price and see how much lower it suddenly goes!
  3. Don't be afraid to shop around, even if they put the pressure on and say the deal is only available right now. That's rubbish they're just trying to pressure you.
  4. Don't just go for the biggest tour companies, there are lots available and sometimes you can get a much better deal. I got two weeks worth of travel, activities, food and accommodation for £200 by booking through the Thai Tourism Agency instead of travel companies.

Read: Cheap cheats for organising your Thai trip

solo travel, solo female travel, girl in yellow bikini at waterfall, kakadu national park, australia, northern territory

How do I get epic solo travel photos?

What's a trip without those epic travel snaps to remember it by? Everyone wants those perfect photos for their Instagram, but as a solo traveler it can be tricky to get the shot. First you need to ask yourself whether you're happy with some cheeky holiday snaps or whether you want to take it a step further. If you're just just looking for some casual pics of yourself, you may have to just overcome your embarrassment and ask strangers to take your pic. It's not as cringe as you think and can even lead to a full-on photo shoot.

They never take the photo I want

Why not meet other solo travellers who have the same problem and offer to take great pics for them in exchange for some of your own? I do this with all my solo travel friends and have some of my best pics from doing this. You could use a selfie-stick or get a GoPro on a stick which is what I did when I was first travelling. Final option - buy a tripod! I've managed for years without one, but if you want to take your photos next level, you really need a tripod and a self-timer either on a phone or a decent camera. Check out my Instagram to see how my photography has changed over the years.

Read: Top tips for capturing Instagrammable locations

travelling by yourself, girl in yellow bikini at waterfall, kakadu national park, australia, northern territory

How to cope when things go wrong

Missed a flight? Got Bali belly? Had your phone nicked? It's crap when things go wrong, but you can't avoid it. It definitely makes life a lot easier when you have someone to give you a hug and laugh about it with. But when you're by yourself it can quickly make you wish you were back at home. I've had a lot of tough times since travelling solo, it's horrible when it happens and can leave you feeling vulnerable.

My top 5 tips for getting back on track:

  • Give yourself time to recover. If something bad or scary happens, go to a place you feel safe, call home for support and give yourself a break
  • Been ill? This is always the time to spring for a hotel. Give yourself a bit of privacy, luxury and have a good staff on hand to bring room service or bring medicine
  • Don't be ashamed to ask for help and don't force yourself to keep travelling when you need to rest.
  • Missed a flight? Call the airline, explain what happened and see if they can book you on another flight, they are there to help! Always have insurance just in case.
  • Had your phone nicked? Contact your insurance and see if you're covered. Don't have insurance? Check if you're covered via your bank or home/contents insurance

Read: Getting sick when you're travelling solo

How to be prepared for travelling by yourself