From boarding the plane alone to dining for one: the nerve-racking moments first-time solo travellers must overcome, and how thousands are doing it anyway!
For first-time solo travellers, the biggest obstacle isn’t money, time off work, or even choosing a destination, it’s confidence.
That’s why Inspiring Vacations has developed Solo Journeys and Inspired Women’s tours, designed specifically for travellers seeking independence alongside built-in support and social connection. These tours provide a way to explore iconic destinations with reassurance and like-minded companions, and if a specialised tour isn’t available, standard group tours offer similar confidence-boosting structure.
From walking down the jet bridge alone to sitting at a restaurant table with no companion in sight, these seemingly small moments can feel overwhelming for first-time solo travellers. Yet despite the nerves, more people than ever are taking the plunge.
New data from award-winning tour operator Inspiring Vacations shows solo travel bookings jumped 37% year-on-year, with solo travellers more likely than couples or families to book longer, immersive trips lasting 22 days or more, often across multiple countries.
According to Paul Ryan, CEO and Co-founder of InspiringVacations.com, these bookings reflect a growing willingness to push past those early confidence hurdles.
“We hear from a lot of first-time solo travellers who want to travel, but feel held back by very specific worries,” Ryan says. “It’s rarely about the destination. That’s exactly where Solo Journeys and Inspired Women’s tours can make a difference: travellers get the freedom to explore independently, while also enjoying shared experiences, supportive companions, and built-in social connections that make those first-time nerves much easier to overcome.”
The Confidence Barriers First-Time Solo Travellers Face, and How To Overcome Them
Based on booking patterns and traveller feedback, Ryan says first-time solo travellers often tend to wobble at the same moments; not while sightseeing, but during everyday situations that highlight independence.
Eating out alone
For many, eating alone is more intimidating than navigating a foreign city. “For many people, sitting down alone in a restaurant feels more confronting than sightseeing alone,” Ryan says. “Once they do it, it often becomes one of the most empowering moments of the trip.”
Arriving somewhere without reassurance
Not having someone to double-check decisions can create anxiety at the start of a journey.
“This is where structure helps,” Ryan explains. “Knowing transfers, accommodation and key experiences are organised removes a lot of early uncertainty and gives travellers the confidence to focus on exploring and engaging with locals and fellow travellers.”
Fear of feeling lonely
While travelling solo is often assumed to be isolating, booking behaviour shows that nearly 40% of solo travellers choose a paired solo rooming option, demonstrating a desire for social connection alongside independence. “Most solo travellers want autonomy, not isolation,” Ryan notes.
Navigating unfamiliar places
Solo travellers are the most likely group to book longer trips and multi-destination journeys, including destinations such as Sri Lanka, Morocco, South America and Japan. “Once people gain confidence, they are often more comfortable exploring further afield,” Ryan says.
Worrying about being judged for travelling alone
Another common concern is standing out or being judged for travelling alone. “The fear is almost always worse than the reality,” Ryan says. “Most people quickly realise no one is paying attention, which frees them to fully enjoy their experience.”
How Planning Gives First-Time Solo Travellers a Confidence Boost
According to Inspiring Vacations’ booking data, solo travellers are more likely than other groups to choose longer itineraries and guided or semi-guided journeys.
“Support and flexibility aren’t opposites,” Ryan says. “Having logistics taken care of gives first-time solo travellers the confidence to engage more deeply with the travel experience.”
What Happens After the First Solo Trip?
With solo travel bookings continuing to grow and travellers increasingly opting for longer, multi-destination journeys, Inspiring Vacations expects confidence-led travel decisions to remain a defining trend into 2026.
“With solo travel bookings continuing to grow, first-time travellers are discovering confidence and independence, and many go on to become repeat travellers. “That initial leap builds confidence that carries forward,” Ryan says. “Our Solo Journeys and Inspired Women’s tours are designed to give travellers the freedom to explore independently while still enjoying social connection and support, setting them up for more adventurous trips in the future.”
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