First Solo International Trip: Step by Step

Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.

Two years ago, I had never left the country alone. I had traveled internationally with family, with friends, with a partner — but never by myself. The idea of navigating a foreign airport, a foreign language, and a foreign city entirely on my own felt simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. Then I booked a flight to Lisbon, and everything changed.

This guide is the step-by-step resource I wish I had before that first trip. Not a vague “just go!” motivational piece, but a concrete checklist with timelines, costs, and the practical details that remove the mystery from international solo travel. If you have never traveled internationally alone, and you want to, this guide will walk you through every step from deciding to go to walking out of the airport in your destination city.

According to Solo Traveler World’s 2025 survey, 64% of solo female travelers reported their biggest barrier to their first international trip was not money or time — it was not knowing how to start. This guide eliminates that barrier.

Step 1: Choose Your Destination (8-12 Weeks Before)

The First-Trip Criteria

Your first solo international destination should be chosen with your comfort zone in mind, not your bucket list. Save the adventurous destinations for trip two, three, and beyond. Your first trip’s purpose is to prove to yourself that you can do this.

First-trip destination criteria:

Factor	What to Look For	Why It Matters
Safety	Top 20 in Global Peace Index	Fewer safety variables to manage
Language	English widely spoken OR your language	Communication reduces stress dramatically
Infrastructure	Reliable public transport, well-signed, walkable	You can navigate without a car or guide
Tourism maturity	Well-established tourist infrastructure	Help and information are readily available
Direct flights	Preferably direct or one connection from your home airport	Reduces complexity of the journey
Cost	Moderate to affordable	Financial stress undermines the experience

Top 5 First Solo International Trip Destinations

1. Lisbon, Portugal My personal recommendation. Safe, affordable, walkable, warm, English widely spoken, incredible food, stunning architecture. Direct flights from most major US and European cities. I have recommended Lisbon as a first solo destination to over 50 women, and every single one has thanked me.

2. London, United Kingdom English-speaking, world-class public transport, familiar cultural references, enormous range of activities. More expensive than Lisbon but eliminates the language barrier entirely.

3. Tokyo, Japan The safest major city in the world. Extraordinarily efficient public transport with English signage. Solo dining is culturally normal. Clean, organized, and fascinating. The only challenge is the time zone difference.

4. Reykjavik, Iceland Tiny, safe, English-speaking, stunning natural beauty. A weekend trip from the US East Coast is feasible (5-hour flight). The Golden Circle is doable as a day trip.

5. Dublin, Ireland English-speaking, friendly, compact, excellent pub culture for meeting people, affordable by Western European standards. The Irish are legendary for welcoming solo travelers into conversation.

Step 2: Get Your Documents in Order (8-12 Weeks Before)

Passport

If you do not have a passport, apply immediately. Standard processing takes 6-8 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2-3 weeks but costs an additional $60.

Passport Type	Cost	Processing Time
New adult passport (book)	$165	6-8 weeks standard
Passport renewal	$130	6-8 weeks standard
Expedited processing	+$60	2-3 weeks
Passport card (US travel only)	$65 new, $30 renewal	6-8 weeks

Important: Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Check this requirement for your specific destination.

Visas

For US citizens, most European, Asian, and South American destinations offer visa-free entry for stays under 90 days. However, always verify visa requirements for your specific nationality and destination.

Check visa requirements at:

• US State Department travel.state.gov
• Your destination country’s embassy website
• iVisa.com (for e-visa applications)

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for international solo travel is not optional. One medical emergency abroad without insurance can cost $10,000-$100,000+.

What to look for:

• Medical coverage of at least $100,000
• Medical evacuation coverage of at least $100,000
• Trip cancellation/interruption coverage
• 24/7 emergency assistance hotline
• Coverage for your specific activities (hiking, water sports, etc.)

Provider	Cost (1-week Europe trip)	Medical Coverage	Best For
World Nomads	$40-$80	$100K-$250K	Adventure travelers
SafetyWing	$11-$15/week	$250K	Budget travelers, longer trips
Allianz	$30-$60	$150K-$500K	Comprehensive coverage
Travel Guard	$35-$70	$150K	Seniors, pre-existing conditions

Step 3: Book Your Flight (6-8 Weeks Before)

Finding the Best Fare

• Use Google Flights as your starting point — it shows price trends and suggests cheaper dates
• Set price alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner for your route
• Book on Tuesday or Wednesday (marginally cheaper than weekend bookings, according to data)
• Book 4-8 weeks before departure for the best balance of price and availability
• Consider nearby airports — flying into a secondary airport can save $100-200

Seat Selection for Solo Women

• Window seat: Best for sleeping on overnight flights, no one climbing over you
• Aisle seat: Best for bathroom access, stretching, easy exit
• Avoid the last row: Does not recline, near the bathroom (noise and traffic)
• Avoid middle seats: Self-explanatory

For overnight flights: Window seat + neck pillow + eye mask + earplugs = the best sleep possible in economy.

Step 4: Book Accommodation (4-6 Weeks Before)

First-Trip Accommodation Strategy

For your first solo international trip, I recommend a well-reviewed hotel or Airbnb in a central, safe neighborhood. Hostels are excellent for solo travelers, but if you have never stayed in one, adding that new experience on top of your first international trip may be overwhelming.

What to look for:

• Central location (walking distance to major attractions and public transport)
• Reviews from solo female travelers (search “solo” in review text)
• 24-hour reception (for late arrivals or questions at odd hours)
• Strong Wi-Fi (you will rely on your phone for navigation)
• Safe neighborhood (research specific neighborhood safety, not just city-wide)

Book for 3-5 nights for your first trip. This is long enough to settle in and explore, short enough that if you are overwhelmed or homesick, the end is in sight.

Step 5: Plan Your Itinerary (2-4 Weeks Before)

The 60/40 Rule

Plan 60% of your days, leave 40% unplanned. Over-planning removes the spontaneity that makes solo travel special. Under-planning creates anxiety when you wake up with no idea what to do.

For a 5-day trip, this means:

• Day 1: Planned (arrival, orientation, one landmark)
• Day 2: Planned (major attraction + food experience)
• Day 3: Open (follow your curiosity)
• Day 4: Planned (day trip or second major attraction)
• Day 5: Open (departure prep, last-minute discoveries)

Pre-Book These Things

Item	Why Pre-Book	How Far in Advance
Major museums/attractions with timed entry	Sell out, especially solo tickets	2-4 weeks
Airport transfer (first arrival)	Removes arrival stress	1 week
One special restaurant	Guarantees a memorable meal	1-2 weeks
Walking tour (day 1 or 2)	Orients you to the city	1 week
Any day trip requiring transport	Logistics are easier with advance booking	1-2 weeks

Do NOT Pre-Book These Things

• Most meals (flexibility to eat when and where you want)
• Most transport within the city (buy day passes on arrival)
• Shopping or markets (go when you feel like it)
• Secondary attractions (decide based on energy and weather)

Step 6: Prepare for Departure (1-2 Weeks Before)

The Practical Checklist

Documents (carry originals + digital copies):

• Passport (valid for 6+ months beyond travel dates)
• Visa (if required)
• Travel insurance confirmation
• Flight booking confirmation
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Emergency contact card (laminated or in a waterproof sleeve)

Digital preparation:

• Download offline maps of your destination (Google Maps or Maps.me)
• Download translation app with offline pack (Google Translate)
• Download ride-share apps for your destination (Uber, Bolt, or local equivalent)
• Set up mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Activate international data plan or order an eSIM (Airalo or Holafly)
• Notify your bank that you are traveling internationally (to prevent card blocks)

Financial preparation:

• Get a small amount of local currency ($50-100 equivalent) from your bank
• Ensure you have a card with no foreign transaction fees
• Have a backup payment method (second card, stored in a different location)

The Emergency Prep

• Share your complete itinerary with a trusted person
• Give a trusted person copies of your passport and insurance
• Know the local emergency number (112 in Europe, 110/119 in Japan, 999 in the UK)
• Save your country’s embassy address and phone number in your contacts
• Identify the nearest hospital to your accommodation

Step 7: Pack (3-5 Days Before)

The First-Trip Packing Philosophy

Pack less than you think you need. You can buy almost anything at your destination, and overpacking creates physical stress (heavy bags), financial stress (checked bag fees), and mental stress (decision fatigue about what to wear).

The carry-on-only packing list for a 5-day international trip:

Category	Items	Quantity
Tops	Lightweight, versatile, mix-and-match	3
Bottoms	One pair of jeans/travel pants, one dress/skirt	2
Layers	Lightweight jacket or cardigan	1
Shoes	Comfortable walking shoes (worn on plane), one dressy flat (packed)	2 pairs
Underwear/socks	Quick-dry materials	4-5 sets
Sleepwear	Lightweight, doubles as lounge clothes	1 set
Toiletries	Travel-sized, TSA-compliant	1 quart bag
Electronics	Phone, charger, portable charger, adapter, earbuds	1 each
Documents	Passport, insurance, booking confirmations	See checklist
Day bag	Small cross-body bag for daily use	1

Everything fits in a 40-liter carry-on backpack or a cabin-sized rolling suitcase.

Step 8: Departure Day

Airport Arrival

Arrive at the airport 3 hours before an international flight. This accounts for check-in, security, immigration (for some countries), and a buffer for unexpected delays.

Solo airport protocol:

1. Check in online 24 hours before (saves time at the airport)
2. Go directly to security (if checked in and carry-on only)
3. After security, locate your gate and note the boarding time
4. Get water, a snack, and use the bathroom before boarding
5. Charge your phone if below 80%

The Flight

• Keep your passport, phone, wallet, and entertainment in your personal item under the seat (not in the overhead bin)
• Set your watch to destination time when you board
• Stay hydrated (air travel dehydrates you)
• Move every 2 hours on long flights
• Have your customs/immigration form filled out before landing (many countries still use paper forms)

Step 9: Arrival

Immigration and Customs

This is the part that intimidates first-time solo international travelers most, and it is genuinely straightforward.

What to expect:

1. Follow signs to “Arrivals” or “Passport Control” or “Immigration”
2. Join the line for your passport type (usually “All Passports” or “Non-EU/Non-Citizens” in Europe)
3. When you reach the officer, present your passport. They may ask:
   • “What is the purpose of your visit?” → “Tourism”
   • “How long are you staying?” → “Five days” (or whatever applies)
   • “Where are you staying?” → Name your hotel/accommodation
   • “Do you have a return ticket?” → “Yes” (show your booking confirmation)
4. They stamp your passport. You proceed to baggage claim (if applicable) and customs.
5. Walk through the “Nothing to Declare” customs channel unless you have goods to declare.

That is it. The entire process takes 5-30 minutes depending on the airport and time of day.

Getting to Your Accommodation

Pre-book your airport transfer for your first international arrival. This removes the stress of figuring out transport in a new country when you are jet-lagged and disoriented.

Options:

• Pre-booked private transfer: Most expensive but least stressful. A driver meets you at arrivals with your name on a sign.
• Ride-share app: Download the local app before arrival. Have your eSIM or airport Wi-Fi ready.
• Airport train/metro: Often the cheapest and fastest option. Research the route before arrival.
• Official airport taxi: Use only the official taxi queue, never accept solicitations inside the terminal.

Step 10: Your First Day

The Orientation Walk

After you drop your bags at your accommodation, go for a walk. Not to any specific attraction — just walk your neighborhood for 30-60 minutes.

During this walk:

• Locate the nearest grocery store or convenience store
• Note the nearest public transport stop
• Identify a cafe or restaurant you might want to return to
• Buy water and a small snack
• Get your bearings: where is the river, the main square, the landmarks?

This walk does two things: it acclimates your body to the new time zone (sunlight helps reset your circadian rhythm), and it acclimates your brain to the new environment (reducing the “everything is unfamiliar” anxiety).

Your First Solo Meal Abroad

This is a milestone. Sit down at a restaurant — not a fast food chain, a real restaurant — and eat a meal alone. Order something local. Maybe a glass of wine or the local beer. Look around. You are in a foreign country, alone, and you are fine. Better than fine. You are doing something extraordinary.

I had my first solo dinner abroad at a tiny tasca in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood. I ordered grilled fish, potatoes, and a glass of vinho verde. The waiter was kind. The fish was perfect. The sun set over the rooftops while I ate. And I remember thinking, with absolute clarity: “I can do this. I can do anything.”

That thought has not left me since. It will not leave you either.

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• First Solo Trip Anxiety Guide
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• Packing Checklist for Solo Women