14 Annoying Disadvantages of Solo Travel & How to Fix Them

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Have you ever wondered why solo travel might NOT be a good idea?

I talk quite a great deal about how amazing solo travel is. (I mean, hello, this is a solo travel blog!) It’s an immensely freeing experience that you simply can’t replicate when traveling with others.

Not only do you learn more about yourself as a traveler, but you learn about yourself in general. I think solo travel is something everyone should try at least once.

That said, it’s not always as fun as it sounds. There are some serious things to consider before taking your first solo trip, and that’s what I’m here to discuss today.

Whether you’re on the fence about traveling alone or you just returned from your first solo adventure and it didn’t turn out to be what you thought… I’m going to share 14 honest disadvantages of solo travel and how to deal with them.

Not to discourage or scare you, but to make sure you’re fully informed about the ins and outs of solo travel.

Because even the best things in life come with their cons — and that absolutely applies to solo travel.

By the end of this post, I hope you’ll feel more knowledgeable and be able to decide whether the solo travel lifestyle would suit you.

Ready, friend? Let’s go!

THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT DISADVANTAGES OF SOLO TRAVEL.

WHO IS SOLO TRAVEL REALLY FOR?

On my solo adventures, I’ve been able to reflect and come up with a few things that “qualify” you to be a solo traveler.

Solo travel isn’t for everyone — you’re in complete control over everything, you have to eat alone, and you don’t have anyone to share these special memories with.

So if you’re thinking about who solo travel actually IS for, here are some examples. Solo travel is for people who:

• enjoy their own company
• don’t mind eating alone
• are good at solving problems without help from others
• seek opportunities to meet new people
• aren’t afraid of stepping out their comfort zones
• are good at thinking quickly on their feet
• don’t mind being in complete financial control over their trips
• know how to take the proper precautions to travel safely
• are interested in strengthening their travel personality
• are introverts or homebodies, and are used to spending most of their time alone

If most of these sound boring or uninteresting, there’s a chance solo travel just might not be for you.

And that’s okay! I still suggest that you try it at least once to say you tried it.

You never know — you might like it more than you expect! And if that’s the case, this blog is the perfect resource to guide you through that journey.

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLO TRAVEL

IT CAN FEEL MORE DANGEROUS

I want to be intentional and say that solo travel CAN FEEL unsafe at times. But that isn’t always the case, so I’m refraining from saying it’s downright unsafe.

I think it’s safe (no pun intended) to say this is everyone’s number-one concern when traveling alone — and rightfully so.

No matter if you’re a man or woman, you need to prioritize your safety as a solo traveler. It feels more dangerous to travel alone because criminals are much more likely to pose a threat to one individual, rather than a group of travelers.

HOW TO FIX IT: Take the proper precautions to ensure your safety. This includes things like avoiding going out at night, staying in the general vicinity of your accommodation, and knowing how to navigate rough interactions. I have a full solo travel safety guide if you’re searching for more safety tips.

YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE LONELINESS OR ISOLATION

This is undoubtedly one of the biggest problems potential solo travelers have.

You’re in a new environment all on your own. And even though there’s likely tons to do, you still might feel that heavy sense of loneliness or isolation.

It doesn’t feel too great, and it can set a pretty bad tone for your trip if you don’t know how to handle it.

HOW TO FIX IT: There are several fixes for this problem, but here are my go-to remedies. For one, participate in group tours and experiences. You’ll be surrounded with other people, and that’ll physically make you feel less alone.

I also suggest writing about your feelings in a journal. Having a place to emotionally decompress and get your thoughts out is, I believe, essential as a solo traveler. This can greatly help you get those uncomfortable thoughts out of your head and onto the paper.

YOU’RE MORE PRONE TO DECISION FATIGUE

I’m a Libra — and if you didn’t know, us Libras are infamously terrible at making decisions. So you better believe that if I don’t have a plan set in stone, it’s going to take forever to decide something as simple as where I’m going to eat breakfast.

If there’s one thing I like about traveling with others, it’s that I can rely on them to help make these kinds of decisions. But I travel solo most of the time, so I don’t benefit from that luxury too often.

HOW TO FIX IT: Like I said above, try to have somewhat of a plan. Here at The Solo Solstice — even as Type-A travelers — we don’t like insanely rigid schedules or itineraries.

They’re limiting and don’t really allow much wiggle room. So what I’d suggest is that you pick 1-2 options in advance. That way, when it’s time to decide, you already have a few choices to pick from. But you don’t have so many to where you feel paralyzed, either!

YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR OWN PHOTOS

I’m not necessarily the most photogenic or photo-obsessed traveler, and I don’t care to take photos of myself while traveling. But I know most people DO want to capture these memories, which I totally understand.

And it’s kind of difficult to get certain poses and shots if you don’t have a travel buddy to take your photos.

HOW TO FIX IT: Politely ask a stranger to take your photos. Scope out your options and choose carefully. Avoid anyone who looks like they’d run off with your phone (seriously) or give you a hard time. If you’re a woman and feel more comfortable asking a fellow woman to take your photos, feel free!

I’ve also heard that asking a couple or family is a smart idea, so try that as well. Oh, and don’t underestimate the power of using a tripod. As long as you can forget the idea that people are looking at you awkwardly, this is another great way to photograph yourself.

YOU HAVE TO EAT ALONE

I personally don’t mind eating alone, but I know a lot of people find this to be rather uncomfortable. And I understand — you don’t want people staring at you while you’re trying to enjoy a plate of spaghetti in Italy or stuff a burrito in your face in San Francisco.

HOW TO FIX IT: Have solo dates at home. I frequently recommend this to travelers who are on the fence about traveling alone. It’s one of the best ways to ease yourself into the whole solo travel concept. Once you get the hang of things, you can integrate that into your solo trips.

YOU TYPICALLY FACE JUDGMENT FROM OTHERS

I’m sure you know about the typical judgment you get as a frequent traveler. People are always like, “Didn’t you just get back from a trip last month?” or “You’re going there again?” Those comments alone are annoying.

But I feel like it skyrockets to a whole new level as a solo traveler because of the independence of it all. You’ll have people saying things like, “It’s not safe to go there alone” or “What’re you going to do on your own?” It can be hard to enjoy your trip if these people are being Negative Nancies.

HOW TO FIX IT: Here’s the thing… you don’t owe anyone an explanation. If you don’t feel like explaining why you travel solo, don’t do it! But if you DO want to shut people up, I suggest simply saying that you prefer traveling alone for whatever reason.

Personally, I like traveling alone because it gives me unmatched freedom. So if someone were to ask me one of the above questions, I’d explain that to them. You might explain that you simply didn’t have anyone else to go with, which is a pretty common motive for solo travel.

THERE’S NOBODY TO SHARE YOUR FOOD WITH

Walk with me on this one, okay? I find that, for some odd reason, I have a much lower appetite when traveling. I don’t know if I’m subconsciously eating less or what, but it’s kind of annoying.

I can’t devour a delicious chicken parmesan sandwich from Table Mercato in Boston!

This often ends up with me ordering enough food for two, but only eating enough for a toddler. Okay, maybe that was a slight exaggeration, but seriously…

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered takeout and half of my meal went straight to the garbage after I finished eating. Food is a privilege, so I can’t just throw all of that delicious food away.

HOW TO FIX IT: Order less, and eat at restaurants with smaller portions. Usually, I’ll look at some photos of the dish I want before I head to the restaurant or place my takeout order.

This way, I’ll have a good idea of the serving size, which will help determine whether I should eat there. I opt for smaller portions so I don’t waste any food. I’ll also keep my order pretty conservative, and stick to only one entree and one side.

This is almost always enough food to keep me full for several hours before I get hungry again.

IT’S MORE EXPENSIVE

Traveling alone is, in fact, more expensive than traveling with others. There’s nobody to split travel expenses like accommodation or transportation, so every-freaking-thing is on you.

Quite frankly, this has GOT to be one of the worst parts about traveling alone. There are so many trips I could go on if I could split the hotel with someone!

HOW TO FIX IT: While this isn’t the most practical tip, I do think it’s important to remember that solitude and comfort come at a cost.

Sure, you could save money by traveling with others, but I’m afraid I’m simply not willing to do that just to save some money. I kind of just have to accept that I’ll pay more. And it’s really not THAT bad; there are about a thousand different ways to make your trip budget-friendly.

Don’t believe me? Check out my budget travel tips post when it goes live.

YOU MISS OUT ON CERTAIN ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES

You’ll probably notice in my destination guides that I don’t include any activities that aren’t solo-friendly. In fact, ALL of these posts are very solo-centric.

And I do that very intentionally because there are certain travel experiences that are better suited for people traveling in groups. Think things like ATV riding, surfing, skiing, and zip-lining. Basically anything that you’d prefer to experience with a friend.

It’s not that you CAN’T do them alone (because you can absolutely do whatever the heck you want… that’s the whole point in traveling alone!), but certain things are just better and more fun to do with friends and family.

That makes sense, right? I hope so!

HOW TO FIX IT: Book group tours and experiences. I’m sure you heard about this already but, I mean, it’s a pretty good piece of advice for solo travelers. If there’s something you want to do, but don’t feel comfortable doing alone, consider doing it with a group.

Granted, you’ll be with strangers, but you’re all there to do something you’re all interested in, which typically removes that sense of anxiety or discomfort. This is perfect for adventurous activities like hiking and zip-lining. I suggest searching Get Your Guide or Viator — both have tons of experiences you can do with other travelers.

THERE’S NOBODY TO WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS

As much as I hate bringing my luggage or tote bag with me in the bathroom, I have to do it. Why? Because I’m traveling alone and don’t have anyone to watch my belongings.

And I definitely don’t want to rely on a stranger — you never know someone’s intentions, and you don’t want to find out the hard way.

HOW TO FIX IT: Lock up your items in an anti-theft bag, along with a small bluetooth tracking device like an AirTag or Tile tracker. If you are willing and daring enough to briefly leave your belongings unattended, I advise doing this.

If someone steals your bag, they won’t be able to open it. Plus, you’ll be able to track exactly where it is. So the thief won’t really get anything out of it besides a deep sense of regret and pure stupidity…

YOU CAN’T SHARE YOUR EXCITEMENT IN REAL TIME

I’ll admit, this is one of the more emotionally annoying things about traveling alone. You can’t drop your jaw with someone over the Eiffel Tower, roll your eyes back over a scrumptious cannoli, or share the fire that ignites in you when you get off the plane.

HOW TO FIX IT: There’s actually a few remedies for this one. First, you can write about it in your travel journal. This is my favorite way to do this because I love writing. Plus, my travel journal basically translates into blog posts like the one you’re reading right now.

You can also take tons of photos and videos. Or, you can FaceTime a loved one to share that special experience with them in real time. I especially like doing this at major attractions and landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Statue of Liberty in New York City.

YOU’RE IN COMPLETE CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING

Listen:, I’m a Type-A planner and a control freak. You’d think I’d love being in complete control over everything — and I do, to an extent. I like that I can change my plans and do whatever the heck I want (like when I canceled the NYC portion of my 2026 east coast trip).

But this isn’t so nice when something goes wrong, like a medical emergency or if your luggage goes missing. You don’t have a travel companion to help you navigate the problems, so the responsibility lands on you. And this can be difficult if you aren’t naturally a problem-solver.

HOW TO FIX IT: Expect the unexpected. Think about and research everything that could go wrong during your trip, and plan what you’ll do if any of those problems arise.

This way, you’ll feel more prepared and less panicked when something does go wrong. Because at the end of the day, travel is travel. And something, whether big or small, is bound to go south at some point.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS AND AWARE ALL THE TIME

To piggyback off the previous tip, you have to be cautious and aware all-the-freaking-time.

It’s like you’re taking care of a newborn child. They’re completely dependent on you and basically can’t function or live without your constant, uninterrupted support.

(We are talking about you, by the way…)

You constantly have to be aware of your surroundings and you definitely can’t take a nap in an Uber. These things can get exhausting — especially when you want to just live in the moment and not worry about protecting yourself.

HOW TO FIX IT: While you can’t necessarily avoid being cautious all the time, you can change your mindset. Instead of feeling like you’re watching a newborn baby, reassure yourself that you’re simply trying to stay safe!

And it’s not like you have to have your head on a swivel every second — just be aware of your surroundings and scan your environment every so often.

YOU MIGHT NEVER WANT TO TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AGAIN

Okay, okay — I had to soften the blow and throw a funny (but very much true!) one in here.

When I first started traveling alone, I absolutely loved it. But I still had a few family trips planned, and I didn’t want to bail on anyone.

So I went on the trips and was immediately reassured that solo travel is my lane. Like, seriously… I missed doing things on my own accord. I 100% prefer to travel on my own, and you know what, I’m not ashamed! Just try it and I’m almost certain you’ll feel the same.

Don’t get me wrong — I still love a good family vacation every now and then. I think it’s important to have those experiences. But for the majority of my adventures, I prefer to enjoy them alone.

HOW TO FIX IT (REALLY?!): Umm, why the heck would you want to fix this? You know the saying… “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Seriously though, you’ll probably fall in love with solo travel and not want to travel with others nearly as often as you used to.

That said, don’t be afraid to throw a few group trips in the mix — it’s nice to share those memories with your loved ones and, of course, save some money on those painfully expensive hotels in NYC (they only seem to be getting even more expensive).

WHAT ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF SOLO TRAVEL? WHAT IF I ACTUALLY WANT TO TRAVEL ALONE?

Even though this post is centered around the not-so-good aspects of solo travel, it’s not at all my intention to discourage you from traveling alone. Like I mentioned in the introduction, The Solo Solstice is a solo travel blog, and I’m here to help you become a better solo traveler.

So if you’re interested in the advantages of solo travel, you can read this post. I talk about the nine BEST parts of traveling alone, and I think that pairs perfectly with the post you’re reading right now.

FINAL THOUGHTS: DISADVANTAGES OF SOLO TRAVEL

In this post, I talked about the disadvantages of solo travel. With all things come perks and not-so-amazing aspects, and I feel it’s important to consider them when traveling alone.

Please remember I’m not sharing this information to scare or discourage you from traveling independently. I mean, hello, this is a solo travel blog — we’re OBSESSED with solo travel!

I just want you to know that solo travel isn’t always as nice as it looks on social media or even here in our community. I hope you now have everything you need to make an educated, informed decision about traveling on your own.

You are gonna do it, right? Please say yes! I would love for you to come back from your trip, eager to continue exploring the world in solitude. That’s what this blog is all about, so if that is the case, you’re already in the right place.

Now it’s your turn. I’m opening the floor for you to start a conversation in the comments. Here are some discussion topics:

• After reading this post, do you feel like you have enough information to make an informed decision about your first solo trip?
• What do you personally think is the WORST part about traveling alone? Is it eating alone, looking awkward taking your own photos, or having to pay for everything yourself?
• Have you traveled alone before? How did you feel about the experience? Would you do it again? What would you do differently next time for a better, smoother, more confident trip?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you feel more comfortable chatting with me directly, shoot me a DM on Instagram or email me at demarcus@thesolosolstice.com.

ABOUT DEMARCUS

DeMarcus is a Midwest-based travel content creator and the founder of the solo travel blog, The Solo Solstice. He began his solo travel journey in December 2025 and since has been creating practical, in-depth travel guides for a like-minded community of first-time solo adventurers.

Visit the About Page to learn more about DeMarcus, and visit the Ethical & Responsible Tourism Page to learn more about his efforts to promote responsible tourism.