I've been traveling solo for years now. Mostly between Uruguay and Italy, with some UK trips thrown in. And every single time I pack, I learn the same lesson: I brought too much. Again.

Woman walking alone on a path
The only person you need to convince that you packed well is yourself. ( Spoiler: you didn't. )

Stop Overpacking Like You're Moving Countries

Here's the thing about solo travel: nobody cares what you wear. Nobody is taking outfit photos of you. You're not in a group chat voting on your day-four look. Pack for comfort, not for Instagram.

My packing list for a 10-day trip:

  • 4 t-shirts ( all dark, all interchangeable )
  • 2 pairs of pants ( one jeans, one light )
  • 1 light jacket
  • 5 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of socks
  • Toiletries in a small zip bag
  • Charger + one good cable ( see my dongle review )

That's it. Everything fits in a 40L backpack. I wash things in the sink when needed. Hotels have irons. Laundromats exist everywhere.

Backpack and travel essentials
Everything I need. Not everything I want. That distinction took me three overpacked suitcases to learn.

Solo means you're the navigator, the translator, and the person who forgot where the Airbnb is. All at the same time. I've stood on random corners in Palermo, Montevideo, and London staring at my phone like it owes me money.

Map and compass on table
Offline maps save you. Google Maps offline is non-negotiable. Download the whole region before you land.

The rules I follow now:

  • Download offline maps before the flight. No exceptions.
  • Screenshot the booking confirmation with the address in the local language.
  • Take a photo of where you parked. Every time. No, you won't remember.
  • Learn to say "I'm lost" in the local language. It's more useful than "where is the bathroom."

Safety Without Paranoia

People ask if I feel safe traveling alone. Honestly? I feel safer solo than in a group sometimes. When you're alone, you pay attention. You're not distracted by your friend's drama about the restaurant choice. You notice things.

The actual safety rules I follow:

  • Share your location with one person back home. Not your Instagram story, a real person.
  • Keep a photocopy of your passport in a separate bag.
  • Don't walk around looking lost at 2am. This isn't complicated.
  • Trust your gut. If a street feels wrong, turn around. You don't need a reason.

Eating Alone Is Not a Tragedy

Coffee at a small table
Solo dining is freedom. No compromising on restaurants. No waiting for someone to finish.

This took me a while to get comfortable with. Sitting at a restaurant alone, ordering alone, eating alone. But here's the secret: literally nobody cares. The waiter doesn't care. The couple next to you doesn't care. You're just another person eating.

Sit at the bar. Talk to the bartender if you feel like it. Read a book on your phone. People-watch. Some of my best meals have been solo — especially in Uruguay, where the asado culture means the grill master will definitely chat with you while your meat cooks.

The Mental Game Nobody Talks About

The real challenge of solo travel isn't logistics. It's the 3pm slump when you've seen all the things and you're sitting in a café thinking, "now what?" It's the evening when you wish someone else was there to say "that was amazing" after a sunset.

Person walking on a path
The path is quieter when you walk it alone. That's both the point and the cost.

My coping strategies ( that actually work ):

  • Call home. Not every day, but when it hits. A 10-minute call fixes more than you think.
  • Journal. Even just "today I walked 14km and ate a questionable empanada."
  • Book a walking tour. It's the easiest way to be around people without committing to a full social situation.
  • Go to the same café twice. The second time you're a regular, not a tourist.

Conclusion

Solo travel isn't better or worse than traveling with people. It's different. You see things you'd miss. You eat when you're hungry, not when the group decides. You change plans without a committee meeting. And yeah, sometimes you wish someone was there to share it with.

But the freedom is worth the occasional lonely afternoon. Pack light, download your maps, eat at the bar, and remember that literally nobody is paying attention to you. That's the best part.