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The thing most people say to me when I tell them I’m travelling solo is: You’re so brave, I couldn’t do that! And all I want to do is tell them how incredibly NOT brave I am and how every trip comes paired with a bout of solo travel anxiety.
But I guess that’s the point. It is brave to go travelling alone, especially whilst dealing with travel anxiety.
My latest Solo Travel Anxiety Adventure
My most recent trip to Copenhagen is the first solo trip I’ve taken abroad since 2019. And in that time some of my old solo travel anxiety traits have reappeared.
As per usual the night before a trip I hardly sleep, and am wide awake at 4:50am. The little sleep I do get is fitful and plagued with annoying dreams.
Plus my other pre-trip travel companion makes themselves known before the sun is up: IBS and nausea.
Yep, the two most annoying symptoms of anxiety always make an appearance the morning I travel.
It’s so regular now I actually can’t imagine starting a trip any other way.
Which is why I dread travel days, and thus the vicious cycle continues!
Beating Solo Travel Anxiety
So what do I do to beat these annoying anxiety symptoms?
Well, there are a few tips I can share that will help you on your way to beating solo travel anxiety. And the most important fact to remember is that you can still travel solo, even with anxiety along for the ride.
It’s important to accept anxiety. This is the first and most important step.
I have spent many hours getting frustrated with myself for being anxious. Plus being angry with my body for making me feel bloated, sick, and uncomfortable before a flight.
But the fact is I can’t change the way my body responds to anxiety. Therefore the best course of action is to accept the fact I’ll probably feel unwell, and plan accordingly.
Beating Pre-travel anxiety
The last time I flew I swore I wouldn’t travel to the airport on the day of the flight anymore. The stress of traffic and potentially missing the flight was unpleasant. And could have been easily avoided by staying at the airport the night before.
However, sometimes finances do play a factor in making these decisions.
So I chose to book a flight on a Sunday morning (eliminating weekday traffic), and chose parking at the airport rather than off site.
This meant all I had to do was leave early enough and there shouldn’t be any transport worries.
Happily I had a smooth journey. However, as I mentioned, I did not sleep well.
Part of me wonders, would I be more relaxed staying at the airport? But another part of me thinks I wouldn’t have slept well there anyway! So might as well save the money…
It’s a personal choice, but if you are looking to beat your solo travel anxiety I’d recommend the following:
- Stay at the airport the night before your flight (especially if it’s a weekday or early morning flight)
- Check in online as soon as possible
- Make sure you know your carry on baggage allowance
Additionally, if you can select your seat and opt for priority boarding it can be worth the cost. Removing as many unknown elements as possible is key to beating solo travel anxiety.
I also highly recommend downloading the App of the airline you’re travelling with. This will make getting all the latest updates easy (sometimes even prior to the airport!) and often send gate alerts straight to your phone.
For my next solo adventure in October I’m off to Croatia. It’s an earlier flight and I depart and return to different terminals.
I’ve been obsessing about the best travel options, and have decided to take my own advice. I am travelling up the night before, leaving my car at my arrival terminal, and have a hotel at my departure terminal. Yes it’s costing me an extra £120, but immediately after booking I feel more relaxed. Sometimes beating solo travel anxiety has to take precedent over money.
Beating airport anxiety
Airports are hubs of chaos most of the time. But you can easily beat the madness by being prepared.
Generally all delays are caused by other passengers not knowing the rules or just being inconsiderate.
The more you travel the easier it gets of course. I can make my way through any airport now without even blinking. But unfortunately this doesn’t negate all my solo travel anxiety (even though I sometimes feel it should!).
There are some things you can do to make the airport part of your trip as easy as possible however.
As previously stated, check in online if you can. And if you don’t have any checked bags you can head straight to security. Much easier!
A lot of airlines now offer self bag check in too. This can help shorten queues at the check in desk, but leave yourself enough time to wait just in case.
If the worst happens and you are stuck checking bags as your flight check in closes be sure to alert a member of staff. This happened to me on the way to Naples despite being delayed five hours!
When it comes to security, I try to be as efficient as I can!
To make the process as smooth as possible:
- Pack your liquids in an approved reusable clear bag and keep them to hand
- Don’t wear belts or jewellery that might set off scanners
- Wear easy to slip off shoes and pack your coat away
- Keep tablets and laptops separate in case security wants them removed from bags
On my latest trip to Copenhagen I sailed through security even with a bag check!
Apparently tweezers should be in the clear bag with my liquids.
With a little pre-trip searching I knew I could get a Gluten-free breakfast at Wondertree in the airport. So once through security I had a destination to head for and somewhere to wait for the next stage of my trip.
Beating boarding anxiety
My flight was on time and the gate announced as such, which meant very little time wandering the airport shops.
If you get anxious waiting around I recommend finding a place to sit quietly and read or listen to music. The departure area can be busy but often the unused gates are empty. There’s no reason to not head towards a random unused gate to wait, just keep an eye on your own gate announcements.
As I had paid for a cabin bag I automatically had priority boarding. This meant I was in the first boarding group and didn’t have to worry about my bag being checked due to lack of cabin space.
I also got to watch the Boarding Assistant lady wielding her power…
A lot of people seemed to not have read their ticket for boarding group numbers, and several didn’t realise they hadn’t paid for a bag. Which leads me to my next important solo travel anxiety busting tip:
Always check your luggage allowance before packing. Having a cabin bag included is no longer a guarantee with a lot of airlines.
And for the sanity of your boarding crew, know your boarding group and listen to their announcements.
Remember: it doesn’t make the plane leave quicker if you get on first. And you have an allocated seat booked so there is no need to rush the gate. Everything runs much faster and smoother when everyone listens to and follows the instructions of the boarding crew.
With regards to your own preference and comfort, decide how much you are willing to spend for an easier flight.
I prefer to pick a seat at the front, and if the price is reasonable I pay for extra legroom. Additionally, as digestive system can be an issue, if I’m not in the front row I choose an aisle seat. I tend not to choose priority boarding as an extra, but if it’s part of a baggage deal that’s a plus. But if you get anxious pre-boarding it can be worth the money. The sooner you’re in your seat, the sooner you can relax.
You’ve made it to the plane, the first major solo travel anxiety hurdle is behind you.
Beating Transfer Anxiety
Of course now you’re in the air, the next worry is how to get to your accomodation.
This is easily overcome with planning and preparation however.
A simple google search and a check of the destination airport’s website will tell you all the options for airport transfers.
Sometimes you can book shuttles or bus transfers in advance and save money. Sometimes it’s just as easy to buy tickets on arrival.
It all depends on where you’re going and the time of arrival.
For New York, a taxi is much easier and has a flat fare. For Copenhagen the trains are easy to use and depart right from the terminal. In Barcelona the Metro runs to the airport and is included in a multiday ticket. And as I prepare to travel solo to Dubrovnik it seems the airport shuttle bus is my best option.
Do your research and have your accomodation saved in your preferred map app.
Beating eating alone anxiety
One of the biggest solo travel anxiety issues I hear is the worry about eating alone.
The fear is people will stare at you as you dine solo, think you’re sad and lonely, and generally be pitiful.
Let me assure you, that has never once happened to me. And yet I still get anxious going into a restaurant and asking for a table for one.
There are some simple ways to deal with eating alone though.
I start by making my first solo meal one at a street market or food hall. The casual atmosphere and communal tables make for a much more solo eating friendly atmosphere.
Additionally, picking up food at grocery stores means you can make a picnic and enjoy the glorious surroundings of your chosen destination.
Another option is to head for a Fast Food establishment. I found a burger place in Copenhagen that served something akin to McDonalds but with gluten free options and freshly prepared food. So I didn’t feel out of place on my own, and was not the only solo diner in there.
The next day I braved a place I walked pass after my burger and fries. It was a bar/restaurant/kayak hire place down by the water. The great thing is you order and pay at the shack/bar, and just take a seat anywhere. You’re given a buzzer to go collect your food.
I loved sitting outside and watching the kayaks come and go. It was a real struggle to not come back to eat here every meal!
To make myself feel less anxious eating alone I always have a book with me. Reading is a great way to pass the time waiting for food, and is like a barrier against strange looks from passers by. Instead of the odd loner with no one to eat with, your the cool, independent intellectual. Which you totally are by the way!
Sometimes I use mealtimes to phone a friend, or send some messages. Or I logon and make blog notes like I’m doing now as I slurp my ramen!
Eating alone is one of things you get used to. By the end of Copenhagen trip I plucked up the courage to go and sit in a proper restaurant, in full view, and just people watch through my meal. Weirdly, solo dining really makes you eat more mindfully too, which is great for your physicl and mental wellbeing.
Beating Inactivity Anxiety
My final big solo travel anxiety is that I will get where I’m going then do nothing.
I worry I’ll be too scared to venture out and will just hide in my hotel room. Which is of course nonsense but doesn’t stop the anxiety setting in anyway.
My key strategy to defeat this solo travel anxiety is to book at least two group tours before I even arrive. That way I have made a commitment to go out and explore twice, and once I’m out I’m usually fine to keep wandering.
I always pick a city tour for my first morning, and if it’s an option will always go for a Segway Tour like this one in Copenhagen. Segways are fun and get you around much more of the city than you could do on foot in two hours. I love this type of tour because whilst you’re in a group, everyone is riding solo. You get to see the highlights, and can decide what to revisit without tiring yourself out. Did I mention how fun they are?
If there’s water I will always opt for a boat tour too. I love being out on the water, and my Canal Tour of Copenhagen was no exception. It’s great to see a different perspective of a place whilst you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Solo Travel Anxiety Beaten
I can happily say my solo travel anxiety was defeated in Copenhagen.
My final hurdle was whether or not to visit Tivoli on my own. Going to a theme park solo is not something I’ve ever done before, but I’m so happy I did! I had the best evening riding rollercoasters, wandering the gardens, and flying high above the city.
I’m ready for my next solo travel adventure, and have all the tools to beat solo travel anxiety.
Bring on Croatia!