Five Travel Mistakes I won’t make again

I’ve wandered solo through streets of Istanbul, watched sunsets from Ankor Wat, and navigated foreign cities with nothing but a backpack and a little stubbornness. Over the years, solo travel has become second nature—but that wasn’t always the case.

In the beginning, I made every planning mistake in the book. I booked the cheapest flights with the worst layovers, crammed my days with unrealistic itineraries, and once forgot to check if my must-see destination was even open. (Spoiler: it wasn’t.)

If you’re anything like I was—excited, a little nervous, and maybe even overwhelmed by all the details—this is for you.

These five mistakes used to stress me out, slow me down, or straight-up ruin the flow of my trip. But once I let them go? Travel started to feel effortless. Like it was unfolding for me, not just because of me.

Let’s dive into the lessons I wish I’d learned sooner.

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Mistake #1: Overplanning Every Hour of the Day

In my early solo travel days, I treated my itinerary like a military operation: every hour blocked, every minute maximized. I wanted to see it all—every landmark, every hidden café, every Instagram-worthy viewpoint. But by day two, I was burnt out, annoyed, and barely enjoying the experience I’d worked so hard to plan.

The truth? A packed itinerary doesn’t guarantee a fulfilling trip. It guarantees exhaustion.

What I do now: I plan in “anchors,” not overload. I choose 1–2 “anchor experiences” per day—the things I’d be truly disappointed to miss. Maybe it’s a guided hike, a cooking class, or visiting a historic site. Everything else? Flexible. Optional. Room for the magic.

Pro Tips for Effortless, Flexible Planning:

  • Use Google My Maps to pin your bucket list spots by area. When you’re nearby, you can decide what to visit in the moment without backtracking.
    → How to create your own Google My Map
  • Batch activities by neighborhood instead of spreading them across town each day. Not only does this save energy, but you get a better feel for each area’s vibe.
  • Build in “buffer zones.” I add a 2–3 hour free window into each day. That’s where the spontaneous magic happens—like stumbling into a street performance, chatting with locals, or taking the long scenic route.
  • Check local holidays and opening hours ahead of time using TimeOut or the city’s tourism site. You’d be surprised how many museums close on random weekdays or open late.
  • Use the “trip notes” feature in Notion or TripIt to organize activities without hard timelines. I group ideas under categories like “Morning Possibilities” or “If It Rains,” instead of locking myself into a rigid schedule.
    • Free Notion Template

Mistake #2: Booking Based on Price, Not Practicality

  • There was a time I’d brag about how cheap my flight or hostel was—until I realized I’d booked a $300 round-trip flight that arrived at 2 a.m. in a city where taxis were cash-only, and I had none. Or the time I saved $15 on a guesthouse that turned out to be a 45-minute walk from anything remotely useful… in the rain.
  • Budgeting is important—but chasing the cheapest option without considering how it affects your actual experience is a mistake I won’t make again.
  • What I do now: I look at value, not just cost. That means asking: What am I really paying for, and what will it cost me in time, comfort, or stress?

Pro Tips for Smarter (Still Budget-Friendly) Bookings:

  • Use location filters with intention. When booking a stay, I search with map view on Booking.com or Hostelworld. I prioritize:
    • Walkability to cafes, transit, and attractions
    • Safe neighborhoods (check reviews for keywords like “quiet,” “solo traveler,” or “felt safe walking at night”)
  • Set price alerts—but compare arrival/departure times. A $50 cheaper flight that gets you in at midnight may cost you that much in anxiety, transport, or a lost day recovering. Tools like Google Flights and Hopper let you filter by time and track deals.
  • Read the reviews—especially the worst ones. Don’t just skim the stars. Look at 3-star reviews for balanced insights. Search for keywords like “location,” “clean,” or “photos accurate.”
  • Think of transit like a daily cost. A cheap Airbnb 30 minutes outside the city could end up costing you hours (and $10/day in Ubers). Staying centrally might save you more in the long run.
  • Use Rome2Rio or local Reddit threads to research airport-to-hotel routes before booking anything with odd arrival times.
    → Rome2Rio: plug in two points, get all your transport options instantly

Mistake #3: Relying Too Much on Wi-Fi and Screenshots

Back in the day, I found myself stuck on a random road in Paris, aimlessly wandering the streets in search of a McDonald’s—not for fries, but to steal Wi-Fi so I could figure out how to get to my next destination. Let’s be honest, my French wasn’t going to get me anywhere, and the screenshot I had saved cut off the most important part of the directions.

That was the moment I realized: relying on Wi-Fi and half-loaded apps was not a sustainable solo travel strategy.

What I do now: I prep like I won’t have signal at all. Even in big cities, you’d be surprised how often service fails—especially in subways, remote neighborhoods, or countries with strict roaming limitations.

Pro Tips to Stay Connected (Even Offline):

  • Download offline maps with Google Maps or Maps.me:
    • In Google Maps: tap your profile > Offline maps > Select your area.
    • Bonus: Save your Airbnb, cafes, and landmarks as “favorites” so they show even offline.
    • Maps.me is a great backup for trails or less-developed areas.
  • Save important travel documents in multiple formats:
    • Store copies of your passport, ID, insurance, tickets, and bookings in:
      • A secure cloud folder (like Google Drive)
      • A password manager like 1Password
      • A physical folder in your carry-on (yes, old school—but still a lifesaver)
  • Use travel planning apps that work offline:
    • TripIt keeps all your trip details—flights, hotels, car rentals—in one place and works offline.
  • Keep a mini “travel cheat sheet” in your notes app or journal:
    • Add local emergency numbers, hotel address (in local language), common phrases, and transport options.
    • You’ll thank yourself when your phone dies or your translation app glitches.
  • Bring a portable charger (and know where to charge on the go):

Mistake #4: Skipping Safety Precautions Because “It’ll Be Fine”

I used to think prepping for worst-case scenarios was paranoid. I wasn’t climbing Everest—I was just going to Peru. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out… a lot. Like the time I arrived in La Paz late at night and had to walk alone across town with zero idea how safe the area was. Or the time an ATM scammed my bank card, emptied my account, and left me broke for the final three days of my trip through Peru. That carefree attitude? It didn’t feel adventurous—it felt careless. And it cost me peace of mind when I needed it most.

What I do now: I make safety part of the plan—not a panic move when things go wrong. It doesn’t have to be overkill. A few smart moves upfront let me travel solo with more confidence and fewer what-ifs.

Pro Tips for Stress-Free Solo Travel Safety:

  • Share your travel details with someone you trust.
    • I create a simple Google Doc with my flight info, hotel addresses, emergency contacts, and a loose itinerary.
      • Bonus: Add a code word with your trusted contact—something only you two know—just in case you ever feel unsafe but can’t say it directly.
  • Turn on live location sharing.
  • Always have multiple ways to pay.
    • I travel with a backup card hidden in my bag and some emergency cash in local currency. Consider a card like Wise or Revolut if you want low-fee international spending and quick access to multiple currencies.
  • Check local safety norms before you go.
    • Google “[Is it safe to walk alone in X at night?]” or check forums like r/solotravel for real-time tips from other travelers. Cultural norms, scam warnings, and local dress expectations can be game-changers.
  • Trust your gut—seriously.
    • If something feels off, it probably is. That internal radar gets sharper the more you travel. Don’t ignore it just to be polite or “not dramatic.”

Mistake #5: Not Checking for Local Events, Holidays, or Closures

It’s easy to assume the world runs on the same calendar we do—but I’ve learned the hard way that it doesn’t.

I once found myself in Guatemala during a country-wide protest—roads were blocked, transportation was limited, and I had no idea it was coming. I ended up having to cut my trip short, navigate my way to the airport in the middle of the night, and book a last-minute flight out just to keep moving. Thankfully, El Salvador turned out to be a nice surprise, but the stress and scramble could’ve easily been avoided with a little more research upfront.

What I do now: I research local calendars as seriously as I research attractions. A bit of digging before booking can save you from major inconveniences—or help you plan around them to make the most of your experience.

Pro Tips to Avoid (or Embrace) Local Disruptions:

  • Check local holidays before locking in your dates.
    • Websites like Time and Date or the country’s tourism board often list public holidays and festivals.
    • Pro move: Search “national holidays in [country] + [year]” to get an updated list.
  • Look up major events happening during your stay.
    • Use Eventbrite or local Reddit subs (like r/[cityname]) to check for concerts, protests, sporting events, or parades.
    • These can be incredible to experience—but they can also affect transit, crowds, or hotel prices.
  • Call ahead or check websites for attractions you’re set on seeing.
    • Don’t assume regular hours. In many places, major sites are closed one weekday per week (often Mondays or Tuesdays), or close early in off-season months.
  • Use crowd-predicting tools for big landmarks.
    • Google Popular Times shows you when locations tend to be busiest. I’ve also used Avoid-Crowds.com for planning during peak travel months.
  • Have a Plan B for weather or closures.
    • Keep a list of rainy day activities or quiet cafes to escape to if your first plan doesn’t work out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the best way to start planning a solo trip if I’ve never done it before?
Start with a destination that excites you but doesn’t overwhelm you. Look for places known for solo travelers (like Portugal, Japan, or Costa Rica), research basic logistics (visa, weather, safety), and then choose 2–3 anchor experiences you’re excited about. Keep it simple and stay flexible.

Q: How do you balance planning vs. leaving room for spontaneity?
I lock in flights, accommodations, and any must-do experiences in advance—but leave most days open with a few saved ideas on Google Maps or a trip planning app. I also use “buffer blocks” in my itinerary so I never feel rushed.

Q: What apps or tools do you use most when planning?

  • Google Maps (with saved pins and offline maps)
  • TripIt (for itinerary organization)
  • Rome2Rio (for local transport options)
  • Notion or Google Docs (for organizing trip details)
  • Wise (for international money access)

Q: What do you always pack for safety?

  • A backup credit card + emergency cash
  • A portable charger
  • Copies of my passport and ID
  • A safety whistle + door lock (for peace of mind)
  • My hotel address written in the local language

Wrap Up

Solo travel is one of the most empowering experiences you can gift yourself—but only if you’re not dragging chaos along for the ride. Once I stopped making these five mistakes, everything shifted. Travel started to feel smoother, more aligned, and way more enjoyable.

So if you’ve been overplanning, booking blind, or winging it a little too hard—don’t worry, you’re not alone. Learn from my past missteps, take what works for you, and let the rest unfold naturally.

If you’re planning a trip right now, I’d love to hear where you’re heading—or answer any questions you still have. Leave a comment below and

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