Tips for Traveling Via Airplane Solo 

Traveling solo is a wonderful experience that we believe everyone should try at least once. If this is your first time traveling solo on a plane trip, it may seem scary. Fortunately, by following these simple tricks, you are more likely to have an easy and relaxing experience that you’ll want to repeat time and time again. 

1. Book Your Flights with an End Goal

When flying solo, it may be tempting to book the cheapest flight, but we recommend scheduling with an end goal in mind; as in, when do you want to land at your location? We highly advise solo travelers to land during daylight hours or early evening at the latest for safety reasons. Therefore, when you book your trip, make that a priority.

2. Getting a Room for the First Night

Sometimes flights get delayed; the last thing you want is to wander around a city late at night in search of accommodation. You should always book your first night’s stay wherever you go. That will remove the stress of finding a place when you arrive, and your room won’t be given away.

3. Scheduling an Airport Transfer

We suggest booking private airport shuttles to and from the airport. Booking a private car to take you to the airport will prevent delays, limit expensive rideshares, and eliminate having to leave your car in the airport parking lot. Additionally, having a ride when you land makes your transition to your new destination quick, easy, safe, and fun.

4. Check in Online for Your Flight

Most airlines allow you to check into your flight 24 hours before its scheduled departure. We recommend always doing this while also checking your flight status to identify any changes or concerns. If you don’t check-in, you may get bumped or moved around to accommodate passengers that did follow these directions, so it is always wise to do so.

5. Have All Your Travel Documents Ready

To ensure none of your precious documents ever get lost, we recommend having printed or electronic copies of everything, including your passport/I.D. Card, airline tickets, hotel reservations, transportation reservations, tour receipts, and anything else you may need. Also, most travel companies have apps you can download to your devices, including airlines, hotels, etc. Having those prepped and ready to go will make your travel that much easier.

6. Dress Comfortably

Taking a flight means lots of walking and then sitting for hours on end. While some travelers may treat the airport like a fashion runway, the best way to travel is to be comfortable. We recommend loose, stretchy pants, layered shirts, walking shoes without laces, warm socks, a light jacket, and nothing with metal in it.

7. Pack the Ultimate Backpack

Yes, you can find most essentials in airports, but the prices will be outrageous. Why waste that money when you can pack it in your bag? We recommend the following for the ultimate strategic backpack.

a. Electronics, matching chargers, and a portable charger

b. Phone, Tablet, Camera, Laptop, Kindle, Headphones, etc.

c. Non-tech entertainment of some variety (like a book)

d. Jewelry and other expensive items

e. Non-smelly, quiet snacks, including gum

f. Empty water bottle

g. An extra-large warm scarf or small blanket

h. Pen and notebook

i. Extra set of clothes

j. All medications

k. A mini-set of toiletry items

l. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, feminine products, hair ties, etc.

We want to put a caveat here: don’t overpack. If you are packing with just carry-ons, don’t be that person with a super heavy or oversized bag that they can’t get into the overhead compartment. If you need that much stuff, check it. For your personal item, remember that you have to carry it and place it at your feet, so make sure it is comfortable in both aspects. 

8. Arrive at the Airport Early

Most large airports recommend arriving two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. While some regional airports don’t require that much time, we always say “better safe than sorry,” especially if you are unfamiliar with the airport. When planning your itinerary, schedule enough time to arrive at the airport early, even with potential delays or traffic problems.

9. Stay Awake While You Wait

Early or late-night flights can be exhausting, making it tempting to take a little nap while waiting. However, if you are traveling solo, that makes you vulnerable to theft and missing your flight. We suggest forcing yourself to stay awake and then falling asleep on the plane. If you are having trouble staying awake, we recommend taking a walk, performing exercises, grabbing a snack, or drinking something with caffeine.

10. Download Entertainment in Advance

In-air airplane Wi-Fi can be ridiculously expensive; generally only worth it if you have a super long flight or need to work on the plane. So, before you lose your Wi-Fi or cellular access, download any entertainment you want available during the flight, such as phone games, kindle books, audiobooks, or movies.

11. Leave the Worries at Home

Traveling by air solo may seem daunting, but people do it all the time successfully. Leave the worries at home and instead focus on the extraordinary adventure waiting for you once you arrive at your destination.

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