Solo Travel First Night: When to Book and When to Wing It
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I often travel alone, and I often join groups. That is the nice thing about traveling solo: you are flexible and can go with the flow of life.
The catch is the solo travel first night. This is how I handle it.
Quick answer
When you arrive late or tired, book the first night. Often I book the first week, to land and explore, and then book where I want to stay. After that I ask people with a good vibe where they stay and let them shape the trip. And I trust my gut.
Where to book
HousingAnywhere
A platform for mid to long-term rentals, for when you know you will stay. Read more
From the road: Most of the time I do not book much ahead. I go with the flow of life. But when I have a very long trip and arrive late, I book one night, because I just need to know where I sleep.
I also often book the first week, to see where I land and to explore the area, and then I book something where I want to stay.
Why book the first night?
The UK Foreign Office advises booking accommodation before you travel, in particular your first night. It says you are at your most vulnerable when you first arrive in a foreign country. It suggests:
- knowing the address of where you are staying
- arranging airport transfers before you arrive
- having alternative accommodation as a back-up
A first night that works
1
Pick the area
Choose a place close to where you arrive, so a late arrival is a short ride.
2
Check the check-in time
Make sure someone is there when you land, or ask for a code.
3
Save the address offline
In Google Maps you can download an offline map. Google says it can guide you as long as the entire route is within the map.
4
Arrange the ride
Sort the airport transfer before you arrive. Our guide to airport transfers shows how.
ZenHotels is a site where you can search and compare hotels, hostels and apartments. Compare hotel prices on ZenHotels
How do you plan the rest when you are alone?
From the road: Then I talk to people I like, people with a good vibe on the street. I ask where they stay, what they like, what they have seen, what they have done and what the coolest thing was. That is how my trip gets shaped.
Alone, that is also how you meet people. More ways in our guide to digital nomad loneliness.
From the road: I went to a small pub or a square where people hang out or make music, and I sang along. I sing well, so I often asked bands if I could join, and then we just hung out. Or I put down a sign next to my tarot cards: free tarot reading. Then people just came to me.
How far ahead should you book?
| Your situation | What to book |
|---|---|
| You arrive late after a very long trip | One night, so you know where you sleep. |
| You want to look around first | The first week, then book where you want to stay. |
| You know you will stay a few months | A mid-term rental. |
For a stay of a few months, HousingAnywhere is a platform for mid to long-term rentals. Find a mid-term rental on HousingAnywhere
Looking for a base with people around? See our list of the best coliving spaces.
Why trust your gut?
From the road: Trust your gut. Sometimes your head says things, but your gut is always the wisest. Really listen to your gut. I have learned that.
The UK Foreign Office adds two things for solo travelers:
- leave an itinerary with someone at home and agree how regularly you will be in contact
- remember that being safe is more important than being polite
Key takeaways
- Arriving late: book the first night, so you know where you sleep.
- Often the first week, to land and explore, then book where you want to stay.
- Ask people on the street where they stay and what they liked.
- Solo is flexible, but keep someone informed: leave an itinerary and trust your gut.
Keeping your things safe on the first night matters too. See what to do if your backpack is stolen abroad and cheap flights with long layovers.
FAQ
Should solo travelers book accommodation in advance?
The UK Foreign Office advises booking accommodation before you travel, in particular your first night, because you are at your most vulnerable when you first arrive in a foreign country. I often book the first week and then decide where to stay once I have explored.
How long should I book the first stay?
That is your call. I book one night when I arrive late after a very long trip, and often the first week, to land and explore the area before I book where I want to stay.
How do I find a good hostel or place to stay once I am there?
Talk to people you like, with a good vibe, and ask where they stay, what they like, what they have seen and what the coolest thing was. That is how my trip gets shaped.
Ready to book?
Book the first night, then explore.
Staying in a dorm? Pick a lock that fits the locker first: the best padlock for hostel lockers.
Affiliate disclosure. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy or book something, this site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Practical advice comes from the UK Foreign Office and Google pages named in the text, and the partner descriptions from each partner's own site, read on 4 October 2026. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
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