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Original poster

To ask for your tips for a first time solo traveller?

38 replies

FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 13:08

I have just booked my first ever solo trip (not booked my flights yet, I'm going to book those in the new years sales).

I'll be going to the Italian Grand Prix next year, by myself. I'll fly in on the Wednesday and fly home on the Monday.

I've always travelled with either my family, or a group of friends. Any tips would be welcome. I feel like I'm quite street "smart" in terms of valuables etc., but any advice would be great!

OP posts:
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IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 04/11/2025 12:41

Use a cross body bag not a rucsac - one you can access everything without taking it off. A key clip is useful too.
I've just bought this one and love it
https://www.elizabethscarlett.com/products/earth-goddess-crossbody-sling-bag
And its not a "travel" bag but one to use all year

I travel a lot and had my purse stolen earlier in the year from a rucsac on a crowded bus. Im still cross with myself.

Leave a card hidden where you're staying so if the worst happens you can still access money.

Earth Goddess Velvet Crossbody Sling Bag

Designed for a life on-the-move, keep your daily must-haves close with an adjustable strap, zipped pockets and handy key clip - from city strolls to coffee catch-ups and beyond. Graced with sprintime blooms, swooping swallows and a radiant sun, hold on...

https://www.elizabethscarlett.com/products/earth-goddess-crossbody-sling-bag

TheFlis · 04/11/2025 12:36

Assuming you are flying from the UK, you might actually be better off booking flights now. Short haul are rarely discounted in sales particularly around big events like a GP where they know they will sell out.

AsiaZ224 · 04/11/2025 12:29

I always pack light so I’m not lugging a suitcase around on public transport or down stairs. I also find reading other people's trip reviews really useful before picking where to stay. For solo travel, I’ve used forum loads—not just for places to go, but also little tips like which train station is easiest to use or areas that feel safer at night.

AltitudeCheck · 09/09/2025 17:38

Keep a back up credit card seperate from your phone so if the worst happens and you lose your phone you can still buy food / drink / a new phone!

Take pics of your documents and email them to an email account that you can access without your phone.

SquaredPaper · 09/09/2025 16:37

I literally don’t think there’s anything I do differently when travelling alone to when I travel with friends or DH and DS. I’ve certainly never pretended I was being met at the end of a taxi ride or that I was staying in a different hotel. Milan is perfectly safe.

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 16:27

EmpressaurusKitty · 09/09/2025 16:03

Have you been there before? If not, one of my favourite things in Como was the funicular railway. You’re best off getting there as early as possible though since it gets busy very quickly.

www.atm.it/en/AltriServizi/Trasporto/Pages/FunicolareComoBrunate.aspx

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We did, but we went just after the Lisbon accident and we didn’t feel comfortable going on it

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EmpressaurusKitty · 09/09/2025 16:03

FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:37

Ah, we didn't go down to Naples, we stuck to northern Italy. I am considering a day trip to Como on the Friday, as opposed to the practice sessions, but I don’t know yet

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Have you been there before? If not, one of my favourite things in Como was the funicular railway. You’re best off getting there as early as possible though since it gets busy very quickly.

www.atm.it/en/AltriServizi/Trasporto/Pages/FunicolareComoBrunate.aspx

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 15:46

Silverbirchleaf · 09/09/2025 14:48

But good travel insurance and buy it now.

I have great insurance through my bank :) I keep it active all year round

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Silverbirchleaf · 09/09/2025 14:48

But good travel insurance and buy it now.

AlignmentSeptember · 09/09/2025 14:42

Take photo of your bag & passport

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:37

ilovesooty · 09/09/2025 14:36

To be fair, I was in Naples. Motor scooter bag grabbing is rife there, and that trip was more than 10 years ago.
I'm almost entirely cashless these days, but it's always useful to have a few Euros in cash. I didn't need the cash for emergencies on my last holiday, but I did use it to tip the staff. I was staying in a hotel I stay in regularly, and where I'm given a preferential rate, so it does feel decent to tip generously.

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Ah, we didn't go down to Naples, we stuck to northern Italy. I am considering a day trip to Como on the Friday, as opposed to the practice sessions, but I don’t know yet

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ilovesooty · 09/09/2025 14:36

FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:29

I was just there and felt very safe, which is why I picked it as my first solo trip! I am also entirely cashless, I haven't carried cash since I was about 12!

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To be fair, I was in Naples. Motor scooter bag grabbing is rife there, and that trip was more than 10 years ago.
I'm almost entirely cashless these days, but it's always useful to have a few Euros in cash. I didn't need the cash for emergencies on my last holiday, but I did use it to tip the staff. I was staying in a hotel I stay in regularly, and where I'm given a preferential rate, so it does feel decent to tip generously.

DeQuin · 09/09/2025 14:31

Also: Milan, was there recently. The metro is really easy and you can tap in and tap out. Have fun!

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:29

ilovesooty · 09/09/2025 14:27

Yes, good idea. I wore a security belt in Italy and had a few Euros in a neck purse under my clothes, leaving my hands free. I safety pinned my bum bag to my jeans too. It's the only country where I've taken those measures.

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I was just there and felt very safe, which is why I picked it as my first solo trip! I am also entirely cashless, I haven't carried cash since I was about 12!

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ilovesooty · 09/09/2025 14:27

CoffeenWalnut · 09/09/2025 14:19

Better still, wear a security belt with your passport, credit card, main stash of cash against your body UNDERNEATH your clothes and your bumbag. I resorted to this in Italian summers when my clothes were so lightweight that the security belt would have been visible through my light cotton top. Have a small purse with about 20€ in small change and keep however much money you think you will need that day elsewhere in the bumbag.... if you need more you can always take a trip to the ladies' to access it.

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Yes, good idea. I wore a security belt in Italy and had a few Euros in a neck purse under my clothes, leaving my hands free. I safety pinned my bum bag to my jeans too. It's the only country where I've taken those measures.

CoffeenWalnut · 09/09/2025 14:19

ilovesooty · 09/09/2025 13:56

I've never found that sort of thing necessary, and I've been travelling solo for over 20 years.

Be very careful of your bag on public transport. Ensure you have a bum bag or a body bag with different pockets worn close to the front of your body, and hold onto it.

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Better still, wear a security belt with your passport, credit card, main stash of cash against your body UNDERNEATH your clothes and your bumbag. I resorted to this in Italian summers when my clothes were so lightweight that the security belt would have been visible through my light cotton top. Have a small purse with about 20€ in small change and keep however much money you think you will need that day elsewhere in the bumbag.... if you need more you can always take a trip to the ladies' to access it.

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:15

PotassiumPermanganate · 09/09/2025 14:12

I love travelling alone, and I'm not really a traveller at all. But when I leave the country I'm like a different person and just blend in with the crowd and nobody knows or cares who I am. The freedom is amazing! The one thing where I had to stop and think quickly was when I was on a walking tour, obviously alone, and a man asked me what I would be doing later. I said I was busy meeting up with friends and he was fine with that. I was a few steps away from going into my hotel but I kept on walking and went into a different one to throw him off, just in case. But do not worry! You will love it! In fact, I'd love to join you for the F1! I've never been to a race but want to do it some day. Have a great time!

Thank You! I’ve been to a fair few races but this is my first time going alone!

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PotassiumPermanganate · 09/09/2025 14:12

I love travelling alone, and I'm not really a traveller at all. But when I leave the country I'm like a different person and just blend in with the crowd and nobody knows or cares who I am. The freedom is amazing! The one thing where I had to stop and think quickly was when I was on a walking tour, obviously alone, and a man asked me what I would be doing later. I said I was busy meeting up with friends and he was fine with that. I was a few steps away from going into my hotel but I kept on walking and went into a different one to throw him off, just in case. But do not worry! You will love it! In fact, I'd love to join you for the F1! I've never been to a race but want to do it some day. Have a great time!

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:10

AgentPidge · 09/09/2025 14:08

Italy will be fine! In other places I found it useful to wear a wedding ring. I tend to stay in youth hostels or private (slightly more upmarket) places aimed at young people because then it's easy to meet people in the cafe/common areas. If you were eg going to look at the sights there were always other people going to the same places. I met a lot of Australian women travelling alone. I find hotels a bit lonely and I tend to stay in my room and lack confidence to venture out alone, especially at night.

To be honest I’ll be so busy during the day I don’t think I’ll be up to going out at night! If I was going sightseeing etc I’d consider it, but I am solely going for the f1

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AgentPidge · 09/09/2025 14:08

Italy will be fine! In other places I found it useful to wear a wedding ring. I tend to stay in youth hostels or private (slightly more upmarket) places aimed at young people because then it's easy to meet people in the cafe/common areas. If you were eg going to look at the sights there were always other people going to the same places. I met a lot of Australian women travelling alone. I find hotels a bit lonely and I tend to stay in my room and lack confidence to venture out alone, especially at night.

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 14:05

JadziaD · 09/09/2025 14:03

yes, agree. ditto on the way out. For me Air BNB is useful for us as a family or for longer stays perhaps, but the convenience and professionalism of a hotel is always my preference on a short trip. I recently did a quick work trip just in the UK... I was very grateful to be in a hotel at 11pm that night when I realised I'd left my toothbrush at home! Grin

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An Airbnb is good if you’re not flying in early, but I’ll be landing into Milan at 9am, I can go to the hotel, freshen up, and head into the city, if I was in an Airbnb I’d be taking everything with me!

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JadziaD · 09/09/2025 14:03

FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 13:58

Yeah I think I'm going to go for a hotel because you can go early, store your bag there and then come back and check in (which I'd want to do on the Wednesday, so I can head into Milan!), instead of being bound to 3pm with an Airbnb.

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yes, agree. ditto on the way out. For me Air BNB is useful for us as a family or for longer stays perhaps, but the convenience and professionalism of a hotel is always my preference on a short trip. I recently did a quick work trip just in the UK... I was very grateful to be in a hotel at 11pm that night when I realised I'd left my toothbrush at home! Grin

Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 13:59

Swiftie1878 · 09/09/2025 13:53

Don’t let strangers know you are alone. You’re always ‘meeting friends later’, ‘seeing your brother for lunch’ etc

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Again, I don't really think this is applicable for me because I'll either be meeting friends while I'm there (if they go), or just chatting with people on the shuttle to the station, where there will be thousands of other people getting on the train, it's not as if I'll be hooking up with people!

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Original poster
FirstTimeSoloTraveller · 09/09/2025 13:58

DeQuin · 09/09/2025 13:55

Travel alone all the time! Agree: always have a battery pack; I have stopped staying in AirBnBs because I prefer the security of a hotel; consider how you get from the airport to your hotel / where you are going (I have dyspraxia and no sense of direction so this is a really big deal for me). Figure out how public transport works (lots of places have tap in tap out public transport which is fun and easy to use). Enjoy!

Yeah I think I'm going to go for a hotel because you can go early, store your bag there and then come back and check in (which I'd want to do on the Wednesday, so I can head into Milan!), instead of being bound to 3pm with an Airbnb.

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ilovesooty · 09/09/2025 13:56

Swiftie1878 · 09/09/2025 13:53

Don’t let strangers know you are alone. You’re always ‘meeting friends later’, ‘seeing your brother for lunch’ etc

Show quote history

I've never found that sort of thing necessary, and I've been travelling solo for over 20 years.

Be very careful of your bag on public transport. Ensure you have a bum bag or a body bag with different pockets worn close to the front of your body, and hold onto it.