7 practical ways to prepare for solo travel as a shy person

Once upon a time, I was so shy that I couldn’t even start a conversation with someone I didn’t know. The sheer thought of purchasing a train ticket from a manned counter would put a pit in my stomach, and talking to new people often left me with sweaty palms and a red face.

If you’ve read my story about how travel transformed me from a painfully shy person to a confident solo traveller, you’ll know I completely threw myself in at the deep end when I moved from Australia to the USA for college at 19 years old.

But here’s the thing: you certainly don’t have to take such an outrageous leap to grow your confidence. You can actually start preparing yourself for solo travel at home.

There are so many small, manageable steps you can take to build your confidence and prepare for solo travel – especially if you’re naturally shy. Whether it’s learning a few icebreakers or taking a solo outing close to home, these little actions can make a big difference. In this post, I’ll share practical ways to prepare for solo travel as a shy person so you can feel more ready, self-assured, and excited to explore the world.

1. Learn a few icebreakers for common scenarios

When I was extremely shy, I really struggled with knowing what to say to start a conversation. I worried about sounding silly or asking something inappropriate – and that I would have a hard time making friends on group tours and at hostels because I didn’t know what to say.

Having a few go-to icebreakers up your sleeve is a great way to take the pressure off and avoid the pressure of figuring out how to start a conversation on the spot.

Two of my go-to icebreakers for almost any scenario are:

Icebreaker #1: “How’s your day going so far?”

This is one of my favourite questions to ask because it’s a universally relatable question that’s easy to answer. It’s super casual so the person you’re speaking to can share as much or as little as they want without feeling overwhelmed themselves.

When to use it at home to build your confidence:

• While ordering coffee or food at a cafe.
• Chatting with a colleague at work or during a class break.
• During casual encounters, like with a neighbour or someone in a queue.

When to use it while you’re travelling:

• When someone’s walked into a common area or your dorm at a hostel.
• During a group tour’s morning meetup or on the bus ride to the day’s destination.
• While waiting at a train station, bus stop, or airport lounge.
• When meeting your guide or other travellers on a walking tour or day trip.

This icebreaker sets a friendly and casual tone, making it easy to segue into further conversation based on their response, such as asking about something specific they’ve mentioned.

Icebreaker #2: “Hi, I’m [your name]. What’s your name?”

I find introducing yourself another great way to break the ice because it shows that you’re genuinely interested in connecting with another person as an individual. I’ve always been well received when using this icebreaker because it’s generic, friendly and polite. It’s my go-to for when I’m meeting someone new in a social or group setting.

When to use it at home to build your confidence:

• At a local event, like a hobby class, meetup, or community gathering.
• When meeting someone new through mutual friends.
• At a networking or social event, like a book club or workshop.

When to use it when you’re travelling:

• At the start of a group tour, walking tour, or organised activity.
• When you’re meeting a new roommate in a hostel dorm or striking up a conversation in the common area.
• At a shared dinner table or social event, like a pub crawl or cooking class.

introducing yourself and asking for the other person’s name establishes a simple connection and opens for further conversation. Using their name later can make the interaction feel warm and engaging.

2. Practice small talk in everyday scenarios

Initiating an interaction or conversation in low-pressure situations is a fantastic way to ease into talking to strangers and build confidence before travelling. Everyday interactions with a cashier, barista, or neighbour are great starting points to come out of your shell because they’re brief, casual, and don’t carry the expectation of a longer conversations.

I remember how nerve-wracking it felt to even say something simple like, “How’s your day going?” when I was extremely shy. But I started to challenge myself in small ways, like asking the shop assistant if it had been a busy day so far or the bartender what their recommendation would be for a sweet wine. These moments might seem insignificant, but they’ve helped me feel less nervous about initiating conversations. Now, I often naturally do this without it being premeditated.

When practicing, look for opportunities where the interaction feels natural. For instance, if you’re at a restaurant, you could say to the waitstaff, “I’m having trouble deciding – what would are you recommend?” Or, when you’re checking out at a cashier, you can simply ask, “Busy day today?”

3. Practice eating alone

Eating alone isn’t just a discomfort for shy people – it’s a common fear for many solo travellers. I still remember my first day in Paris, at the start of a four-month solo trip, treating myself to a nice meal at a restaurant and feeling a bit uncomfortable sitting there alone. As awkward as it felt, I knew it was something I’d need to get used to.

But here’s the thing: eating alone is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. We all need to eat! AND since when did doing things solo become something shameful?! In fact, I think it’s empowering to do something on your own and truly enjoy your own company.

If the idea of eating a meal at restaurant feels daunting, start small. Head to a local cafe for a coffee by yourself. It’s a low-pressure way to ease your nerves, as it’s much less of a commitment than sitting down for a full meal.

4. Plan a “solo adventure” in your city or town

A solo adventure in my home city is something that once would have absolutely terrified me. Now, I absolutely love playing solo tourist at home and often enjoy going on day trips around my home city, Perth. Recently, I even joined a 2-hour walking tour in Perth, which is another fantastic way to ease yourself into an activity you’ll likely be doing while solo travelling abroad.

Plan a day trip to a nearby town or attraction – you could even join a tour. A day trip is a great way to dip your toes into solo exploring without straying too far from home. It’s a low-pressure way to practice independence and test your comfort level doing activities you’re likely be doing while you’re overseas.

Getting comfortable being in public alone is an important step toward solo travel, and every little step you take builds your confidence for bigger adventures.

5. Try a solo hobby or class

Hobby classes are a great way to get used to being in new environments with unfamiliar people, similar to what you’ll experience while solo travelling. Taking a class provides a bit of a buffer because the activity is already structured – and all you have to do is show up and participate. Some of my favourite classes for becoming more comfortable in social situations as a shy person:

Yoga or pilates classes: Yoga and pilates classes are quiet, introspective, and don’t require much interaction. You can join in without pressure to socialise, but the shared atmosphere can gently ease you into group settings.

Cooking classes: Cooking classes are also great because they focus on a shared task, and there’s always something to talk about (the food, the ingredients, the steps, and more). You’ll usually get to work alongside others, which can lead to natural conversations without needing to force interactions.

Painting or pottery workshops: Creative classes are my favourite because they let you focus on your work while still being around others. It’s low-pressure and gives you a built-in topic to discuss (your painting or the process). I personally find these type of workshops very therapeutic!

Photography workshop: These classes are often outdoors or in interesting locations, making it easier to focus on the environment rather than social interactions. The shared interest in photography provides an easy conversation starter – and you get to explore while you’re at it!

6. Get comfortable navigating on your own

As someone who once dreaded the thought of approaching a counter to purchase a train ticket, I can say this would’ve been handy for me to practice before I travelled solo for the first time!

Practising navigation skills at home, where you speak the language, understand the currency, and are familiar with the general environment, builds confidence for when you start exploring unfamiliar places. It’s not just about learning how to get from A to B; it’s about developing trust in your ability to handle unfamiliar situations, and problem solve when things do go to plan.

Use public transport

Start by using public transport in your home city or town, and figuring out your way around. Taking public transport is a great way to ease into the skills you’ll need when travelling solo abroad. You’ll get practice navigating timetables, identifying the right stops, and even handling small challenges like ringing the bell to request your stop (something that used to make me anxious!).

If you miss your stop or take the wrong route, treat it as an opportunity to practice problem-solving and reorienting yourself – it’s all part of the experience, and is very likely to happen overseas.

Practice asking for help

Asking for help is a great opportunity to get comfortable with asking people questions. By doing this at home, where you know the language, and you have some bearings, not only builds your confidence in striking up conversations but also helps you develop the essential skill of seeking guidance.

This will help you become more comfortable with approaching people, which will be really important in unfamiliar countries where you might need help buying a train ticket, finding your way to your destination, or figuring things out when you can’t rely on Google for answers.

The more you do it, the more at ease you’ll feel approaching people – even when there’s a language barrier – because you’ve already built a habit of asking for help at home. This lets you focus less on the act of asking and more on navigating any language barriers.

7. Connect with other solo travellers before you go abroad

There are so many ways you can connect with fellow solo travellers before you travel. Joining online communities, such as Facebook groups like Girls Love Travel, Shy & Introverted Solo Traveller Hub and Solo Trips & Travelers, can be a great start.

These groups are packed with like-minded people who share advice, stories, and tips, creating a sense of camaraderie even before you leave home. You can ask questions to shy people who’ve had the same fear and anxieties, and done it all before, or even join group chats for specific destinations for more specific advice based on where you planning to travel.

Have a question about practical ways to prepare for solo travel as a shy person?

As a fellow shy person, I know initiating contact might not be something you’re super comfortable doing but I’d love to hear from you if any questions about practical ways to prepare for solo travel. As always, you’re welcome to leave any thoughts or questions in the comments below and I will do my best to answer you. Or feel free to send me a message via my contact page.

You can also check out my Shy Solo Traveller Guide or join my Facebook community, Shy & Introverted Traveller Hub to connect with more likeminded people.