Solo Travel: How to Stay Safe, Make Friends & Truly Find Yourself (My Story + Best Tips)

After graduating high school, I knew I couldn’t just dive into my next chapter in life (university), without atleast exploring a bit of the world and explore life outside of my usual used to be routine. So rather than waiting for a moment in time where I felt ready, instead, I took the decision. And here’s already my first insight after 6 years of solo traveling: Being ready is not a feeling, it’s a decision. 

I packed a tiny suitcase and left to France and lived there for a couple of months, not having a detailed plan or knew what I was truly searching for, I just knew I needed something outside my routine. It changed everything! The freedom of choosing my days without asking anyone…The discomfort and thrill of figuring things out by myself…

Once I tasted solo travel, I knew I wanted to experience more and so I ended up visiting Vietnam and, Thailand and India. These trips made me realize I couldn’t go back, it became a way of living and a way of thinking. Eventually I visited Mexico, Colombia, Bali, The Philippines, Italy, Taiwan, and countless other corners of the world.

Every trip gave me a new piece of myself and every experience, the good and the bad, expanded me! I found confidence, courage and the strength to handle life in the most unpredictable and unfamiliar situations.

And that’s what I want to share with you today: not just how to travel solo safely, or how to make friends, or how to budget… but the deeper truth that solo travel gives you a version of yourself that everyday life rarely reveals.

This is my full guide, from experience: personal, honest, and meant for anyone reading, no matter your gender, age, background, or starting point.

The Power of Surrendering to the Moment

Solo travel teaches you to release control in a way that feels strangely spiritual (even if you’re not into that type of stuff!). You quickly learn that not everything goes according to plan:

You miss buses. You choose the wrong hostel. You get lost. You have confusing days. You meet someone incredible and then your paths split the next day.

At some point, you stop resisting and start surrendering (not in a hopeless way) in a peaceful trusting way. While this may sound easy, it has taken me a good few years to actually master…. And still sometimes struggle with these days!

By trusting the path you’re on, you start letting the journey shape you. The best stories I’ve ever collected came from saying yes to things I didn’t plan: spontaneous scooter rides, sunset dinners with strangers, random adventures with people I met at breakfast.

Surrendering is the true superpower of solo travel, it’s the thing that turns fear into flow.

How I Make Friends While Traveling Alone

People ask me all the time:“Don’t you get lonely?”

Honestly… solo travel has brought me more friendships than any other period of my life and most of the times I actually forget to consciously spend time with myself because I am so often with the people who I met along the way.

Most of the time, I meet people organically in hostels, on beaches, in cafés, during surf sessions, on buses, in yoga classes. When you’re traveling alone, people naturally come up to you but often it is also your decision to get over your fear and be the person to walk up to others, openly, approachable and freely.

The handful of times I spend my travels in bigger cities and felt like it was harder to connect with others, I used TripBFF. Such an easy way to find meetups, dinners, or group activities. I’ve joined various food street tours or even random group day trips thanks to the app and I you get to try out the app for free using my code travelingwithluna! (Thank me later). It’s perfect when you crave connection without forcing anything.

At the end of the day, friendships form when you’re open, curious, and willing to say yes. Solo travel removes the walls around you — and that makes connection effortless.

How to Travel on a Budget for Longer (My Real Backpacker Strategies)

People often think I travel so much because I’m lucky, but it’s truly because I learned how to stretch my budget for months.

The real key?Save before you leave.Having a financial buffer gives you emotional stability and lets you enjoy the journey without fear.

Once you’re on the road, it comes down to daily decisions. I always set a daily budget and try my best to stick to it and also actually track my spendings (yes, each and every one of them). The trick is also to adjust based on how much time you’ll actually spend in your accommodation.

If I know I’ll be out exploring all day or surfing etc, I stay in cheaper hostels. There’s no point paying extra for a room you only sleep in. But if I’m traveling somewhere chaotic or the weather is terrible, where I’ll actually use the hostel, then I book a slightly nicer place within my budget. It’s about balance, not deprivation.

Cooking also saves a lot. Not every day, but sometimes, especially cooking together with new friends. It’s wholesome, fun, and genuinely one of the best bonding activities. And the truth is: Alcohol destroys your budget. Fast. If you want your trip to last longer, cut back. You don’t need ten drinks to have fun. The best travel memories rarely come from being drunk; they come from being present.

I also skip most tours. It’s rarely worth the money unless it’s something unique.Most places can be explored beautifully without paying for organized excursions or you can join other backpackers who are planning their own adventures.

And now for the hostel truth I’ve learned after years on the road…The cheap, slightly run-down hostels? The ones that look a bit chaotic in the photos? That’s where the you’ll make your best and favorite memories! I’ve slept in 18-beds dorms and those are the places where people talk to each other. Where friendships happen instantly. Where someone says “Who wants to rent scooters?” and suddenly you’re watching the sunset with six strangers who feel like family.

When you stay in the modern, aesthetic hostels with curtains and perfect lighting, the vibe changes. People are working remote jobs, keeping to themselves, craving privacy. Nothing wrong with that but it’s less social. So if what you want is connection, go for the low-key hostels. They’re cheaper and filled with the best kinds of humans.

Now that I’ve been traveling solo for a few years, I’ve also gained a huge network of friends and lovely people I have met along the way. This means that whenever I travel to their home country, chances are we will spend time together and even get a sleeping spot included!

Another tool that changed my travel life is Worldpackers. It was the perfect platform to get accommodation for free in return for voluntary work, for example volunteering at hostels, eco-projects etc. It saves money but more than that, it gave me an immediate community and a feeling of ‘home’ especially when you stay a few weeks! You can also use my code Lunawolters to save $$$ when you sign up your membership.

That’s how you stretch your money.That’s how you extend your travels.And honestly — that’s how you collect the best stories.

How to Stay Safe as a Backpacker

(Realistic tips that apply to everyone + all destinations)

Safety is about staying aware, not scared. Here are the real habits myself and other experienced backpackers use:

1. Trust your instincts immediately

If something feels off, for example a street, a stranger, a vibe, a situation, leave right away.Your intuition is your biggest travel superpower.

2. Keep your valuables in multiple places

Never store everything in one bag. Use:

·        a crossbody bag for passport/wallet/phone

·        a small lock for hostel lockers

·        separate hiding spots for emergency cash

If you lose one thing, you don’t lose everything.

3. Share your live location with someone you trust

iPhone Find My Friends works perfectly. Your family or best friend should always know where you are without you needing to message constantly.

4. Don’t tell strangers your hostel or room number

Be friendly, not overly specific. If asked where you’re staying, keep it general: “Somewhere near the center.”

5. Arrive during the day whenever possible

Especially in big cities or new countries. It’s easier to navigate, find transport, and get your bearings.

6. Take registered transportation only (especially when you just arrived at the airport)

Use Grab, Uber, Bolt or metered taxis. Avoid at all costs random drivers who approach you.

7. Lock your hostel locker, always

Even in “safe” destinations. Backpackers are lovely, but bags get mixed up, rooms stay unlocked, and things happen.

8. Party smart

You can have fun and stay safe.Follow the golden rules:

·        Watch your drink

·        Never accept open drinks from strangers

·        Go out with hostel friends

·        Come back with people you trust

9. Ask locals what areas to avoid

They always know more than Google.

10. If something goes wrong,  speak up

The hostel staff, security, and other backpackers are usually incredibly helpful.

Why I Created LUNA SURF Trips

Traveling alone teaches you emotional intelligence, resilience, patience, and self-trust.You stop fearing the unknown because you learn you can handle it.

Solo travel doesn’t just show you the world, it shows you yourself and that’s why I created LUNA SURF because the most alive, confident, empowered version of myself was born through solo travel.The version who says yes, trusts life and feels connected to the world.

I wanted to create a space for women and eventually all travelers to feel that freedom too.

Our upcoming Philippines surf trips (and in 2026 Portugal) are built on everything I’ve learned:

-        Community

-        Ocean confidence

-        Independence

-        Surrender

-        Adventure

-        Inner growth

If something in your heart is craving a new chapter… this is your sign to perhaps join me on one of our upcoming trips. Let yourself meet the version of you that’s waiting on the other side of the world. View the ‘Destinations’ page on my website & check if one of our trips works out for you!