Travelling Solo for the First Time, but Not Alone: How to Survive (and Love) Your First 24 Hours

You're standing over an open suitcase, and one thought keeps buzzing in your head: ‘What on earth am I doing?’. Friends ask who you're going with, and you answer with fake confidence: ‘With a group – I'll meet them there.’ But deep down you're wondering whether you'll be the one person who spends the whole trip in a corner, pretending that reading the menu for the tenth time is fascinating.

Relax. What you're feeling isn't a glitch – it's a healthy instinct. All of us, even the biggest extroverts, feel a slight shiver before walking into a room full of new people. But you know what? Those first 24 hours are magical. Here's what they look like behind the scenes – and why you won't forget them in a hurry.

1. Moment zero: meeting at the airport or hotel

This is when you nervously look around for someone holding our sign, or for that same ‘lost but smiling’ look.

• Remember: You're not the only one. 90% of the people in the group feel exactly the same.
• Your tour leader's role: Our tour leader isn't just there for logistics – they're your personal ‘icebreaker’. They'll make sure the first ‘hello’ happens before you've even thought about escaping to duty free.

2. The first dinner together: the Big Test (which you always pass)

This is usually the highlight of day one. You all sit round one table. At first the conversation sticks to safe topics: ‘Where are you from?’, ‘What do you do?’, ‘Was it a long flight?’.

Within an hour you'll notice something strange. The laughter gets louder, and suddenly you catch yourself telling a story about your cat to someone you've known for 45 minutes. On solo group holidays, friendships form at express speed, because nobody has to keep an eye on their ‘other half’ or adjust to a partner's mood. It's just you.

3. The first night and ‘new friendship syndrome’

If you chose a room share, this is when you meet your roommate. Often this becomes the strongest connection of the trip. Working out who gets the bathroom first and whether the window stays open is the best diplomacy training there is – and it usually ends with chatting for hours instead of sleeping.

A golden thought to start with: ‘Your nerves are just excitement that doesn't yet know where it's going. Give it until breakfast tomorrow.’

Three simple survival tricks for shy travellers:

1. Ask questions: People love talking about themselves. ‘What made you choose this destination?’ is always a safe opener.
2. Be helpful: Someone looking for the Wi-Fi? Someone can't work the coffee machine? A small gesture can open the door to a great friendship.
3. Give yourself permission to take a quiet moment: If it all gets a bit much, just pop out for a 10-minute walk or put your headphones on. In a group of solo travellers everyone respects personal space – nobody will judge you.

The morning of day two: a whole new reality

You wake up, go down to breakfast and suddenly… you already know half the people in the restaurant. Someone waves at you over their scrambled eggs, someone else asks if you've got any sun cream. That's when you realise this is no longer ‘a group of strangers’. This is your crew.

The fear has gone. The adventure remains.

No one to go on holiday with? See how our solo group holidays work, or check out our next departure: Lloret de Mar, 28 May – 3 June 2027.