How I Plan a Solo Trip From Start to Finish (My Exact Process)
Planning a solo trip doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's the exact step-by-step process I use to plan every trip around Europe—from choosing a destination to packing my carry-on.
TRAVEL TIPS & ESSENTIALS
7/6/20264 min read
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1. Start with your time frame
The first question I ask isn't where I want to go—it's how much time do I actually have?
Is it just a weekend? A long weekend? A full week? Maybe even longer?
Starting with your time frame immediately narrows your options, which is honestly the hardest part of planning a trip in Europe because there are so many incredible places to choose from. Having limited time forces you to prioritize the destinations you genuinely want to visit while making sure you actually have enough time to enjoy them instead of spending most of the trip in transit.
Link: How I Choose Where to Travel Next in Europe
2. Choose the destination
Once I know how much time I have, I can start figuring out where it actually makes sense to go.
Living in France has definitely made traveling around Europe easier, but travel time still matters. For example, if I only have a weekend, I'm probably not going to Greece. Between trains, flights, and airport time, I'd spend too much of my trip traveling instead of actually enjoying the destination.
I also think about the kind of trip I'm craving. Do I want a lively city with great nightlife? A slower-paced destination where I can wander for hours? A mix of both?
Spain gave me more of that energetic, city-meets-nightlife vibe, while Switzerland was all about slowing down, taking in the scenery, and enjoying the mountains. Neither was better—they were just different experiences.
I also use social media for inspiration, but I never let it make the decision for me. Everyone travels differently, so if a place genuinely excites you, that's reason enough to go.
Links:
3. Book transportation first
Transportation is always the first thing I book.
Without it, there really isn't a trip to plan.
Booking early usually means better prices, whether you're taking a train or a flight, and it gives the rest of your itinerary structure because you already know exactly when you're arriving and leaving.
For trains and buses, I usually use SNCF Connect or Omio (SNCF /Omio link). For flights, I've had great luck finding affordable options through Expedia (link).
4. Find accommodation
Once transportation is booked, I move on to accommodation.
Since most of my trips are solo, I almost always stay in hostels. They're budget-friendly, they're usually in great locations, and they've honestly become one of my favorite parts of traveling.
When I'm comparing hostels, I always look at:
Location (preferably walkable to the city center)
Reviews
Safety
Social atmosphere
Amenities like free breakfast or organized activities
I've met some incredible people simply because I chose to stay in hostels, and that's something I wouldn't trade.
Link: Hostelworld
Link: How I Travel Europe as an Au Pair Without Spending a Fortune
5. Decide what actually needs to be booked
After transportation and accommodation, I figure out which experiences actually need reservations.
If there's a major attraction you know you don't want to miss—like touring the Colosseum in Rome—book it ahead of time.
But don't feel like every hour needs to be scheduled.
Some of my favorite travel memories came from wandering into a local market, watching a sunset, or saying yes to spontaneous plans with people I met at my hostel. Leave room for those moments too.
6. Build a loose itinerary
I like having a plan—but not a minute-by-minute schedule.
Instead, I create a loose itinerary with a few must-do activities each day and let everything else happen naturally.
Maybe I know what museum I'm visiting in the afternoon, but I leave the morning open for wandering cafés, markets, or neighborhoods that catch my attention.
I've found that the less I try to control every moment, the more I actually enjoy the trip.
7. Research just enough
A little research goes a long way.
Before I leave, I'll usually look into:
neighborhoods I want to explore
public transportation
weather
local customs
a few restaurants or cafés I want to try
That's enough to help me feel prepared without spending weeks planning every detail.
Sometimes the best parts of a trip are the ones you never planned.
8. Pack a few days before
A few days before I leave, I start packing.
First, I check the weather. Then I plan outfits instead of throwing random clothes into my bag.
I always use packing cubes (link) because they keep everything organized and save so much space. And whenever possible, I travel with just a carry-on and personal item. It saves money, makes train travel easier, and means I'm not dragging a giant suitcase around Europe.
Link: How I Pack a Carry-On for One Week in Europe
Links:
9. My pre-trip checklist
Before I walk out the door, I always double-check that I have:
Passport
Train tickets or boarding passes
Accommodation confirmation
Portable charger (link)
Travel adapter (link)
Chargers
AirPods or headphones
Wallet
Water bottle
These are a few of the travel essentials I never leave home without. (link: The Travel Essentials I Swear By)
It only takes a couple of minutes, but it gives me peace of mind before I start traveling.
10. My biggest solo travel lesson
The biggest thing I've learned is that planning isn't about controlling every moment of a trip.
It's about creating enough structure that you can actually relax once you get there.
Solo travel has challenged me in ways I never expected. It's taught me to trust myself, solve problems on my own, and realize I'm far more capable than I ever gave myself credit for.
So if you've been thinking about taking that solo trip, this is your sign. It probably won't be perfect, but I can almost guarantee it'll be worth it.