First Time Flying Solo? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The Travel Edit, by It’s Simone Baby

Booking your first solo flight is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. The freedom to go wherever you want, on your own terms, is one of the best feelings in the world. But if the thought of navigating an airport alone makes your stomach flip, you are not alone, and you are absolutely capable of this. With a little preparation, flying solo goes from intimidating to empowering. Here is everything a first time solo flyer needs to know.

Before You Book

Start with a destination that feels comfortable. For your first solo trip, choose somewhere that is easy to get around, has a good safety reputation, and speaks a language you know or can navigate with translation apps. You can save the far flung, off the beaten path adventures for once you have a trip or two under your belt.

Book a direct flight if you can. Layovers add stress, tight connections, and more chances for delays. If a direct flight is not possible, give yourself a generous buffer between connections so a delay does not leave you sprinting through a terminal in a panic.

When it comes to timing, morning flights are your friend. They are less likely to be delayed, and arriving at your destination during daylight makes getting to your accommodation safer and simpler.

Choosing Your Seat

Pick your seat with intention. A window seat gives you a spot to lean against and rest, plus you control the view and are not climbing over anyone. An aisle seat gives you easy access to the bathroom and the freedom to stretch without waking a neighbor. Choose whichever suits how you like to travel. For your first solo flight, many travelers find a window seat cozier and less exposed.

Packing Smart

Travel carry on only if you can. It saves money on checked bag fees, keeps you moving quickly through the airport, and means your belongings never get lost in transit. It also means you are never waiting alone at a baggage carousel late at night.

Keep your essentials in one easy to reach bag: passport, phone, charger, a portable power bank, headphones, a refillable water bottle, snacks, any medication in its original labeled bottles, and a light layer since planes run cold. Having everything in one place means you are never digging through your bag in a crowded terminal.

Getting Through the Airport

Arrive early. For domestic flights, give yourself at least two hours. For international, aim for three. That cushion turns a stressful morning into a calm one, with time to find your gate, grab a coffee, and breathe.

Check in online the night before and download your airline’s app so your boarding pass lives on your phone. Screenshot it too, in case the app glitches or the WiFi drops.

Security moves faster when you are prepared. Wear slip on shoes, keep liquids in a clear bag, and have your ID and boarding pass ready before you reach the front of the line. Once you are through, find your gate first, then relax. Knowing exactly where you need to be takes the pressure off.

If you ever feel lost or unsure, airport staff are there to help. Asking for directions is completely normal, and everyone from gate agents to fellow travelers has been the confused one before.

Staying Safe as a Solo Female Traveler

This is where a little awareness goes a long way. Share your full itinerary with someone you trust, including flight numbers, accommodation details, and your daily plans. Turn on live location sharing so a trusted person always knows where you are.

Keep your valuables close and your documents backed up. Store copies of your passport in the cloud and keep a little emergency cash separate from your wallet. Trust your intuition above everything else. If a person, place, or situation feels off, remove yourself. You never owe anyone politeness at the expense of your safety.

When you land, book transportation through a reputable app rather than accepting rides from strangers, confirm the driver and plate before getting in, and share your trip details with a friend. For a full checklist, our Travel Safety guide covers every base before you go.

On the Plane

Once you are settled, the hard part is over. Keep yourself comfortable with headphones, a downloaded playlist or show, and a good book. Stay hydrated, since flying is dehydrating, and get up to stretch on longer flights. If nerves creep in, a few slow breaths and a reminder of why you booked this trip go a long way.

Embrace the Magic of Going Alone

Here is the part no one tells you. Solo travel is not just safe and doable, it is genuinely one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. You get to move at your own pace, change your plans on a whim, and discover how capable you really are. You will meet people you never would have met in a group, and you will come home a little more confident than you left.

The nerves you feel before your first solo flight are not a sign to stay home. They are a sign that you are about to grow. So book the trip, pack the bag, and go. The version of you waiting on the other side is worth every butterfly.

Save this for your first solo trip, and send it to the friend who keeps saying she wants to travel alone.

It’s Simone Baby | @shopitssimonebaby