If you search online for tips for male solo travellers, there’s freaking nada. Almost every travel guide focuses on women’s safety or couples’ adventures. And that’s great, but where are the insights for men who want to explore the world on their own terms?
So, my bro, I decided to fix that. I reached out to real travel bosses, men from different countries, ages, backgrounds, and life paths, to gather genuine, experience-based advice. The result? A no-nonsense guide packed with practical insights, reflections, and a few surprises along the way.
Here are 9 hot tips for male solo travellers, straight from the guys who’ve been there, done that, and learned a thing or two about what it really means to travel solo as a man.
*Some names were changed to preserve the identity of my collaborators who did not want to identify themselves.
1.My advice would be to do it and do as much as you can.”It is a big decision to commit to solo travelling as a man or a woman, but once you get started, it becomes easier and easier. Generally speaking, most people are good people. Everyone is out there for many of the same experiences and has the same feelings about them. As said above, you can always tell when you aren’t in a good place.”
Dave Pascall is a 39-year-old Australian who has visited 35 countries. I met Dave in Brazil, and he was one of the people I specifically asked to answer this question because I know he is a genuinely empathetic and socially smart person.
Don’t ask any questions about the experiences offered to you!!!”GO FOR IT!!!”
Mathieu Tournadour is a 37-year-old Frenchman who has visited 11 countries and lived in 2. He lives in Switzerland but has previously lived in Australia and England.
Do not wait for the opportunity and make excuses.”Go explore. It just takes one step to start the journey.”
Anoj Khadgi is a 31-year-old Nepalese man who has explored every corner of his country. Anoj loves trekking, and he’ll soon help me develop an article featuring the best treks in Nepal, which I’ll add to my “Tips for Asia” section.
Despite gathering all this great advice, I also asked every one of the guys if they had ever felt afraid during their solo trips.
Five of them admitted they’d faced tricky situations, moments of fear around violence or robbery. Two said they had never felt afraid at all. Three described feeling more apprehensive than fearful, simply uneasy about the unknowns of a new environment. And one preferred not to answer.
Fear of being robbed or attacked is a common concern shared by both men and women while travelling. But when you add the fear of having your body violated, of losing autonomy over your own safety, you start to understand a completely different reality.
So, my brothers, please treat women with kindness and respect on your trips. Travel is meant to be freeing, not frightening. More women would love to pack their bags and think, “Just do it!”—if only the world felt safe enough for them. 🙏🏽
2.Never think that your education and your experience are a reference.”Be humble and open to understanding other cultures.
Never make comparisons with your life.”Arnaud is a 61-year-old Swiss Man who has visited 20 countries and lived in 3. He worked as director of the Beverages sector in the UN and is the current president of the International Lions Club Jungceylon in Phuket.
Keeping an open mind is the only real way to enjoy living in a new country.
You’ll connect with the locals by approaching every new experience without preconceived certainties.
Humility helps you appreciate the small moments of your journey and makes you more approachable. It also opens the door to meeting people from all walks of life, learning about their cultures, and understanding the different ways people build their worlds.
3.“Smile and be polite every time.”Davi, 33, has visited 22 countries and lived in 4. He also says that being a Brazilian man is helpful, as people generally love Brazilians.
Smiling is one of the best ways to make a great first impression and open countless doors. A simple smile can melt away the ice of language barriers and lead to incredible local recommendations!
It can also come in handy in tense moments. Being polite and approachable helps de-escalate conflicts, making your travels smoother, safer, and far more enjoyable.
And here’s the science behind it: research on the “facial feedback effect” shows that smiling can boost your mood, even when you’re not feeling it. A smile also makes you more approachable, which is half the magic of travel. So, next time you’re out exploring, don’t forget to wear your best accessory: your beautiful smile. 😁
4. “Learn English and bring a lot of money”.Abraão is a 37-year-old Brazilian man who has visited 10 countries and lived in 4. He works with the biggest cannabis brand in Brazil and gets to travel with big stars, like Major RD, Froid and others. He recently flew to Jamaica and from there to California for a super tour to record a documentary about cannabis and its worldwide culture.
English isn’t the global lingua franca for no reason. Even if you travel to countries where English isn’t the official language, you’ll likely find someone who speaks it. When you can communicate, you gain access to local experiences, hidden gems, cultural events, and stories that make everything much more meaningful.
And let’s be honest: who lives without money? Money gives you freedom: to stay longer, explore more, eat better, and create memories instead of counting coins.
English + money = flexibility. You can work abroad, join experiences that cost extra but are 100% worth it, and connect with people in ways that make travel transformative.
5. From a security point of view…“I always try to share some information about my whereabouts with the folks back home or some friends close to me, e.g., the accommodation I use and information about local trips/journeys I undertake.“
Nkanyezi* is a male solo traveller from South Africa who has visited 20 countries and lived in 3. Once, he lost his passport at Frankfurt airport after passing through immigration. He was so ninja that somehow, he managed to catch the flight to Johannesburg and received his passport back at the airport there. 🤯
Use location-sharing tools like Google Maps (Android and iPhone), Apple’s Find My (iPhone), or WhatsApp’s live location to share your real-time location with trusted people.
Let your friends or family know your travel plan, including accommodation and transportation details, and set up regular check-ins at a frequency that feels right.
Be mindful of who you share your information with. Only choose people you fully trust. Make sure they know how to contact you and have a backup plan in case they’re unavailable. Staying connected can make all the difference in keeping you safe and giving everyone peace of mind.
6. Respect local culture, religion, and women…”And do your homework in the places you visit.”
Max* is a 41-year-old man from India who has travelled to 10 countries and lived in 3. He has coordinated dinners for Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, the Obamas and others.
Before travelling, do your homework! Research the country you’re visiting in detail. Learn about local dress codes, cultural norms, political context, and safety conditions. The more you know, the more confidently (and respectfully) you can move around.
Practice a few basic phrases in the local language, check travel advisories and health recommendations, and don’t skip on good travel insurance; it’s worth every cent.
Check the weather and climate of your destination before packing, especially if you plan to enjoy outdoor adventures.
Finally, have a safety plan: note the locations of the nearest police stations, hospitals, ATMs, and your country’s embassy. Knowing what to do and where to go in case of an emergency will give you peace of mind and help you stay calm when it matters most.
7. My advice would be not to wait for anyone while traveling…Many people slow you down or change your plan due to their own lack of organization. One thing I learned is that if I met someone during my travels and traveled with her/him, I wouldn’t change my plans for anyone because I don’t know if I am going to be able to visit the same place again. I want to use my time wisely and, in a way, selfishly.”
Munir* is a 38-year-old aeroplane pilot from Turkey, who has travelled to 30 countries and lived in 4 and makes the best traditional salad in the world!
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of self-care! You’ve worked hard, saved, and earned this trip, so make it about you.
Travel is one of the best ways to reconnect with yourself. Only when we truly understand who we are can we see our place in the world more clearly.
Take a pause. Sleep as much as your body needs. Pack your days with a thousand adventures. Or do absolutely nothing; both are valid.
If you’re travelling with others, set clear boundaries from the start. This will avoid unnecessary drama and ensure everyone enjoys the journey.
8. I would advise solo male travellers to travel to less explored…“More local areas; this can really give you a feel for life in the country and will allow you to interact much more with local people.”
Alex Peacock is a 32-year-old Britishman who has visited 32 countries and lived in 2. He spent one entire year exploring South America, and his favourite beach in the world is Boipeba, in Bahia, Brazil.
I hadn’t even heard of Boipeba, right here in my own country, until Alex introduced me to it. Ever since, I haven’t stopped dreaming about visiting that slice of paradise.
Lucky for you (and me!), Alex will soon share some insider tips about Boipeba and Iguaçu Falls in the “Tips for South America” section of the blog.
Follow his advice: go beyond what the mainstream tells you. Ask locals. Talk to travellers who’ve been there. Dig into those lesser-known corners of the internet. The real treasures of a destination often hide far from the typical guidebooks. And trust me, the results will always surprise you.
Last, but not least:
9.One piece of advice I would give solo travellers is:“To scout the exits as they enter a building, basically plan your escape in case of an emergency event or bad situation, use the stairs in the hotel so you know where they are if needed.”
Gav is a 46-year-old Welsh traveller who has visited over 100 countries. He’s a former Royal Marine and Army Commando who offers Remote Location Safety Consultancy for TV & Film Adventures. This superhero is also a rope rescue instructor and a travel guide in the Antarctic.
Gav once told me he should create a safety course, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more! His expertise deserves to be shared.
Checking emergency exits and staying aware of your surroundings are simple yet powerful habits that can make a real difference. In any situation, remain calm and have a plan to keep yourself and others safe. Talk to experienced travellers like Gav, ask questions, and learn at least the basic principles of travel safety.
These men have shared truly valuable insights to help you plan your next adventure with confidence and practicality. And remember, most of their advice was: Just do it! We promise that it gets easier once you take that first solo trip.
I hope these dudes have inspired you as they inspired me. Now it’s your turn! Share your experiences, tips, and lessons learned with other male solo travellers. Let’s keep the knowledge flowing and make every journey smarter, collaborative and meaningful. 💛
Frequently asked questions
Mostly, but not risk-free. Of the 11 men I interviewed, some of them had faced tricky moments involving robbery or violence. Share your itinerary with someone you trust, research your destination, and trust your gut when a place feels off.
Smile, be polite, and get off the main tourist trail. Local neighbourhoods, hostels and group activities make it easy to start conversations, and most people are friendlier than the news suggests.
Know your exits. Former Royal Marine Gav recommends checking the emergency exits whenever you enter a building and using your hotel’s stairs at least once, so you know the way out if you ever need it.
It helps a lot. Even where English isn’t an official language, you’ll usually find someone who speaks it, and learning a few local phrases earns you instant goodwill.
