I’ve been solo traveling now for a few years, and still get asked constantly about why I choose to do it solo, all of the details about exactly how I do it, and — my personal favorite — if it’s as scary as they think it is (spoiler alert: it’s not scary, like, at all). So I thought it would be fun to dispel some of the most common myths about solo travel.

I was full-time solo traveling a few years ago, and I cannot tell you how many messages, emails, and comments I’ve received asking specifically about how to travel with or on a budget… and I truly never tire of it! And when I first started playing around with the idea of traveling long-term, I knew that finances would always be the thing that either kept me going or never let me start, so I decided to make sure it helped me travel rather than kept me from ever getting to do it… and I have never looked back.

One of the greatest accomplishments of my life so far was paying off all of my debt a few years ago. Not only was that a huge moment in general, but it also signified a turning point in the trajectory of my life when I was able to really and fully assess where I was versus where I wanted to be, which led to quitting my day job to pursue what would eventually become a few years of solo traveling. And now that I am on the other side of debt, I am often asked about how I actually did it…

Being an experienced solo traveler, I regularly am asked about the ins and outs of planning a solo trip. From saving money to how to stay safe while traveling solo and everything in between, I love getting to answer so many questions around planning a solo holiday. In this post, I’ve laid out some of the most important things I’ve learned along the way, so whether you are taking a trip for four days or four months, here are some of the things you should keep in mind when planning a solo trip of your own.