What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting My First Country Alone

Thailand was the first country I ever visited alone. No friends, no family, no backup plan — just me, a backpack, and a one-way ticket. I was excited, nervous, and completely unprepared in ways I didn’t realize until I landed.

Looking back, Thailand was the perfect place to start solo travel. But there are a few things I really wish I had known before stepping off that plane.

I Wasn’t Going to Feel Brave All the Time

Before the trip, I imagined myself feeling confident every single day. The truth? Some days were amazing, and some days I felt lonely, overwhelmed, and unsure of myself.

There were moments when I missed home for no clear reason. Days when everything felt unfamiliar and heavy. I wish I had known that this was normal, and that feeling uncomfortable didn’t mean I was doing something wrong.

Solo travel isn’t about being fearless. It’s about learning to sit with discomfort and move forward anyway.

Thailand Is Safe, But Awareness Matters

Everyone told me Thailand was safe, and overall, it absolutely was. But safety isn’t automatic; it comes from awareness.

I learned quickly to trust my instincts, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas. I avoided empty streets late at night, kept my valuables simple, and didn’t overshare personal details with strangers too quickly.

Nothing bad happened to me, and that’s exactly the point. Being mindful allowed me to enjoy the country without constant fear.

I Didn’t Need a Perfect Plan

I spent weeks planning every detail before arriving in Thailand. Within the first few days, half of that plan fell apart.

Buses were late. I changed cities last minute. I stayed longer in places I loved and skipped others entirely. At first, this stressed me out. Later, I realized this flexibility was the best part of traveling alone.

I wish I had known that it’s okay to not know what’s next. Thailand taught me to let the trip unfold naturally.

I Would Meet People When I Least Expected It

One of my biggest fears before going solo was loneliness. I imagined eating alone every day and having no one to talk to.

In reality, Thailand made it incredibly easy to meet people — in hostels, on buses, during day trips, even while waiting in line for food. Some connections lasted hours, some days, some longer, and that was enough.

I wish I had known that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.

I Didn’t Have to Do Everything

At the beginning, I felt pressure to see every temple, every beach, every island. I thought that being alone meant I had to “make the most” of every single day.

Eventually, I learned to slow down. Some days, all I did was walk, eat, and watch the world go by. And those days became some of my favorites.

I wish I had known that rest is part of the journey.

Thailand Changed Me More Than I Expected

I went to Thailand thinking I was just going on a trip. I came back more independent, more confident, and more comfortable with myself.

Traveling alone in a new country taught me that I could handle uncertainty, trust my decisions, and enjoy my own company.

If I could go back and tell my past self one thing, it would be this: you’re more capable than you think, and Thailand is going to show you that.