Flying Alone for the First Time? 24 Insider Secrets from Over 100 Confident Solo Flights

You’ve decided to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and take your first steps into solo travel, congratulations! This marks the beginning of one of the most rewarding and empowering journeys you can experience. Whether you’re heading off on a long haul adventure or jetting to Europe for a city break, this trip involves flying alone for the first time. It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous or overwhelmed. But with a bit of preparation, flying solo can be an fulfilling and enjoyable experience, and the perfect opportunity to indulge in some well deserved ‘me time’.

Having travelled solo for over 12 years and taken more than 100 flights alone, I’ve pulled together my top tips to help you overcome any fears you might have about flying alone for the first time.

Flying Alone for the First Time: Planning and Preparation

The largest, and most important, part of flying alone for the first time is in the planning and preparation. If you take the time to get ahead, then you are going to have a much more relaxed flight.

Have a pre-flight checklist to hand

Make you are organised by having a checklist of all the things you need to do, and when. By starting your journey being organised, you are going to give yourself peace of mind for the rest of the planning. Download the one I have created based on my experience to get you started.

Book travel insurance – Flying Alone for the First Time

As soon as you have booked the flight, make sure you have good travel insurance in place. This will protect you against any unexpected complications, such as your flight being cancelled. Immediately giving you peace of mind.

Research visas and arrival details

Make sure to research your visas and arrival requirements, such as required vaccinations, for your destination well in advance. For some countries, visas can take up to a few weeks to arrive and you want to make sure you have plenty of peace of mind before the day of the flight.

Buy an eSIM

eSIMs are a brilliant way to stay connected, and if you are flying alone for the first time one thing you might not want the hassle of is trying to find and buy a local sim card for when you land. You can purchase before you go and then as soon as you have landed in your destination, you are immediately connected. KnowRoaming has over 200+ intentional destinations, to keep you connected as you travel.

Save digital copies of your travel documents

Make sure you have all you need ready to go before you fly. This includes visas, proof of vaccination and often proof of onward travel. You can print them, but have digital copies as well.

Keep your cabin bag organised

Make sure you have all your cabin bag essentials ready and packed. Keeping things organised will massively reduce stress during your travels, so that you can locate things easily. Use items such as this pill box organiser for smaller items. I have found this clear case invaluable so that I can see everything to find it. And finally I use this cable organiser to keep all my cables and power banks together. Mesh bags are really handy for paperwork as you can see what is inside them.

Top Tip: Pack everything in your cabin baggage that you really can’t be without when you land. This curated list will ensure you have everything you need.

Pack light

For short haul flights, you might want to consider travelling hand luggage only. This means you won’t have the stress of waiting for your bags to arrive when you land. Create a list, and stick to it. If you are checking in luggage make sure to add an AirTag or Tile for extra peace of mind, so you can track your items.

Download entertainment – Flying Alone for the First Time

Make sure you have plenty to entertain you on the flight. Download music, films and podcasts to your phone. Have a Kindle stuffed with books that will take your mind off things, and keep you occupied during the flight.

The inflight entertainment in planes is great, but often their headphones are not. This AMAZING product allows you to connect your own headphones using BlueTooth, so you can watch the films in comfort.
Get your AirFly here

Book an arrival transfer

You don’t want to spend your flight worrying about the next steps when you land, so complete peace of mind when you are on the flight, make sure you have planned what you are going to do when you arrive. Whether this is booking yourself a transfer, or researching and saving public transport routes to your destination.

Flying Alone for the First Time: At the Airport

You have done all the planning, and now is the time to arrive at the airport for your first time flying alone.

Arrive at the airport early – Flying Alone for the First Time

General advice is to be at the airport 2 hours before a short haul flight and 3 before a long haul. This will give you plenty of time to clear security, and then relax in departures. People often say there is no need to get there as early as this. However, when you are flying alone for the first time allowing yourself this breathing space will be invaluable. This extra time allows for any delays in transport or long queues at security, meaning no added stress.

Prepare yourself for security

Check the requirements of the airport you are flying through. Make sure all your liquids are under a 100ml, and have a clear bag for them. At the time of writing, in 2025, this requirement is slowly being removed from airports but it has yet to be rolled out world wide.

Other requirements might include removing your electronics and placing them separately on the tray. Make sure that these items are at the top of your carry on for ease passing through security. This ensures you won’t get pulled over for a search, allowing for much more relaxed travel.

Have a water bottle in your carry on

While you can’t take water through security, you can take an empty bottle. Once you are through security you can then refill your bottle at a fountain, meaning you aren’t having to pay the extortionate airport prices.

Top Tip: Get yourself a collapsible water bottle, which takes up hardly any space in your luggage.

Check for your gate as soon as you are in departures

As soon as you have cleared security check the board for your gate. This will tell you how long you have until it is being announced, and how long a walk you will have to the gate. You can then relax knowing how much time you have until you need to go.

Treat yourself – Flying Alone for the First Time

I firmly believe that solo travel (and particularly in your thirties) should be full of little treats. After all, isn’t treating yourself what solo travel is about? One of my favourites of these is choosing and buying a new book at the airport. It might seem indulgent, but doing little things such as this is really relaxing. It will absolutely calm any nerves you might have about flying alone for the first time. If books aren’t for you, treat yourself to some beauty products, chocolate or electronics!

Flying Alone for the First Time: On your Flight

It is inevitable that you will feel a flutter of nerves as you board the plane. Any seasoned traveller does. This is completely normal, whether you are nervous about the flight itself or the journey you are taking. But these tips will help calm you for a smooth flight.

Choose your ideal seat

Think about whether you’re more comfortable in an aisle or window seat. For short-haul flights, I prefer a window seat as it’s perfect when I know I won’t need to get up, and I can enjoy the view or rest without being disturbed. For long-haul journeys, I always go for an aisle seat so I can stretch my legs or head to the loo without having to ask anyone to move. Consider what will make you feel more at ease: would you rather stay tucked away without interruptions, or have the freedom to get up whenever you like? Once you know your preference, make sure to choose your seat in advance to make the flight more enjoyable.

Sort out your inflight essentials

Before settling into your seat, make sure you have everything you might want during the flight and tuck it into the seat pocket. This might include your water bottle, headphones, kindle, moisturiser, toothbrush, eye mask and ear plugs, charging cables, and power bank. I keep all these smaller things in a little zip up case, so that I can easily get out and keep everything together.

Do your skin care

This is particularly important if you are on a long haul flight. If you are concerned about sleeping on the plane so that you don’t arrive at your destination absolutely shattered, then having a routine will be one of the best things you can do. After the food service, remove any makeup, brush your teeth and do your skin care. Your skin will thank you for it when you arrive!

Stay hydrated

Make sure you drink plenty of water on the flight to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration. If possible, also avoid drinking alcohol. This is one of the best ways to beat jet lag.

Listen to a podcast

If you are feeling nervous then a mindful podcast with some breathing exercises can really help calm your nervous system.

Get comfy

Do whatever you need to do to get comfortable on your flight. Take a large scarf with you, that you can use as a blanket in addition to the one provided. Use a neck pillow for maximum comfort. Slip your shoes off, but keep socks on and please please please put shoes back on to go to the loo. Finally, while this might be controversial, recline your seat! The person behind you can also do so, and the extra few inches makes such a difference when trying to sleep. Just check behind you before you do, and make sure food service is over.

Flying Alone for the First Time: Arriving at your Destination

You have landed and your first time flying alone is nearly over! Just a few more tips and tricks that will make the final parts of your journey go smoothly.

Log on to the airport wifi

Do not take your phone off airplane mode, unless you have deactivated your data from your home sim. Instead most airports will have WiFi which is usually reliable. Use this to check anything you need when you arrive immediately, such as an email from your transfer company or train times.

Activate your eSIM – Flying Alone for the First Time

Now you have landed, you can activate your eSIM. Make sure to do this before you leave the airport, and therefore the WiFi. That way, when you are travelling to your hotel, you will have data to track your journey.

Navigate passport control

Double check the queue you need to be in for passport control, and whether you have the right passport of that queue. Make sure to have all the paperwork you need to hand, such as visas, the name of your accommodation and proof of onward travel.

Collect your luggage

Once you have your bag, double check it is in fact yours before leaving the reclaim belt! Once you have walked through, it is impossible to go back and therefore easier to sort before you leave the arrivals hall. An AirTag will give you that added peace of mind that your bag has arrived, and ensure you don’t have to go through that agonising wait while you are worrying if your bag will arrive.

Have some local currency

If possible, get some local currency to have when you land. This means if you arrive late, you can still get a few snacks and water, as well as tips for any transfers.

Let someone know you have arrived safely

Finally, check in with people from home to let them know you have arrived at your destination safely. If you are worried about flying alone for the first time, chances are they will be too!

Congratulations! You have arrived at your destination, now the only thing left to do is enjoy the trip of a lifetime. For solo travel inspiration, take a look HERE.

If you found this post on flying alone for the first time helpful, please pin it for later.