Flying alone for the first time can be terrifying. I can remember almost everything about my first solo flight- the nerves, the stress, and the feeling of being completely out of my depth.
But today I’m still traveling the world (writing to you from a hostel in Bariloche, Argentina), and I’ve taken more flights alone than I could count.
Flying alone is nothing to be scared of, especially if you know how to organize and look after yourself. As your resident anxious full-time traveler, I’ve come up with my 31 tips to make sure your first time flying alone is as easy as possible.
31 Top Tips For Flying Alone For The First Time
Being over-organised will make your first time flying solo a much better experience. And making sure you know just how to handle every situation will make all the difference if something does go wrong.
Beyond that, it’s important to have strategies in place to calm any anxiety or stress that might pop up. Flying alone can be mentally challenging, especially if you deal with anxiety.
These tips include everything from basic travel must-knows to massive mistakes, to my tips for keeping calm while flying alone for the first time.
1. Have a comfort item
To this day, the number one way that I stay calm when I’m flying alone is by bringing a comfort item. Bringing something that makes you calm at home will also make you calm in the air.
For me, that’s a small rock with a favorite quote on it. For you, it could be anything from a childhood keepsake, to a letter, to something to fidget with.
2. Bring snacks
Being hungry with no way to get food is the worst, and when you’re flying you just never know when your next meal is coming (or if it’s any good).
Bringing some snacks with you on the plane will help you avoid getting hangry. And you’ll always have food that you like if the airplane’s food turns out to be bad.
Extra Tip! – Bring something chewy (like gum, or my favorite- gummy bears), and chew on them during takeoff and landing. It helps stop your ears from popping and becoming really painful.
3. Download a comfort movie or a show
Most streaming platforms (like Netflix, iTunes, and Disney) allow you to download films and shows to watch offline. And even if your plane has inflight entertainment, pre-downloading a favorite show or movie is a great way to make yourself calm and comfortable.
4. Have your SIM ready
One of the most stressful things is arriving in a foreign country and realizing you have no data. Trust me, I’ve been that person pacing up and down trying to connect to awful airport WIFI.
For the longest time, I thought my only option was to buy a SIM card in person in every new country. It turns out you can buy an E-sim! My favorite E-sim for range and connection is Airalo.
Not only do you get to keep your phone number, avoid a lot of extra work, and track data usage on your phone. But you can also activate it just before boarding your flight, meaning when you arrive at your destination you’ll have data as soon as you arrive.
5. Put all your documents in one place
Arriving at the ticket desk, border control, or check-in and having to dig to the bottom of your bag for your passport is so stressful. Let alone being asked for another document and having no idea where you put it.
To avoid unnecessary panic, I keep all of my documents right at the top in an organized folder. I always like to keep my full flight itinerary (all upcoming flights), my vaccinations, boarding pass, travel insurance, and any visa information in the folder just in case.
6. Put an AirTag In your check-in luggage
There have been so many times I’ve stood biting my nails at baggage claim because I’m one of the last people waiting for my bag, thinking it’s been lost.
Putting an Airtag in my bag got rid of so much flying worry. It means I can see where my bag is before I take off and when I land, and if it does get lost I know where it is.
7. Put an identification tag on your check-in luggage too
So many bags are lost each day, and sadly airlines don’t put any real effort into locating your luggage. If your bag does get lost and somebody finds it, they are way more likely to call you if your number is on the tag than they are to go through the airline to find it.
8. Bring headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are the biggest blessing when you’re flying. The headphones they give you on the airplane to watch movies are usually very uncomfortable and don’t block out the noise of the plane.
Having noise-cancelling headphones means you can connect to inflight entertainment more comfortably (but make sure to buy a cord and jack, they’re always available at airport tech stores). And it also means you can listen to your own shows and music, (and block out crying babies)!
9. Download your favorite songs
Listening to your favorite music is a great way to stay calm and make time pass on your first flight (and all the ones in the future!). There is usually no WIFI on airplanes, so make sure you pre-download your favorite songs/ playlists on your music streaming service to listen offline.
10. Check in online
These days, instead of having to wait for hours in a queue, most airlines give you the option to check in online. Checking in online takes so much stress off your shoulders when you arrive at the airport.
Although you still need to line up in a shorter queue to drop off your bags and possibly collect a boarding pass, it means you do not have to worry about being put on the spot at the check-in counter.
Your airline should email you with the option to check in online 24 hours before your flight, but if they don’t you can find it by entering your details on the airline’s app/ website.
11. Choose your seat in advance
On an airplane, you’ll usually either be seated in the aisle seat, in the middle, or in the window seat. I personally prefer to sit in the aisle so I can get up any time to stretch my legs or use the bathroom.
Some people prefer the window seat for its views. Whichever you choose, make sure to book your seat in advance (even if it costs more), as you will usually be placed in the middle seat if you don’t.
12. Avoid the emergency aisle
When you’re choosing your seats, you’ll notice that the emergency aisles have a lot more legroom than everyone else. But while the legroom is wonderful, sitting in the emergency aisle comes with a lot of downsides, especially on your first flight.
In the case of an emergency, passengers in the emergency aisle are responsible for helping the crew with emergency procedures. This means that some rules apply to those passengers and not others.
For example, all of your luggage needs to be placed in the overhead locker, meaning you can’t easily access your things. And you also aren’t supposed to wear noise-canceling headphones.
13. Bring a power bank
Arriving in a foreign country with a dead phone is not fun (from personal experience). This is why Power banks/ Portable chargers are such a lifesaver when you’re flying.
My power bank has 5 ports, 3 USBs, and 2 USBCs. This means I can charge my headphones, iPhone, iPad, and camera all at the same time!
14. Wear comfortable clothes
Forget looking fashionable at the airport, at least for your first time! Some people love to dress up and make an extra effort when they fly, but you’ll be so glad you stuck to comfy clothes when you get on the plane.
Things like sweatpants, leggings, linen pants, stretchy t-shirts, and hoodies are great for flying, And being in the right clothes on your first solo flight will make so much difference in your comfort levels.
15. Wear shoes that are easy to take off
If you are an adult, airport security will usually require you to take your shoes off before going through security scanners. Juggling 3 trays of belongings while trying to unlace my Converse with 10 people waiting behind me might have been one of the most stressful moments of my life.
This is why I always recommend you wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off at airport security. Slides, Ugg Boots, and Birkenstocks are great shoes to wear, both to stay comfortable and have an easy security experience.
16. Keep technology and liquids easily accessible
On the subject of security, you are usually required to take laptops, iPads, and liquids out of your carry-on when you get to the scanner. Try and keep these things at the top of your bag so you can easily take them out when you have to. It makes everything run a lot more smoothly.
17. Book a flight in the morning
My first time flying by myself was from Australia to Denpasar, Bali. I made the mistake of booking a flight that landed in Indonesia at 9:30 PM… in short, don’t be like me!
Arriving when you still have daylight is going to make your first few hours a lot less stressful, especially if you have to organize a transfer to accommodation or a tour.
18. Turn on notifications for flight updates
As well as checking in, another benefit of having your airline’s app is that you can turn on flight update notifications.
Usually, the airline will send you update emails if there are major events, but having the app means you can check your flight details whenever you like. Which is great, especially if you’re someone who gets anxious and needs constant reassurance.
19. Choose comfort over cost
This isn’t to say you should book a business class ticket if it’s not in your budget. However, if something costs a little bit more but will make your first solo flight experience easier, I recommend it.
For example, if there’s a flight with two layovers for $200 cheaper, I would still recommend you take the flight with one. Or if you have to choose between an Uber or public transport to get to your first accommodation, I would suggest Uber.
When you travel alone more this all begins to matter a lot less. But for your first solo flight, the easier, the better!
20. Stay in contact with family and friends
Flying alone doesn’t mean you have to do it all by yourself. Friends and family can help you through the process of flying alone, and be there for you if you need support.
There’s no shame in calling home if you’re worried, sometimes I call my parents every day while I’m overseas.
21. Choose easily accessible accommodation
At least for your first night, I’d suggest choosing accommodation close to the airport. Some airport and transit hotels offer free shuttle services, and some are even within walking distance.
Choosing somewhere to stay close to the airport will make the first few hours after you land a lot easier. Head to Booking.com and add the keyword ‘airport’ to your search to find related accommodation options.
22. Know your accommodation address
If you’re going overseas, it’s very common for immigration to ask for the address you’re traveling to. So make sure you know the address of your accommodation, bonus points if you write it down and put it in your documents folder.
23. Look into Visa requirements
Different countries have different requirements, and if you don’t check to make sure you fit them you run the risk of being turned away when you land.
Tip: Find Your Trip’s Visa Requirements Here
Some countries may require you to have specific documentation, some require two blank pages on your passport, and some require nothing at all, it just depends.
24. Check your passports expiration
One thing that trips up even the most well-traveled people is passport expiration. Countries usually require 6 months of validity to travel, with at least 1 month left after you plan to leave.
So double-check your passport and make sure you have AT LEAST 6 months left (reference what your destination country requires online).
25. Pack an anxiety remedy
If you’re someone who gets anxious, an anxiety remedy might be the thing for you. My personal favorite is ‘rescue remedy’, and I always have it with me when I fly.
All you have to do is spray it one or two times in your mouth. And honestly, although the mental response is probably psychosomatic it still always helps me feel calm.
26. Fully empty your bags before you pack
Things can be lost in little pockets and lead to not-so-nice situations at security. My dad was flying from New Zealand to Australia after a hiking trip and was stopped at security. They searched his bag and found two metal arrowheads in a hidden pocket.
He’d found them on a walk and forgotten to give them to his friend, and it led to almost 30 minutes of questioning! That’s all to say that you should always empty your bag before you pack to make sure you know exactly what’s inside.
Find the Osprey Fairview Here (My Favorite Backpack for Travelers)
27. Check your airline’s luggage requirements (size, weight, what goes where)
Different airlines have different luggage regulations. Make sure you check the size and weight allowance for your baggage (it should be available in your booking registration). A pair of travel scales is always a good thing to own, just to make sure your bags aren’t over the limit.
If your bag is overweight, the airline will usually charge you a very high penalty to check it in.
It’s also important to remember that some items aren’t allowed in checked-in bags but are in carry-on and visa versa. Things like power banks are only allowed in your carry-on. Make sure to check the TSA website if you have any items you’re unsure about.
28. Arrive to the airport early
Things change quickly at the airport. Lines can grow out of nowhere, things can break and unforeseen circumstances can change things in an instant. This is why it is always so important to get to the airport early.
It’s recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights. Not only will it ensure you don’t miss anything important, but it’ll take away the stress of being in a rush.
29. Bring a pen
If you’re flying internationally, it’s common to be given an immigration form to fill out before you land… and they won’t give you a pen. Bringing your own pen means you’ll be able to fill this form out onboard, and avoid big lines and wasted time when you arrive.
Bringing a pen could save you up to 30 minutes waiting in line to fill out your form, and will get you ahead of the crowds at immigration checkpoints.
30. If you need to, ask for help
If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t know what to do, ask for help! Most people will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Airport staff are used to being approached with questions, just say it’s your first time flying alone and people will be more than happy to help.
31. ‘Feel the fear and let it go’
Finally, ”feel the fear and let it go” is the quote that I repeat to myself every time I feel scared or anxious. Flying is very safe, and I can almost promise you everything will work out as planned. So breathe in, feel the fear, breathe out, and let it go.
FAQ’S
So, as a full-time traveler, here are some of the most common questions I get asked about flying solo for the first time!
How do I Prepare for My First Flight Alone?
Preparing for your flight is so important, and making sure you have everything organized will make your trip so much easier.
- Check your passport expiry
- Check your Visa requirements
- Put all of your documents in one place
- Plan how you’re getting to and from the airport
- Check-in Online
- Book your seat
- Have your bags packed for TSA and security
- Talk to family/ friends who have flown alone
To mentally prepare, remember that flying is very safe and there is little that can go wrong that you can’t fix alone at the airport.
How do I Get Over Flying by Myself?
Flying by yourself for the first time can be such a scary experience, but the fear usually only lasts until you get there. In reality, flying alone is not all that our brains make it out to be!
Though it can be scary to be on your own in such a chaotic environment, the process of getting from A to B is quite straightforward. There will always be someone who can point you in the right direction or give you a hand.
The Wrap-Up: Flying Alone for the First Time
Flying alone isn’t as scary as it seems, and being prepared will make all the difference. My 31 tips have come from countless solo flights and hundreds of hours spent in the airport, and are guaranteed to make your first time flying a breeze.
Make sure to save this post for reference later as many of these tips come in handy right before you fly!
