Updated June 16, 2020.
Today’s post is all about what to do when you “accidentally” end up traveling solo, but first things first: I’m going to be on a podcast today! My friend Addie from Addie Abroad started a podcast for solo female travelers called Girls Go Abroad, and before the Quarantine Extravaganza happened, I recorded a podcast with her all about solo travel in Japan! Check it out today on your favorite podcasting app (like iTunes or Spotify), and leave a review so she knows how much you love it!
Solo travel is amazing and life-altering, but what if that’s not what we meant to do in the first place? It happens to every traveler who wants to share the joy: your travel buddy drops out. Whether it’s for a good reason (death in the family) or a dumb reason (I changed my mind), it stinks for the one who wants to travel! But never fear: here’s exactly what to do when your travel partner flakes.

1. Decide if You Can Go Solo
In most cases the answer will be YES! But just to be sure, ask yourself these questions:
- Will going solo break the bank? If you were planning on splitting most of the costs, you might be cutting it close. If so, see if you can shorten your trip. Or maybe go somewhere closer or less expensive.
- Is it safe to go solo? Again, in most cases, yes. But if you don’t feel comfortable about it, trust your gut. Go somewhere you will feel safe.
- Would someone else want to go? My friend Andrea was supposed to go to Turkey with two friends, but one dropped out about a month before the trip. So she asked me to step in! Having just quit my job and knowing my ever-present wanderlust, I was the perfect candidate!

Read on: Confessions of a Solo Female Traveler
2. Check All Reservations
The biggest hitch you might run into when someone drops out is if a reservation was booked in their name instead of yours. If your flakey would-be travel buddy already booked anything for the two of you, ask them to forward any email confirmations so you can try to changed them to your name and take the reservation from two (or more) to one. These could be:
- Accommodations (hostel, hotel, AirBnB, VRBO, HomeAway, motel)
- Tours (walking tours, boat tours, horseback riding tours)
- Performances (opera, play, ballet)
- Events (Ziplining, parasailing, skydiving)
- Meals (fancy dinner, afternoon tea, brunch)

Not sure if you can do it? Check out How to Enjoy Dining Solo
3. Don’t Be Upset with Them
I have definitely lost friends over travel. Either they were too needy when we traveled together, they got jealous of my travels, or I was traveling too much so it was an “out of sight, out of mind” situation. But for the most part, it’s not healthy or beneficial to be upset with anyone for dropping out. Just have a good time, live your best life, and move on!

Afraid of what people might say? Have a response ready.
Solo Travel: How to Respond to Naysayers
Have you made travel plans and had someone drop out? Are YOU the dropper-outer? Comment to tell me below!

Need more tips, hacks, and recommendations? You’ll find all my resources on my Solo Travel and Travel Planning Pages!
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