How to Plan Your First LGBT+ Solo Trip Abroad

Planning your First LGBT+ solo trip abroad without the guesswork

Your first LGBT+ solo holiday abroad can feel like a big leap. You are choosing where to go, who to trust, and how to feel safe, all while you are meant to be enjoying yourself. That mix of freedom and nerves is normal. With the right plan, you can keep your options wide and your stress low.

Solo travel is not only for seasoned backpackers. It can suit you if you like a plan, if you prefer calm mornings, or if you want a few social nights without committing to a group tour. One smart decision early can save you a dozen awkward moments later.

This guide is written for travellers who already know what they like, and for those who are booking LGBT+ travel for the first time. You will get practical steps, destination ideas, and the small details people tend to miss.



What you want from this trip, and what you do not

Start by writing down three things you want to feel on your trip. It could be relaxed, connected, curious, or simply proud to be yourself. Then write down three things you want to avoid, such as feeling rushed, feeling isolated, or having to constantly explain your identity. This gives you a filter for every decision that follows.

Next, decide what “solo” means for you. For some people it means travelling alone but being social every day. For others it means quiet time with a few planned experiences. Both are valid, and your version will shape your choice of hotel, neighbourhood, and pace. Do you want busy social nights, or quiet mornings with one planned meet-up?

If you are nervous, give yourself a “first-day script”. Choose a check-in time, a simple first meal, and one easy activity that gets you out of your room. The first day sets the tone, so keep it light.

First LGBT+ solo trip abroad: choose a destination that fits your life

Your first destination should match your habits, not your fantasy self. If you like walkable cities, pick a place where you can get around on foot and by metro. If you sleep early, skip destinations where the social scene starts at midnight. You can still have a brilliant time, and you will feel more in control.

Also think about language comfort. You do not need to speak fluently, yet it helps to choose somewhere where you can handle basics, or where English is widely used in tourist areas. It reduces friction when you are tired, hungry, or dealing with travel hiccups.

Then check the practical pieces that affect comfort and confidence. Think about local attitudes, the legal position for same-sex couples, and how visible you plan to be. You do not need to hide, yet it helps to know what “normal” looks like where you are going.

A quick way to shortlist countries in 10 minutes:



• Check whether same-sex marriage is recognised and whether anti-discrimination laws exist
• Look for a visible LGBT+ neighbourhood or regular LGBT+ nightlife
• Search for recent Pride events and community spaces, not only bars
• Compare flight times and arrival hours so you are not landing at 2am

One strong, simple choice is a major city with a known queer district.

Safety plan for your First LGBT+ solo trip abroad

Safety is not about being fearful. It is about removing avoidable risks so you can relax. You can do that with a few decisions before you travel, and a few habits while you are there.

Choose accommodation with a staffed reception, clear reviews, and a location that makes sense at night. Being five minutes from what you want to do can matter more than a fancy lobby. If you are staying in a hostel, pick one with organised activities and good security, like lockers and key-card access.

Next, think about how you will move around. In many places, using a reputable taxi app or pre-booked transfers reduces stress. If you use public transport late at night, decide your route before you go out. It is a small step that helps you avoid “lost and alone” moments.

Set up your basics before you fly:

• Share your itinerary with a friend, even if it is just flight numbers and hotel details
• Save a screenshot of your passport and travel insurance on your phone, plus a copy in email
• Store local emergency numbers and the contact details for your nearest consulate
• Keep a small amount of local currency for the first day



You can still be spontaneous, because you have a safety net in place.

How to meet people, make friends, and still keep your boundaries

A lot of solo travellers worry about feeling lonely. At the same time, nobody wants forced small talk. The aim is to build easy points of contact, then let friendships happen naturally.

Start with places designed for solo travellers. Walking tours, food tours, museum late nights, and small-group experiences are simple ways to meet people without pressure. If you choose LGBT+ tours, you remove the “am I safe to be myself” question from the start.

Hostels can be great for meeting people, even if you book a private room. Join an activity on the first evening, not day three. The early moments are when people are still looking for friends and plans.

You can also use simple conversation starters that do not feel intense. Ask where someone is heading next, what neighbourhood they are staying in, or what they ate that day. Then listen properly. It is amazing how far a genuine follow-up question goes. Your comfort matters more than anyone else’s expectations today.



Budgeting your First LGBT+ solo trip abroad without cutting the fun

Solo travel can cost a bit more, because you are not splitting rooms and taxis. Still, you can control the spend by choosing where you “go big” and where you keep it simple.

Pick one or two priority splurges. It might be a great hotel in a central area, a day trip, or one special meal. Then keep other costs predictable, such as breakfast from a café and public transport for day-to-day travel.

Plan around value, not only price:

• A slightly pricier hotel can save you money on taxis and wasted time
• A central neighbourhood makes it easier to pop back for a break
• A hotel with breakfast can reduce decision fatigue on day one

Also, remember that many LGBT+ plans are low-cost. A beach day, a gallery, a walk through a queer neighbourhood, or a community event can be the highlight of your trip.

Packing and digital habits for your First LGBT+ solo trip abroad

Packing for solo travel is mostly about staying comfortable and confident. Bring clothes that fit you well and suit the climate. When you feel like yourself, you move through the world with less hesitation.

Keep your valuables simple. Use one card as your “daily card” and keep a back-up separate. Carry a small cross-body bag that stays close in crowds.

Digital habits matter too. Update your phone, set a strong passcode, and turn on two-factor authentication for key accounts. If you use dating apps, keep your profile settings thoughtful and avoid sharing your exact hotel location.



Here is a sentence worth saving: The best solo trips are planned like a parachute, so you barely notice it until you need it.

Where to go for a smooth start

A strong first trip usually combines three things: a visible LGBT+ scene, easy transport, and a welcoming vibe in everyday spaces. Below are four options that work for different travel styles, from chilled city breaks to warm-weather escapes.

Spain: Barcelona and Sitges

Barcelona is easy to navigate, packed with culture, and used to solo travellers. The Eixample area, often called “Gaixample”, has bars, restaurants, and a steady stream of visitors. You can be as social as you like, then dip into galleries, beaches, and long café lunches.

If you want a smaller seaside vibe, Sitges is walkable, social, and relaxed in the daytime. You can day-trip from Barcelona, or base yourself there for a quieter pace.

If you are looking for an adults-only, men-only stay, Elite Hotel in Sitges is one option. If you’d like, we can check current pricing and perks for you at Elite Hotel - Gay Men Only, Sitges.

How Gay Friendly is Spain?

Same-sex marriage is recognised nationwide. Discrimination protections exist in law, including in employment, and Spain often ranks strongly for LGBTI legal protection in Europe. Public opinion is generally supportive, especially in major cities, and LGBT+ visibility is normal in daily life.

Portugal: Lisbon and the coast

Lisbon works well for solo travel because it is compact, friendly, and full of low-effort plans. You can do a museum morning, a late afternoon view-point, and a night in the Bairro Alto area without feeling like you need a strict schedule.

Portugal also suits travellers who want calm with the option of nightlife. You can stay central, then take a short trip to the coast for beaches and downtime.

For a gay men’s guesthouse experience with a social feel, The Late Birds Lisbon is a well-known option. If you’d like, we can check current pricing and perks for you at The Late Birds Lisbon.

If you want something coastal with a men-only focus, Villa 3 Caparica markets itself as a gay beach resort hotel for gay men, within reach of Lisbon. If you’d like, we can check current pricing and perks for you at Villa 3 Caparica.

How Gay Friendly is Portugal?

Same-sex marriage is recognised. Portugal has strong legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, including constitutional language often highlighted by rights groups. Employment protections exist, and public attitudes are widely accepting in Lisbon and other popular areas.

Thailand: Bangkok and Phuket

Thailand is popular for LGBT+ solo travel because it offers warmth, great service, and a visible gay scene in specific areas. Bangkok is busy and energising, with nightlife zones that make it easy to meet people. Phuket gives you beach time and a different pace.

If you are travelling alone, Bangkok can be a good place to start. You can do daytime culture and food, then explore Silom in the evening. In Phuket, Patong is the hub for nightlife, while other areas are calmer for recovery days.

If you want men-only accommodation, Aquarius Guesthouse and Sauna in Patong describes itself as a men-only guesthouse. If you’d like, we can check current pricing and perks for you at Aquarius Guesthouse and Sauna, Patong.

For a quieter, men-only stay near Patong, Phuket Gay Homestay is another option. If you’d like, we can check current pricing and perks for you at Phuket Gay Homestay.

How Gay Friendly is Thailand?

Thailand’s legal position has moved forward, with same-sex marriage becoming legal from 23 January 2025. At the same time, broad nationwide anti-discrimination protections are not as comprehensive as in many European countries, and employment protections can be patchy in practice. Public attitudes are often welcoming in tourist areas, and Thailand has long had visible LGBT+ communities, particularly in Bangkok and major resorts.

United States: city breaks and beach escapes

If you are travelling from outside the UK, the United States can be a strong choice for a first solo trip because there are established LGBT+ hubs. You can build a trip around neighbourhoods that have community spaces, events, and a mix of day and night options.

New York City is a classic for solo travel because you can blend in and move at your own pace. If you prefer warm weather and pool time, Florida and California have long-standing gay resort scenes.

For a men-only resort experience in Fort Lauderdale, Worthington Resorts is a well-known name in the area. If you’d like, we can check current pricing and perks for you at Worthington Resorts.

How Gay Friendly is the United States?

Same-sex marriage is recognised nationwide. Employment protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity exist under federal law, yet other protections can vary by state and city. Public opinion is mixed, and it can feel very different depending on where you are.

For a first-time solo trip, pick a city with a long-running LGBT+ scene and clear local protections. It makes everyday travel simpler, from hotel check-in to moving around at night.



The three-layer itinerary method

Once you have a destination, build a plan that balances structure and freedom. Use the three-layer method: fixed basics, flexible days, and optional social plans.

Fixed basics are your flights, your accommodation, and your first two nights of plans. Flexible days are the things you can swap around, like museums, markets, and day trips. Optional social plans are the nights out, the events, and the tours you can choose on the day.

This approach keeps you steady on day one. It also keeps you open to meeting new people without feeling like you have to chase a perfect schedule.

Jamie Says:

"Your first solo trip is not a test of bravery. It’s a chance to travel on your own terms, with the right safeguards in place, so you can relax and be yourself from day one.”

Jamie Wake, Managing Director

Booking protections when you travel with Wide Awake Holidays and Jamie Wake Travel

When you travel solo, your protection matters even more because you are dealing with issues on your own. Wide Awake Holidays is a gay-owned travel company in the UK, and we believe that sometimes gay friendly is not friendly enough. That belief shows up in how we plan, who we book with, and how we support you if plans change.

We are members of Protected Trust Services and we hold an ATOL licence. When you book an ATOL-protected trip that qualifies, your money is protected and you have a clear route to support if the travel company fails. We also work with suppliers and tour operators with strong track records, so your trip is built on reliable foundations.

If you book a tailor-made holiday through Jamie Wake Travel and Wide Awake Holidays, it includes Supplier Failure Insurance and Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance. Supplier Failure Insurance is designed to protect you if a supplier, such as a hotel or ground operator, goes out of business. Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance is designed to protect you if an airline fails. These protections help keep your trip moving, even when something outside your control happens.

You also get the practical benefit of a real person handling the moving parts. If a flight time shifts, if your transfer needs adjusting, or if you want to change your hotel because the location is not right for you, we can handle that quickly.



We can plan trips for travellers in the UK and abroad

Even though we are UK-based, we can arrange travel for customers outside the UK, including travellers from the United States. The planning steps stay the same, yet flight routes, departure airports, and protection needs can differ depending on where you start.

If you are flying from the US, we can build an itinerary that includes your international flights, your transfers, and your accommodation in one clear plan. If you are travelling within Europe, we can work with short-haul options that give you better arrival times and easier connections.

You tell us what you want, what you do not want, and what would make you feel comfortable. Then we build a trip that fits you, not a generic template.

A quick checklist before you press “book”

Before you commit, pause and run through this list. It catches most first-time issues in under five minutes.

• Does your hotel location work for night-time travel, not just day-time sightseeing?
• Do you have a simple plan for your first evening so you do not end up stuck in your room?
• Have you checked entry requirements, passport validity, and any visa steps?
• Is your budget realistic for the area you actually want to stay in?
• Do you know how you will get from the airport to your accommodation safely?

Ready to plan your first trip?

If you want your first solo holiday to feel genuinely fun, not stressful, let us plan it with you. We will match you with destinations and hotels that suit your comfort level, your budget, and the kind of connections you want to make. We will also build in the protections that matter, so you are not left sorting problems alone.

To start your enquiry, call us on 01495 400947 or use our holiday enquiry form on the Wide Awake Holidays website. Tell us your dates, your departure city, and the kind of trip you want, and we will take it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions