Flying Alone for the First Time
I’m a weird enough person that I actually enjoy the more mundane aspects of travel: packing, going to the airport, flying alone… all those tiny pieces of the logistical puzzle that some folks can’t seem to hate enough. To me it’s all part of the bigger travel picture and that’s enough to make it wonderful in my eyes. As Robert Louis Stevenson says in my favorite travel quote of all time, “The great affair is to move.”
But I know that the excitement and wonder of travel doesn’t hit some people, especially first-time solo female travelers, until they’re actually at that perfect postcard view that inspired them to take a sabbatical in the first place. The giddy anticipation of being somewhere new can become too clouded by the uncertainty and discomfort of the less fun bits.
It’s also easy to lose sight of how lucky I am to have had the luxury of traveling young. My first several plane rides were all taken in high school and college with the safety net of accompanying family and friends, so by the time I started traveling more independently, I knew what I was doing. So having a young friend ask questions about her first time flying alone was just the kick in the pants I needed for this epic blog post.
If your sabbatical means flying alone for the first time, this is the advice I had for that friend:
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. There is no extra charge to you, but I may earn some commission from them. All opinions are my own – I only link to products and services I actually use and LOVE!
Before Flying Alone…
Make sure your passport will be valid for at least six months after your return to the U.S. If you need a new one, get it well in advance of your sabbatical.
Buy your ticket about three to four months in advance to get the best. You can set an alert on Google Flights or Airfarewatchdog to ensure you’re not missing a deal. My absolute favorite flight search engine, though, is Skyscanner. If your dates or destination are flexible, Skyscanner has awesome, really easy to use comparison tools that let you search for the cheapest dates in a month, or the cheapest destination from your starting point.
These are just search engines — book your flight directly with the airline.
Make a packing list and do a test run about a month in advance to make sure everything fits comfortably.
Try traveling with only a carry on. You’ll save time and trouble by not having to wait at baggage claim. You’ll have less stuff to worry about on the road. AND you’ll circumvent any risk of your checked bag being lost, damaged, or stolen.
My trusty Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack is the perfect carry-on size and can fit everything you need. (See how I fit over 250 outfits in it for a year of travel!)
If you’re using a luggage lock, make sure it’s TSA approved. If not, twist ties will hold your zippers together and deter opportunistic thieves.
I like this TSA-approved lock because it has a flexible cord instead of a hard metal lock. Way better for backpack zippers!
Find ways to swap liquid products for solids in your bag. Swapping out body wash for bar soap is an obvious choice. You can also get solid shampoo and conditioner bars to replace the liquid versions. The fewer liquids in your bag, the more space you’ll save in that quart-sized clear bag required by the TSA, and the less chance you’ll have of unfortunate spillage in your pack.
Wear your bulkiest clothes on the plane. You’ll save space in your bag and you’ll have layers protecting you against a cold plane cabin. If these aren’t comfortable enough to sleep in, you can pack sleep wear and change into it on the plane.
Make sure your shoes can easily slip on and off and wear socks. You’ll save a little time at security and you won’t have to go barefoot on the airport floor.
Use an app like JetLag Rooster to gradually acclimate yourself to the change in time zones before you leave.
Double check your flight status the day before your departure. Charge all your devices the night before you leave, so there aren’t any dead battery mishaps.
If you’re really worried about losing power, consider getting an external battery. This Anker charger is about the size of a tube of lipstick and gives my phone a full extra charge, no outlet necessary!
Getting to the gate…
Take advantage of online check-in and save time at the airport. You’ll probably get an email notification when online check-in opens — just follow the instructions. Depending on the airline and flight, you may be able to select your seat. You’ll get a digital boarding pass to scan. You can keep the airline’s app open on your phone, but I like to download my boarding pass if I can.
If you check in at the airport, many terminals have touch screen kiosks where you can check yourself in by scanning your passport and following the on-screen prompts.
Both online check-in and self-service kiosks are great time savers when you’re traveling carry-on only, but if you are checking a bag, you will have to wait in line anyway so you might as well take care of everything at the desk. Just tell the desk agent you’re checking in for your flight and hand over your passport for them to scan. They’ll tell you anything else you need to do.
If you want to save even more travel time, consider signing up for Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check which will allow you access to special expedited lines at security and customs.
Get to the airport two hours before your flight, especially if you’re leaving in the afternoon or evening. Two hours is a common baseline but in some airports, you might need closer to three hours, while in others, one hour will be enough. Whatever you do, don’t trust TikTok “Airport Theory” — rushing leads to mistakes and unnecessary stress, and you might miss your flight. If you have to wait in the airport, that’s extra time to read, people watch, have a snack — you’re traveling to slow down from “regular” life, right?
If you have multiple documents you need to travel with, a zippered document pouch can help you stay organized. Keep it in an easily accessible place so you don’t have to dig through your bag in the middle of a line.
Stay calm, confident, and polite with every airport employee you meet. I typically have fine experiences with airport staff simply because I take the trouble to smile and remember my good Southern “Yes, ma’am’s” where very few others do. Going through security and customs doesn’t have to be scary – it’s all about your attitude. The vast majority of these folks are just doing their jobs.
Keep your laptop, your bag of liquids, and anything else you might need to remove near the top of your bag or in a special pocket, so you can get them out quickly at security.
Just like equipment and layout, what you have to place in a bin at security can vary a little from airport to airport, and sometimes it’s even at the discretion of the TSA agents on duty. It’s typical to have to take off your shoes, jewelry, belts, and jackets. Increasingly, I’m being asked to take off cardigans too. Laptops and e-readers like Kindles almost always have to come out, as well as your bag of liquids. Some places ask you to remove any snacks.
Be attentive as you approach the front of the line — what do you hear agents saying? What do you see the people in front of you doing? With a well packed bag and an attentive mindset, you can keep things moving smoothly. Just pop out your things, grab a couple plastic trays, and be on your merry way. You might be asked to put something by itself in a tray or to remove something more from your bag. Just follow directions and try not to take it personally if anybody acts like you should have already known the rules — the rules change sometimes and vary from place to place, so it’s just not possible to know everything even if you’re an experienced flyer.
If a security agent wants to inspect your bag more closely, no need to panic. Sometimes it’s just a random check and you’re not in trouble for anything. Even if there is something wrong — like you forgot a tube of sunscreen was packed outside your liquids bag or the agent has never seen tweezers before and believes they are not allowed (true story) — the worst that will likely happen is you’ll have to throw something away and replace it during your trip. Mistakes happen. There are stores in your destination. It will be okay.
Waiting to Board…
Stay hydrated! You can’t take a full water bottle through security, but you can pack an empty water bottle. Once you’re in the airside terminal, fill it up at a water fountain and drink it before your flight.
Airport food is often super overpriced. I once saw a $5 peanut butter and jelly sandwich in Detroit. Save your money and pack your own snacks if you can. I like to have one for waiting at the airport and two or three for a long flight. Peanut butter crackers, pretzels, and granola bars are all perennial favorites, but don’t forget that as long as you finish it on the plane, you can also have fresh fruit or veg in your bag. Bananas and clementines pack pretty well, and water-heavy snacks like cucumbers, watermelon, and grapes are great ways to stay hydrated in flight.
Double check your flight’s gate on an arrival-departure board at least once after you pass through security, just in case you don’t hear an announcement of a change.
Even though many planes boast in-flight WiFi these days, I don’t find it very reliable. I think it’s still best to have some entertainment downloaded for offline enjoyment. Prep this before your trip or do it while you wait to board.
If your flight gets delayed, an hour or two is not a huge deal and it’s best to just open a book and settle in. With a super long delay, you might be entitled to a refund. The latest rule in the U.S. is 3 hours delay on domestic flights or 6 hours delay on international flights should trigger an automatic refund, if you don’t accept another flight or travel credits. Anything aside from that varies from airline to airline, so this is really something to pay attention to while you’re booking.
The easiest way to rebook after a flight delay or cancellation is on the airline’s app. If that doesn’t help, find a ticketing agent to help, call the airline’s customer service line, or hit them up on social media. If you need to stay overnight to get on a next-day flight, be decisive in quickly booking a nearby hotel (before all the other delayed passengers scoop the rooms up) or prepare to spend the night in the airport.
Boarding the plane…
When it’s time to board, don’t hover near the gate. Large planes board in zones, which are noted on your boarding pass, and you know first class will always get to go before economy. Standing in the way of others trying to board doesn’t get you on the plane any faster, so just stay seated until your zone is called and when it is, calmly walk to the gate. There are a handful of times when it’s reasonable to rush through the airport in a panic, but waiting at your gate for the flight to board is not one of them.
Keep your boarding pass handy. You’ll scan it at the gate and you might also want to double check your seat number while you get settled.
If you’re among the last to board, you may feel like overhead space is limited, but resist the urge to shove your bag in the first compartment you see. Keep your bag as close to your seat as possible. When you don’t, it just creates a domino effect where no one’s bag is next to their seat. That said, if there isn’t space available near your seat, you will have to put it wherever you can find a spot.
Take out everything you’ll need during the flight before putting your main carry-on into an overhead compartment. You can organize this while packing by putting in-flight stuff in a separate day bag inside the carry-on. Don’t be the person who has to climb over their seat mates five times during the flight to get something out of their bag.
Airplanes were gross even before the pandemic. Use a wet wipe to sanitize your armrest and tray table before doing anything else.
On a similar note, who knows when that wimpy blanket and pillow were last washed? Pack your own and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. A large sarong can double as a blanket, while a fleece jacket could be bundled up like a pillow.
I think a big scarf or sarong is totally suitable and it is not worth buying a separate “travel blanket.” But a pillow is worthwhile, especially if you’re a lighter sleeper. This inflatable travel pillow folds up small when I’m not using it. It wasn’t just for flights either! When I checked into an atomic bunker hostel in Croatia, it turned out they didn’t provide linens!
If you have a smartphone, laptop, or tablet on board, turn it off or switch it to airplane mode.
In-Flight…
Keep your blood flowing. Compression socks are popular in the fight against blood clots, but don’t forget that you can also take a walk as long as the seat belt sign isn’t lit and food and beverage service isn’t in progress.
If there’s a meal served on the plane and they have a vegetarian option, go for that.
If you’re on an overnight flight, try to take yourself through a normal bedtime routine. After dinner service, head to the bathroom and change into comfy clothes, brush your teeth, wash your face, etc. It may not be the easiest feat in a tiny airplane bathroom, but it will help keep your Circadian rhythms on track and make it easier for you to fall asleep. Likewise, when you wake up, try to go through as normal a morning routine as possible. It’ll help you adjust to the change in time zones.
My two absolute favorite things I need on every long-haul flight are Batiste dry shampoo and Yes To Cucumbers face wipes. It’s a quick fix that makes me feel so refreshed!
Your flight attendant may pass out customs forms before landing. Use your own pen and don’t let anyone borrow it. More importantly, take advantage of the time you’ve been given. Don’t wait until you’ve landed to fill out your paperwork.
Upon arrival…
Be prepared for a long, slow customs line. Like security, this is a place where attitude is everything. Staying calm, confident, and polite will help the time pass faster. Getting rude and trying to hurry will not. The officials will probably have a few basic questions for you, like where within the country you’re going and how long you plan to stay. Additional questions or paperwork will depend on what country you’re visiting.
Don’t change your money at the airport. Order foreign currency in advance from your bank, or find a bank after you arrive. These will have much better exchange rates than the airport. If and when you do change money, double count it, even if the clerk counted it in front of you.
Have a plan for your transportation from the airport to your accommodations. Is somebody picking you up? Is there a metro or shuttle that serves the airport? Do your research in advance. Don’t just hop in the first taxi you see.
Airports can be super anxiety-ridden for the first-time solo female traveler. Allowing yourself plenty of time to prepare and keeping a level head will turn the chore of flying alone into one more exciting step of your travels.
Like this post? Pin it!
One Comment