How to Plan a Solo Birthday Trip
Words By Joy Grant | Photos by Joy Grant and Rania
Dive into the art of planning a solo birthday trip so you can never say you don’t know where to start again.
Twenty-nine felt like a chance to cap off an important decade, and I wanted to honor that.
I wanted to create an experience that would remind me of what’s important and that I’m capable of making my dreams come true. Morocco had been on my travel list for the past decade. Twenty-nine was my chance to make it a reality.
Step 1.
Choose Your 3 words
Pick three words to describe the type of trip you want. Do you want your trip to feel relaxing, lavish, and artsy, or adventurous, outdoorsy, and insightful? There’s no wrong answer, but be honest with yourself. When you travel alone, your joy is completely up to you. Take this as an opportunity to focus on what would make you feel the best.
My three words that led me to Morocco were adventurous, historical, and breathtaking.
Step 2.
Set Your Budget
Pick three words to describe the type of trip you want. Do you want your trip to feel relaxing, lavish, and artsy, or adventurous, outdoorsy, and insightful? There’s no wrong answer, but be honest with yourself. When you travel alone, your joy is completely up to you. Take this as an opportunity to focus on what would make you feel the best.
My three words that led me to Morocco were adventurous, historical, and breathtaking.
Step 3.
Pick your Destination
Think of places you’ve always wanted to visit, then narrow it down based on your budget and what aligns best with your three words and research. Browse Facebook groups, flip through travel magazines, and scroll through TikTok and YouTube for firsthand stories and inspiration videos. When researching, make sure to consider visa requirements, safety, and weather.
Step 4.
Book Flights & Accommodations
Start by locking in your flight and hotel. Set Google Flights alerts to track the best dates, prices, and routes.
*Land during the daytime for ease and safety
Search hotel reviews for keywords like “solo traveler” on Google or TripAdvisor.
Check how close hotels are to the things you want to do and research the vibe of the neighborhood to make sure it matches what you’re looking for.
To stay organized, I use a spreadsheet with tabs for flights, hotels, and train tickets. It makes comparing prices and saving links in one place way easier. Here’s a template that you can use.
Step 5. Plan Your Experiences
This is where your 3 trip words come to life.
Relaxing
Slow mornings, a trip to the spa, and beach days.
Adventurous
hikes, ziplining, fast-paced excursions.
Artsy
birthday photoshoot, museum visits, nights filled with live music
My biggest tip: plan something, not everything. Do some research and book at least one activity in advance, especially if you’re traveling on your actual birthday, to ensure you feel celebrated. But leave some time in your itinerary for spontaneous plans. Many of my favorite experiences have been the result of local suggestions and spur-of-the-moment adventures.
I’ve always wanted to go in a hot air balloon, so that was a no-brainer for my birthday activity, and while on my trip, I learned about the Ourika Valley and ended up booking a tour there as well.
Step 6.
Prepare for Solo Travel
I feel most at ease solo traveling when I’m prepared; how you show up greatly impacts the quality of your trip.
- Do Your Research – local customs, key phrases, and offline maps with important locations saved.
- Pack Smart – Versatile clothing, safety essentials (travel insurance, copies of IDs, bag locks), and a small day bag
- Stay Safe – Share your plans and location with loved ones and stay alert
- Stay Open – Trust yourself, be vigilant without fear, and remain open to unexpected magic.
Step 7.
Create a Birthday Ritual
Being alone on your birthday for the first time can be a jarring experience. It helps to add intentional moments to remind yourself why you chose to spend your birthday this way.
This can be as simple or meaningful as you want it to be: a sunrise walk, journaling your hopes for the year ahead, treating yourself to a solo dinner, lighting a candle and saying a prayer, or writing a letter to your future self.
The point is to mark the moment. Claim it. Let it be yours.
Step 8.
Be Present and Stay Open to Magic
A solo birthday trip is a reminder that your joy isn’t waiting on anyone else’s schedule. It’s yours to create, explore, and celebrate; whether you’re dancing on a rooftop in Barcelona, reading by the ocean in Belize, or hiking through the Atlas Mountains.
Wherever you go, I hope your birthday feels like the best gift of all: freedom, peace, and a little bit of magic.