Solo Parent Travel: What It's Really Like
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
To be honest, I was really freaking out before travelling alone with my daughters. It was our first trip overseas - just the 3 of us - through the Philippines. But, after several weeks island hopping between Cebu, Palawan & Siargao, I can honestly it was so much better than I expected!
Was everything perfect? No.
But it turned out to be one of the most rewarding & memorable adventures we've ever taken.
Solo Parent Travel in the Philippines at a Glance
⭐ Overall experience: 10/10
👧 Ages of my kids: 9 & 11
🗓️ Trip length: 3 weeks
📍 Destinations: Cebu, Palawan & Siargao
💰 Budget: Affordable
💬 English spoken: Yes
❤️ Would I do it again? Yes
Is the Philippines Good for Solo Parents?
Yes.
The Philippines is one of the friendliest countries in the world.
English is widely spoken, locals are incredibly welcoming and we always found someone happy to help if we needed it. We never felt unsafe.
Was I Nervous?
Yes!!
Travelling alone with children always comes with extra responsibility and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous before the trip.
You're carrying passports, organising transport, watching bags and making sure everyone is fed, hydrated and happy, all while solving any little problems that pop up along the way.
But after the first couple of days, things flowed easily and we really felt like we had it pretty sorted.
Looking back, I actually spent far more time worrying before the trip than I ever did while we were actually travelling.
What Made It Easy?
A few things that made travelling the Philippines as a solo parent much easier than I'd expected.
English is Spoken Everywhere
Communication was rarely a problem. Ordering food, asking for directions, organising transport and booking tours was all very straightforward, which just made life easier.
Friendly Locals
This was probably the biggest reason I felt comfortable.
Everyone made us feel welcome, and were always so friendly.
Tours Were Easy to Book
From island hopping day trips to the El Nido to Coron 3 day boat trip, every tour was easy to arrange.
The guides were always wonderful with the kids, and each experience felt really relaxed.
Affordable Travel
The Philippines is also a very affordable destination. Accommodation, transport and food were all so reasonably priced, which makes travelling and budgeting a lot less stressful (let's be honest - who sticks to a budget when travelling!!)
The Challenges of Travelling as a Solo Parent
No destination is perfect, and travelling alone with two kids definitely came with its challenges.
When you're the only adult, everything falls on your shoulders. You're responsible for the passports, luggage, ferry tickets, airport check-ins, directions, snacks, sunscreen, towels, snorkel gear... and making sure we all get to where we need to be on time.
The biggest challenge for me wasn't the Philippines itself—it was simply managing all the logistics on my own. Getting on and off ferries, transiting through airports, keeping track of everyone's belongings and calculating transfer times meant I had to stay organised and think a few steps ahead.
That said, none of it ever felt overwhelming. Locals were incredibly helpful, transport was straightforward to organise and, before long, we found our own rhythm. It didn't take long for me to realise that travelling as a solo parent was far less daunting than I'd imagined.
One tip if you're travelling solo with kids who have a different surname to you:
Take all the paperwork you might need. My daughters and I have different surnames, and I needed to show their certified birth certificates as soon as we arrived at immigration. Thankfully, I'd packed all the paperwork I needed, and it made the process quick and stress-free.
Requirements can change, so it's always worth checking the latest entry rules before you travel.
My Best Tips for Solo Parents
Travel slowly. Don't over plan your days.
Stay close to restaurants and convenience stores. Being able to walk out for dinner or grab supplies made life so much easier.
Carry cash. Many smaller businesses, tuk-tuks and local eateries are cash only.
Book popular tours in advance. We booked our El Nido to Coron three-day boat trip ahead of time and so I'm glad we booked did. Popular trips do sell out.
Pack as light as possible. My girls carried their own backpacks, which made moving between airports, ferries and accommodation much easier.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. We found Filipinos incredibly kind and willing to lend a hand whenever we needed it.
Our Favourite Destinations
El Nido
Beautiful island-hopping and plenty of family-friendly restaurants. And beachfront accommodation at Corong Corong Beach.
Siargao
Relaxed atmosphere, chilled cafés, tuk-tuks and plenty of activities.
Moalboal
Watching My Girls Grow
What I'll always remember from this trip is how much my girls grew... in confidence and independence.
Travelling as a team meant they stepped up in ways I hadn't expected. They helped carry the bags, negotiated prices with tuk-tuk drivers, converted pesos into Australian dollars (quicker than me!) and became much more aware of everything while we travelled.
As usual, they also made friends wherever we went. Whether it was chatting with other travellers, playing with local children or joining in on tours, they weren't afraid to put themselves out there.
Watching them become more confident, responsible and independent was one of the greatest rewards of travelling together.
Would I Do It Again?
Of course, we will always prefer travelling as a family of 4, but this trip definitely taught us what we are capable of.
The Philippines gave us incredible memories, boosted my confidence as a solo parent and showed the girls, once again, just how kind and welcoming the world really is.
If you're thinking about taking your own children to the Philippines on your own, I'd absolutely encourage you to go. It might feel daunting before you leave, but it could end up being one of the most rewarding adventures your family ever has.
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