There is a particular kind of freedom that only solo travel can give you — the freedom to go exactly where you want, when you want, at whatever pace suits you, with no compromises and no negotiations. It is also one of the most effective forms of self-discovery available: when you remove the familiar scaffolding of your daily life and the social roles you play within it, you find out who you actually are. More women are traveling solo than ever before — solo female travel has grown by over 230% in the past decade. And yet many women still hesitate, held back by fear, uncertainty, or the persistent cultural message that solo travel is somehow unsafe or selfish. This guide addresses both the practical and the psychological dimensions of traveling alone — so you can go.
Why Solo Travel Is Worth the Fear
The fear of solo travel is real — and it is also, in most cases, significantly larger than the actual risk. Women who travel solo consistently report that the experience is safer, easier, and more rewarding than they anticipated. The research on solo travel and personal development is striking: solo travelers report higher levels of self-confidence, greater clarity about their values and priorities, and a stronger sense of personal agency than those who travel only in groups. The discomfort of navigating an unfamiliar place alone — making decisions, solving problems, trusting your own judgment — is precisely what makes it so transformative. You discover capabilities you didn't know you had.
Solo female travel has grown by over 230% in the past decade, with women now making up 84% of solo travel bookings
Solo Travel Society & Booking.com Travel Report, 2024
Choosing Your First Solo Destination
Your first solo trip doesn't need to be ambitious. In fact, the best first solo trip is one that feels slightly outside your comfort zone but not overwhelming — a place where you can practice the skills of solo travel (navigating, making decisions alone, meeting strangers) without the added stress of significant language barriers or infrastructure challenges. Popular first solo destinations for women include: Portugal (Lisbon and Porto are walkable, safe, and English is widely spoken), Japan (extraordinarily safe, efficient public transport, deeply respectful culture), New Zealand (English-speaking, stunning scenery, excellent infrastructure), and Iceland (very safe, dramatic landscapes, easy to navigate). Wherever you go, research the specific safety considerations for women in that destination before you arrive.
- ✓Start with a long weekend in a domestic city you've never visited before
- ✓Choose a destination with good public transport — it reduces reliance on taxis
- ✓Look for destinations with active solo female travel communities online
- ✓Consider a guided tour for your first international trip — it provides structure while you build confidence
Safety: The Real Picture
Solo female travel does carry specific safety considerations that male travelers don't face to the same degree — and it's important to acknowledge this honestly rather than dismissing it. Street harassment, scams targeting solo women, and the need for heightened situational awareness are real. But the solution is preparation and awareness, not avoidance. The most important safety practices are: researching your destination thoroughly before you go (including specific areas to avoid and local customs around women's dress and behavior), sharing your itinerary with someone at home, staying in well-reviewed accommodation in central locations, trusting your instincts (if something feels wrong, leave), and having a local SIM card or international data plan so you're never without navigation and communication.
- ✓Research your destination on solo female travel forums (r/solotravel, Solo Female Travelers Facebook group)
- ✓Share your real-time location with a trusted person at home via Google Maps or Find My
- ✓Book your first night's accommodation before you arrive — never arrive somewhere new without a confirmed place to sleep
- ✓Keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original
- ✓Trust your instincts — they are your most reliable safety tool
The Art of Traveling Alone Without Being Lonely
Loneliness is the most common concern women have about solo travel — and it is also the most easily addressed. Solo travel does not mean solitary travel. Staying in social accommodation (hostels, guesthouses, boutique hotels with communal spaces) makes it easy to meet other travelers. Joining day tours, cooking classes, or walking tours puts you in contact with people who share your interests. Apps like Meetup and Couchsurfing (for events, not accommodation) connect you with locals. And the truth is that solo travelers are approached and befriended far more readily than those traveling in groups — you are more approachable, more open, and more available for spontaneous connection when you're alone.
72% of solo female travelers report that they made meaningful connections with strangers on their trips
Solo Travel Society Annual Survey, 2023
Practical Planning: What You Actually Need
Solo travel requires more upfront planning than group travel, but less than most people think. The essentials: travel insurance (non-negotiable — medical evacuation alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars), a local SIM card or international data plan, a debit card with no foreign transaction fees (Charles Schwab and Wise are popular options), a small day pack for exploring, and a door alarm or portable lock for accommodation security. Beyond these basics, the most important preparation is mental: accepting that things will go wrong, that you will get lost, that plans will change — and that this is not a failure but an integral part of the experience.
- ✓Get travel insurance that covers medical evacuation — World Nomads and SafetyWing are popular for solo travelers
- ✓A Wise or Charles Schwab debit card eliminates foreign transaction fees
- ✓Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before you arrive
- ✓Pack light — a carry-on only makes you faster, more flexible, and less of a target
Coming Home: The Re-Entry Challenge
One of the least-discussed aspects of solo travel is the difficulty of coming home. After the freedom, the novelty, and the intense self-reliance of traveling alone, returning to the routines and roles of ordinary life can feel jarring and deflating. This is sometimes called 'reverse culture shock,' and it's a sign that the trip changed you in meaningful ways. Give yourself time to integrate the experience. Journal about what you discovered about yourself. Identify the specific things you valued about solo travel — the freedom, the presence, the self-reliance — and find ways to bring more of those qualities into your everyday life. The best trips don't end when you come home.
"The woman who travels alone discovers something that no guidebook can give her: herself."
Solo travel is not for everyone — and it doesn't need to be. But if you've been thinking about it, if the idea keeps returning to you, if there's a place you've always wanted to go and no one to go with — that is enough reason to go. The fear will not disappear before you leave. It will disappear on the road, replaced by something much more useful: confidence. Book the trip. Pack the bag. Go.
Diana Mercer
Lifestyle Editor
MA Philosophy, Certified Life Coach (ICF)
Diana has traveled solo to over 30 countries across six continents. She writes about travel, personal growth, and the philosophy of a well-lived life. Her work draws on her own experiences on the road and the research on how travel shapes identity and resilience.
