Your Ultimate Guide To Solo Female Travel: How To Do It Safely And Smartly
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Have you ever been told that traveling alone as a female is “not a good idea?” The concept of women traveling the world solo can evoke a stunning array of negative reactions from people.
““Surely, of all the wonders of the world, the horizon is the greatest.””
For some people, they would just look at you, blink slowly, and say, “Why?” Where’s the fun in traveling alone? (Not everything in life has to be fun, Karen). Besides, solo travel is fun.
Many other people are simply uncomfortable with the idea of being alone in a foreign place. They get Naked and Afraid vibes, intimidated by the autonomy, solitude, or the potential of dealing with a negative situation on their own. What if something bad happens? What if I don’t know what to do in an international or tricky situation?
If you are a woman feeling held back from solo travel out of the fear of feeling lonely, overwhelmed by logistics, unprepared for a foreign and unknown environment, or being physically unsafe–these feelings are all justified and valid. But, solo travel is not as intimidating as it appears. Traveling alone is an adventure in itself, and if you approach it safely and smartly, the world will open itself up to you.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Solo Female Travel Is Gaining Popularity
Solo travel is on the rise in recent years, and its trendiness has grown for several reasons.
First, the stigma around the safety and practicality of solo travel has gradually broken down, especially for females. As awareness grows that traveling alone is a feasible and safe option, there have been jumps in numbers across the board, and the travel industry is transitioning to accommodate this influx of solo travelers. The massive increase in remote workers also promotes the possibility of solo travel and the digital nomad lifestyle.
Ever since 2020, when social distancing discouraged group-oriented experiences, all things solo soared in popularity. As travel slowly opened back up and still continues to, Google trend data reports that interest in solo travel has risen a stunning 761%. Prior to 2021, 14% of travelers were considering a solo trip; it has doubled since then to 23% this year.
““Solo travel is about indulging those whims that you can’t indulge in everyday life.””
For women travelers specifically, solo female travel has expanded across the map. 72% of American women are now choosing to try solo travel over group travel, and Google data reports massive increases in searches for “solo female travel”. Some people may be surprised to hear that women are more likely to travel solo than men.
There will inevitably be learning curves along the way, but traveling alone becomes very natural: something to look forward to rather than be intimidated by. You can road trip, camp, hike, backpack, travel internationally, and feel very comfortable doing it on your own.
If you’ve never traveled alone before, you do not want to miss out on a travel experience you will surely fall in love with!
7 Reasons Why You Will Love Solo Travel
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
“““I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” ”
Traveling alone gets you out of your comfort zone
If there were to be only one incentive or benefit to solo travel, this would top the list. Travel educates, pushes and challenges you in the most unexpected ways. There is nothing else like experiencing a foreign culture on your own. Solo travel inevitably triggers a process of confronting and overcoming your barriers, fears, and insecurities. Buckle up for a wild ride as you learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Travel changes and widens your perspective and understanding of yourself, the world, and your place in it. You will be different afterwards–as it should be.
Solo travel builds your confidence and self-understanding
Traveling alone is a self-administered test of your capabilities, aptitude, and independence. It builds confidence in your ability to strike out in the world on your own, and that confidence transfers to many other aspects of life. You grow, you learn, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are one hella strong woman. You learn to catch yourself when you fall, not rely on others.
““First find out what you are capable of, then decide who you are.””
If you choose solo travel, you choose to get to know yourself a little better. Think about it: you are putting yourself in foreign, new circumstances. You are forced out in the open in a way, where you choose your reactions and get to know your natural strengths and limitations. You have time to process, think, and feel with no outsider’s opinion or projection. You will take the lead in exploring what naturally attracts you; you tap into previously-undiscovered sides of yourself.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Solo travel is freedom: You can do you.
““The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.””
In many ways, one of the most exhausting aspects of travel is actually just the company of your travel buddies. Remove fellow travelers from the equation, and suddenly, you have a wide open itinerary that you get to design and cater to your every whim. Cue a sigh of relaxation. You don’t have to ask anyone what they want to do or eat or sleep or talk about. It’s your opportunity to flex your freedom and celebrate what you–and you alone–love.
Check out our article on focusing on yourself without the stigma of feeling selfish.
Solo travel offers an opportunity to flex your wings. It is a liberating feeling to make decisions on the fly about how you want to spend the day. You can be driving in your car and turn it south or north or west or east or through a dirt field, all without consulting a soul. Solo travel is about indulging those whims that you can’t indulge in everyday life.
You are your own friend, too. It can be quite refreshing and eye-opening to realize that not all life experiences have to be shared with another human being to make them valuable. Getting back in touch with your own individuality, humor, and passions will ground and empower you.
Check out our article on why you should take yourself out on a solo date.
Solo travel offers the space and perspective you seek
Traveling alone can serve as much-needed personal time and space. Life can be full of stress, complexities, and taxing personal situations at home. However, do not reduce travel to being an escape from your problems; it is an opportunity to gain more perspective on your problems. Sometimes a little space and time to yourself is all you need. The rest of the world can fade away for a time, while you switch lenses from a magnifying glass to a telescope to see what life just is right now. Solo travel offers silence and time for contemplation and self-assessment of your mental and emotional well-being.
Solo travel will change your perception of travel itself
You may be well-traveled, but traveling solo is a whole other ball-game. Solo travel will not be “fun” in the same traditional sense as it is when you are with family and friends, but you are able to find so many more unexpected benefits and meaningful aspects of a travel experience if you look beyond. Travel can make you a better, stronger, more adjusted and well-rounded human being; it is not just about having fun.
You will meet more new people if you travel alone
You are more likely to make new friendships if you travel alone. Instead of staying comfortable within the same traveling group, you are more likely to be open to initiate connections with other people along the way, especially with other solo travelers! You won’t easily forget friends you make while traveling. They tend to stick in memory and fondness, even if you don’t stay in regular contact.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Solo travel could make travel more budget-friendly for you
If finance is a significant factor, then solo travel can easily respect your bank account. With only one person’s schedule, wishes, and budget in consideration, you can get a great travel deal if you’re willing to be flexible with your destination and timeline.
Check out our article on keeping travel budget-friendly
How to Prepare for Solo Travel
Start small for your first solo trip. Stay closer to home, see how it goes, and get to know your level of comfortability with traveling alone, as opposed to jetting off to Asia for your first solo experience.
Have ways to comfort and stabilize you. How are you going to work through a low moment without having a co-traveller? Your people won’t be around you to ground and assist you when you are having any type of negative moment, so know your best go-to self-soothing methods, whether it's yoga, your Kindle, journal, tea, your favorite blanket, your self-care or skincare routine. You know best what will work!
Read our article on feeling at home while traveling.
““Learning to trust yourself and your judgement is a huge struggle/accomplishment, and that is why solo travel is a huge learning curve...it is a process.””
Be prepared to be fully self-sufficient and embrace that challenge with excitement. Solo travel challenges you and forces you to adapt to unexpected situations. Keep your wits about you, because good judgment is crucial when traveling alone!
Redefine the word “mistake.” Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. Don’t beat yourself up, and don’t let mishaps or mistakes discourage you. Instead of using the word “disaster,” try “misadventure” or “lesson,” and try to view it as such.
Put yourself in communal, friendly environments, such as hostels. Making friends along the way can greatly add to your travel experience. Sit at the bar for dinner instead of your own private table. Check out group tours in state parks, walking city tours, bar crawls, or look into group trips where a travel company organizes your outings, lodging, meals, and transportations for you.
Join the “Outdoorsy Gals” Facebook group. It is an immensely supportive all-women group that celebrates female travel, and inspires you to get off your computer screen and out into the real world. You can meet hiking buddies in your area or locals of the destination you are heading to, and get advice/tips for specific areas of the U.S.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Safety Tips for Solo Women Travelers
The best mantra of solo female travel is: Do not get into situations you cannot get yourself out of.
Before you go and jet off around the world to your heart’s desire, here are some guidelines on how to have a safe trip.
Set Yourself Up For Success
It is easy to tell yourself that you are just going to “wing it.” While that can work out in the end, in some situations, that attitude often boils down to pride, ignorance, or laziness. If you are traveling alone, you have less room for error and less to fall back on. Self-reliance is tested and part of that is being smart and planning smartly. So first, set yourself up for success by gathering the knowledge and tools necessary for safety and well-being, and then wing it.
Have a Backup Plan
Yes, not only have a plan, but have an escape route. If A doesn’t work, what is Plan B? If Plan A is “Send it!!” (aka no plan), then Plan B should be stored in the back part of your brain—just in case sleeping in the train station in Amsterdam turns out to be way sketchier than expected.
Do Not Get Into Situations You Cannot Get Yourself Out Of
Sometimes s—t hits the fan and it’s not your fault, but nine times out of ten, you can avoid unsafe situations while traveling if you are intentional and have foresight. You will have to constantly exercise your self-reliance muscle, one that requires a lot of trial and error.
You are definitely going to have some major “oops” moments, like realizing you shouldn’t have rolled your eyes when your dad offered to teach you how to change a tire, except you’re realizing it god-knows-where-in-Arkansas when you’re peering at the black rubber puddle that used to be a tire, without a car or house in sight. Oops. Not all “oops” moments are comical, like not bringing enough water when hiking the Utah backcountry under the sweltering sun in August. That goes from “oops” to a life-threatening situation in a heartbeat.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Have The Necessary Equipment
See below for a few personal items you should have when traveling alone. Keeping a form of self-defense weapon on your person is a smart choice. There are many small, portable, and quick options, such as pepper spray, a pocket knife, stun gun whistle, or alarm keychain.
Be Aware and Informed
Stay informed on current weather conditions, local customs and culture, and the news of the area you are visiting. When in a foreign city, keep your head on a swivel, be aware of your surroundings, avoid going out at night or walking back to your lodging in the dark, and stay in populated areas/streets.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Keep Your Personal Identification On You
…and don’t give out personal information! It is not wise to broadcast in certain circumstances that you are traveling alone. Your solo status does not have to be shared information with everyone you come across in your travels.
Sleep With Your Valuables Within Reach
If you are car camping, have your keys in an accessible place that you can grab at a moment's notice. If you are staying in a hostel, have your passport, wallet, and any other valuables in your bed with you.
Image credit: Maura Bielinski
Someone Should Know Your Whereabouts At All Times
If something happens to you, when would someone realize you are missing, who would that be, and where is the last place you would be able to be traced? If you go off the grid, you delay a potential rescue. Make a habit of signing your name at the record book many hiking trails keep at their access point.
Talk To Locals
Get their advice and perspective about the safest and best places to stay, the favorite local restaurants to try, neighborhoods to avoid, and customs and general knowledge you may not have heard.
Listen To Your Gut
If your gut says don’t walk down that street, if your gut says that stranger looks creepy, if your gut says this seems like a bad idea, if your gut says that backroad looks super gnarly and might pop a tire, if your gut says it is time to stop hiking and turn around before the sun sets, listen to it. Our brains sometimes malfunction and push us in directions we should not attempt. Learning to trust yourself and your gut judgment in solo travel is a process of ups and downs, one where you just keep swimming. You are discovering your weaknesses and strengths, and it can take time.
Travel Essentials As a Solo Female Traveler
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