Solo female travel is one of the most liberating experiences. Heading out on the road alone takes faith and courage. Traveling alone means traveling for yourself, exactly how you want, which can be invigorating and confidence-boosting. However, traveling alone as a woman can also be daunting if you haven’t done it before.
If you’ve saved up for the trip of a lifetime or have a long bucket list, why wait for the perfect travel companions to join you? Create your own magic and embark on a solo female travel experience. You’ll collect more powerful moments, have new conversations and make more companions than you would travelling with friends or family.
Here’s why a solo female travel experience will open up your world, no matter your age.
Do something for yourself
Whether you’re single or have a partner, it might seem daunting to leave loved ones or friends behind and embark on a solo travel venture, but the experience is incredibly rewarding. If you struggle to make time for yourself or feel like your life is dedicated to serving others – whether it’s helping people through your job, raising your children, or caring for sick or elderly parents – there may come a time when you reflect and feel a little lost. Who were you before you became a parent? What activities or interests did you once enjoy? Cut the cord of responsibility and travel solo to rediscover what you love and who you are.
Travelling solo is popular
You’re not the only one who wants to travel alone—solo female travel bookings have increased by 45% in the last few years. 72% of American women like to take trips solo, while 54% of British women are more likely to take trips alone now than they were five years ago. This data shows that the stigma around traveling alone as a woman has significantly diminished. Best of all, 59% of female solo travellers would tour alone again within the next 12 months. This means if you join a tour or experience it’s likely there will be other solo female travellers there to connect with.
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Go where you want to go
Is your heart set on exploring every inch of Italy? Are you longing to go on safari? Or are you intrigued by the culture and traditions of Japan? When you are in charge of where you go on holiday you can tick off whatever it is at the top of your bucket list without compromise. If you’re not interested in visiting the USA, then don’t. But if you’re excited to discover the best of Turkey or Morocco, then book yourself a trip and get out there when you can. The year 2020 taught us life is short, so when the time comes to travel, don’t delay or wait for anyone.
Travel your way
If you’re an early riser travelling alone, you can welcome the morning hours guilt-free. Wake up and embrace who you are, how you like to travel and use the alone time of the early morning to reflect on your life journey.The same applies if you love to sleep until noon and stay out late at night. Maybe your usual travel buddy drags you along to the theatre or art galleries and you join because you’re friends. When you travel alone as a woman you can please yourself – skip the galleries and spend the day at the beach, if that’s what you want to do. Or lean into your hobbies and interests by turning your solo female travel experience into a weekend skiing trip or an all-female yoga retreat.
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Find a new travel tribe
When you travel on your own as a woman there are, of course, extra precautions to take while discovering new, unknown places. That’s why many solo female travelers choose to join guided tours for part or all of their holiday time. You’re no longer travelling alone when you connect with other like-minded travellers on tour, and the friendships and bonds you create will stay with you for a long time. Some women find their new best friends, travel buddies or pen pals on tour.
Don’t let age stop you
Let go of the idea that solo female travel is only for the young. More and more Females over 50 are now embarking on their own solo trips. In fact, around 81% of solo female travellers are over 45 years old, with the average age of women travelling solo being 57. More and more women are considering, and want, to take a holiday by themselves, whether they have a partner or are single. So much so it’s reached a tipping point where women are travelling alone much more than men.
Article courtesy of Trafalgar.
Have you travelled solo before? Let us know in the comments below!
Heather Cameron - 3 years ago
Frumpy…..just put your big girl panties on, and hit the road, I am over 75 and travel the length and breadth of the south island a lot. I never know where I will drift up next. I still have my home as well as a camper.