Traveling alone as a woman is one of the crazy at the same time fun things to do for yourself. It is no doubt that traveling alone as a woman is a very controversial idea for anyone. The truth? It’s a mix of both but mostly, it’s life-changing.
As per some of the travel companies research, more than 80% of their solo travelers are generally women, and the amount of Pinterest boards related to this topic “traveling alone as a woman” have more than tripled in recent years. Solo female travel is an experience that reshapes you in ways no other journey can. Here’s what it’s really like to travel alone as a woman, the highs, the challenges, and everything in between.
1. The Freedom Feels Unmatched
One of the biggest perks of solo travel? You do whatever you want, whenever you want.
- No waiting for anyone to get ready.
- No compromising on plans.
- No feeling guilty about spending hours at a café just people-watching.
2. Yes, Safety Is a Real Concern—But It’s Manageable
Let’s be real—safety is always in the back of your mind as a woman traveling alone. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
A few smart safety habits can make all the difference:
✔ Trust your instincts if something feels off, leave. No second-guessing.
✔ Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
✔ Blend in to avoid looking like a lost tourist with expensive gear.
✔ Use ride-sharing apps over hailing cabs in unfamiliar places.
✔ Share your location with a trusted friend or family member.
3. You Will Get Lonely (But That’s Not Always Bad)
There will be moments—maybe after an incredible meal or a breathtaking view—where you’ll wish you had someone to share it with.
But loneliness isn’t always negative. It pushes you to connect.
- You’ll start conversations with strangers more than you ever would at home.
- You’ll meet other solo travelers who instantly “get” you.
- You’ll appreciate the deep conversations you have with yourself.
And sometimes, solitude is exactly what you need.
4. People Will Question Your Choices (Ignore Them)
“You’re traveling alone? But isn’t that dangerous?”
Get ready for concerned looks, endless safety lectures, and questions like:
❓ “But won’t you get bored?”
❓ “What if something happens?”
❓ “Isn’t it better to travel with a man?”
The truth? Most of these fears come from people who have never done it.
Women have been traveling solo for decades. You are not an exception—you are part of a movement.
Let them worry girl. You go live.
5. You’ll Feel More Confident Than Ever Before
There’s something about navigating a foreign city, handling unexpected situations, and making it through challenges all on your own that changes you.
- You’ll stop underestimating yourself.
- You’ll realize you can handle anything.
- You’ll come back feeling stronger, smarter, and more independent.
Tips for Traveling Alone as a Woman
1. Stay in hostels or volunteering projects
The atmosphere of the hostels are safe and very social, which makes them the best place to stay and meet other women who are also traveling alone just like you, search about local events, and help relieve any type of loneliness you may be experiencing.
And did you know you can stay in a hostel for free by doing volunteer work abroad? There are many platforms that offer this service.
2. Pack light
The next tip is to pack light. It is obvious that you only have to carry all of the stuff by yourself, so by packing less you the chances of losing something is less if there are not many things for you to keep up with.
Moreover, you might need to use a backpack instead of big and heavy suitcases to be able to come and go easily.
3. Be prepared
The next thing to do is to be prepared. Yes, you have to be prepared for your trip by packing your belongings, and collecting all of the necessary documents, etc. But this is not enough and you should also be mentally prepared while traveling alone in case something goes wrong. Prepare your mind for dealing with the most likely bad situations like being stolen or getting lost.
4. Leave room for spontaneity
If you are traveling alone as a woman then don’t schedule every second of every day. Make and manage time for a few key things that you need to do most, but leave your room in your schedule for spontaneity.
Sometimes you will get to know about some fun events at the last second or can meet new female friends who can invite you to do something interesting with them. If you are flexible in your schedule and will manage everything accordingly then, you won’t have to say no to these unexpected adventures.
5. Relax!
Travel is exciting and fun right? At the same time it can also be stressful and you can be tired. No matter how much fun you experience traveling alone as a woman, sometimes something can always go wrong. So you are required to let it go with the flow, and deal with the problems as they arise, and then let go of the stress and get back to enjoying your trip.
6. Talk to locals
Locals are a treasure of knowledge. If you want to know about any area or which areas are safe to travel alone or which hotels/ restaurants are worth visiting then you can ask them.
Talk to the workers working at the hostel, to the shopkeepers, or the people you sit next to on the public transport. You never know what they will share with you!
7. Don’t overshare
Yes, talk to the locals and make new friends while you’re traveling. However, when traveling alone as a woman, you do need to be safe.
8. Connect with other women traveling alone
There are lots of great social media groups for women who enjoy traveling alone. They’re a great place to connect with like-minded people, whether you’re looking for advice, opinions, or even someone to meet up with while traveling.
Should You Do It?
Absolutely. Traveling alone as a woman is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
You’ll return home with stories, lessons, and a version of yourself you didn’t know existed.
So if you’re thinking about it, here’s your sign: Book the ticket. Take the trip. The world is waiting.