7 Reasons to Take a Solo Trip as a Woman (And Where to Go)
Imagine navigating an airport without being slowed down by your dawdling friend. Imagine choosing the restaurant for dinner every. single. night. Or heading to bed early on vacation without anyone trying to guilt you into going out. This could all be yours if you plan a solo trip.
Traveling solo as a woman can be both empowering and enriching. If you need a reason to embark on a solo journey, we have a few for you, along with recommended destinations for solo female travelers and tips for staying safe.
Be Selfish
Solo travel allows you to set your own schedule and follow your own interests without having to compromise with others. This sense of freedom is often cited as one of the main reasons women choose to travel alone.
Making travel plans with other people can be frustrating.
You may want to hit all the museums but they’re more interested in thrilling excursions. Or you may want to try some local cuisine while they have a more reserved palate. When you travel alone, you can be beautifully selfish and only do what you want to do.
Reconnect With Yourself
Traveling alone allows you to learn more about yourself, your interests, and your capabilities. Life can get hectic with work, friends, family, relationships, and more. Traveling alone gives you a chance to slow down and spend some one-on-one time with the most important person in your life: you.
You may discover that you’ve changed substantially since your last reflection, and many women have meaningful realizations while exploring the world by themselves.
Exit Your Comfort Zone
Traveling solo defies traditional gender norms and empowers women by proving they can explore the world independently and safely. Navigating new places and situations on your own can significantly boost your confidence.
Each successful solo trip reinforces your ability to handle challenges independently. Traveling alone pushes you out of your comfort zone, encouraging self-discovery and personal growth. As people like to say, life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Make New Friends and Find New Interests
Contrary to the fear of loneliness, solo travel often leads to meeting new people. People, whether locals or other tourists, are often more inclined to approach and engage with solo travelers, providing opportunities for meaningful connections.
Making friends on vacation while with people you already know is less likely, but when by yourself, there’s a better chance you’ll have some fun with new people. Traveling alone can also lead to deeper cultural immersion, as you are more likely to engage with locals and explore off-the-beaten-path experiences. You may discover new interests and appreciation for specific cultures.
Prioritize You
As mentioned, traveling alone means you can be selfish with your plans. However, exploring the world without anyone else can also be a brilliant form of self-care. Solo travel provides the perfect opportunity for self-care, allowing you to focus solely on your own needs and desires without the distractions of daily life.
Going on vacation with others can help you disconnect from your daily responsibilities, but vacationing alone can be more conducive to a revitalizing and nourishing experience.
Safest and Most Enriching Destinations for Solo Female Travelers
Unfortunately, there are some places around the world where we do not recommend women travel alone because of prevalent safety issues.
Destinations like South Africa, Egypt, India, Turkey, and Colombia, while interesting places, can be dangerous for women on their own. But these locations are the perfect spots for a solo trip!
Iceland
Famous for its stunning landscapes and low crime rate, Iceland is a top destination for solo female travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty. Soak in hot springs, see the magic of the Northern Lights, or try eating a sheep’s head — eyeballs and all.
New Zealand
With its friendly locals and diverse outdoor activities, New Zealand offers a safe and welcoming environment for solo exploration. It’s actually amazing how friendly and welcoming New Zealanders can be toward tourists, so don’t be afraid to say “G’day!”
Japan
Renowned for its safety, efficient public transportation, and rich cultural experiences, Japan is an excellent choice for solo travelers. From the food to the architecture, it’s such an enriching place to visit if you want to experience something different.
Portugal
With its vibrant cities, beautiful coastlines, and welcoming atmosphere, Portugal is both safe and enriching for solo female travelers. There’s something for every kind of woman — historical sights, amazing food, vibrant festivals, stunning art, and much more.
Canada
Known for its friendly people and diverse landscapes, Canada provides a safe and enjoyable travel experience. Get some poutine and Tim Horton’s coffee (or not, it’s supposedly mediocre), and watch a hockey game at a lively bar!
Have Fun! But Stay Safe
While solo travel can be incredibly rewarding, it’s important to be aware of potential risks as a woman. It’s especially dangerous if you’re in a country where the social norms surrounding women are drastically different than most Western nations.
When traveling alone, you’re more likely to be subjected to unwanted attention, harassment, scam attempts, mugging, and other dangers. To stay safe, follow these tips:
- Always research your destination’s safety conditions
- Research your destination’s cultural customs and expectations
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your belongings secure
- Avoid risky areas, especially at night
- Share detailed travel plans with friends and family
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol
- Do not share personal information with strangers (even if they’re your new friends) such as your accommodation location and travel plans
There is no way to eliminate all risks while traveling, no matter your gender or who you’re with. However, you can take precautions to keep yourself safer.
A Trip for You, Yourself, and Yours
If the idea of a solo trip appeals to you, don’t wait any longer to make it happen. It doesn’t matter if your friends give you funny looks or people incredulously ask you “WHY?” you’d want to travel alone.
Solo travel as a woman offers unique opportunities for growth, empowerment, and adventure. With careful planning and an open mind, it can be a life-changing experience. So open up your calendar and get ready for a fabulous vacation with the one and only you.
How to Spot Travel Scams and Ensure a Smooth Vacation: 17 Tips For Traveling Safely
Planning vacations can be exciting, and nerve-wracking. Are we getting the best prices? Is it safe to travel where we want to go? How do we know if a site or business is reputable for making reservations? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently issued a cautionary message aimed at empowering travelers to distinguish between genuine opportunities and potential scams, and there are some well-known prudent approaches that we should all make sure to adhere to.
As you gear up for your much-anticipated trip, here’s a guide packed with invaluable insights to ensure a smooth, safe, and scam-free travel experience.
READ: How to Spot Travel Scams and Ensure a Smooth Vacation: 17 Tips For Traveling Safely
Your Guide To Landing Refreshed: Best Red-Eye Travel Strategies
Where are you traveling to? Somewhere exotic, or a favorite place you return to again and again? Are you taking an overnight “red-eye” flight? There is a reason why they call it a “red-eye”!
We asked some travel experts and frequent flyers for their best tips.Read: Your Guide To Landing Refreshed: Best Red-Eye Travel Strategies
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