I started traveling solo when I was 28. After all these years, I can honestly say that I often prefer traveling alone to traveling in a group. Solo travel gives you complete freedom, but it also teaches you a lot about yourself. You have to make your own decisions, solve your own problems and deal with your own thoughts and moods. Not every moment is exciting, but that is part of the experience too. Over the years, I have become comfortable eating alone, planning my own routes and arriving in places where I do not know anyone. I have also met some of the most interesting people during my solo travel experiences. These are my honest solo travel tips for women, based on what has worked for me.
Why I prefer traveling alone
My daily life is social and often busy. I am a friend, sister, daughter, colleague and neighbor. When I travel, I enjoy having time that is completely mine. That does not mean I dislike traveling with other people. A trip together can be wonderful, but it always involves compromises. You may want to visit a market while the other person prefers the beach. One person wants an early start, while the other would rather sleep late. When you travel alone, you can change your plans without discussing them with anyone. You can stay longer in a place you love, skip an attraction that does not interest you or spend half the afternoon drinking coffee and watching the world go by. That freedom is one of the main reasons I keep choosing solo travel.
My 10 solo travel tips for women
1. Make the trip your own
Solo travel is one of the few times when you can plan everything around your own interests. It may sound selfish, but I see it as valuable me time. You decide where to stay, what to eat and how quickly you travel. You can fill your day with activities or do almost nothing. There is no need to keep another person entertained or feel guilty when you change your mind. Use that freedom. Do not copy someone else’s perfect itinerary if it does not suit you.
2. Learn to enjoy your own company
Traveling alone means spending a lot of time with yourself. That can feel strange at first, especially if you are used to always having people around you. You will have to entertain yourself during meals, long journeys and quiet evenings. You will also notice your own thoughts and moods more because there is no travel companion to distract you. That is not always comfortable, but it can teach you a lot. Over time, you become better at recognizing what you need. Sometimes that is an activity or some company. On other days, it may simply be an early night and a little rest.
3. Be open to contact
One of the biggest surprises of traveling alone is how easy it can be to meet people. When you are traveling with someone else, you naturally talk to each other. As a solo traveler, you are more approachable and often more open to starting a conversation. I talk to other travelers and local people in cafés, hotels, on tours and during transport. Not everyone wants to chat, and you usually notice that quickly enough. But many people are happy to share a story or offer a useful local tip. Some meetings last only ten minutes. Others turn into friendships that continue through social media long after the trip has ended.
4. Make dining alone comfortable
Eating alone in a restaurant is something many new solo travelers worry about. I do not mind it, although some restaurants feel more comfortable than others. A seat at the bar is often a good choice. You can watch the bartenders or kitchen staff working, and it feels less formal than sitting alone at a large table. Outdoor terraces and busy cafés are also good places for people-watching. I often bring my travel diary and write about what happened that day. You can also bring a book, look through your photos or plan the next part of your trip. Sometimes restaurants place solo travelers together at one table. I have had surprisingly fun evenings this way.
5. Choose accommodation that suits you
In my earlier solo travel years, I often booked a private room in a hostel. It gave me my own space while the shared areas made it easy to meet other travelers. These days, I usually prefer a small boutique hotel or guesthouse. The atmosphere is calmer, the service is more personal and there is often still enough contact with the owners or other guests. Large hotels can sometimes feel anonymous when you are alone. Smaller places usually make it easier to ask questions, get local recommendations or have a short conversation at breakfast. Choose a place where you feel comfortable. A party hostel is not automatically more social if you dislike the atmosphere, and an expensive hotel is not automatically better.
6. Book activities with other people
You do not have to arrange every day by yourself. Small-group activities are an easy way to meet people without committing to an entire group holiday. I have joined boat trips, hiking tours, cooking classes, surf lessons and shared shuttle transfers. You already have something to talk about because everyone is taking part in the same activity. I prefer smaller groups. They usually feel more personal, and it is easier to start a conversation than on a coach filled with fifty people. A group activity can be especially welcome after several days on your own.
7. Use your interests to connect
Doing something you genuinely enjoy makes it much easier to connect with people. Surfing has often helped me meet others while traveling. I can rent a board, visit a local surf shop or ask about the swell, tide and currents. Those conversations provide useful information and often lead to contact with local surfers or other travelers. Your interest does not have to be surfing. It could be photography, yoga, food, hiking, diving or shopping at local markets. Find an activity that feels natural to you. Meeting people is easier when you already share an interest.
8. Be realistic about solo travel costs
Solo travel can give you more control over your budget. You decide where to eat, which activities are worth paying for and whether you want a proper dinner or just a simple snack. Traveling with someone who has a very different budget can sometimes be difficult. One person may want luxury hotels and expensive restaurants, while the other prefers to spend money on experiences. However, solo travel is not always cheaper. You cannot divide the cost of a hotel room, taxi or rental car. Some tours and accommodations also charge a single supplement. I usually balance this by spending more on the things that matter to me and saving on things I care less about.
9. Learn a little of the local language
Traveling alone has greatly improved my English. My Spanish has also become better bit by bit through traveling and speaking to people. You do not need to speak a language fluently. Even a few basic words can make it easier to start a conversation with local people. Learn how to say hello, thank you, order something and ask a simple question. People usually appreciate the effort, even when your pronunciation is far from perfect. Speaking some of the local language has helped me make contact, understand a place better and receive tips I might otherwise have missed. I still use Spanish when chatting with friends I met during my travels. That way, the learning and the connection continue after the trip.
10. Give your confidence time to grow
You do not have to feel fearless before taking a solo trip. Confidence often develops because you travel, not before you leave. Every time you find your hotel, arrange transport or solve a problem by yourself, you collect a little evidence that you can handle things. The next unfamiliar situation becomes easier because you have dealt with something similar before. People sometimes tell me they think it is brave that I travel alone. I understand what they mean, but solo travel no longer feels unusual to me. It has simply become the way I prefer to travel. That quiet confidence is one of the best things solo travel has given me.
Is solo travel ever lonely?
Yes, it can be. Traveling alone does not mean every day is perfect. There may be moments when you miss having someone beside you. A long travel day, disappointing accommodation or a bad meal can feel heavier when there is nobody there to laugh about it with. Feeling lonely for an evening does not mean the entire trip was a mistake. Book an activity, call someone at home, return to a café where you felt comfortable or give yourself permission to rest. There is also an important difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Some of my favorite travel moments have happened while I was completely by myself.
What about safety when traveling alone?
Feeling confident does not mean ignoring safety. I prepare my trips carefully, ask local advice and make practical choices, especially when arriving somewhere new. Safety deserves more than one short paragraph, so I have written a separate guide about protecting your belongings, arranging transport and preparing for emergencies.
Read my practical travel safety tips before your next solo trip.
My final thoughts on solo travel
Solo travel will not suit everyone, and there is nothing wrong with preferring company. But you should not avoid a destination simply because nobody is available to go with you. Start with a short city trip or a destination where you feel comfortable. You do not need to prove anything by choosing the most difficult journey possible. One thought has stayed with me throughout my travels: the people you meet already have something in common with you. You chose to be in the same place at the same time. That is often enough to start a conversation.
After years of traveling alone, I still enjoy the freedom, the unexpected meetings and the feeling that the trip is completely mine. For me, that outweighs the occasional lonely dinner or difficult day. And yes, I still prefer it to traveling in a group!!! Follow my solo travel experiences and latest trips on Instagram.
What will be your next solo destination? Japan or Nicaragua, perhaps? Explore my travel destinations here.
