Let me start by saying this: the fear of solo travel is totally normal.
The first time I ever booked a solo trip, I was sitting in front of my laptop—cursor hovering over the “confirm booking” button—sweating. I had all the tabs open: top safety tips, best countries for solo female travel, even local emergency contacts. I was deep in the rabbit hole of overthinking.
I wasn’t just worried about logistics. It was the bigger fears that paralyzed me—what if I got lost? What if I felt lonely? What if something went wrong and I had no one to turn to?
But here’s the truth: that fear you’re feeling? It’s just the edge of a breakthrough. Once you push past it, solo travel becomes one of the most empowering things you can do—for your life, your confidence, and yes, even your career.
Let’s unpack those fears together, and I’ll show you how to step through them.
When people say they’re scared to travel alone, it’s rarely just about being alone. It’s about:
· Safety: Especially for solo trips for women, personal safety is a top concern.
· Loneliness: The fear that you'll feel isolated or bored without someone to share the experience with.
· Getting lost or overwhelmed: Navigating a new country, new culture, and new language alone can feel like a lot.
But naming your fears is powerful. Once you know what’s really holding you back, you can actually prepare for it.
For example, if safety is your biggest worry, focus on destinations that are known for being safe for solo travelers (hint: Portugal, Japan, and New Zealand are great starts). If you're scared of getting lonely, consider joining solo travel groups or communities that connect travelers before and during trips.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got: solo travel doesn’t have to mean international travel. Your first trip can be a weekend getaway in your own country, or even a day trip to a nearby city. That counts!
Starting small helps build your confidence without throwing you straight into the deep end. It gives you a taste of what solo travel feels like—and spoiler alert—it feels amazing once you stop second-guessing yourself.
Yes, planning is important, especially if you’re venturing into solo female travel. But don’t fall into the trap of trying to control every detail. Part of the magic of traveling solo is serendipity—the spontaneous conversations, the surprising detours, the “this wasn’t on the itinerary but I’m doing it anyway” moments.
Have your basics covered:
· Accommodation with good reviews
· Local emergency numbers saved
· A rough idea of your daily plans
· Travel insurance (yes, always)
Then leave some space to explore. You’re not reporting to anyone—this is your trip.
Solo doesn’t mean solitary.
I’ve had some of the most meaningful conversations in my life while traveling solo. From chatting with fellow travelers at hostels to sharing meals with locals I met through Airbnb Experiences, solo travel opens up connections that group travel often doesn’t.
If you’re more social, check out solo travel groups like:
· Girls LOVE Travel (Facebook community)
· The Solo Female Traveler Network
· Meetup groups in the city you’re visiting
You’ll be surprised how many others are out there doing exactly what you’re doing—and loving it.
Yes, you might sit alone at a café and feel a little weird at first. Or fumble through a conversation with a cab driver in a different language. But you know what?
That’s growth.
Solo travel forces you to rely on yourself—and that self-reliance spills into every other area of your life. I’ve seen it in my own career. The confidence I built navigating a foreign city solo? It helped me lead my first project at work, pitch my own ideas, and even transition into tech with zero fear.
Every awkward, uncertain moment is shaping a more confident version of you. Embrace it.
There’s this quiet revolution happening. Solo travel for women is no longer rare—it’s becoming the norm. Women of all ages are saying yes to solo trips, choosing freedom, self-exploration, and growth over waiting for the “right time” or the “right travel buddy.”
And you don’t need to do it alone if you don’t want to. There are curated solo trips for women through platforms like Intrepid Travel, Flash Pack, and G Adventures, designed with safety and community in mind.
You belong out there, too. Whether it’s hiking through Iceland, sipping espresso in Rome, or journaling on a beach in Bali—you deserve that experience.
If you’re reading this, you’re already halfway there. You’re curious. You’re craving something more. You just need a little push.
So here it is: book the ticket. Even if it’s for three months from now. Even if it’s just one night away. That act alone will break the fear cycle.
Remember, solo travel isn’t about being alone. It’s about discovering who you are when the world is wide open and no one’s watching. And trust me—that version of you? She’s incredible.