Solo Female Travel: Why You Should Do It (and Why You Can)
Have you ever felt that you really want to just get out of where you are and experience something or someplace new? Well, guess what, you can! Even if that means doing it solo — solo female travel is more possible than many people think, and believe it or not, many more women are travelling solo now more than ever!
Travelling alone as a woman can sound intimidating, and yes, at times it is. But once you have taken that step and realised that, in fact, you can do it alone, you will be able to do it over and over again!
Of course, if you are not a woman and are feeling a little intimidated by solo travel then read on as this is for you too! I always wanted to travel and visit new destinations but finding people to go with who weren’t too busy or otherwise engaged was always a major set back.
I never really had a fear of going alone; I just didn’t think I could. When I started to travel solo; it made me more excited that I could do things for myself rather than having to rely on other people to do the things I wanted to do!
Take the Leap and Feel Empowered!
It is really an eye-opener realising that you yourself make the decisions, you can keep yourself safe, and you can have a great time on your own! I like to be alone. I like to be on my own time, no one rushing me around and no making compromises. Of course I like to share travel experiences but when you have many things you would like to do, sometimes it’s a more personal experience to just go and do them!
But there is always that fear, particularly as a female on her own in a foreign land where you don’t speak the language, overthink everything, don’t know what the people are like, and have no idea if you are sending yourself on an incredible adventure or putting yourself into some kind of danger!
Our brains are wired to expect the worst, to keep us safe, and protect us from harm. So yes, even stepping out the front door is a risk! But does that mean we shouldn’t do things purely ‘just in case’ something ‘might’ go wrong or be scary?
Solo Female Travel as a Dark Tourist
Solo travel for me is dark tourism; I am always on the lookout for historical places to visit as a dark tourist. You can find many places in the UK and Europe with dark historical roots.
As with any place you visit, stay safe, know where you are going, and enjoy soaking up the culture and history of the place you are visiting.
To read more about this blog and its roots in dark tourism, click this link here:
I feel being alone in a historical place with dark history or even ancient history is experienced on a much deeper level if you go alone. You have time to soak in what you are seeing, hearing, and witnessing.
As with most dark tourism sites, you will likely get a little emotional (if you are anything like me, you may shed a tear or two, as I have done on many an occasion on my adventures). This is fine; you are human, and these areas can be highly emotionally charged.
To read more about my dark tourism experiences as a solo female traveller, click any of the links below:
Staying Safe While Travelling Solo
There will always be some kind of fear when travelling solo, or even travelling full stop! There are things you can and should do to keep yourself safe while travelling.
Depending on where you decide to go, some places naturally are safer than others but you should always err on the side of caution, if something seems shifty, it probably is.
Always trust your your gut, our instincts have been guiding us since the beginning, so always pay attention.
Things you can do to Stay Safe while Travelling Solo
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Tell someone where you’re going – Let someone you trust know where you will be and when you’re due back. Check in with people along your journey.
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Stay aware of your surroundings – Don’t walk alone down unlit streets by yourself at night. you never know what or who could be lurking in the shadows! Don’t become complacent in busy surroundings, and don’t make yourself a target for pickpockets!
- Trust your instincts – Always! If something doesn’t feel right in a place, situation or with a person – leave! Our instincts are there for a reason, pay attention and use them!
- Do not drink too much alcohol – If you are in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people do not leave your drink alone (you do not want to get spiked!) and do not drink too much alcohol. Have a good time but be wary while doing so – substances reduce your inhibitions, make you more likely to take risks, and leave you vulnerable to predators.
- Keep your valuables safe – Take out only what you need. I always keep a separate card with my passport in a secure location (if you don’t need to take it out wth you – some countries require ID on you at all times).
- Be wary of transport and accommodation – Make sure your accommodation is legitimate before travelling, as there can be accommodation listings that don’t actually exist! Always make sure your accommodation exists before travelling, and always book your own taxi if needed, as on-street taxis could be fake or charge you a lot more than they should!
- Keep a copy of your important documents – Keep a copy of your passport number, travel insurance reference and contact numbers, local emergency numbers, and accommodation and travel details as a backup just in case!
As long as you are staying safe, not putting yourself in danger, trusting your instincts, and not walking down dark alleys in the middle of the night after partying into the early hours, chances are you will be fine.
While seeing the world and having amazing, enlightening experiences is the reason to travel, staying safe is the most important part of travelling solo (or travelling in general!).
For your peace of mind, I’ve written a full guide with my top safety tips for solo female travellers, which you can find here! [link here].
The Fears of Travelling Solo
There are many fears that arise when travelling solo for the first time (or second, or third!) but it does get easier the more you do it and know you can look after yourself. I have addressed some common fears for solo travellers below and what you can do to overcome them.
Worrying about getting Lost, Lonely, or things going Wrong?
At times, yes, you will get lonely but this will pass. Yes, things are likely to go wrong (especially if you are travelling for long periods of time or are visiting multiple destinations).
And if you’re anything like me, then you will probably get a little lost too from time to time.
But these are all things that can happen during your everyday life, so why let that stop you from experiencing new places out of fear?
Instead, ask yourself: what could go right? What amazing experience will I have travelling solo as a woman??
How amazed with myself will I feel when I have actually taken that step and proved to myself that, in fact, I can do that alone, on my own time and by making my own decisions.
Will I be Bored?
Honestly, you’re in an entirely new place. If you’ve researched that it’s not a barren land or cardboard box you’re going to, then no, you will not be bored. There is always something to do.
What I have found is that rather than being bored, there isn’t enough time to do all the things you could be doing if you had more time. Even when travelling alone, you will be surprised how quickly you can fill your day with all the incredible things you can do all by your yourself!
Embarrassed about going Alone?
Would you rather spend the week at home watching Netflix, experiencing nothing new, for the sake of being embarrassed about what people might or might not think? In fact, people will think you are brave!
Think about what it will do for your inner self, knowing that you can do things even though you thought you couldn’t. Why let what people might think affect the decisions you make in your own life?
A little food for thought.
No one wants to go with me?
If your friends are busy, if your sister says she’ll go with you but never follows through, if your partner doesn’t like going anywhere or can’t for whatever reason, it is time to think about going on your own.
If you have a good relationship, they will understand. If not, then it’s probably time to have a conversation about why it’s important to you. You only have one life. Live it.
Navigating Public Transport Abroad
This can be a nerve-racking thing to do, and the thing that makes me personally the most nervous.
This is when my fear brain kicks in with all these questions:
- ‘How do you know where you are going?’
- ‘How do you know where to get a ticket?’
- ‘What happens if you get the wrong ticket?’
- ‘What happens if your transport doesn’t arrive?’
- ‘What happens if you get on the wrong train?’
To be perfectly honest, all of these things can happen and actually I have experienced each of these things first hand, some on multiple occasions! The trick is in how you react to the situation and to Keep Calm! This wasn’t always easy for me, and after having a few travel mishaps, I have learnt that the best thing to do is to Not Panic!
I like to get to my destination; the most nervous part of travel for me is the actual travel part! But you will never know until you go. There is a wealth of information out there to help you with your questions, niggles, and fears, and as long as you are prepared, then you will be fine!
Some places are more difficult than others to navigate (like Prague’s Main Station), but it’s also so exciting to be a solo traveller going on your very own adventure! This journey is yours and yours alone, which is what makes it so exciting!
Overcoming the Fears of Travelling Solo
These fears are all real, but if we always made decisions (or didn’t make decisions) based on fear, then we would do nothing at all. Do you really want to live the same day over and over again, or do you want to be brave and go see the world? Whatever that looks like to you.
Fear and anxiety are good. They tell us what we should pay attention to in order to keep ourselves safe. If they made the decisions, we would be wrapped in bubble wrap and would never be allowed to leave the safety of our own homes.
Luckily, we can make the decisions for ourselves.
As long as you are prepared, and are keeping yourself safe, then these fears can remain what they are. Thoughts. Sometimes terrifying thoughts, but just that. The more energy you put into something, the more it manifests. So don’t be scared, be excited!
(read my complete guide to travel preparation here)
Solo Female Travel - Is it Worth it?
If I had made decisions based on what fears I had, I would not have gone on a Spiritual Pilgrimage and walked 500 miles through Spain, completing the Camino de Santiago and met incredible people along the way. Solo female travel taught me to trust myself and embrace the unknown.
I would not have city-hopped through Europe and trusted myself to know what to do when things did go wrong (which they did!). I wouldn’t have learnt how to look after chickens and taken care of two beautiful Belgian Shepherds on a house sit in Austria.
I wouldn’t have learnt so much more about myself, and the World, and I wouldn’t have these stories to tell you today and the memories to relive when I am an old lady sitting on the bench outside my house drinking a cup of tea in the sunshine!
Whatever your reasons are for travelling, here are my top 5 reasons why you should absolutely travel solo at least once in your life!
Top 5 Reasons why Solo Female Travel is Worth It!
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You become more confident and independent – Navigating new places, making your own decisions and dealing with things when they go wrong shows you just how capable you really are.
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You don’t have to wait for anyone else – Friends are busy, partners might not want to go, and family might have other commitments. Solo travel means you can stop waiting and start experiencing the places you want to see for yourself!
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You have complete freedom – You decide where to go, what to see, when to eat, when to rest and when to change your plans. No compromises, no rushing around because someone else is ready to leave!
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You discover more about yourself – Being outside your normal routine and comfort zone gives you the chance to learn what you enjoy, what you are capable of and what really matters to you.
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You create memories and experiences that are completely your own – There is something incredibly rewarding about looking back and knowing you made it happen. You were nervous, you went anyway, and now you have a story to tell.
Embrace the Unknown - You can do it too!
You are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. So if you want to see the world but have no one to see it with for whatever reason, just know that you can do it solo!
There are many different types of travel and many different types of travellers, so picking which type of traveller you are is the first step to your new solo traveller lifestyle.
You could be a Foodie, a Culture Vulture, a Dark Tourist, an Adventure Seeker, or a mixture of many! You could even purely visit a place because you just want to!
Your journey, your rules!
{If you are interested in culture and Dark History, then this post is for you!}
Tips for First-Time Solo Travellers
If you are nervous about going somewhere that you don’t speak the language and you haven’t been to a place on your own before, go somewhere they speak your language or one you are familiar with. Go somewhere that’s not too far from home to test the waters, and you’ll realise that it’s really not as scary as it seems!
If you do go to a country where you don’t know the language, learn a few common phrases and greetings such as “Hello” and “Goodbye”, “Thank You”, “Where is the toilet?” etc. Common phrases are incredibly beneficial when navigating a foreign country. Chances are, if you stick to tourist spots, then you will find people who speak English – it is a universal language and helpful for solo travellers but is it also polite to know how to say hello to the natives of the country you are visiting. I actually didn’t learn any of the local language when I went on my first solo travel adventure, and I can tell you now, I really wish I had done!
It also isn’t a very trustworthy presumption that you will find English speakers in every city, as there have been many European cities I have visited where there have not been English speakers in shops etc. Once you get even remotely out of the city, English speakers will be few and far between and will likely be other travellers if you come across them! But of course, it all depends where you choose to go!
Always trust your gut and leave a place, person or situation if you feel uncomfortable. You do not need to justify yourself, just leave! It’s good to mingle and be around the busy streets, but if you are feeling overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or anything other than excited and happy then you can always leave. Remember, you are on your own clock and on your own journey!
Keep all your important documents in a safe place and have copies if you can. Noting down things like passport number, travel insurance details, emergency contacts etc in a safe place away from the original documents so you can access them if needed and you have a copy of all your important details.
Be sure of yourself, but also have fun and enjoy yourself!
{You can read my full Safety Guide for solo travellers here:}
Making Friends While Travelling Solo
Depending on where you are going, there will most likely be other people travelling there too. There are many ways to meet up with people who are on a similar adventure, if you want company.
With so many apps and the Internet, you can find people to meet up with on your travels or meet people organically, such as through an activity, going on a walking tour, or staying somewhere that is known for solo travellers such as in a hostel, or even going on an organised group trip!
Travelling solo doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do everything by yourself.
You’ll be surprised how many solo travellers you meet along the way.
You can use Apps like Couchsurfing and Meetup, amongst others to find local gatherings for both locals and travellers. Get togethers are often hosted at bars and cafes and are worth checking out.
Remember, you can always leave if you need to!
Remember, it’s not just people you can make friends with while you are travelling! Cats are my spirit animal and they always seem to find me when I need some company! People are great to meet, but cats are too! I met this cute little ginger cat whilst exploring Čachtice Castle in Slovakia, and have met many more cute little souls along my travels.
You can find friends in expected and unexpected places such as on the train, which is where I met Hannah below, who I met on the train from Budapest to Bratislava in 2025. She had been travelling for two years and had a wealth of stories to tell. We spent the day in Bratislava hiking and exploring. Another beautiful soul!
Want to go but Think It’s Not the 'Right' Time?
With many things in life, it will never be ‘the right time’. If you find yourself waiting for that one friend who keeps saying they’ll go with you, that family member who says the same, when you are feeling confident, when you’ve finished binge-watching all the movies on Netflix, when you get that promotion, when your son/daughter turns 18—you will be waiting forever.
Before you know it, you will have done none of it out of the fear of it not being ’The right time’. If you are a single parent, take your child on holiday!
When I walked the Camino de Santiago, I met a single mum who (with her mother) walked the 500 miles that I did with her 4-year-old son! This was actually the second Camino that she had walked with her son; be it a shorter route the first time, she still walked over 100 miles with her 1-year-old son, solo!
I know this wouldn’t be everyones cup of tea, but I’m sure you can appreciate the tenacity and drive of this incredible woman, and many others like her!
Final Thoughts: Just Do It!
It is time to get planning! Where will you be going on your adventure?
For any nervous travellers, all of the fears listed in this blog post are real. But you can also navigate all of them. Whether you are a solo female traveller or otherwise, staying safe is your number one priority – but don’t let the fear prevent you from living your life and seeing the World.
Book that ticket, and Go for an Amazing Adventure!
I will be posting a wealth of information on this blog to help you out on your future adventures! These will include:
- Travel tips
- How to navigate public transport in European countries
- Personal accounts of the places I have been
- My own recommendations on Dark History and Ancient Magical locations
- What I have learned about specific places and reasons why you should visit them too!
There is plenty of time for watching Netflix in the comfort of your own home, having dinner with friends, and scrolling social media!
Get out of your comfort zone, get that bag packed, and go make some memories for your own ‘Old You’!
Happy travelling!
Louise X