10 Myths Busted! The Real Benefits of Solo Travel for Women
Myths and Benefits of Solo Travel
Benefits of Solo Travel? Wait, what!?!?
But I’m not some fearless college backpacker!
What would my family think?
What if I got lost?
Will I feel safe?
I’d feel so guilty!
I have a partner, why would I not want to go with him/her?
I’m too old.
Won’t I feel lonely?
I’d be too bloody scared to leave my hotel!
This is just a crazy idea!
If a little voice on your shoulder popped up and used any of these excuses - you are not alone. These same questions and anxieties plague many women considering travelling alone - amplified in mature women! Then, when we finally get the nerve to say we WANT to travel solo, friends, family, and perfect strangers seem to have an opinion about it.
I was 51 when I went on my first solo adventure. While I was inspired by other women who travel solo, I admit to being initially intimidated by some solo travellers' accounts of their edgy, jaw-dropping travels to faraway places. It seemed so intense, overwhelming and impossible. But solo travel is not always a quest or pilgrimage, nor is it always foreign or exotic. ‘Solo’ is simply that - embarking on a trip yourself rather than with your usual travelling companions or as part of a group. It doesn’t mean you won't meet and interact with people along the way but simply that your destinations, itinerary, obligations and expectations are to a single person: yourself. Join a group as you like or simply enjoy your solitude - the choice is yours.
While a solo trip CAN be jaw-dropping and exotic, I personally was not ready for an extreme leap for my first trip. Instead, I decided to approach it MY way by blending my travel coaching knowledge, the science of comfort zones, and my commitment to being intentional with my travel time and dollars. I'm still on my solo travel growth journey and have committed myself to “go solo” at least once a year. I nudge myself a little further out of my comfort zone with every trip - because that's what works for me.
Solo travel can be incredibly enriching and empowering, but it comes with its fair share of myths. Let's debunk the top 10 and highlight and celebrate the real benefits of solo travel for women!
Myth: Unless you are alone in an exotic place, it doesn’t “count”.
Discover your inner poet in a cabin in the woods - why not!?
Truth: Every time I read a question posted in a Solo Travel over 50 Facebook Group that says “Does going on a weekend away count?” or “Does being alone but on a tour count?” my heart breaks a little. Of course, it counts! These women should be proud of their solo adventures, whatever they look like without feeling diminished by comparing themselves to others.
The benefit of solo travel: Solo travel can look like what you need it to look like. The options are endless. Whether it's volunteering with non-profit organizations, immersing oneself in art or yoga retreats, undertaking language lessons, joining other solo women on tour, walking the Camino as a pilgrim, wandering the streets of Paris, or simply finding solace in a secluded cabin in the woods to discover one's inner poet – the choice is yours!
2. Myth: It's lonely and hard.
Truth: Solo travel can be as social or solitary as you want it to be. Travelling on your own can lead to meeting new people but it doesn’t have to. If connecting with others is part of your intention, there are strategies to make that happen and to avoid feeling lonely. If spending quality time with yourself is the priority, then it is about being alone not lonely! As for the notion that solo travel is hard… Travel isn’t ever a picnic 100% of the time. It calls for problem-solving, being flexible, and changing expectations. You can’t “share” the workload with another person when solo, but you have the beauty of being flexible and fully independent.
The benefit of solo travel: Your solo adventure will lead to trying new things and gaining confidence in your own company. The time will allow self-reflection, introspection, and reconnection with your thoughts and emotions without distractions. Then, when things get challenging, you’ll figure it out because everything is figureoutable. The feeling of confidence and being capable is enormously empowering and builds resilience.
3. Myth: You have to be an extrovert
Me with no-one around for miles!
Truth: Extroverts indeed find it easier to meet people but Introverts (me included) are often better at embracing time alone and once we meet people, we can connect deeply. It goes back to your solo adventure intention. Is the trip about connection with others or is it about being with yourself? Strategies for either are easy to learn before you go and your itinerary can be designed to support whatever outcome you are after. My first solo trip was definitely about being alone. I rarely saw anyone on my 4-day long-distance walk. My second trip, on the other hand, was to a big city where there were many opportunities to interact with others. Additionally, to ensure I broke out of my introverted shell, I arranged an outing with a fellow travel blogger.
The benefit of solo travel: Traveling alone frees you from expectations and allows you to fully embrace your preferences, interests, and pace without compromise.
4. Myth: It's too dangerous.
Truth: Safety is a priority at any age. With proper planning, awareness, and research, solo travel can be as safe for older women as it is for anyone else. Safety tips and strategies go a long way to easing this fear: from getting the right travel insurance to being able to manage your luggage without assistance, to what to pack and what NOT to say on social media.
The benefit of solo travel: Solo travel encourages you to be more cautious and mindful of your surroundings, promoting personal safety through planning, research, and being respectful of local customs and laws.
5. Myth: It's too expensive.
Truth: Travel costs vary widely depending on where and how you travel. With some effort, you can find budget-friendly accommodation options, use local transportation, and choose off-peak times to travel. Some tours, cruises and many hotels are frustratingly only priced based on double occupancy, but there are tricks and tactics to find what you are looking for without doling out extra money for being solo.
The benefit of solo travel: Despite the myth, travelling alone often allows for greater flexibility in budgeting, as you can choose accommodation, dining, and activities that fit your financial means without compromising on quality or experience.
6. Myth: You'll get lost.
Truth: OK this is true…but not as a barrier to solo travel. Quite seriously, travellers get lost whether on their own or with companions. Getting lost is part of the adventure! I encourage getting lost as a valid itinerary activity! Besides, smartphones (with a local e-sim for data) make navigation easier than ever so you can get yourself un-lost. Local maps, language apps, and asking locals for directions can also be helpful as well as fun.
The benefit of solo travel: When you are on your own - you keep your own schedule! Get lost if you want to…and stay lost until you’ve had enough!
7. Myth: You're too old.
Travel to stay young at heart.
Truth: Blasphemy! Age is just a number. Contrary to common misconceptions, solo travel is not just for 20-somethings during college. Did you know that the average age of solo female travellers is 47? It's never too late to explore the world! In fact, many women find solo travel later in life to be incredibly fulfilling and liberating. Embrace the opportunity to discover new places and yourself. Besides, people travel in many different ways and you can choose to rough it with a tent or hostel but you can also find quaint inns, apartments, or luxury hotels. Other factors far more influential on how (not if) to travel are health, fitness level, budget, and a willingness to try new things! Mature women travelling alone for the first time have unique barriers to overcome than those who went solo in their twenties, but those barriers are usually related to identity and confidence and all are surmountable.
The benefit of solo travel: Dare I say that solo travel will keep you young at heart! Exploring new places alone fosters a sense of wonder, encourages spontaneity, and promotes a youthful mindset by embracing new experiences and challenges.
8. Myth: Solo travel is only for single, divorced, or widowed women.
Truth: Solo travel is a type of travel and is not reserved for a certain relationship status. You don’t have to wait to be unattached to go solo! Traveling alone while in a relationship does come with extra considerations but the benefits are many. My favourite travel partner is my husband, but I also like to travel both with a friend and alone. You don’t have to pick one way! There are ways to prepare your partner and communicate about your interest in solo travelling without hurt feelings or misunderstandings. It is not as uncommon as you might think. A 2022 tour operator reported that 85% of their 19,000 annual solo customers were women, and 60% of those who travelled solo were married and travelling alone.
The benefit of solo travel: Solo travel is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of relationship status, providing opportunities for personal growth, discovery, and adventure tailored to individual interests.
9. Myth: It's selfish to travel alone at this age.
Truth: Baloney! Taking time for yourself and pursuing your passions is not selfish—it's self-care and personal development. At the risk of reinforcing stereotypes, it is quite likely that women who have hit the mid-century mark have selflessly done a lot for their families, in their work, and around their community. Some time alone is well-deserved.
The benefit of solo travel: Solo travel can be a wonderful way to recharge, gain perspective, and feel refreshed and inspired. Travelling alone allows you to create an itinerary that provides an unparalleled sense of freedom and self-discovery. Solo travellers can hyper-personalize a trip to align with their interests, values, and aspirations.
10. You'll be judged for travelling alone.
Truth: Solo travel is becoming increasingly common and accepted across all age groups. Despite the doubts and fears of people who love you, generally, people admire the courage and independence it takes to break out of expectations and explore the world solo. Any forms of judgement you experience will be grounded in their fear as they try to see themselves in your actions. When someone else doesn’t think they would like it or could do it, their reaction can get twisted to sound like they think you won’t like it or can’t do it.
The benefit of solo travel: Solo travellers often inspire others by demonstrating independence, courage, and a thirst for exploration, encouraging individuals to step outside their comfort zones and pursue their travel dreams.
Remember, every journey is a chance to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. So, pack your bags, embrace the adventure, and enjoy the freedom of solo travel at any age!
If you’re thinking about going solo for the first time and you could use some friendly support, learn more about Go Solo and Thrive. It is a 6-week project that gathers a small group of women in a positive community of encouragement and assistance to design, book, and go on their first solo journeys. A series of facilitated online sessions culminate in a joyous celebration after everyone completes their adventures.
Have you heard any other reasons or excuses NOT to go solo? Or have any additional benefits to add?
Comment below what you’ve been told by someone or by that little voice on your shoulder!
