There was a time when telling someone you were traveling alone earned you a concerned look followed by questions like, “But who are you going with?” and “Is that safe?” Then, followed by the advice, “You really shouldn’t go alone. I heard <insert country> is dangerous.” Sigh.
The answers: me, and I’m going to do my homework first.
Solo travel is having a moment and women are leading the way. According to Google, searches for “solo travel” reached an all-time high in 2026, while “women solo travel” hit a 15-year high. At the same time, searches for travel groups and tour groups also reached record levels.
Apparently, women want independence, but we would still like someone around to take our picture occasionally.
Solo Travel Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely
Traveling solo doesn’t mean spending an entire week silently eating room-service fries while watching television in a language you don’t understand. Unless that is your dream vacation, in which case, live your truth.
The beauty of solo travel is that you control the itinerary. You can visit the museum, skip the museum, sleep until noon or eat dessert before dinner without holding a committee meeting.
But traveling independently doesn’t mean avoiding people. Many solo travelers build connection into their trips through walking and food tours, cooking classes, small-group excursions, women-only travel groups and even staying at hostels or boutique hotels that have shared spaces.
Or even taking a local yoga or aerial class!
You get the freedom of traveling alone without having to spend every meal staring deeply into the breadbasket.
A Solo Trip Can Start Small
Your first solo adventure doesn’t need to involve three flights, a ferry and a questionable bus ride through the mountains. P.S. Maui is a great destination for a solo trip!
Start with something manageable: a nearby city, a weekend getaway or a destination where you already speak the language. Book a centrally located hotel, schedule one or two activities and leave yourself enough open time to explore.
The goal isn’t to prove that you can survive in the wilderness with nothing but a crossbody bag and a portable charger. It’s to discover how enjoyable travel can be when you get to make the decisions.
Plan for Safety, Not Fear
Women do have to think carefully about safety when traveling alone. That doesn’t mean staying home. It means traveling prepared.
Research the neighborhoods where you plan to stay, arrange transportation in advance when arriving late, and share your itinerary with someone you trust. Keep copies of important documents, watch your drinks and avoid announcing to strangers that no one knows where you are.
Most importantly, listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong, leave. You do not owe anyone politeness at the expense of your comfort or safety.
Find Your Version of Solo
Solo travel isn’t one specific kind of trip. You might spend most of the journey alone, join a group tour for several days or travel independently while booking local experiences along the way.
There is no prize for doing every part by yourself.
The best solo trip is the one that gives you the amount of freedom, structure and connection you actually want—not the trip that looks the most adventurous on Instagram.
Maybe It’s Time to Go
Solo travel gives women something we don’t always get enough of: the freedom to listen to ourselves.
You choose where to go, how long to stay and what matters to you. Along the way, you may meet new people, become more confident and learn that you are far more capable than you realized.
And if you get lost? Congratulations. You’re not lost, you’re having an “unexpected cultural immersion experience.”
So, take the walking tour. Reserve the table for one. Join the group excursion when you want company, and enjoy the quiet when you don’t.
You may leave home by yourself, but that doesn’t mean you’ll ever truly be alone.
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