I was born in a place where opportunities to travel abroad were limited for most people, and I was among those unable to do so. But as time passed and circumstances changed, the chance to explore the world became possible for those ready to take the leap.
In 2013, at the age of 31, I flew on a plane for the first time in my life. For a month, I traveled alone in Spain, and at the end of that solo trip, I arrived in Mexico.
I had a one-way ticket, a suitcase, and a camera backpack. I knew basic Spanish and had money to cover only three months of stay. I didn’t have a precise plan, but I had a strong desire to stay and build a life in Cancun. And I did. Read the full story in the article “How traveling solo with a one-way ticket changed my life”
At 39, with a big milestone approaching, I found myself at another pivotal moment in life. It felt like the right time to share my journey and offer insights about solo female travel based on my experiences.
As I began reflecting on my female solo traveling, one of the first questions I asked myself was: when did my passion for this begin?
Looking back, I remembered a moment when I was 23, working a summer job at a woman-owned hostel in the heart of the city. I worked the day shift and had the chance to meet many solo travelers from Europe and the United States.
One day, a man in his 70s arrived at the hostel, and while I was checking him in, we struck up a pleasant conversation. He shared stories about the many countries he’d visited, and as we wrapped up, he said something that stayed with me:
“I’ve been to more than 40 countries, and I’ve realized that the world is so vast, one lifetime isn’t enough to see it all. But I keep trying!”
It wasn’t until after my divorce, though, that I finally decided it was my turn to start exploring the world.
One winter morning, while exercising at the gym, I had a sudden realization: “I’m 30 years old, and I’ve never traveled on a plane. How did that happen?” I was stunned and felt a bit of cultural shock. As I thought about it, I tried to understand why traveling solo had never crossed my mind, and the only reasonable explanation I could find was, “I never dreamt of traveling alone as a woman.” And you can only achieve what you dare to dream, so I started dreaming of taking trip alone.
Many activities in life are interesting, but only a few are truly captivating. These experiences require discovery, something that has always existed but feels new to you. Female solo travel fits that description perfectly.
Humans developed the capacity for travel over 70,000 years ago, when it was driven by necessity rather than luxury. Back then, our ancestors migrated from place to place in search of better climates and food. In the 21st century, we travel for work, pleasure, and self-discovery.
While the reasons have evolved, the essence remains the same—movement between distant locations. According to Merriam-Webster, the word “travel” comes from the French word “travail” and was first used in the 14th century.
Solo travel for women became more accessible at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, a history partly explored in the book The Women I Think About at Night: Traveling the Paths of My Heroes by Mia Kankimäki, which I enjoyed reading.
Recent studies show that women are now more likely to travel solo than men, and the numbers continue to grow. Are we more courageous? I like to think so, though I don’t consider courage when I’m traveling alone. Instead, I focus on embracing the new environment, seeking out the unique details that reveal a culture’s secrets.
I see solo travel as a deeply nurturing experience—a time to reconnect with my inner self and find inspiration to answer the question, “What’s next?”
But enough about the personal memoir. Let’s get to the practical side of traveling alone as a woman. The following information is based on my personal experiences.
How to plan your first female solo trip?
- Step by step. If you’ve never traveled before, start by visiting a place close to your hometown. This will help you build confidence before embarking on a bigger journey. Before my solo trip to Spain, I traveled to Finland several times. It’s the closest foreign country, and the drive takes about 5–6 hours.
- Don’t postpone—commit! Buy a non-refundable plane ticket. I purchased my ticket to Barcelona five months in advance. It was cost-effective and served as a motivational beacon, helping me plan every step of my solo trip. Visualization is great, but the magic happens when you take action!
- Take time to choose your accommodation wisely. During my trip to Spain, I stayed in hostels, which worked out well. I was already familiar with the “hostel culture” in Europe, so I felt comfortable. Websites like Booking.com and Kayak provide detailed reviews, and the “Map” feature is particularly useful for checking the location.
- Protect your documents, cards, and cash. This is a crucial step for ensuring the financial stability of your trip. Keep everything secure so you can fully enjoy exploring new cities with peace of mind.
- Manage your expectations. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from solo travel is that the less you expect, the more enjoyable the experience. I always create a list of sights I want to visit, but I avoid over-visualizing the excitement. Living it in your mind beforehand can take away from the actual joy of the moment.
- Keep your accommodation details private. You can enjoy pleasant conversations without revealing the exact location of where you’re staying. Prioritizing your safety is key.
- Walk, explore, and talk to people. During my female solo trip to Spain in 2013, I used a printed map (yes, you guessed right—Google Maps wasn’t available on my old Samsung phone), and it was a lot of fun. I felt like a true explorer, searching for hidden treasures. I’m not particularly skilled at reading maps, but necessity is a great teacher. Walking is the best way to discover a city’s hidden gems, and talking to locals can provide valuable insights—they know exactly where to find those treasures.
- Bring a portable charger. After my recent solo trip to New York, I’ve added two essentials to my list: comfortable shoes and a portable phone charger. I spent hours each day exploring the city and taking countless photos with my iPhone, and a portable charger would have been a lifesaver. I’ll definitely bring one on my next trip.
- Choose your destination with intention. Finland was my first foreign destination due to its convenient location and great food (especially the salmon!). Spain, on the other hand, was tied to romance, butterflies, and dreams (you know what I mean!). I’ll share more about that in a future article. Whatever country you choose, having a purpose beyond just sightseeing adds deeper meaning to the journey.
- Write in a diary or journal. A new place, with its unique environment, culture, views, and scents, can spark fresh thoughts and ideas. I always bring a diary to capture these moments in words. There’s something romantic about writing with a nice pen in a well-crafted journal. Call me old-fashioned, but I find that putting my thoughts on paper adds a special joy to the trip.
- Be prepared to turn off your phone and truly observe your surroundings. While I love taking photos with my phone, sometimes switching it to Silent mode and focusing on the present moment helps you notice details you might otherwise miss.
- Keep it small. Share your solo travel plans only with people you trust and who will support you. When planning my trip to Spain, I told only a few close friends. I avoided discussing my plans with those prone to sarcasm or negativity. Planning a solo trip as a woman benefits from visual and verbal inspiration, so choose your circle of supportive and encouraging people wisely!
Solo trips for women are a timeless adventure that you can embark on at any stage of your life! Trust yourself and your ability to explore the world.
Plan your journey, enjoy the experience, and if you’d like to share the experiences of your solo travels, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
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