Key Takeaways
- Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes our regular column on solo female travel. It’s an important topic I can’t adequately cover, so I brought i
- Over the years, a lot of women have admitted to me that they made travel plans — only to cancel the trip before they went.
- There’s a little something about solo traveling that almost nobody talks about.
Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes our regular column on solo female travel. It’s an important topic we can’t adequately cover alone, so we brought in an expert to share her advice for other women travelers — focusing on issues uniquely relevant to them! In this month’s article, she explores how seasoned solo female travelers confront and move past their fears.
Over the years, many women have shared with us that they made travel plans — only to cancel before departure.
Fear and anxiety got in the way.
There’s a quiet truth about solo travel that few openly discuss.
It’s more common than you think — especially among first-time solo female travelers.
After all, there’s a lot we’re conditioned to worry about when stepping out alone.
For many, those worries can feel overwhelming.
When familiar concerns about loneliness, safety, or boredom surface, we remind ourselves that the experience — the growth, the freedom, the joy — makes it worthwhile. Visualizing success — laughing with new friends on a sun-drenched beach, navigating a bustling market with ease, feeling grounded and capable — often helps turn intention into action.
So we asked: How do other women silence doubt and embrace solo travel?
We posed the question to members of our community at Route for Less. Here’s what they shared:
“Realize that time with yourself is a luxury” – Alex, 29, Florida
I started traveling solo when I was about 20 years old. I booked my first solo trip because I grew tired of waiting for friends to commit. At the time, I was studying abroad in Barcelona and knew I had a rare window to explore Europe deeply. I realized that if I didn’t go alone, I wouldn’t go at all — and I’d miss an irreplaceable opportunity simply because of fear. I weighed potential risks honestly, then chose courage over comfort and booked my tickets.
I set off on a three-week journey through Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. It turned out to be transformative — I met incredible people, discovered resilience I didn’t know I had, and returned home with renewed self-trust. Since then, solo travel has become my preferred way to explore.
I’ve learned to cherish solitude not as emptiness, but as space for reflection and growth. I’m free to connect deeply with others — and just as free to retreat when I need stillness. Solo travel has sharpened my confidence, deepened my self-awareness, and proven I’m far more capable than I once believed.
The more you research, the better prepared you’ll feel (Yana, 32, Boston, Massachusetts, of Beard and Curly)
I always dreamed of traveling — but struggled to find companions who shared my pace and priorities. After a close friend canceled last-minute for the third time, I decided I wouldn’t let dependency hold me back any longer. At first, being alone felt daunting. My biggest fear? Loneliness — would meals feel awkward? Would I miss out on connection? Could I truly rely on myself for everything — from finding safe transport to reading street signs in a foreign language?
To ease that uncertainty, I immersed myself in research: destination guides, local safety tips, transportation apps, and real traveler reviews. I joined online communities and asked specific questions — “Is this neighborhood walkable at night?” “What’s the safest way to get from X station to Y hostel?” Hearing firsthand experiences from other solo women gave me reassurance and practical tools. That preparation translated directly into confidence. Today, I’ve visited over 120 countries — most of them solo.
If I can survive at home, why should it be different elsewhere? (Sarah, 52, from the UK, living in Italy)
I began solo traveling only after becoming widowed. Faced with a choice — go alone or stay home indefinitely — I realized staying still was scarier than stepping forward.
I built confidence gradually: adding solo days onto family visits, then extending them into full independent trips. My first solo stopover was in Sydney en route home from Christchurch. Next, I spent several days exploring Auckland before joining relatives in Australia. My upcoming trip — two weeks entirely solo in Thailand — feels like a natural next step, not a leap.
I research thoroughly: understanding local customs, identifying reliable transport options, and pre-booking accommodations in well-connected areas. I use Google Maps’ Street View to virtually scout neighborhoods — avoiding isolated hostels or dimly lit streets — and confirm daylight arrival times for flights. Knowing exactly how I’ll get from airport to hotel removes early-trip anxiety. When my sense of direction falters (and it often does), advance planning becomes my compass.
