Why Every Woman Should Take a Solo Trip at Least Once

I’ll never forget the first time I hit book on purchasing a solo airline ticket. A rush of adrenaline flowed through my body, quickly followed by a wave of anxiety.

Was I really about to do this?
Was I really about to travel somewhere all by myself?

Up until that point, I had always traveled with friends, family, or my husband. The thought of navigating a new city entirely on my own felt a little terrifying. I’ve always been the type of woman who thinks through all the “what ifs,” so imagining those same scenarios while traveling alone as a woman was terrifying.

But something in me kept pushing forward.

I packed my bags, and before I knew it, I was stepping onto a plane headed for my first solo trip. What once felt intimidating quickly turned into something I fell completely in love with. Over time, I began to understand the real benefits of solo travel for women; the confidence it builds, the independence it reinforces, and the sense of freedom that comes from navigating new places on your own terms.

As I was reflecting on what I wanted to write about this month, especially during Women’s History Month, the topic of solo travel for women kept coming to mind.

Because when you stop and think about it, the ability for women to freely explore the world on their own terms is actually relatively new. Just about a century ago, women were only beginning to gain the independence to travel alone. Even then, passports were issued in their husband’s names, with women simply listed as add-ons.

It’s wild to think about how far we’ve come.

Sometimes I’ll find myself sitting on a plane, sipping bubbly, looking out the window and reflecting on that very thing. The freedom to book a trip, pack a bag, and explore the world on my own terms is something women before me fought hard for.

And if there’s one thing solo travel has taught me over the years, it’s why women should travel alone at least once in their lives. Stepping outside of your comfort zone, even when it feels a little scary, can be one of the most empowering things you do for yourself. Which brings me to one of the biggest lessons solo travel teaches you—confidence.

Solo Travel for Women Builds Confidence

One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is the confidence it builds along the way.

I remember stepping onto the subway for the first time during a recent solo trip to New York City. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. I’ve always prided myself on being able to navigate cities and downtown spaces, but this felt like a whole different world.

People were moving quickly around me, almost annoyed that I wasn’t walking at the same fast New York pace. In that moment I remember thinking to myself, what am I doing here?

Then came the moment that almost sent me over the edge. I was trying to use one of the OMNY vending machines to load a prepaid card for the subway when a man came up behind me trying to “help.” He started walking me through the prompts on the screen and asking if I needed assistance. Something about the situation made me uncomfortable and suddenly I felt flustered and unsure of what to do.

Panicking a little, I canceled the transaction thinking the machine would give my money back, except it didn’t.

At that point, I honestly wanted to cry.

But after taking a moment to regroup and figure out a plan B, something shifted. I reminded myself that I had just arrived in the city and I wasn’t about to let one uncomfortable moment ruin my entire trip. Once I got my bearings and figured out my next step, I realized I was capable of figuring this out on my own.

That moment became a reminder of one of the biggest benefits of solo travel for women. It builds confidence in ways you might not expect.

When you are traveling alone, you are the one navigating the airport, figuring out transportation, and making decisions about what comes next. It can feel overwhelming in the moment, but those experiences also push you to trust yourself in ways you might not otherwise.

And when you work through those challenges, even the small ones, you begin to realize something important.

You are far more capable than you think.

Over time those moments of independence start to build on each other, and that is one of the most transformative parts of solo travel in my opinion.

The Freedom to Design Your Perfect Day

Another lovely benefit of solo travel is the freedom it gives you to design your day exactly how you want it.

When you’re traveling with others, there is usually some level of compromise involved. One person wants to sleep in while someone else wants to start the day early. One person wants to go sightseeing while someone else would rather relax at a café. When you’re traveling alone, every decision becomes yours.

There is something incredibly freeing about that.

You can wake up slowly, change your plans on a whim, or spend an extra hour somewhere that captures your attention. Traveling alone as a woman gives you the opportunity to follow your curiosity and truly experience a destination at your own pace.

To give you an idea of what a perfect solo travel day can look like, here’s a little glimpse into how I often structure my days when I’m exploring a new city on my own.

A Sample Solo Travel Day

8:00 AM — A slow morning

One of my favorite parts of solo travel is starting the day slowly. Maybe that means grabbing a coffee from a local café and taking a walk through a nearby neighborhood before the city fully wakes up. There’s something special about those quiet morning hours when everything feels calm and unhurried.

9:30 AM — Wandering and exploring

Instead of following a strict itinerary, I love leaving space to wander. Maybe that means walking through a neighborhood that caught my eye the night before, popping into a local bookstore, or discovering a boutique that wasn’t on my list. Some of the best travel moments happen when you leave room for a little spontaneity.

12:30 PM — Lunch somewhere that feels charming

Traveling alone is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a leisurely lunch. Find a restaurant with a window seat, order something that feels local to the city you’re visiting, and take in your surroundings. People watching is half the fun and I seek out to do this every time I sit down for a bite to eat.

2:00 PM — A little sightseeing

Afternoons are perfect for visiting museums, exploring landmarks, or simply walking through areas you’ve always wanted to see. One of the things I love most about solo travel is being able to move at your own pace. You can stay somewhere longer if you’re enjoying it or move on whenever you’re ready.

5:00 PM — A quiet reset

By late afternoon, I usually like to head back to the hotel for a little break. Maybe that means freshening up, sitting by the window with a view of the city, or taking a few moments to rest my feet from all the walking I just did!

7:00 PM — Dinner and evening views

Dinner alone can feel intimidating the first time, but it quickly becomes one of my favorite parts of traveling alone as a woman. There is something empowering about sitting down at a table for one, ordering exactly what you want, and enjoying the moment. Bonus points if you end up making friends with the locals like I did during my last solo trip to NYC. I learned so much about the city talking to them in those few short minutes, it was so fun!

Sometimes I’ll end the evening with a walk through the city lights or a quiet moment taking in the skyline before heading back to the hotel. Go check out my IG Stories Highlights from Boston and NYC to see some post-dinner strolls.

And the best part of all? You get to wake up the next morning and do it all over again, completely on your own terms.

Solo Travel Helps You Enjoy Your Own Company

Can I tell you how intimidated I used to be when it came to doing anything by myself? So the thought of traveling by myself? Yeah, no way.

So much of my life now, as a working mom with a very energetic toddler, is filled with a lot of noise. Physical noise, because have you ever heard a toddler meltdown? And the kind of noise that lives in your head too. The constant to-do lists, the mental clutter, and the pace of everyday life.

There isn’t always a lot of space to just…be still.

And don’t get me wrong, as challenging as motherhood can be, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But I also want to hold space for the woman I am outside of that. The one who still wants to explore, grow, and discover new things about herself along the way.

That’s what solo travel has given me.

Even when the city around you is busy and full of energy, there is something about traveling alone that creates a quiet space within your day. A space where you can step out of your routine, turn off autopilot, and just be present in the moment. And one of the most unexpected benefits of solo travel for women is learning how to truly enjoy your own company.

Sitting down at a table for one, walking through a new city without someone next to you, or filling those quiet moments on your own can feel a little uncomfortable at first. I remember noticing that feeling early on, especially during my first few experiences traveling alone as a woman.nBut over time, something starts to shift.

Those quiet moments that once felt unfamiliar begin to feel peaceful. You start to appreciate the slower pace, the ability to move through your day without distraction, and the opportunity to fully take in your surroundings.

Some of my favorite solo travel memories aren’t the big, perfectly planned moments. They’re the simple ones.

Sitting at a café with a coffee and nowhere to rush off to.
Walking through a neighborhood and taking it all in at my own pace.
Accidentally getting a little lost along the way and stumbling upon a hidden gem you never would have found otherwise.

Those are the moments that stay with you.

There’s something really special about being able to enjoy those moments on your own. And I think that’s a big part of why women should travel alone at least once. It gives you the chance to reconnect with yourself in a way that everyday life doesn’t always allow.

You learn what you enjoy, how you like to spend your time, and what it feels like to be fully comfortable in your own presence. That kind of self-awareness stays with you long after the trip is over, and it’s one of the most meaningful parts of solo travel for me.

You Learn to Trust Your Intuition

Let’s be real for a moment, most of us women have a keen sense of intuition built into our DNA. I know I do. But even then, I still find myself in situations where I think, “I should have gone with my intuition.” It’s there for a reason. And I truly believe it’s something God gave us as women to help us move through the world with awareness and discernment. I like to think of it as my superpower. And one of the most important things solo travel teaches you is how to actually listen to it.

When you’re in your everyday routine, it’s easy to move through life on autopilot. You’re in familiar spaces, following your usual patterns, and not always having to think twice about your surroundings. But when you’re traveling alone, especially in a new city, that changes.

You become more aware.

You start to notice things differently. The energy of a place. The people around you. The small details you might otherwise overlook. And more importantly, you start to listen to that inner voice a little more closely.

I’ve had moments while traveling where something didn’t feel quite right. Maybe it was a street that felt too quiet, a situation that made me pause, or simply a gut feeling telling me to go a different direction. And every time I’ve listened to that instinct, I’ve been grateful that I did. That’s something solo travel really strengthens.

You learn that it’s okay to pivot. It’s okay to change your plans. It’s okay to remove yourself from a situation that doesn’t feel right without needing to explain it to anyone else. That level of self-trust is one of the most empowering parts of solo travel for women.

At the same time, you also learn how to move through the world with more intention. You become more aware of your surroundings, more thoughtful in your decisions, and more confident in how you carry yourself.

And while there are always practical female solo travel tips to keep in mind, like staying in well-populated areas, sharing your location with someone you trust, or being mindful of your environment, there’s also something to be said for simply learning to trust yourself. Because at the end of the day, that instinct is there for a reason.

And the more you travel, the more you realize that you can rely on it. So let’s get into some solo travel tips, shall we?

Tips for Women Taking Their First Solo Trip

If the idea of solo travel feels exciting but also a little intimidating, you’re not alone. I felt the exact same way before my first trip. The good news is, you don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out to start. You just need to take that first step.

Here are a few female solo travel tips that helped me feel more confident going into my first solo trip.

Start somewhere that feels comfortable

Your first solo trip doesn’t have to be across the world. Choose a destination that feels familiar, walkable, and easy to navigate. A city you’ve been to before or one that’s known for being tourist-friendly is a great place to start. My first solo trip was to Vero Beach, Florida. It was perfect because it was a quaint beach town in early spring. It wasn’t overwhelming and the pace was slow. The goal isn’t to overwhelm yourself. It’s to build confidence.

Stay somewhere central

Location makes such a difference when you’re traveling alone. Staying in a central area that’s close to restaurants, shops, and main attractions can help you feel more at ease and cut down on the stress of getting around. It also gives you the flexibility to pop back to your hotel if you need a break.

Share your plans with someone you trust

This is one of those things that might seem obvious, but it really does make a difference. Before you go, just send your hotel info, flight details, and a rough idea of your plans to someone you trust. It doesn’t have to be anything overly detailed, just enough so someone knows where you are. My husband and I always share our location and it honestly gives me peace of mind knowing someone is at least always aware.

Trust your instincts

If something feels off, it probably is. You don’t need to second guess yourself or talk yourself out of that feeling. Whether it’s a place, a person, or a situation, you are always allowed to change directions, leave, or pivot your plans. No explanation needed.

That instinct is there for a reason, and learning to trust it is one of the most important parts of traveling alone as a woman.

Give yourself grace

I think this is the one we don’t talk about enough. Not everything is going to go perfectly, and that’s okay. You might get lost, feel a little out of place, or have a moment where you’re like, why did I think I could do this?

I’ve had those moments too.

On my recent trip to NYC, I wanted to stop by The Plaza Hotel and grab a coffee at the bar. I remember walking up to one of the doormen to ask if I could pop in, and he was not very friendly, saying that in the nicest way possible. I instantly felt out of place and a little awkward, like I didn’t belong there.

But I had to catch myself in that moment. I wasn’t asking for anything out of the ordinary, but it definitely brought me right back to that feeling of uncertainty for a second.

And that’s part of it.

You’re doing something new, something a little outside of your comfort zone, and that’s a good thing. Moments like that are going to happen. The more you move through them, the more confident you become. And before you know it, what once felt intimidating starts to feel really natural.

Before you book the flight…

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that you are more capable than you think. Solo travel might feel intimidating at first. I know it did for me. But on the other side of that initial fear is something really special. Confidence, independence, clarity, and a deeper understanding of yourself.

And the truth is, there’s no perfect way to do it.

You don’t need to have every detail planned out. You don’t need to feel completely ready. You just need to be willing to take that first step, even if it feels a little uncomfortable. Because once you do, something starts to shift.

You begin to trust yourself more. You move through the world differently. You realize that you are fully capable of navigating new places, new situations, and new experiences on your own.

And in so many ways, that’s what solo travel is really about.

It’s about stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Creating space for yourself and discovering just how capable you truly are.

Especially during Women’s History Month, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come. The ability to book a trip, hop on a plane, and explore the world on your own terms is something women before us didn’t always have. Now we do.

So if you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip, consider this your sign.

Book the flight.
Plan the trip.
Trust yourself.

You might just discover a version of yourself you didn’t even know was there.

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