Your Ultimate Guide For Travelling Solo as a Woman: Benefits, Safety Tips and Inspiration

Lauren Hay
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about 9 min

Travelling solo as a female should be straightforward in 2023, however there are still some safety tips us gals need to know for stress-free adventures. A woman travelling alone shouldn’t be any different but unfortunately in some parts of the world it is still rare and raises a few eyebrows. We want to change this.

The benefits of travelling alone majorly outweigh the risks. Solo adventures offer an unrivalled sense of freedom as well as a massive confidence boost. Armed with these safety tips, the world really is your oyster. The only danger is you’ll never want to return home!

collage of women from different countries and cultures travelling solo

Benefits of travelling alone as a woman

Before we dive into our tips for solo female travellers, there might be a few of you who need some words of encouragement. As someone who has embraced both solo female travel and travelling with a partner, I find travelling alone as a woman to be one of the most empowering experiences. Don’t get me wrong, that first solo flight or dining in a restaurant by yourself can be intimidating, but the benefits of travelling alone make it worth it. Here’s why…

Empowerment and self-discovery

Travelling alone as a woman will force you out of your comfort zone. With no one else to rely on, you’ll discover how empowering it is to follow your instinct. Whether it’s navigating unfamiliar places, fumbling your way around a new language or simply getting used to your own company there will be many challenges to overcome. However, this will bring a whole new level of resilience that will not only fuel future travels but inspire growth in many areas of your life.

Increased confidence and independence

One of the biggest benefits of travelling alone as a female is the increase in confidence. Whether you fear starting conversations with strangers or (like me) you HATE planning the logistics, solo travel will test your weaknesses. However, this allows your problem-solving skills to flourish. As a result, you will find yourself feeling more confident and capable than ever before.

solo travel woman lifting her bike with one hand against outdoor mountains cape

Opportunity to meet new people and make friends

The ironic thing about solo female travel is that you are very rarely alone. In fact, I’ve found one of the biggest benefits of travelling alone is that it is so much easier to make friends than when I’m travelling with a partner. I find that solo travellers are seen as more approachable than couples or big groups. You instantly have common ground – being a solo female traveller – and so meaningful connections are easy.

group of women painting a colourul mural and posing together while smiling

Flexibility and freedom

Whether freedom for you is pizza for breakfast, or surfing at sunrise, one of the many benefits of travelling solo is that you can go where you want, when you want, and at your own pace. You have the freedom to make your own itinerary and change your plans as you go. You will have limitless opportunities to explore your own interests and passions as well as connect with other people with no one holding you back.

solo woman doing outdoor yoga against beautiful view of mountain and sea

Exposure to new cultures and perspectives

By stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing past perceived limitations you will not only gain a deeper understanding of yourself but the world around you. Travelling alone as a woman can broaden your horizons and expose you to new cultures and traditions as well as challenge your way of thinking.

While those around us are settling down, jumping into mortgages and marriage it can feel like solo travel is the wrong thing to do. However the friendships, experiences and life skills you will gain will help you develop a greater sense of empathy and realise that life is too short not to be true to yourself.

two local women helping female solo traveller dress up in traditional garment

Safety tips for solo female travellers

While there are many benefits of travelling alone as a woman, it is important you prioritise safety. We’ve all heard the horror stories, from terrifying Tinder dates to spiked drinks so alongside our advice for solo female travellers, keep these safety tips in mind.

Research your destination and plan ahead

Before you book your trip and especially before you arrive, thoroughly research the local culture and customs. Always read reviews of your accommodation and make sure to book tours and travel that are safe and secure.

Travelling solo as a female can be incredibly liberating but a rough plan is always advised to avoid taking unnecessary risks or ending up stranded alone. Written by travellers for travellers, the Workaway blog is packed with travel tips and advice that will help you feel informed.

solo female traveller sitting under a tree with her laptop looking thoughtful

Use Workaway

Whether you are a solo travel veteran or virgin, Workaway is an incredible platform for those adventuring alone. Not only do we have ways to help you find a travel buddy when times get tough, but we have over 50,000 volunteering opportunities in over 170 countries. Every single one of these opportunities are reviewed by our team to ensure only those with the best intentions join Workaway.

As well as 24 hour support, emergency help and a community of likeminded travellers you can quiz hosts via email and read reviews for peace of mind before you commit. From the social benefits to saving money as well as the life-changing experiences along the way, Workaway is a wonderful resource for solo female travellers. Not only can it help you find your purpose, but it will connect you with people you’ll never forget.

collage of solo female travellers volunteering with a turtle and at a farm respectively

Pack light and keep your belongings close

Now I’m not saying you need to be like this wonder woman who is the queen of travelling light by never packing more than 5kg of luggage, but hear me out. Having a huge suitcase or oversized backpack severely slows you down and screams “hey look at how much stuff I have”. Avoid bringing too much luggage to keep your valuables close at all times. Ideally use a cross body bag or backpack to keep your hands free. Leave the expensive outfits at home and opt for practical over pricey as you do not want to be a target for theft.

hiking adventure solo woman travel alone nature explore

Stay aware of your surroundings

We all love to let our hair down and dance the night away but there is a fine line between letting your guard down and staying vigilant. Especially in new and unfamiliar environments, avoid walking alone at night and always have a plan for getting back to your accommodation safely.

If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable, follow your instinct and leave the situation. If there is one thing I wish somebody told me before my first solo trip, it's that there is no need to take unnecessary risks. You do not need to prove anything to anyone or do anything that could put your safety in jeopardy.

Stay connected with family and friends back home

Life on the road is busy – there is so much to see, do and learn but over the years I have realised the importance of checking in with friends and family. Even if it is once or twice a week, keeping your loved ones informed of your travel plans is vital.

Before you arrive, check you have a reliable way to communicate whether it’s the right sim card for your destination or access to WiFi. Then before you leave anywhere, let someone know where you’re headed. While being a solo female traveller is all about celebrating your freedom and independence, don’t ever feel that keeping in touch with others will dampen your experience.

How to make the most of solo travel

Now you know the benefits of travelling alone and feel more informed around safety, here are some tips to make the most of your solo adventure…

Stay open-minded and embrace new experiences: Don’t get me wrong, there will be days where you will want to stay in bed with Netflix and chocolate but embrace every minute. Be open to new experiences and make the most of every opportunity.
Push yourself out of your comfort zone: Here at Workaway we are all about feeling the fear and doing it anyway because great things never come from comfort zones.
Take time for self-reflection: Travelling solo as a female is an incredible opportunity for self-discovery and reflection. You might never have the time again to reflect on your goals, aspirations and the things that genuinely matter to you. While it’s an amazing time to party and meet people, also use this experience to grow and learn.
Be present in the moment: When travelling alone as a woman, do not let anxiety or intimidation steal your joy. Be present in the moment before worrying about the next day, next flight or next hostel. When challenges come up focus on the positives and take time to appreciate the small moments. These are the moments that will fuel your courage and keep you going.

Best destinations for those travelling alone as a woman

Feeling brave? Time to pack those bags! While you can travel anywhere you wish and find hosts all over the world with Workaway, there are a few countries that get gold shiny stars for safety. These destinations are particularly welcoming to solo female travellers.

We also have an extensive guide to the safest destinations for solo female travellers to inspire your bucket list.

happy solo traveller with hands raised while admiring view of destination from above

Time to turn your dreams into reality

While safety is always a concern, with proper planning and precautions, travelling alone as a woman is an empowering opportunity. You will discover a new sense of purpose, resilience and independence that no other experience can compare to.

Although we can share our safety tips and benefits, nothing is more inspiring than reading about other amazing women who have achieved their dream of travelling solo. Alongside these 5 solo female travellers we have endless epic tales of fearless females for you to enjoy.

Use their tips, learn from their mistakes but most importantly get inspired to blaze your own trail.

Meet Kim, the 55 year old traveller who proves your age or gender shouldn’t hold you back.
Lei who plans to visit 100 countries on her own and is already nearly half way through.
Viviane who quit her Silicon Valley Job to solo travel and has enjoyed Workaways in Austria, Spain, Peru and Colombia.
Lisa who wants to normalise solo female travel starting with backpacking Morocco alone

If you want to embark on a journey that will leave you with lessons, memories and friendships that will last a lifetime, consider this your sign. Book the ticket. You got this!

solo female traveller with hat and backpack holding on to train with other arm reaching out adventure

solo female travel solo female traveller travel tips inspiration woman travelling solo

About Lauren Hay

Growing up in a small coastal village in Scotland inspired Lauren to swap her boss for a backpack. Alongside her husband Darren, Workaway in Hawaii, Switzerland and Greece sparked a mission to live and work remotely, from housesitting to embracing the digital nomad lifestyle.

Looking back, backpacking turned out to be the perfect training for parenthood - night buses prepared them for sleepless nights, and volunteering with children through Workaway was a great warm-up before the real deal!

Now based back in Scotland with three little adventurers, they've explored Turkey, Mexico, Canada and Australia together. These days, spontaneous flights have been replaced by packing enough snacks for a small army, but showing their little humans the world (and rediscovering it through their eyes) has been their greatest adventure yet!