The underrated truths of travelling alone as a woman

bk group
Mar 19, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Mar 23, 2025

It might seem daunting. But you’ll realise you’re capable of so much more than you thought.

Karen Tee

In recent times, the travel industry has offered female- focused trips and itineraties that would cater to female interests. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREEN TEE

I have been travelling solo for as long as I can remember. Back when I was a university student on an overseas scholarship, my annual routine involved flying halfway across the world – alone – to my college in the United States.

What started as a necessity soon became second nature and now I hardly think twice when setting off on my own, whether for work or play.

I’ve noticed that over the years, there’s been a shift in the way people react when I tell them I travel alone.

When I was first starting out in the noughties, the idea of a young woman navigating airports and foreign cities alone drew surprise and sometimes even concern.

These days, the response is more likely to be curiosity, with women often asking for recommendations or musing about taking a solo trip themselves.

It seems that what was once seen as unconventional is now increasingly aspirational.

In fact, luxury travel network Virtuoso reports that 71 per cent of its solo clients are women, while tourism research firm Future Partners found that 40 per cent of female travelers are considering a solo trip this year – up 8 percentage points from last year, according to a report by NBC News.

It reflects a broader shift in how women view travel, not as something to wait for the right companion to embark on but as an experience worth pursuing on their own terms.

After all these years of going at it alone, I could not agree more.

In recent times, the travel industry has responded by offering female-focused trips and itineraries catering to female interests. From wellness retreats focused on women’s health to safaris and cruises waiving single supplements, brands are catering to the rise of the “wander woman”.

But even without such marketing initiatives, there are already various perks to travelling alone.

I especially enjoy the freedom of doing exactly as I wish while on holiday without having to cater to my travel companions’ preferences. After all, every minute of vacation time is precious and if I wish to sleep in till noon, it should certainly be my prerogative.

Solo travel can also be unexpectedly enriching in ways that go beyond just setting your own schedule. In the more introspective moments of solitude, travelling alone can open doors to discoveries that are often overlooked or might remain hidden in the comfort of familiar company.

Here are some underrated truths I’ve uncovered.

Learning to embrace solitude

Many worry about feeling isolated in a foreign country, but embracing solitude can be surprisingly rewarding. Without the constant chatter of companionship, you start tuning in to your own thoughts and preferences, sometimes for the first time in a long while.

One of the best ways to do this? Wander aimlessly through a city with no fixed agenda, letting curiosity be your guide. This has led me to stumble upon hidden gems, like independent bookshops tucked into quiet alleyways, and given me the freedom to understand and indulge my personal quirks. For instance, instead of chasing down bucket list photo ops, I enjoy spending hours in obscure museums.

After countless (silent) conversations with myself in galleries, I have come to a conclusion: I am excellent company – at least for myself.

You become more open to immersing yourself in a new environment

But solitude does not mean isolation. In fact, travelling alone has often nudged me out of my introverted shell, encouraging me to strike up conversations and forge unexpected connections.

Adopting a mindset of immersing myself in a new culture has given me the opportunity to engage more deeply with people around the world even when I least expect it.

Once, I found myself striking up a conversation with shipyard workers on their lunch break over a pint of fresh Guinness beer in a local pub at the Irish fishing port town of Killybegs.

On another trip, when I visited a tucked-away hutong restaurant in Beijing, I had to put my rusty Mandarin to the test when I ended up as an impromptu interpreter for a foreign family.

The conversation soon evolved into a lively exchange of stories among the diners with even the restaurant’s staff gamely chiming in with anecdotes of their own.

What a great way to feel like an honorary local.

I’ve since realised that stepping out of my comfort zone – without the safety net of a companion – can help me engage with my surroundings and people I meet on a deeper level. It has, in turn, led to unexpected experiences like these.

You learn to trust your gut

As a woman, there are often additional things to consider when travelling alone. While the world is more welcoming to independent travelers, we still navigate risks men rarely think about.

Taking precautions such as sharing a detailed itinerary with a trusted friend or family member and doing research on neighbourhoods before booking accommodation can help you avoid being in potentially dangerous situations.

But I’ve also found that solo travel does sharpen your ability to read situations quickly and think on your feet. I have learnt to pick up on subtle cues like body language or the tone of a conversation as a way to assess if I could be accidentally getting into a potentially uncomfortable situation.

A confident stride, even if I do not actually know where I am going, can make a difference. And when an exit is needed, a simple “I’m late to meet my partner or family” is often the easiest escape hatch.

You become your own greatest resource

Solo travel is, at its core, an exercise in self-reliance. With no companion to lean on, every decision is yours alone. At first, this can feel daunting, but over time, it becomes incredibly empowering. As a woman, proving to myself that I can handle any situation is a powerful confidence booster.

I remember the immense sense of satisfaction at successfully navigating unfamiliar subway systems or ordering meals in languages I barely speak yet somehow getting exactly what I want. Or the moment of connection while (gently) negotiating at a local market when both parties are satisfied at agreeing on a fair price.

It also makes me realise what I am capable of, even when confronting my perceived weaknesses.

I used to think I did not have a sense of direction. But then I embarked on a hike in Costa Rica with just a paper trail map for reference and pushing forward despite my fear of getting lost because there was only me, myself and I to rely on. A few wrong turns and careful backtracks later, I made it through with a newfound sense of confidence in my own navigating capabilities.

As a fellow female travelbug says: “Solo travel makes me feel very capable and brave.”

Faith in humanity is restored

Most of all, in a world that feels increasingly polarised by cultural and political differences and where overtourism has been blamed for eroding the charm of travel, solo journeys have reminded me time and again of the kindness of strangers.

I have lost track of the number of times strangers have stepped up to help me – from fellow travellers inviting me to meals and locals patiently explaining cultural nuances to a shopkeeper offering recommendations and directions.

These moments reinforce how beyond headlines and stereotypes, people everywhere are more alike than they are different. Most are willing to help, to connect and to share a piece of their world with you.

Certainly, kindness exists everywhere, whether you are traveling alone or in a group. But on a solo journey, such moments truly stand out because these are reminders that even in unfamiliar places, you are never truly alone.