10 benefits of solo travel for women: why every woman should try it at least once

If you regularly read my posts, you may have noticed that I am a big advocate for solo travelling. It is something that has given me so many life lessons, enriching experiences and opportunities for growth. Don't get me wrong, I do love travelling with others too, but I think solo travelling has so many benefits, and a certain magic to it. So, today I wanted to list the reasons why I think everyone should give it at least one chance before making up their mind about solo travel.

1. Confidence building – Nothing can boost your confidence more than navigating through a foreign metro system in a language you don't speak! Solo travelling will give you plenty of opportunities to prove yourself, to yourself! At the end of the day that is the only competition that really matters. Knowing that you can do this, will make you feel more confident when you return to your 'regular life' after your travels. Maybe once you return you will be able to ask for that pay rise you have been scared to do, or set more boundaries and say no more often. The confidence you collect on your solo trips will leave a mark on your whole life.

   
   

2. Freedom & flexibility – My personal favourite. If you value freedom and independence you will love travelling solo. You set your own schedule, follow your interests, and travel at your own pace without compromise. I mean who doesn't love the sound of that?

   
   

3. Self-discovery – I have learnt more about myself during my travels alone, than anywhere else. You may surprise yourself in ways you didn't even think of. Maybe in your regular surroundings you are more quiet and shy because everyone else is noisy and loud. But once you go and travel alone, you might end up coming out of your shell and be more outspoken and less shy, because there is no-one else around you doing that. They say you are the 5 people you spend most of your time with (we do this without realising it), so when you are alone you kind of lose that influence and get to decide for yourself who you are and what you do.

   
   

4. Feminine energy – if you have been struggling with always wanting to be in control and leading everything (so more masculine energy), letting go and going with the flow may be things your struggle with. The good news is, solo travel can help you with that too. I can guarantee there will be things that won't go according to plans and you will just have to let it go. Well, unless you want to ruin your mood for the whole trip. When you travel alone you have to trust that things will always turn out in the best way possible for you, even if that means initial obstacles and challenges. If you are interested in this, I wrote a whole separate topic on the post, you can read it here.

   
   

5. New friendships – I think the biggest misconception around solo travel is that it's anti-social and very isolated. I think that could not be further form the truth. When you travel alone you actually end up being more open minded and less occupied for new conversations and connections. I always end up hanging out with people from my hostel or day trips when I travel alone. If this part of solo travelling scares you, don't worry I wrote a whole post on how to make friends while travelling solo.

   

6. Budget control – Even though you don't share the costs with anyone, you may end up spending less than in groups because you will have full control over what you do and how you do it. With others you may end up feeling under pressure to visit that Michelin star restaurant or hire private transport. But if you're happy with a bakery product for breakfast and taking a local bus to save money and spend it on something else, you have the option to do that alone. Another topic I wrote a useful post on, make sure you check it out here.

   
   

7. A new appreciation for others – After travelling alone you will appreciate your loved ones and friends more. You will see the benefits of both, travelling alone and with others, which will make you want to spend quality time with the most important people in your life. It's a bit like the 'you can't pour from an empty cup' saying. You will need to improve your relationship with yourself in order to nurture your relationship with others. Solo travelling will help you do that, so when you return you may have more patience, energy and appreciation for others.

   
   

8. Mindfulness & presence – You may find yourself to be less distracted when you travel alone. Without people around you to constantly chat to you may notice details, locations or spots that would have not caught your attention otherwise. You also manage your own time without anyone to adjust to, so if you want to spend your morning sitting in a local cafe, watching people pass by, you do that.

   
   

9. A sense of accomplishment – Returning home knowing you explored the world on your own gives you lasting pride and inspiration. I love going through my travel photos and acknowledge who much I have done on my own. I always say that the things that I am most proud of in life would make no sense on my CV. Travelling half the world alone is one of those.

   
   

10. Lessons - You know how they say you have to do things to learn what you like and DON'T LIKE? You have to give solo travel at least one chance to see whether it's your cup of tea or not. You may absolutely fall in love with it! If you feel ready, make sure you check out my two other blogs about the topic, one is around dos and don'ts, so that you can travel with confidence, and the other is all about where to even start. Both can come handy if you're new to solo travel.

I hope that you enjoyed this little collection of the benefits of solo travel for women. As you can tell, it isn’t just about seeing new places — it’s about discovering your own strength, independence, and joy along the way. Whether you’re planning your very first trip or you’re already hooked on the freedom of traveling alone, remember that every journey helps you grow in confidence and connection.

If you’d like extra support while you’re on the road, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and easy rituals to help you feel grounded and at home no matter where you are in the world. It is prefect if you are strating out on solo travelling, and need some encouragement. Click below to download it and start creating your own personalised travel wellness routine before your next adventure.