How Young Women Benefit From Solo Travel ( Guide & Tips)

Statistics show that women don’t take their first solo trip until their late 40s. When I was 20, like many Gen Zers, I refused to wait that long!

Traveling was once a luxury, reserved for wealthy individuals and men traveling for business or for military service. For women, traveling alone was discouraged because of the societal belief that a woman needed a man to travel safely from one place to another. 

As a result, women from the older generation experienced traveling indirectly through books, stories, or vicariously through their husbands. 

Today, the narrative has changed!

Women, especially young women, are traveling more than ever. With increased financial independence, shifts in social norms, and access to global opportunities, solo travel has become accessible and a tool for female empowerment. In fact, women now make up a huge portion of global travelers, with many choosing to travel on their own.  

In this post, we will discuss:

• The importance of solo travel
• How solo travel builds confidence
• Why young women should travel solo
• 7 benefits of solo travel for young women
• Solo travel vs. traveling with others
• Why society benefits from female solo travelers
• Tips for young women traveling solo for the first time

Let’s begin!

The Importance of Solo Travel

Solo traveling may seem like a modern concept driven by the recent trend we see on social media. But the concept has existed since the beginning of time. For centuries, people have traveled alone in search of better opportunities, education, love, and personal transformation. 

At its core, that is what solo traveling is: a search for change and self-discovery! 

When you step outside of your normal environment and forgo your routine, you have space to reflect on who you are, who you want to become, and what truly matters to you. Solo traveling, being away from responsibilities and social expectations at school, in life, and in society, gives you space to think clearly, make independent decisions, and reconnect with yourself. 

In fast-paced cultures like the United States, where productivity is prioritized over personal well-being, taking the gift of solo travel interrupts that cycle. It forces you to slow down, be present, and engage with the world more meaningfully. That is why one travel trend skyrocketing in 2026 is hushcation or whycation. These trends show that travelers are traveling for meaningful experiences, using travel as a tool for self-rejuvenation, and traveling with purpose. 

Why Should Young Women Travel Solo

Being a young woman comes with unique societal and family expectations and pressures. 

I am a Black girl from an immigrant family, a first daughter raised by a single mother. Those identities came with many cultural expectations to the point that I was parentified from an early age. As an immigrant child who picked up English faster than my mother did, I acted as her interpreter, filing administrative papers for her and so much more. 

As a result of those experiences, personal growth and exploration were limited. Even when I went to college, since I was only 45 minutes away from home, I would go home to help my mother out constantly. 

However, when I went to study abroad in Shanghai, Rennes, and Ghent,  I got the opportunity to focus on myself. I was able to care about: 

• My interests
• My goals
• My happiness

Instead of defining myself through my school responsibilities and family expectations, solo traveling allowed me to begin to understand who I was, away from the pressures I had. 

That is the biggest reason why young women should travel solo!

How Solo Travel Builds Confidence

Traveling alone and being away from your sense of normalcy pushes you out of your comfort zone in ways that your everyday life does not. 

When you are in a new city or a new country, you must: 

• Navigate unfamiliar environments
• Communicate with strangers
• Solve problems independently
• Advocate for yourself

Mastering these experiences quickly builds your confidence. 

Many people, especially young women, who struggle to speak up or assert themselves at home, find that they become more self-assured when traveling. 

Why? 

Because they have to! That necessity transforms into self-empowerment. 

Solo traveling teaches you that you are capable of undertaking anything that comes your way! 

That is why it is a great tool for young women! 

Personal Growth Through Solo Traveling

When I think of my solo travel adventures, the first thing that comes to mind is personal growth. The 20-year-old college sophomore who went to Shanghai and navigated another culture, language, people, and food was a different 20-year-old within 5 weeks. 

The 21-year-old who had studied abroad in France for a year was a different person when she returned to her home state of Rhode Island. The 22-year-old who left for Belgium during the pandemic was a completely different person when she returned after a year. 

Traveling exposes you to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of living that challenge your assumptions and expand your worldviews. You may discover new passions, interests, and perspectives you never considered before. 

Simple experiences like visiting museums like the Yuan Garden in Shanghai or trying new foods, like rabbit in Rennes, France, can become transformative. 

Solo traveling encourages curiosity, adaptability, flexibility, and open-mindedness. 

All the skills you need in life. 

Here are 7 benefits of solo traveling!

7 Benefits of Solo Traveling

1. Self-Discovery

One of the first benefits of solo traveling is self-discovery. As mentioned above, when you travel solo, you learn to prioritize yourself. You get to experience who you are, what you like, and what you don’t like. Each day of your time abroad is centered around you and what you want, which is a special gift to give yourself. 

2. Confidence Builder

The second benefit of traveling solo is building your confidence. Navigating administrative procedures in another country boosts your confidence because it shows you can take on any situation. When I studied abroad in Rennes and Ghent, I had to complete the residency permit process and find housing in Ghent, on top of navigating daily life. These experiences gave me the confidence to move out to DC and live on my own, and to navigate life on my own. 

3. Emotional Growth

The best benefit anyone can gain from solo traveling is emotional growth. Through solo travel, young women have space for reflection, healing, and mental wellness. Although human beings need socialization, young women learn the power of being alone and having time and space for themselves. This emotional growth helps you understand yourself and how you want to show up in the world for yourself and those around you. 

4. Independence

Another benefit of solo traveling for young women is the independence you gain from the experience. In a world where independent women are sometimes demonized, solo traveling empowers women to be independent and put themselves first. You learn to rely on yourself and enjoy your independence. 

5. Cultural Awareness

Another benefit of solo travel is the development of cultural awareness. When we travel solo, we have more time to experience and indulge in other cultures without any distractions. Traveling solo removes your reservations about trying new things, allowing you to have many different interactions with people you meet along your trips. Through one-on-one interactions, you gain a deep sense of empathy and global awareness of the places you are visiting. 

6. Stronger Communication Skills

As mentioned earlier, solo traveling teaches you self-agency and self-advocacy, which improve your communication skills. Navigating different cultures and environments forces you to speak up. You learn to use your voice even in uncomfortable situations because you are the only person you can rely on. That is why it is a great resource for young women. 

7. Career + Life Benefits

Lastly, solo travel benefits young women by expanding career opportunities and growing their personal networks. When I studied abroad in Shanghai, I saw many companies reach out to me because my study abroad experience was valuable to them. I had the language, which made my resume stand out, but living abroad also showed the company that I can adapt to any location and would be a reliable ambassador for mission trips. People with international experience tend to earn more, underscoring the importance of traveling solo.

Now you may hear that and wonder, can’t you gain these benefits if you travel with others? 

The simple answer is, it depends! 

Let me explain why. 

Solo Traveling Vs. Traveling With Others

The years 2022 and 2023 marked the first time I took a trip with someone else. In 2022 and early 2023, I traveled with my mother, and in late 2023, I traveled with a group of 25 Gilman Scholars for a conference in Greece. 

During these trips, I found myself following other people’s itinerary. I did not get to enjoy the things I usually do when I travel by myself, like staying up late, going to the museum, taking a cruise, and so much more. In Greece, we had a set schedule to follow, and when we had time for ourselves, it was late at night, and I was too tired to explore. 

That is the risk you take when you travel with others! 

Traveling with others often means:

• You have to negotiate your plans
• Have to deal with conflicts of interest if you and your partner do not like the same things.
• Your independence is limited.

However, with solo traveling: 

• You follow your own schedule
• Explore freely
• Make spontaneous decisions
• You can fully immerse yourself in the experience

Having this freedom is where true self-growth happens!

And society greatly benefits from confident, independent young women. 

Here’s why? 

Why Does Society Benefit When Women Travel

The power of women goes beyond their role in a home. Women are leaders in politics, business, economics, and so much more. As young women look to embark on a journey into the world, the impact of solo travel goes beyond the individual. 

Confident, self-aware, independent-thinking young women contribute positively to society because: 

• They make thoughtful decisions
• They communicate effectively
• They build stronger relationships
• They bring global perspectives into their communities

When women thrive individually, communities thrive collectively.

Now that we know how the world benefits from women who travel, let’s discuss tips for young women looking to solo travel for the first time.

Tips for Young Women Traveling For The First Time 

Solo traveling for the first time can feel intimidating, and it is. When I moved to France to study abroad and had to take my first solo trip, I was intimidated. It was my first time in France. I was in Bretagne, a region I had never heard of until I moved to France.

That is why when planning for my first solo getaway, I had to be strategic. 

Here are 5 things I learned when planning my first solo trips! 

1. Do Your Research

One of the first pieces of advice I give people when doing anything is to do your research. Doing your research gives you a general idea of where you want to go. You learn about what to expect, things available that may interest you, and so much more. 

When I was in Rennes, France, and wanted to explore nearby cities, I researched the region’s cities. I looked for places to help me get acquainted with the region and discovered Nantes and Saint-Malo, which became my go-to destinations for quick day trips.

2. Start Small

The next tip to note is to start small. Although my first solo trip included traveling miles away to Shanghai, yours do not have to. You do not need to go far away to benefit from solo traveling. A road trip to another city in your state or a neighboring state is enough. 

I traveled abroad for studies as my primary purpose. So when I was planning my solo trips, I had to find places I could visit for day trips and weekend getaways, because I had other educational priorities. 

As mentioned earlier, my earlier solo adventures took place in Nantes and Saint-Malo, two cities closer to me than Paris. The point is your solo adventure doesn’t have to be miles away to matter. By starting small, you are more prepared for the bigger adventures!

3. Choose a Safe Place

The third thing I would advise young women traveling solo for the first time is to choose a safe place for women. Although no destination is completely risk-free, some places may feel safer than others. When it comes to safety, choose destinations that have a reputation for welcoming solo female travelers. 

I would recommend traveling solo in larger cities, where you are more likely to interact with society, rather than going to a remote area by yourself. Check out the destinations’ crime rates and their emergency contact in case of an emergency. Also, it is important to ensure your desired destination has tourism infrastructure with a good reputation. Watch the news to ensure it also has a more-than-stable political climate. 

4. Share Your Itinerary with Someone

One of the most important tips to remember when embarking on a solo trip is to always share your itinerary with someone, even if you change your plans. Traveling alone does not mean you are truly alone. You have family and friends back home, who, although they are far away physically, are still with you through phone calls, texting, and Zoom. With eSIMs, you can connect with your community wherever you are. 

Whenever I traveled solo, I never felt alone because I was constantly on the phone with my mother. I would share with her where I am, what I am doing, and send her pictures in the moment so she has a digital trace of my day. 

Even when I was in China, although we did not talk much because of China’s restrictions on social media sites like WhatsApp, I was still able to speak to her in the morning before I left for my day, and after I came back, I always sent pictures. The point is always to have someone know where you are, whether it is your community back home or an acquaintance you meet abroad. 

5. Trust Your Instincts

Another critical tip is to trust your instincts. When you solo travel, you become hyper-aware of your surroundings and of your intuitions. Because you have few distractions, you can think through the actions you want to take and listen to your body and instincts. That is why if you feel any doubt, trust your instincts. 

I know that when I was planning to travel, I wanted to do everything and see everything. I always dreamed of a Christmas in Strasbourg, and when I was planning places I wanted to see in France, I reserved Strasbourg for Christmas. 

However, when the time came, I did feel like going. I dealt with the FOMO and beat myself for days on whether to go or not. On the day I decided to book, I learned through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) that there was a knife attack and the government was discouraging people from attending due to safety reasons. That experience taught me that it’s okay not to participate in everything. God willing, there will be a next time.

Best Destinations for First-Time Female Solo Travelers

• Lisbon
• Saint-Malo
• Copenhagen
• Seoul
• Shanghai
• Montreal
• Sydney
• Tokyo
• Amsterdam
• Bali

Conclusion

To conclude, traveling solo is an amazing experience that has numerous personal benefits. Young women seeking a tool to grow and learn to become self-sufficient should look no further than a solo trip. It is true that traveling solo will not change all of your problems. But it will give you the tools to handle any situation.

You learn to be confident and independent, and to develop strong communication skills. You learn to build the life you want and to be happy without needing any external validation. And once you master these lessons, the world begins to feel a lot less intimidating. 

However, you need to be prepared!

Before embarking on any trip, make sure you conduct all the necessary research to ensure a smooth travel experience. Check out the State Department travel website for country profiles and security levels. Watch the news about the political climate to ensure you have some ideas as to what is going on in whatever country or city you want to visit. Taking all of these steps will help you plan a safe and adventurous solo getaway. 

As always, thank you for reading. Please like, share, and let us know if you have already traveled solo or are thinking of embarking on your first solo adventure in the comment box below. 

Until next time, 

Have a safe trip!

Xoxo,

Cy!

FAQ About Solo Travel For Women

• Is solo traveling safe for young women? 

Solo traveling can be safe with proper research and planning. 

• What is the best age to solo travel?

There is no perfect age to travel solo, but many women find their early 20s ideal because it’s a period of self-discovery and flexibility.

• What are the safest countries for female travelers?

No destination is completely risk-free. You may not experience violent crime in one country, but you may be a victim of burglary in France. That is why it is best to check crime rates by country, learn what types of crime are common, and learn about your emergency options. 

• How do I prepare for my first solo trip?

Research is the first step to any trip preparation. Use government websites like the State Department travel website to give you a deep analysis of the culture, the history, and laws to help you make informed decisions about your visa, border entry, and so much more.