No One to Travel With? Why You Should Travel Alone Anyway
You want to travel. You have the destination saved. You even have the budget. There’s just one problem: you have no one to go with.
If you’ve been waiting for a friend, partner or family member to finally have the same time, budget and travel dreams as you, you could be waiting forever.
I know because I used to wait too.
Eventually, I booked a trip alone. What started as “I have nobody to travel with” became one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
After traveling to 67 countries, mostly solo, I’ve learned that having no one to travel with can be your biggest advantage.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to start solo travel, overcome the fear of traveling alone, stay safe as a solo female traveler, meet people along the way, and plan your first solo trip — even if you’ve never traveled alone before.
Your Solo Travel Roadmap
| Section | ⏱️ Read Time |
|---|---|
| 🗺️ Why Having No One to Travel With Can Be an Advantage | 2 min |
| ✈️ How to Start Solo Travel Without Feeling Overwhelmed | 2 min |
| 🌎 Why Traveling Alone Can Be More Fun Than You Think | 2 min |
| 🔐 Solo Female Travel Safety Tips | 2 min |
| ❓ Your First Solo Trip: Questions Answered | 2 min |
No One to Travel With? You Don't Have to Wait
Raise your hand if you’ve ever said this: “I want to travel, but I have no one to go with.”
I knew this feeling.
I sat there, scrolling through social media waiting for my friends to travel with me. But you know what happened? Their schedules never matched. Their destination’s wishes didn’t match mine. And somehow, there was always a reason to wait until “next year.”
Spoiler alert: Next year never came.
So I did the scary thing. I booked a ticket. Alone. And guess what? It wasn’t a disaster. It was the best decision I ever made.
Now, I’ve been to over 67 countries, mostly solo because I stopped waiting for permission. I still remember navigating train stations alone, getting lost in cities, and figuring things out without anyone beside me. Every small challenge made me trust myself more.
One of My First Solo Travel Experiences
One of my first solo travel experiences was in Copenhagen, and it taught me a lesson I still remember today.
This was before having Google Maps in your pocket made exploring a new city so easy. I got lost, felt unsure for a moment, and had to figure things out on my own.
But something great happened: locals helped me. Their kindness reminded me that the world is often much friendlier than we imagine.
This solo trip showed me that I was capable of navigating new places, solving problems, and enjoying my own company. It was the moment I realized I did not need to wait for someone else to travel with me.
Is Solo Travel Right for You?
Solo travel for beginners can feel intimidating at first, but you don’t need to be fearless, experienced, or adventurous.
Solo travel is for you if:
You want to explore the world but nobody is available.
- You want more confidence and independence.
- You enjoy having freedom over your time.
- You want to meet new people and experience cultures differently.
- You are ready to step outside your comfort zone.
🔗Read Next: If fear is what’s stopping you from booking your first trip, read my guide on Scared to Travel Alone? Here’s How to Overcome Your Fear & Gofor ways to work through it.
Why Women Choose Solo Travel
Solo female travel is about much more than visiting new places. For many women, traveling alone is a way to build confidence, gain independence, and discover what they are capable of.
Women choose solo travel because they want:
Independence and Freedom
Traveling alone gives you the freedom to make your own decisions, follow your own interests, and create a journey that matches your dreams.
Confidence and Personal Growth
Every challenge you overcome while traveling like navigating a new city or solving unexpected problems helps you trust yourself more.
Self-Discovery
Solo travel gives you time and space to reconnect with yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and learn what truly makes you happy.
Meeting Other Travelers
Traveling alone does not mean being alone. Many women meet amazing people through tours, hostels, local experiences, and solo female travel communities.
Solo Travel vs Traveling With Friends
| Category | Traveling With Others | Solo Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Decision making | You compromise | You decide |
| Schedule | Based on everyone | Based on you |
| Budget | Different preferences | Your own budget |
| Activities | Group agreement needed | Follow your interests |
| Flexibility | Changes affect everyone | Change plans whenever you want |
| Meeting people | Often stay within your group | More likely to connect with locals & other travelers |
| Personal growth | Shared experiences | Builds independence |
| Confidence | Support from others | Learn to trust yourself |
| Problem-solving | Share responsibility | Handle challenges yourself |
| Alone time | Less control over alone time | Choose when to socialize or be alone |
| Travel style | Adapt to the group | Travel exactly how you like |
Before Your First Solo Trip
Step | What to Do |
1 | Go somewhere alone for a few hours |
2 | Take a solo day trip |
3 | Book one night away |
4 | Choose an easy destination |
5 | Choose well-reviewed accommodation |
6 | Share your itinerary with someone |
7 | Book your first solo trip |
You don’t have to jump from “I’ve never traveled alone” to a two-week backpacking trip. Start small, build confidence and work your way up. If you’re wondering what your first solo trip will be like, read What to Expect on Your First Solo Trip: A Beginner’s Guide to Solo Female Travel for a realistic look at what to expect before, during and after your trip.
Why Having No One to Travel With Can Be an Advantage
Let ‘s play a game.
Scenario A: You’re traveling with friends.
- “Where should we eat?” → 45-minute debate.
- “Should we go to the beach or the museum?” → Democracy fails.
- “I’m tired, can we skip sunrise?” → Sigh. Goodbye, sunrise.
Scenario B: You’re traveling solo.
- “Where should we eat?” → You pick. Done.
- “Beach or museum?” → Both. Why not?
- “Sunrise?” → You’re already there. Sipping coffee. Winning at life.
See the difference?
When you travel alone, you have the power. No compromises. No “maybe later.”
You want to spend 3 hours in a bookstore? Do it.
You want to eat pasta at 10 AM? No one’s judging.
You want to change your entire itinerary because you met someone cool? Go for it.
Freedom, girl. That’s called freedom.
4 Reasons Traveling Alone Is Better Than You Think
1. You Become a Social Butterfly
Sounds backwards, right? But when you’re alone, you’re way more approachable. People talk to you. You talk to them. Next thing you know, you’re having dinner with strangers who become friends.
Friends who travel with you? They’re great. Friends you meet on the road? That’s special.
🔗Read Next: Learn how to make friends traveling alone.
2. You Get a Confidence Boost (For Free!)
Every time you figure something out like navigating a train station, ordering in a new language, getting lost and finding your way back, you gain more confidence.
Solo travel is like a video game. Every challenge makes you stronger. I speak from experience. I feel more and more with every solo trip.
3. You Never Have to Wait Again
You don’t have to align with your friends anymore. If you want to travel but have no one to go with, you can just go. Your friend wants to travel in December? You want to go in April. Your friend has €1000 ($1000)? You have €500 ($500).
Your friend loves beaches? You’re a mountain person.
4. You Get to Know You
When was the last time you sat alone with your thoughts for more than 5 minutes? Solo travel gives you space to figure out what you like. Not what your group likes. You. And honestly? You’re pretty great company.
How to Start Solo Travel Without Freaking Out
You’re excited. But also nervous. That’s normal. Here’s how to start traveling alone without having a meltdown at the airport.
Step 1: Start Small
You don’t need to book a flight to Thailand tomorrow.
Take yourself on a coffee date. Alone. With a book. No phone.
- Go on a day trip to a nearby town.
- Book a weekend stay somewhere 2 hours away.
Goal: Prove to yourself that you can enjoy your own company. You don’t need to start with a two-week international adventure. These small experiences are a great start for a solo trip.
🔗Read Next: It’s also worth understanding why traveling alone can feel more dangerous than it is.
Step 2: Choose a Beginner-Friendly Destination for Your First Solo Trip
Not all destinations are created equal when you’re traveling alone for the first time.
Look for a destination with:
🚆 Reliable public transportation so you can get around easily
- 🏨 Well-reviewed accommodation in a convenient location
- 🗺️ Easy-to-navigate areas so you feel comfortable exploring on your own
- 📱 Good mobile connectivity so you can access maps and important information
- ℹ️ Plenty of information for travelers to help you plan ahead
- 🤝 Activities and tours where you can meet other travelers
Beginner-friendly options: Portugal, Iceland, Japan, Switzerland and Costa Rica can be good options for a first solo trip, depending on your budget, travel style and comfort level.
🔗Read Next: Find more safe solo travel destinations for beginners.
Step 3: Stay Somewhere Social
Hostels aren’t just for 19-year-old backpackers. Many have private rooms and communal vibes. I’ve stayed in hostels while traveling alone and met great people along the way. Sometimes we ended up joining a tour together or exploring the destination.
Look for places with:
Group dinners
- Walking tours
- Rooftop hangouts
You’ll meet people without even trying.
Step 4: Plan for Safety When Traveling Alone
Safety is the #1 concern for most women considering solo travel. The good news? A safety plan can transform your anxiety into confidence.
Here’s your 4-step solo female travel safety checklist:
📍 Share your itinerary with a friend.
- 📱 Get an eSIM so you’re never offline.
- 🧠 Trust your gut. If something feels off, leave.
- 📖 Download the free safety guide with tools and insights for solo travelers.
Step 5: Just Book It
Overthinking is worse than the trip.
At some point, you have to close your eyes, click “Book Now,” and let future you deal with the rest. Or let me deal with the rest.
If you’re nervous about booking your first solo trip, you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Through my 1:1 Solo Travel Mentoring, I help women choose destinations, find suitable accommodation, plan their itinerary and prepare for solo travel with more confidence.
What I Wish I'd Known Before My First Solo Trip
🌱 1. Fear and excitement feel exactly the same
Your heart races either way. So just tell yourself you’re thrilled, not terrified.
🤝 2. You’re never really alone
Solo travelers are everywhere, and they all want to make friends too.
🌀 3. Things will go wrong and that’s okay
You’ll miss trains and get lost, but this is part of traveling. This happens also when you travel with friends.
🌟 4. You’ll come back a different person
Solo travel makes you more independent, confident, and patient… in real ways, not just Instagram quotes.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Female Traveling
Here are the most common questions about traveling solo.
Is solo travel safe for women?
Yes, solo travel is safe for women with the right preparation and awareness. Millions of women travel alone every year by researching destinations, trusting their instincts, and making smart decisions.
Key solo female travel safety tips:
- Research your destination before traveling.
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid unfamiliar areas at night.
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
- Keep emergency contacts and important documents accessible.
- Get travel insurance for unexpected situations.
- Read the solo travel guide with safety tools and tips.
What if I have no one to travel with?
If you have no one to travel with, you don’t have to put your travel plans on hold. Solo travel gives you the freedom to choose your destination, dates, budget and itinerary without waiting for someone else’s availability.
What if I feel lonely while traveling alone?
Feeling lonely during solo travel is normal, but it does not last forever.
Many solo travelers meet people through:
- Walking tours and group activities.
- Hostels and social accommodations.
- Local experiences and classes.
- Connecting with other travelers.
Solo travel often helps you become more open and confident.
What if something goes wrong during my solo trip?
Unexpected situations can happen on any trip. The difference with solo travel is that you learn to solve problems independently and become more confident.
Prepare by saving important documents, sharing your itinerary, and having travel insurance.
Do I need to be brave to travel alone?
No. You do not need to be fearless to start solo traveling. Most solo travelers feel nervous before their first trip. Confidence comes from taking small steps and proving to yourself that you can do it.
Where can I find cheap flights for solo travel?
You can find cheap flights by comparing prices, using flexible dates, and setting flight alerts. Skyscanner is a useful tool to compare flight options and find affordable routes.
Where can I find cheap accommodation for solo travel?
You can find affordable accommodation on platforms like Booking.com and Hostelworld. Look for good reviews, safe locations, and accommodation popular with solo travelers.
What are the best travel tools for solo female travelers?
Useful solo travel tools include Skyscanner for flights, Booking.com and Hostelworld for accommodation, Airalo for eSIMs and SafetyWing for travel insurance.
What is the best first solo travel destination?
The best first solo travel destination is one where you feel comfortable and excited to explore. Look for places with good transportation, safe accommodation, and opportunities to meet other travelers. Find more safe destinations for solo travelers.
Final Thoughts – Last Stop Before Takeoff!
Stop waiting. Start your solo travel journey now.
The world is big and beautiful. Full of friendly faces and fun experiences.
And it’s waiting for you.
Not for your best friend. Not for your partner. Not for your “someday” self.
You.
So if you’ve been telling yourself:
“I want to travel, but I have no one to go with…
Take this as your sign. Pack your bag. Book the ticket. Take the leap.
Your future self is already on that plane, drinking coffee with in Italy or hiking in Nepal, smiling, and thinking: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Adventure on, I’ll see you on the road!
Ready to Take Your First Solo Trip?
You do not need to figure everything out alone.
Through my 1:1 Solo Travel Mentoring, I help women who want to travel alone but aren’t sure where to start.
Together, we can:
Choose a destination that fits your experience and comfort level
Plan your itinerary
Find suitable accommodation
Prepare for your trip
Talk through your fears and safety concerns
Help you feel ready for your first solo trip
You don’t need a travel partner to start living your travel dreams.
Book your Solo Travel Session Now!
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Feven is a solo female travel mentor who has visited 67 countries, 7 continents and helps women travel with confidence. She creates resources to help women overcome fear and plan their first solo trip. Follow her adventures on Instagram.