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Search interest in “women solo travel” just hit a 15-year high. Fifteen years! I had to read that stat twice before I believed it.
For a long time, the idea of going somewhere by myself felt less like a vacation and more like a dare. Then the house got quiet, the calendar cleared up in a way it never used to, and one random Tuesday I just… booked something. Just me, one bag, and zero group texts to coordinate.
This isn’t a “how to find yourself” post, I promise. It’s the practical stuff: how I picked a destination that wouldn’t overwhelm me, what actually made it into my suitcase, and the safety questions I wish I’d asked myself before I left. If solo travel has been sitting in the back of your mind, let’s talk through it.
Why Solo Travel Is Suddenly Everywhere for Women Over 40
I used to think solo travel was a young person’s thing — backpacks, hostels, that whole scene. Turns out that’s not who’s actually driving this trend.
A lot of it is coming from women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s — especially ones whose kids have moved out or whose schedules finally have some breathing room in them. The free time shows up, and suddenly there’s nobody’s preferences to negotiate around, no one asking “are we there yet,” just your own pace for once.
I’ll admit, the first time I said out loud “I’m thinking about traveling alone,” I got a look. Like people expected me to explain myself. I didn’t, and honestly, neither should you.
- More flexible schedules once kids are grown or work shifts
- A growing comfort with solo dining and solo activities that didn’t exist a decade ago
- Travel companies actually building solo-friendly trips and single-supplement-free options now
- A general cultural shift away from needing permission to just go
How I Picked My First Solo Destination (and What I’d Do Differently)
My first solo trip was NOT some remote adventure, and I’m glad about that. I picked a small coastal town about three hours from home — somewhere I could drive to instead of navigating an airport alone for the first time.
That was the right call. Low stakes, short drive, and if I hated it, I could just come home. I didn’t hate it, but knowing I had that option took a ton of pressure off.
- Pick somewhere walkable, so you’re not dependent on rideshares in an unfamiliar place
- Choose a town small enough that solo dining doesn’t feel like a spectacle
- Look for places with a built-in activity — a museum, a trail, a market — so you’re not just wandering aimlessly
- Book something with a front desk or host who’s actually reachable, not a fully automated rental in the middle of nowhere
Next time, I’d go a little farther. But starting small meant I actually did it instead of talking myself out of a bigger trip for another year.
What I Actually Packed for a Solo Weekend Trip
Packing alone hits different — there’s no one to remind you that you forgot your phone charger. I made a checklist after my first trip specifically because I forgot three things I actually needed.
The bag that made the biggest difference was a crossbody anti-theft bag. I used the Travelon Anti-Theft Crossbody — slash-resistant strap, locking zippers, RFID-blocking pocket — and it genuinely made me relax a little in crowded places. That low-level hand-drifting-to-check-the-bag awareness? Gone.
I also never travel without a Kindle Paperwhite now. Solo travel means there’s no one to talk to at dinner — but with a Kindle, that’s not a problem, it’s actually the point. I read for two hours at dinner the first night and didn’t look up once.
The rest of what made it into my bag:
- A portable charger that can fully charge a phone twice — when you’re solo, a low-battery moment has no backup plan
- A portable door lock for extra peace of mind in hotels — sounds paranoid, but it costs next to nothing and takes up almost no space. More on this below.
- Comfortable walking shoes — I walked 8 miles my first day without realizing it, so this is not optional
- An Apple AirTag tucked in my suitcase, just in case
Safety Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Left Alone
Nobody sat me down and gave me a solo travel safety talk, so I pieced this together myself — partly from research and partly from trial and error.
Sharing your location with someone you trust is non-negotiable now. I text a family member my hotel address and a rough itinerary before every trip — not because I expect anything to go wrong, but because it’s a five-minute habit that removes a lot of background anxiety.
- Share live location with one trusted person for the whole trip. It takes thirty seconds and makes the trip feel lighter.
- Scope out the hotel’s exits and front desk hours before you settle in.
- Use a portable door lock every night. It slides under the door and prevents it from being opened, even with a key card. That door lock from the packing section? This is exactly why. It’s one less thing to think about at 11pm in an unfamiliar room.
- Avoid arriving somewhere brand new after dark whenever possible.
- Stop posting real-time location on social media. Share photos after you’ve already left that spot — small change, but it matters.
- Trust the “something feels off” instinct immediately — no overthinking it. You’ve been reading rooms and situations your whole life. That radar doesn’t go quiet just because you’re traveling alone.
Is Solo Travel Worth It? My Honest Take
Short answer: yes. But it’s not the magical transformation some articles make it sound like. It’s just… nice. Quiet in a good way.
I liked eating dinner whenever I wanted. I liked not compromising on the museum versus the beach. I did NOT love the first solo dinner — that felt a little awkward until about halfway through the meal, and then it just didn’t anymore.
If you’ve been putting it off because it feels indulgent or intimidating, I get it — I felt both of those things too. But a low-stakes first trip, close to home, with a good book and a decent bag, is a really manageable way to find out if it’s for you.
Solo travel isn’t just a trend chart going up — it’s a real shift in how a lot of women are spending their newly freed-up time and money. Start small, pick somewhere forgiving, and pack the stuff that actually makes you feel prepared instead of anxious.
Have you taken a solo trip, or are you thinking about your first one? Tell me where you’re considering in the comments — I’m always collecting new destination ideas.
Shop This Post
- Travelon Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag
- Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB
- Portable Door Lock
- Anker 10,000mAh Portable Charger
- Vionic Pismo Women’s Walking Sneakers
- Apple AirTag 2nd Generation (4-Pack)
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