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For many women, the thought of solo travelling is fear inducing, but for many, it means complete freedom. The question of “Is Solo Travel really only for the lonely?” In the year 2025, feels extremely outdated. Although solo travel was once seen as an unconventional or risky task, especially for women, it can now be displayed as a transformative experience for many women all across the world.
This feature article explores why so many women in today’s day and age are choosing to travel solo. Focusing on aspects such as the personal and social factors that drive this shift, as well as how social media has played a huge influence into women feeling comfortable and safe enough to solo travel. At the same time, this feature article will also discuss the barriers and potential challenges to female solo travellers. Touching on aspects such as safety concerns, cultural differences and social expectations. In a broader sense, solo travel can be conveyed as an exciting activity, but also as a personal challenge to be independent and achieve self fulfillment. Extending on from this, the increase of affordable travel and remote work arrangements has changed the game, as solo travel is not just seen as something that ‘experienced’ travellers or older people do.
Social Media’s Influence on Female Solo Travel
If you have ever doom scrolled on Tik Tok (which who hasn’t?) chances are, you’ve reached the side of “solo female traveler.” Tik Tok. The side of the app that convinces you to buy a one way ticket overseas, even if you’re not a woman who is planning to solo travel. Social Media is an extremely relevant and ever-changing part of our daily lives, and it is no secret that Tik Tok has played a huge influence in many aspects of our everyday life. One factor that I have noticed is the influx of solo travel, especially for women.
On Facebook, there are multiple groups for women who are/are hoping to travel solo. The groups “Solo Female Travelers” and “Solo Female Traveler Network” have over 600,000 members combined. Within these groups, women share guidance, tips and their experiences. It doesn’t have to be formal, or about a huge topic, it can include anything that concerns women travelling solo. Such as a bad airport experience, a personal achievement or even recommendations for carry on and checked luggage. No matter the question or statement, anything pertaining to female solo travel is welcome. (Reed, 2023). Many young women within the solo travel community have expressed that watching another woman navigate a foreign country gives them the confidence to do the same. This form of learning from social media platforms can feel more authentic, as it’s usually coming from someone who isn’t being paid, and is solely just sharing their thoughts. I would be cautious about any ‘branded’ content, as professionals are often paid to promote a certain place, just like influences are often paid to promote a certain product.
The increase in digital technologies like Tik Tok and Instagram, has shifted societal norms and encourages self sufficiency and reliance. (Elner & Akgün, 2025). A few years ago, I hadn’t known of anyone that had travelled solo, however, now in 2025, I know many people who have, and have had great experiences. By being able to access a whole community of female solo travellers in seconds, the amount of solo female travellers has increased. It is so accessible, and for someone who is on the fence about travelling solo, the encouragement from our internet sisters can be all the influence you need to finally book that trip you’ve wanted to go on for so long. By seeing other women’s thoughts, itineraries and honest reflections, other women will feel like their trip will be more predictable and therefore, more enjoyable.
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Why Women Solo Travel
For many young women, traveling solo can be seen as an act of rebellion. I see it as an empowering choice, as for many women, it’s a decision they make that entirely belongs to them. Solo travel for women offers a unique opportunity for change, and has become a prevailing trend in recent years. (Wang, Leung & Huang, 2025). There has been a 42% increase in people taking solo trips over the last two years, and solo travelers make up 11% of the general travel market. 84% of solo travelers are women. (Ferries, 2023).
There are so many reasons someone may choose to travel solo. Reasons such as valuing independence, increase of self discovery, or even the thought of ‘not wanting to wait’ for someone to want to go with you. If someone wants to travel, but their friends, partner, family, aren’t in the position, or just don’t want to, they shouldn’t have to wait for someone to be available.
Kirtley (2023), discusses another benefit that many would not think of, and that is, the challenge of day to day decision making. While solo traveling, you cannot lean on someone else for support, meaning you have to trust your own judgement and are completely in charge of your own wellbeing. She believes by learning to trust your own judgement, in the long run, you will reduce feeling anxious in times of uncertainty. She also discusses that her experiences of solo traveling helped her to build confidence and assisted her in feeling empowered.
Someone may also have the opportunity to be an exchange student, or even have a paid work opportunity, that results in solo travel. It is possible to travel and work abroad in roles such as travel influencing, working on cruise ships, or even work-exchange programs, who have opportunities in areas such as teaching or nursing. Many universities also offer exchange programs, which is an opportunity that allows a student to study abroad for a period of time, and allows them to gain credit towards their degree and get to immerse themselves in a new culture. Hayley Tischler, (2023) from Monmouth University, described her study experience abroad as “lifechanging” and opened up the door to incredible personal, academic and professional opportunities. Tischler, from the United States, spent a semester in London, and was the first person in her family to travel, study and work outside of the United States. She felt extremely grateful for the decision she made for herself and encouraged other students to do the same. For many women, solo travel provides a sense of achievement, as navigating unfamiliar environments is often uncomfortable, but gives women the opportunity to grow and be independent. An experience that often increases women’s problem solving skills, self trust and resilience.
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The Limitations of Solo Travel
For every solo traveler, there are unfortunate moments of conflict in a foreign country with no one to turn to, but you. What happens when you arrive at your hotel to find you have been completely catfished by the pictures online, and can’t even safely enter the hotel as they’re digging up the footpath and mud is everywhere? (If this sounds a little too specific, it’s because it happened to me).
Although there are a lot of positives of travelling solo, there can also be a variety of negatives too. Some women may not want to travel solo due fear of their safety, potential language barriers and practical factors. Brugulat & Coronmina, (2021). and Su and Wu (2022). argue that women that travel solo are often exposed to different social and gender norms, and often experience uneasy feelings and even the fear of being attacked by men. For that reason, it is crucial for women to determine any potential barriers with their solo travel encounters, and increase safety measures as needed. Where Goes Rose, (2023) discusses some general negatives of solo travel. Issues such as safety issues, no one to help during hard times and having to spend more time planning and booking. She even discusses the financial issue of not being able to split costs with anyone, as well as the personal pet peeve of not being able to try multiple meals. With a partner or friend, Rose could try a piece of their meal. However, when you’re on your own, it can be deemed wasteful to buy more than one meal, and would also be an unnecessary cost that accumulates over time. Something minor in the grand scheme of things, can seem large in the moment.
Brugulat & Coronmina (2021), interviewed multiple women who all had experiences solo traveling. Miriam admitted that she felt ‘constrained’ because many of the tops she wanted to wear could be deemed as inappropriate, and wearing them could attract unwanted attention from men, and felt annoyed by the stares from men in public areas. Joanne, stated that she believes that the media are responsible for a lot of the fear instilled in women whilst solo traveling, through biased stories about religion, race, countries and gender. Amber stated that the cultural differences within Vietnam did surprise her at first, but it’s not unwanted attention. Amber describes herself as a tall white woman, and tells a story of how a Vietnamese woman ran inside her house at the site of Amber, grabbed her baby, and came out to ask Amber if she could have a picture with her. For many, they would see this as ‘unwanted attention’ but for Amber, she understood there was no ill intent behind it, just pure excitement and surprise from the Vietnamese people. These experiences from Miriam, Joanne and Amber highlight how gender related risks and social expectations often change the way that women travel. These risks and social expectations are often ones that men do not have to consider whilst traveling.
The increase of women solo travelling conveys the shift in independence and their self discovery. As social media platforms continue to gain popularity, more women are feeling the pull and finding the confidence to travel the world exactly how they want to. Personal reasons, such as gaining independence, self discovery or just wanting to be pushed out of their comfort zone, all join together for a woman to actually take the leap and book a solo trip, especially with the assistance of like minded individuals on online platforms such as Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. With a quick search of hashtags like #solotravelforwomen anyone can view all types of content from fellow female travellers, learn valuable skills and find a sense of community. Although solo travel has many positives, it also has many negatives, including cultural differences, gender concerns and fears of safety. It is important for women who travel solo to be diligent and aware of their surroundings, as well as familiarise yourself with any cultural differences before the trip and do your research, by viewing different forms of media and expert opinions like peer viewed articles, documentaries or books. It also wouldn’t hurt to ask around, to friends and family members, ensuring you can experience a safe and happy trip away. Although solo travel may be lonely at times, it is a life changing, and transformative experience, that I recommend everyone does at least once, if they have the opportunity.
References
Brugulat, M., & Coromina, L. (2021). Constraints of solo female backpackers in Southeast Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 26(6), 640 – 653. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2021.1886134
Elnur, A., & Akgün, H. (2025). Social media experiences of solo leisure travelers during the travel process: A phenomenological study. Heliyon, 11(1), Article e41313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41313
Ferries, C. (2023). Explore 2025 Solo Travel Trends & Statistics by Demographics, Destination, Industry & Why Solo Travel Continues to Rise! Brittany Ferries.
https://www.condorferries.co.uk/solo-travel-statistics
Kirtley, J. (2023). What are the psychological benefits of travelling alone? The Travel Psychologist.
Monmouth University. (n.d) Student Stories | Study Abroad | Monmouth University. Study Abroad.
Reed, E. (2023). How social media provides comfort for solo female travellers. HOSTELWORLD.
Solo Traveler. (2018). Solo Travel Statistics and Data 2024 – 2025: Historical Trends, Sources Cited. Solo Traveler.
SouvenirPatch. (n.d.). AUSTRALIA ABORIGINAL FLAG Patch Iron-on embroidered applique top quality. [Image].
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/195812967/australia-aboriginal-flag-patch-iron-on
Su, C. P., & Wu, T. C. (2022). The dark side of solo female travel: Negative encounters with male strangers. In Innovation and impact of sex as leisure in research and practice (pp. 121-138). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003288206
Wang, Z., Leung, X. Y., & Huang, X. (2025). Redefining womanhood: Solo travel as intersectional rites of passage. Tourism Management (1982), 111, Article 105225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105225
Where Goes Rose? (2023). Honest Pros & Cons of Travelling Alone. https://www.wheregoesrose.com/pros-cons-solo-travel/
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