Drea The first time I traveled solo, I braced for lonely and got the opposite. The benefits of traveling solo turned out to be bigger than the trip itself. More freedom, more clarity, and a version of me I actually liked being around.
Over the years, traveling has taken on a new meaning as people are yearning for experiences over things. It has become more accessible, with deals on flights, hotels, and packaged trips abounding. Sometimes, the dreaming and scheming about where to go and what the world is like can be enough inspiration for people. But for others, the call to actually go on a trip is great.
Unfortunately, some people have that desire but end up stalling out as they don’t have anyone to travel with. I’m here to let you know that doesn’t have to be your stumbling block anymore. You can take that trip on your own! Yes, it may seem scary at first, but I’ve done this countless times and typically feel safer on a trip than I do back at home in some places. If you’ve never considered taking a trip solo, below are 10 reasons to give it some thought.
For my full guide to solo travel for women over 35, start here →
Reason #11 to Love Solo Travel
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Why the benefits of traveling solo are worth the nerves
The biggest benefits of traveling solo are freedom and self-knowledge. You go where you want, at your own pace, with no one to compromise with, and you come home more confident than you left. Solo travel shows you that you’re better company for yourself than you expected.
1. Go when it works for you
You know that old saying? When we’re young we have plenty of time but no money, and when we’re older we have plenty of money but no time? That’s the perfect adage when trying to plan a trip with friends. Someone doesn’t have enough PTO, it’s all used up; someone else can’t go in any month ending in ‘ber’; you know the drill. With busy lives and schedules, it’s hard to coordinate not only being able to go, but when to go. It may be obvious, but when you plan a trip on your own, it’s a bit easier as you’re only planning for yourself! You can make sure you’re there for Lunar New Year/prime cherry blossom season/peak whale watching/you get the gist.
2. Go where you want to go
Even when you can align with friends on when to travel, deciding on where to go can sometimes be a struggle. Some people are more open to countries vastly different than ours, whereas others want something more familiar.
Different people have different places to see on their bucket list, and particularly for a large trip that’s only done once a year or every other year, may want to save up for their prime destination. It’s understandable! But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your bucket list. Do a little research on the place that’s calling to you. What’s the overall safety level your government is reporting? Many government sites will also have info for traveling solo and women travelers. If those are in line, then start planning for YOUR bucket list vacay!
3. See what you want to see
You’re sensing a theme here, right? Solo trips are all about you! Your friend’s an art buff and wants to spend all the time in Italy seeing every single museum.
You’d rather find the best aperol spritz in the city (by trying every one out there). You want to get out and see the Mayan ruins, but your friends would rather lounge by the resort pool. Of course, on a group trip you can absolutely split up and make some time for yourself. But you can also do this all on your own by traveling solo. If it’s too intimidating to do something on your own, there are plenty of day tours out there that help you get out there in a more comfortable way. I’ve done food tasting tours in Rome, wine tasting tours in New Zealand, day trips to hike Mt. Etna, and city walk tours in countries like China. All were great ways to see things I probably wouldn’t have been able or willing to do on my own.
4. Meet new people
Group day trips like that are a great way to meet people on your travels.
You often find yourself with other travelers who are more open to learning where you’re from, what you’ve seen thus far, and to just have a fun bonding experience for the day.
Another good way to meet new people is by being open to chatting with folks at a restaurant, a cafe, or a place that is known for expats or friendly locals. You may find yourself yearning for folks to talk to, often folks want to talk to you, too!
5. Stay how you want to stay
Just as with every other aspect of solo travel, you get to choose what type of accommodations you want. 5-star luxe hotel your thing? Book it. Cheap and cheerful B&B more your bag? Do you. When you’re on your own, you’re in full control of where you stay – from what part of the city you’re in, to how much you want to spend, and what type of experience you’re going for. The only person to please is yourself!
6. Fulfill your reasons for traveling
This may sound a bit esoteric, but bear with me. Some people travel for escape or relaxation, some for new adventures and cultures, some for pure fun – and many have a variety of reasons for going. Just as finding someone who has similar travel style and desires can be challenging, so can finding people who have the same reason for traveling as you. You can be the best of friends with someone, but if any of these things are off, it can cause tension on the trip that distracts from why you are there. When you are on your own, you can build your itinerary around why you’re traveling, so you ensure you get the most out of your experience.
7. Get as much (or little) culture as you want
Want to get immersed in a remote local village in the mountains? Prefer to stay at a westernized beachside resort? Both are right and neither is wrong. Some people out there judge others who just want a relaxing resort getaway.
I think judgement on what people want out of a vacation is silly. It defeats the purpose – it’s your vacation! It SHOULD be about what you want and how you want it. Personally, I love both types of vacations. Sometimes I want to get out into the culture and expand my mind. Other times, I need to decompress by a beautiful body of water. However you want to vacay, as long as you’re polite and respectful of local customs, when you’re on your own you can get as much – or as little – culture as you want. No shame in your travel game!
8. Get out of your comfort zone
If you are in the mood to push your own boundaries a bit, maybe you add something into your itinerary that does that for you.
If you went resort-style for the week, maybe it means adding one day to travel into town and see the locale. Perhaps it’s adding a new activity to your vacay. I had a friend that tried ziplining on a trip and guess what. I loved it. She HATED it. But she was proud of herself for doing it and now knows she’ll never do it again. For some people, just taking a trip on your own or going to a restaurant on your own is pushing the boundaries enough. If that alone seems too daunting, try doing a weekend away. Try that on and see how it feels. Places like Palm Springs, New York, or Sedona have no passport required, and can give you a taste of what’s it like to travel solo. You will likely find it’s actually not as hard as you think!
9. Have a sense of accomplishment
Wherever you go and however far away it is, at the end of a solo trip, there is a sense of success, of independence. You did that! On your own! Whether your trip went flawlessly, or you hit some snags (hello flight delays and lost luggage), you dealt with it all and came out the other side. Sometimes, those travel mishaps actually make the best stories, the best memories, and give you the most sense of accomplishment because you dealt with like a boss. After your first solo trip, you also build more confidence for the next one, and maybe are willing to taking bigger and longer trips the next time around.
10. Learn more about yourself
On solo trips, there of course is a lot of alone time. Even when you meet new people, you still have plenty of time to yourself.
I’ve found this great self-reflection time. Thinking, journaling, or just letting your mind wander can do wonders for your soul.
These are the times a great idea may hit you out of the blue; you may find the solution to a problem you’ve been trying to solve at home or at work; or you may just get to know yourself again. You also learn about yourself – what you like, what you don’t like, what situations are comfortable, what aren’t; how you like to travel. All of these things are amazing keepsakes from your trip and stick with you in the long run.
FAQs
Hopefully this has given you some food for thought if you’ve never considered traveling on your own. Still not ready to take that step? Consider taking a group tour. It can fulfill a lot of the solo travel needs, but with the comfort of itineraries and logistics all planned out for you. Take a look at my blog post on 10 Things you Didn’t Know about Group Tours.
Interested in taking the plunge and traveling solo, but still not sure on how to get started? Contact me for custom trip planning guidance!
Wherever you go, however you get there, whoever you go with, I hope you have a trip to remember.
Happy travels, kindreds!
RELATED POSTS
Ready to keep exploring? Here are the best solo trips for women over 35
- All You Need to Know About Traveling Solo
- Check out everything you need to travel solo in my full guide
- The type of solo trip you take depends on what you’re looking for. Here’s 6 Kinds of Solo Trips to Take
- Wondering if you should work with a travel advisor for travel solo? Here’s how to decide
- Getting Started Traveling Solo
- Destination Inspiration
- Looking for something a little more soothing? Read about my wellness weekend at Miraval Austin
- If group travel may be more your thing, take a look at 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Group Travel
HELPFUL LINKS
- Work With Me
- Need help planning your 2026 travel? Contact me here for personalized itinerary assistance!
- Want more information on the benefits of using a travel advisor? Learn more here
- Favorite luggage – I have a few sizes that work for every occasion: https://www.awaytravel.com
- Car bookings: https://www.expedia.com
- Hotel and activity comparison: https://www.tripadvisor.com
