Your mom probably spent her twenties and thirties putting off travel. Partners didn’t share the same curiosity. Friends couldn’t commit. The timing never quite lined up. And then there was you.
By the time she hit 50, she thought: WTF. That reckoning changed everything. Solo travel for women has gained serious momentum as a result. Younger generations are taking note. Adventure shouldn’t wait for permission. And neither should you.
Solo travel for women has exploded across generations. Women now make up 75-84% of solo travelers, and 45% planned solo trips in 2025, an 8% jump from the prior year. While women over 50 pioneered this movement, Gen Z and Millennials are racing to catch up.
Women Don’t Wait Anymore
Women travel for a thousand different reasons, but frankly, it boils down to this: women love to travel. And the world is their playground.
Part of the captivation is empowerment. More women are making their own decisions, living on their own terms. For many, getting on a plane means self-discovery. A chance to figure out who they are when the usual roles fall away.
Travel is moving to the top of the list. Women of all ages are no longer waiting for the “perfect time” or the perfect travel companion. Single, divorced, widowed or just preferring their own company—turns out the best company on the road is often yourself.
Travel Is Food for the Soul
The benefits of travel start even before departure. Did you know that planning a getaway significantly boosts happiness and well-being by creating positive anticipation? It’s a mini-vacation in your mind long before you ever pack a bag.
There’s something about being somewhere unfamiliar that makes you braver. You maneuver a foreign subway system without having a meltdown; you order food in broken Italian and somehow end up with exactly what you wanted; you get lost, then find your way back, and it feels oh so good. These small wins add up. You start trusting yourself more.
Travel also fixes loneliness in unexpected ways. Solo travelers end up talking to strangers more—people they meet in cafés or on trains who turn into actual friends. Groups of women bond over shared meals and late-night conversations. Tackling such territory together deepens connections.
Your Solo Travel for Women Playbook
Solo travel for women has become a declaration AND the playbook your mom wishes she’d had. Your mom’s generation opened the door. Stop standing in the hallway. Here’s how to make it work.
Start small. A weekend getaway to a city two hours away counts. So does a week in a destination you’ve been curious about but never prioritized. Patagonia can wait. Your first trip needs to be manageable enough that you’ll actually book it.
Join a women-only tour when you want company. If solo feels like too much too soon, women-only group travel offers a middle ground. Company when you want it, independence when you don’t. You’ll meet people navigating the same learning curve. Some might become future companions. Or not. Either way, you’re moving forward.
Learn from those already out there. Follow women who are doing it. Not influencers with curated feeds and affiliate links, but travel bloggers who share the practical stuff: how they handle a sketchy taxi situation, which neighborhoods feel safe, what they wish they’d known before booking. Ask questions in online communities where women swap advice about where to travel, safety, packing and budgets.
Create a dedicated fund. Save money specifically for getaways. Not “someday” money. Open a separate account and automate transfers if that helps. Decide what you’re willing to sacrifice. Is it fewer restaurant meals, one less streaming service or impulse purchases? Book that trip when you have enough savings. End of story.
Work from Anywhere (literally). Get remote work flexibility and unlimited PTO? Exploit it. The secret is stacking days around public holidays and weekends, turning a few PTO days into extended getaways. This flexibility barely existed ten years ago.
Pack light, move fast. One bag. Seriously. The less you carry, the more spontaneous you can be. No checking luggage means catching earlier flights, switching hotels on a whim or hopping a last-minute train without wrestling three suitcases down cobblestone streets. Bonus: you’ll never wait at baggage claim again.
Snapshot
- Solo travel for women has exploded across generations, with women comprising 75-84% of solo travelers and 45% planning solo trips.
- Traveling independently builds confidence through small wins such as traversing foreign transit systems and connecting with strangers who become friends.
- Start your journey with manageable trips close to home, join women’s group tours for built-in community or exploit remote work flexibility to stretch weekends into extended getaways.
- Pack one bag to stay spontaneous, automate savings into a dedicated travel fund and follow real travelers sharing practical safety tips instead of polished influencer content.
About Vacayou
At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior. And that’s why we’re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. However, the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We’ve simplified your search for wellness and active vacations with Vacayou’s Instant Book, so your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away.
Start the trip of your lifetime today with Vacayou. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
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