Being A Female Solo Traveller – Top 10 Reasons I Love It As A Woman In My 30s

I’m a dedicated female solo traveller. In the last 5 years I’ve been to 15 countries on solo trips (that number surprised even me). I originally started travelling solo because – like many women in their 30s – plotting a time and opportunity to travel with friends just wasn’t happening. We had ideas, we had intent, but life always got in the way. I ummed and I ahhed, I worried and I felt self-conscious. But eventually I just went for it.

I went on my first solo trip in 2007, for 6 months to South America, and I’ve never looked back. I absolutely love travelling with friends, but I’d never give up my solo trips. So why do I love them so much? I’ve put together my top 10 reasons I love being a female solo traveller. hope this inspires you to take the plunge and organise your own solo trip.

When I’ve planned trips with friends, it’s always a calendar-minefield. You’re throwing a whole second (or more) set of calendar priorities into the mix. It’s your friend’s mum’s birthday, it’s her grandmother’s 80th, she has a work trip that weekend, the kids have their play that week. The list goes on and on, and next thing you know, the first available week, or even weekend, is sometime next year. If you’re planning with a group, you might never find a weekend everyone can do. .

But if you’re a female solo traveller, you’re as free as a bird. Of course, you still have to make sure you’re there for your own mum’s birthday, but your choices are based on your calendar. It’s quick and easy to check, and next thing you know, you’re planning a trip for next month.

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There’s no getting around it – planning a trip takes time. You’ve got to research the destination, hotels, flight times and more. You’ll want to find out where the best restaurants are, read reviews and search out the right day trips for your destination. .

When you’re planning with a friend, or a partner, this can take even longer, especially to agree on things. Your travel companion might not have as much time for research as you do, and you end up feeling like you’re doing all the work. Or they don’t have time to look at flight deals, and you end up missing the best prices. You might not agree on which is the best hotel, and then both your options sell out. .

When you’re a female solo traveller, so much of this happens so much more quickly. Found the right flight deal for you? You can book it then and there. Ready to commit to a hotel? It’s done. Everything becomes a lot easier.

Remember that episode of Friends, where the group is split over what’s an appropriate amount to pay for Ross’s birthday meal? That happens with holidays too. .

I’ve definitely been on trips with friends where we have wildly different expectations on whether spending a huge amount on a meal is the best way to spend our holiday money. And on the flip side, I’ve been on holidays with friends who I know worry about money, so I haven’t suggested doing things I would have liked to do. .

The great news about being a female solo traveller? It’s based on your budget, and your priorities on how to spend your money. Do you prefer having a slightly nicer hotel and eating cheaper meals? Great news, you can! Or is high end dining really important to you, and you figure you won’t spend that much time in your hotel room anyway? Pick the cheaper hotel! You’re in control of your own budget..

Find out more about my motorbike trip in Sapa in my blog Sapa Vietnam – Everything you need to explore this gorgeous region.

I’m not going to lie, this one is important to me, and becoming more so the more I travel. As someone who hates the morning, I just don’t want to take that 8am bus when I can get one at 11am. I’d rather pay the extra £10 to have a flight that’s not at 6am. .

However, I also hate arriving to places late, especially as a solo female traveller. It depends on the place, obviously, but I prefer arriving somewhere when I still have time to do a bit of a recce of the local area, work out where I can go for breakfast etc. So I’ll prioritise flights and buses/trains that are in the middle of the day, even if this can mean ‘losing’ a day to travel. .

This approach isn’t for everyone. I know plenty of people who are dedicated to the 8am bus, or who hate paying Ryanair a penny more than they have to. It’s all about what works for you – and when you’re a female solo traveller, you’re free to prioritise your own wellbeing and rhythm.

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There’s no getting around it – being a female solo traveller offers you much more opportunity for spontaneity. Want to go on a trip next weekend? You don’t have to find out if anyone else is free. Travelling over a longer period, really like where you are and want to stay longer? Extend your stay. Bored on your relaxing beach holiday and want to go on every day trip going? You don’t have to worry about whether your travel companion is still enjoying relaxing by the pool. .

Being a solo female traveller gives you the chance to really throw caution to the wind and follow your whims (as long as it’s safe!)

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There’s no doubt that this is why most women don’t solo travel – it absolutely pushes you out of your comfort zone. But we have to remember that’s a good thing for us, as long as we understand what our own red lines are.

I’ve been travelling non-stop for 5 months now, and there’s no doubt I’ve done things that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. I recently went on the Gibbon Experience in Laos. For me, it wasn’t the high ziplines that were the problem, it was having no privacy in the beautiful tree house we stayed in. But I overcame that and it was so worth it. I’ve also stayed in places that had bugs, I’ve been on questionable boats, and I’ve forced myself to talk to people even when I’m not feeling social. All of these things have led to amazing experiences. .

Your comfort zone might be entirely different to mine, but there’s no doubt that travelling solo as a woman will push you out of it at times. And there’s even less doubt that it will be worth it.

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I’m not going to lie – this one isn’t always easy. But most of the time when I travel, I do make new friends, and that’s one of the best parts of travelling solo. .

I know this is something lots of women worry about when they’re thinking of their first solo trip. Who will I talk to? Will I meet anyone nice?.

My honest answer is yes. Most people who are travelling are doing it for the same reasons you are – to explore the world, broaden their horizons and learn more about themselves. Talking to others is a key part of this, and I can always find someone to talk to when I need company. .

I’ll be writing a guide soon on how to meet people while travelling, but here are a few quick tips: go on day trips and book hotels with breakfasts so that you meet the people staying in your hotel. And of course, there are always hostels, which force you to talk to others if you’re staying in a dorm! .

Find out more about Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap and other things to do in Siem Reap in my guide Siem Reap and Angkor Wat – everything you need to know..

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We all love our friends and our partners, but sometimes we love them because of our differences. We’re all built differently and that can be true for what we prioritise on holidays and trips as well. I know I have friends I love but wouldn’t want to travel with, because we just don’t have the same interests. .

For example, I love to sit on the beach or by the pool, reading a good book for hours. But I have friends who would hate that relaxed pool vibe and be desperate to *do* something. Anything. Just so long they’re not sitting around. .

Some people love the great outdoors, and their ultimate trip is planning multiple hikes across the trip, getting muddy or walking up hills. But I’m not a hiking girlie – I’m happy to walk a short distance, as long as there’s a reason, but not just for the sake of it. I’d much rather find the local historical or culture highlights, and take in a temple or a historic house, and learn about the place I’m visiting.

The great news about solo travelling as a woman is that you can align the trip to your interests. Want to focus only on cultural sites? Or prefer to make it more of a mix of culture and nature? Want to make sure you hit all the best cocktails in your chosen destination? Or prefer to order in and have a quiet night? You can design a trip that works for you.

Most of the time when I’m travelling I love getting out, seeing things and learning about where I’m staying. I’ll find out about the history of a town or city, and the most important sites to understand the local culture. I’ll try the local food and spend my days walking around, immersing myself in everything the destination has to offer. .

But sometimes you don’t want – or more importantly, need – that. Sometimes, a trip is about pure relaxation. We lead busy lives, especially those of us working the 9-5 or running a busy family. This particularly true for women, who pick up more of the caring and household responsibilities on average, alongside full time work..

Sometimes trips are about sitting by the beach, reading a book. Or going on a yoga and meditation retreat. Sometimes trips are about wandering from cafe to cafe..

Being a female solo traveller means that you have the freedom to prioritise this downtime, exactly when you need it. You don’t have to worry about whether your travel companion is also in the same mental space – you can just prioritise you. And that’s incredibly important.

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I think all my top tips above have been leading up to this one important point – being a female solo traveller means that you can do whatever you want. This is what I love most about travelling on my own – there is no compromise involved. If I don’t want to do something, I don’t have to do it. Even if it’s the most talked about thing in a destination, if it’s not for me, I don’t have pressure to go. If I want to sleep in, I can. If I want to get up to see the sunrise, I can do that too. Solo female travel is all about freedom.