International Women’s Day, which celebrates women’s achievements and advocates for gender equality, falls on 8 March. It’s a great time for women to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace new challenges, and enjoy their independence.
Whether you’re single, struggling to find a travel companion, or you simply love the idea of getting away on your own, a solo holiday could be a fantastic opportunity to try something new.
According to the Guardian, in 2025, UK travel firms reported an increase in bookings for solo travellers, primarily by older women – many of whom choose to leave their partners behind to “explore on their own terms”.
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to take the plunge and book a holiday just for you, here are three wonderful benefits you could gain from exploring the world as a solo female traveller.
1. Build unshakable confidence and resilience
At home, you might have an extensive circle of friends, family, and colleagues to lean on for support, guidance, and advice when you need it.
When travelling solo, everything’s down to you – handling logistics, navigating language barriers, overcoming unexpected challenges, and much more.
While this might seem overwhelming at first, it could be an incredibly empowering experience that makes you more resilient both on the road and after you return home. Figures published by atlys reveal that 79% of women who travel on their own said it boosted their confidence and problem-solving skills. Over 80% of those who had never been away on their own before felt the experience made them more self-reliant.
2. Freedom and flexibility to do as you please
When you travel with a partner, friends, or family, there’s always a degree of compromise involved, be it how long your holiday lasts, where you stay, or how you spend your time.
On a solo trip, these decisions are completely up to you. Even if you choose to join forces with other single travellers or book onto a group excursion, you can leave to do your own thing whenever you please.
Time is precious; you’ll only have so many opportunities to check off your bucket list destinations and experiences. Going it alone means you can make every moment count.
3. Make authentic and meaningful connections
Opting for a solo holiday doesn’t mean you have to stay on your own the whole time. In fact, meeting travellers and locals from all over the world may turn out to be one of the highlights of your trip.
Research by Saga into holiday bookings by the over-50s found that 47% of those who travelled alone made friends they stayed in touch with.
Of course, you can meet people when you travel with friends and family, but a solo traveller is often more approachable. You might also feel more motivated to chat to locals and fellow holidaymakers if you haven’t brought company with you.
What’s more, when you’re travelling alone, you’re likely to have more time to invest in longer, deeper conversations that may lead to meaningful and lasting connections.
Important safety considerations when travelling on your own
While solo holidays offer many benefits, there are a few things to bear in mind if you want to feel relaxed and confident on your travels.
Choose destinations and accommodation with safety in mind
Look for places that are easy and enjoyable to navigate alone. This could include locations with reliable public transport, positive reviews from travellers, and a choice of well-known, reputable hotels. If you don’t speak the local language, you might also want to choose a destination that caters to English speakers.
Research local cultural norms
Making sure you understand how to dress and behave respectfully in public spaces could not only show consideration but also help you avoid unwanted attention.
Keep loved ones informed
Sharing your main itinerary with your family, friends, or partner and keeping emergency contacts easily accessible is a smart way to create a safety net. This could help you feel supported and reassure the people who care about you.
You might also want to agree on certain check-in dates and times, such as when you arrive at a new destination.
Take out adequate travel insurance
If something goes wrong, be it a missed flight or an unexpected illness, this could be challenging and stressful when you’re travelling alone.
Putting appropriate insurance in place could give you peace of mind that you’ll have access to essential support when you need it the most.
Get in touch
If you’d like help building and growing your wealth so that you can enjoy more of the experiences that make you happy, we can help.
To find out more, please get in touch.
Email helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or call 0117 9303510.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
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