8 Stories to Help Empower You to Travel Solo

Travel Solo: Paving the Way for Others

Many of my friends were surprised when I traveled solo to Australia and New Zealand for two months. This was my first trip on my own. Something is empowering about taking a trip alone, especially for women. We defy societal expectations and prove that courage and independence can take us anywhere in the world. I hope these women help inspire you to travel solo too.

I love getting out in nature when I travel solo. Photo Credit: Unsplash – Maria Fernanda Pissioli

Building Confidence Through Solo Adventures

Solo travel for me was transformative. Having no companion to rely on, I had to trust my instincts and navigate unfamiliar places and cultures. My solo journeys gave me a heightened sense of self-confidence. I tried new languages, food, markets, and more. I learned to enjoy my own company, finding that I love myself beyond what I thought was possible.

Inspiring a Global Community of Women to Travel Solo

Thanks to social media and travel blogs, other courageous women have inspired me to travel on my own. Their stories encouraged me to take my first solo adventure. What I love about solo travel is that it doesn’t mean that you’ll be lonely. It’s often the opposite. You’ll make some of the most meaningful connections with other female travelers and locals alike.

Meeting the locals in Chiang Mai. Photo Credit: Jennifer Mitchell

Practical Solo Travel Tips from Experienced Female Travelers

While each journey is unique, seasoned solo travelers often share valuable advice:

Research your destination thoroughly before you go.
Trust your intuition and listen to your gut.
Pack light but bring essentials that make you feel secure.
Connect with locals and other travelers—there’s a whole community out there.

I love to travel by the sea. Photo Credit: Unsplash – Avi Waxman

Breaking Barriers as Solo Female Travelers

Solo travel is about breaking barriers and pushing past your fears. It’s empowering to embrace the unknown. These courageous women show that determination is a powerful tool. Their journeys highlight inner strength as much as the landscapes they explore.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel solo is to explore temples and cultural buildings.
Photo Credit: Unsplash – Ibrahim Rifath

These solo travelers inspire us to step outside our comfort zones.

1. Kristin Addis (Be My Travel Muse)

After quitting her job in 2012, Kristin embarked on a solo journey from Bangkok that now spans over 50 countries on six continents. She shares bold adventures, money-saving strategies, and immersive travel photography with her 5M+ readers.

2. Adventurous Kate (Kate McCulley)

Kate walked away from her corporate life in 2010 and has since visited 89 countries. Her blog combines safety advice, grossly honest travel experiences, and ethical insights—trusted by thousands looking to travel wisely and boldly

3. Alyssa Ramos (My Life’s A Travel Movie)

A fearless globetrotter, Alyssa has traveled to more than 140 countries solo. Known for tackling visa issues, remote locations, and candidly addressing gender bias in travel—her content is authentic, gritty, and empowering.

I dream of traveling solo like this great shot from Alyssa Ramos’ Instagram

4. Cassandra De Pecol

In 2017, Cassie set Guinness World Records as the fastest woman to visit every country (she completed 196 nations in 558 days). She’s an activist for sustainable travel who shares her story with university audiences and travelers everywhere.

5. Benka Pulko

Between 1997 and 2002, Slovenian adventurer and journalist Benka toured all seven continents by motorcycle, setting multiple world records. Her journey integrated storytelling, photography, and humanitarian efforts in Tibet and beyond

6. Robyn Davidson

Robyn trekked 2,700 km across Australia’s deserts in 1977, using camels and confronting isolation. Her memoir Tracks is now a travel classic, a testament to inner strength and determination in solo exploration.

In 1977, Robyn Davidson made the solo crossing by camel from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean.
Photo credit: Rick Smolan

7. Holly Martin (Wind Hippie Sailing)

A solo sailor and vlogger who began her circumnavigation in 2018 from Maine. Holly’s Pacific passage to French Polynesia took 41 days. She documents every challenge and joy on her YouTube channel, inspiring others to sail solo.

8. Priyanka Chandola

An Indian solo travel vlogger who turned her passion for independence into a career. She explores remote regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing safety, humility, and authenticity in under‑discovered destinations.

Are you ready for your own solo adventure? Remember: courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid—it means you go anyway.