Why More Women over Fifty Are Choosing Independent Travel
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll have noticed a shift in the way women travel. No longer waiting for the perfect companion or group, women are embracing the freedom of solo adventures like never before. In fact, an astounding 71% of solo travellers are now women, with a significant number aged fifty and above. According to the 2022 study The Influence and Affluence of Solo Women 50+ in Travel, these women aren’t just sightseeing, they’re actively seeking adventure.
Of course, women travelling alone is nothing new. Trailblazers like Gertrude Benham, the first woman to summit Kilimanjaro in 1909, and celebrated travel writer Dervla Murphy, who chronicled her journeys across the globe, paved the way long before independent female travel became mainstream. But what’s fuelling this modern surge? What inspires women to leave behind the comforts of home, sometimes even family, to embark on these solo journeys? And perhaps the bigger question: do they even need a reason?
The Drive and Mindset: Why Women Choose to Travel Alone.
For many women, the decision to travel solo isn’t about escaping responsibilities, it’s about embracing possibilities. Whether sparked by a life-changing event or simply a long-held dream, the drive to explore the world independently is reshaping how women approach adventure.
Take Hannah, 53, a vivacious wife and mother to a teenager. After the sudden loss of her mother in 2021, she had an epiphany: she needed to see the world before it was too late. With her husband’s support, she began crafting her own rail-based adventures across Europe and the UK, proving that solo travel doesn’t mean travelling alone, it means travelling on your own terms. Karen, 67, shares this sentiment. After spending years travelling alone but within small groups following her husband’s passing, she eventually chose to embark on journeys entirely on her own. She began exploring the UK’s long-distance trails, relying only on companies to arrange her accommodation and transport her luggage. Karen enjoys the independence of setting her own pace and not having to adhere to others’ schedules and this is a common theme when talking with women about their travels and adventures;
“I’ve been a people pleaser all my life” says ex-schoolteacher Denise, 70, “and once I’d retired, for the first time in my life I wasn’t responsible for anyone.”
But life-changing events aren’t the only catalyst for independent exploration. For some, like me, there was no defining moment. My choice to travel solo stemmed from two simple reasons: watching my children venture to places I’d always dreamed of visiting and wanting to rediscover who I was outside of my roles as a mother, partner, and professional. While I still cherish trips with my husband, I make it a point to carve out solo adventures just for me every year. For Lisa, 58, it was lockdown, and a couple of particularly influential books that encouraged her to solo bike pack for three months around the whole of the UK.
“I am a social person”, she says, “so I was a bit worried about all the alone time, but I never felt lonely.”
Then there’s Anna-Maria, whose love for travel has been ingrained in her since childhood. Her journeys span decades, from pre-children adventures to globe-trotting with her kids, and now, post-divorce, a new era of exploration. For her, slow travel is key, allowing her to immerse herself in cultures for months at a time. At 71, her destinations include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, and the Trans-Siberian Railroad between Russia and China. But her spirit of adventure doesn’t stop there, Anna-Maria is also a qualified sailor who, in her sixties, circumnavigated the globe as part of a sailing crew. Her mindset is clear: as long as she is physically and mentally capable, there is no reason she can’t go wherever she pleases.
These women, and many others like them, are redefining what it means to be a solo traveller. Their stories challenge outdated narratives and inspire a new generation of women to embrace the unknown, on their own terms.
The Places: Where Solo Women Travellers Go:
For many women, travel is more than just a getaway, it’s an opportunity to explore, challenge themselves, and embrace adventure. Some prefer to set off alone and join an organized group for activities like hiking, climbing, or swimming. Others take full control of their journey, planning every detail independently, from transportation and accommodation to the activities that will shape their experience. The statistics don’t always differentiate between these approaches, but one thing is clear: more women than ever are making travel their own.
How they get there is just as varied as where they go. Hannah, for example, doesn’t enjoy flying, so she maps out her adventures by rail. Her journeys have taken her across Denmark and Italy, and she’s currently planning a trip to the Netherlands—all without stepping on a plane. Denise chooses to use the public transport system of the country she is in as much as possible, finding this is also a great way to meet local people and hear their stories. Anna-Maria, on the other hand, takes adventure to another level. Not only has she circumnavigated the globe, but as an accomplished sailor, she also sailed from French Polynesia to New Zealand, just to reach the country’s renowned hiking trails.
Lots of women are using the brilliant network of coastal and inland national paths that we now have across the UK, taking their tent and backpack and achieving their travels on foot. Karen,63, has solo walked the St James’ Way, The Moyle Way in Antrim, Great Glen Way in Scotland and the Ridgeway and has plans this year to tackle the Isle of Man Coast Path.
From railways to sailboats, remote mountains to bustling cities, women are proving that there’s no single way to explore the world—only the way that feels right for them.
Volunteering: A Meaningful Path to Solo Travel
For many women, volunteering offers a compelling gateway into independent travel. The idea of giving back, whether through conservation work, teaching, or community projects, can be a powerful motivator, often providing a deeper connection to a destination than traditional tourism.
Of course, voluntourism is not without controversy. Critics argue that short-term volunteer projects can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when poorly managed. But when approached ethically and with genuine intent, volunteering can be a meaningful way to experience a new culture while making a positive impact.
For me, volunteering in Ecuador last year was not just about the work itself, it was an opportunity to immerse myself in the country and explore beyond the usual tourist trail. After completing my placement, I took time to travel independently, experiencing Ecuador in a way that felt deeply personal and rewarding. It was an empowering reminder that solo travel doesn’t always mean going it alone, it can also mean engaging with communities, learning from new experiences, and leaving a place with more than just memories.
At 70, Denise embraced the adventure of solo travel by using the volunteering platform ‘Workaway’ to work and explore Mongolia. Though initially apprehensive about venturing so far alone, she soon found herself immersed in a unique and enriching experience. She taught English in the northern region, forging connections that would shape the next steps of her journey. Through the people she met, she was invited to a traditional first haircut ceremony, a deeply personal and special event, and later welcomed by the Tsaatan, a nomadic community of reindeer herders in the remote north. Her approach to travel is refreshingly flexible: she books only one day ahead, allowing her to embrace spontaneity, meet new people, and uncover unexpected opportunities. This adaptability also enabled her to continue her adventure, using her newfound contacts to travel back to the UK via the Stans, turning what began as a volunteering trip into a life-changing odyssey.
Being in Control: The Freedom of Solo Travel
There’s something undeniably exhilarating about packing a bag and setting off alone, free from the weight of making sure everyone else is happy. It’s a sentiment echoed by many of the women I’ve spoken to; wives, partners, mothers, daughters, who often feel bound by the responsibilities that come with these roles. Solo travel offers a rare opportunity to step away from those expectations and truly put themselves first.
“It feels quite selfish in a way, doing what I want, when I want,” Hannah admits. But the sense of independence is empowering. Recently, when she had planned a solo trip, her husband’s grandmother fell ill. Torn between staying and going, she was reassured when her husband encouraged her to continue with her plans, reminding her that there was nothing she could do at home. It was a moment of clarity, an acknowledgment that taking time for herself didn’t mean neglecting those she loved.
Ruth, 50, has taken solo travel to the next level by making her home a part of her journey. In May last year, she answered the call of the waterways she had cherished since childhood holidays, selling her house to buy a canal boat. Now living full-time on the water, she has fully embraced a nomadic lifestyle, moving to a new mooring, and a new community of fellow travellers, every two weeks. While she is no stranger to solo adventures, having spent much of her time climbing and hiking in the Lake District and Snowdonia, this way of life has given her an entirely new perspective on independence and exploration. She has even secured a job that will enable her to work and live remotely to continue her lifestyle.
For many women, solo travel isn’t about escaping responsibilities forever, it’s about reclaiming space for themselves, even if just for a little while. And in doing so, they return not just with souvenirs, but with a renewed sense of self.
Response: Fear, curiosity and reality.
For many women, the idea of travelling alone is daunting. It’s not uncommon to hear reactions of awe from friends, often accompanied by comments about how brave they must be. But for those who have embraced solo travel, the reality feels quite different.
“I don’t think I’m brave,” says Hannah. “Courageous, perhaps.” Her perspective reflects a growing sentiment among women who travel alone, it’s not about fearlessness, but about making a conscious choice to explore the world on their own terms.
As for how others react, the response is often far more neutral than expected. Strangers in other countries tend to ask the same questions they would of any traveller: Where are you from? What brings you here? The idea that solo female travellers face constant scrutiny or danger is, in many cases, overstated.
Anna-Maria has noticed an interesting dynamic when it comes to attention. “I get less unwanted attention than my daughter in her thirties,” she notes. “Maybe it’s the grey hair. But honestly, I think I feel more at risk in certain parts of the UK than I do overseas.” Karen shares this perspective, expressing that she feels safer on long-distance trails than on some urban paths. She adds that she has never encountered negative attention, recalling a time when a gentleman asked if she wanted company for lunch during a walk. She politely declined, and he simply moved on without issue. “I think it’s extremely rare for anything to happen,” she says. “However, I always check in with my daughters each evening from my accommodation, keep my phone on, and rely on companies to arrange my stays.”
“I was always more worried that someone would take the bike than hurt me” says Lisa, continuing to explain that this was the main reason she used campsites over wild camping. Denise echoes the sentiment about safety, recalling the one time she felt scared on her travels through the Stans was when she was surrounded by a pack of street dogs in Taraz in Kazakhstan!
The truth is solo travel isn’t about recklessness, it’s about preparation, awareness, and confidence. And as more women step out into the world alone, they’re finding that the greatest challenge often isn’t the journey itself, but the assumptions they must leave behind.
How to Travel Alone: Finding the Right Approach
For women considering solo travel, there are multiple ways to ease into the experience. Adventure travel companies like Intrepid, Explore, and Much Better Adventures provide structured itineraries, offering a balance between independence and security. These trips can be a great starting point for those unsure about safety or whether they truly enjoy their own company for extended periods.
One common concern is the dreaded single supplement—an extra fee often charged to solo travellers for occupying a room alone. However, some adventure groups now waive this fee if you’re open to sharing accommodation with another solo female traveller. It’s worth checking in advance, though this arrangement does rely on hitting it off with your roommate (and investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling earplugs, just in case!).
For those who want to go fully independent, inspiration is never far away. An increasing number of women are turning to travel blogs and online communities for advice, reassurance, and destination ideas. Groups like Love Her Wild and Adventure Queens connect women with like-minded travellers, offering group trips and support for solo adventurers.
Another way to build confidence is by following a well-documented route or a tried-and-tested itinerary. Knowing that others have successfully navigated a journey before you can take some of the uncertainty out of planning—allowing you to focus on the thrill of the adventure ahead.
Start small. If you’re unsure about spending extended time in your own company—though many seasoned solo female travellers insist that you’ll never truly feel alone—ease into the experience. Begin by going to the cinema alone, savour a meal at a restaurant with a book for company, and gradually build your confidence. These small yet empowering steps can help you embrace the freedom and joy that come with solo travel, setting the stage for more adventurous journeys ahead.
No matter the approach, the most important thing is to travel in a way that feels right for you, whether that is joining a group or setting off completely solo.
Top Tips for Solo Women’s Travel
Travelling solo as a woman can be an empowering and enriching experience, but preparation and awareness are key to staying safe and making the most of your journey. Here are some top tips to keep in mind:
- Keep Valuables Out of Sight:
Avoid drawing attention to yourself by keeping expensive jewellery, cameras, credit cards, and cash hidden. A discreet money belt or cross-body bag with anti-theft features can be a smart investment. - Secure Your Phone & Stay Connected:
Wear your phone on a lanyard around your neck to keep it accessible yet secure. Consider using an eSIM for seamless connectivity in different countries. If travelling to China, download a VPN before arrival to ensure unrestricted internet access. - Do Your Research:
Understanding local customs and cultural norms will help you blend in and show respect for the places you visit. Read up on other travellers’ experiences to learn valuable insights about safety, transport, and etiquette. “But” says Denise, “always go with an open mind about a place, perception can be skewered by the media.” - Share Your Itinerary:
Ensure family and friends can track your movements using apps like Life360 or BSAFE, which provide location-sharing and emergency contact features. Regular check-ins can offer peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. - Engage with Locals, When It Feels Right:
Some of the best travel experiences come from unexpected conversations. If you feel comfortable, chatting with locals can lead to unique opportunities. Anna-Maria, for example, once found accommodation through a simple conversation during a local tour in India and even had tea with a Maharaja!
Solo travel isn’t about being alone, it’s about creating your own journey, your way. Stay aware, stay open-minded, and embrace the adventure, the world is waiting!
