Traveling Alone: Why You Should Give It a Try

Traveling alone is becoming more and more popular. And there are more and more options. Do you do it to escape the daily hustle and bustle of modern life, or to consciously experience other cultures and meet new people?

So many people, so many preferences. That’s certainly true when it comes to travel. Sometimes your expectations for a trip or vacation are very different from those of your travel companion. How wonderful it is, then, to be able to set off on your own, without having to take your travel companion(s)’ preferences into account.

Travel is not just about unique experiences; it’s increasingly about self-development. It’s about traveling more mindfully, traveling with awareness, and returning as a better person. It’s about taking the time to reflect on what’s important to you—things you don’t get around to because of your busy life.

I’ve been traveling alone frequently for years. By choice, because I love it, but also somewhat out of necessity because my partner doesn’t like to travel and I’m often on the road for work. What I love about it is that you never know what’s in store for you, who you’ll meet, and—most of all—you have plenty of time to unwind and enjoy nature.

Plus, the best ideas often come to you when you’re traveling alone (as was the case with the idea for this platform). You break free from your daily routine, live more in the moment, and have the time and mental space to think about the things that matter to you.

Read all about why you should try traveling solo, the best places for women to do so, and trips specifically designed for relaxation and self-development: retreats and yoga trips.

First, some advantages of traveling alone

For me, there are more pros than cons, but it really depends on what kind of person you are.

• You have a lot of freedom and flexibility

You don’t have to worry about other people’s wishes. You set your own pace and can decide on the spur of the moment how you’ll spend your day. If you’re used to a busy (family) life, that can sometimes be a wonderful escape.

• You’ll get to know yourself well and discover what’s important to you.

You are responsible for your own choices and need to trust yourself by taking on new challenges from time to time. This helps you develop and grow as a person.

• You’ll meet new people

In addition to getting to know yourself better, you’ll also get to know other people more quickly when you travel alone. You can join group activities or a group tour for solo travelers, but even when you’re traveling completely on your own, you’re more likely to connect with other travelers or with locals wherever you are.

• Profound experiences

You’ll have more time to reflect and enjoy your surroundings. You’ll experience the authentic local culture without distractions. You might be forced to learn a language, which will help you overcome the necessary hurdles—simply because you have to.

You can travel with a group of solo travelers. If you want to try traveling alone but don’t want to be completely on your own, choose an organized trip that you can sign up for by yourself.

Possible downsides of traveling alone and how to overcome them

• If you don’t like being alone, you may sometimes feel lonely. You don’t have a travel companion to share your special experiences with, and that can sometimes be painful or make you feel isolated. But it can also be an opportunity to overcome your feelings of loneliness. You can stay in touch (online) with your loved ones back home, and you can actively seek out other travelers or local residents.

• If you find traveling alone scary, you can take some extra precautions to feel safe. For example, make copies of your travel documents and keep someone at home informed of your plans so they can raise the alarm if necessary. I’ve never felt unsafe anywhere, and yet I’ve traveled alone to many extraordinary places around the world. There’s always someone willing to help you if you’re feeling hesitant or lonely.

• Another drawback is that costs can be relatively higher when you travel alone. You often pay more when you stay in a double room by yourself. And you have fewer opportunities to split costs. You could avoid this by joining a group tour for solo travelers. You may also be able to save money by being more selective about your accommodations or dining options.

• I’ve never found it boring to sit alone in a restaurant. Sometimes you’re invited to join a table with other people, and very often I have a book—or these days, always my cell phone—with me, so I don’t end up staring off into space all by myself while I eat.

• If you find it hard to make decisions on your own, traveling alone can also be a challenge, because you have to decide for yourself which path to take, where to go next, and how to spend your day. In that case, it’s nice to make a rough plan or itinerary in advance—which you can, of course, deviate from if you don’t feel like sticking to it. That’s the beauty of it.

The Best Countries and Regions in Europe for Solo Travel

You can travel safely almost anywhere in Europe. Here are our top picks for your solo trip:

• The Netherlands, of course, has excellent infrastructure, making it a safe place to try out solo travel. There’s plenty to see and do within a short distance. It offers beautiful hiking areas and is ideal for a bike ride or cultural exploration.

• Portugal is my top choice for solo travel. The people are friendly, and cities like Lisbon and Porto are lively yet easy to navigate. There are beautiful beaches and plenty of history, as well as stunning hiking trails, such as the Rota Vicentina. This trail is perfect for solo hiking. Accommodations are still affordable, and the food is delicious.

• Scotland boasts breathtaking landscapes and historic castles. The locals are friendly, and Scotland has a rich culture. It’s perfect for hiking and exploring nature. It’s also fun to travel by train.

• Iceland has stunning natural beauty and friendly locals. It’s a perfect destination for the adventurous solo traveler. It’s safe, and you’ll experience unique landscapes such as geysers and waterfalls.

• Slovenia is a lesser-known gem with stunning natural scenery and cities like Ljubljana. You can travel safely and easily through the beautiful lakes and mountains, and Slovenia has a welcoming atmosphere.
• Italy —and specifically Tuscany or Umbria—are regions where you can easily travel on your own and, above all, stay at an agriturismo or spend the night surrounded by nature.

Solo Travel for Women

More and more women are traveling alone. And fortunately, that’s entirely possible. Sometimes it’s to explore a new country or region, but often it’s a conscious choice to take some time and relax—to finally read that book, visit museums, go for walks, or enjoy a wellness retreat.

To be on the safe side, it’s best to travel during the day. Although I’ve also traveled a lot on night trains and have never had a negative experience. By the way, “women-only cars” are becoming more common on night trains. Stay in touch with your loved ones and share your itinerary. Above all, trust your intuition and stay alert.

Once, when I was heavily pregnant, I was stuck in traffic alone for hours in Italy. As a result, I arrived late for my appointment, and because of the delay, my hotel reservation had been canceled. I struck up a conversation with other people in the long traffic jam, and they kindly guided me to a hotel where I could stay and slept wonderfully.

Do your research on your destination beforehand and then decide for yourself if it’s right for you. In terms of safety, it’s obviously best to choose a retreat or stay in one place, so you can be sure in advance that you won’t run into any unpleasant surprises. In the book *Solo Travel*, you can read about Liesbeth Rasker’s experiences traveling solo.

Destinations particularly well-suited for women traveling alone

• Austria: Welcoming and Full of Solo-Friendly Activities

• The Netherlands: need I say more?

• Japan: Very Safe and Well-Organized

• Scandinavia: high levels of safety and equality, with beautiful nature and cities

• Canada: friendly and helpful, with plenty of natural beauty.

Why would you travel alone?

In short, there are plenty of reasons to give it a try. Get to know yourself and meet new people, expand your mind and improve your health, or go in completely unprepared and let the local culture surprise you. Even if it turns out to be a bit of a letdown in the end, you’ll still take something away from the experience. And you’re never alone.