![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Evolution-of-the-Backpacker_illustrations-33-1.png\")
Most women weren\u2019t born solo travellers, in fact many of us first dipped our toes into the unknown with a degree of WTF but we went anyway. Much has been written about the benefits and joy that solo travel brings<\/a>, and that\u2019s all well and good, but what about those first steps? What is the catalyst that makes women go? We want to know the reasons why women travel solo!<\/p>\nSo, we thought we\u2019d dig a little deeper and asked a bunch of our favourite female travellers why they first set out on a solo trip.<\/p>\n
![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sophie-Piearcey-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Sophie @SophiePiearcey<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBecause I needed a change from the mundane. I was in a rut, tired of a monotonous job, free lukewarm office coffee, and the same hectic daily commute. I wanted change, to make myself uncomfortable and be utterly selfish. That\u2019s why I booked my first solo ticket. I truly believe that none of my colourful moments and conversations and connections would have happened had I not been travelling solo.\u201d Sam @thetravelcrush<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOne\u00a0day when chatting to a colleague of mine in my first ever job, she told me about her backpacking adventures and it got me thinking. I grew\u00a0curious and would look at an online world map at lunchtime and plot my future route!\u201d Gemma @girlsthattravelofficial<\/a><\/p>\n Thea @sister.sol<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor me the decision to go backpacking alone was born of necessity, as none of my friends wanted to travel and I decided that I couldn\u2019t let my lack of a buddy stop me. After battling through the crippling fear of the first few days I soon felt an absolute triumph in thriving in a strange place alone.\u201d Thea @sister.sol<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d never traveled solo before and had some difficulty finding a travel companion on short notice. I decided to kick fear to the curb and embark on this journey alone rather than miss an opportunity to visit some of the amazing places that had sat on my bucket list too long\u201d Amy @amyscrypt<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI wasn’t intending to travel alone and was completely horrified when the friend I had planned to travel with backed out at the last minute. I decided to go anyway, which ended up being one of the wildest, exhilarating, eye-opening experiences of my life.\u201d Sophie @theunboundedtraveler<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI decided to take my first solo trip six years ago. After visiting New Zealand with friends, I returned to the UK and almost instantly booked a flight back to Australia alone. I booked to go alone to prove to myself that I could do it, that I would be okay. \u00a0Solo travel for me was liberating, it created moments for me to learn more about who I am as a person and rise above the challenges in my life at that time.\u201d Sophie @sophiepiearcey<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI was in a long-term relationship at the time but felt the need to go on my own. I think deep down I was craving some space, adventure and a change of scenery.\u201d Gemma @girlsthattravelofficial\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Sarah @SarahNoire<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI embarked on my first solo trip to Bali, so that I could truly experience the unknown alone, and take the opportunity to learn who I am outside of my comfort zone. When you\u2019re in your place of comfort, you have so many distractions of work, friends and life is constantly happening that you never have a solid moment to reflect. I was very intentional that my solo trip was about switching on rather than switching off, because I needed to catch up on myself without the external factors distracting me. I believe that I\u2019m not alone in my reasons for travelling solo, as many of the women who I met on my travels who are contemplating taking a solo trip, often want to do it, with the intention of learning who they are, and to grow as a person.\u201d Sarah @SarahNoire<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhile I was living in the U.K., I did a few weekend trips on my own around the island. After a few months, I did a week long whirlwind jaunt to Copenhagen, Venice, and Prague. This was before smart phones, and the trip was not without its problems, but I think it was a crucial experience for me in developing the sort of character skills you need when traveling solo.\u201d\u00a0Amy @wayfarersbook<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI took my first solo trip because I craved the freedom and flexibility that accompanies it. I was at a point in my life where I wanted to experience something that was totally about me. That may sound selfish \u2014 but I was caught up in a whirlwind of external things and solo travel seemed like the self-care I needed at the time.\u201d Marina @marinasmilestones<\/a><\/p>\n Amy has niche travelling tastes and explores the macabre. Travelling solo has meant she can focus on her interests in their entirety. \u201cI traveled through New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Philadelphia, sleeping solo in haunted rooms and visiting murder houses along the way. I’ve never looked back.\u201d Amy @amyscrypt<\/a><\/p>\n Johanna @JohannaW<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTravelling was something I wanted to do, but there always seemed to be barriers. Work goals, no money, a family member to care for, a group of friends or a partner I couldn\u2019t leave behind. Then I was dealt a series of blows, and instead of sinking I saw it as a sign to go: the more I lost ultimately set me free and on the path to the greatest adventure of my life. Going alone was key for me, as I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d have opened up in quite the same way if I hadn\u2019t travelled solo.\u201d Johanna @JohannaW<\/a><\/p>\n I guess I always had a sense of solo wanderlust, as I always wanted to go out and explore on my own – even if that was to the next town over,\u00a0when I was 12! Gemma @girlsthattravelofficial<\/a><\/p>\n The word \u2018selfish\u2019 popped up a lot in the responses, and I remember that feeling so intensely when I first left to explore the world solo. At first it felt so alien not to be considering at least one other person\u2019s needs. Every day becomes your own when you travel solo, every decision yours alone and as the selfish feeling fades it morphs into the feeling of freedom and total autonomy. Society has done a good job on conditioning us women to take on the nurturing role and it\u2019s hard to shake that feeling that you\u2019re doing something utterly selfish. As women, in some countries, are taking strides towards equality and relinquishing some of the restraints and expectations put upon us we are choosing to take the ultimate adventure and travel solo. The myths around solo female travel<\/a> are being disproved and this travel trend is on the rise.<\/p>\n What\u2019s caused the shift of an 88% increase in solo female travellers over the last four years?<\/p>\n We asked our solo female travellers for their thoughts:<\/p>\n \u201cBecause more women than ever are seeing the value in it. Maybe you don\u2019t want to go to Times Square for the umpteenth time or stand in line at the Louvre with your significant other. When you travel solo you don\u2019t have to answer to anyone else and that\u2019s a magical thing.\u201d Sam @thetravelcrush<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWomen decide to travel when the desire to go grows stronger than the barriers in their way.\u00a0I think the desire to travel has more or less always been there – women are just actualizing it in new ways. When you realize that you won’t get to see the Eiffel Tower, walk the Great Wall, or hike the mountains of Georgia unless you just decide to do it, the things holding you back weaken.\u201d Amy @wayfarersbook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe freedom to forge our own path while reaching our own potential is just one of the reasons I believe more women are embarking on solo travel. Additionally, emerging communities and online support systems are allowing women to encourage and support one another to reach their travel goals, especially those that can only be met alone.\u201d\u00a0Amy @Amyscrypt\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think more women than ever are travelling solo because it’s so freeing and empowering. We don’t have to wait on or rely on anyone other than ourselves.\u201d Krysti @krystiJaims<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think more women are choosing to travel alone these days due to a shift in attitude and a change in perception. Once upon a time it was deemed unsafe for a woman to be alone anywhere in the world but now, more than ever women are proving to all that they can be alone.\u201d Sophie @SophiePiearcey<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI absolutely love that more women than ever before are choosing to travel solo. We are finally realizing we don’t need anyone else’s permission to get out there and accomplish our dreams. Looking to those who have paved the way as solo female travelers, women are feeling empowered and confident enough to recognize our own strength, deciding to experience the world for ourselves.\u201d Sophie @theunboundedtraveler<\/a><\/p>\n I think women are choosing solo travel now because it\u2019s a curiously brave thing to do. It\u2019s empowering and helps women take the reins on their own life. Marina @marinasmilestones<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I also think that the stigma around solo travel has now gone. It’s now seen as a brave or interesting thing to do. Gemma @girlsthattravelofficial<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, there we have it – the cultural shift we are seeing, is being reflected in our travel choices. Female empowerment, liberty and independence are becoming more attainable for some women. We obviously have a long way to go, as for many women in the world travel is not an option. If you have the opportunity, take it!<\/p>\n Download the Hostelworld app now to start your travel wishlist!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you’re feeling inspired to head out on your first solo adventure, have a read of these posts for some destination inspiration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":136429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hw_hurry":"Solo female traveller bookings on Hostelworld rose 88% in four years, and 75% of Gen Z women in the UK have backpacked or plan to.\nEleven women share why they went alone, from leaving a dull job or a relationship to friends not wanting to come, self-care and lifelong wanderlust.\nA short weekend trip is a simple way to build confidence before going further, and the women agree you don't need anyone's permission to travel solo.","hw_related":"[{\"id\":16365,\"score\":0.83169999999999999484856516573927365243434906005859375,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":26760,\"score\":0.822999999999999953814722175593487918376922607421875,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":80169,\"score\":0.73939999999999994617638776617241092026233673095703125,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":115299,\"score\":0.72850000000000003641531520770513452589511871337890625,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":253359,\"score\":0.71850000000000002753353101070388220250606536865234375,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":151406,\"score\":0.7156000000000000138555833473219536244869232177734375,\"hook\":\"\"}]","footnotes":""},"categories":[9473],"tags":[264369,264367],"class_list":["post-118659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-female-travel","tag-solo-travel","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\nReal reasons why women travel solo<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. A big life shift was needed<\/span><\/h3>\n
2. Inspirational women led the way<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. No travel buddies, no drama<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Thea-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. One trip leads to another<\/span><\/h3>\n
5. Leaving a relationship<\/span><\/h3>\n
6. Turn down the noise<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sarah-Bali-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Mini-breaks lead to longer solo adventures<\/span><\/h3>\n
8. Self-care isn\u2019t selfish<\/span><\/h3>\n
9. Unusual travel desires<\/span><\/h3>\n
10. The universe made me do it<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Johanna.jpg\")
<\/p>\n11. Born to go solo<\/span><\/h3>\n
Why are more women than ever before choosing to travel solo?<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sam-Belkacemi.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Amy-Butler-in-Dagestan.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Amy-Crypt.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Krysti-James-Budapest.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sophie-piearcey-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sophie-Mendel-in-Sydney.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/MarinaNazario.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"reasons](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Gemma-Thompson_Amalfi.jpg\")
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\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\nKeep reading:\u00a0
![\"\u2b07\ufe0f\"](\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/11\/svg\/2b07.svg\")
<\/b><\/h2>\n![\"\ud83c\udf1f\"](\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/11\/svg\/1f31f.svg\")
\u00a0Destinations for female solo travellers<\/a><\/h4>\n\u00a0Female solo travel in the Middle East<\/a><\/h4>\n\u00a0Solo female travel in Europe<\/a><\/h4>\n