Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a Woman? (Advice From a Solo Female Traveler)

About 5,000 people per month Google “Is it weird to travel alone?” 🤯

As a longtime solo female traveler, it truly shocked me to discover that so many people want to know Is it weird to travel alone? because for me, it feels so normal.

However, these 5,000 Googlers got me thinking.

I realized that if you’ve never traveled alone, but you’ve always wanted to, of course you want to know if it’s weird.

In fact, before starting anything new, we always wonder what it’s going to be like; though it’s often not how we pictured it would be.

This is very true of solo female travel; it’s just that my first solo trip was so long ago, that traveling alone now feels very normal and natural.

I have been a solo traveler in Mexico since April 2018 — but before embarking on that journey, I too probably wondered if it was weird.

So now, after having traveled solo throughout Mexico to half the states (and starting this entire blog about it), I promise you it’s not weird to travel alone as a woman!

More so than just “not weird,” it’s an empowering, amazing, life-changing experience I believe all women should have at least once.

In this article, you’re going to get answers to the Top 5 most asked solo female travel questions.

For those considering solo travel in Mexico, there will be some resources at the end of the article to help with Mexico solo travel planning.

Ready to dispel some solo female travel misinformation?! Let’s get to it — starting with the original question, Is it weird to travel alone as a woman?

However, I realize that everything seems weird before you’ve done it — so I do get why someone who has never done it would ask.

After you’ve done anything a few times, you gain confidence and it becomes second nature.

Recall for a moment learning how to drive your car, ride a bike, or even tie your shoes.

Each of those now-easy things were weird, awkward and even difficult at first.

Now, after years or decades of tying your shoes and riding a bike, your muscle memory kicks in so much that you do it with your eyes closed.

💁‍♂️ Wondering, Is it weird for a guy to travel alone? Head here to see what solo male traveler, Ryan, has to say — but spoiler: it’s not weird at all.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Learning to trust your intuition: A solo travel lesson

The majority of my solo travel has taken place in Mexico, and the mainstream media would lead you to believe Mexico is the most dangerous country on Earth.

However, I have stayed totally safe. In fact, I felt safer traveling Mexico than I did where I was previously living in South Florida. 

How is this possible? Easy; I avoided unsafe situations, and I did this by listening to my intuition.

For tips on just how to do this, check out Episode 24 of the Dream To Destination podcast, “Trusting your intuition while solo traveling.”

What is intuition?

This word gets thrown around a lot, so to clear this up once and for all, intuition is basically your inner voice.

It’s also called your conscience, guardian angel or your higher self. Whatever you choose to call it, know your intuition only has one job: Keeping you safe.

How many times have you heard this story? And how many times has this been your story?

“I had a bad feeling about doing [this thing], but I did it anyway, then [insert bad thing] happened, just like I knew it would. I don’t know why I didn’t listen to myself.”

💁‍♀️ That right there, is your intuition.

Through solo travel, I was able to hone in on my own inner voice because I wasn’t constantly having conversations with a travel buddy.

This is how I learned my intuition was there to guide me and keep me safe. Now, I trust it above all.

For me, when my intuition said No, it was a Hard No.

A No from my intuition meant “No further questions, Your Honor,” and not “No, but um, maybe let’s just see if I’m right.”

In many cases, “seeing if you’re right” really only means you’re verifying that you’re about to walk into a bad or dangerous situation.

Proving yourself right, in this case, means you’re now in an unsafe situation, or stuck hanging out with a person you had a bad feeling about.

Is it worth being right? Or should you just listen to your intuition and assume that it is right?

The Gift of Fear

Beyond just my opinions on this, let’s take a moment to see what science has to say about intuition — and how it keeps us safe.

In his best-selling book, The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence, author Gavin de Becker says we humans are the only animals to question our fear (AKA intuition or inner voice).

In the book he says, “Intuition is always right in at least two important ways; It is always in response to something… and it always has your best interest at heart.”

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Solo travel can feel weird — But you can do it anyway

Though it would be much more convenient if the world was black and white, it’s not.

Meaning, you can both feel awkward once in a while during solo travel, and still be a great solo female traveler.

Having moments of awkwardness won’t make you a failure at solo travel!

At the end of the day, yes, if you’ve never traveled alone, there’s a good chance it will feel weird at first.

Hopefully you now see feeling awkward when trying something new, is totally normal!

In fact, it’s even more weird to try something totally new and not feel weird, anxious and/or scared at first.

Check out this related article → Solo Travel Anxiety: 5 Common Triggers & How to Overcome Them

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

To go or not to go: That is the traveling alone question

Traveling solo for the first time really comes down to this: Will you go though it’s a bit scary — or will you stay home and miss out? (Think of the FOMO 🫣)

Most new experiences start out with us being scared, but doing them anyway. If you think about it, this is how nearly all stories begin.

Solo Travel as The Hero’s Journey

Have you ever heard of American author, Joseph Campbell?

If not, have you ever heard of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars? Of course you have.

In Step 1, The Call to Action, there’s a mere mortal (normal person) who’s called to a journey, but is never excited to answer the call because starting something new is scary.

However, they go anyway because being courageous or heroic isn’t about never feeling scared.

Rather, it’s about feeling the fear, but acting anyway.

While you might not label yourself a hero, you are, and that’s because all hero(ines) start out as normal people.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Will I feel lonely during solo female travel?

In all honesty, yes, you just might. However, this is a totally normal human emotion that can creep in at any time.

In fact, you can even feel lonely while in a group, some spouses even say they’ve felt lonely in their marriage — because being alone isn’t the same as feeling lonely.

🎧 Solo Travel Podcast For more on this, check out these 11 Tips to Combat Loneliness in Solo Travel, one of my top solo female travel podcast episodes.

Imagine being someone’s plus one to their high school reunion where everyone knows everyone else; except you.

In this scenario, you’re surrounded by 200 people, but there’s a good chance you’d feel lonely in that very crowded room.

To use a travel example, just because you have a travel partner, doesn’t mean you won’t feel lonely on a trip with them, at least sometimes.

For those who’d rather travel with someone (anyone!) versus traveling solo, imagine traveling with someone you’re not very close to.

Just as you’d feel lonely in the room of strangers at the high school reunion, so too would you feel lonely with a travel buddy you have no connection to.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Feeling alone vs feeling lonely

There is a big difference between being alone and feeling lonely — but simply put, “alone” is a physical state or a state of body, and “loneliness” is a state of mind.

This is how you can feel lonely in a crowded room, and how even someone in a relationship can feel lonely with a partner.

In short, being in the presence of another person isn’t a guarantee you won’t feel lonely.

If this is the thing holding you back from solo travel, don’t let it because as a normal human emotion, loneliness can strike at any time. 

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

What to do if you feel lonely during solo travel

Loneliness is normal, and the sooner you truly accept that, the sooner you’ll take that first solo trip!

The key isn’t being afraid or anxious about feeling this totally normal feeling.

Rather, it’s having strategies in place that allow you to feel it, and then go back to enjoying your solo trip.

Below you’ll find a few suggestions you can use on a first trip alone, and for even more tips, check out Going On Vacation Alone: 30 Tips for Solo Female Travelers.

❤️ Be Kind to Yourself

First and foremost, don’t spiral from loneliness to feeling angry, frustrated and hopeless about feeling lonely.

For this, some people journal out their thoughts and feelings, meditate to find peace, put on a fun playlist — whatever works.

👯‍♀️ Go on a Group Tour

The quickest way to feel less lonely is to get out of your own head.

For that, the quickest fix when traveling is to go to a new place, surround yourself with new stimuli, and have a new experience.

Remember: Solo travel doesn’t have to mean you’re alone the whole time — it just means you’re the solo (only) person in charge of what you do every day.

While traveling, check out Viator and Airbnb Experiences to see the group tours available in the city or country you’re visiting.

📲 Phone A Friend

Have 2-3 friends and/or family members on standby back home, letting them know that if you call them, it’s because you might be in a lonely place and need their support.

You can also set up a designated time each day to speak with your people.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Is it safe to travel alone as a woman?

The thing with safety is this: Safety is a feeling, not a fact.

If safety is the probability that something bad or tragic isn’t about to happen to us, then no, we’re actually never safe.

If you think about it, you’re not even 100% safe in your hometown, or even in your own home.

As mentioned, I’ve traveled solo all over Mexico by myself.

To say it’s nothing like what I was led to believe by the media and well-meaning but uninformed friends and family members is a huge understatement.

In fact, I loved Mexico so much, I now live in the country full time.

However, when embarking on my initial trip to Mexico, I was definitely warned that it’s not one of the best countries to travel alone.

For the most part, people meant well with their warnings — but that doesn’t mean their good intentions aren’t completely misinformed.

Check out this related article → Scared to Travel Alone? 10 Tips on How to Embrace Solo Travel

There’s no proof you’re safer at home than abroad

I searched the internet, high and low, to find any study, statistics, anything, saying travel is more dangerous than being at home.

It seems to not exist — but that’s likely because you’re probably no more in danger at home than abroad.

In fact, when determining the best places to travel alone, female travelers should remember you can be safe almost anywhere, as long as you keep your own safety as your top priority.

Now, that’s not to say bad, horrible and tragic things don’t happen to solo female travelers (and all people) from time to time — because they do.

However, bad, horrible and tragic things happen in your hometown as well, because quite simply, things just happen.

During solo travel, you’re likely to be safe if you engage in the same “safe” behaviors you do at home.

Just as you wouldn’t do “unsafe” things like wander off with a complete stranger or walk around an unfamiliar neighborhood alone after dark, so too should you not while traveling alone.

Most violence against women comes from someone they know

A sad but true fact I discovered started me wondering about how “safe” we are when at home.

According to CDC stats, more than 50% of women and nearly 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.

For most who will be issuing you solo travel safety warnings, they’re referring to physical, sexual fatal violence.

However, why is no one issuing these same warnings in day to day life, where especially with sexual violence, there’s a bigger threat at home than abroad?

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

How will I meet people while traveling solo?

My response to this question of how I meet people while traveling solo typically throws people off.

You see, I’m an introvert (INTJ on the Myers-Briggs Test), but I’m here to tell you it’s really easy to meet people as a solo traveler — almost too easy.

Want some actionable how to make friends while traveling solo tips that should help you break out of your shell?

Below you’ll find three suggestions that I know work because I have personally used to meet new people while taking trips alone.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

1. Look approachable (And be approachable)

To meet people and make friends, you have to look like someone who wants to meet people and make friends.

If you don’t, no one will know that’s what you want, and they will assume you don’t want to meet people and make friends.

The easiest way to do this is by smiling and making eye contact, which lets people you know may want to chat.

For more tips on just how to do this, check out Episode 35 of the Dream To Destination podcast, “Heather’s 11 Tips for Making Friends During Solo Travel.”

If you’re comfortable saying Hello, or Nice shirt, or I love your haircut, or asking Where are you from? — those are all even better.

If you break the ice, there’s no guessing game any longer, and the other person knows that you do want to chat.

Reverse the roles for a second, and determine who you’d approach here.

Person 1 has their nose in a book and headphones on, while Person 2 just made eye contact with you, smiled and even said hi 👋

The choice is obvious, because we approach people who seem like they want us to.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

2. Sit at the bar or communal table

If you haven’t ever done this, go out to eat alone and sit at the bar.

You don’t have to drink for this if you don’t want to, but do sit at the bar or communal table to eat your meal.

There’s almost no chance the other people sitting at the bar or shared table won’t talk to you.

Now, every single person sitting at a bar doesn’t necessarily want to talk.

However, the unspoken language of a person in a bar is that they just may — or else they’d be sitting at a table for one.

If no one’s around who wants to talk, you can always chat up the bartender.

While this may not be the fellow solo traveler you’re hoping to meet, it will give you a chance to chat up a local.

In-the-know locals, as bartenders tend to be, usually have the best insider intel about the coolest things to see and do in their city.

Check out this related article → Eating Alone While Traveling: How to Overcome Solo Dining Fear

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

3. Solo travel photo swaps

This is one of my best travel tips and my secret weapons to naturally meet people while traveling.

It can work anywhere, but is especially effective in museums, attractions and sites frequented by visitors and other travelers.

When you see another woman (or a guy if you’d like) taking a selfie, offer to take the photo for them.

In turn they will likely return the favor, and not only do you get a non-selfie travel photo, but you can naturally strike up a conversation with them.

📸 Note: Only approach people who seem approachable.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

How do I convince my family & friends to chill out?

Before traveling solo through Mexico (and also Guatemala during the same trip), I had been on a few other solo trips in the U.S. and abroad.

As a result, I did get warnings about Mexico, thanks to the media’s unfair portrayal of the country, but I wasn’t bombarded with warnings.

With some solo travel experience like I had, no one tried to talk me out of going.

I wouldn’t have listened, but still, no one even tried. Realistically, this won’t be everyone’s experience, especially for your first solo trip.

In short, expect people to warn you that it’s not safe to travel solo. Know that they mean well, but do consider the course.

Ask yourself, Is this someone who’s ever traveled solo before? Most likely, the answer will be no.

The reason I know is that no solo traveler would ever want to talk you out of going.

So what do you do to “prove” you’re perfectly capable of safe solo travel as a woman?

Below, you’ll find four suggestions on how to talk to others who may have concerns.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

1. Remind the person how amazing you are

Parents: Tell your well-meaning parent(s) they did such a good job raising a capable, independent and intelligent woman, and that you’ll use those skills in solo travel.

Friends: With a friend, remind them that they wouldn’t be friends with someone who’s not awesome — and reiterate that you plan to be just as awesome, capable, independent and intelligent on your solo trip as you are in real life.

2. Have a real conversation with them

Take the time to pinpoint exactly what they are nervous about, and come up with a solution that works for you both.

For example, if they think you’ll get mugged on the metro, bus or public transportation, assure them you’ll only use Uber.

If they think a certain place is too dangerous or not a good place to travel alone, find a solo woman who’s traveled there and made a YouTube video or blogged about her safe experience there.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

3. Promise to check in regularly

Make a communication plan to check in daily at a specific time, every other day, or whatever makes everyone comfortable.

You can also start a group chat text message or even a private Facebook group, so you can check in and share photos with everyone at once.

These regular check-ins can be a simple text to mom when you get home each night, a good morning message to your group chat of a trip photo and your plans for that day, an email to coworkers, etc.

4. Let them help you plan something

A common concern would be that you’re staying somewhere safe, and in this case, you’d let your concerned loved one help you pick your accommodation.

You can spend some time together researching the safest neighborhoods where you’re headed, then book a place in one of those areas.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Mexico solo travel planning

Picking the best solo travel destinations can be tricky.

The articles you’ll find online feature the usual suspects, like New Zealand, Iceland and Japan, which all rank very high on any “Safest Places to Travel Alone” list.

For U.S. travelers, you’ll lose at least 3-4 days of your precious travel time to even get to New Zealand.

Iceland, though a safe country to travel alone, is one of the most expensive places to visit.

In Japan, the language barrier might throw your solo travel confidence right out the window. 

What I’m getting at here is that there are statistically safe places to travel alone found in internet articles, and then there’s where you actually want to go.

In reality, most places that rely on tourism dollars are safe for tourists, whether or not that country makes any internet lists.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Where do you want to go in Mexico?

Most of my solo travels have been in Mexico — including Mérida (pictured above), a colonial city in the Yucatan Peninsula that’s known as the safest city in Mexico.

While Mexico isn’t known as one of the best places for women to travel alone, I’ve personally enjoyed every state, city, and every second of my travels.

If I listened to news reports, well-meaning (but misinformed) friends, co-workers and family members, I’d never have come to the country I now call home.

Quite simply, there are more safe places for women to travel alone than the internet would lead you to believe, and I include Mexico as one of the safest countries to travel alone.

Just as you have determined in your mind that you want to travel alone, so too can you be the one to determine your best place to travel alone as a woman.

For anyone considering Mexico solo travel, below you’ll find some great resources to help you plan.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Safest places for women to travel alone in Mexico

I have several articles on good places to travel alone in Mexico.

One is a more general 25 Safest Cities in Mexico to Visit, and there’s also a these articles dedicated to some of the top travel destinations in Mexico.

• Cabo solo travel guide
• Tulum solo travel guide
• Cancun solo travel guide
• Mexico City solo travel guide — which I believe is the best city to travel alone in Mexico

In this article, Mexico Solo Travel: 20 Safe Destinations for Female Travelers, you’ll find recommendations from other solo female travelers who have been to Mexico.

In it, they write about the places they’ve visited alone (and loved) while doing solo travel in Mexico.

Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a woman

Mexico solo travel safety tips

Personally, I felt safe traveling all over Mexico by myself. However, I know that was because I made my own safety my #1 priority.

In this article, Is Mexico Safe to Travel to Right Now?, you’ll find all my best Mexico travel safety tips.

🧳 Need solo travel packing tips? Head here for Mexico travel safety items to bring with you.

Dream To Destination: A Mexico solo travel podcast

I have a podcast with several episodes that have information for solo female travelers in Mexico.

There are both episodes with just me, and ones where I interview other solo female travelers in Mexico. For a complete episode list, head here.

🎧 Solo Mexico Travel Podcast: To plan your first trip alone in Mexico, check out Episode 34, “Planning Your First Mexico Solo Trip.”

FREE Printable Packing List for Mexico

Head to this article all about packing for Mexico for tips — and make sure to download your FREE Printable Packing List above.

This multi-page Mexico packing checklist covers everything you’ll want to bring to Mexico, but more importantly, what not to bring to Mexico on vacation.

🧳 Mexico Travel Tip: Check out this list of Mexico travel safety items to bring with you.

Final Thoughts: Is it Weird to Travel Alone as a Woman?

This article went in depth to debunk solo travel myths and answer the common first time solo travel questions.

Hopefully you now see it’s only weird to travel alone if you’ve never done it before.

Now, just because I love it, and so many other women do as well, that’s no guarantee you will.

In fact, you might do it once and never do it again… and that’s perfectly fine, as not everything is for everyone.

If you’ve read this far, however, you owe it to yourself to find out first-hand.

Is solo travel worth it?

In a word: YES! For those who’ve done it, we know traveling alone as a woman is one of the absolute most empowering things you can do.

As mentioned above, there’s no guarantee you’ll love it — it will stretch you out of your comfort zone — but as they say, that’s where the magic happens.

Have questions about traveling alone?

For the real deal info about solo travel, remember to always ask someone who’s done it (like me 💅).

If you have any solo female travel questions, don’t hesitate to contact me because I love chatting with other women who travel alone (or want to).