You’ve had the dream. The destination pinned on your board, the itinerary half-drafted in your notes app, the vision of yourself standing somewhere extraordinary. And then the familiar question creeps in: But who would I go with?

Here’s what that question assumes: that travel requires a partner. A spouse, a best friend, a kindred spirit who has the same budget, the same time off, and the same burning desire to spend two weeks wandering the streets of Lisbon or trekking through the mountains of Patagonia. And here’s the truth: that person often doesn’t exist, not because you’re lacking, but because life is complicated for everyone.

Solo travel has long been framed as a single woman’s game. A gap-year adventure. A post-breakup reset. But the reality of who actually travels solo tells a very different story.

The Many Faces of “I’m Going Alone”

Women travel solo for a hundred different reasons that have nothing to do with their relationship status. Take a look at who’s really out there with a boarding pass and a backpack:

Notice something? Not one of these women is defined by being alone. They’re defined by what they want and their refusal to let logistics be the reason they never get it.

Why the “Solo = Single” Myth Persists

We’ve been conditioned to think of travel as a paired activity. Movies show honeymoons and road trips with best friends. Instagram is full of couples holding hands in front of the Eiffel Tower. The travel industry has historically marketed to duos and families, as if the woman traveling alone was an afterthought or a cautionary tale.

And then there’s the well-meaning chorus from people around us: Is it safe to go alone? Why don’t you wait until you have someone to go with? The implication being that your dream is fine, but it should be patient. It should wait for permission.

It shouldn’t. And you don’t have to.

Two Beautiful Ways to Travel Solo

Here’s the secret the myth misses entirely: solo travel doesn’t even have to mean traveling alone every step of the way. There are two distinct — and equally wonderful — approaches.

Women’s group travel has exploded in recent years for exactly this reason. These groups connect solo women travelers of all ages and backgrounds into groups that explore the world together, no pre-existing travel companion required.

Getting Started: Your First Solo Steps

Whether you’re dipping a toe in with a weekend getaway or diving into a month abroad, here’s how to begin:

• Start closer to home. A solo weekend in a city you’ve always been curious about is the perfect low-stakes introduction to your own company.
• Research women-first travel communities. Facebook groups have millions of members sharing real advice, meetups, and trip buddies.
• Book a group tour for your first big trip. Let someone else handle the logistics while you get comfortable being a solo traveler in a new environment.
• Stay in social accommodations. Boutique hotels, women-only floors, and social hotels make connecting with other travelers effortless.
• Tell your story. You’re not the only woman in your circle who secretly wants to do this. Saying it out loud has a way of finding your people.
• Release the timeline. You don’t need to wait until the kids are grown, the relationship is sorted, or the stars align. There is no perfect time. There is only now.