Your First Solo Travel Adventure: A Woman’s Guide to Travelling the World with Confidence

Quick Summary

Solo travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering who you are when nobody’s watching. This guide will help first-time solo female travellers move from fear to freedom, offering practical tips, emotional support, and the confidence-building tools you need to embark on your first international adventure. You’ll learn why renting a car at the airport often provides the safest foundation for independent exploration, and discover how solo travel can become your most powerful personal development tool.

Introduction

What if I told you that taking your biggest fear by the horns could lead to your greatest adventure?

Every year, millions of women stand at their kitchen windows, passport in hand, scrolling through flight deals while a familiar voice whispers: “But what if something goes wrong? What if I get lost? What if I’m not brave enough?”

If this is you, here’s what you might not realise: the woman staring back at you in that window reflection already has everything she needs for the journey ahead. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Solo travel for women isn’t just about Instagram-worthy sunsets or ticking destinations off a bucket list. It’s about stepping into a version of yourself you’ve only glimpsed in your boldest daydreams. It’s about discovering that the world, despite what the headlines suggest, is full of kind strangers, helpful souls, and moments of magic that only happen when you’re brave enough to set off alone.

But let me tell you about Sandra, because her story might just change everything you think you know about travelling solo.

Sandra’s Solo Travel Story

Sandra Lewis had always been the “responsible one.” At 54, she managed budgets for a mid-sized accounting firm, remembered everyone’s birthdays, and had never eaten dinner at a restaurant alone—let alone considered boarding a plane to a country where she didn’t speak the language.

But there she was, sitting in Terminal 3 at Heathrow, clutching a boarding pass to Bordeaux with white knuckles and a stomach that felt like it was hosting a butterfly convention.

The decision had happened three weeks earlier, scribbled on a coffee shop napkin during what was supposed to be a celebration dinner. Her other half had just announced he was “too busy with work” to join her on the French getaway to Bordeaux they’d planned for months. Again.

“Go without me,” he’d said, not even looking up from his phone. “Or don’t. Whatever.”

Sandra stared at the napkin where she’d been doodling anxious spirals. The coffee shop buzzed around her—couples sharing dessert, friends laughing over wine, solo diners reading books without a trace of self-consciousness. In that moment, something shifted. She grabbed a pen and wrote three words: “I’m going anyway.”

Now, surrounded by the controlled chaos of departure announcements and rolling suitcases, Sandra questioned everything. The woman next to her was effortlessly juggling a phone call in what sounded like fluent Italian while organising her carry-on with military precision. How did people make this look so easy?

The flight itself became Sandra’s first lesson in solo travel magic. Without a companion to talk to, she noticed things she’d never seen before: the way morning light painted the clouds from above, how the flight attendant’s eyes lit up when Sandra attempted “merci” in response to her beverage service, the elderly French gentleman beside her who spent the entire flight sketching vineyard landscapes in a worn leather notebook.

“First time to Bordeaux?” he asked in accented English, noticing her guidebook.

“First time anywhere alone,” Sandra admitted, surprising herself with her honesty.

He smiled, closing his sketchbook. “Ah, the best kind of first time. You will see everything with new eyes.”

Bordeaux hit Sandra’s senses like a symphony. The moment she stepped off the tram at Place de la Bourse, the city enveloped her: the sharp scent of fresh croissants from a nearby boulangerie mixing with the crisp autumn air from the Garonne River, the melodic lilt of French conversations floating past, the warm honey-colored limestone that seemed to make everything—even the pigeons—look like they belonged in a romantic film.

She’d planned to rent a car at the airport, drawn to the safety and independence it offered, but the tram had beckoned with its promise of immediate immersion. Now she was grateful for the choice. Every wrong turn became a discovery.

At the Marché des Capucins, Sandra found herself tasting fresh foie gras from a vendor who spoke no English but communicated entirely through generous samples and theatrical gestures. The rich, buttery delicacy melted on her tongue like a whisper of French countryside elegance. When she tried to pay, he waved her away with a grin and said something that sounded like a blessing.

That evening, dining alone at a tiny bistro tucked down a cobblestone street she’d stumbled upon by accident, Sandra experienced what she would later describe as her “napkin moment part two.” The waiter, assuming she was waiting for someone, kept glancing at the empty chair across from her with concerned looks.

“Seule,” she said finally, pointing to herself. Alone. The word felt strange in her mouth, like a new flavour.

His face transformed. “Très courageuse!” Very brave. He disappeared and returned with a small glass of local Bordeaux “on the house for the brave lady” and proceeded to teach her the proper way to appreciate it—swirl, sniff, sip, savour.

As Sandra sat there, tasting notes of blackcurrant and oak while French conversations flowed around her like music, she realised something profound: she wasn’t just alone. She was independently, gloriously, completely herself. No one to check with about the next move, no compromise on where to eat or what to see, no need to be anything other than exactly who she was in that moment.

The week unfolded like a series of small miracles. She spent an entire afternoon in the Jardin Public, sketching the ornate bandstand in a journal she’d impulsively bought, something she’d loved doing as a child but had abandoned somewhere in the rush toward adulthood. She got wonderfully lost in the Saint-Pierre district, following the sound of accordion music to a spontaneous street performance where she found herself swaying along with a group of locals who adopted her for the evening.

On her last day, Sandra rented a car and drove to Saint-Émilion, the medieval wine village an hour east of Bordeaux. The freedom of the open road, the safety of having her own transportation, and the ability to stop at any vineyard that caught her eye felt like the perfect capstone to her adventure. She parked overlooking the rolling vineyards and wrote in her journal: “I came here to discover Bordeaux. Instead, I found myself.”

The woman who boarded the plane back to London was not the same one who’d left seven days earlier. This Sandra walked with her shoulders back, made eye contact with strangers, and had seventeen new French words in her vocabulary. More importantly, she carried within her the unshakeable knowledge that she could navigate the world on her own terms.

Six months later, Sandra would quit her job, tell her other half she was taking a sabbatical, and book a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia. But that’s another story. The important one is this: it all started with a napkin, a moment of courage, and the radical decision to trust her own coping skills.

5 Key Takeaways for First-Time Solo Female Travellers

1. Safety Begins with Preparation, Not Paranoia

Research your destination thoroughly, but don’t let fear-based travel advice paralyze you. Register with your embassy, share your itinerary with trusted friends, and trust your instincts. Consider renting a car at the airport for maximum flexibility and safety—it gives you control over your transportation and the freedom to explore at your own pace.

2. Embrace the Art of Spontaneous Connection

Solo travel opens doors that group travel keeps closed. You’re more approachable alone, more likely to be invited into local experiences, and infinitely more open to unexpected adventures. Some of your best travel stories will come from saying “yes” to invitations you never saw coming.

3. Your Comfort Zone is a Prison Disguised as Safety

Every moment of discomfort in solo travel is an opportunity for growth. That awkward dinner alone becomes confidence. Getting lost becomes navigation skills. Language barriers become creativity and humour. Lean into the discomfort—it’s where the magic lives.

4. Document Your Inner Journey, Not Just Your Itinerary

Keep a travel journal focused not just on where you went, but who you became along the way. The transformation happens in the quiet moments between destinations, and capturing these insights will help you integrate the lessons long after you return home.

5. You Are More Capable Than You Know

Every woman who travels solo successfully was once a first-timer who felt scared. The difference between those who go and those who dream is not courage—it’s the willingness to act despite the fear. Your capability isn’t something you need to develop; it’s something you need to trust.

Exercises for Building Solo Travel Confidence

Journaling Prompt: The Letter to back-from-her-travels You

Before your trip, write a letter to the woman you’ll be when you return. Describe your fears, hopes, and expectations. Seal it and don’t open it until you’re back home. Then write a response letter from your post-travel self to your pre-travel self. The conversation between these two versions of you will reveal the profound transformation that solo travel creates.

Pre-Departure Confidence Building Exercise

Practice being alone in public in your home city. Take yourself to dinner, go to a movie solo, sit in a cafe and people-watch. Notice how much of your discomfort is internal narrative versus external reality. Most people are far too busy with their own lives to judge yours.

The Five-Sense Memory Exercise

During your travels, spend five minutes each day consciously engaging all five senses in your current environment. What do you hear, see, smell, taste, and feel? This practice not only creates vivid memories but grounds you in the present moment when anxiety tries to steal your joy.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine

Further Reading

• “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed – The ultimate solo journey memoir that shows how travelling alone can be both literally and metaphorically a path to self-discovery
• “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner – A thoughtful exploration of how different places affect our happiness and perspective
• “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson – Humour and wisdom from the trail, showing how solo adventures don’t have to be serious to be transformative
• “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert – The classic tale of finding yourself through solo travel and cultural immersion
• “The Art of Not Being Governed” by James C. Scott – For those interested in the anthropological aspects of how travel changes our understanding of social structures

Frequently Asked Questions about Solo Travel

Q: Is it really safe for women to travel alone internationally?

A: With proper preparation and common-sense precautions, solo female travel is absolutely safe for the vast majority of destinations. Millions of women travel solo every year without incident. Research your destination, stay in well-reviewed accommodations, keep someone informed of your whereabouts, and trust your instincts. Renting a car at the airport often provides an extra layer of safety and independence.

Q: How do I deal with loneliness while travelling alone?

A: Loneliness and being alone are different experiences. The key is learning to enjoy your own company and staying open to connections. Bring a good book, keep a journal, and don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with fellow travellers or locals. Many solo travellers find they’re rarely truly alone—the world is full of kind people happy to share a meal or a story.

Q: What if I get lost or something goes wrong?

A: Getting lost is often how you find the best experiences! Always carry a backup phone charger, download offline maps, keep emergency contacts accessible, and have a basic plan for worst-case scenarios. Remember: every problem you solve independently builds your confidence for the next challenge.

Q: How do I handle dining alone in restaurants?

A: Bring a book, journal, or download interesting podcasts. Many restaurants have bar seating that feels more natural for solo diners. Don’t feel pressured to explain your solo status—you belong in that restaurant as much as anyone else. Pro tip: lunch is often easier than dinner for solo dining comfort.

Q: What’s the best way to stay connected with home without ruining the experience?

A: Set boundaries around communication. Designate specific times to check in (perhaps once daily) rather than constant updates. This gives your loved ones peace of mind while preserving your sense of independence and presence in the moment.

Conclusion

Your first solo travel international adventure won’t just show you new places—it will introduce you to a version of yourself you may have forgotten existed. The woman who can navigate foreign airports, order meals in broken phrases, and find beauty in being intentionally alone: that instant when you realise that the biggest barrier between you and the world isn’t language, money, or safety concerns—it’s the belief that you need permission to live boldly.

You don’t.

The world is vast and welcoming, filled with stories waiting to intertwine with yours. Your solo travel story is already written in your DNA of curiosity and courage. You just need to step onto the plane, train, or into that rental car and let it unfold.

The woman in the window reflection is ready. She’s always been ready.

Ready to take your solo journey to the next level? Join my stress-relief Camino de Santiago walking retreats in the breathtaking southwest of France. Combine the confidence-building power of solo travel with the meditative rhythm of walking ancient paths, surrounded by stunning French countryside. My small-group retreats offer the perfect bridge between solo travel and community support. [Learn more about our upcoming retreats here]

For maximum safety and flexibility on your solo adventures, consider renting a car at the airport. It provides independence, security, and the freedom to explore at your own pace—often the safest option for solo female travellers looking to venture beyond the typical tourist routes.