Dear Susan,
I am a 55-year-old recently divorced woman. I want to travel this summer, but is it odd if I travel by myself? How do I overcome the fear of solo female travel?
Sincerely,
55-year-old divorced scaredy pants
Dear Scaredy Pants,
I went down a big rabbit hole of fascinating research for this answer!
Did you know that “solo female travel over 50” is exploding? Midlife women are finally having our moment. After feeling invisible in midlife, we are tired of not being seen. Many of us, having served out our procreation process, know this is our time. We are emerging out of the shadows, and what better way to do it than by hitting the road solo? It’s empowering, exhilarating, and downright fabulous, darling! Is it odd to travel solo? Absolutely not! What’s truly odd is waiting for someone else to align their vacation days, interests, and travel style with yours before you embark on your journey. Solo travel is like being the conductor of your own symphony, where you get to choose every note, every pause, and every crescendo. And trust me, the only thing you should fear is FOMO — Fear Of Missing Out on these incredible experiences!
Conquer the Fear
Now, I hear you — there’s that mental fear. Too often, solo female travelers have been made to feel that it’s strange or perilous. Fear of the unknown, fear of loneliness, fear of missing out on shared experiences. However, here’s the secret: fear is just a mosquito. It’s not a tiger; it’s not a shark. It’s a tiny little pest you can easily swat away with a bit of preparation and a dash of courage. So, take a deep breath, grab your travel guide, and remember: you’ve got this in the bag (the carry-on bag, to be precise).
I think you should consider this: solo travel groups. These are not your typical tour groups; they are curated experiences designed for solo travelers over 50. Groups like Women Traveling Together, Road Scholar, and Overseas Adventure Travel offer safe, thrilling adventures and the opportunity to meet like-minded wanderers. Picture yourself swapping travel tales over a glass of wine with newfound friends, all while someone else handles the logistics. Moreover, these groups strike a perfect balance between exploration and relaxation, allowing you to dive into local cultures while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow travelers. It’s like finding the perfect travel companion, without the baggage — pun intended.
Start Small
The world is your oyster, my friend! Dive into it, savor it, collect those pearls (I love puns) of experiences. To begin, start small, if you must — a weekend getaway to a nearby city, a short trip to a neighboring country. Build your confidence one journey at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, marveling at your own bravery, or sipping coffee at a quaint Parisian café, basking in your newfound independence. And who knows, you might even find yourself saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but my solo travel confidence sure was!”
Next, to conquer that mental fear, arm yourself with knowledge. Research your destination, plan your route, learn a few phrases in the local language. Technology is your friend — apps that guide you, translate for you, and connect you to the world are just a tap away. But most importantly, trust in your ability to handle whatever comes your way. You’ve navigated 55 years of life’s ups and downs; a trip to Italy or Thailand will be a walk in the park! Or should I say, a stroll through the piazza?
Laugh a Lot
And let’s not forget your sense of humor. Travel, like life, is gloriously unpredictable. Missed flights, language barriers, and lost luggage are part of the grand adventure. Laugh at the mishaps, cherish the memories, and relish the freedom that comes with solo travel. Remember: if things don’t go as planned, just think of it as a plot twist in your own travel movie!
Women over 50 are relinquishing the stereotypes and attitudes of the past. They are embracing the unknown, celebrating their independence; they know that the world is waiting for us. Women over 50 represent over $15 trillion in purchasing power in 2024 — 15 TRILLION!!! Women over 50 are experiencing the largest population growth in the next 10 years! That statistic blew my mind. There has never been a more exciting time for a midlife woman to take a life-changing journey. Bon voyage, my friend. Can I come???
Traveling at 60 solo to Kenya and Tanzania was a dream come true. Many kind locals and travelers went out of their way to help me at every turn. What worked for me was centering my trip on an activity I loved (horseback riding). My activity focus enabled me to join a warm community of diverse folks in Kenya who had a shared interest. Going solo to Tanzania I was well prepared with my research on the culture and sites. I was targeted at the airport and beach on Zanzibar for rip offs, but I was aware and prepared. Loved every minute – even the “scary parts” as they built my confidence. There’s nothing better than making new friends an acquaintances around the world to give one a true sense of belonging!
Helen,
Bravo 👏 you inspire me to book a solo trip ! Thank you so much for sharing 🥰
Susan
Almost every major travel company now offers specific women-only tours, from Intrepid to Wild Frontiers, so it is just a matter of finding the kind of trip you would like to experience (cultural, volunteer, wildlife, etc). Although Overseas Adventure Travel does cater to solo travelers, I would caution that with… if you are 55, you will most likely be the youngest one on the trip. On the last (my second, and definitely last) trip with them, every single one of the other 14 commented that they had kids my age (58). So as they say in yoga class, find what feels good, and go do it!
Jon,
Thank you so much for sharing.When I researched this answer it wasn’t clear what the average ages were in some of these travel groups. The positive news is that there are quite a few companies that offer over 50 solo travel. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts 🥰
I started traveling alone in my early 40’s. I suggest start out where you speak the language or maybe have traveled to before. This way you can at least strike a conversation if you want, so your first trip won’t feel totally alone. I also now post daily trip highlights on my social media which engages those I care about in my travel just enough. Yes their are tours but there is just a wonderful feeling to being away & doing exactly & only what you want to do in that moment, turn left down a street, rather than the right that google maps suggests. Go were your heart draws you.
Eugenia,
That is such great advice,thank you so much for sharing your experience,I am sure it will inspire someone to be adventurous like you 🥰
Loved this article! A resounding YES: Traveling solo can be exhilarating and something I’ve done since I was 16 years old (that first one being a flight from Jordan back to the U.S.). And now my daughter, in her early forties, has taken up the reins having just visited what was her eightieth country (Saudi Arabia). There are hard parts to going solo, sure, but the rewards far outweigh. And the best part? Learning that you can do it. Too, that there are a lot of kind, generous-hearted people in this world.