Life is a Journey of Escapes is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Solo travel is one of the most liberating gifts you can give yourself—especially in midlife and beyond. When you travel alone, plans become simpler, decisions clearer, and the experience deeply personal. There’s no negotiating schedules, no compromising interests. You get to focus entirely on what you want to experience.
Over the years, I’ve learned that traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling lonely. In fact, it often leads to richer interactions and unexpected connections. When you’re not relying on a companion, you’re more open—to conversation, to curiosity, and to the rhythm of a place.
I’ve experienced this firsthand on trips where a friend joined me days later. During those solo days, I was more outgoing, more engaged, and more willing to step outside my comfort zone. Traveling alone has a way of gently pushing you into the world—and the world often responds warmly.
For women over 50, solo travel can be especially powerful. It’s not about proving independence; it’s about reclaiming it.
Why It’s Not Too Late to Travel Solo
Many women wonder if they’ve missed their window for solo travel—if it’s something they should have done earlier, when they were younger, bolder, or less cautious. But the truth is, solo travel often becomes better with age.
By midlife, you know yourself more clearly. You’re less interested in rushing, more attuned to what brings you comfort and joy. You’ve learned how to problem-solve, how to ask for help when needed, and how to trust your instincts. These aren’t obstacles to solo travel—they’re advantages.
Traveling alone at this stage of life isn’t about starting over. It’s about starting from experience.
And if keeping plans simple isn’t your strength, working with a travel advisor can be a smart and stress-reducing choice. A good agent curates experiences thoughtfully, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey rather than managing the details.
Below are practical, confidence-building tips to help you enjoy solo travel without overwhelm—many inspired by excellent ideas from AARP.
1. Consider a Package Tour—Without Giving Up Independence
If planning every detail feels daunting, a themed package tour or cruise can be a wonderful option. Whether your interest is history, art, food, gardens, or nature, there’s likely a tour designed just for that passion.
The biggest advantage is ease: logistics are handled for you, and there are natural opportunities to meet like-minded travelers. While solo travelers may encounter a “single supplement,” prices vary widely, and many companies now reduce or eliminate this fee. It pays to shop around.
2. Always Carry Something to Read or Do
Bring a book, journal, crossword, or small puzzle when dining alone or waiting in lines. It offers comfort, purpose, and ease—especially in moments that might otherwise feel awkward.
Even better, it often sparks conversation. People are naturally curious about what you’re reading or writing, and those small exchanges can become some of your favorite travel memories.
3. Choose Dining That Feels Inviting
Meals are often when solo travelers feel most aware of being alone. There’s even a name for it: solomangarephobia—the fear of eating alone.
Outdoor cafés and casual restaurants are ideal, especially when paired with people-watching or a local newspaper. For fine dining, choose restaurants with bar seating, where conversation with staff or fellow diners feels natural and unforced.
4. Stay in the Heart of Town
Location matters—especially when you’re traveling solo. Staying centrally allows you to easily return to your hotel to rest, refresh, or reset between activities.
While staying outside the city center may save money, it can drain energy and limit spontaneity. Convenience, walkability, and comfort are worth prioritizing.
5. Be Social—Before and During Your Trip
Social platforms like Hospitality Club and Couchsurfing aren’t just for younger travelers. Many hosts are retirees or longtime locals who enjoy sharing coffee, conversation, and insider tips.
You can also research local groups before you arrive—walking clubs, book circles, golfers, hikers, or art classes. Reaching out in advance gives you optional companionship without obligation.
6. Add Guided Day Trips or Classes
You don’t need a full tour to enjoy guided travel. Walking tours, cooking classes, museum talks, and day excursions provide local insight along with a few hours of built-in connection.
Sometimes, a single afternoon of guided exploration is all it takes to feel grounded and energized again.
7. Keep Your Itinerary Simple
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself as a solo traveler is simplicity. Constantly moving from city to city can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
Instead, choose one destination and one home base. Take a class. Develop a routine. Learn your way around without a map. When you slow down, you begin to feel less like a visitor and more like a temporary local—and that’s when travel becomes transformative.
Final Thoughts: Solo Travel Is a Skill—and a Joy
Solo travel isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about choosing when and how you want to connect. It’s about confidence, curiosity, and trusting yourself in the world.
For women over 50, it’s also about freedom—freedom from expectations, schedules, and limitations that no longer serve you.
Traveling solo doesn’t mean you’re alone. It means you’re open.
And that’s where the journey truly begins.
Originally published in 2022. Updated January 2026 to reflect current solo travel insights.
Support the Team!
If we helped you plan your travels in any way and you want to support us, here are several companies we’re affiliated with. We receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you click on the links below so feel free to click away! 🙂
No Comments