Why More Women Are Choosing To Travel Solo

Solo travel is no longer just a trend - it's redefining how people, especially women, explore the world.

What

According to a recent report by IntrCity SmartBus, India has seen a 135% rise in solo women travellers between 2023 and 2025, while globally, women now drive over half of solo travel searches.

Beyond the freedom of traveling alone, these trips open doors to love, friendship, and shared adventures. Here's why there's a rise in solo women travel:

1. From Destinations To Connections

Much like in Eat Pray Love, where travel became a pathway to personal growth and unexpected bonds, today's singles are using solo adventures to find more than souvenirs.

In fact, according to happn, the dating app, 43% of Indian singles believe the best relationships start as friendships, where emotional comfort builds first and chemistry follows. Travel, with its openness and sense of possibility, creates the perfect setting for these connections, whether it's a conversation on a train, a shared table at a cafe, or a night of laughter at a local gig.

2. Serendipity On The Road

Think of the accidental encounters in films like Before Sunrise or Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, where strangers became companions and trips became unforgettable.

Solo travelers thrive on these unplanned moments, bumping into someone at a landmark, getting lost and finding help, or saying yes to a spontaneous invitation. 

3. Exploring Cultures, Creating Connections

The most memorable journeys are rarely about ticking off tourist checklists; they're about experiences that feel real and personal. Today's singles are seeking hidden gems and insider tips, making travel about deeper cultural exploration.

Photo: Unsplash

Meeting locals or fellow travelers can unlock these authentic moments - an unlisted food joint, a tucked-away street market, or a rooftop view that doesn't make it into the guidebooks. These shared adventures transform solo trips into personal stories.

4. Freedom Without Loneliness

Solo travel offers the freedom to explore the world on your own terms, but it doesn't mean you have to be alone. Travelers can seek connection on their own terms, whether through a friendly conversation, insider tips from locals, or a spark of romance, blending independence with the comfort of knowing meaningful encounters are just around the corner.

Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO and President of happn, said: "Travel is about discovery, and at happn, we believe that includes discovering meaningful connections. Whether it's friendship, companionship, or romance, we empower singles to define what they're looking for and give them the autonomy to decide how their story unfolds. Solo journeys, then, become less about traveling alone and more about opening yourself up to possibilities that feel right for you."

Financial agency

Women lead a substantial share of travel purchasing decisions, with industry surveys frequently citing figures around 70–82%, which translates into direct control over destination choice, budgets, and timing without needing group consensus or “perfect” calendars to align.

This spending power is expanding, encouraging operators to design products with flexible payments, clearer pricing, and policies friendlier to independent travellers, which lowers practical barriers for solo trip planning.

Safety Tech And Services

Safety has become more manageable due to reliable destination intel, real‑time navigation, and community‑vetted accommodation reviews that help travellers avoid risky areas and book trusted providers.

Women‑only tours, small‑group departures, and brands removing or reducing single supplements make high‑quality experiences accessible without paying a penalty for travelling alone.

As experience accumulates, perceived risk tends to decline: travellers refine checklists, booking habits, and on‑the‑ground routines, building a repeatable safety playbook that reinforces future solo travel.

Social Media Visibility

Social channels amplify first‑hand itineraries, packing lists, neighbourhood guides and “what I'd do differently” posts, which compress the learning curve and reduce uncertainty for newcomers.

Creator content and hashtags spotlight realistic safety tactics, budget strategies, and destination matches by season or vibe, helping travellers self‑select trips that suit comfort levels and interests.

The visibility of thriving solo communities normalises the choice to travel alone, offering encouragement, accountability, and rapid answers to practical questions during planning and on the road.

Bottomline

Solo female travel has moved from niche to mainstream, powered by agency, community, and better tools, with 2025 set to be a peak year for participation.