Traveling alone as an introverted woman can feel intimidating, but with the right approach, it can be a liberating experience.
Like many introverts, I enjoy doing things alone — more so than the average woman my age, I’d say. In my college years, I suppressed this lone-wolf side of me by constantly surrounding myself with people. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to embrace it. This tendency naturally found a home in solo travel.
My adventures have included bus treks across South America, dining at a restaurant inside a cave near Mexico City, and road trips up the Pacific Coast, among others. Earlier this year, on a solo excursion to Shoshone Falls in Idaho, I came face-to-face with yellow-bellied marmots. These adorable creatures sauntered up to me with the curiosity of puppies and the jerky, stop-motion gait of squirrels.
The Many Benefits of Traveling Alone
For me, one of the biggest perks of solo travel is the freedom to make all the decisions. I also love the spontaneity it allows. Put simply, I get the most out of traveling when I do it alone. As my friend Go Takei wrote, solo travel is “perfect for people like me who prefer to be the master of their itineraries and stay on their own schedules.”
Yet society remains skeptical of women traveling alone, largely due to safety concerns in a world shaped by crime and patriarchy.
While solo travel does come with some risk, it’s still worth it to me. If you’re an introverted woman who enjoys venturing out on her own, here are some tips — both for safety and for making the most of the experience.
7 Travel Tips for Introverted Women
1. Consider staying with friends or using Couchsurfing.com.
One undeniable drawback of solo travel is the cost. Lodging, taxis, and rideshares — expenses that could be split with a travel companion — can add up quickly.
If you don’t have friends at your destination, I recommend using Couchsurfing.com, which is free. Just be sure your host is legitimate and experienced. Look for profiles with detailed information and positive reviews from past travelers. If a profile is vague, lacks reviews, or raises any doubts, I move on.
One of my most memorable Couchsurfing hosts was Jeff. The night I arrived, we drank tea in his living room and talked about our travels and his work with homeless youth. His home reflected the life of a traveler — someone often on the go or perhaps finding home more in the small moments of his day than in a physical structure. Other hosts I stayed with included a civil rights attorney, a woman who identified as a gypsy, and a guy I made latkes with.
2. Take safety precautions.
As women, the unfortunate reality is that we are more likely to be robbed, harassed, or assaulted.
Wherever we go, we must stay watchful. Introverts, in particular, may be more prone to wandering alone or in small groups, which can mean less protection against thieves or those with bad intentions.
A friend once told me about a group of criminals who created a concoction resembling fake bird poop. They would drop it on tourists’ heads, then send an older woman — also in on the scheme — to approach them, lamenting that she, too, had been hit. While the tourists were distracted commiserating with her, the thieves would rush by and snatch their belongings.
To minimize risk, avoid carrying multiple bags whenever possible. Though sometimes unavoidable — like when moving from the bus station to your hotel — having extra possessions means needing to be even more vigilant.
Wearing your backpack in front of you is also a smart precaution, especially in crowded areas or on public transport. I learned this the hard way when someone stole my phone from my backpack’s front pocket on my first day in Buenos Aires.
So, during your travels, stay prepared and develop a close bond with your bag. Consider carrying it in front of you, cradling it like a baby koala — because, in a way, it is.
3. Write down memorable moments.
One of the best things about solo travel is the ability to fully absorb your surroundings without the distraction of others. As an introvert, you’re likely already observant, making this practice a natural fit.
On my travels, I savored the details. In Boise, I noticed the flowers flaunting themselves in front yards and the colorful houses lining streets shaded by towering trees.
In Reno, I paid attention to the city’s energy — flashy but not bustling. Picture a more subdued, toned-down version of Vegas, I wrote in my journal. Inside San Diego’s Rip Current Brewery, I jotted down: Flights of beer rest inside tiny surfboards on surfboard tables. Oceanic murals brighten every wall, and sleepy surf tunes drift through the air at a leisurely pace.
Some people don’t like traveling solo because they feel there’s no one to share the experience with. But for me, I never felt alone in these moments. Instead, I felt deeply connected to myself.
As Matt Haig wrote in The Midnight Library: “Solitude took on a different character. It became in itself a kind of connection. A connection between herself and the world. And between her and herself.”
4. Seek out communal places of aloneness.
Introverts often enjoy being alone — perhaps with a book — while still in the presence of others, without the need for social interaction. In my travels, I found plenty of places where others were doing the same.
In Mexico, I read on the pews of public chapels, beneath majestic portraits of Mexican saints and brass awnings. Ornate paintings and an air of quiet reverence surrounded me. From high atop the Torre Latino, I looked down at pedestrians moving like colorful ants below. Cafés, too, became my favorite communal spaces of aloneness, from the Asheville Coffee Bus in North Carolina to Temple Coffee in Sacramento.
On your own travels, seek out cozy, introvert-friendly spots where you can be alone — together.
5. Chat up the locals.
Depending on where you travel, many locals are happy to engage. When I lived in Uruguay in 2013, I didn’t arrive with an automatic community of friends, so I had to find my own. This didn’t come naturally to me as an introvert, but luckily, the locals were welcoming. Many greeted me warmly and were eager to include me.
One afternoon at the beach in Punta del Este, I met a group of young people and ended up drinking maté and sandboarding with them. Later, we gathered at one of their homes for pizza, watching The Simpsons in Spanish and teaching each other tongue twisters (trabalenguas) in our respective languages.
This tip might push introverts slightly outside their comfort zone, but talking with locals can offer fascinating insights into the places you visit. When I drove for Lyft in Walnut Grove, California, a passenger shared his thoughts on the differences between growing up by a river, a lake, or the ocean. He said, “You see all these things pass by, and so there’s this feeling of continuity, of being a small part of something bigger.”
Want to feel more at ease in social situations?
Discover the secrets to enjoying fun, meaningful conversations. Know exactly what to say, even if you’re introverted, shy, or anxious. Feel less drained and have more energy while socializing. Click here to secure your spot in Jenn Granneman’s upcoming course, Easy Conversation.
6. Rent a bike.
In my college town of Davis, California, people rode bikes everywhere — to class, parties, and the local farmers’ market. In Uruguay, I pedaled my red bike from one student’s house to the next, often using the Rambla (a kind of bike freeway) alongside the main road. In San Francisco, biking added an extra thrill with its diverse terrain and steep inclines.
I loved the freedom that having a bike gave me in each of these places. Walking is a great way to soak in a neighborhood’s unique vibe, but biking offers a similar experience — just faster. Plus, there’s a practical advantage: Thieves have a much harder time catching you when you’re on wheels. If I ever found myself alone on a street with someone suspicious, I could speed past them in seconds.
For introverts, biking can also be a calming, solitary activity that still keeps you connected to the world around you — much like the café experience.
7. Look for resources geared toward solo female travelers.
Companies like WHOA Travel (Women High On Adventure) offer specialized support for solo female travelers. Their team members are trained in mountain rescue, first aid, and even wildfire response. The company also provides a local guide and a company ambassador to help ensure a safe and enriching experience.
Depending on your destination, you might also find Meetup groups that connect solo travelers. As an introvert, you may prefer to chat with members online first before deciding to meet in person, making it an easier and more comfortable way to connect. 
