With social media abuzz with Gen Z and millennials with the travel bug, I wondered about the demographic of solo female travellers.

When I started travelling solo, I thought people would think I was sad and felt a bit of a loner. My social circles had changed as I left my hometown many years ago for London and then left the country to live abroad in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

Upon my return, the transition felt like starting over again in all areas of my life, and it felt pretty scary.

I was in my late 30s and felt a bit lost, but in reality, I was finding myself. Then, for my 40th, I came alive and went to Paris for my first solo trip. It may sound weird as Paris is the city of love and popular among couples, but who better person to go with than myself? What bigger act of self-love than that?

Times have changed since those days, primarily because I changed. I embraced the journey of which solo travel is a part, and the strange thing is that once I decided to go it alone, everyone seemed to be drawn to me.

I got addicted to travelling solo once I realised the peace, freedom and self-discovery that came with it. It gave me a glow-up in confidence, and now people would ask why I don’t mention these trips to them. They wanted to come with me. Whereas previously, I would ask people to go away or be the organiser and want to fit in, I now couldn’t think of anything worse. When you love your energy, you become magnetic.

The growth, confidence, knowledge and empowerment I have garnered from solo travel is immeasurable.

Solo travelling over 40

As mentioned above, although I have lived abroad, I didn’t take my first solo trip until age 40. It doesn’t feel like a big deal now, but it did at the time. The older we get, the more set in our ways we can become and also become more fearful of change.

I believe a significant hurdle for Gen X is there’s a lot more unpacking to be done regarding old-fashioned values relating to women, even if we aren’t consciously aware of them. My generation must consciously unlearn old-fashioned values or defy expectations regarding many things, including travelling solo. However, this is what makes the experience so powerful and transformative for many.

We may also encounter internal and external challenges related to societal stigma and outdated values while travelling alone, which we must actively push back against. Things such as:

Internalised Social Norms (The “Good Girl” Script)

Many women grow up with strong cultural expectations around:

• Being a caregiver or putting others first.
• Prioritising marriage and family over individual pursuits.
• Avoiding perceived “risky” or “selfish” behaviour such as solo travel.

Even if those norms no longer fit our lives, internal guilt or hesitation can linger. We may wonder what is wrong with us and wrestle with thoughts like “Should I really be doing this alone?”, “What will people think?”.

We may realise that our goals are outdated and we’ve been walking in their direction only out of habit, but we are also unpacking a lot of fear and resistance because our brain will be trying its best to stop us.

External Judgment and Stereotypes

In addition to our internal battles, we may also face assumptions such as:

• If she’s travelling alone, she must be lonely.
• She’s “brave” (although you just want to explore like anyone else).
• She’s being irresponsible or selfish, especially from peers with more traditional mindsets.

Some women also experience subtle ageism, such as being overlooked in favour of younger travellers or questioned about their plans.

Cultural Baggage

In some cultures or communities, the idea of an older woman doing something just for herself, like travelling solo, can be met with disapproval or confusion – or they just think you’re straight-up mad. Especially in cultures that value modesty, family duty, or female “dependence,” travelling solo may be viewed as out there.

Conversely, despite these pressures, solo travel can be an empowering and liberating way to reclaim your identity outside of day-to-day roles such as mother, wife or employee. It can help to break free from limiting beliefs while finding joy in this new stage of life.

Online communities (like Facebook groups for solo female travellers 40+) have also helped normalise and celebrate this choice, reducing stigma over time.

The statistics

The good news is that the stigma surrounding solo female travel has lessened over time, and more women feel encouraged to pursue it, regardless of age.

I thought I would be one of the only people travelling solo in my forties as, according to social media and most blogs, it seemed to be Gen Z and Millennials doing the travelling. I put this down to them growing up with less “traditional” values and a freer mindset, but it also had me interested in the demographic of solo female travellers.

According to Condor Ferries, 81% of solo female travellers are over 45.

The fact that many solo female travellers are over 45 can be attributed to a mixture of personal, social, and economic factors.

• Women over 45 are often more financially stable and can afford to travel on their terms without relying on others.  Additionally, many women this age may have no children or grown children, may have come out of a relationship, or are no longer in full-time caregiving roles.
• Around the age of 40 is also a time for self-discovery in general.  There is much truth in the saying, “Life begins at 40”.  This phase often brings a desire to rediscover ourselves and our interests, with travel being a common outlet.
• There are now many travel groups, blogs, and services tailored to solo female travellers over 40, making it easier and more appealing.

My point is, book the damn trip!