Solo Female Travel: Group Travel v’s Travelling Independently

Solo Female Travel is hugely popular and a growing market, with more and more women looking to explore the world at their own pace and on their own terms. 

At Travel with Abeona I’ve noticed we use the term “Solo Travel” being used interchangeably, for two very different types of travel. On the one hand, we use this to talk about travelling solo without friends, family or well-known travel companions, but as  part of an organised group of fellow solo travellers (or Group Travel). At the same time, it also applies to solo travellers who are venturing out completely independently and on their own (travelling independently).

Each offers a different and unique experience and if you are travelling solo for the very first time, it may be difficult to determine what type of solo trip is right for you.

In this article, I’ll take a look at both types of solo female travel, so you can see what type of solo travel best fits you and your next adventure. 

Group Travel

Travelling as part of a group is a fantastic way to explore and discover new destinations, whilst enjoying the comfort, safety and companionship of being part of a larger organised party. 

Most group travel involves tours or trips designed specifically for women travelling alone.  Often on a group tour, you will meet a range of like-minded women, all of whom share your passions and interests for travel and new experiences. 

Safety

Due to the many preconceptions that still abound around solo female travel, many women, when travelling alone, are concerned for their safety especially when venturing to more remote destinations. Being part of a guided tour or trip and having someone on hand throughout your stay, can ease some of those anxieties.  

Social 

Being part of a group, allows you to flex your solo travel muscles, but with some backup.  Women often travel solo because there is not a suitable travel companion in their repertoire of friends, family and loved ones. We want to see the world but no one else in our circle does! Being part of a group allows you to pursue your dreams in the company of other women. Meaning you don’t have to fully go it alone. 

Guided Tours & Itineraries

Group travel can be a marvellous way to embrace your wanderlust and undertake trips and tours that have a preset itinerary all taken care of by the tour provider. 

Group travel offers a sense of belonging and shared experiences, although it can be restrictive with less space to do your own thing, and group dynamics can make or break a trip. 

Independent Solo Female Travel 

Yet, you may prefer to venture out and explore the world totally independently. What I love about independent travel is that you are in control of your own destiny. 

Freedom and Flexibility

In my eyes, nothing else gives you the ultimate freedom that travelling independently delivers. You alone make the rules and can choose exactly where to go, what to do, and decide exactly how long to stay in each place. 

If you fall madly in love with a particular city or village, you aren’t forced to move on because of a set group itinerary, you can simply extend your stay without having to check  with anyone else.  You can respond to what your compass dictates, and be wonderfully spontaneous.

Resilience & Grit

Travelling can be challenging. Doing so alone can test your emotional strength and resilience as an individual. Facing and navigating adversity, overcoming anxieties, and just having to figure things out as you go along can be scary and amazingly empowering in equal measure. 

Discovering you have grit and are made of tough stuff, realising you can do this, that you can handle whatever gets thrown at you, can be hugely rewarding and transformative.

Pure Indulgence

Journeying alone can be pure indulgence and is perhaps my personal favourite reason for travelling independently. 

It is a chance to invest in yourself and your wellbeing and longevity.  You can opt to stay in a 5*boutique spa, dine out at the most fabulous of restaurants, revel in a chic city break or immerse yourself in once in a lifetime experiences.  

Independent travel can be as indulgent and luxurious as you wish. 

Which option is right for you?

Going alone or travelling as part of a group is completely up to you. 

We all need different things at different points in our lives. At times, you may prefer the company and solidarity of other women whilst travelling. At others, the joy of going absolutely solo will be exactly what you crave. 

Each experience is valid, worthwhile and empowering. Embrace what is right for you, so you can explore the world confidently and independently.

If you would like to book a solo female travel trip, drop our team of luxury travel planning experts an email abeona@travelwithabeona.com and we’ll be in touch to hear all about your trip so you can stop dreaming and start planning.