The past years saw the travel scenario slowly transforming, and one of the most profound transformations is the increasing number of women traveling alone . In 2025, not only is this trend going strong, but it's booming big time. Women all over the world, including in India, are lacing up their backpacks and striking off on their own because of the necessity for self-discovery, independence, and stronger experiences of culture. But what's driving this burgeoning movement, and what does it reveal about how women are thinking about travel today?
The increase in numbers
As per a report, year-on-year searches for "solo female travel" have grown by 68% worldwide. While data from Skyscanner for early 2025 shows that almost 54% of solo travel searches were conducted by women. Locally, Indian portals like MakeMyTrip and Tripoto have experienced a 30-40% increase in demand for single women travel packages over the last two years.
This growing trend says more than wanderlust—it says a lot about a shifting attitude. Females are no longer waiting around for companionship or the 'ideal time' to travel. They're now traveling the globe in their own ways, trekking in the Himalayas, backpacking throughout Europe, or taking it easy at a well-being retreat on Bali.
Redefining freedom
For most, travelling alone means freedom—freedom to decide on your own itinerary, make last-minute decisions, and concentrate solely on individual interests. Such freedom is usually hard to attain while travelling in groups or with families.
In Hostelling International surveys, 65% of women interviewed said "freedom to plan my own trip" was the most important reason they traveled alone. For others, it's a matter of disrupting routines and immersing oneself in other cultures without external influence. For others, it's an effective method of getting in touch with themselves amidst the distractions of day-to-day tasks.
Self-discovery through experience
Travel has been a door to self-improvement for ages, but traveling alone, more so, accelerates that. From getting around unfamiliar cities to arranging things on your own, the process makes one stronger and more confident.
A Booking.com study discovered that 72% of single female travelers experienced a significant increase in self-confidence following their first solo journey. Most also reported enhanced decision-making, flexibility, and emotional health. This type of self-discovery is now considered a type of mental reboot—a means of taking a break from the roles women tend to play in their personal and professional lives.
Safety and infrastructure: Enhanced and developing
Increased solo travel is also facilitated by enhanced security measures and greater women-focused travel infrastructure. Japan, Portugal, New Zealand, and the Nordic countries are commonly reported to be among the safest for solo female travelers. India also has witnessed the development of women-friendly travel sites, women-only focused hostel accommodations, and women-only travel groups .
Applications such as "Red Dot on the Map" and platforms such as "Wander Womaniya" have simplified the process of planning and undergoing solo travels for women. Moreover, provision of real-time data, tracking, and online travel plans has also made solo travelling easier than ever.
Cultural shifts and changing norms
Social attitudes are slowly changing. What was previously perceived as risky or nonconventional is now turning mainstream. Social media is largely responsible here—Instagram and YouTube are full of travel tales from solo female adventurers who are breaking stereotypes about what it means to be independent.
These bloggers, travel writers, and ordinary explorers encourage others to look beyond solo travel as a dangerous pursuit, but as a profoundly fulfilling experience. Seeing women travel unapologetically breaks down old gendered assumptions about gender roles and safety.
Responsible and intentional travel
Another emerging trend is that women aren't just traveling more—they're traveling differently. There is an increased focus on mindful, sustainable, and purposeful travel. Most prefer experiences that resonate with their values—whether volunteering, cultural immersion tours, or yoga and wellness retreats.
This change reflects that for most women, travel is not merely a matter of sightseeing but also about gaining new vision, healing, and engaging with communities.
Challenges still remain
Even with the improvement, there remain barriers. Cost, social stigma, and safety considerations still influence travel plans, particularly in certain areas of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. But the growing popularity of independent travel is gradually eroding these barriers.
Education, technology literacy, and family approval are also serving as powerful facilitators. The more women's experiences are heard, the less daunting it will become for others to imagine doing the same.
Looking ahead
The solo female travel trend refuses to slow in 2025.As women increasingly place a value on wellness, self-discovery, and autonomy, travel transcends a vacation activity—it becomes an odyssey of self-discovery.
Whether it's a weekend getaway or a month's worth of backpacking, single travel is no longer a frightening prospect taken on by women with any kind of background. It's not as much about watching the world as it is about watching oneself.
Author: By Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures and VP, India Bullion and Jewellers Association
The increase in numbers
As per a report, year-on-year searches for "solo female travel" have grown by 68% worldwide. While data from Skyscanner for early 2025 shows that almost 54% of solo travel searches were conducted by women. Locally, Indian portals like MakeMyTrip and Tripoto have experienced a 30-40% increase in demand for single women travel packages over the last two years.
This growing trend says more than wanderlust—it says a lot about a shifting attitude. Females are no longer waiting around for companionship or the 'ideal time' to travel. They're now traveling the globe in their own ways, trekking in the Himalayas, backpacking throughout Europe, or taking it easy at a well-being retreat on Bali.
Redefining freedom
For most, travelling alone means freedom—freedom to decide on your own itinerary, make last-minute decisions, and concentrate solely on individual interests. Such freedom is usually hard to attain while travelling in groups or with families.
In Hostelling International surveys, 65% of women interviewed said "freedom to plan my own trip" was the most important reason they traveled alone. For others, it's a matter of disrupting routines and immersing oneself in other cultures without external influence. For others, it's an effective method of getting in touch with themselves amidst the distractions of day-to-day tasks.
Self-discovery through experience
Travel has been a door to self-improvement for ages, but traveling alone, more so, accelerates that. From getting around unfamiliar cities to arranging things on your own, the process makes one stronger and more confident.
A Booking.com study discovered that 72% of single female travelers experienced a significant increase in self-confidence following their first solo journey. Most also reported enhanced decision-making, flexibility, and emotional health. This type of self-discovery is now considered a type of mental reboot—a means of taking a break from the roles women tend to play in their personal and professional lives.
Safety and infrastructure: Enhanced and developing
Increased solo travel is also facilitated by enhanced security measures and greater women-focused travel infrastructure. Japan, Portugal, New Zealand, and the Nordic countries are commonly reported to be among the safest for solo female travelers. India also has witnessed the development of women-friendly travel sites, women-only focused hostel accommodations, and women-only travel groups .
Applications such as "Red Dot on the Map" and platforms such as "Wander Womaniya" have simplified the process of planning and undergoing solo travels for women. Moreover, provision of real-time data, tracking, and online travel plans has also made solo travelling easier than ever.
Cultural shifts and changing norms
Social attitudes are slowly changing. What was previously perceived as risky or nonconventional is now turning mainstream. Social media is largely responsible here—Instagram and YouTube are full of travel tales from solo female adventurers who are breaking stereotypes about what it means to be independent.
These bloggers, travel writers, and ordinary explorers encourage others to look beyond solo travel as a dangerous pursuit, but as a profoundly fulfilling experience. Seeing women travel unapologetically breaks down old gendered assumptions about gender roles and safety.
Responsible and intentional travel
Another emerging trend is that women aren't just traveling more—they're traveling differently. There is an increased focus on mindful, sustainable, and purposeful travel. Most prefer experiences that resonate with their values—whether volunteering, cultural immersion tours, or yoga and wellness retreats.
This change reflects that for most women, travel is not merely a matter of sightseeing but also about gaining new vision, healing, and engaging with communities.
Challenges still remain
Even with the improvement, there remain barriers. Cost, social stigma, and safety considerations still influence travel plans, particularly in certain areas of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. But the growing popularity of independent travel is gradually eroding these barriers.
Education, technology literacy, and family approval are also serving as powerful facilitators. The more women's experiences are heard, the less daunting it will become for others to imagine doing the same.
Looking ahead
The solo female travel trend refuses to slow in 2025.As women increasingly place a value on wellness, self-discovery, and autonomy, travel transcends a vacation activity—it becomes an odyssey of self-discovery.
Whether it's a weekend getaway or a month's worth of backpacking, single travel is no longer a frightening prospect taken on by women with any kind of background. It's not as much about watching the world as it is about watching oneself.
Author: By Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures and VP, India Bullion and Jewellers Association
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