Is Solo Travel Safe for Women Over 40?

Last updated: October 2026 · Ask Jax: Coaching Chats

Today’s question: “I’m in my 40s and I want to see the world, but nobody in my life can ever go with me. Is it safe to travel solo as a woman over 40? Where do I even start?”

Here’s the short answer. Yes, solo travel for women over 40 can be very safe when you plan well. Start small: a short trip, a walkable city, and a trusted person at home who knows your plans. And you’re far from alone. A 2025 survey by Collette and JourneyWoman found that 61% of women over 50 say solo travel is their favorite way to travel.

I’m right there with you. I started my own travel era this year with 9 days in Charleston. In February 2027, I’m going back, and this time I’m going solo. I’m a certified life coach, and I help women over 40 stop waiting on other people to start living.

So let’s get into it: how to stay safe, where to go first, and how to plan a solo trip you’ll actually take.

Is It Safe for a Woman Over 40 to Travel Alone?

For most trips, yes. Smart planning matters a lot more than your age.

In fact, being over 40 can work in your favor. You’ve handled bosses, bills, kids, parents, and a hundred hard days. You know how to read a room. You know when something feels off. That’s a skill set, my beautiful friend.

The U.S. State Department has a simple rule for women who travel that I love: “Being safe is more important than being polite.” If a person or a place feels wrong, leave. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

Why Are So Many Women Over 40 Traveling Solo?

Because more of us are done waiting. Solo travel is growing fast, and women are leading it.

• Half of Americans have taken a trip without anyone else, according to a March 2026 Road Scholar survey shared by AARP.
• Solo travel bookings are up 24% since 2019, AARP reports.
• Searches for “solo travel for women” rose 30% worldwide over five years, Forbes reported in June 2026.

Think about your own life for a second. Your friends are busy. Your partner hates to fly, or you don’t have one. Your kids are grown. If you wait for someone else’s calendar to open up, you could wait for years.

Solo travel is not lonely. It’s freedom. You eat when you want, sleep when you want, and say yes to whatever makes you happy.

Where Should I Go on My First Solo Trip?

Pick a place that’s walkable, easy to get around, and not too far from home. Save the big bucket-list trip for trip two or three.

Easy U.S. picks:

• Charleston, South Carolina: Walkable, friendly, and full of food, history, and beaches nearby. It’s my pick for my own first solo trip. Here’s my Folly Beach and Charleston itinerary.
• Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada: One travel pro in the Forbes list called it a “low-barrier first solo trip.”
• Stowe, Vermont: Classic small-town New England, with covered bridges and something to do in every season.
• Oahu, Hawaii: Forbes’ experts point to its welcoming culture and strong sense of safety.

Ready to go abroad? Forbes’ experts like Galway, Ireland, for being small and social. Lisbon, Portugal, is walkable and more affordable than many European capitals. Kyoto, Japan, is known as one of the safest places for women traveling alone.

Not ready for a plane? Start with a one-night trip to a town a couple of hours from home. A first solo trip doesn’t have to be far. It just has to be yours.

Want a festive first trip? My list of 10 Christmas getaways for women over 40 has easy city picks that are great on your own.

How Do I Stay Safe Traveling Alone?

Plan ahead, share your plans, and trust your gut. These tips come from the State Department and AARP’s solo travel guide.

• Share your plans. Send your trip details to someone you trust, and share your location with an app like Life360 or your phone’s map app.
• Book your ride from the airport ahead of time. Use a licensed company or a ride app, so there’s a record of your trip.
• Keep your hotel private. Don’t tell strangers where you’re staying. When you check in, you can use just your first initial.
• Watch your drink. Keep it in your hand, and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
• Split your money. Keep cash and cards in two different places, and leave extras in the room safe.
• Pack a doorstop. It’s a cheap way to feel safer in your room at night.
• Buy travel insurance. AARP suggests looking for “cancel for any reason” coverage.
• Going abroad? Sign up for the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It sends you safety alerts and helps the embassy reach you in an emergency.

Try this: Make a one-page “trip sheet” before you go. Put your flights, hotel address, a copy of your ID, and two emergency contacts on it. Send it to one person you trust and save a copy in your phone.

What If I Feel Lonely or Awkward Eating Alone?

You might, at first. That’s normal, and it fades fast.

• Book one group activity. A food tour, a walking tour, or a cooking class gives you instant company for a few hours.
• Sit at the bar or the counter. It feels less “table for one,” and it’s easy to chat with the people next to you.
• Bring a book or a journal. It gives your hands something to do while you get comfortable.
• Look at women-only tours. A 2023 Trafalgar and JourneyWoman survey found that 65% of solo women over 50 look for women-only trips. You get freedom and built-in friends.
• Schedule a call home. A quick check-in each night helps you feel connected.

Here’s the truth. The first dinner alone is the hardest one. By the second night, it starts to feel like a treat.

How Do I Plan My First Solo Trip? 5 Simple Steps

Start with the date, not the destination. A date on the calendar turns “someday” into a plan.

1. Pick your dates. Two or three nights is perfect for a first trip.
2. Pick a walkable place. Use the list above, or choose a city you already know a little.
3. Set a budget. Rooms cost the same whether one or two people sleep in them, so plan for that. Watch for “single supplement” fees on tours too.
4. Book a central, well-reviewed place to stay. Being able to walk back at night is worth a little extra.
5. Plan one thing per day. One tour, one great meal, one sunset. Leave the rest open.

Money tip from me: Give your trip its own savings bucket and add to it every payday. As of October 2026, I’ve paid off $45,000 in debt, so I know small, steady steps add up. If money feels tight, start with my 10 budgeting tips.

Solo Travel for Women Over 40: FAQ

Is it safe for a woman over 40 to travel alone?

Yes, for most trips, when you plan well. Share your plans with someone you trust, book your airport ride ahead of time, keep your hotel private, and watch your drink. If something feels wrong, leave. Your safety matters more than being polite.

Where should a woman go on her first solo trip?

Pick a walkable place that’s easy to get around and not too far from home. In the U.S., Charleston, Lake Tahoe, Stowe, and Oahu are great first picks. Abroad, travel experts in Forbes like Galway, Lisbon, and Kyoto.

How do I not feel lonely traveling solo?

Book one group activity, like a food tour or walking tour. Sit at the bar or counter when you eat. Bring a book or journal, and schedule a quick call home each night.

How many women over 50 travel solo?

A lot. In a 2025 Collette and JourneyWoman survey, 61% of women over 50 said solo travel is their favorite way to travel. And a March 2026 Road Scholar survey found that half of Americans have taken a trip on their own.

What is STEP for travelers?

STEP stands for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It’s a free U.S. State Department service for citizens traveling abroad. It sends safety alerts and makes it easier to reach you or your emergency contact in an emergency.

Your First Solo Trip Is Waiting

Pick the date.
Pick the place.
Go.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to see the world. You just need a plan and a little courage. I’ll be packing my bag for Charleston right alongside you.

Got a question for me? Ask me here, anonymously if you want. I may answer it in a future Coaching Chat and in my newsletter.

Ready to plan more than a trip? Book the 6-Week Strategy Session and we’ll map out your next chapter together. Or start with the free Midlife GlowGetter Quiz.

With love and confidence,
Jax