Women dominate solo travel in a 63/36 split. TheÊSolo Travel SocietyÊon Facebook has over 225,000 fans and 63% of them are women. AÊBooking.com survey found that 65% of US women are taking vacations without their partners. This is consistent with the travel experiences of Janice Waugh, publisher of Solo Traveler. “I see women travelling solo far more often than men,” she said. “In one case, I was on a train in India and, randomly, there were four female solo travellers in one row: a Brit, a Canadian, and two Americans.”
Why do women travel solo more than men?
Posing this question to the members of the Solo Travel Society resulted in a variety of answers:
There are more times in a woman’s life when responsibilities are restrictive. Solo travel offers a break.
Women are more adventurous than men.
Women are more comfortable being on their own.
Mintel’s Single Lifestyles UK 2017 ReportÊmight also give us a hint about why more women travel solo. It reports that “61% of single women say they are happy with their relationship status, compared to only 49% of single men.” It may be as simple as the fact that women are more content on their own but it seems that “a break” is a big issue as well.
What do women want from solo travel?
Digging deeper with a second poll, we asked just the female members of the Solo Travel Society: What is your primary reason for travelling solo? The conversation was lively and long with over 250 people responding in more than 300 comments. 46% said freedom, independence and the chance to do what they want when they want is important to them. 22% said they weren’t willing to wait around for others and 15% said they travel solo to challenge themselves and gain confidence.
“Essentially solo travellers want a break from accommodating other people’s needs. But they get more. Solo travel, being responsible for every aspect of your travels, delivers a confidence boost that can’t be experienced any other way.” Solo Traveler, the definitive source and community for those who travel alone, has a section of the site specifically for women. AtÊSolo Female Travel, Advice from Women Who Know, there is information for first-time solo travellers as well as those who have hit the road alone many times.
Finally, a bit of humour from the discussion on the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. From a man:
“I’m not sure why there are more women than men. But as a single guy traveller, I’m not complaining at all!”
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