Scared to Travel Alone? Here’s How to Overcome Your Fears

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If you’re scared to travel alone, you’re not weak or dramatic. You’re human. That nervous feeling before booking, the late-night what-ifs, and the fear that something might go wrong are all very real concerns, especially if this is your first time travelling solo.

Maybe you love the idea of solo female travel, or maybe you’re tired of waiting for someone to join you. Either way, the fear is holding you back. Or perhaps you’ve already booked your trip, and you’re now wondering what on earth you were thinking. I know exactly how that feels.

I was terrified when I booked my first solo trip. Sitting on the plane, all I could think was, “What am I doing?” I spent a big part of that first trip feeling nervous, but I kept pushing through the fear. And that one decision to push through the anxiety changed everything.

Since then, I’ve been travelling solo as a woman for over ten years, visiting places like Botswana, South Africa, and destinations all across Asia and Europe. The fears didn’t disappear overnight (I still feel anxious even now), but they stopped controlling my choices.

If you’re scared of travelling alone and need reassurance, practical advice, and a gentle push forward, you’re in the right place.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to overcome your fears around solo female travel and how you can start building confidence before and during your first trip.

Why Being Scared to Travel Solo Is Completely Normal

When we step outside our comfort zone, we are stepping into the unknown. That’s a scary place to be for most people, and it’s completely normal to be anxious.

If you’ve never travelled alone before, planning your first solo trip is a huge step into the unknown. You’re probably asking yourself: What if I get lost? What if I get sick? Is it dangerous? Will I be safe?

You might even have well-meaning friends and family members asking these questions, which only adds to your anxiety.

I asked myself all of those questions before my first trip, but I knew it was something I simply had to do. So I pushed through the fear and did it anyway!

Just know that being scared to travel alone is completely normal. The only question is whether you let that fear stop you from living your life!

Common Fears About Travelling Alone (And How to Overcome Them!)

I regularly receive messages from women in my communities on Instagram and Facebook asking about how to start solo travelling. Below, I’ll address some of the most common fears about solo travel and how to overcome them.

Fear of Not Being Safe While Travelling Alone

The most common worry holding women back from solo travel is the fear of feeling unsafe. And I get it! As women, we have to be vigilant about our safety, no matter where we are in the world.

Travelling alone as a woman can sometimes come with additional risks. But, more often than not, many safety issues can be avoided by being self-aware and making sensible choices.

From researching local scams ahead of time to choosing your accommodation carefully, there are plenty of solo female travel safety tips you can implement to improve your safety while travelling alone.

If fear of safety is holding you back, it’s worth gently reframing the question. It’s easy to believe that staying home equals being safe, but absolute safety doesn’t exist anywhere – not at home or abroad.

Most women already move through the world with awareness, instinct, and common sense, often without thinking about it. Those skills don’t disappear when you cross a border.

Solo travel isn’t about ignoring danger. It’s about trusting yourself to navigate the world in the same thoughtful way you already do.

To ease into solo travel, it can help to start with destinations that are safer for first-time solo travellers.

Speak to other solo female travellers about their experiences, look into common scams and local safety concerns, and consider countries that consistently rank highly on the Global Peace Index.

Taking these small, proactive steps can go a long way in building confidence before you even leave home.

Fear of Something Going Wrong

While I’d love to promise that nothing will ever go wrong when you’re solo travelling, it’s important to be realistic. Travel doesn’t always go to plan. Flights get missed, buses don’t turn up, and plans can go awry. But that in itself isn’t always a bad thing.

When something goes wrong while I’m travelling alone, I pause and ask myself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen here?” Most of the time, the worst-case scenario is far less dramatic than my anxious brain initially imagines, and that simple question is often enough to calm my anxiety.

Problem-solving on the go is also one of the best ways to boost your confidence. Each small challenge reminds you that you’re capable, resourceful, and far more resilient than you think. You come out the other side feeling stronger and more prepared for whatever comes next.

It’s also important to remember that there are a lot of kind people in the world. At times, when I’ve needed to ask for help, I’ve been so surprised by how willing people were to assist me.

From missed flights to a stolen camera, I’ve experienced it all. And I’m still here to tell the tale!

Fear of Being Lonely

Even the most introverted people feel lonely sometimes. And while this is a common fear for first-time solo travellers, it’s also one of the easiest challenges to manage.

I consider myself to be an introvert. But while I love time to myself, I can only stand so much of it. After 3-4 days of solo travel, I start craving a bit of human connection.

This is where group tours and experiences can be incredibly helpful. Companies like Viator, Get Your Guide, and TourRadar offer affordable group tours and experiences in destinations all over the world.

As an introvert, I really struggle to strike up conversations with people I don’t know. But group tours make this so much easier. You already have something in common, the activity itself, which makes chatting feel far more natural.

You’ll meet people from all over the world, and sometimes those brief connections turn into real friendships.

I also recommend joining Facebook Groups for solo female travellers. Many of these communities consist of women travelling all over the world at the same time as you, and it’s not uncommon for people to meet up for a coffee, lunch, or even a day of sightseeing together.

Here are a few Facebook Groups I love:

The Solo Female Traveler Network

Girls LOVE Travel®

Solo Female Travelers

Solo Female Travel for Introverts – this is my Facebook Group. I’d love to see you there!

Solo travel doesn’t have to mean being alone all the time. You get to choose when you want solitude and when you want connection, and that flexibility is one of the reasons I love solo travel.

Fear of Not Enjoying Solo Travel

Many first-time solo travellers worry that they’ll book a trip and instantly realise it’s not for them. And that’s understandable.

But the honest question to ask is: how will you ever know if you enjoy solo travel if you don’t try it?

And here’s the part we often forget. If you don’t like it, you can come home. There’s no rule saying you have to stick it out if you’re not enjoying it.

Yes, flying home early might cost a bit of extra money, but that’s really the worst-case scenario. No one has failed. Nothing terrible has happened. You’ve simply learned something about yourself.

To test the waters, I recommend starting closer to home. Try a day trip on your own, take a solo hike, or even book a short city break in your own country. These smaller experiences give you a feel for solo travel without the pressure of a long or expensive commitment.

Confidence doesn’t usually arrive all at once. It builds gradually, through small steps and short trips that prove you can do this. Each experience gives you a little more trust in yourself, and before you know it, the idea of travelling solo no longer feels so scary at all.

Fear of Eating Alone

I know so many women who love solo travel but hate eating alone. And I understand why. Entering a restaurant and asking for a table for 1 can sometimes draw unusual looks, but in reality, most people probably won’t even notice you.

If you’re really worried about eating alone here are some suggestions for overcoming this fear:

Fear of Getting Lost

Getting lost in a strange place can be scary. But most of the time, it doesn’t put you in immediate danger.

I’ve been lost while solo travelling a couple of times and while it wasn’t fun, I didn’t panic either. I simply calmly asked someone who looked friendly (usually another woman) for help in finding my way.

I try to avoid looking at paper maps when I’m travelling as I don’t want to draw attention to the fact that I am a tourist. Instead, I use Google Maps on my phone (you can download the map to use offline if needed). I highly recommend getting an eSIM for your destination to ensure you can stay connected at all times. I recommend Sim Local as a reliable eSIM provider – I’ve used them a few times and always been super happy with the service and product.

And remember, sometimes getting lost is the best way to see a new place as it often takes you off the tourist trail.

Fear of Getting Sick While Travelling Alone

I understand that this can be a real fear for many people, especially when travelling through developing countries where the risk of getting food poisoining is high.

The most important part of overcoming this fear is to ensure you have adequate travel insurance. If you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital, you’ll be more relaxed if you know your travel insurance will cover it. I recommend Safety Wing for long-term travel as they provide travel and health insurance at a very reasonable price.

Other ways to avoid getting sick while travelling include:

How to Overcome the Fear of Travelling Alone

I am testament to the fact that it is possible to overcome your fears and enjoy a life of solo adventures. Before my first trip, I was terrified. I constantly questioned myself and wondered if I was doing the right thing.

But here I am, over 10 years later, absolutely in love with solo travel and inspiring others to try it for themselves.

Here are my top tips for overcoming those fears and booking your first trip with confidence.

Start Small With Your First Solo Trip

I mentioned this briefly earlier, but let’s discuss it in more detail. If booking your first solo travel adventure feels overwhelming, start small.

My first experience of solo travel wasn’t a huge leap. I travelled to Canada to visit friends and added 3 solo days in Toronto at the end of my trip. My friends were just a short train ride away if I needed them, and as Canada is an English-speaking country, I didn’t have to navigate language barriers.

It was another 4 years before I took my next solo trip to Paris. I was still very nervous, but it felt manageable. I speak French, and living in the UK meant Paris didn’t feel too far from home.

If travelling abroad feels like too much right now, that’s okay. Ask yourself what feels comfortable at this stage. It might be something as simple as going out for a coffee or a walk on your own. If you feel a little braver, take a day trip near your hometown, or book a night in a hotel in your own country.

The key is to start small and build confidence gradually. Each small step shows you what you’re capable of. Over time, those small experiences add up and, eventually, travelling internationally on your own won’t feel so daunting.

Choose a Destination That Feels Manageable

If you’re nervous about your first solo trip, don’t throw yourself in at the deep end with a 3-month solo backpacking tour of Southeast Asia. Start with a destination that feels less intimidating.

Choose somewhere that won’t be too much of a culture shock, especially if you haven’t done a lot of travelling yet. Choose a destination where language barriers won’t be an issue, and somewhere you can confidently navigate.

And if you’re really nervous, think about choosing somewhere that is only a short journey from home.

Plan Enough to Feel Secure

When I travel solo, I always make sure I know exactly where I’ll be staying and how I will get there. I’ve made the mistake of arriving in a city and not knowing how to navigate the public transport network. Let’s just say I got lost and ended up walking 30 minutes in the pouring rain!

Reduce stress by planning your accommodation in advance. Have a plan for how you’ll get from the airport to your accommodation. And have a ‘Plan B’ just in case.

I once travelled to Bilbao in northern Spain on a solo city break and ended up arriving in Bilbao late due to a delayed flight. I missed the last airport transfer to my hotel, but fortunately, I was able to take a taxi. It’s important to always have a backup plan just in case your original plan doesn’t work out.

I also recommend planning your days around certain areas to reduce travel on public transport and having a plan for how you’ll spend your evenings. For example, could you book tickets to see a show, ballet, or opera? Could you head to a late museum opening, or join an evening food tour?

Planning your days will help to reduce anxiety as you’ll know exactly what you want to do when you arrive!

Book a Group Tour

As I said earlier, travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the time. If you want to ease into solo travel, why not book a group tour with a company like TourRadar.

While you’ll technically be travelling solo, you’ll also have the company of a group which will feel safer and less intimidating.

The one thing to watch out for with group tours is that many tours include a ‘solo traveller supplement’ which means you’ll pay more for your space as you won’t be sharing a room with anyone. Some companies like TourRadar, now offer tours with no solo supplement.

Don’t Listen to Negativity

It’s natural for friends and family to be worried about your plans to travel solo, but if that turns to negativity, I encourage you not to listen, especially if they haven’t actually travelled much themselves.

Before my first solo trip to Paris, friends expressed their concern about my safety. One even said I was likely to get kidnapped! I calmly explained that I had done my research, booked a hotel in a safe area and would be very sensible.

Now 10 years later, my friends and family accept that it’s just something I do. People might think you’re strange for wanting to travel alone, your parents might worry about you, but ultimately you shouldn’t let that stop you from living your life.

Many people form opinions on countries and destinations based on what they see in the media. Travelling to those places is often a totally different story from what the media says. So if someone is trying to scare you with horror stories, ask yourself:

Have they actually been to that destination? Have they ever tried solo travel themselves? Or are they just repeating horror stories they saw in the news? 

How to Manage Anxiety During Your Trip

Feeling anxious while travelling alone doesn’t mean you’ve made a mistake or that solo travelling isn’t for you. Anxiety often shows up when you’re doing something new.

Even after 10 years of solo travel, I still have moments where I feel nervous or unsettled, particularly in the first few days.

The key is to stop expecting the anxiety to disappear completely. Instead, try to manage it. Implement routines that make you feel grounded, whether that’s starting your day with a walk, finding a café you can return to, or having a cosy night in watching Netflix.

Familiar habits can bring a surprising amount of comfort when everything around you feels new.

If fear suddenly hits, pause before panicking. Anxiety can make situations feel far more urgent and dangerous than they really are. Take a breath and ask yourself what’s actually going on, not what you’re imagining might happen.

I often ask myself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen here?” Most of the time, the answer is something manageable, like needing to change plans or ask for help. Reminding yourself that you’ve handled difficult situations before can help bring the fear back down to a more realistic level.

Why Being Scared to Travel Alone Shouldn’t Stop You

Being scared to travel alone doesn’t mean you’re not meant to do it. It usually means you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. If fear was a sign that something was wrong, noone would ever try anything new.

You don’t need to feel confident or fearless to travel alone. You just need to be willing to try it. Fear won’t disappear compeltely before you go. But it does soften as you gain experience, one small moment at a time. Each time you overcome your anxieties, you prove to yourself that fear doesn’t get to make all your decisions.

Solo travel is a learning process. Some days will feel easy, others won’t. But each step you take builds trust in yourself. And that trust is what stays with you long after the trip is over.

If travelling alone is something you keep coming back to, there’s probably a reason for that. You’re allowed to feel scared and still go anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re scared to travel alone and want some advice from someone who’s been there and done it, please get in touch with me! I’d love to hear from you.