Thinking about solo travel after 50? Good. Because waiting for someone else’s calendar, courage, budget, or permission slip is a terrible travel strategy.
The gyms may or may not be crowded. The planners may or may not be pristine. But the question remains the same: are we still waiting for someone else to decide they’re ready before we go live our lives?
Solo Travel After 50:
Cue the gasps. “Alone?” they’ll ask, like I’m announcing I’m heading into a war zone without backup. Yes, alone. No chaperone, no agenda but my own, and no one to argue over where to have dinner. Solo travel isn’t about loneliness; it’s about liberation.
Here’s the thing, ladies: Midlife is the sweet spot. We’re seasoned enough to know what we want, courageous enough to take it, and finally free from pleasing every last person on the itinerary. And you know what? I refuse to wait for someone else to decide they’re ready to join me.
If you’re flirting with the idea of a solo trip, let me hold your hand for a second. Solo travel is not as scary as it sounds. I promise you, the only thing you’ll lose is your hesitation. But, like any bold move, it takes a little prep work.
5 Steps For Prepping For Solo Travel:
1. Start Small. No One’s Asking You to Backpack through Nepal.
Think local-ish. A weekend trip to that nearby beach town or city you’ve always wanted to explore. Baby steps, sister. You don’t need to jet-set to Bali right away unless you want to. Then go for it, queen.
When I started, I took a three-day trip to Asheville. Hiking, coffee shops, and a cozy B&B where no one asked me why I wasn’t married. Heavenly.
Not sure where to begin? Try a one-night hotel stay within driving distance, a solo museum day, a food tour in a nearby city, or a weekend in a walkable town. You are not auditioning for a survival show. You are practicing being free.
2. Plan Just Enough—Then Let Go.
Do you need to know where you’re staying? Yes. Should you have a general idea of what’s fun to do? Sure. But you’re not building a PowerPoint presentation for your boss, so leave some breathing room. The magic of solo travel lies in spontaneity.
Leave space for that unplanned afternoon wandering through tiny shops or sipping wine while people-watching. No one’s rushing you.
And yes, some of the best solo travel moments happen when you let other people in, too. I’ve written before about why I swear by food tours, especially after finding myself surrounded by other midlife solo women travelers in Stockholm. Read more in Breaking Bread and Boundaries: A Solo Traveler’s Tale.
3. Safety Isn’t Fear. It’s Strategy.
Let’s be real. Solo travel as a woman requires some street smarts. But here’s the deal: Being prepared isn’t living in fear; it’s honoring your freedom. Share your itinerary with a friend, keep a portable charger, and for goodness’ sake, don’t post your exact location on Instagram in real time. Let the stalkers work for it.
And yes, trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Walk confidently like you know where you’re going even if you don’t.
Want the practical version? I put together 5 hacks to ensure solo travel success after 33 days abroad, many of them on my own. Because freedom is fabulous, but so is knowing where your key, passport, charger, and exit plan live.
Want more bold midlife travel, reinvention, and aging-out-loud stories? Join the Kuel Life Sunday RoundUp and get our best reads delivered straight to your inbox.
4. Fall in Love with Your Own Company.
The first time I sat alone at a beautiful restaurant and ordered an appetizer and dessert without a single apology, I swear the skies parted. It’s amazing how quickly you stop caring who’s watching when you realize no one actually is.
Bring a book, journal, or just people-watch to your heart’s content. You’ll realize something: Your own company is pretty damn delightful.
5. Make This the Year You Stop Waiting.
This is the big one, ladies. How many trips have you postponed because no one could come with you? How many adventures have you shelved because your best friend had work, your husband didn’t want to fly, or your sister couldn’t find a dog-sitter? If Gayle Petrillo can write about solo travel at 70, then surely the rest of us can stop pretending the window has closed.
Enough. Life isn’t waiting. Neither should you.
Book the trip. Buy the train ticket, snag that cheap flight, or pick a cozy cabin rental. If the thought of going solo makes your heart race, then congratulations, you’re onto something big. That nervous energy? That’s your comfort zone cracking wide open.
The Truth About Solo Travel:
Here’s the truth about solo travel: It’s not just about seeing new places. It’s about proving to yourself that you can. It’s about showing up for your own life, fully and unapologetically.
So, this year, I’m raising a glass, probably by myself, at some tucked-away wine bar in a city I’ve never been to, to every woman who books that first trip alone. To the ones who stop waiting and start moving.
Trust me, you’ll come home with more than just souvenirs. You’ll come home with a version of yourself you didn’t know you’d been missing.
Now, go ahead and book that “table for one.” You’ll love it.
FAQs About Solo Travel After 50
Is solo travel after 50 safe?
Yes, solo travel after 50 can be safe with smart planning. Share your itinerary with someone you trust, arrive during daylight when possible, keep your phone charged, and trust your instincts. Safety is not fear. It is strategy.
Where should I go for my first solo trip?
Start with a place that feels exciting but manageable. Think a nearby city, a beach town, a wellness weekend, a food tour destination, or a walkable place where you do not need to figure out too much at once.
How do I get comfortable eating alone while traveling?
Start with lunch, sit at the bar, bring a book, or choose a restaurant with great people-watching. The first time may feel awkward. Then you realize almost no one is paying attention, and ordering exactly what you want is wildly underrated.
What is the biggest benefit of solo travel after 50?
The biggest benefit is remembering that your life still belongs to you. Solo travel is not just about the destination. It is about confidence, freedom, and no longer waiting for someone else to say yes.
Did this make you want to book the ticket, reserve the table, or at least stop waiting for permission? Join the Kuel Life Sunday RoundUp and get bold midlife reads delivered straight to your inbox. And if you want to support the community making this kind of aging-out-loud conversation possible, become a Kuel Life Member today.
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