Solo Travel Doesn't Always Mean Traveling Alone

Years ago, a mixed group of friends planned my bachelorette weekend. Since it was a surprise, they had their own group chat to discuss the plans, and from what I understood, it was going to be EPIC! Atlantic City in the spring, we were in our late 20s, and ready to party. What I didn't know was that one evening would go from a family-style dinner at Carmine's to an episode of Bravo's Real Housewives, with a little The Godfather thrown in for good measure.

There I was, sitting at the table enjoying my shrimp, thinking, "What the heck is going on?!" Somehow, I had landed in the middle of a full-blown confrontation involving a history I knew absolutely nothing about. Words were flying across the table, tensions were high, and what was supposed to be a celebration had turned into a scene nobody ordered.

Interestingly enough, one of the biggest issues was the room temperature. Yes, the thermostat. One person wanted the room hot, the other wanted it cold, and apparently, neither was willing to surrender. What followed was an escalating game of thermostat warfare, with each adjusting the temperature as if daring the other to touch it again.

The weekend was a surprise, so I hadn't been involved in much of the planning or the group conversations leading up to it. Once I was brought back into the group chat and learned more about what had unfolded, I was mortified. The experience left such an impression that I canceled my bridal shower when we returned home. Dramatic? Perhaps. However, that weekend taught me some valuable lessons about bringing together people with different personalities, expectations, and habits, especially when they're sharing a room.

When we think of solo travel, we often picture someone packing a suitcase, boarding a plane, and heading off to explore the world alone. Maybe there's a little Eat, Pray, Love moment somewhere in there, too. While that is certainly one way to do it, solo travel doesn't always mean spending your entire trip by yourself. You might be exploring a destination completely on your own, flying halfway across the world to meet a group, or joining an organized trip where you don't know a single soul. Each comes with its own experiences, challenges, and a few things worth considering before you pack your bags. As a woman who has traveled solo and a travel advisor, I can tell you there's a lot more to it than simply booking a ticket and hoping for the best.

One thing I've learned over the years is that someone can be a delightful travel companion and a terrible roommate. Sharing a room brings a whole different set of dynamics into play, from sleep schedules and bathroom routines to cleanliness, personal space, and yes, even the thermostat. What seems like a small inconvenience to one person can be a dealbreaker for another. Having conversations about expectations and boundaries before the trip can save everyone a lot of unnecessary frustration, and possibly a friendship or two.

There are two options worth considering when joining a group journey. You can share a room with someone whose habits and preferences are compatible with yours, or you can choose a room of your own. Sometimes you know yourself well enough to recognize that having your own space is simply the better fit. You still get to enjoy the journey, the shared experiences, and the company of the group, while having somewhere to return to, decompress, and settle into the routines that work best for you.

This is where individual preferences become part of a much larger picture. As travel advisors and hosts, we're not simply putting people on the same itinerary. We're bringing together different personalities, needs, expectations, and travel styles, carefully considering how all those moving pieces can function well within one shared experience.

Growing up from a girl into a woman, there are certain things we're taught to be aware of, often long before we fully understand why. We learn to pay attention to our surroundings, read people's intentions, and adjust to situations that don't always feel comfortable. That awareness and adaptability can serve us well in many areas of life, but sometimes I wonder why something as simple as feeling safe requires so much thought in the first place.

There's something often referred to as the "travel tax" for women traveling solo. It's the additional planning, precautions, and expenses women may take on just to feel a basic level of safety while exploring the world. It's a cost that isn't always reflected in the price of a trip, but can influence nearly every decision along the way. Sometimes that means paying more for a hotel in a well-located area, arranging reliable transportation rather than taking the cheapest option, or making sure someone back home has your itinerary and emergency contacts. It also means navigating conversations with strangers, particularly men, when you're not always certain of their intentions.

My mother was big on safety. When my sister and I started dating, she wanted the first and last name of the person we were going out with, along with the license plate number of the car we were getting into. When we traveled, we always shared our itineraries, including flight numbers, accommodations, and other important details. My big brother was often copied on those emails, too. At the time, it may have seemed like a bit much, but looking back, I understand the reasoning. That same awareness followed me into adulthood and eventually into travel. I remember posting my location in real time on social media once, only to receive calls from both my father and brother rather expeditiously. Apparently, I was in direct violation of a family rule!

Another layer of safety comes from knowing your resources at the destination. Local guides, community connections, and destination management companies (DMCs) that coordinate transportation and other travel logistics on the ground can provide valuable support, particularly when navigating unfamiliar places. Having trusted local contacts who understand the destination, its customs, and its challenges can make a difference when plans change or unexpected situations arise. Knowing what resources are available helps us make more informed decisions, and with that knowledge comes the opportunity to exercise greater wisdom and better judgment.

These precautions aren't meant to discourage women from traveling independently. They're reminders that preparation matters. Knowing where you're staying, how you're getting there, who to contact in an emergency, and when to keep certain details to yourself can make a meaningful difference. The goal isn't to spend an entire journey looking over your shoulder, but to make thoughtful decisions that allow you to enjoy more of the experience with confidence.

Solo travel can also give us the freedom to explore our interests without always having to compromise. Sometimes our significant other doesn't enjoy traveling, or perhaps their travel style is simply different from ours. The same can be true of family and friends. Having the opportunity to travel independently allows us to experience the things we love without expecting everyone else to share those interests.

There's also something to be said about the personal growth that comes with it. Nobody else is there to choose the restaurant, strike up a conversation, or figure out what to do when plans don't go quite as expected. Sometimes you're sitting at a table alone, navigating an unfamiliar place, or walking into a room where everyone seems to know someone except you. It can be uncomfortable, awkward, and occasionally quite funny. Yet those moments challenge us to become more resourceful, adaptable, and confident in our own decisions.

I don't believe we have to do everything alone to prove we're independent. There's value in companionship, shared experiences, and having someone beside us to laugh with when things go wrong. There's also value in discovering that we can enjoy our own company, make decisions for ourselves, and find connection with people we might never have met otherwise. Sometimes stepping outside our comfort zone isn't about doing something extraordinary. It's simply giving ourselves permission to experience something differently.

Whether you're setting off completely on your own, joining a group of strangers, or simply choosing to explore without your usual travel companions, there's something to be gained from the experience. Solo travel doesn't have to mean isolation, nor does it have to become your preferred way of seeing the world. There's no single right way to travel, and what works beautifully for one person may not be the best fit for another. I encourage both women and men to step outside what's familiar and give themselves the opportunity to experience something different, even if it's just once. How you choose to do that is entirely up to you.

You don't have to travel alone. There's value in knowing that you can.

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