The Silent Revolution: Older Women Embracing Solo Adventures
British travel companies are witnessing a remarkable shift in tourism patterns as women, particularly those over 50, are increasingly choosing to explore the world alone. Recent statistics reveal that nearly half of all bookings with leading tour operators now come from solo travellers, marking a significant departure from traditional travel habits.
The tour operator Jules Verne reported that solo travellers account for 46% of bookings for trips departing next year, up from 40% in 2023. Even more strikingly, approximately 70% of these solo bookings are made by women, indicating a growing trend of female independence in travel.
Inspiring Stories of Courage and Discovery
Linda, a 75-year-old from Oxford, began her solo travel journey after her husband passed away in 2016. "I used the money I had saved by sorting out probate myself to join a photography tour of Cuba," she explains. "Although I knew no one on the tour, our shared passion for travel and photography sparked friendships that continue to this day."
Since that first trip, Linda has travelled extensively to destinations including Bolivia, Ethiopia, Namibia, Brazil, and India. She's even undertaken solo Interrail journeys around Europe twice. Her approach involves careful planning and communication with family. "My grown-up kids are used to it now and don't worry about me as long as I give them an 'in case I get lost' itinerary before I go," she says.
Claudia, a 63-year-old nurse from Ontario, Canada, finally fulfilled her teenage dream of backpacking across Europe after waiting four decades. "The backpacking trip in Europe was everything I dreamed of," she recalls. "I slept on overnight buses, stayed in 20-room mixed dorms – the full experience."
The death of a colleague who had planned to travel after retirement served as a wake-up call for Claudia, prompting her to resume travelling in 2016. She emphasises the freedom solo travel provides: "So many women are caregivers in some shape or form, and it's just the freedom to be able to go and do something where you're not negotiating with children or a spouse or a friend."
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Confidence
RoseMary, 77, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, discovered solo travel after losing her partner of 20 years. Her interest in South Korea was sparked by television series, leading to multiple visits to the country. Her travels haven't been without drama – martial law was declared in South Korea the night before her plane took off in December 2024, but she continued with her plans regardless.
"The flexibility of solo travel has been a particular attraction for me," RoseMary notes. "It allows me to set the agenda completely. There is no limit to what I want to do and can do."
For younger travellers like Caelin, a 22-year-old from Wellington, New Zealand, solo travel has provided unexpected personal growth. "There is a kind of quiet confidence that comes from relying on yourself and realising you are capable," she reflects. Her parents' initial worry transformed into support after witnessing how travel positively affected her.
The Financial Barrier: Single Supplements
Not all aspects of solo travel are straightforward. Judith, 69, from West Sussex, highlights the financial challenges facing solo travellers. "I have been searching for a solo holiday to the Norwegian fjords to celebrate my 70th, but the single supplement makes it almost double the price and frankly not affordable," she explains.
Despite these obstacles, Judith continues to travel alone because, as she puts it, "if I don't go solo, I won't go at all." Her recent birthday trip took her by train from southern England to Edinburgh, where she explored the city and visited Rosslyn Castle.
Becky, 53, from Leeds, has found that travelling solo actually enhances social connections. "I find going solo enables you to connect with more people as they see you as more approachable than when in a group," she says. Her recent interrailing trip through Italy involved night trains, pasta-making classes, and conversations with strangers from around the world.
The growing trend of solo female travel represents more than just holiday preferences – it signals a broader shift in women's confidence, independence, and determination to explore the world on their own terms, regardless of age or circumstance.
