She went alone: Stories, dangers, and the women who inspire us
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Apr 8
- 14 min read
Solo travel is a powerful and liberating experience. For many women, it offers a rare chance to explore the world on their own terms, build confidence, and discover new sides of themselves.
But it can also come with challenges—especially when it comes to safety and breaking the barrier of meeting new people. This article offers practical advice, real-life stories, and a balanced look at both the risks and the joys of solo travel as a woman.
The beauty of solo travel
Travelling alone means complete freedom. You wake up when you want, choose where to go next without compromise, and follow your own rhythm. Many women describe their solo journeys as life-changing, offering deeper self-awareness, new skills, and the satisfaction of proving they can handle the world on their own.
Solo travel helped me overcome fear and self-doubt. I met the most amazing people just because I dared to say hello. Nina, 29 Solo travelled across Southeast Asia
I never thought I could walk into a cafe alone and feel confident. But now, I enjoy my own company more than ever. Laila, 34 Travelled solo in Morocco
Solo travel also invites more local interaction. Without a companion, people are more likely to approach you—and you’re more open to them.
Why focus on solo female travel?
Because travelling alone as a woman comes with unique challenges—and powerful rewards.
Women often face different safety concerns, cultural expectations, and social pressures than men. This guide isn’t about excluding others, but about acknowledging reality and offering support, advice, and inspiration for women who want to explore the world on their own terms.
Just as there are guides for families or LGBTQ+ travellers, this one is for women—because their journey deserves to be understood, respected, and celebrated.
The risks: Be aware, not afraid
Unfortunately, the world is not always safe for women travelling alone. While most trips go smoothly, there have been tragic cases that remind us to always stay alert.
Real-life cases to learn from:
Grace Millane A British backpacker, was murdered in New Zealand in 2018 after meeting someone through a dating app. It was a shocking case that underscored the need for caution when meeting strangers.
Sarai Sierra An American woman travelling solo in Turkey in 2013, was found murdered after going missing. She had been taking photographs around Istanbul.
Bianca Devins, though not travelling, was murdered in 2019 after meeting a man online. Her case shows the danger of trusting digital connections too easily, something that also applies while travelling.
These stories are rare but sobering reminders: trust your instincts, stay in public places when meeting new people, and always keep friends or family updated on your plans.
I had a scary experience once in a taxi in Tunisia. Since then, I always take photos of license plates and send them to my sister. Isabelle, 27 From France
Staying safe
1. Research your destination
Know the culture, common scams, and areas to avoid. Use travel forums like Reddit or Facebook groups for up-to-date advice from other women.
2. Dress respectfully
In some countries, modest clothing helps avoid unwanted attention. Blending in also reduces the risk of being targeted as a tourist.
3. Share your itinerary
Send it to someone you trust. Regular check-ins can make a huge difference in an emergency.
4. Avoid walking alone at night
Take a registered taxi or rideshare app. Stay in well-lit areas and keep your phone charged.
5. Trust your gut
If someone gives you a bad feeling, walk away. You owe politeness to no one when your safety is at stake.
6. Keep documents and money safe
Use a money belt or hidden pouch. Carry copies of your passport in case of theft.
7. Be cautious with alcohol Avoid getting drunk alone, and never leave your drink unattended.
I always make friends with the staff at my guesthouse or hostel. They give the best safety tips and tell me where not to go. Priya, 33 From India
How to make friends while travelling
Feeling lonely is one of the most common concerns for solo travellers. But with the right mindset, it’s surprisingly easy to meet people on the road.
1. Stay in hostels or social hotels.
Even if you're not 20 anymore, many hostels have private rooms and still offer communal dinners, walking tours, and lounges where travellers meet.
2. Join local tours or workshops.
Cooking classes, dive courses, or city bike tours are fun and natural ways to talk to others.
3. Use travel apps like Backpackr, Couchsurfing, or Meetup. They’re designed for meeting fellow travellers or locals who want to connect.
4. Volunteer.
Programs like Workaway or WWOOF allow you to contribute while forming deeper connections.
5. Say yes to invitations (with care). Be open, but cautious. A coffee invite from a fellow traveller is often the beginning of a great friendship. But always meet in public first and avoid giving out your address right away.
Joining a street food tour in Vietnam led to meeting a group of girls from Germany. We ended up travelling together for two weeks. Emily, 25 From Canada
Solo travel doesn’t mean being alone. It means having the freedom to choose who you want to be with each day. Marita, 38 From Sweden
Women who found joy and strength in solo travel
Anita, 41, from Poland
Started solo travelling after a divorce. In Mexico, she joined a cenote tour where she met a group of women doing the same thing. They're now friends for life and meet every year in a new country.
Ayesha, 22, from Pakistan
Travelled alone across Europe, wearing hijab. She shared how strangers often offered her help and how liberating it was to make decisions on her own. She now runs a blog encouraging other Muslim women to explore safely.
Lina, 30, from the Philippines She says, «I saved for three years to backpack around Europe. I was scared at first, but every day I felt stronger. I returned home with new confidence—and five new friends I still talk to daily.»
Solo travel as a woman isn’t about proving a point—it’s about discovering yourself, the world, and what you're capable of. While it comes with real dangers, smart planning, awareness, and community can make your journey safe, fulfilling, and unforgettable.
Go alone—but never feel alone.
Women who travelled the world and made history
Dervla Murphy (1931–2022) – Ireland’s fearless cycling nomad
Known for
Riding solo from Ireland to India in 1963 with just a bicycle, a pistol, and unshakable determination.
Her story
Dervla Murphy was born in Lismore, Ireland. As a child, she received a bicycle and an atlas for her 10th birthday and decided that one day, she would cycle to India. She made good on that dream at age 31, after caring for her sick parents for years. Setting off in January 1963 on her Armstrong Cadet bicycle (nicknamed Rozinante, after Don Quixote’s horse), she rode through Europe, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan before reaching Delhi.
She carried very little gear, often relied on strangers, and navigated dangerous areas—including surviving an attempted assault in Iran by firing her pistol in the air.
«There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing,» she once said—a testament to her no-nonsense attitude.
Her writing
Her first and most famous book, Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, published in 1965, became a travel literature classic. She would go on to write over 20 books, covering her travels through Ethiopia, Tibet, Cuba, Gaza, Rwanda, and more. She often travelled slowly, stayed with locals, and explored places well off the tourist trail.
Philosophy and legacy Dervla was deeply curious, fiercely independent, and politically engaged. She never travelled for luxury or status, but to truly understand the world and people—especially those on the margins. She rejected digital devices and modern distractions, preferring notebooks and human connection.
She passed away in 2022 at age 90, but her legacy continues to inspire solo travellers—especially women—to explore without fear and write with honesty.
I do believe that travelling alone gives you the ultimate freedom to experience a place—and yourself—in a way nothing else can.
Juliana Buhring – The woman who cycled the world
Known for
Becoming the first woman to cycle solo around the world—and doing it in just 152 days.
Her story Juliana Buhring was born in Germany in 1981 and raised in over 30 countries. She had an unconventional and difficult upbringing as part of the notorious cult, Children of God. She escaped in her 20s and was largely cut off from her past.
With no professional cycling experience, she bought a touring bike at age 30 and began training herself. Her decision to ride around the world came just months after the sudden death of her partner, British explorer Hendri Coetzee, who died on a kayaking expedition in the Congo. She took on the challenge as a form of healing—and to prove her resilience.
I didn’t cycle to prove anything to the world. I did it to rebuild myself.
The journey She set off from Naples, Italy, in 2012 and rode 29,000 km (18,000 miles) through 19 countries and 4 continents, often alone and unsupported. She faced sandstorms in Egypt, near-misses with traffic in Turkey, dangerous roads in Thailand, and exhaustion across the U.S.
She broke the Guinness World Record for fastest female circumnavigation by bicycle.
Her book:
This Road I Ride (2016) is her memoir, detailing her transformation from grief-stricken to record-breaking cyclist. It’s a raw, honest, and empowering read.
What makes her unique:
She did it with almost no sponsorship, limited money, and learned everything from scratch.
She co-founded the Lost Boys Foundation to support children affected by religious cults.
She is a symbol of empowerment, showing that even with no prior experience, women can do extraordinary things when driven by purpose.
The body follows where the mind leads. Strength is not in your legs. It’s in your head.
Elspeth Beard – the first British woman to motorcycle around the world
Known for
Being the first British woman to ride a motorcycle solo around the world, in the early 1980s—long before GPS, smartphones, or Instagram.
Her story
Elspeth Beard was a 23-year-old architecture student in London when she decided to take a break from university and ride her BMW R60/6 motorcycle around the world. It was 1982, and such a trip was almost unheard of for a young woman.
Over two years, she travelled 56,000 km (35,000 miles) through 20 countries, including the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, Nepal, Thailand, and across Europe.
She faced multiple setbacks:
A serious crash in Australia that left her hospitalized and needing to rebuild her bike.
Theft of documents and gear in Singapore.
Being treated with suspicion, disbelief, and even ridicule by customs officers, male travellers, and border police.
Most people didn’t believe I was actually riding around the world on my own. They thought my boyfriend was just behind me.
Despite the challenges, she pressed on, often riding through rugged, remote areas alone. She carried her own tools and maintained her bike herself.
Her book
Elspeth published her memoir «Lone Rider» in 2017—over three decades after her journey. The book is raw, reflective, and inspiring, offering deep insight into the emotional and physical toll of being a female adventurer in a male-dominated world.
Legacy and impact
Opened the door for women in the adventure motorcycling world.
Continues to give talks and inspire riders around the world.
She now runs an architectural practice in England and still rides.
The world wasn’t made for women like me back then. So I built my own road.
Anita Yusof – the first Muslim woman to ride a motorcycle around the world
Known for
Becoming the first Muslim woman to motorcycle solo around the world—and doing so starting at age 49, with almost no riding experience.
Her story
Anita Yusof is a Malaysian lecturer, mother, and adventurer who had never ridden a motorcycle until the age of 45. She was inspired by other overland travellers and began learning to ride in secret while also training herself in bike mechanics and navigation.
In 2015, she set off on her Yamaha FZ150i, a modest 150cc bike, with no sponsors, limited gear, and a strong will to break stereotypes.
I wanted to prove that Muslim women can be adventurous, independent, and fearless.
The journey
Travelled 65,000 km across 40 countries and 4 continents in just over a year.
Rode through Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America.
Slept in mosques, churches, strangers’ homes, and by the roadside.
Dealt with sandstorms, border challenges, and cultural barriers—but also met incredible kindness.
She proudly wore her hijab throughout the journey, challenging common assumptions and becoming a role model for women in conservative communities.
Public recognition
She became a Global Ambassador for GIVI, the motorcycle accessories company.
Was included in the Asia Book of Records for her accomplishment.
Featured in talks, documentaries, and interviews across Asia and beyond.
Her message Anita’s journey wasn’t just about adventure. It was about representation, empowerment, and showing that it’s never too late to chase a dream.
When I’m riding, I’m not just riding for myself. I’m riding for all the women who’ve been told they can’t.
Zara Rutherford – youngest woman to fly solo around the world
Known for
In 2022, at just 19 years old, Zara Rutherford became the youngest woman in history to fly solo around the world—a feat of both adventure and inspiration.
Her story
Zara was born in 2002 in Belgium to a family of aviators. Her father is British and her mother is Belgian—both are pilots. She got her first flying license at age 15 and set her sights on inspiring other young women to enter aviation, science, and technology, fields still largely dominated by men.
In August 2021, she took off in a Shark ultralight aircraft, the world’s fastest microlight, with the goal of circumnavigating the globe.
This isn’t just about me—it’s about showing girls they can be bold, smart, and fearless in any field.
The journey
Lasted 155 days, flying over 52 countries and 5 continents.
Faced challenges like extreme weather, political restrictions, and long stretches alone over Siberia, the Atlantic, and remote jungles.
Got stuck in Russia due to visa delays and in Alaska due to bad weather—but she never gave up.
She is writing this at her website:
52 Countries - 5 Continents
«On 18th of August I set off from Belgium, heading west. My route includes the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, USA, Latin America to Colombia, then back north via Alaska, to Russia, Korea, Indonesia, India, the Middle East, Europe and back to Belgium, where I arrived on 20th of January.I am flying a Shark. It is a high-performance ultralight aircraft manufactured in Europe. It is incredibly fast with cruising speed reaching 300 km/h. The aircraft has been specially prepared for such a long journey.»
Records broken
Youngest woman to fly solo around the world.
First woman to fly around the world in a microlight aircraft.
Her mission Zara’s mission was tied to advocacy: she launched the «FlyZolo» campaign (Fly Solo), aiming to inspire more girls to pursue careers in STEM and aviation.
When I was younger, I didn’t see many women pilots. Now, I hope girls can see me and think, ‘Maybe I can do that too.’
What makes her special She combines technical brilliance with an explorer’s heart and a message of empowerment. Despite her young age, she handled media pressure, isolation, and aviation challenges with maturity far beyond her years.
Rosie Swale-Pope (UK):
Wolves, frostbite, and healing: the woman who ran the Earth
At age 57, Rosie Swale-Pope set out to run around the world—a journey sparked by the loss of her husband to cancer. Over the next five years, she ran more than 32,000 km through Europe, Russia, Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and the United States, pulling her supplies in a custom-made cart she called Icebird.
She endured blizzards, wolves, frostbite, injuries, and isolation—but never gave up. Along the way, she raised awareness for cancer and inspired countless people with her determination and courage.
You’re never too old or too broken to start again. The road will fix you.
Before her global run, Rosie had already crossed the Atlantic solo by sailboat, ridden a horse across Chile, and trekked thousands of kilometers through remote areas. She continues to run ultramarathons well into her 70s.
Her memoir, Just a Little Run Around the World, tells the story of how grief turned into strength, and how one woman proved that adventure has no age limit.
Sarah Marquis (Switzerland) : From Siberia to silence: the woman who walked across continents
Sarah Marquis is a modern-day explorer who has walked thousands of miles alone across some of the most remote and untamed places on Earth. From the deserts of Australia to the mountains of Siberia, she travels almost entirely on foot, often without modern conveniences or digital tools.
One of her most famous expeditions was a three-year solo walk from Siberia to Australia, passing through Mongolia, China, Laos, Thailand, and more—navigating harsh climates, illness, wild animals, and cultural barriers with only a knife and basic supplies.
When you walk, you listen. You connect. You become wild again.
She chooses to sleep outdoors, drink from rivers, and follow ancient paths. Her focus is not speed or survival, but deep connection with the land, solitude, and her own inner world.
Books and recognition
Sarah has written several books, including Wild by Nature and Instincts, which offer a raw, poetic look at her solitary adventures. She was named a National Geographic Explorer of the Year, and she continues to advocate for rewilding the human spirit.
What makes her unique Sarah’s journeys are not about adrenaline or conquest—they’re spiritual, meditative, and often silent. She shows that walking alone, slowly and mindfully, can be one of the most powerful ways to know the world—and yourself.
