The 3 Types of Solo Female Travelers: Which One Are You?

Solo Travel for Women: Should You Plan It All or Leave Room for Spontaneity?

When you think about your next solo trip, how much of it do you imagine planning? Are you the type to create a color-coded itinerary down to the hour, or do you crave the freedom of landing somewhere new with nothing but your luggage and a smile for all the possibilities that await you?

This is a question I love posing to fellow female travelers:
Do you...
A. Plan every detail and stick to a tight schedule?
B. Plan absolutely nothing and go completely with the flow?
C. Fall somewhere in the middle—leaving room for structure and surprises?

As a travel coach, travel advisor, and successful solo traveler, I’ve come to realize that most of us tend to fall on a spectrum—leaning a little one-way or the other based on our personalities, life seasons, or trip goals. And that’s definitely okay. The magic of solo travel is that you get to choose your own adventure.

Let’s unpack the pros and cons of each approach to help you figure out your ideal travel planning style—and how I can help support your incredible journey.

A. The All-In Planner: Planning Every Detail

If you're the type who gets joy from planning, you’re not alone—I get it, I’m mostly in this category too! I have found planning to be one of my secrets to solo travel success. Planning your entire trip ahead of time has some solid benefits:

• Anticipation Builds Excitement: Knowing exactly what’s coming can give you something to look forward to. That countdown to your dolphin encounter in the Bahamas? It can be the light at the end of a long workday powering you through the endless meetings knowing a really fun and unique activity is on the horizon.
• Availability is Higher: Booking your excursions, restaurants, and accommodations ahead of time ensures you're not left disappointed when popular activities are sold out while you're there.
• Time is Maximized: A structured schedule helps you squeeze the most value out of each day, especially if your travel time and vacation days available are limited.

But while this method brings peace of mind and structure, it can sometimes leave little room for spur-of-the-moment decisions when you see something exciting once you've arrived at your destination.

B. The Free Spirit: Planning Nothing

Some women choose to go completely unstructured—no bookings, no timelines, no rules. This method can be incredibly freeing:

• Freedom from the Daily Grind: If your home life is packed with calendars and obligations, solo travel might be your one chance to fully unplug doing whatever you feel like on your vacation.
• Serendipitous Discoveries: Stumbling upon a hidden gem, a festival that looks fun, or a local recommendation you hadn’t planned for can become the highlight of your trip.
• Less Pressure, More Flow: Without a tight schedule, you can stay longer in places you love instead of trying to get to "the next thing you planned" and skip the ones that don’t speak to you.

The downside? You might miss out on experiences that require advance reservations or are sold out. You could also spend more money on last-minute options as sometimes activities give discounts when you book early and pre-pay.

C. The Hybrid Traveler: A Bit of Both

This is where many women land—and it’s a great place to be. You get the best of both worlds: the excitement of planned adventures, and the joy of unexpected discoveries. Here's helpful tips to make it work for you:

• Anchor Activities: Plan a few must-do experiences in advance so you have things to look forward to.
• Flexible Days: Leave open space in your schedule to go wherever the day takes you. If you're totally exhausted, you may decide on a "do little day" where you linger at breakfast then take a drive to see scenery. You may sit outside to read or journal and find yourself snoozing in the sun with a nap you never get at home listening to birds chirping and breezes blowing. Just remember sunscreen so you don't wake up in pain to a sunburn!
• Travel Smarter: You can budget effectively knowing what you already spent pre-planning while staying open to the magic of the unknown.

Personally, this is how I travel most often. I love knowing I have a few special moments planned—and also love the freedom to follow a recommendation I overheard in a coffee shop or explore a quirky roadside attraction I never would’ve found online. Sometimes places don't advertise in the Visitor's Guide or online and you don't see them until you arrive. If you had planned every minute, there's no time open to squeeze something that looks terrific in to your crammed full schedule.

How to Discover Your Travel Style

There’s no one-size-fits-all here. Your ideal approach will depend on your personality, your destination, and your goals for the trip.

• Want total relaxation? Maybe minimal planning is best.
• Have a bucket list item you must experience? Book it early.
• Exploring a new place solo for the first time? A balance might help you feel safe while still free.

And the good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

As a travel coach, I work with women just like you to plan trips tailored to their unique style—whether you’re an A, B, or C traveler. We’ll create an itinerary that honors your need for structure and your craving for discovery.

Let’s Chat About Your Style

Now I’d love to hear from you:

👉 When you travel solo, are you more of an A, B, or C?

Comment on my latest post at @TravelWithJoyTV on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok and share your thoughts! I love hearing about other women’s travel styles and experiences.

And if you’re ready to start planning your next trip—with some helpful guidance, encouragement, and expert advice—I’d love to be your travel coach. Together, we’ll design a trip that fits you.

Ready to create your dream trip?
Let’s plan it together. E-mail me at joy@TravelWithJoyTV.com and we'll build your next adventure—your way.

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