The 5 Biggest Things Holding You Back From Solo Travel

Solo travel for women can be one of the most empowering, life-affirming experiences you’ll ever have—but too many women put off their solo travel for “someday.” If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Whether it’s fear, finances, or outside voices, something always seems to get in the way.

At Travel With Joy TV, I help women just like you turn their “maybe one day” into “I’m so glad I did this!” After beating stage 4 cancer in my 30’s, I’ve prioritized traveling solo safely & successfully while I still have my good health.  Let’s unpack the 5 biggest things holding women back—and talk about how to break through them including who you need to talk to.

1. Fear

Fear is the number one reason women hesitate to travel solo. You might wonder, Will I be safe? What if something goes wrong? Will I feel lonely or lost?

These fears are valid—and also totally manageable. With the right planning with a travel coach, smart safety strategies, and a bit of mindset work, fear transforms into freedom. You don't have to be fearless to travel solo—you just need to be prepared and open to the growth that comes with it.

Fear shrinks your world. Solo travel expands it.

2. Other People (Their Opinions and Their Jealousy)

You might be surprised how many women delay their trips because of the opinions of others.

Maybe a partner says, “You want to travel… alone?”
Or a friend rolls her eyes and says, “Must be nice to have all that free time and money.”
Sometimes it’s subtle, like guilt-tripping or dismissive comments that chip away at your excitement.

Here’s the truth: when other people try to hold you back, it often says more about their limitations than yours.

You don’t need permission to pursue what lights you up. You just need the courage to listen to yourself over the noise around you.

3. Uncertainty (Where to Start? Where to Go?)

Even women who want to travel solo get stuck on the “how.”

Where should I go?
What should I do when I get there?
How do I even begin to plan a solo trip?

This kind of uncertainty leads to procrastination. But the good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

At Travel With Joy TV, I provide simple, proven planning tips that help women get clarity on their destination, budget, itinerary, and solo travel style. Whether you want a city escape, a beach reset, or a mountain retreat, there’s a destination that fits your dream—and a clear way to get there.

4. Money

“I can’t afford it” is one of the most common beliefs that keeps women stuck at home. But here’s what I’ve learned through coaching others and solo traveling as a woman myself:

Most trips are more affordable than women realize.
It’s not about being rich—it’s about being resourceful.

From off-season travel to using rewards points, budget-friendly destinations, and my personal solo travel spreadsheet (yes, I’ve made one that you'll get when you grab my Solo Travel Secrets!), I help women make smart money moves that turn “I wish I could” into “I’m going here next.”

You don’t need thousands of dollars or a five-star resort. You need a budget that works for you and the belief that you’re worth investing in.  Which you likely already have, but I’m here to help you with that too.  

5. Confidence

This is the quiet barrier that holds so many women back—not feeling confident enough to go it alone.

What if I look like I don’t know what I’m doing?
What if people judge me for eating alone?
What if I get there and freeze?

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. And that’s exactly what I help women do through my private solo travel coaching sessions.

I walk you through everything from how to prep, how to stay safe, and how to own your solo experience like a woman who belongs anywhere you wish to go.

You’ll gain confidence in your choices, your travel skills, and most importantly—yourself.

Ready to Take That First Step?

If you’re nodding your head to any of these five roadblocks, I want you to know: you’re not stuck. You’re just standing at the starting line—and I’d love to walk with you from here.

Get free tips, encouragement, and ideas of places to solo travel as a woman.
👉 Sign up at https://www.TravelwithJoyTV.com/newsletter for my helpful solo travel tips delivered directly to your inbox.

And if you’re already ready to go deeper and build true confidence for your first (or next) solo adventure, you can set up your private coaching session with me at https://www.TravelwithJoyTV.com/services/private-coaching.  Surprisingly, for about the price of a single night’s stay in a hotel or Airbnb, you’ll receive an incredible experience with me completely focused on you providing valuable tips and encouragement that will improve all your future travels – solo or with family or friends.  I save my best stuff for my paying coaching clients.    

It’s your time. Time to take your trip. Time to feel freedom & fulfillment while having so much fun.

And I’m here to help you add more Joy to your life. Stop barely getting by.  The time to thrive has arrived ladies!  

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