Traveling Alone As A Woman: 7 Years – And Never Lonely?

Bestselling author Waltraud Hable has been traveling the world solo for seven years. She hardly ever feels alone – mainly because of the encounters with other women along the way.

And so it can happen that you suddenly find yourself dancing in a skimpy, glittery costume in front of 90,000 spectators at the Rio Carnival – all because, during a stop at Sugarloaf Mountain, you and another traveler casually googled “samba dance lessons” and, just a day later, you’re starting to sway your hips, more or less successfully, in a tiny studio in Ipanema.

Many women who have caught the travel bug are familiar with such chain reactions. One decision leads to the next, you find yourself in situations that make you feel alive, but above all, your mind opens up so wide that you realize how many possibilities you haven’t even allowed yourself to consider.

In May, it will be seven years since I started traveling the world – without a permanent address, just a 23-kilo suitcase, alone as a woman. People call me a “permanent world traveler.” And somehow that makes it sound like I’m just on vacation all the time, soaking up the sun. The truth is, I work remotely as a writer and journalist. It’s not a way to get rich. But it’s enough.

Isn’t traveling alone dangerous?

But what I really want to say is this: While I could hardly imagine what awaited me before setting off, others had very clear images in their minds. I often heard that the whole thing would be “far too lonely” or “too dangerous traveling alone as a woman.” I can say with complete conviction: None of that came true. I can only recommend traveling alone as a woman. For one thing, because you finally live at your own pace, without being dictated to by others: When do I want to go to sleep? What do I want to eat? What things do I really want to see?

“The most important thing is to take action and take the first step, no matter how small.”

Rianna – Solo Traveler

Plasters and conversations

On the other hand, solo travel is like a quiet form of therapy: if I’m feeling down, I can’t blame anyone else. I’m responsible for my own happiness. And perhaps the most important message: you’re not alone. Okay, maybe Prince Charming won’t come riding up. But there are so many other women these days who travel alone—for a few days, weeks, or months. Because they’re looking for adventure. On a journey of self-discovery. Or simply need a break from everything. And sometimes I feel like we’re all part of a big secret club based on helpfulness and solidarity. An address, a band-aid, a good chat: among women, this kind of help comes almost reflexively, whether you’ve known each other for five minutes or five days. Probably because you’re a bit more vulnerable, but also more open, when you’re traveling. It’s not uncommon to spontaneously decide: Hey, let’s share a room. Or take this trip.

About the author

Waltraud Hable is an author, journalist, and has been a world traveler since 2019. She has written two books about her travels: “My Date with the World” (2019) and “Around the World for Everything” (2021), both published by Dumont.

Women’s Trip:
Waltraud Hable is organizing a women’s trip to Lisbon and the Portuguese Riviera from May 13th to 17th. The trip includes sightseeing, workshops with the author on the topic of “Finding the Courage to Live Your Dreams,” and opportunities to connect with others. More information is available at waltraudhable.com/portugal 

Furthermore, I learned an incredible amount from these encounters. Ema from Croatia, for example, showed me how to never lose your optimism – simply through the way she lives her life. From Rianna in Holland, I learned that overthinking gets you nowhere but doubt. “The most important thing is to take action and take the first step, no matter how small.” Many of these encounters have changed my perspective on myself. And no, nobody has to be on the road for seven years. But leaving familiar paths now and then doesn’t hurt. You’ll certainly be welcomed with open arms out there.