Get Inspired to Travel Solo With These Quotes From JourneyWoman Readers

by JourneyWoman Staff | Feb 19, 2022

A woman holding a backpack, looking out into the mountains. Learn how to follow your travel dreams.

Last updated on May 10th, 2024

10 inspirational quotes to help you take the first step

By JourneyWoman

When it comes to inspirational quotes about solo travel, there’s no better place to look than JourneyWoman readers.

In these powerful quotes, gathered from JourneyWoman readers, we have the essence of a solo traveller: curious, profoundly adventurous, grateful, generous and above all, courageous. These inspiring quotes are from women with decades of solo travel experience. Women who have broken barriers, challenged the status quo and followed their hearts. Women who look you in the face and tell you it like it is, without artifice (but always with humour), that you need not follow the crowd. You can do it. You can be the woman you want to be.

We hope these inspiring quotes about solo travel help you take the first step! Find more inspiration on our Solo Travel Wisdom group here.

10 inspiring quotes about solo travel – from women who have been there

These inspiring quotes are all shareable – just hover over the image and click on it to share it on your social media channels.

1. “Listen to your heart and travel.” – Evelyn Hannon, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

JourneyWoman founder Evelyn Hannon was a constant source of inspiration for solo travelers everywhere. Read our Tribute to Evelyn here.

2. “If someone tells you that you are too old or it’s too scary out there on your own, well…you won’t know until you try. Big girl panties – put them on and carry on! You are stronger and wiser than you think!” – Marion Broverman, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

Read “Marion’s Indomitable Spirit”, where she shares her sources of inspiration, including her grandmother.

3. “Do not impose your values and traditions on people of other cultures, or sub-cultures within your home country. You are a guest in their culture and as such, respect it with grace and kindness. Participate in this culture as much as you can, with an open mind and heart.” – Jeanne Flaherty, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

Jeanne participated in a recent Solo Travel Wisdom webinar, which you can watch here.

4. “It’s easier to connect with the locals when you’re alone. Go to neighbourhoods that aren’t on the must-see list. Sit at a café, write in a journal, paint a picture. DO something and it will attract people to you.” – Karen Gershowitz, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

Karen is also the author of “Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust”, based on her solo travel experience. Read about her book here.

connect with the locals when you’re alone quote

5. “One day, you will not want to be like your peers, or follow the crowd. You will be joyfully independent, strong enough to be just who you are meant to be, not a carbon copy of any other person. You will have your first taste of international travel when you will be brave enough to get yourself to Italy. It will change your life and the travel seed will be planted.” – Joy Fox, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

Read Joy’s memoir Healing After Heartbreak, about her solo trip to Italy in 1956.

6. “When I trekked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, I was lost. Sick and afraid and depleted. And in the weeks of trekking in those heavenly Himalayas, something shifted and cracked open. I fed my soul.” – Jennifer Haddow, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

After. multiple sclerosis diagnosis Jennier Haddow traded in her corporate job for one in adventure travel, becoming the CEO of Wild Women Expeditions. Read her story here.

7. “I definitely was afraid to travel by myself at the beginning. And then I made this leap that allowed me to realize that it’s the things that scare you the most that are probably the ones that are most transformative… it’s a blessing to be able to travel on your own and to be able to make decisions, meet new people, change your plans, be open to the universe.” – Andrea Sullivan, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

A passionate traveller, Andrea is the Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerMedia, where she also supports travel-realted causes such as human trafficking and women’s empowerment Andrea participated in a recent Solo Travel Wisdom webinar with us, which you can watch here.

8. “When you can embrace the authenticity of a place, you can truly enjoy it. At no time was I ever worried about my safety. I felt like an explorer in an undiscovered, lush country. Live in the moment, don’t stress the small stuff and you’ll find your way, eventually.” – Carolyn Ray, JourneyWoman CEO

As the CEO of JourneyWoman, Carolyn seeks to inspire women to follow their intuion and take the first step toward living the life of their dreams. Read “Five Lessons Learned in Living in Mexico Durig the Pandemic.”

9. “NO. Is a full sentence.” – Lorna Selig, Self-Defence Expert and Trainer

As CEO of Safe4Life, Lorna Selig has been teaching self-defense for nearly 17 years. Read her tips for women to defend themselves here.

10. “Explore the world. Broaden your horizons, meet new people, view beautiful nature, hike mountains, hills and trails, experience joy and happiness, learn new languages. In the meantime, read books, watch films, plan voyages and then go. Have fun.” – Pattie, JourneyWoman and Solo Traveller

More Solo Travel Inspiration

What Solo Women Travellers Over 50 Want in 2025

Solo travel is a movement, particularly among older women, who are empowered, purposeful and have the mindset, time and money to travel.

Be a Catalyst for Change: Women 50+ Travellers Invited to Participate in Global Survey on Solo Travel

In partnership with Collette Travel, Intrepid and Aurora Expeditions, JourneyWoman has launched a global survey on women 50+ travellers.

More Than Breathtaking Beaches: Adventures For Women in Martinique

Come for Martinique’s beaches but stay for eco-friendly adventures like hiking in lush rainforests, birdwatching and kayaking.

JourneyWoman Staff

Follow JourneyWoman for curated articles, tips, news and content from our community and our partners.

0 Comments

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know.

Disclaimer: We are so happy that you are checking out this page right now! We only recommend things that are suggested by our community, or through our own experience, that we believe will be helpful and practical for you. Some of our pages contain links, which means we’re part of an affiliate program for the product being mentioned. Should you decide to purchase a product using a link from on our site, JourneyWoman may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps us maintain our beautiful website. JourneyWoman is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

We want to hear what you think about this article, and we welcome any updates or changes to improve it. You can comment below, or send an email to us at [email protected].