Solo Travel After 60: A Points-Savvy Guide for Women

You don't need a travel companion to see the world. You just need a plan, a passport, and the points you've already earned.

Target Keywords: solo travel for women over 60, solo female travel for seniors, traveling alone after 60, solo travel tips for older women
Word Count: ~2,500
Category: Aspirational + Educational (Destination Dreams + Points 101)
Cluster: Cluster 6 — Retirement Travel Planning
Schema: Article, FAQ

Let me tell you about Margaret.

Margaret is 67. She retired two years ago from a career in hospital administration. Her husband passed away in 2021. Her two kids live in different states. She has a comfortable pension, a paid-off house, and a Chase Sapphire Preferred card she got because her financial advisor told her the sign-up bonus was "basically free money."

Last October, Margaret flew business class to Lisbon. Alone.

She spent twelve days winding through Portugal — three nights in Lisbon, a river cruise up the Douro Valley, two nights in Porto. She ate pastéis de nata still warm from the oven. She walked the cobblestone streets of Alfama at dusk. She had a glass of port in a cellar that's been making wine since 1756.

She told me afterward, "I was nervous before I left. I almost canceled twice. But by day three, I realized something: I wasn't lonely. I was free."

Margaret's trip cost her 70,000 credit card points and about $900 in cash. The business class seat alone would have cost $3,800.

If Margaret's story sparks something in you — even a small flicker of what if — this guide is for you.

Let's Address the Elephant in the Room

Women traveling solo after 60 face a particular kind of skepticism. It comes from well-meaning friends. From adult children. Sometimes from the voice inside your own head.

Is it safe? Won't you be lonely? Wouldn't it be better to wait until someone can go with you?

Let's take these one at a time.

"Is it safe?"

Solo travel for women of any age requires awareness and common sense — the same awareness and common sense you've been exercising for six decades. You've navigated careers, raised children, managed households, and handled situations that would make most people's heads spin.

That said, some destinations are better suited for solo travelers than others. We'll cover the best ones below.

The practical truth: most of the world is safe for solo women travelers who take basic precautions. And many destinations — particularly in Western Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia — are exceptionally welcoming.

"Won't you be lonely?"

This one surprises people: solo travelers often report feeling less lonely than they expected, not more. When you're alone, you're more approachable. You strike up conversations with other travelers, with locals, with the woman next to you at the wine bar who turns out to be a retired teacher from Oregon on her first solo trip too.

Solo travel doesn't mean solitary travel. It means you set your own schedule, follow your own curiosity, and choose when to be social and when to enjoy your own company.

"Wouldn't it be better to wait?"

Wait for whom? Wait for when? This is the question that keeps the most trips from ever happening. The honest answer: there may not be a better time than right now. You're healthy enough to go. You have the resources. The points are sitting in your account. The world isn't getting any younger, and — said with love — neither are we.

The Best Destinations for Solo Women Over 60

Not every destination is equally well-suited for solo travel. Here are the ones our community recommends most highly — chosen for safety, walkability, ease of navigation, and that intangible quality of feeling welcome even when you're on your own.

1. Portugal (Lisbon + Porto + the Douro Valley)

Portugal is arguably the single best destination in the world for a solo woman's first international trip. The country is safe, affordable, warm, and genuinely kind to travelers. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The food is extraordinary. And the pace of life makes you feel like you have all the time in the world — because you do.

Points play: Fly to Lisbon on points through your credit card portal or transfer to a partner airline. Marriott and Hilton both have properties throughout Portugal. A Douro Valley river cruise is a perfect solo activity — you have your own cabin, meals are communal (great for meeting people), and the itinerary is handled for you.

2. Italy (Florence, the Amalfi Coast, Rome)

Italy loves solo travelers. The culture is built around the pleasure of eating well, walking slowly, and appreciating beauty — all things that are better without someone rushing you. Cooking classes, wine tours, and small-group walking tours are everywhere and are a natural way to meet other travelers.

Points play: Business class to Rome on 60,000–70,000 points. Hotels throughout Italy available on Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt points.

3. Japan (Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka)

Japan is one of the safest countries on Earth for solo women. Violent crime is almost nonexistent. Public transportation is impeccably clean and runs exactly on time. And the culture of respect and courtesy means you'll be treated with genuine kindness everywhere you go.

Points play: ANA business class via Virgin Atlantic using Chase points — one of the best award redemptions in existence. The Park Hyatt Tokyo (from the movie Lost in Translation) runs 40,000 points per night. For a complete guide to visiting Japan on points, see our Japan on Points guide.

4. New Zealand

Safe, stunning, and English-speaking. New Zealand combines dramatic natural beauty with a warm, down-to-earth culture that makes solo travelers feel at home. The country is easy to navigate by car or bus, and small towns are welcoming without being intrusive.

5. The United Kingdom (London, the Cotswolds, Edinburgh)

No language barrier, excellent public transportation, and an endless supply of history, culture, and afternoon tea. London is one of the world's great solo cities — there's always something to see, and sitting alone in a pub with a book is not just accepted, it's practically a national tradition.

6. Domestic: Charleston, Santa Fe, Savannah, Napa Valley

Not ready for an international trip? These US cities are perfect for a solo weekend or week-long getaway. They're walkable, charming, and easy to enjoy alone. Book a hotel on points (our guide to booking hotels with points walks you through it), pack a good book, and give yourself permission to just be.

How to Use Your Points for Solo Travel

Solo travel has one massive advantage when it comes to points: you only need to cover one person. That means your points go twice as far as they would for a couple.

Flights

A round-trip economy flight to Europe costs roughly 30,000–60,000 points. Business class: 60,000–120,000 points. For one person, that's well within reach of a single sign-up bonus.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, the 80,000-point sign-up bonus alone covers a round-trip business class flight to many European destinations. That's one card, one bonus, one trip.

For detailed flight booking strategies, see our Complete Beginner's Guide to Credit Card Travel Points.

Hotels

Solo travelers often get the same room rate as couples — a hotel room is a hotel room, whether one person or two sleeps in it. That means your points buy the same value regardless.

Booking through a credit card portal or directly with hotel loyalty programs works the same for solo travelers. See our hotel booking guide for step-by-step instructions.

The Solo Supplement Problem (and How to Beat It)

The one downside of traveling solo: some tours and cruises charge a "single supplement" — essentially charging you the same as two people for a single room. This can add 50–75% to the cost.

Ways to avoid or reduce the solo supplement:

  • Book river cruises with solo cabins. Several cruise lines (Emerald, Riviera, AmaWaterways) now offer dedicated solo cabins with no supplement.
  • Use points for the cruise through your credit card portal. This sometimes gets around supplement structures.
  • Travel during shoulder season. Some tours waive or reduce the solo supplement during off-peak periods.
  • Join a small-group tour designed for solo travelers. Companies like Road Scholar, Intrepid Travel, and G Adventures have trips specifically designed for solo women 50+.

Practical Tips From Women Who've Done It

These tips come directly from WanderWise community members who travel solo regularly. They've been refined through real experience, not theory.

Before You Go

Tell someone your itinerary. Share your hotel names, flight numbers, and a rough daily plan with a trusted friend or family member. Not because the world is dangerous — because peace of mind lets you relax and enjoy the trip.

Download offline maps. Google Maps works offline if you download the area in advance. This is invaluable when you're navigating unfamiliar streets without data.

Pack lighter than you think. You'll be carrying your own bags. A single carry-on and a personal item is the sweet spot for a 7–14 day trip. No one at the Colosseum is judging your outfit rotation.

Get travel insurance. This is non-negotiable for solo travelers. If something happens — a medical issue, a canceled flight, a lost bag — you want backup. Many premium travel credit cards include trip insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and emergency medical evacuation. Check your card benefits before buying a separate policy.

While You're There

Eat at the bar. In restaurants, the bar or counter is the best seat in the house for solo diners. You'll get better service, easier conversation with the bartender or other solo diners, and none of the awkwardness of a table for one.

Take a cooking class or walking tour on your first day. This is the single best tip for solo travelers. A group activity on day one gives you human connection, local knowledge, and often a few acquaintances you'll run into later in the trip.

Trust your instincts. You've had six decades of practice reading situations and people. If something feels off, leave. Your gut has been protecting you since before you could walk. It still works.

Embrace the silence. There will be moments — maybe on a bench overlooking the sea, or in a quiet chapel, or walking through a garden — when the silence hits you. Let it. Solo travel's greatest gift isn't the sights. It's the space to hear your own thoughts without interruption.

Staying Connected

Get a local SIM card or international eSIM. Data is cheap abroad, and having your phone connected means you can navigate, translate, and FaceTime the grandkids whenever you want. Most airports sell SIM cards, or you can activate an eSIM before you leave (Airalo and Google Fi are popular options).

Join a solo travel Facebook group. Groups like "Women Over 50 Travel" and "Solo Female Travelers Over 60" are full of women sharing itineraries, hotel recommendations, and moral support. They're also great for finding travel companions if you want company for a specific leg of your trip.

A Note About Permission

I know this might sound strange, but I want to say it anyway: you have permission to do this.

You don't need your kids' approval. You don't need a travel partner. You don't need to justify spending your own money — or your own points — on an experience that's entirely for you.

So many women in our community have told us some version of this: "I spent my whole life taking care of everyone else. I forgot that I was allowed to take care of myself."

Solo travel isn't selfish. It's self-sustaining. You'll come home rested, inspired, and with stories that make you more interesting at dinner parties for the next ten years.

And the points? They're already there. You earned them on decades of groceries, gas, and monthly bills. They're not doing anyone any good sitting in an account.

If you're curious how much travel value you're currently sitting on, take our free Travel Score quiz. Sixty seconds, a few simple questions, and you'll know exactly where you stand.

Your first solo trip doesn't have to be three weeks in Japan. It can be a long weekend in Charleston. A week in London. Three nights in Santa Fe. Start wherever feels right, and go from there.

The world is waiting for you. And you — yes, you — are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is solo travel safe for women over 60?

Yes, with the same common-sense precautions you'd take anywhere. Millions of women over 60 travel solo every year. Choosing destinations known for safety (Western Europe, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and many US cities), staying in well-reviewed hotels, keeping someone informed of your itinerary, and trusting your instincts are the foundation of safe solo travel.

How do I handle the loneliness of traveling alone?

Most solo travelers find they're less lonely than expected. Joining a cooking class, walking tour, or group excursion on your first day is the best way to meet people. Eating at restaurant bars instead of tables invites conversation. And solo travel Facebook groups can connect you with other women traveling to the same destination.

What's the best first solo trip for a woman over 60?

Start with somewhere that feels manageable. For domestic travel, cities like Charleston, Savannah, Santa Fe, or San Francisco are walkable, safe, and charming. For international, Portugal (especially Lisbon) is widely recommended as the best first solo destination — it's safe, affordable, welcoming, and gorgeous.

How many credit card points do I need for a solo trip?

Because you're covering just one person, your points go far. A round-trip economy flight to Europe is 30,000–60,000 points. Business class is 60,000–120,000 points. Hotels run 15,000–50,000 points per night. A week-long solo trip to Europe could cost 80,000–150,000 points total — achievable with one or two credit card sign-up bonuses.

Should I book through a travel agent or do it myself with points?

Either approach works. Booking yourself using your credit card's travel portal is the simplest way to use points. If you prefer having someone handle the details, WanderWise offers concierge services that can plan and book your entire trip using your points. Many solo travelers find the confidence to book independently after their first trip or two.

What if my family doesn't support the idea?

This is more common than you'd think, and it's worth a direct conversation. Share your research, explain your safety plan, and remind them that you've been making good decisions for six decades. Often, family concern comes from love — and it dissolves entirely once you send them a photo of yourself smiling on a terrace in Lisbon with a glass of wine.

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