Twenty Memoirs About Solo Travel by Women Travel Writers

Beth Santos, creator of the women’s travel group Wanderful, recently published the book Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo a book about the power of travel and encouraging women to do so solo. I loved the book (see my book review for Wander Woman to find out more) and it got me thinking about my own experiences traveling solo.

There are so many women traveling the world and I wanted to know more about the various adventures and experiences, so I did some research on memoirs about solo travel by women writers. Trust me, I love a travel memoir about self-discovery and change and a lot of these books have that, but some are about just good ol’ adventure, too.

A few notes on what I “required” for a book to be included on this list: it needed to be written by someone who identifies as a woman, be a first-hand account, be about her traveling (mostly) solo, and include her visits to at least three countries. Sometime in the future, I might do a list of women’s memoirs that feature only one country as there were a lot of good ones of those in my research, too.

In fact, this list started out with 51 books by women travel writers! Travel memoirs I’ve read, travel memoirs I’ve wanted to read, travel memoirs that came highly recommended, etc. Mostly they were narrowed down then based on the above mentioned requirements, the amount of positive reviews, and the availability of the book to this list of twenty memoirs about solo travel by women travel writers (with a few honorable mentions, of course). And, this list is not in a certain order.

One important caveat: there is a certain amount of privilege required for someone to have the time and resources to travel the world and then write a book about it, so as much as this books will empower and inspire your travels, remember that they don’t represent all women.

Meaning: this genre is dominated by books written by white cis women. I have identified books written by people of color with an asterisk* and books written by people who identify as queer with two asterisks **. (There are also some books that are compilations on this list–I did not include asterisks for those, though they would apply for some stories.)

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle

Dervla Murphy was an Irish cyclist known for her adventures around the world on her bicycle–and the 26 travel books she wrote about her journeys. Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle is her most well-known work; it describes her first long-distance journey where she took a pistol, her equipment and her men’s bike through Europe eventually ending in Delhi. She kept a journal along the way and those writings turned into this book. The trip was taken in 1963 so much has changed in the world since Dervla took her trip, but it’s a classic adventure story and it’s always good to see just how far we’ve come (or how far we haven’t).

The Best Women’s Travel Writing: True Stories from Around the World

This might be cheating a bit to include this, but if you’re looking for good travel writing by women then why not turn to the The Best Women’s Travel Writing series? Travelers’ Tales has been collecting travel stories from writers around the world for more than twenty years and has published twelve different collections of women’s travel writing–not all of the stories are necessarily about solo travel (see A Woman Alone below for a more specific collection), but certainly some of the stories in these books are about women traveling solo. And these are a good choice for those that like their stories diverse, from anywhere in the world, and in small doses.

Finding Rhythm: An International Dance Journey

Aliénor Salmon, a French-British author, had been working as a happiness researcher for the United Nations in Thailand when her world seemed to fall apart–her mentor took a different direction, her grandfather passed away, and a relationship ended. She decided it was time to research her own happiness…which meant spending a year learning to dance around the world, exploring the local culture and history through dance and connection to the local people in places all over the world. She did learn to dance…and, of course, she also learned so much more than that.

Around the World in 72 Days and Other Writings

Anyone who enjoys reading and/or traveling is familiar with Around the World in 80 Days, the 1873 fictional book by Jules Verne about a trip around the world completed in eighty days (check out my review for the book). Well, Nellie Bly, the pioneering journalist known for going undercover in New York’s Lunatic Asylum on Roosevelt Island to report the brutality and neglect there, thought that fictional idea sounded like an interesting challenge, so she pitched the idea to her editor and set off on November 14, 1889 with a goal of finishing in 75 days. She ended up finishing in 72 days, 6 hours, and 11 minutes–and, of course, it wasn’t easy (she was also competing against a rival reporter/newspaper, but didn’t know it until about halfway through her journey). This book includes Nellie’s own writing about the adventure and some of her other more famous writings, including the story from the asylum. Talk about a pioneer! (To find out more about Nellie’s adventure around the world, Matt Goodman wrote a fascinating book and I wrote a review about the Eighty Days adventure.)

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe

Instead of one story from one woman traveling alone, this book is a collection of stories from several women. There are twenty-nine stories that will take you on many adventures around the world–riding a train in India, dining in Switzerland, going on a religious pilgrimage in Mexico, and so many more unique experiences. As with any compilation of stories, there are different writing styles and some will stand out more than others.

Note from Jen: I actually credit this book with inspiring some of my solo journeys as I read it years ago and it has traveled around the world with me as I’ve moved around. The short stories are nice as I can just pick it up for a short little adventure whenever I’m looking for one, though I will acknowledge that the 2001 publication date does make some of it a little outdated.

**Destinations: Essays from Rolling Stone

Jan Morris was a prolific and well-known historian, journalist and travel writer and was a member of the first Mount Everest expedition confirmed to ascend the mountain. She was also born a man and was one of the first high-profile people to transition when she traveled to Morocco for sex reassignment surgery in 1972. Destinations brings together ten of her essays into one book. Of course, some of the stories (and destinations) are outdated and this probably isn’t quite as much of a memoir as the others on this list, but she was a great writer with some interesting insights during some fascinating times in history.

Elsewhere: One Woman, One Rucksack, One Lifetime of Travel

Rosita Boland is an Irish journalist who has traveled her whole life. In this book, she takes us along on nine specific journeys sharing what she was dealing with in her life along the way and what she saw in those destinations. As a journalist, she has a keen eye and a way with words that is exciting, inspiring and insightful.

*From Excuses to Excursions: How I Started Traveling the World

After graduating college, Gloria Atanmo (Glo) knew that she wanted to hit the road and explore the world. She discovered a love for travel and a knack for travel writing and changed her life forever. In this book, Glo not only shares some of her personal stories and experiences, but she also helps readers figure out how to get past the excuses and take the leap (and pack the suitcase) themselves. She is free and unapologetic, funny and honest–and definitely inspiring.

Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty

Lisa Niver is an award-winning travel writer who started her travel career with her husband, but after many (challenging) years she’s forced to face the truth about her marriage and leave him (literally while on the streets of Thailand). Now she has to completely redefine her life and figure out life—and a career—without him. As is often the case, travel (and some friends) come to the rescue. This book is the story of Lisa’s journey after she leaves her marriage (with some stories of how she got there) and how she builds her solo travel career.

Sola: One Woman’s Journey Alone Across South America

Amy Field is a fascinating woman—she’s obviously a traveler, but she’s also a farmer, a teacher, and a nuclear mechanic (at least that’s what her bio says). She’s also a really good writer and that clearly shows in this book about her travels around South America. She’s certainly brave and not afraid of physically demanding adventures, but she’s also honest and open about the heartbreaks and challenges she faces while on the road. This book covers several years of travel and does jump around a bit in the timeline, but she’s detailed and brings the reader along for every taste, every song, and every new adventure. (For those that keep track of such things, this book also won the 2020 Best Book Award for Narrative Non-Fiction at the American Book Fest.) **If you’re a member, as of this posting, Sola is currently available for free on Kindle Unlimited.

Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

Erika Fatland is a Norwegian anthropologist and writer who has spent a lot of time traveling and learning about the world. Sovietistan was her first travel book and is probably her most popular, especially because not many people have traveled through those parts of Central Asia. She uses her academic background and journalistic eye to provide not only historical information but also share her own insights into what she sees and who she meets. This is a region of the world, though, where politics can change often, so this can be a little outdated. (And, if you like her style, she also wrote: The Border: A Journey Around Russia Through North Korea, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Norway, and the Northeast Passage.)

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World

This is another book that has influenced many of my own travels and thoughts about travel as I read it many years ago when I was just discovering solo travel (and myself). Rita Golden Gelman was in her late 40’s when the world that she knew fell apart, so how did she pick herself up? She went to Mexico. She hadn’t expected that trip to truly change the direction of her life, but it did and she ended up leaving her life in L.A. for one on the road. She gets deep into each destination she visits and gets to know the people and places–and herself–on a deeper level. I’ve always appreciated her honesty and her bravery—it’s inspiring. (And, if you enjoy this one, there is also a sequel: Female Nomad and Friends: Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World, where Rita shares a few more stories of her own and stories from other female travel writers.)

Call You When I Land: A Memoir

Admittedly, Call You When I Land has a similar foundation as some of the others on this list: a woman goes through a break-up and rediscovers herself through travel. Nikki Vargas makes her living as a travel writer, so she’s descriptive and a good storyteller, she travels to many fun places, and she shares true stories of what it’s like to be a travel creator. It just came out in 2023, so it’s a more modern take than some of the others on the list and her honesty is refreshing.

**The Blind Masseuse: A Traveler’s Memoir from Costa Rica to Cambodia

Alden Jones is a professor who has spent a lot of time traveling (including being a professor on the Semester at Sea—a cruise ship that goes around the world while students take classes on board). And while this book is a collection of essays about her personal travels, she does also delve into the nuances of traveling ethics, privilege when it comes to travel, and “exoticism.” (See my review of Wander Woman for more info on similar subjects.) But she is also funny, enjoys adventure, and is a good writer. (And, in case you weren’t sure: she is not blind, but she did get a massage from a blind man in Costa Rica.)

*The Catch Me if You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World

Jessica Nabongo was the first Black woman on record to visit every country in the world (195! As recognized by the United Nations). In this book, she takes you into one hundred of those countries sharing photos, favorites, tips, and stories. And, she has an important perspective: “For too long, a homogeneous group—a group that does not look like me, or much of the world for that matter–has chosen Euro-centric top 10 lists.” So, it’s especially important to read a book like Jessica’s for a little bit of a fuller picture before visiting. She’s so encouraging and inspiring—this book will certainly help you figure out your next travels, too. (One recommendation: although the audiobook is great and Jessica reads it herself, you’ll be missing out on the beautiful pictures, so you’ll want a physical copy, too.)

Eat, Pray #FML

Eat, Pray, #FML has a similar premise to Eat, Pray, Love, (woman’s marriage falls apart, she jumps into a new relationship too quickly, she turns to travel to find herself), but it’s more of a younger version. Instead of an ashram, there are parties and instead of pizza, there’s alochol. But, she does learn a few things about herself and the world around her. (She’s also fairly new to traveling, so it’s kind of refreshing to read things from that perspective.) I actually have a full book review for Eat, Pray, #FML on the blog.

Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust

Karen Gershowitz first left home at seventeen to travel Europe…and then didn’t return for another three years. Since then she’s traveled to 90 countries, met hundreds of interesting people, done many adventurous things, and eaten many different things. Travel Mania is a collection of stories from her travels. She’s funny, but also shares things she learned along the way, both about herself and about the places she’s visited. (And, for those that are fans, Karen recently published a second collection of stories: Wanderlust: Extraordinary People, Quirky Places, and Curious Cuisine.)

Wanderlost: Falling from Grace and Finding Mercy in All the Wrong Places

Natalie Toon Patton grew up in small town Arkansas where everyone knew everyone and, more importantly, everyone went to church. When her marriage ended in divorce, she felt embarrassed and abandoned and she decided the best way to deal with it was to run away to the Middle East. It was more than just running away, though…she ended up running into herself. Although some of the others in this list touch on it, too, this one definitely has a religious element to the story, but that only adds to the descriptions, the discovery, and the interesting discussions.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

Kristin Newman is a writer who wrote for TV shows like How I Met Your Mother and That 70s Show, so you know that this book is funny. It’s about her adventures traveling around the world solo, seeking excitement, romance, and self-discovery. Through humorous and candid storytelling, Newman shares her experiences of navigating love affairs, cultural encounters, and personal growth in exotic locales. With wit and insight, she explores the liberating joys of traveling alone and the transformative power of embracing the unknown. It’s funny, fun, and one I could certainly identify with.

Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman

This book follows Steinbach’s journey as she sets out on a year-long solo adventure, exploring various European cities. Through her vivid descriptions and introspective reflections, Steinbach invites readers to join her as she immerses herself in different cultures, discovers hidden gems, and forms meaningful connections along the way. With honesty and vulnerability, she delves into themes of self-discovery, liberation, and the transformative power of travel. Steinbach’s memoir is an inspiring and empowering read, perfect for anyone seeking a courageous and independent travel experience.

Honorable Mention Memoirs about Solo Travel by Women:

• A Bike Ride: 12,000 Miles Around the World by Anne Mustoe
• *Honouring High Places: The Mountain Life of Junko Tabei
• Strangers Have the Best Candy: How Talking to Strangers Leads to a Life of Crazy Adventure and Lasting Friendship by Margaret Meps Schulte
• Wall to Wall: A Journey from Beijing to Berlin on Rail by Mary Morris