The Best Books for Solo Female Travelers

by Toby Israel
|
5 books
When it comes to traveling solo as a woman, the right book is a packing essential. This booklist features my handpicked selection of books that, for me, reflect the essence of solo female travel—real, relatable, and empowering. I hope these reads will bestow you insights, courage, and companionship for your solo adventures. Whether you're seeking inspiration, guidance, or simply a good story to curl up with, these books have got you covered on your journey.
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Women Who Run with the Wolves

Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
Clarissa Pinkola Estés Phd, 1996
Women Who Run with the Wolves is a classic; I can’t recommend it enough to anyone interested in the fascinating interplay between myth and fairytale, the female psyche, and the journey of self-discovery—in the literal and psychological woods. This book has led me to think much more deeply about the female archetypes present in both my solo travels and in my personal development (of course, the two are deeply interconnected). I am currently on my second reading of this epic book, and the tales shared and their profound interpretations continue to twine with my life in wild and unexpected ways. Required reading for any aspiring or veteran wild woman!

Circe

Madeline Miller, 2022
I’ve read this twice and enjoyed it thoroughly both times… I may even go for a third-round! Every time I read it I feel newly inspired to venture out alone into the forest, seek out some animal familiars, and frolic in a meadow full of flowers. This book tells the story of a (mythical) strong, independent woman with a complex inner life. Her heroine’s journey to self-actualization is a mystical blueprint for any woman wishing to connect with her inner power and embrace the fear of the unknown inherent in any solo journey. Sure, Circe is also a goddess and a powerful witch, but then, so are you.

A Woman's Path

Women's Best Spiritual Travel Writing
Lucy McCauley, Amy Greimann Carlson, Jennifer L. Leo, 2003
I happened upon this gem of an anthology in a library book sale a couple of years back, and I highly recommend trying to get your hands on a copy if you’re looking for wide-ranging inspiration and guidance on the traveler’s path. With a focus on the spiritual element of women’s journeys, and featuring literary powerhouses like Maya Angelou and Anne Lamott, this collection is an ode to feminine courage, power, and transformation. Each essay is a masterpiece, and can be a guide to a specific kind of journey. You’ll want to carry a dog-eared copy with you to come back to again and again.

Wild

From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Cheryl Strayed, 2013
I almost didn’t include this on my list, because it has become such a cult classic that you’ll find it on every book list for solo female travelers… but honestly, it’s a great read! I think I read this not long before hiking the Camino de Santiago through Northern Spain, and I appreciated the perspective of a regular woman (not a top athlete or hiking enthusiast) digging into her inner drive and determination in order to achieve an extraordinary feat. Strayed’s account of her 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail and the healing journey that accompanies it will probably continue to nag at me until I hike that trail myself.

Vagabondess

A Guide to Solo Female Travel
Toby Israel, 2020
Vagabondess: A Guide to Solo Female Travel is a book for women—and all people!—who want to travel solo, face their fears, and live the adventure of their dreams. This book is for the travelers, the feminists, the adventurers, the seekers, and the curious. Much more than a guide, it is a collection of travelogue, philosophy, stories, and, yes, travel advice. It is about embracing the vagabondess—her spirit of adventure, her curiosity, her dedication to growth and discovery—who lives inside each of us, showing up in our lives in a myriad of ways. If you were waiting for someone to tell you that your dreams are just crazy enough, and then give you some practical suggestions for how to get there, then this is the book for you.