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From North Shields to Amsterdam, one post-lockdown adventure and the quiet confidence that followed.

I boarded a ferry from North Shields to Amsterdam thinking I was just taking a short solo trip. Instead, that crossing became the moment I rebuilt my confidence after lockdown and a reminder that freedom can return in small, steady waves.

Why My First Solo Trip Started on a Ferry After Lockdown

Four years ago this April, I did something that felt both small but was lifechanging. I went on my first solo trip. I booked a ferry from North Shields to Amsterdam just as Covid restrictions began to ease. I’d had my jabs, I’d had enough of staying put and I wanted that simple thing we’d all missed; freedom of movement. I could have flown but the ferry felt right. Two firsts in one; a solo crossing and a solo arrival with no one waiting for me on the other side.

I booked a cabin on the DFDS Seaways ferry, packed light and set off. It was a simple decision but it nudged something into place that I didn’t fully understand until later.

The Ferry Crossing That Rebuilt My Confidence

I could have flown, that would have been quicker and more familiar. But something about the ferry felt right; steady and unhurried.

As the DFDS ferry eased out of the port, I realised how much I’d missed the feeling of moving freely through the world. After years of restrictions, cancelled plans and holding everything together, this simple crossing from North Shields to Amsterdam felt like a reset. The sea was calm, the air was cold and for the first time in a long time, I felt myself exhale.

I was a bit apprehensive too.

There’s a particular kind of courage in doing something alone for the first time.

Like ordering dinner for one.

Navigating unfamiliar corridors or communal spaces without scanning the room for safety or permission.

Then I gave myself a quick reality check. What’s the alternative?

Why let the imagined opinions of strangers keep me confined? So I didn’t.

I explored the ship, ate where I fancied and wandered where I pleased.

With each small choice, I settled into a new thought: I was doing this on my own and I could.

Arriving in Amsterdam: What Solo Travel Felt Like After Years of Restrictions

By the time I arrived, I felt lighter. One coach ride later, making my way into Amsterdam felt like inhaling properly for the first time in years.

I wandered without an agenda. Ate when I was hungry. Rested when I needed to. Took photos of things that made me smile. There was no pressure to perform, no itinerary to impress anyone, no need to negotiate or compromise. Just me, my curiosity, and a city that welcomed both.

I was relearning to trust myself again, navigating its beautiful streets. I noticed everything: the canals, the streets, the people and the rhythm of the place. When the Van Gogh Museum queue was never ending, I popped next door instead and had a brilliant time at the Moco Museum.

Solo travel didn’t make me fearless, it made me honest.

What Solo Travel Gave Back to Me: Self‑Trust, Clarity and Joy

Somewhere between the ferry crossing, the coach ride and the beautiful streets of Amsterdam, I found parts of myself I didn’t realise I’d misplaced.

• Self‑trust: the kind you build by choosing yourself repeatedly.
• Clarity: the kind that comes when you’re not rushing or multitasking.
• Joy: small, steady and unforced.

Those feelings didn’t fade when I got home.

I returned home lighter. That trip had reminded me that I’m capable, resourceful and allowed to take up space in my own life.

Solo trips have been a restorative lifeline ever since, a way to discover new places while giving my mind (and soul) a bit of room to breathe.

And it turns out I’m not alone.

What I felt on that ferry wasn’t unique. Women everywhere are choosing to travel alone. Not as acts of rebellion but of restoration.

Women Are Leading the Solo Travel Boom: Key 2026 Trends

Women now make up more than three-quarters of all solo travellers. Since the pandemic, interest has climbed fast: searches for “solo female travel” reportedly jumped five-fold compared with pre-pandemic levels, and rose again in 2025.

2026 Solo Female Travel Trends and Statistics

It doesn’t feel like a passing fad. It feels like a shift.

A few reasons come up over and over again:

• Freedom — your pace, your plans, your priorities.
• Reset— reclaiming time, space and independence.
• Social media — helping to make solo travel look normal (because it is) and more doable.
• Better options — more women-only tours, safer stays and supportive communities.

The numbers behind the rise

• Women influence 82% of travel decisions globally.
• Safety matters, but confidence is growing: only 1% reported being unable to keep themselves safe.
• Community helps: 81% look to solo female travel groups for advice, and 72% ask friends and family.

Solo Female Travel Statistics (2025): 25 Eye-Opening Facts You Need to Know ✈️ – Backpack Brands

Women are not waiting for permission, company or perfect timing. We’re choosing ourselves and the world is adjusting to meet us.

Solo Travel Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know

Solo travel is empowering, but preparation matters.

Five things I do before and during a solo trip:

• Do a quick safety scan — neighbourhoods, transport, local customs and common scams.
• Check official guidance — travel advisories and local updates.
• Book smart — well-reviewed accommodation and sensible arrival times.
• Share my plans — I send my itinerary to someone I trust and check in.
• Stay alert and trust my gut — aware, not on edge; if it feels off, I leave.

Safety is the number-one consideration for many solo female travellers but it isn’t stopping us. It’s not about fear; it’s about protecting the freedom that makes solo travel so rewarding.

The data suggests that while women are cautious, we’re also capable and prepared.

Thinking About Your First Solo Trip? Here’s Your Gentle Nudge

When I stepped onto that ferry four years ago, I thought I was just crossing the North Sea. I didn’t realise I was crossing back into myself. Amsterdam was beautiful, yes but the real journey was the one that unfolded inside me, mile by mile.

And as more women choose to travel alone; to breathe and trust themselves again, I’m reminded that these small acts of courage ripple far beyond our own lives.

If you’re feeling that pull too, consider this your sign. The world is still here, waiting to meet you and so are you.

And honestly? Who cares what anyone thinks. As the saying goes: those who matter won’t mind; those who mind don’t matter.

Just remember: stay safe, stay curious and let the world meet you where you are.

Thanks for reading!