India, Aug. 1 -- It's an Insta subgenre that refuses to die: One woman driving solo - moisturised, unbothered - through a forest; another woman - selfie stick aloft - strolling solo as the crowds rush past in the Big City. On Reels, women who vacation alone have #Empowered slogans, they put their Travel Essentials affiliate link in their bio. They cite Reese Witherspoon from Wild as an inspiration. They think Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love is cringe.

Of course they have their guard up at all times. Of course they have to deal with creepy men all through. But surely there's more to the solo-woman travel phenomenon than the Reels show? In 2025, even a safe journey is harder than the montages let on. Here are some of the challenges that s...