What do you think is the worst thing about travelling alone?
For me, it’s how other people view it. Reactions to the revelation that you are travelling alone sit on that spectrum from pity to admiration.
But here’s the thing: travelling alone deserves neither a bravery medal nor a shoulder to cry on. Furthermore, solo travel statistics challenge a commonly held perception that this is the preserve of a slightly weird minority.
Interested? Let’s take a closer look.
Solo Travel Statistics: Data Sources
Before we dig into the details, a few words about the provenance of these solo travel statistics and trends.
Typing “solo travel statistics” into Google (other search engines are available) yields a ton of results. The difficulty with assessing these articles is that the sources are rarely referenced. Where the source is available, many surveys are too old or too small to be relevant or representative.
Sorry. My nerdy academic background is showing its face here!
In pulling together these statistics, I have used the biggest and most recent studies available:
| Hostelworld State of Solo Travel 2025 | 3,334 solo travellers surveyed in July 2025 + data from over 4 million trips via booking platform (H2 2024 & H1 2025) |
| American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report | 8,109 global respondents with annual income of at least $50k from US, Australia, Canada, UK, Japan, Mexico and India |
| Grand View Research Solo Travel Market Report 2024-2030 | Comprehensive industry analysis with global market data |
| Agoda Solo Travel Trends. 2018 | 2,400 respondents mainly from the USA, Canada and the UK |
| British Airways Global Solo Travel Study. 2018 | 9,000 respondents from eight countries |
| Klook Solo Travel Survey. 2019 | 21,000 respondents from across 16 countries |
| Solo Traveler World Reader Survey. 2024 | 2,400 respondents mainly from the USA, Canada and UK |
| Norwegian Cruise Line. Consumer Research on Solo Travel Preferences. 2023 | 2,000 respondents from the UK and Ireland |
Headline Solo Travel Statistics and Trends
Solo travel is not a niche pursuit
Let’s start with the big picture: solo travel is far from a niche pursuit. The global solo travel market was valued at $482.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.07 trillion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% (Grand View Research, 2024).
To put this in perspective, this growth rate significantly outpaces the broader travel industry, cementing solo travel as one of the most dynamic segments in tourism.
The numbers support this explosive growth:
- 76% of those surveyed by Klook indicated they had already taken a solo trip or were considering it
- 77% of global respondents plan on going on the same or more international trips in 2025 compared to 2024 (American Express, 2025)
- 63% of first-time solo travellers plan to travel more – once they try it, they’re hooked (Hostelworld, 2025)
The “hook effect”: Solo travel creates lifelong converts
One of the most striking findings from the latest research is what I call the “hook effect”: 63% of first-time solo travellers plan to travel solo again (Hostelworld, 2025). This demonstrates that solo travel isn’t just a one-time experiment.
Of those who travelled solo in 2024, 36% plan four to five more solo trips, demonstrating remarkable loyalty to this style of travel.
Women are leading the charge (but men are narrowing the gap)
Female solo travellers accounted for 54% of the solo travel market by revenue in 2024, with women making up a slight majority (53%) of solo travellers overall (Grand View Research, 2024; Hostelworld, 2025).
However, the sands are shifting. Male solo travellers are expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2025 to 2030, and notably, 55% of men plan to take more solo trips (Hostelworld, 2025).
Age demographics remain diverse
Whilst millennials still represent the largest group, the age distribution is more diverse than commonly perceived:
- Ages 25-40: 43.98% of market share – Still the dominant group, but not overwhelming
- Ages 18-24: Expected to grow at 15.6% CAGR through 2030
- Mature travellers (55+): Remain a substantial segment, with 40% of Baby Boomers having taken a solo trip in the past year
Notably, 80% of respondents to the Solo Traveler World 2024 survey were over 55, highlighting the significant spending power and travel frequency of mature solo travellers.
Whilst millennials still represent the largest group, the age distribution is more diverse than commonly
What are the most popular solo travel destinations?
What are solo travellers’ favourite destinations? Europe dominates the global solo travel market with 37.4% market share in 2024 (Grand View Research, 2024).
The top three destinations haven’t changed since 2024:
- Thailand – Remains the reigning champion
- Spain – Consistently popular
- Italy – A perennial favourite
Regional market shares
- Europe: 37.4% market share – Established infrastructure and safety
- North America: 26.9% market share – Growing domestic and international segments
- Asia Pacific: Expected to grow at 16.1% CAGR through 2030, driven by emerging markets
Emerging destinations to watch:
- Sri Lanka experienced a breakout year with visits up over 50% year-on-year (Hostelworld, 2025)
- Southeast Asian destinations like Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia and Japan are all recording double-digit growth
- 44% of solo travellers do multi-country trips, while 35% visit one country at a time, and 18% take quick city breaks or weekend trips (Hostelworld, 2025)
Domestic vs international travel patterns
Domestic solo travel accounts for over 64% of the market in 2024, reflecting post-pandemic preferences for:
- Safety and familiarity
- Budget-friendly options
- Travel uncertainties
- Growing emphasis on sustainable, local experiences
74% of global respondents plan on taking 1-3 domestic trips in 2025, and 59% plan on taking 1-3 international trips (American Express, 2025).
Group tours remain hugely popular
Taking a group tour is an excellent way for first-timers to test solo travel in a predefined and supported way. I have joined an organised tour on more than a dozen occasions, and most of these have been rewarding experiences.
Contrary to the stereotype of the independent backpacker, 90% of solo travellers prefer escorted tours some or all of the time, with only 10% never taking tours (Solo Traveler World, 2024).
- 76% of women who have never travelled solo would be more likely to do so on a small group tour
- Solo travellers join group tours for destinations they wouldn’t feel confident visiting independently
- Price and group size are the most important factors when choosing tour operators
Solo cruising continues to rise
Cruising can be a superb solo travel experience.
It hits that sweet spot between affordable luxury travel and adventure, and there are ample opportunities to meet like-minded travellers. I have been a solo cruiser five times, and all have been fabulous experiences.
Research commissioned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in 2023 and involving 2,000 adults found that over a third of Brits preferred to travel alone. Furthermore, a cruise was high on these travellers’ wish lists.
70% of Millennials and Gen Z like to plan trips that focus on enjoying the journey as much as the destination (e.g. luxury rail, cruise, etc.) (American Express, 2025), reinforcing the appeal of cruise experiences for solo travellers.
Cruise lines’ recognition of the growing solo traveller market and their introduction of solo staterooms is a step in the right direction. However, these single cruise cabins are not always good value.
Technology and AI are transforming solo travel planning
The 2025 data reveals a significant shift in how solo travellers plan their trips:
- 83% of Millennials and Gen Z found at least one aspect of generative AI useful for booking, compared to 64% of Gen X and Baby Boomers (American Express, 2025)
- AI is most useful for activity recommendations, budgeting and expenses, translation help, and personalised trip recommendations
- 80% of Millennials and Gen Z like the convenience of using travel planning apps or social media to help them plan their journey
Social connections on the road
Solo doesn’t mean lonely. The latest data shows:
- Over 52% of solo travellers stay in touch with people they meet while on the road (Hostelworld, 2025)
- 81% of Hostelworld app users look to connect with others
- 68% of travellers using the app reported having made lasting connections
- Less than 2% said they don’t feel ready to travel solo, showing high confidence levels
Motivations and Barriers
Why people travel alone: Freedom and personal growth
We know vacations allow us to relax, recharge, escape from routine and explore new cultures. But why do people choose to travel alone?
The reasons tap into both the tangible and intangible benefits of solo travel.
Primary motivations:
- Travellers of both genders want to see more of the world and are unwilling to wait for others
- They value the freedom to do what they want when they want
- Meeting new people and connecting with locals
- Personal growth and self-discovery
- Practising self-care and prioritising mental health
The transformational impact:
- Nearly 78% say solo travel boosts confidence, mental health, or both (Hostelworld, 2025)
- Gen Z prioritises confidence and growing outside their comfort zone
- Millennials crave mental refresh and self-discovery
- Different age groups bring different motivations, needs, and goals
Personal safety and cost are the main barriers to solo travel
For women, the number one fear is solo travel safety. This is a consistent finding across all published studies.
- 55% of women cite safety as a barrier versus only 18% of men (Hostelworld, 2025)
- 75% of women who have never been on a solo trip worry about their safety
- Safety concerns drop to 52% for experienced solo travellers
- However, confidence is high: less than 2% said they don’t feel ready to travel solo (Hostelworld, 2025)
Cost is the second major barrier:
- The higher cost of travelling solo is largely due to the dreaded single supplements on holiday accommodation
- 64% of women say that the higher price of travelling alone prevents them from taking their first solo trip
- Removing single supplements is the number one request from solo female travellers to the travel industry
Across both genders, other key concerns are dining out alone, getting lost and feeling lonely when travelling alone (with some saying that making new friends on a solo trip is a “must-do”).
The nervousness factor
While confidence is generally high, pre-trip jitters are normal:
- 72% feel nervous ahead of their trip (Hostelworld)
- 30% dread introducing themselves first
- These fears typically diminish with experience
Solo Travel is Not So Weird After All
The data speaks for itself: solo travel is no longer a minority niche. With a market valued at nearly half a trillion dollars and double-digit growth projections, it represents one of travel’s most dynamic and valuable segments.
Digital platforms continue driving growth. #solotravel has garnered over 10.9 million posts on Instagram. TikTok solo travel content increased tenfold in three years.
Perhaps most importantly, the “hook effect” demonstrates that 63% of first-time solo travellers plan to travel more – once you try it, you’re converted. This isn’t a fad; it’s a fundamental shift in how people choose to explore the world.
So, travelling alone doesn’t make you a weirdo after all. You’re part of a half-trillion-dollar movement of people prioritising freedom, personal growth, and authentic experiences. And with 77% planning the same or more international trips in 2025, that movement shows no signs of slowing down.
References
- American Express. (2025). 2025 Global Travel Trends Report. Survey of 8,109 global respondents conducted January 8-13, 2025.
- Agoda. (2018). Solo Travel Trends 2018. 10,784 respondents.
- British Airways. (2018). Global Solo Travel Study. 9,000 respondents from eight countries.
- Grand View Research. (2024). Solo Travel Market Size And Share | Industry Report, 2030.
- Hostelworld. (2025). State of Solo Travel 2025. 3,334 solo travellers surveyed in July 2025 + data from over 4 million trips (H2 2024 & H1 2025).
- Klook. (2019). Solo Travel Survey. 21,000 respondents from across 16 countries.
- Norwegian Cruise Line. (2023). Consumer Research on Solo Travel Preferences. 2,000 respondents from UK and Ireland.
- Solo Traveler World. (2024). Solo Travel Statistics, Data 2024-2025: 12th Annual Reader Survey. 2,400 respondents.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.