Yulia, 29, describes herself on Instagram as someone who overshares her life, and this month she’s taking her followers along on her first solo adventure, one in which she admits she has plenty of fears to overcome. So far, so good, she reports, or almost: on her first day, she had a sleepless night outside the airport, got on the wrong train and almost forgot her luggage, but the spectacle of a hot airport window cleaner apparently made it all easier to bear. She eventually made it to her hostel in one piece.
She’s not the only one. Solo travel has become one of the fastest-growing ways to holiday, according to new research from the online travel agent Opodo, based on a survey of 9,000 people worldwide, including 2,000 Brits.
The reasons vary, but freedom tops the list: 32% say they are attracted to the idea of travelling where and when they like, without having to bend to anyone else’s whims. Another 30% travel alone because their friends or family are unavailable. For 22 per cent, like Yulia, it’s a way to try a new style of travel. A fifth hope to meet people along the way and 20% see it as an opportunity to get to know themselves better.
None of these reasons are mutually exclusive. Someone might be chasing two or three reasons at once.
Men and women approach safety differently. Women are notably more attentive to precautions, with 44% prioritising safety items when packing, against 34% of men, according to Opodo’s data.
The #solotravel hashtag alone yields thousands of results, solo travellers sharing tips and honest accounts of their experiences. Krystal, who has been travelling alone for eight years, calls it the “scariest and most rewarding thing” she has ever done. She says she still cries, panics and gets lost, but wouldn’t trade it for anything, not when it’s brought her to “meet the wildest souls, see the most beautiful places, and grow in ways [she] never imagined.”
Divya is married but keeps travelling solo anyway. Her philosophy is that solo travel is not about doing the most, but about moving SMART. Her own rules include no late-night drinking, no real-time location posts, and never letting her battery drop below 20%.
Nineteen-year-old Kristian is all about carpe diem: “You’re young, so take risks, meet strangers, say yes more often, get lost and chase sunsets and waterfalls. Do it now”.
@lifebykristian travel alone. travel young. 🌎✈️ #solotravel #trending #traveling #travel #adventure ♬ som original – ˚⊱Lootus⊰˚
A common complaint among solo travellers is the single-occupancy supplement, the surcharge often charged for occupying a room built for two, which explains why so many operators now advertise solo-friendly rates as a selling point.
According to Opodo, the destinations that solo travellers seek out most have two things in common: good food and plenty of sights. Barcelona tops the list thanks to its art, architecture, great food and beaches. Amsterdam follows, with its open, tourist-friendly culture and canals making it easy to strike up a conversation over coffee or wander along shop-lined streets without ever feeling alone. Third is Málaga, which offers history, sun and beaches.
Further west, Lisbon and Faro complete the top five. These sun-drenched destinations offer plenty of culture and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere that makes striking up a conversation with a stranger feel natural.
For 2027, solo travellers are also looking further afield, booking more long-haul trips, such as Panama for its tropical landscapes and conservation-led activities; Hong Kong for its blend of tradition and nightlife; Singapore for its contemporary attractions; or Thailand, a long-standing favourite, for its beaches, temples, and welcoming atmosphere.
Travel agents are banking on this trend. On the Beach offers solo beach holidays across Europe and beyond. Saga Holidays runs solo deals for over-50s. Mercury Holidays offers small-group tours to popular destinations. Trailfinders specialises in solo backpackers and hikers.
