Solo Travel Statistics And Trends

Adventurers travelling on their own has become a huge trend in the last few years. In fact, many travel sites and operators even have specific offers for people travelling alone.

We found a great variety of solo travel statistics and trends that show why solo travel is so popular and what lone travellers seek when they are heading out for an adventure.

Read on to find out about this and more!

Methodology

The below statistics have been gathered using classic Open Source Intelligence Techniques to find and analyse relevant information for the purpose of market research.

The analysis with the use of open sources applies analytical methodologies for the collection and processing of thematic information.

The key goal of this methodology is to transform disconnected and confusing facts into key knowledge with a clear context for the below report.

For this purpose, we used the following key sources:

Unofficial and official data sets from institutional bodies
Technical, commercial and scientific databases
Information from academic and professional sources
Social media networks
Network analysis
Meta-browsers
Search engines
Domain intelligence tools
Institutional publications, magazines and newspapers
Software for the analysis of geolocation, metadata and social graph

While the below data has been carefully compared and considered in context, there may still be some instances of inaccuracies.

What Kind Of Individual Travels Alone?

Several facts and statistics can provide insight into what type of person travels independently.

Millennials and Gen-Z tend to travel solo more than many other generations.

As per a study conducted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), 38% of business travellers in North America and 45% of business travellers in Europe undertake their corporate journeys alone.

A recent study of individuals who travel alone found that 49% of the participants hold a bachelor's or higher degree, with 38% of them also possessing a master's or doctoral qualification. These findings indicate that solo travellers are well-educated and prioritise continuous learning. On average, solo travellers travel for around 19 days per trip. This is longer than other holidaymakers

Age Groups For Solo Travel

58% of millennials prefer solo travel, while only 27% of individuals travelling alone are aged 55 and above.

73% of solo travellers are older than 35. The average lone traveller is 54 years old.

Solo Female Travel Statistics

Women have become more confident travelling on their own.

About 54% to 72% of all lone travellers are women.
Female solo travellers typically take three or more trips per year on their own.
55% of Google searches for solo travel have been done by millennials and women.

Reasons Why People Travel Solo Travel

There are a variety of reasons why people prefer travelling alone rather than in a group or with family and friends:

In a Solo Traveler World Survey, A 2021 survey found that 59% of solo travellers said they travel on their own because they want to see more of the world and are not willing to wait for others.
In a 2023 survey conducted by Booking.com, it was found that 53% of solo travellers enjoy travelling alone due to the sense of freedom and independence it provides.
In 2023, a survey conducted by Booking.com found that 37% of solo travellers expressed a preference for independent travel.
In 2021, the search term “solo travel” was more popular than ever. Google Trend Data shows its popularity has risen by an incredible 761%.
A Statista survey showed that 20% of solo travelling individuals enjoy travelling independently because meeting like-minded people is easier.
38% to 59% of people who enjoyed travelling on their own say that they will do it again in the future.
According to a Klook study, one of the biggest reasons why people shy away from travelling solo is because of fear of loneliness. This is a major concern for all generations, from baby boomers and Gen X to Millennials and Gen Z.

The Most Popular Activities For Solo Travellers

As lone travellers are often more flexible in what they can do, they usually seek adventures and unusual travel activities.

A Klook survey found that 50% of solo travellers love cultural attractions and trying local cuisines.
Half of the people travelling alone also enjoy walking around a city to explore without needing a fixed itinerary.
A third of people questioned in the same Klook study said that they are keen to make new friends and meet locals.
According to a Statista survey, most British solo travellers have already taken at least one escorted tour or a cruise. 25% of these solo travellers had been on a cruise at least five times.
A 2023 Statista survey found that 15% of solo travellers from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia reported visiting Australia.
Bristol, Wells-next-the-sea and Lake District are the most popular UK destinations for solo travellers.

Solo Travel Finances

On average, solo travellers are older than most other travellers. This means that they have a higher income and more spending power.

Solo travellers also need more money than the average traveller because they typically spend 50% extra on accommodation due to single supplement fees.
A 2023 survey conducted by Forbes Advisor found that solo travellers typically spend an additional 6% on travel insurance compared to those travelling with companions.
The reason why 40% of travellers don’t travel on their own is because of the high costs. Compared to other European countries, UK solo travellers have the highest travelling budget per trip.

Top Tips For Solo Travellers

Whether you are about to head off on your first solo trip or you are an experienced solo adventurer, here are some top tips to help you enjoy your trip safely.

Choosing Your Accommodation Wisely

The best thing about travelling on your own is that you can make all the decisions for your trip, including the accommodation type.

Choose a place to put your head down depending on what you want. If you prefer a more social experience, then hostels are a great (and cheap) option.
On the other hand, if you are looking for peace and quiet, then a hotel or a small resort might be a good option.
Your accommodation depends mainly on where you travel, how long you stay and what activities you want to do. For example, you don’t need a luxurious hotel room if you are out most of the day and just need a place to sleep. This being said, there is nothing wrong with spoiling yourself!

Keep In Contact With Friends

Keeping in touch with your family and friends doesn’t just keep loneliness at bay but it is also important for your safety.

In case of an emergency, your friends and family can easily locate you and send help much faster.

Be Confident And Open-Minded

While there may be many reasons why you want to travel on your own, being open-minded can show you new experiences and horizons.

But it is also important to look out for pickpockets, thieves and other potential dangers.

Connect With The Locals

Meeting new friends and catching up with locals is one of the key reasons why solo travellers enjoy this way of travelling.

One of the best ways to get a true feeling for your chosen location is to mingle with the locals.

Talk to people in shops, bars or cafés. You might even get a few amazing tips for the best places to see or restaurants with tasty food.

Secure Your Valuables

You must insure all your belongings before you go away. Just to be sure, you can also use a cross-body bag to keep your phone, cash and cards in.

Research The Location

The more research you do before you go on your trip, the easier you can find your way around.

Make sure you have a good understanding of how to travel, the nearest tourist information centre and any local activities.

Final Thoughts

Travelling on your own can be great fun and inspiring. There are many reasons why you may want to head out into the world alone, from more freedom to finding new friends.

Solo travel is more popular than ever in the UK and you don’t even have to go as far as Australia. England, Scotland, Wales and North Ireland have some fantastic locations for solo adventures

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The UK Good For Solo Travel?

Absolutely! The United Kingdom has a large variety of activities, attractions and things to see.

Whether you prefer time in the city, like London, or you want to head out into the countryside, like Cornwall or Yorkshire, there is always plenty to do on your solo trip around England.

What Is The Best Age To Travel Alone?

The average age of solo travellers is 47 but you don’t have to wait that long to get out alone. In fact, people as young as 18 can safely travel on their own.

Just make sure that you have all the relevant documents and information you need for your travels.

What Percentage Of Solo Travellers Are Female?

Over 84% of solo travellers are female. This is the majority of the solo travel community who enjoy their travels on their own.

References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VsqF1yUmbM