How many people travel solo? What are the best destinations to travel to alone? These plus more interesting and up-to-date statistics about solo travel!
There are a lot of interesting solo travel statistics to be found these days. Such as ...
Have you ever wondered about any of these questions? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
In 2021, Google Trends revealed that ‘solo travel’ has grown by over 761%, showing a keen interest in taking trips alone.
Let's dive into the data ...
Sources: We’ve include the source under each stats, or head over to the end of this post for a round-up of all the articles and sources used.
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Solo travel is when someone goes somewhere alone, making travel decisions based on their own individual preferences and needs without having to consult with any travel companions or partners.
According to Ohio University, some of the main benefits to solo travel is unrestricted planning, the opportunity to meet new people, and self growth.
How many people travel alone?
In the US alone, over 60 thousand women went on a solo trip between 2018 and 2019.
Where is the safest place to travel alone?
The safest place to travel alone is Iceland, considering it has maintained its status as the world’s most peaceful country for 13 years according to the Global Peace Index.
Solo Travel Main Statistics
25% of travellers plan to travel solo in the next six months
Google trend data in 2021 showed that ‘Solo travel’ has risen in popularity by 761.15%
The most common motivation for traveling solo is the desire to see the world without waiting for others
A 2021 survey revealed that over 65% of solo travelers from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia wanted passengers and staff to be vaccinated when traveling
More than 50% of travelers enjoy visiting cultural attractions and trying local cuisines
The majority of solo traveller (38%) spends between $1,000 and $2,000 per week
Solo travel is one of the main motivations for taking a trip among American travelers (20% of respondents)
In 2021, 22% of US-based male travelers were planning to travel solo in 2022
Within 1 year, Hotelscan.com saw an incredible 170% increase in searches for people looking to book a room by themselves
Three-quarters of solo travelers are interested in both domestic and international travel
Solo Travel Demographics
What kind of person travels alone?
1. 25% of travellers plan to travel solo in the next six months.
[Travel Pulse]
2. Gen-Z and Millennials are more likely to want to travel solo compared to other generations of travelers.
6. The number of single-person households has surged dramatically in recent decades, with proportions reaching 31% of all households across the UK in 2017, as well as up to 60% in some cities in Europe and North America.
[K. D. M. Snell]
This rising trend indicates the rise of living alone, which also plays a part in the increasing popularity of solo travel especially among the western population.
7. In terms of education, the vast majority of solo travelers (84.5%) hold at least a university/ college degree or a diploma.
[SoloTravelerWorld]
8. About 1 in every 10 solo travelers holds a high school degree or equivalent.
[SoloTravelerWorld]
Solo Travel Trends & Behavior
Why and how do people travel solo?
9. Google trend data in 2021 showed that ‘Solo travel’ has risen in popularity by 761.15%.
[HR News]
10. Solo travelers take longer trips than other travelers at an average trip length of 19 days.
[Phocus Wire]
11. The most common motivation for traveling solo is the desire to see the world without waiting for others.
[Statista]
12. Nearly half of solo travelers are also motivated by the sense of independence and freedom they get from solo travel.
[Statista]
13. Finally, 20% of respondents in a solo travel survey also claim that they’re motivated by the ability to meet like-minded solo travelers.
[Statista]
14. A 2021 survey revealed that over 65% of solo travelers from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia wanted passengers and staff to be vaccinated when traveling.
[Statista]
Among the solo travelers surveyed in 2021, 65% have a preference that staff and fellow passengers be vaccinated against Covid-19.
15. Almost 60% of solo travelers also favor a high vaccination rate at a destination before they’re confident of international travel.
[Statista]
16. 38% of people who have traveled solo say that they will do so again.
[HospitalityNet]
These respondents claim that solo travel has allowed them to fully experience travel.
17. However, for those who have yet to tried solo travel, ‘fear of loneliness’ has been the biggest obstacle.
[Klook]
Based on a survey by Klook, loneliness ranks as the number one concern among all generations, from Gen Z and Millennials to Gen X and Baby Boomers.
Solo Travel Activities
What are the popular activities in solo travel?
18. More than 50% of travelers enjoy visiting cultural attractions and trying local cuisines.
[Klook]
19. A little over half of solo travelers also enjoy wandering the city without a fixed itinerary.
[Klook]
20. Finally, a third of travelers have expressed the desire to meet locals and make new friends.
[Klook]
21. Most American, British, Canadian, and Australian solo travelers in 2021 had already taken at least one first time cruise or escorted tour.
[Statista]
22. Furthermore, more than 25% of solo travelers had already taken five escorted tours or cruises.
[Statista]
23. However, 1 in 4 respondents had never participated in an escorted tour or cruise.
[Statista]
Solo Travel Spending
How much do solo travelers spend?
24. The majority of solo traveller (38%) spends between $1,000 and $2,000 per week.
[Statista]
This number excludes airfare and is based on survey respondents from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
25. 28% spend between $2,000 and $3,000 weekly on their solo trip.
[Statista]
26. Meanwhile, only 6% of solo travelers spend more than $4,000 per week.
[Statista]
27. In 2020, solo travelers from Europe spent an average of €285 on their flight and hotel.
[Statista]
The average solo traveler from Europe would spend €285 on flight and hotel package while traveling alone.
28. Meanwhile, British solo travelers recorded the highest budget in 2020 with an average of nearly €340.
30. Solo travel is one of the main motivations for taking a trip among American travelers (20% of respondents).
[Statista]
31. Out of the US-based travelers who planned to travel alone, roughly one quarter were Generation X.
[Statista]
32. In 2021, 22% of US-based male travelers were planning to travel solo in 2022.
[Statista]
In 2021, 22% of male travelers in the US planned to take a solo trip in 2022. This percentage is higher than female travelers based in the US, showing that solo male travel is more common even within the US.
33. Men are also more likely than women to camp or stay in a cabin on a solo trip. 20% of male solo travelers expressed interest in camping solo.
[Statista]
34. In terms of transportation, female solo travelers from the US are more likely to fly, while 60% of men preferred to drive a personal car.
[Statista]
35. In the US, there were approximately over 3 million VanLifers in mid-2022.
In mid-2022, there were a recorded total of more than 3 million VanLifers in the US. VanLifers refer to people who travel, live, and work in their RVs or vans. Meanwhile, RV ownership has grown by over 62% between 2001 and 2021.
38. The leading factor for solo female solo travelers when they choose a destination is the local culture (80%).
[Statista]
39. Beauty of the destination is the second most important factor for solo female solo travelers (70%).
[Statista]
40. Safety and local crime rate (66%) is also a deciding factor in choosing a destination for solo female travelers.
[Statista]
41. Other leading factors for solo female travelers include the local cuisine (60%), reputation (59%), and access to nature (58%).
[Statista]
42. 80% solo female travelers are interested in cultural sightseeing when they travel alone.
[Statista]
43. Other popular activities for solo female travelers are nature and wildlife and cultural immersion.
[Statista]
44. The main obstacle for solo female travelers to travel alone is personal safety, according to 65% of women in a survey.
[Statista]
45. In the same survey, women also reveal that more expensive costs and the fear of getting lost are the second and third largest obstacles for them to go on a solo trip.
[Statista]
Solo Travel Booking
46. Solo travel makes up 18% of global travel bookings.
51. Similarly, Hostelworld bookings also reported a 42% growth in solo traveller guests from 2015 to 2017.
[Telegraph]
52. 18% of Riviera Travel guests who take river tours and cruises are traveling solo.
[Telegraph]
53. 26% of all nights booked on Airbnb in 2021 were by solo travelers.
[Airbnb]
According to their internal data, roughly 1 in every 4 nights booked on Airbnb was for solo travelers. This shows how the app has become increasingly important to solo travelers worldwide.
54. In Q1 of 2022, more than half of for long-term nights booked on Airbnb were also for solo travelers.
[Airbnb]
55. Booking.com stated that 23% of all travellers in 2021 are planning a solo trip, compared to only 14% in 2019.
[Booking.com]
Booking.com reveals that the percentage of travellers who would like to travel solo has nearly doubled from 14% in 2019 to 23% in 2021.
Solo Travel Top Destinations
What is the best place to travel alone?
56. Three-quarters of solo travelers are interested in both domestic and international travel.
[Statista]
57. 43% of active leisure travelers have Los Angeles on their travel bucket list, but the number is higher for solo travelers (53%).
[Travel Pulse]
This shows that solo travelers are more likely to travel to a variety of destinations compared to those who travel with other people.
58. Likewise, 39% of travelers want to go to Palm Springs, whereas a much higher 48% of solo travelers have it on their list.
[Travel Pulse]
59. For British solo travelers in 2020, North America was the most attractive non-European continent to travel solo.
[Statista]
60. 30% of solo travelers from the UK wanted to travel alone to Oceania, while 25% was interested in Asia.
And that sums up the latest statistics about solo travel.
We’ve tried to be as comprehensive as we can, covering everything from demographics, trends, to specific data about solo female travelers and solo travel in the US.
As this type of travel becomes more common over time,
Did we miss any crucial stats on solo travel?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
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I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. You'll find me working out of a cafe in Bali, perhaps on a riverboat in Brazil or maybe even an airport lounge in New Delhi.
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