Solo Travel is Booming and Companies are Responding

I am a full-service travel advisor who can help you plan your next solo trip. About 1/3 of my clients this year have been solo travelers. It's a growing trend. People are tired of trying to find a friend to go with them or one who travels at the same level as they want to and so they are JUST GOING. Reach out if you want me to be your planning buddy for your next solo vacation! Kim@millcreektravel.com

Remember when traveling alone felt like something you only did if you HAD to? Those days are over. More people than ever are choosing solo trips on purpose — and loving it.

A few years ago, we were coming back from a trip to London and behind us was a woman who was chatting kind of loudly with her seat mate. I heard most of the conversation and the gist of it was that she was married but traveled solo because her husband hated to travel. She had been all over the world by herself and loved it. It was kind of a pro move for her. She wasn't going to let her husband's lack of desire to travel hold her back from her love of it. I've traveled quite a few places WITH my husband on works trips for him and I have been solo-ish on those. I've wandered around Germany, France and London very often all by myself. I kind of like it because I don't have to work around anyone else's timelines, pace or wishes. I do what I want to do all at my own pace. Nobody questions the weird side street I walk down or where I want to shop or that I'm going to eat a pastry for lunch.

As a travel advisor, I’ve noticed a clear shift over the past few years: more clients are asking about traveling alone, and they’re doing it with more confidence than ever. What used to feel like a niche idea has become one of the strongest trends in travel. Solo trips are no longer just for gap-year backpackers or people who can’t find a companion. They’re a deliberate, mainstream choice across ages and styles of travel.

Here’s what the latest data shows — and what it means if you’re thinking about heading out on your own.

Solo Travel Has Moved Fully into the Mainstream

The numbers tell a straightforward story of growth. The global solo travel market was valued at roughly $550 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach about $1.6 trillion by 2033, expanding at a compound annual rate of around 14.6%.

Search interest backs this up. Google searches for “solo travel” have risen about 230% over the past decade and hit record highs in early 2026, with related terms like “women solo travel” also peaking.

Booking signals are just as clear. Platforms have reported sharp rises in hotel-for-one searches, and many tour operators and advisors (myself included) are seeing more clients book independent trips or add solo days onto family or group itineraries. Surveys from Hilton and American Express show that large shares of travelers — especially younger ones — are either already traveling solo regularly or actively planning to do so.

In the United States, one recent study found that 50% of Americans have already taken a solo trip, and 82% have either done it or want to try it. Across parts of Asia-Pacific, roughly one in three travelers have recently traveled solo or plan to in the next year.

The industry has responded very well. More hotels, cruise lines, and tour companies are reducing or eliminating single supplements, adding social "get to know you" activities, and designing experiences that work well for one person. Solo travel is no longer something you have to apologize for or work around — it’s something many providers are actively catering to and I'm here for it.

Who’s Traveling Solo? It Spans Ages, but Younger Travelers Are Driving Growth

Solo travel appeals across generations, but the patterns differ depending on the type of trip.

Younger travelers (especially ages 18–40) account for a large share of independent and backpacker-style solo trips. Hostelworld, which tracks millions of solo bookings each year, consistently finds that about 66% of its solo travelers are aged 18–30, with a substantial portion in the 18–24 range. Women make up roughly 60% of that group.

Market research puts travelers aged 25–40 at about 44% of the overall solo travel market. Gen Z and Millennials also show the highest intent in major surveys — one American Express report noted that 76% of Millennials and Gen Z planned a solo trip, while Hilton data has shown Gen Z and Millennials as the groups most likely to travel alone frequently.

Older generations are participating at high rates too, particularly in more guided or tour-based travel. A U.S. survey found that higher percentages of Baby Boomers and Silent Generation members had already traveled solo compared with younger groups, even if Gen Z and Millennials are planning more of these trips going forward. Women in their 50s and older are especially visible in organized solo tours and certain survey samples. In markets like Japan, people in their 50s (particularly women) represent a notable portion of experienced solo travelers. We just aren't waiting around for friends to decide if they can afford to go or get the time off or whatever they need to settle before they can say "yes". We are just booking the trip and going.

In short: younger travelers are powering much of the volume and growth in independent travel, while older travelers bring strong experience, often higher budgets, and demand for well-organized options. Women are a majority or near-majority in most recent data sets. I reflect that in my clients. I have only had a couple of men reach out to me for solo trips. The far majority of my solo travelers have been women in their 50's or older.

Why More People Are Choosing to Go Solo

The reasons vary by age and personality, but a few themes come up repeatedly:

• Freedom and flexibility to set your own pace and priorities

• Personal growth, self-discovery, or a mental reset

• Friends or family simply not being available (or having different interests)

• A desire for specific experiences without group compromise

Younger travelers often emphasize self-discovery and adventure. Older travelers frequently prioritize comfort, safety, and the ability to pursue interests that others in their circle may not share. Many people also appreciate the social side of solo travel — the chance to meet new people without being locked into a group itinerary the entire time. River cruising and guided tours are now providing solo-only experiences to respond to this demand. Some will even roommate match for you if you want to pay less but are exceptionally social and would love to meet a new friend.

What This Means If You’re Considering a Solo Trip

As an advisor, I see solo travel working best when it’s intentional. A few practical points I share with clients:

• Safety and comfort levels differ by destination, travel style, and personal preferences. Research and planning still matter, especially for first-timers. I can find the right place and situation for you.

• Many of the old drawbacks (single supplements, awkward dining, limited social options) have improved, but they haven’t disappeared everywhere. But, I watch for them and can let you know when I find something I think you'd like.

• “Solo” doesn’t have to mean completely alone. A growing number of people book independent travel but join group activities, small-group tours, or social experiences along the way. Trips with low or no solo supplement will naturally have more solo travelers and more opportunities to meet new friends. It's even a good option if you and a friend DO want to go together but not share a room.

• Different age groups often gravitate toward different styles of travel — younger travelers toward hostels and flexible itineraries, older travelers toward river cruises, guided tours or more structured trips — but there’s plenty of overlap.

Check out my quick list of a few of my favorite companies and their current or upcoming solo offerings. If you want me to check for specific trips, let me know. But, the key to solo travel is to pay attention to the deals (I can let you know when I see something) and book early because some companies have controlled capacity for zero solo supplement seats on any trip.

Whether you’re in your 20s looking for adventure and connection or in your 50s or beyond wanting independence and purpose, the infrastructure and acceptance of solo travel are better than they’ve ever been.

If you’re curious about planning a solo trip — or simply want help figuring out the right destination and style for you — I’m happy to talk through options. The data shows this is a lasting shift, not a short-term trend, and more people than ever are discovering that traveling alone can be one of the most rewarding ways to see the world.

Ready to explore a solo trip? Reach out and let’s design something that fits your interests, comfort level, and travel style. Kim@Millcreektravel.com