Posted on Friday, 12 July 2024

Where to Go

Strike out alone in summer 2024 - and return home with more confidence, more friends, and more special memories than ever.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), solo holidays have risen from 6% in 2011 to 16% in 2023.

It's a similar story in the United States, where 14% of travellers were planning solo trips in 2019, rising to 23% in 2023.

Attitudes towards solo travel have shifted dramatically in recent years. According to Georgie Darling, a freelance travel writer, solo travel was looked down upon in the past. She says: "It was something people thought you did out of desperation. Now it’s become more of a ‘cool concept’.”

Many travel firms have noticed the growing demand for solo-based trips and have created packages to meet it. Tour specialist Tourhub says 46% of its bookings were for solo trips last year, while G Adventures, an adventure tour firm, says they account for 60% of its business.

Why have solo trips become so popular?

According to one survey of solo female travellers, 46% said travelling alone gave them a sense of freedom and independence, while 22% said they didn't want to have to wait around for companions. 15% said it helped them gain confidence and meet new challenges.

On the subject of female travel, 84% of US solo travellers are women - a figure that may surprise some, given the perceived increased risks.

The joy of solitude

Exploring the world alone can unlock limitless opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. When faced with a challenge - whether that's getting from A to B or managing language barriers - there can be a bigger "buzz" when it is overcome.

Solo travel can be especially powerful for those who suffer from bouts of social anxiety or precarious confidence: Flying to Nepal and reaching Everest Base Camp all by yourself is sure to help.

That said, most solo trips wind up being extremely social events (more on this below).

Self-tailored trips

Travelling as a group or a couple invariably involves some negotiation, a degree of give-and-take. At the very least, the trip has to take place when all participants have time available, which can be a major restriction in itself.

But with a self-planned solo trip, you get to decide the departure date, destination, activities and excursions. You also get to decide on modes of transport and where to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In short, you can tailor a trip to your own passions, interests, and tastes.

Then there's money: if you're on a budget but your travelling partner is cash-rich, disagreements over things like food and accommodation are bound to occur. And of course, the same is true if you have more money to spend than others in the group.

It's never somebody else's problem

Some individuals, when in a couple or group, tend to take a back seat when it comes to planning and being proactive. If someone else is always there, ready to book the next flight or find the next hotel, there's less incentive to take control.

But when you're travelling alone, the buck stops with you.

This can be daunting and tiring sometimes, but is often rewarding and confidence-boosting.

Can solo trips be more social than group ones?

The word 'solo' is synonymous with solitude and loneliness. But in truth, many solo adventurers enjoy multiple social experiences along the way, and often make friends with whom they can travel again later.

Since solo travel is on the rise, there are more people in the same position than ever: these folks are more open to connecting than, for example, groups of friends or couples; you may well make more friends going alone than with people you already know.

Backpacker hostels, in particular, are great places to meet new people, mainly because you eat and sleep in the same spaces. In hostels, the norm is to say "Where are you from?" to almost anyone you meet - making them one of the easiest places to break the ice.

Additionally, a whole raft of companies are now offering tours designed for solo travellers, where everyone is in the same boat - often resulting in intensely enjoyable social interactions.

Personal reinvention

Going abroad alone also offers a chance for a kind of personal reinvention.

If you travel with long-standing friends or partners, there may be an expectation for you to behave in a certain way. But by yourself, you're free to let go of any limiting self-beliefs, to try new things and hob-nob with folks from all walks of life.

Are there any downsides to solo travel?

Of course, solo travel isn't without its challenges. Occasional bouts of loneliness are likely. However, perhaps unlike back home, these bouts can be solved by hopping on a bus or a plane to the next town, joining a tour, or striking up a conversation in a cafe or hostel.

Safety is another concern: you'll need to take extra care, particularly as a solo female. However, in many locations, you just need to take the precautions you would at home.

And if you face an emergency, you may need to handle it by yourself or find others to lend a hand.

It goes without saying that travel insurance is essential when travelling alone - giving you the peace of mind that you'll get the help you need if something goes wrong.

Where's best for a solo trip?

If safety is a key concern as a solo traveller, there are numerous attractive options. However, safe often means expensive: the world's safest countries also tend to be hard on your travel budget.

For example, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, and Singapore tend to rank in the top 10 safest nations, but they also appear in the top 10 costliest destinations.

That said, here's a selection of destinations popular with solo travellers...

Australia

Many surveys suggest Down Under is the most popular place for solo travellers. 

Australia boasts extraordinary beaches, mountains, and desertscapes, plus thousands of hostels - where making new friends is a certainty.

Transport connections are good, but Oz loses points for cost: it's not a good option for those on a budget.

Many young Brits (18 - 35) take advantage of the Working Holiday visa, which can help manage costs.

Japan

From enjoying lunch with a sumo wrestler to meditating with Kyoto monks, Japan offers countless authentic experiences.

Superb transport links and a weak yen have helped boost tourism to Japan in 2023, and that popularity looks set to continue.

Japan is also extremely safe - making it a winner among solo adventurers.

Iceland

According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the world's safest country. It also boasts incredible volcanic landscapes, thermal hot springs, glaciers, and innumerable outdoor activities.

And if you dislike crowds, this could be the perfect option.

Thailand

While Thailand is not considered as safe as others on this list, it is still extremely safe for solo travellers.

A well-developed transport network, extremely affordable accommodation and food, superb beaches and friendly locals - all make Thailand a perennial winner among solo trippers.

Doubtless the number one choice for those on a budget and who want to travel for a long time.

Bali

Heading to the Indonesian island of Bali may not be the most original decision, but it's without a doubt a popular option for solo travellers: meet fellow adventurers on volcanic hikes, during yoga sessions, or at the pulsating beach clubs of Seminyak.

It's also extremely low cost (assuming you avoid the tourist traps), making it a solid option for longer-term solo travels.

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