Considering solo travel? Read this to get started!

The sun sets behind trees in Southeast Asia. Adventuresome Co. photo.

Wouldn’t it be nice to go where you want, when you want, how you want, without a single other schedule, interest, budget, energy level or fitness ability to take into consideration? Behold, a possible solution: solo travel!

While traveling with a partner or group of people you know has its benefits, solo travel is far from just a suggestion for many people around the world. Data group Grand View Research reported earlier this year that the global market value of solo travel landed at more than $500 billion in 2025, with that figure expected to triple by 2033.

“The post-pandemic era has fostered a sense of independence and comfort with solitude,” the GVR report’s authors wrote, “encouraging travelers to explore destinations at their own pace. Solo trips offer opportunities for self-discovery, relaxation, and pursuing unique interests without compromise.”

The report also cites highly-personalized experiences, autonomy in itinerary planning, solitude, the chance for self-discovery and reliance, and the opportunity to explore destinations at one’s own pace as benefits of solo travel. You’ll likely find that the freedom and flexibility are unmatched!

Solo travel, however, isn’t for the faint of heart – or the disorganized. Physical abilities, budget, and other factors can be barriers to traveling on your own; without a trusted travel buddy, concerns over safety and higher costs can be challenges as well.

Here are some key questions to consider when deciding on a destination, and whether or not to travel solo:

• Are you able to plan ahead and carefully research your destination?

• Do you feel your travel goals – such as exploring, recharging, meeting people, etc. – can be met there?

• Is your trip within your budget, timeline(s), and comfort level, even without the support of travel companions?

• Are you prepared to prioritize safety, and to be flexible about plans if needed?

If you answered ‘yes,’ to the above, a solo trip might just be the thing for you!

A good place to start is in searching for places known for their safety, quality transportation, and developed infrastructure. Locales such as Japan, France, and the United Kingdom are well-known hot picks, with Canada and the United States also proving to be popular destinations. Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand are common choices, too, with their affordability drawing massive crowds annually.

While looking to primarily travel on your own, you might also want to meet people, have a bit more structure, be guided by a local expert, or a combination of the three. That’s where group options can come in handy. You can book entire trips as an individual through companies such as National Geographic, Intrepid Travel, and G Adventures, whether with your own party of one or more, or a number of travel-oriented strangers; you can also look for shorter-term daytime and multi-day excursions to include on a trip through outlets such as GetYourGuide, Viator, and Toursbylocals.

There are so many options out there these days, whether you’re looking for extreme sports, cuisine tours, educational expeditions, health and wellness retreats, or something else! There are even specialty trips for specific age groups. For example, NextTribe is a travel company specific to women over 45, while Road Scholar hosts educational tours geared toward those who are 50 years of age or older; FTLO Travel’s demographic is adults who are aged 25 to 39.

Either way, be sure to look into various itineraries before committing to any booking, so that you have a good idea of what’s available and what might be best for you. Additionally, remember that many tours – no matter the length – are not refundable past a certain window, so you’ll want to be confident in your plans before solidifying any bookings.

Also keep in mind that solo trips can indeed cost travelers more when calculated on a per-person basis. For example, you might incur a fee for individual accommodations, such as a charge of several hundred dollars or more for being in your own room instead of sharing one with a booking buddy. Traveling in the off-season, choosing lower-level over luxury accommodations, utilizing rewards points and planning things like meals and travel routes well in advance can save you time and money.

Sometimes, especially if joining group tours, you can even avoid fees by calling in advance and explaining your preferences, allowing a representative to help you navigate various options. Contacting the company may give you insight on unpublished deals not yet available to the public, too. Notably, travel insurance can be especially helpful when you’re on your own, with comprehensive plans including everything you need such as medical coverage, reimbursement, 24/7 assistance for various situations, help with finding documents and other information, and coverage for essentials in case of late or lost luggage. It is advisable to also have someone you trust, such as family or friends, informed of your travel plans, so that there is some sort of safety net in the event of an emergency.

Bottom line: traveling solo can leave you feeling rewarded, self-reliant, empowered, resilient and adventurous. You don’t have to go big; you can start small, but always keep your preferences and comfort level in mind. Wherever you’re headed – with or without your trusted travel companion – and whatever adventure you’re pursuing, make sure to do your research! And don’t forget to soak up every great moment!

- AC