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We’ve dug deeper than ever into the minds of fearless solo travellers from the Hostelworld community: what gets them going, where they want to go and what keeps them on the road. Turns out it’s not just beaches, it’s the people, the chaos, the random rooftop stories.
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66% of solo travellers are 18–30-year-olds, of which 39% are 18-24.
Women are more likely to take solo trips, with 60% identifying as female.
LGBTQIA+ travellers are well represented, with 18% of solo travellers identifying as part of this community.
35% of solo travellers describe themselves as last-minute bookers - no wonder, as half say that feeling free and independent makes solo trips memorable!
51% of solo travellers plan to travel more in the future!
Solo travellers are chasing it all - and finding it everywhere.
The most valued aspects were freedom and spontaneity (64%) and being completely free (59%) - yet, solo doesn’t mean alone. Most solo travellers want to meet new people (58%) - way up from 43% in 2024. They want to have an adventure (57%) and step out of their comfort zone (53%).
Top destinations based on solo traveller bookings in H2/2024 and H1/2025
The TOP3 hasn’t changed since last year - Thailand, Spain and Italy are still the reigning champions!
Asia is blowing up - destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Cambodia and Sri Lanka are all growing in double-digits.
Welcome to the TOP20, Sri Lanka! This year was Sri Lanka’s breakout year - visits are up by well over 50% year-on-year.Â
44% of solo travellers do multi-country trips, while 35% opt to visit one country at a time, and 18% take quick city breaks or weekend trips.Â
Oceania solo travellers are most likely to visit:

European solo travellers are most likely to visit:
North American solo travellers are most likely to visit:
If you thought solo travellers were done, think again. 63% of first-time solo travellers plan to travel more - once they’ve done it, they’re hooked.
We asked solo travellers which countries top their wish list:
The kind of places that start as “maybe one day” and end as “how am I still here three months later?”. From ramen-fuelled neon nights to rooftop beers in Barcelona, paradisiac views in Thailand, pasta highs in Rome and street food chaos in Hanoi - this list is basically a dare.Â
Drum roll please! Solo travellers have spoken, and these destinations topped the charts for safety, value, friendliness and unforgettable experiences.
Spain. Portugal. Italy. The holy trinity of good vibes, cheap wine, and strangers-turned-besties. Safest, friendliest, best value - basically the full package. Vietnam sneaks in too, proving great food and chaos are a universal language. These places don’t just meet expectations - they pour another glass and blow past them.
Yeah, safety is a top concern: 41% worry about it, but it doesn’t stop solo travellers.
Solo travellers are also concerned about budget issues (33%), feeling lonely (28%), getting sick (28%), and having difficulties meeting people (24%).
The gender gap’s real, though: 55% of women say safety is a concern, while only 18% of men.
Confidence is not the issue. Less than 2% said they didn’t feel confident enough to travel solo.
You might start your trip solo, but you won’t stay that way. In fact, most travellers are out there looking to connect, and they’re finding great ways to do it. Travellers choose hostels not just for the budget, but for social connections.
71% of solo travellers are actively looking to meet people and only 3.7% of those looking for connections met no one (wild odds are in your favour!)
Over 52% of solo travellers stay in touch with people they meet while on the road
Hostelworld’s app gives that social boost: 81% of app users look to connect with others and 68% of travellers using the app reported to have made lasting connections.
Solo travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations — it’s a full-on personal development journey. And women? They’re leading the charge.Â
Here’s what solo travellers are gaining from travelling alone:
Stepping out of the comfort zone
Boosting self-confidence
Feeling mentally refreshed
Emotional healing
Time for self-discovery
And the motivations? Deeply personal and beautifully varied:
Reconnect with self
Challenge oneself
Urgent need to travel
Cultural connection
Nearly 78% say solo travel boosts confidence, mental health, or both. Gen Z are all about confidence and growing outside their comfort zone, while Millennials crave that mental refresh and self-discovery.
Different groups bring different vibes, needs, and goals.
First-time solo travellers
Bright-eyed and ready to go - with strong intent to travel more, moderate safety concerns, and surprisingly strong social outcomes.Â
Digital nomads
These folks are ahead of the curve! With a high AI adoption, they’re leading the charge. Work, wander, repeat.
Extroverts vs Introverts
Extroverts (26% of respondents) are all about connection: they’re the ones chatting in hostel kitchens and joining group hikes.Â
It’s a myth that most solo travellers are extroverted! 23% of respondents identify as introverts. They tend to lean into self-discovery and mental refresh. Solo travel gives them space to recharge and reflect.
“Just do it, I know it can be intimidating especially as an introvert but it really is worth it. And I say, you CAN meet people and have a great time with them, it's definitely possible and amazing, but even IF NOT, even if you stay on your own you are gonna make memories for a lifetime!!”
Solo travellers are thinking about the planet and the people around them.
The most common concrete actions include:
AI is the new solo traveller sidekick - always ready to help with planning, translation and random “what to do today” ideas at the breakfast table.
How do solo travellers use AI?
Solo travellers are adopting AI fast:
65% of men and 57% of women are using AI tools to plan or enhance their trips
Brazil leads the pack with a whopping 80% adoption rate
Australia? Still warming up, with just 47% of solo travellers using AI.
The typical solo traveller in 2025 is young, adventurous, and full of curiosity. Gen Z and young Millennials are leading the way, with women making up a slight majority at 53%. Men are catching up quickly, as 55% plan to take more solo trips. First-timers are doing well too, with 63% planning to travel solo again. Once you try it, you become hooked.
Top destinations haven’t changed since last year. Thailand, Spain, and Italy still top the list, but Southeast Asia is the real winner this year. Sri Lanka saw a huge leap (+50% year-on-year), while Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines also recorded double-digit growth. Brazil, Peru and Guatemala are shining in Latin America, and Ireland climbed in Europe’s rankings 🇮🇪.
Safety remains the biggest barrier, especially for women (55% vs 18% of men), but confidence is high — less than 2% said they don’t feel ready to travel solo. 💪 Motivations are evolving: independence and freedom still top the list, but solo travel is now deeply tied to wellbeing and self-growth. 🌱 Around 78% of travellers report boosts in confidence, emotional healing or self-discovery.
And while solo travel might sound… well, solo — connection is at its core. 71% actively seek connection, and 68% form meaningful friendships, especially through the Hostelworld app. On the tech side, AI tools are fast becoming a travel essential, helping with planning, translation and ideas.
Simply put, today’s solo travellers are open-minded, connected and evolving. They’re not just exploring the world - they’re exploring themselves.
Hostelworld Group PLC is a ground-breaking social network powered Online Travel Agent (“OTA”) focused on the hostelling category, with a clear mission to help travellers find people to hang out with. Our mission statement is founded on the insight that most travellers go hostelling to meet other people, which we facilitate through a series of social features on our platform that connect our travellers in hostels and cities based on their booking data. The strategy has been extraordinarily successful, generating significant word of mouth recommendations from our customers and strong endorsements from our hostel partners.
Traveller destination data was sourced from over four million annual trips conducted by solo travellers via Hostelworld’s booking platform in H2 2024 & H1 2025. All other information was sourced from a poll of 3334 solo travellers conducted in July 2025.
Curious how solo travel evolved over time? Dive into the 2024 State of Solo Travel Report to explore last year’s trends, data, and stories that shaped the solo travel landscape.
Read the 2024 Report
