Skip to main content

The growing appeal of solo travel: Experience new places, your way

Tailor-made experiences for the solo traveler

Piestewa Peak Arizona hiker at sunset
Piestewa Peak, Arizona Nathan Fertig via Unsplas

Freedom — isn’t that what travel’s all about? Going where you want, when you want, lets you experience new people and places, enhancing your perspective while letting you unwind. For some, that could be a surf trip to Hawaii. For others, it might entail a days-long hike through South American wilderness.

But when traveling with friends or family, you often have to compromise. In a group, consensus matters when picking a destination or a restaurant, which can leave some pleased and others feeling like they missed out. Maybe that’s why a new travel trend is on the rise.

Recommended Videos

Today, solo travel continues to grow in popularity, with people eager to see the world while traveling alone. Not only does that allow a personally tailored itinerary, but specialized travel agencies take care of the work, guiding you to the best spots on earth. Let’s explore this growing trend.

Why traveling solo appeals to so many

Clear ocean in US Virgin Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands Candice Brown / Unsplash

Where do you want to go? What do you want to see and experience? If you ask others to join you, maybe it doesn’t fit into their schedules or pique their interest. Even then, once you arrive, you’ll get pulled in different directions with daily decisions on attractions and schedules. But when you travel solo, you’re in the driver’s seat. Maybe that’s why traveling alone keeps gaining in popularity.

According to Squaremouth, in 2024, 42% of travelers plan to go it alone. That’s more than ever. The study considered responses from 2,600 people with regard to itineraries, concerns, and mindset about solo travel. The data brought some interesting insights.

Solo travelers go big on their trips, with 53% set to spend over $3,000. Further, 39% plan to shell out between $1,000 and $3,000.

A spirit of exploration exists among solitary travelers, with 87% interested in traveling abroad. Only 13% prefer keeping their journeys nearby.

On the other hand, international excursions bring risks, and 46% of those going alone reported concerns about illness or injury. 22% of respondents relayed worries about crime and general safety.

So you want to go far and wide, with only you setting the course. That could involve detailed planning, and without local knowledge, you could miss out. How can you reduce your hassle while experiencing everything there is to see? Read on to find out.

These companies offer a tailor-made solo travel experience

Horses and statues on Easter Island
Easter Island Safrans du Monde Travel Agency

Whether you’re surfing, fishing, or snowboarding, you want to score. That could mean paddling into a glassy barrel, landing a big fish, or floating through a powder stash. But for that to happen, you need a guide to put you in the right position. The same holds true for solo travel, where specialty travel agencies take you to the goods, so you can see it all without the time-consuming work.

Safran du Monde offers curated trips for the adventurous solo traveler. With 25% of its customers traveling alone, you’ll feel right at home among like-minded guests. Customized air cruises put you on a private plane, where you tour the world and let someone else take care of the details. The company’s World Tour Grands Classiques takes you on a 25-day journey, starting from New York City and visiting the following locales:

  • Lima, Peru
  • Easter Island, Chile
  • French Polynesia
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Siem Reap & The Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
  • Taj Mahal & Jaipur, India
  • Cairo, Egypt
  • Paris, France

The Lovango Resort & Beach Club might be the ticket if you prefer to stay in one place while watching waves crash and enjoying a drink. The club — set among the U.S. Virgin Islands — noticed such an uptick in solo travel that it created an exclusive package. Included is a three-night stay, airport transportation, a $100 daily resort credit, a beach picnic, access to the resort’s beach club, hiking trails, snorkeling, and a ferry to surrounding islands. Not only that, but Lovango offers communal seating at its Sandpit restaurant, where you can make new friends and enjoy live entertainment as the sun sets.

Solo Travel: when you want to see the world your way

Surfer in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Kaikoura, New Zealand Tim Marshall via Unsplash

Solo travel is like viewing a blank canvas, selecting colors, and painting a picture. No outside opinions or conflicting ideas — just you and what you want, when you want. Beyond that, traveling alone presents opportunities for independence and personal discovery, building confidence when you return from the adventure. Making new friends is the icing on the cake.

When you want to go further but aren’t sure how, specialty travel agencies do the work for you, setting you on the course for new experiences without the hassle of hotel bookings or picking restaurants. Then, you can focus on what matters — taking in amazing places without a worry. 

Mark Reif
Mark Reif has a passion for the outdoors and travel, and telling the stories of his experiences. He’s a lifelong…
What actually works when road tripping with your dog: 6 simple tips
Your ultimate guide to hitting the road with your best (furry) friend
dog hanging head out of car window

There’s nothing better than hitting the open road, especially with your dog riding shotgun. While a road trip with your dog can come with a few extra pit stops (and a muddy backseat), it can also turn into one of your favorite adventures. I’ve done plenty of road trips over the years, and while I don’t have a dog myself, I’ve tagged along on enough trips with friends who do to know that dogs bring a whole new energy to the ride. If you're gearing up for your own road trip with your pup, these tips can help make the ride smoother, safer, and more enjoyable for both of you.
1. Get your dog road trip-ready

If your dog isn’t used to long car rides, doing a few short practice drives first is smart. Start with quick trips around town, then gradually increase the length. This helps them get comfortable in the car and lets you spot any signs of motion sickness or anxiety early on. Also, make sure their ID tags are up to date, and consider a microchip if they don’t already have one. Better safe than sorry when you’re far from home.
2. Pack the right gear

Read more
Amex and Chase just upgraded their travel credit cards: Here’s what’s new
If you love traveling, you’ll want to hear what these cards just added to their perks
a person paying for something online with a credit card

Two of the most popular travel credit cards, the American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, are getting fresh upgrades designed to attract experience-focused travelers, especially Gen Z and millennials.

Amex plans to refresh both its Platinum and Business Platinum cards later this year. New perks include three Centurion Lounges opening in Newark, Salt Lake City, and Tokyo, bringing the global lounge total to 32. 

Read more
This country is now the go-to for solo travel, according to a new study
Italy is the top place to travel solo
Canals in Burano, Venice, Italy

Craving a solo escape that’s equal parts safe and scenic? According to a new ranking from Much Better Adventures, there's one destination that stands out above the rest, and it might surprise you. After analyzing factors like safety scores, affordability, biodiversity, ease of entry, and traveler reviews, the adventure travel company named Italy the number one country in the world for solo travel in 2025.

While seven of the top 10 destinations are in Europe, Italy claimed the top spot thanks to its incredible regional diversity, accessible travel network, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Each part of the country feels like a unique adventure, from the vineyards of Tuscany to the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the food markets of Palermo to the alpine trails of the Dolomites. With affordable trains and well-connected towns, traveling between regions is easy, often spontaneous, and always scenic.

Read more