- 32pc of Brits travel solo to be able to travel freely.
- Safety was the key priority for solo travellers at 40pc in 2026.
- 44pc of women would pack health and safety items versus 34pc of men.
- 47pc of solo travellers seek self-sufficiency.
- US travellers choose solo travel for mental clarity.
Opodo has released survey results showing what motivates people to set off on solo adventures. The key factors for travellers include wanting to be able to travel freely (32pc), friends or family not being available (30pc), wanting to experiment (22pc), wanting to meet new people (21pc), and wanting to get to know themselves better (20pc). Safety was the key priority for solo travellers at 40pc in 2026, up from 34pc in 2023.
44pc of women in the UK would consider packing health and safety items as travel essentials versus 34pc of men. Brits are the most safety conscious compared to France (39pc), Germany (38pc), US (37pc), Italy (28pc), Spain (27pc) and Portugal (25pc). The positive outcomes of solo travel include self-sufficiency (47pc), mental clarity (32pc), greater openness to other cultures (27pc), and empathy (15pc).
Globally, 38pc of respondents travel solo to guarantee absolute freedom of movement, 30pc because friends or family aren’t available, 27pc to get to know themselves better, 27pc to experiment, and 23pc to meet new people. US travellers choose solo travel for mental clarity, while Spanish and Italians choose it for finding a deeper connection with the world.
