Solo Travel Trends 2026: Stats, Safety Tips, and Budget Breakdown by Destination

Solo Travel Statistics for 2026

Solo travel has grown 76 percent since 2019, according to Booking.com data. About 17 percent of American travelers took at least one solo trip in 2025, up from 9 percent in 2019. The trend is led by women: 64 percent of solo travelers are female, according to a 2025 Hostelworld survey. The average age of solo travelers has dropped from 38 in 2019 to 31 in 2026.

I took my first solo trip at 28, to Japan, and I was nervous about it. By day three I was hooked. Solo travel forces you to be present, make decisions, and meet people you would never talk to if you were with a group. It is not for everyone, but if you are considering it, the data says you should try it.

The cost of solo travel is higher per person than traveling with a partner. You cannot split hotel rooms or taxi fares. But hostels, food courts, and walking tours make it accessible on almost any budget. A solo trip to Vietnam costs $40 to $60 per day. A solo trip to Switzerland costs $150 to $250 per day.

10 Safest Destinations for Solo Travel

Based on the Global Peace Index 2026 and solo traveler reviews, the safest destinations for solo travel are:

• Iceland: Ranked #1 on Global Peace Index for 15 consecutive years. Violent crime is virtually nonexistent. Solo female travelers report feeling completely safe at all hours.
• Japan: Low crime rates, excellent public transit, cultural respect for solo diners. Tokyo and Kyoto are walkable at any hour.
• New Zealand: Friendly locals, well-marked hiking trails, English-speaking. Great for solo road trips.
• Portugal: One of Western Europe’s safest countries. Lisbon and Porto are walkable and welcoming to solo travelers.
• Switzerland: Expensive but extremely safe. Trains run on time. Mountain hiking is well-marked and maintained.
• Singapore: Strict laws, clean streets, English widely spoken. Solo dining is normalized at hawker centers.
• Norway: Low crime, stunning nature, English proficiency near 100 percent. Northern lights in winter, fjords in summer.
• Austria: Safe, cultured, walkable cities. Vienna is one of the most livable cities in the world.
• Denmark: Copenhagen is bike-friendly and safe. Hostels are high quality. Hygge culture is welcoming.
• Canada: Familiar to Americans, safe, English-speaking (mostly). Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are great solo destinations.

Budget Breakdown by Destination

Here is what solo travel actually costs in 15 popular destinations, based on mid-range spending (hostel private room or budget hotel, mostly local food, some paid activities):

• Vietnam: $40 to $60 per day. Hostel dorm $8, hotel $20. Street food $2 to $5 per meal.
• Thailand: $50 to $80 per day. Hostel $10, hotel $25. Pad thai $2, full meal $5.
• Portugal: $80 to $120 per day. Hostel $20, hotel $60. Coffee and pastry $2.
• Mexico (Mexico City): $50 to $90 per day. Hostel $15, hotel $40. Tacos $1.50.
• Spain: $100 to $150 per day. Hostel $25, hotel $70. Tapas $4 to $8.
• Japan: $120 to $200 per day. Hostel $25, business hotel $60. Ramen $8.
• Italy: $100 to $180 per day. Hostel $30, hotel $80. Pasta $10 to $15.
• Iceland: $150 to $250 per day. Hostel $45, hotel $120. Hot dog $5, meal $25.
• Switzerland: $180 to $280 per day. Hostel $50, hotel $130. Meal $25 to $40.
• Norway: $180 to $280 per day. Hostel $45, hotel $120. Meal $25 to $40.
• Australia: $130 to $200 per day. Hostel $30, hotel $80. Meal $15 to $25.
• United Kingdom: $120 to $200 per day. Hostel $30, hotel $80. Pub meal $15.
• France: $120 to $200 per day. Hostel $30, hotel $90. Croissant $1.50, meal $18.
• Germany: $100 to $160 per day. Hostel $25, hotel $70. Currywurst $5.
• USA (domestic): $120 to $250 per day depending on city. Hostel $40, hotel $90 to $200.

How to Meet People While Traveling Solo

Solo travel does not mean being alone the whole time. Here are the most reliable ways I have found to meet people:

• Stay in hostels. Even if you book a private room, you get access to common areas. Hostel dinners and walking tours are gold for meeting other solo travelers.
• Join free walking tours. Most cities have a “free” walking tour (tip $10 to $15 at the end). You will spend 2 to 3 hours with the same group, and people usually grab lunch or drinks after.
• Take a cooking class. Cooking classes in Italy, Thailand, Mexico, and Japan are social by nature. You will be in a group of 6 to 12 people, all of whom want to talk about food.
• Use Meetup.com or Bumble BFF. Both work in most major cities. I met two travelers in Lisbon through Bumble BFF, and we ended up doing a day trip to Sintra together.
• Hang out at the hostel bar. If your hostel has a bar, sit there between 6 and 8 PM. People are pre-gaming before going out, and conversations start easily.
• Take a day tour. Group day tours (winery tours, island hopping, hiking) attract other solo travelers. You will spend 6 to 8 hours with the same group.

Solo Travel Safety Tips

I have traveled solo to 25+ countries. These are the safety habits I never skip:

• Share your itinerary. Send your full itinerary to a friend or family member. Share your live location on WhatsApp or Google Maps. Check in daily.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong, leave. Do not worry about being polite. I have walked out of taxis, restaurants, and tours because something felt off.
• Do not tell strangers you are alone. If someone asks, say “my friend is meeting me later” or “I am traveling with a group.” This is a small lie that prevents problems.
• Keep your phone charged. Carry a power bank (10,000 mAh minimum). Your phone is your map, your translator, your way to call for help. A dead phone is a solo traveler’s worst problem.
• Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas. Take an Uber or taxi. The $8 to $15 cost is worth the safety.
• Keep digital and physical copies of documents. Passport, visa, travel insurance, emergency contacts. Email them to yourself. Also carry printed copies in a separate bag.
• Buy travel insurance. Medical emergencies abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A basic policy costs $40 to $80 for a 2-week trip. Do not skip this.

Frequently Asked Questions