Freedom and self-development: Solo travel trends to know in 2026

How many times has the “let’s plan a trip!” message landed in your friends or family group chat, only for a prolonged back-and-forth about dates, destinations and budgets ends up without anyone actually travelling anywhere.

Flying solo just might be the solution, according to a new global poll.

The “Solo Travel Trends 2026: The Year of Travelling Alone with Purpose” survey by Opodo asked 9,000 travellers, including 2,000 from the UK, what drives them to take the journey abroad alone.

Among UK solo travellers, “freedom” was their biggest motivation, with 32% saying it was their main reason for going alone.

According to the research, they relish having the ability to carve out their days abroad around their own interests as well as at their own pace. This allows them to shape each trip from the outset.

Opodo also found a spike in this motivation among young travellers aged 25 to 34, with 47% naming freedom as their main reason for solo travel. This is up from 35% in a similar poll carried out in 2023. “That change gives the trend its energy,” Opodo said.

Safety as part of the adventure

The survey revealed that safety plays a major role in how solo travellers pack for their trip.

As many as 40% of UK travellers said they prioritised safety items when packing solo. This includes bringing along first aid supplies, containers to keep their cash secure as well as having emergency contact details to hand.

Women solo travellers are also more likely to be cautious in comparison to their male counterparts, with 44% saying they prioritise taking health and safety essentials with them, while only 34% of men said it was a priority.

Respondents also said taking steps to book tickets in advance, ensuring they had a map and GPS access, makes the first moments away from home calmer – giving them the confidence to explore new grounds.

Travelling alone, but connecting more

Despite travelling alone, the survey found that some travellers set out to meet new people along the way. For 15% of respondents, solo travel is a way to deepen their connection with the wider world, with everyday encounters becoming more meaningful when alone, rather than with a travel group.

Many solo trippers also take away a feeling of self-sufficiency from their journeys, with 47% saying it makes them feel more capable after they return.

Travelling without a companion gave 32% of respondents more space to think, while 27% felt more able to appreciate different cultures and ways of living.

Opodo found that among Brits, Londoners had an especially strong appetite for self-knowledge when tripping alone, as well as being more likely to travel solo when friends and family aren’t available.