In Brief: A survey commissioned by eDreams found that many Americans considering solo travel in 2026 are motivated by independence, personal reflection and cultural learning, while safety is the most frequently selected travel essential.
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Americans Cite Independence and Mental Clarity as Key Reasons for Solo Travel – Image Credit Unsplash+
Survey examines solo travel motivations
A survey commissioned by eDreams of 9,000 adults worldwide, including 2,000 respondents in the United States, found that solo travel continues to appeal to Americans seeking flexibility and personal development.
Among U.S. respondents, 41% said they would take a solo trip for the freedom to move at their own pace, including 51% of adults ages 25 to 34. The figure was 44% among men and 38% among women.
Thirty-eight percent said friends or family were unavailable, including 44% of Gen Z respondents and 36% of Millennials. Thirty-seven percent said they would travel alone to experiment, including 52% of adults ages 25 to 34, 38% of men and 36% of women.
Thirty-six percent said they would travel alone to get to know themselves better, including 52% of adults ages 25 to 34. Meeting new people was selected by 34% of Americans.
Globally, 38% of respondents cited freedom of movement, 30% cited unavailable friends or family, 27% cited getting to know themselves better, 27% cited experimentation, and 23% cited meeting new people.
Safety ranks above planning and comfort
Safety was the leading solo travel essential among American respondents, selected by 37%. Safety-related items included money belts, first-aid kits and emergency contacts.
Planning was selected by 28% of respondents and included GPS tools, maps, advance ticket purchases and apps for activities. Comfort was selected by 26% and included clothing and shoes for any occasion, snacks and travel pillows.
Adults 65 and older were most likely to select safety, at 40%. Planning was most important among adults ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34, at 34%. Comfort was most frequently selected by adults ages 25 to 34 and 35 to 44, at 29%.
The United States ranked fourth among the listed countries for safety as a top concern. The United Kingdom ranked first at 40%, followed by France at 39%, Germany at 38%, the United States at 37%, Italy at 28%, Spain at 27% and Portugal at 25%.
Respondents link solo trips to confidence and perspective
Forty-four percent of Americans said solo travel builds self-sufficiency, while 43% said it provides mental clarity and a renewed perspective. Thirty-five percent said it encourages greater openness to different cultures and ideas, and 20% said it helps develop empathy.
Gen Z and Millennials were the most likely to say solo travel builds self-sufficiency (45%), improves mental clarity (50%), and encourages greater openness (43% for Gen Z and 40% for Millennials).
Among adults ages 18 to 24, 48% said solo travel builds self-sufficiency. Adults ages 35 to 44 were most likely to say it provides mental clarity, at 51%.
Only 3% of Millennials said solo travel would not improve their perspective on life, compared with 24% of respondents ages 65 and older who said it would not change their perspective.
Global results show differing priorities
Globally, 47% of British respondents prioritized self-sufficiency. Respondents in Spain and Italy were most likely to select finding a deeper connection with the world, at 25% and 23%, respectively.
