London, July 2026...// Online travel agent Opodo (part of eDreams ODIGEO) shares the results of its latest global poll of 9000* respondents, including 2,000 from the UK, and shines a light on solo travel patterns.  

The data illuminates what motivates us to set off on a solo adventure, our solo travel essentials, and how we believe travelling alone impacts our outlook on life. 

Comparing this new data to a similar Opodo global poll in 2023 (poll of 10,000 people, including 2,000 from the UK), gives further insight into how our solo travel attitudes are changing over time. 

Why go solo? 

Opodo asked survey respondents what their main drivers for solo travel are. Is it easier to plan a trip by yourself? Is it that no one in your circle could make the trip?   

The key factors for Brits included:  

• 32% want to be able to travel freely (same figure as in 2023) 

• 47% of those 25-34 agreed this is their main reason, compared to 35% of the same age group in 2023 

• 36% of men compared to 29% of women 

• 30% say it's because friends or family aren't available (compared to 29% in 2023) 

• Londoners are most likely to cite this as their reason: 36%  

• 22% say it's just to experiment 

• 39% of those aged 25-34 are up for experimentation, compared to just 7% aged 65+ 

• 25% of men versus 20% of women 

• 21% want to meet new people (up by +3% compared to just 18% in 2023) 

• Age makes a difference: 32% of Gen Z, 28% of Millennials and just 15% of Gen X and 13% of Boomers would travel solo for this reason 

• So does gender: 26% of men would travel solo to meet people, compared to just 17% of women 

• And there are regional differences too: 36% of Northern Irish would be keen (compared to 27% in 2023), and 33% of Londoners (compared to 26% in 2023) and just 11% of those from the East of England  

• 20% want to get to know themself better  

• 37% of respondents aged 25-34 (compared to 35% in 2023) and 35% of 18-24 year olds (32% in 2023) report this as a reason, compared to just 10% of 55-64 year olds (same % in 2023) and just 6% of 65+ (8% in 2023) 

• 36% of Londoners (27% in 2023) compared to just 12% of travellers from the South West 

Globally: 

• 38% of respondents across markets would travel solo in order to guarantee absolute freedom of movement 

• 30% because friends or family aren't available 

• 27% to get to know themselves better (compared to 32% in 2023) 

• 27% to experiment (versus 30% in 2023) 

• 23% to meet new people 

Solo travel priorities 

Opodo asked what the most important packing considerations would be for solo travellers and the data shows that safety is a growing priority. 

The UK data showed: 

• Safety was the key priority (40% in 2026 vs 34% in 2023) - travellers would prioritise items like a money belt, first aid kit and taking emergency contact details 

• Planning was the next most important - 22% of respondents agreeing they'd want GPS or a map and would aim to buy tickets in advance (19% in 2023) 

• Comfort came in third - 18% would take a travel pillow, multiple changes of clothes and snacks as travel essentials (vs 24% in 2023) 

For female solo travellers, safety was the most important consideration:  

• 44% of women in the UK would consider packing health and safety items as travel essentials vs just 34% of men. Interestingly, when compared to 2023 stats, safety is now more of a priority for women and less of a priority for men (37% of women vs 30% of men in 2023) 

Indeed, compared to the rest of the world, Brits are the most safety conscious, followed by France (39%), Germany (38%), US (37%), Italy (28%), Spain (27%), and just 25% of Portugal.  

The effects of solo travel  

Opodo also investigated what the positive outcomes of a solo travel might be and responses show that British solo travellers would set out with  the following goals:   

• Self-sufficiency: 47%  

• 54% of Gen Z versus 39% of Boomers 

• 49% of women, 43% men 

• 54% of the North West compared to 46% of Londoners and 36% from Northern Ireland 

• Mental clarity: 32% 

• 46% of Gen Z and 42% of Millennials, compared to just 15% of Boomers and  

• 43% of Londoners versus 24% from the North East 

• Greater openness to other cultures/ways of thinking: 27% 

• 37% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Z vs 21% of Gen X and 16% of Boomers   

• 43% of Northern Irish, 40% of Londoners, 17% of Welsh 

• 30% of men versus 24% of women 

• Empathy – developing deeper connection with the world: 15%  

• 21% of Gen Z and 20% of Millennials, compared to 11% of Gen X and 10% of Boomers  

• 18% of men and just 13% of women

Finally, Opodo's data shows that global travellers are looking for different experiences when it comes to solo travel: 

• 43% of US travellers choose solo travel for mental clarity and a sense of feeling renewed 
• Spanish (25%) and Italians (23%) were most likely to pick finding a deeper connection with the world 

Want to get inspired for your next solo travel adventure? Visit Opodo's latest blog here. 

-Ends- 

For further information please contact: opodo@grifcopr.com 

Note to Editors:  

*2026 Poll: Conducted by One Poll for eDreams ODIGEO of 9,000 respondents in international markets including France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the USA.  2,000 respondents were from the UK. The poll was conducted between 9th to 17th June 2026.  

*2023 Poll: Conducted by One Poll for eDreams ODIGEO of 10,000 respondents in international markets including France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the USA.  2,000 respondents were from the UK. The poll was conducted between 27th June to 5th July 2023.  

*Free image use via Unsplash featuring artist Ibrahim Rifath 

About Opodo 

Opodo is one of the world's leading online travel brands, offering customers tailored travel deals across a broad range of products including flights, rail, hotels, dynamic packages, car rental and more. With Opodo Prime, the first and largest travel subscription programme, all Opodo customers benefit from easy and convenient booking processes, excellent value for money and access to a wide international network of travel partners. Opodo is part of eDreams ODIGEO, the world's leading travel subscription platform, serving millions of customers globally. 

About eDreams ODIGEO 

eDreams ODIGEO is the world's leading travel subscription platform. It pioneered Prime, the first and largest travel subscription programme, which has topped over 8 million members since launching in 2017. Prime members are subscribed to global travel, gaining access to a comprehensive multi-product offering for all their travel needs—including hotels, rail, flights, dynamic packages and car rental, among others— compounded by industry-leading flexibility features and exclusive, member-only benefits. This entire Prime experience is powered by a proprietary, industry-leading AI platform that delivers a hyper-personalised service to its members. Listed on the Spanish Stock Market, the Company operates in 44 markets through its renowned brands—eDreams, GO Voyages, Opodo, Travellink, and the metasearch engine Liligo—to deliver a smarter, hyper-personalised, and comprehensive travel experience globally.