The familiar group-chat ritual—proposing dates, debating destinations, haggling over budgets—often ends with no one actually booking a flight. For a growing number of Europeans, the solution is to stop waiting and go alone.
According to a new global survey by the travel platform Opodo, solo travel is set to define 2026. The study polled 9,000 travelers, including 2,000 from the United Kingdom, and found that the primary driver for going it alone is a desire for freedom. Among UK respondents, 32% cited freedom as their main motivation, relishing the ability to shape each day around their own interests and pace.
The appeal is especially strong among younger adults. In the 25–34 age bracket, 47% named freedom as their top reason for solo travel, up from 35% in a similar 2023 poll. Opodo notes that this shift gives the trend its momentum, signaling a generational change in how Europeans approach holidays.
Safety as part of the adventure
Freedom does not mean recklessness. The survey shows that safety plays a central role in how solo travelers prepare. 40% of UK travelers said they prioritize safety items when packing, including first aid supplies, secure cash containers, and emergency contact details. Women are notably more cautious: 44% of female respondents said they pack health and safety essentials, compared with 34% of men.
Beyond packing, many solo travelers take practical steps to ease their arrival in unfamiliar places. Booking tickets in advance and ensuring access to maps and GPS were cited as ways to make the first moments abroad calmer, giving travelers the confidence to explore new ground.
Interestingly, traveling alone does not mean isolating oneself. For 15% of respondents, solo trips are a way to connect more deeply with the world, with everyday encounters becoming more meaningful without a travel companion. The survey also found that 47% of solo travelers feel more self-sufficient after their journey, while 32% appreciate having more space to think, and 27% feel better able to understand different cultures and ways of living.
Among Britons, Londoners show a particularly strong appetite for self-knowledge through solo travel, and are more likely to go alone when friends or family are unavailable. This aligns with broader European trends: a recent survey found that 90% of Europeans are open to living abroad, with Spain topping the wishlist—a sign of growing mobility and independence across the continent.
The rise of solo travel also intersects with other shifts in European tourism. The coolcation trend, where travelers head north to escape heatwaves, is reshaping destinations, and solo travelers are often at the forefront of such changes. Meanwhile, seven European countries rank among the world's safest for solo travelers, making the continent a natural hub for this style of exploration.
As the survey makes clear, solo travel in 2026 is not about loneliness but about purpose. Whether it is the freedom to wander, the focus on safety, or the chance to grow personally, Europeans are increasingly choosing to explore the world on their own terms—and they are doing so with confidence.
