The idea of traveling alone used to be something reserved for backpackers or business travelers. But now, roughly one in four people plan to take solo trips, marking a dramatic shift in how we think about exploration and adventure. More than one-fourth of travelers (27%) said they plan to go solo on their next trip – that’s double previous years, while 16% of people have taken a vacation by themselves, and 25% said they were thinking of taking a solo trip in the future. Online searches for the term ‘solo travel’ increased by 72.6% from April 2023 to April 2024, and Kayak’s data shows searches for single-traveler flights are 36 percent higher for 2023 travel than in 2022. Yet despite this surge in interest, many people still feel paralyzed by the thought of embarking on a journey without companions. What exactly holds us back from taking that leap into solo exploration?
The Deep-Rooted Fear of Being Alone
At the heart of solo travel anxiety lies something much deeper than practical concerns – it’s the existential fear of being alone with ourselves. Solo travel helps you to tackle and overcome anxiety, because you have no choice but to deal with situations that arise. There is not another person with you to lean on for support and therefore you learn to trust your own judgement. The thought of having dinner by yourself in a restaurant or exploring a museum without someone to share observations with can feel overwhelming.
This fear isn’t just about loneliness – it’s about confronting our own thoughts and emotions without the buffer of familiar social interactions. Many people realize they’ve become uncomfortable with their own company, having grown accustomed to constant stimulation and connection. The silence that comes with solo travel can initially feel more terrifying than any physical danger.
Safety Concerns That Keep Us Grounded
46% of women said that concerns about their safety are the main thing that would stop them from solo traveling. For female travelers especially, safety fears dominate the conversation around solo travel. For women, the number one fear is solo travel safety. This is a consistent finding across all published studies. Up to 75% of women who have never been on a solo trip worry about their safety. Safety concerns drop to 52% for experienced solo travellers.
These concerns reflect broader societal anxieties about personal safety. Forty percent of Americans, the most in three decades, say they would be afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their home. This indicator of crime fears last reached this level in 1993. The reality is that most travel destinations are safer than people imagine, but the constant stream of negative news stories creates a heightened sense of danger that affects our willingness to venture out alone.
The Financial Burden of Going Solo
Money talks, and when it comes to solo travel, it often says “stay home.” Men said their biggest worry about solo traveling was the cost of the trip compared to traveling with another person. The higher cost of travelling solo is largely due to the dreaded single supplements on holiday accommodation. 64% of women say that the higher price of travelling alone prevents them from taking their first solo trip.
The math is simple but painful – solo travelers often pay nearly double for accommodation, can’t split transportation costs, and miss out on group discounts. A 2023 study analysing package holidays from the UK’s largest package holiday providers found that someone traveling solo with Tui would pay, on average, 47% more than someone traveling with another person. The average cost for a person traveling alone came to £1,147, compared with £781 per person for a couple. This economic reality creates a significant barrier that goes beyond simple budget constraints.
Social Stigma and Judgment
Despite solo travel becoming more mainstream, social stigma still plays a powerful role in deterring potential solo travelers. Many people worry about appearing lonely, unsuccessful in relationships, or simply “weird” for choosing to vacation alone. For me, the worst thing about solo travel is how other people view it. Reactions to the revelation that you are travelling alone sit on that spectrum from pity to admiration. But here’s the thing: travelling alone deserves neither a bravery medal nor a shoulder to cry on.
This judgment often comes from within our own social circles – family members who don’t understand the appeal, friends who take solo travel plans as a personal rejection, or colleagues who view it as an indulgent luxury. The need to constantly justify our choices to others can be emotionally exhausting and create additional anxiety around what should be a personal decision.
FOMO and the Fear of Missing Shared Experiences
There’s a particular pain that comes with experiencing something beautiful and having no one to turn to and say, “Did you see that?” Another factor fueling the independent travel trend may be an after-effect of the pandemic’s enforced isolation, which emboldened a YOLO (You Only Live Once) or FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) attitude in people. The fear of missing out on shared experiences creates a psychological barrier that’s difficult to overcome.
Many people believe that experiences are somehow less valuable if they’re not witnessed or validated by others. This belief stems from our social nature as humans – we’re wired to share significant moments with our tribe. The challenge is learning to find meaning and joy in solitary experiences, which requires a fundamental shift in how we value our own perceptions and memories.
Practical Fears and Worst-Case Scenarios
Beyond emotional concerns, practical fears create very real barriers to solo travel. Across both genders, other key concerns are dining out alone, getting lost, feeling lonely when travelling alone (with some saying that making new friends on a solo trip is a “must-do”). The mind has a way of catastrophizing – what if I get sick and there’s no one to help? What if I lose my passport? What if I can’t figure out the public transportation?
These concerns are amplified by the responsibility that comes with traveling alone. Every decision, from choosing restaurants to navigating emergency situations, falls squarely on your shoulders. While this independence can be empowering, the initial prospect of total self-reliance can feel overwhelming, especially for people who are used to sharing responsibilities in their daily lives.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on Travel Anxiety
COVID-19 makes me very worried about my normal way of traveling. Because of COVID-19, I am afraid to risk my life while traveling. While planning my vacation, I felt sick thinking about the COVID-19. Due to the COVID-19, I feel unsafe to travel. The pandemic fundamentally changed how we think about travel risk, creating new layers of anxiety that persist even as restrictions have lifted.
Solo travelers faced additional challenges during this period – dealing with changing regulations without a companion for support, managing health concerns while isolated, and navigating the complex emotions of re-entering social spaces after extended isolation. We found evidence that easing social restrictions brought about additional burden to people who experienced higher social anxiety symptoms. As country-mandated lockdown and social restrictions eased, people are more likely report higher social anxiety as they readjust into their social environment.
Breaking Through the Mental Health Barrier
Ironically, the fears that keep people from solo travel often prevent them from experiencing one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and mental health improvement. Solo travel can promote personal growth, self-discovery and development of independence and resilience. In my experience, it also offered me adventure, clarity, a deeper sense of purpose and more fulfilment in life.
Solo travel benefits mental health by providing time for reflection, reducing stress, and encouraging mindfulness. It allows you to disconnect from daily distractions, focus on your well-being, and face new challenges independently, which can improve self-confidence and emotional resilience. The very act of overcoming the fear to travel alone can be transformative, building confidence that extends far beyond the trip itself.
The Gender Divide in Solo Travel Fears
Women and men experience different types of anxiety when it comes to solo travel, reflecting broader societal patterns and expectations. Men, in particular, are embracing solo travel (63% compared to 54% of women), yet their concerns often center around practical and financial issues rather than safety.
The female solo travel trend is getting very popular globally, but females often face challenges related to their safety and security during their travel. However, women traveling alone encounter numerous barriers that impede their engagement in tourism and leisure activities. These barriers are influenced by structural, socio-cultural, economic, and psychological factors, as well as gender inequalities. Understanding these gender-specific challenges is crucial for addressing the psychological barriers that keep people grounded.
The Age Factor in Solo Travel Anxiety
Age plays a fascinating role in solo travel psychology, with different generations approaching the concept through different lenses. Whilst millennials represent the largest proportion of those travelling alone, statistics reveal that mature solo travellers are closing the gap. 58% per cent of millennials worldwide are willing to travel alone, compared to 47% per cent of older generations.
An Allianz survey in July of 2023 confirmed 42% of Americans ages 18-34 would be solo traveling in 2024. Younger travelers often fear judgment from peers or lack the confidence that comes with life experience, while older travelers might worry about physical capabilities or feeling out of place in youth-oriented destinations. Each age group faces unique psychological hurdles that require different approaches to overcome.
The Social Media Paradox
Social media has created a paradoxical relationship with solo travel – simultaneously inspiring people to explore while creating pressure to document and share experiences. The fear of not having Instagram-worthy photos or compelling stories to share can actually deter people from traveling alone. There’s also the anxiety of being perceived as having “failed” socially if you’re traveling without companions.
This digital pressure extends to the fear of disconnection – many people worry about being alone without the constant validation and entertainment that social media provides. The prospect of facing boredom or uncomfortable emotions without the escape of endless scrolling can feel more daunting than any physical challenge travel might present.
Cultural and Family Expectations
Cultural background significantly influences attitudes toward solo travel, with some societies viewing independent exploration as selfish or inappropriate. Katherine of Bright Lights of America says that “perceived familial responsibility was the biggest factor that held me back from travel for a few years. I’d been an expat in London for a while and moved back to Australia when my mother became ill. After she died I felt that I couldn’t resume expat life and the travel that I wanted to do because I didn’t want to leave my father or my brothers alone. It felt as though I was abandoning them to deal with the ongoing grief and the family business to pursue a selfish dream”.
Family expectations can create guilt and anxiety around solo travel decisions, especially for women in traditional cultures or individuals with caregiving responsibilities. The fear of being labeled selfish or irresponsible can be powerful enough to override personal desires for independence and exploration.
Transforming Fear into Freedom
The psychology behind solo travel fears is complex and multifaceted, involving everything from personal insecurities to societal pressures. Yet understanding these barriers is the first step toward overcoming them. The psychological benefits of solo travel can continue when you return home. You have already started to build confidence, self-reliance and trust in yourself, which can apply to your day to day life too. The problem-solving, decision making and social skills you have strengthened can be transferable to situations at work or in your relationships.
The irony is that many of the fears people have about solo travel – loneliness, vulnerability, lack of confidence – are precisely the issues that solo travel can help address. Solo travel builds self-confidence by pushing you to step outside your comfort zone and face new challenges independently. Successfully navigating unfamiliar places, solving problems on the go, and making decisions alone can strengthen your belief in your own abilities and foster a sense of empowerment. Sometimes the cure for our fears lies on the other side of doing the very thing that scares us most.
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