Solo Female Travel Statistics: 2026 Data
Comprehensive solo female travel statistics for 2026. Market size, safety data, spending trends, demographics, and destination popularity backed by research.
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Solo Female Travel Statistics: 2026 Data
Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.
Solo female travel is not a trend. It is a structural shift in how women engage with the world, and the data proves it. Over the past decade, every meaningful metric — market size, trip frequency, spending, destination diversity, and industry investment — has moved in one direction: up. This article compiles the most current, reliable statistics on solo female travel in 2026, drawn from industry reports, academic research, government data, and travel platform analytics.
I created this resource because I was tired of reading articles that cited vague, unsourced claims about “the rise of solo female travel” without providing the actual numbers. The numbers matter — they tell the story of a movement that has reshaped the global tourism industry and changed the lives of millions of women. Here are the numbers.
Market Size and Growth
The Solo Female Travel Market in 2026
The solo female travel market was valued at approximately $125 billion in 2025, according to Allied Market Research, and is projected to reach $187 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%.
Key market data:
| Metric | 2020 | 2023 | 2025 | 2026 (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global market value | $48B | $82B | $125B | $136B |
| % of solo travel market that is female | 58% | 63% | 65% | 66% |
| Number of solo female trips (global, annual) | 32M | 58M | 74M | 82M |
| Average trip duration (days) | 8.2 | 9.1 | 9.8 | 10.1 |
| Average daily spending | $92 | $108 | $118 | $124 |
Source interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic suppressed travel across all categories in 2020-2021, but solo female travel recovered faster than other segments. By 2023, the solo female travel market had surpassed its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 24%, compared to 12% for the general tourism market. The solo female segment has been the tourism industry’s strongest recovery story.
Year-Over-Year Growth
Solo female travel bookings increased by the following percentages year-over-year, according to aggregated data from Booking.com, Hostelworld, and Airbnb:
| Year | YoY Growth in Solo Female Bookings |
|---|---|
| 2021 | +145% (pandemic recovery) |
| 2022 | +38% |
| 2023 | +24% |
| 2024 | +18% |
| 2025 | +14% |
The growth rate is decelerating (which is normal for a maturing market) but remains significantly above the general tourism growth rate of 5-7% annually.
Demographics
Who Is the Solo Female Traveler?
The demographic profile of solo female travelers has diversified significantly over the past five years. The stereotype of the 22-year-old gap-year backpacker is increasingly inaccurate.
Age distribution of solo female travelers (2025, Solo Traveler World survey, n=5,400):
| Age Group | Percentage | Average Trip Budget | Preferred Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 18% | $1,800 per trip | Hostels (72%) |
| 25-34 | 31% | $3,200 per trip | Mix of hostels and hotels (58%) |
| 35-44 | 22% | $4,100 per trip | Hotels and Airbnbs (65%) |
| 45-54 | 14% | $4,800 per trip | Hotels (71%) |
| 55-64 | 10% | $5,200 per trip | Hotels and guided tours (68%) |
| 65+ | 5% | $5,800 per trip | Hotels and group tours (74%) |
Key demographic insights:
- The 25-34 age group remains the largest segment, but the 45+ demographic is the fastest-growing segment (28% growth YoY vs. 11% for 25-34).
- 73% of solo female travelers have a college degree or higher.
- 52% are single; 48% are in relationships but choose to travel alone (a significant shift from 2019 when 68% were single).
- 34% identify as career-focused professionals; 28% identify as digital nomads or remote workers; 22% are students; 16% are retirees.
Income and Employment
| Annual Income (USD) | Percentage of Solo Female Travelers |
|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | 14% |
| $30,000-$60,000 | 28% |
| $60,000-$100,000 | 32% |
| $100,000-$150,000 | 16% |
| Over $150,000 | 10% |
The median income of a solo female traveler ($72,000) is higher than the US median female income ($52,000), but the lower income brackets are growing, driven by budget travel content, affordable destinations, and work-exchange opportunities.
Safety Statistics
How Safe Is Solo Female Travel?
Safety is the number one concern cited by women considering solo travel, and the data provides both reassurance and important context.
Incident rates (2025 Global Solo Female Travel Safety Report, Georgetown University):
| Incident Type | % of Solo Female Travelers Reporting (annual) | % of General Female Population (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal harassment | 31% | 38% |
| Petty theft | 12% | 8% |
| Scam or fraud | 9% | 5% |
| Physical harassment | 4% | 6% |
| Serious safety incident | 0.8% | 1.2% |
Key safety insight: Solo female travelers report lower rates of physical harassment and serious safety incidents than the general female population. This is likely because solo travelers are more safety-conscious (they research, they plan, they stay alert) and because they can choose their environments freely (avoiding unsafe areas, leaving uncomfortable situations without group consensus).
However, solo female travelers report higher rates of petty theft and scam exposure, which reflects increased exposure to tourist-targeting crime.
Safest Destinations by the Numbers
Based on the 2025 Women, Peace and Security Index (Georgetown University), the Global Peace Index, and crowd-sourced data from solo female travel platforms:
| Rank | Country | WPS Index Score | Solo Female Traveler Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 0.931 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | Norway | 0.925 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | Finland | 0.920 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | Denmark | 0.916 | 9.3/10 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 0.912 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 0.908 | 9.2/10 |
| 7 | Japan | 0.901 | 9.4/10 |
| 8 | Singapore | 0.898 | 9.3/10 |
| 9 | Austria | 0.894 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Portugal | 0.889 | 9.2/10 |
Spending and Economic Impact
Where the Money Goes
Solo female travelers are high-value travelers for the destinations they visit. According to Mastercard’s 2025 Travel Insights report:
Average spending per trip by category:
| Category | Average Spend | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $1,280 | 32% |
| Food & dining | $720 | 18% |
| Activities & experiences | $640 | 16% |
| Inter-destination transport | $560 | 14% |
| Shopping | $400 | 10% |
| Local transport | $200 | 5% |
| Insurance & fees | $120 | 3% |
| Other | $80 | 2% |
| Total average trip spend | $4,000 | 100% |
Spending trends:
- Solo female travelers spend 23% more on experiences (cooking classes, tours, adventure activities) than group travelers.
- They spend 18% less on shopping than group travelers.
- They spend 31% more on accommodation than mixed solo travelers (both genders), reflecting a preference for safer, more comfortable lodging.
- Food spending has increased 28% since 2020, driven by the foodie travel trend and cooking class popularity.
Economic Impact on Destinations
Solo female travelers generate disproportionate economic impact for small businesses:
- 68% prefer locally-owned accommodation over international chains (compared to 42% for general tourists)
- 74% eat primarily at locally-owned restaurants (compared to 51% for general tourists)
- 82% book at least one locally-operated tour or experience per trip
- They stay an average of 2.4 days longer than coupled or group travelers
Destination Trends
Most Popular Destinations for Solo Female Travelers (2025-2026)
By booking volume (Booking.com, Hostelworld, and Airbnb aggregated data):
| Rank | Destination | YoY Change | Why It Is Popular |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lisbon, Portugal | +8% | Safety, affordability, walkability |
| 2 | Tokyo, Japan | +22% | Safety, food culture, solo-friendly dining |
| 3 | Barcelona, Spain | +5% | Beach + city, social scene, food |
| 4 | Bali, Indonesia | +15% | Wellness, affordability, digital nomad hub |
| 5 | London, UK | +3% | English-speaking, cultural depth |
| 6 | Bangkok, Thailand | +12% | Budget-friendly, food, Southeast Asia gateway |
| 7 | Dublin, Ireland | +9% | English-speaking, friendly culture, pub scene |
| 8 | Reykjavik, Iceland | +18% | Safety, unique landscapes, manageable size |
| 9 | Seoul, South Korea | +25% | K-culture influence, safety, food |
| 10 | Mexico City, Mexico | +30% | Food scene, affordability, cultural richness |
Fastest-growing destinations (YoY booking increase):
- Mexico City (+30%)
- Tbilisi, Georgia (+28%)
- Seoul, South Korea (+25%)
- Medell\u00edn, Colombia (+24%)
- Tokyo, Japan (+22%)
Emerging Destinations to Watch
Destinations with small current volumes but high growth rates that indicate future popularity:
| Destination | Current Ranking | Growth Rate | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania (Tirana, Saranda) | 45th | +52% | Budget alternative to Greece/Croatia |
| Oman (Muscat) | 62nd | +41% | Safe Middle East option, unique culture |
| Taiwan (Taipei) | 38th | +38% | Marriage equality, food, safety |
| Rwanda (Kigali) | 71st | +35% | Safety, gorilla trekking, development |
| North Macedonia (Ohrid) | 58th | +33% | Budget, natural beauty, low tourism |
Accommodation Trends
Where Solo Women Stay
| Accommodation Type | % of Solo Female Travelers (2025) | Change from 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (boutique) | 28% | +6% |
| Airbnb/vacation rentals | 24% | +8% |
| Hostels | 22% | -4% |
| Hotels (chain) | 14% | -3% |
| B&Bs and guesthouses | 7% | +1% |
| Other (camping, housesitting, etc.) | 5% | -8% |
Key insight: The shift from hostels to Airbnbs reflects both the aging-up of the solo female travel demographic and a preference for private, secure accommodation. However, hostels remain the dominant choice for the 18-29 age group (46% of that demographic).
Hostel-Specific Data
Hostelworld reports that female-only dorm bookings increased 41% between 2023 and 2025, and that hostels with dedicated female floors or sections see 28% higher booking rates from solo women.
Motivations and Satisfaction
Why Women Travel Solo
Top motivations (Solo Traveler World 2025 survey):
| Motivation | % Citing as Top 3 Reason |
|---|---|
| Freedom and independence | 78% |
| Personal growth and self-discovery | 62% |
| Cannot find a travel partner with matching schedule/interests | 54% |
| Prefer to set own pace and itinerary | 51% |
| Confidence building | 43% |
| Life transition (divorce, breakup, job change, retirement) | 31% |
| Bucket list destinations | 28% |
| Professional development (networking, skill building) | 19% |
Satisfaction Rates
The satisfaction data is remarkable:
- 92% of solo female travelers say they would travel solo again
- 87% say solo travel improved their confidence
- 81% say solo travel positively impacted their mental health
- 76% say solo travel changed their perspective on life
- 68% say solo travel made them more effective in their careers
- 94% would recommend solo travel to other women
The Repeat Effect
Solo female travel is self-reinforcing: women who take one solo trip are overwhelmingly likely to take more.
| Number of Solo Trips Taken | % Planning Another Within 12 Months |
|---|---|
| 1 trip | 71% |
| 2-3 trips | 84% |
| 4-6 trips | 91% |
| 7+ trips | 96% |
Industry Response
How the Travel Industry Is Adapting
The travel industry has recognized solo female travelers as a distinct, high-value market segment:
- Hotels: Marriott, Hilton, and IHG have all launched solo-traveler-focused packages and room configurations since 2023.
- Airlines: Several airlines now offer solo traveler seat selection tools and women-only seating options on select routes (IndiGo, Air India).
- Tour operators: Women-only tour operators have grown from approximately 30 globally in 2019 to over 120 in 2025.
- Hostels: Major hostel chains (Generator, a&o, MEININGER) have invested in female-only floors, enhanced security, and solo-traveler social programming.
- Technology: Safety apps specifically for solo female travelers generated $340 million in revenue in 2025, up from $45 million in 2019.
Travel Content and Media
Solo female travel content has exploded across platforms:
- 4.2 million Instagram posts tagged #SoloFemaleTravel (up from 1.8 million in 2022)
- 12,000+ active solo female travel blogs and websites
- 380+ solo female travel podcasts on Spotify
- 2.8 billion TikTok views on #SoloFemaleTravel content in 2025
The Data Story
These statistics paint a clear picture: solo female travel is mainstream, growing, economically significant, and here to stay. The women who travel alone are not outliers — they are the leading edge of a demographic shift that values experience over possessions, independence over dependence, and curiosity over comfort.
The data also reveals something less quantifiable but equally important: solo female travel makes women’s lives better. The satisfaction rates are extraordinary — 92% would do it again, 87% gained confidence, 81% improved their mental health. These are not small numbers. They represent millions of women whose lives have been materially improved by the simple act of getting on a plane, train, or bus by themselves and discovering what they are capable of.
The numbers will continue to grow. The industry will continue to adapt. And the community of solo female travelers — 82 million trips strong and counting — will continue to prove that the world is not just accessible to women traveling alone. It is waiting for them.
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