The Rise of Solo Travel

Whether it's for a week in the summer or a new-found lifestyle, solo travel is on the rise and has become a popular trend specifically among our generation.

In the past, traveling alone has had negative connotations such as being too expensive, ‘weird’ or lonely, unsafe, and especially not advised for younger girls due to safety concerns. However, since Covid, these previous assumptions and potential truths about solo travel have diminished, and an influx of what is now known as the ‘digital nomad lifestyle’ has transformed the popular opinion. 

Why would you want to travel alone?

At first thought, traveling by yourself can seem intimidating and even lonely or boring, but there are some amazing factors that make solo travel just as appealing. Being by yourself means no agenda– go wherever you want, whenever you want! It also gives you a prime opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and appreciate it as an outsider. Many solo travelers revel in their experiences meeting locals where they are visiting and gaining a deeper appreciation for the destination, not having close friends to rely on and being urged to connect with strangers. They also emphasize the confidence that they gained while being alone, having a chance to discover who they were and rely on themselves to navigate their own journey. Taking time to explore by yourself allows you to connect with people from all over the world and find out more about yourself along the way. 

What is a digital nomad? 

Social media influencers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are sharing their traveling lifestyles that allow them to work remotely and travel, rather than establishing a ‘rooted’ lifestyle. One of the key elements in our culture’s acceptance of this alternative path is the introduction of remote work and school that came with Covid. Many people started to realize the benefits that staying remote offered; flexibility with location and no longer having to be tied down to one place. A recent survey showed that “17 million American workers identified as digital nomads, an increase of 131% from 2019”, showing just how popular the travel lifestyle has become. 

Another main draw to this lifestyle is the ability to have a budget-friendly experience, which especially appeals to students and younger generations. Travelling has typically been assumed to be an expensive and unattainable possibility, which has continued to change with the increase of things like hostels, volunteer work, and travel companies that cater to solo travelers. Hostels, which are a lower price alternative to hotels, generally entail shared or private rooms, common spaces, and community activities. Solo travelers enjoy options like staying in hostels because of the lower nightly rate and emphasis on meeting similar people. 

There are several platforms such as Worldpackers and Workaway that connect travelers with host programs offering free or discounted accommodations in exchange for volunteer work. They have options in tons of locations all over the world, catering to niche interests from teaching your language to kids at local schools to saving baby sea turtles. Many of these hosts offer meals, activities, and transportation along with free accommodation, allowing travelers to essentially experience life in a new home for a period of time. Hostels and bed and breakfasts collaborate with these programs as well, trading a spot to stay with social media work, promotion, or general employee work. This is a great option for staying budget friendly that often only requires paying for your flights! 

One of my favorite digital nomad influencers is @yogirl_rin on TikTok. She started college at the beginning of the pandemic and realized the freedom that remote school gave her, so she decided to complete the remainder of her degree online and travel the world through Worldpackers, switching destinations every few weeks or months!

A general consensus between solo travelers is that they wish they started sooner. So, if you want to explore the world, consider taking a solo trip and see how it impacts you!