Solo travel is experiencing a real surge in popularity, with more people than ever choosing to pack their bags and explore the world on their own.
But where are they going?
A new study has analyzed 24 months’ worth of Google data to find the places that solo travelers are searching for.
Based on this information, here are the 5 trendiest destinations in the world for solo travelers right now:
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is a welcoming city with friendly and peaceful people, and it has long held a reputation for being a great place to travel solo.
Based on Google solo travel searches, interest in visiting Hanoi has increased by 946% over the past 12 months.
Perhaps one of the reasons why Hanoi is so attractive to solo travelers is that it is considered a very safe country for international tourists.
Aside from petty crime, such as minor theft and pickpocketing, crime levels are very low here.
Hanoi is an ancient but bustling city. The Old Quarter is a great place to sit in a café or restaurant and people watch, whilst the city’s many gardens and temples are easy to reach and explore independently.
Vietnam is one of the most backpacker-friendly countries in the world, so if you make Hanoi a part of your solo trip, you’re also sure to find friendly faces and familiar voices here if you want company.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a vibrant city in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is bustling, humid, and noisy, which can be overwhelming if you’re new to solo traveling.
But you will quickly find that, beneath the bustle and traffic, Bangkok is a welcoming city with a lot to offer.
It is no doubt for this reason that interest in visiting Bangkok as a solo traveler, based on Google searches, has increased by 816% in the past 12 months.
If you’re backpacking then head to the Khao San Road, which is the central hub in the city for backpackers. You will find tour companies, small hotels and hostels, and like-minded people here.
Bangkok also boasts a wide range of activities that you can enjoy independently, including spa and massage experiences, full and half-day Thai cookery classes, and day trips to historical attractions.
The most famous of these is Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun temples, which are easy for solo travelers to access via Tuk-Tuk.
Taipei, Taiwan
Solo travelers head to Taipei to explore its rich culture, delicious food and abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants, and friendly people.
Taipei is a great place for solo travelers to visit thanks to its friendly and welcoming people, and low crime rate, and it is an incredibly affordable travel destination too.
Taiwan is ranked as the second safest country in the world, behind Japan, making it a great place for female solo travelers to explore.
Not only is Taipei a beautiful city in its own right, but many solo travelers are also choosing to use the city as a base for exploring wider Taiwan.
Taiwan boasts incredible natural scenery and is a great place for active solo travelers to enjoy scenic walks or swimming in natural hot spring pools that are open to the public.
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is another incredibly beautiful Asian country and has seen an increase of 533% solo travel searches in the past 12 months.
Solo travel is less common in Seoul than in other Asian countries, but it is a safe and exciting place to travel independently.
Seoul boasts excellent public transport links, kind and reliable people with a strong sense of community, and is an affordable city too. This makes it an incredibly attractive destination for solo travelers to explore.
The brutal cold of the winter months means that Seoul is best explored by solo travelers during the spring, summer, or fall.
You’ll find a wide array of natural attractions, beautiful temples, and delicious restaurants and food markets that are all welcoming to solo travelers, as well as those traveling in groups.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh in Cambodia is a fun and easy city to visit as a solo traveler. There is a lot to see and do, and Phnom Penh is an incredibly easy city to navigate.
The best way to get around Phnom Penh as a solo traveler is by bicycle, taxi or Tuk-Tuk.
Cambodia boasts an abundance of natural beauty, from tropical beaches to dense jungles. Phnom Penh is a great base to explore all that Cambodia has to offer.
English is widely spoken in Phnom Penh, making it easy to communicate and navigate the city without support.
The famous UNESCO World Heritage listed temple, Angkor Wat, is not in the city, but it is easy to access via public transport or as part of a guided tour as a solo traveler.
