Embracing Solo Travel During the Holidays
Last Thanksgiving, Dennis Friedrichsen, a 43-year-old tech worker from Minnesota, found himself enjoying a unique dining experience on the banks of the Nile. He shared a feast of aromatic kebabs and hearty chickpea stew with 11 strangers from three different continents. Following that remarkable experience, he spent Christmas in the breathtaking landscapes of Tanzania. Like an increasing number of adventurous travelers, Mr. Friedrichsen has come to view the holiday season as an ideal opportunity for solo exploration.
Traditionally, spending the holidays away from friends or family has been associated with feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, this perception is rapidly changing. More individuals are choosing to replace the pressures of gift-giving and adhering to holiday traditions with self-care and the desire to seize travel opportunities that were missed during the Covid pandemic. This shift often leads to the formation of new friendships along the way.
Flash Pack, a company dedicated to connecting nearly all solo travelers in their 30s and 40s for group adventures, reports that its bookings have doubled during the holiday season over the past two years. Mr. Friedrichsen is just one of many who have embraced this trend.
Other tour operators and lodging companies are also witnessing a marked increase in interest. The low-cost European lodging chain a&o Hostels has experienced what their chief executive, Oliver Winter, describes as “a massive influx of solo travelers booking during the holidays.” From 2019 to 2023, single-person Christmas reservations skyrocketed by 51 percent. “December weekends, which used to be considered off-season, are now thriving periods for occupancy,” he noted. “We used to contemplate closing during this time, but now it’s a peak season for us.”
A combination of factors is driving the rising popularity of solo trips, according to Mr. Winter. He emphasizes that traveling alone has never been safer, thanks to the wealth of online information about destinations and transportation, extensive cellphone coverage, and innovative location-sharing tools. Furthermore, it has become increasingly convenient to discover social activities online, whether through apps or lodging providers — such as visits to bustling Christmas markets or engaging ice skating outings.
Additionally, as people continue to make up for trips they postponed during the pandemic, the landscape of holiday travel is evolving. The pandemic highlighted the importance of self-care, prompting many to consider replacing pressure-filled family gatherings with a refreshing solo escape. Seattle-based psychotherapist Stephanie Brownell explains, “Holidays come with expectations.” She notes that individuals are increasingly recognizing their options. “People are feeling more flexible and are no longer bound by traditional notions of what a holiday should entail,” she added, emphasizing that they are now “attending to their emotions” in a more mindful way.
