Making your own decisions, eating when and where you want, and planning your day just to suit you, are the best things about travelling on your own, according to a study.
More than a third (37%) of Brits prefer going on a solo trip over travelling with others, according to a poll of 2,000 adults – with two-thirds having travelled by themselves before.
Other top perks of independent holidays include going to bed when you want, feeling free, and not having to compromise with others.
In fact, a third of travellers (34%) claim they learned a lot about themselves by holidaying alone, while 39% said it allowed them to step outside of their comfort zone.
And three in ten enjoy being able to treat themselves – while 17% booked a solo holiday as a way to reconnect with themselves after a break-up.
Gary Anslow, head of UK and Ireland business at Norwegian Cruise Line, which commissioned the study, said: “We can see from the survey that enjoying the beauty of travel on your own enables a truly authentic experience, and provides for self-discovery and growth.
“Plus, meeting fellow solo travellers can even lead to long-lasting friendships.”
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that, of the 34% who are yet to travel alone, almost a fifth (18%) would like to.
A cruise (19%), a relaxing getaway (28%), and a city break (27%) score high on their wish lists.
Reasons for wanting to experience a solo trip included to treat themselves (43%), have a break from reality (38%), and to prove to themself and others they can do it (26%).
Looking ahead, 31% who have travelled solo before have booked another trip alone for 2023.
It also emerged that, on average, independent jet-setters have been on four trips alone – with popular destinations including France (16%), Spain (14%), and Italy (13%).
Outside of Europe they have visited North America (10%), Australia (10%), and Africa (9%).
But many still enjoy being sociable with other holidaymakers, with 29% claiming they’re still good friends with fellow travellers they met on vacation.
TOP 40 BENEFITS OF SOLO HOLIDAYS, ACCORDING TO TRAVELLERS:
- Making your own decisions
- Doing what you want to do, when you want to do it
- Eating where or what you want
- Planning your day with no-one else to consider
- Feeling free
- Having the whole day to do what you want with
- Taking your time exploring
- Doing everything you want to do
- Spending as much or as little money on what you wat
- Not having to go somewhere just because someone else wants to
- You can be as sociable or as anti-social as you want to be
- Going to bed when you want
- Not having to compromise
- Not waiting around for others to get ready to go out for the day
- Not having to commit to social plans with others
- No annoying habits to put up with e.g. snoring, moaning about walking far etc.
- Free time to reflect or think
- Shopping without feeling like you're dragging someone else around
- Stepping outside of your comfort zone
- Waking up when you want
- Watching what you want e.g. if having a night in watching TV
- No drama or fallings out
- Not having to be somewhere at a certain time
- Increased self-confidence
- Being adventurous
- Meeting new people/fellow solo travellers
- Being your true self
- Feeling less stressed than when travelling with others
- Learning to navigate by yourself
- More cost efficient
- Not having to share a bathroom
- Napping when you want
- Reading without interruptions
- Only carrying your own bags/belongings
- Booking onto group tours and meeting others
- Silence
- Improving your language skills
- Ticking things off your bucket list
- Getting freebies
- Not having to be someone else's photographer
