80%
also traveled with others
Only 20% of respondents said they traveled exclusively solo in the previous 12 months.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 surveyTraveling Huntress reference page
Solo female travel statistics: 2026 report
A source-led snapshot of how women travel solo, what matters when they plan, and the global industry around those journeys.
Last updated November 4, 2026
What these numbers show
Solo travel is not one story. The latest survey points to freedom, culture, and connection as powerful reasons to go, while safety, cost, and language remain real considerations. Use the linked source beside each statistic when quoting it.
85%
travel solo for freedom and flexibility
It was the most common motivation in the 2026 survey.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey68%
worry about personal safety
The same share named higher costs than traveling with a companion as a concern.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey47%
worry about language barriers
Language was among the recurring concerns reported by solo travelers.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey76%
would be more likely to go with a women-only tour
This figure refers to surveyed women who had not yet traveled solo.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey78%
prioritize cultural attractions
Safety mattered to 62% when respondents chose a destination.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey65%
used a guide at least once
66% also actively tried to meet local people during solo trips.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey36%
consider a provider’s environmental care
34% considered whether a business was locally owned.
Source: Solo Female Travelers, 2026 survey$11.6T
global travel and tourism contribution
The sector represented 9.8% of global GDP in 2025.
Source: WTTC Economic Impact Research, 202542M
women directly employed in travel and tourism
This figure covers 2022 and is reported in WTTC’s 2024 social trends report.
Source: WTTC Social Trends report, 2024Method and sources
Read the figures with their context.
Eight of the figures above come from Solo Female Travelers’ 2026 survey. Its published participant note describes approximately 2,000 responses from women who had traveled solo and about 800 from women who had not, across more than 90 countries. It is a voluntary survey, not a census of all women travelers.
The two sector figures come from the World Travel & Tourism Council. The GDP figure is its 2025 estimate, while the workforce figure is based on 2022 employment data in its 2024 social trends report.
Cite this page
Traveling Huntress. “Solo Female Travel Statistics: 2026 Report.” Updated November 4, 2026. https://travelinghuntress.com/solo-female-travel-statistics
For a specific figure, link directly to its stable section above and include the original source in your citation.
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