{"id":1308901,"date":"2026-10-14T15:46:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=1308901"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:51:21","slug":"best-places-for-solo-travel-in-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/best-places-for-solo-travel-in-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Places for Solo Travel in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s never been a better time to book a trip for one. Hostelworld’s 2026 State of Solo Travel report<\/a> tracked 4.5 million solo trips<\/strong> booked between July 2025 and June 2026, and surveyed 3,309 solo travellers about where they go, why they go, and who they meet along the way. The headline finding? Half of all solo travellers (50.5%) go alone simply because they’re done waiting around for someone else’s schedule.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So where are they actually going? The answer mixes old favourites with some real surprises. Thailand still sits at the top, but Vietnam is closing the gap fast. Sri Lanka is up 21% in a single year, and the Balkans and Central America are quietly pulling travellers away from the usual routes.<\/p>\n

This guide rounds up the best places for solo travel<\/strong> in 2027, based on real booking data rather than guesswork. For each destination, you’ll find out why it works for travelling alone, where to stay, and how to meet people once you land. That could be in a hostel common room<\/a> or through the Hostelworld app<\/a>. And if it’s your first time, our step-by-step guide to planning a solo trip<\/a> is a good place to start.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Ivana Cajina<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What makes a destination good for travelling alone?<\/h2>\n

A great solo destination is about how easy it is to meet people, find your feet and feel confident getting around on your own. The data shows that people matter as much as places<\/strong>. 37.3% of solo travellers<\/a> go specifically to meet new people, and 46.8% go to challenge or reconnect with themselves.<\/p>\n

Here’s what makes the difference for them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
What matters to solo travellers<\/th>\nShare<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Made their first friend in a hostel bar or common room<\/td>\n60.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Say reviews from other solo stayers would influence their booking<\/td>\n58.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Use the Hostelworld app to meet people<\/td>\n45.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trust hostel staff and travellers on the ground for advice<\/td>\n38.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

That’s why every pick on this list has an established backpacker route, a strong hostel scene and plenty of easy ways to connect<\/strong>, like Linkups hosted by hostels, city chats with other travellers, and the Hostelworld Social Pass<\/a>, which lets you join the social side of the app before you’ve even booked.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Quick tip:<\/strong> The first day alone is usually the hardest. If it hits, our guide on what to do if you’re travelling solo and feel lonely<\/a> has practical fixes, and these solo travel tips<\/a> help you settle in faster.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Photo by Robin Noguier<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why is Thailand still the most popular place to travel alone?<\/h2>\n

Because it makes solo travel almost effortless. Thailand<\/a> has 7.6% of all solo bookings on Hostelworld<\/a>, the biggest share of any country<\/strong>, and it’s also the top pick for solo travellers from Europe. The whole country is set up for backpackers: overnight trains, cheap island ferries, and hostels where the common room fills up by sunset.<\/p>\n

Bookings did dip 5.3% this year, the first drop since tracking began. That says less about Thailand than about how many travellers are now adding neighbours like Vietnam and Laos<\/a> to their trip. For anyone going solo, the upside is fewer crowds on a route that’s still incredibly easy to navigate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Where to start:<\/strong><\/p>\n