Mastering Solo Travel: Your Guide to Slow Journeys in 2026

What are solo travelers looking for in their 2026 trips? Solo travelers are prioritizing experiences over nightlife or party scenes, according to FTLO Travel. The female-founded modern group travel brand for solo travelers offers curated group trips helping people connect while exploring amazing places around the world. They cater to travelers between 25 and 39 and intentionally include activities that cultivate community and a deeper cultural understanding rather than just sightseeing. FTLO will celebrate 10 years in 2026 with several major launches and initiatives. A recent survey by FTLO Travel reveals the “Top Countries Solo Travelers Want to Visit in 2026.” Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Italy head the list. The main reasons for selecting a country are: Cultural Activities, Food and Affordable Rates. When it comes to travel inspiration, personal recommendations and visual platforms continue to lead the way. The top two sources by a wide margin are: Friends and word of mouth: 65%, Instagram: 63%. TikTok came in third, but with a much lower share – only 22% of respondents cited it as a primary source of travel inspiration. Trip length preferences reveal a shift toward longer, more immersive travel in 2026 with a sweet spot for one or two week trips. When asked how long they prefer to be away, most solo travelers favored longer trips: 63% prefer trips lasting 8–14 days 61% prefer trips of 4–7 days Short trips ranked far lower, with only 7.3% preferring 2–3 day getaways. Interest in extended travel exists but remains niche, with 7.6% selecting trips of two weeks or longer. Overall, the data points to a growing preference for slow travel, with fewer trips, more time on the ground and deeper experiences once travelers arrive. Tara Cappel, Founder of FTLO Travel, offers her assessment of the slow travel trend: Why are solo travelers interested in longer, “slow travel” journeys? Solo travelers are more interested in longer, slower trips because travel is becoming more personal and intentional. Travelers are no longer feeling like they have to see the same five places their friends did or that they saw on social media. Staying longer gives travelers the freedom to wander, follow their curiosity and see where the experience takes them. At the same time, I think people are burned out with planning and slow travel takes the pressure off of crafting the “perfect trip.” Longer, slower trips create room for a mix of planned time and going with the flow. Solo travelers can literally slow down and be present instead of rushing from one highlight to the next. We consistently get feedback from travelers that one of the things they appreciate most about FTLO Travel trips is having the logistics taken care of and a trip leader to lead the way, which allows them to just enjoy being in the moment. What advantages do countries such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand offer solo travelers? These three countries are especially appealing to solo travelers because they’re far enough to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but well-developed and feel safe to navigate alone. Japan is known for its cultural richness with infrastructure that caters well to solo travelers like pod hotels and counter dining. Australia and New Zealand are English-speaking and offer such a variety of experiences that they both have wide appeal. All three are also known for their incredible natural landscapes, which goes hand in hand with the theme of slow trips. Travelers want to get away from the pressure of the digital world and embrace the natural world more. Explain the importance of friends and word-of-mouth recommendations. Word of mouth recommendations are incredibly important for travel booking. 51% of FTLO’s 2026 bookings from first-time travelers have come from word-of-mouth and friend referrals. Taking a trip, especially a big international one, is a major commitment and there’s no easy do-over if you get it wrong. Since the stakes are so high, having a recommendation from a trusted source makes it much easier to say yes. I would say this is especially true for solo travelers, in particular women, for whom safety is a big concern. Why are people planning to book closer to travel dates? There has been a huge shift toward last minute booking in the past couple of years. We even occasionally have people asking to join international trips starting the next day. I think there is more general uncertainty about the future which makes people more hesitant to commit to bigger trips. They don’t want to book something far out, look forward to it, and then not be able to go. This might be a holdover from the pandemic when so many people had to cancel trips.