NEW YORK, NY – Flash Pack, the adventure travel company has released its 2025 trend report, revealing a surge in solo travel interest. With 69% of travelers planning to go solo in 2025¹ and Google searches for “solo travel” skyrocketing by 223% over the past decade², the trend is undeniable. Leading the charge are women, who make up 70% of Flash Pack’s travelers demographics).

On a mission to offer curated adventures for all jetsetters, travel company Flash Pack was founded by husband-and-wife duo Radha Vyas and Lee Thompson, Flash Pack offers itineraries for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s. With adventures that consist of truly ‘can’t-do-by-yourself’ experiences, the London-based company has infiltrated the US market, with over 60% of its travelers hailing from the US.

Overall, the travel company’s newly released 2025 trends report data spotlights that social travel is on the rise for solo jetsetters looking to still connect with like-minded individuals when traveling alone.

A Look at 2024

Flash Pack has forged over 160,000 new friendships since its emergence, with 50,000 formed in 2024 alone – underscoring the communal aspect of solo travel. Portugal was this year’s most popular US trip for Flash Pack (for a second year in a row) with a 70% growth in bookings compared to last year, driven by its appeal among solo travelers. Japan was a close second in popularity (+50% growth) despite high costs, attracting solo travelers with its cultural depth and unique experiences. Among the top 10 top booking destinations for 2024, both Argentina and Japan have an average cost of $5,500, illustrating that U.S. travelers prioritized premium, bucket-list destinations in 2024.

Jumping into 2025

Looking ahead into 2025, Thailand is predicted to be the most popular trip for bookings in the US. This reflects growing interest in affordable yet exotic experiences and set-jetting inspired getaways ahead of the White Lotus season 3 release next year. Finland (for its northern lights trip), Chile, and Tanzania (safaris) are also gaining traction in 2025, indicating an increasing trend towards luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime trips.

To offer journeys for all types of travelers, Flash Pack recently launched their collection of buzz-free adventures, offering travelers the chance to still explore the world with clarity, and without alcohol. Harnessing Flash Pack’s signature blend of cultural immersion, adventure, and meaningful connection, the new collection includes: Bali & The Gilis with Bob Marier, Iceland: Alcohol-Free, and Puerto Rico: Alcohol-Free. First trip launches will begin January 15.

Additionally, Flash Pack believes that age is just a number. The company looked into informed learnings from the past decade and decided to launch redefined itineraries made for just solo travelers aged 45-59 – just in time for the new year.

Spotlight on Solo Travel in 2024:

• Flash Pack’s average age has increased from 36 – 39 since the pandemic in 2020.
• Flash Pack is made up of 70% female solo travelers
• Social travel has led to over 160,000 new friendships, with 50,000 formed in 2024 alone, underscoring the communal aspect of solo travel.
• Bookings for Easter rose by 70% over last year, while Christmas travel surged by 100%, suggesting peak interest during holiday periods.
• While Jordan and Egypt were traditionally popular destinations, bookings for Middle Eastern destinations have dropped out of the top 10 most popular trips due to regional instability.

Top 10 most popular solo travel trips booked for 2025 (data based on total number of 2025 bookings made to date):

• Alternative Thailand (9 Days): Predicted to lead in popularity among solo travelers, reflecting growing interest in affordable yet exotic experiences. Bookings have also likely increased in relation to the revived interest of set-jetting ahead of White Lotus season 3.
• Japan Another World (12 Days): Americans are increasingly inclined to travel to Asian destinations such as Thailand, Japan, and Sri Lanka, with these making up nearly half of the top destinations for 2025. In Japan, dine with a trained geisha, spend the night at a temple with Buddhist monks, and enjoy a ramen masterclass.
• Mythical Crete (8 Days): Take a 4×4 into Crete’s stunning hinterlands, enjoy a wine tasting in a boutique vineyard, speed off to the Balos lagoon by a private RIB boat.
• Chile: Santiago to Patigonia (10 Days | from $5920): With Argentina’s rising costs, Chile is seen as a more affordable Latin American alternative. Flashpackers will white water raft on the Petrohue River, traverse wild plains on horseback, and hike to Patagonia’s Las Torres Base Lookout.
• Winter Finland (5 Days): Interest in astro-tourism is on the rise, spurred by celestial events such as the Northern Lights and the A3 comet sighting. Live out your Arctic fantasies: mush a team of huskies through the frozen forests,enjoy a thrilling snowmobile safari, and huddle  around the campfire at an Aurora Camp in search of the Northern Lights.
• Wild Tanzania (9 Days): Tanzania bookings will likely thrive in 2025 despite higher costs, appealing to solo travelers seeking unique bucket-list experiences.
• Bali Immersion: Jungles, Waterfalls, & Untouched Isles (9 Days | from $1895): Flash Pack sees a rise in bookings for Bali as travelers seek more affordable experiences that still offer memorable and unique moments. Experience a 5,000-year-old purification ceremony, discover the secrets of Indonesian cooking, and hop on a speedboat to Nusa Penida Island.
• Inside Sri Lanka (11 Days): US travelers are looking at bookings to more Asian destinations in 2025. In 2024, Sri Lanka saw a 60% increase in bookings compared to last year, driven by its appeal among solo travelers. Flashpackers will find ancient cities, misty tea hills and spectacular wildlife; dense rainforests and outstanding cuisine.
• Ultimate Argentina (10 Days): Argentina and other Latin American countries have declined in popularity due to inflation and increased travel costs. However, given it is included in the top 10 list, Flash Pack still expects travelers to look for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like Argentina.
• Morocco Highlights: From Coast to Medina (8 Days): Flash Pack expects Morocco to continue gaining 2023 booking levels after recovery from the earthquake. When visiting, journey from Casablanca to Marrakech via the Sahara Desert, past vast mountains and historic kasbahs, on this hit list of Morocco’s must-sees.

Top 10 most popular solo travel trips in 2024 (data based on total number of bookings from January 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024):

1. Portugal: Topped the list for a second year in a row as FP’s most popular solo travel trip, experiencing a 70% growth of the year in bookings.
2. Japan:  Japan was revealed as Flash Pack’s second most popular solo travel trip this year again.
3. Greece: Continued to be a magical, mythical destination to explore – especially on a solo travel group tour. Discover Athens’ ancient streets, explore Greece’s stunning islands of Santorini and Mykonos, and cruise the Med at sunset on a private catamaran.
4. Turkey: Turkey’s hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia was still popular in 2024. Turkey’s rich heritage, culinary delights, sparkling seas and pink-hued terrain continued to be a mainstay draw for solo travelers.
5. Croatia: As a destination, Croatia gained popularity in 2024 from true adventurers. Kayak down cascading waterfalls, explore the crystalline coves of the Dalmation Coast, and sample some of the Balkans most renowned wines and oysters.
6. Morocco: The destination of Morocco rebounded in popularity during 2024 post-earthquake in Sep 2023, showcasing resilience and renewed interest.
7. Costa Rica: Given its proximity to the US, bookings remained high in 2024. Costa Rica’s crashing white waters, soaring cloud forests, tropical beaches and live volcanoes continue to be popular draws.
8. Belize: Learn the ancient Mayan methods of chocolate making, navigate through the ATM cave, and snorkel with wild manatees in Cave Caulker.
9. Argentina: Among the top 10, Argentina and Japan have an average cost of $5,500, illustrating that U.S. travelers prioritized premium, bucket-list destinations in 2024.
10. South Africa: The destination of South Africa continues to remain popular despite higher costs, appealing to solo travelers seeking unique bucket-list experiences. Abseil Down Table Mountain, snorkel in the Kelp Forests, and stay in a boutique camp in the world-famous Kruger Park.

Top 5 Destinations for US Female Solo Travelers heading into 2025:

• Portugal
• Turkey
• Croatia
• Thailand
• Morocco

Top Flash Pack Experiences for Solo Travelers

• Camping on the Private Ginto island in the Philippines (Escapism in the Philippines: 12 Days)
• Staying in roaming Bush Roverson safari in Tanzania (Wild Tanzania: 9 Days)
• Vespa food tour in Vietnam (Secret Vietnam: 10 Days)
• Hiking Mount Batur at sunrise in Bali (Bali & The Gilis: 12 days)
• Water purification ceremony in Bali (Bali Immersion: Jungles, Waterfalls & Untouched Isles: 9 Days)

1 Insight Vacations
2 Tourism Review