Solo travel is becoming a lifestyle choice among travelers in Singapore, according to new research by Scoot, he low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. The study found that 79% of respondents from took multiple solo trips over the past year.
Motivations cited include freedom, flexibility, and personal growth, with 45% viewing solo travel as an opportunity for self-discovery and wellbeing.
Top destinations for solo travelers from Singapore include Japan, China, and Malaysia—highlighting preferences for vibrant cultures, nature escapes, and familiar comfort.
The survey was conducted by YouGov across five countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 5,000 respondents participating. It explored traveler demographics, motivations, planning behaviors, and cultural attitudes related to solo travel.
Solo Travel Emerges as Mainstream Travel Choice
Once seen as a niche pursuit, solo travel among travelers from Singapore has increasingly become a common lifestyle choice, particularly for younger travelers.
Almost 8 in 10 (79%) of the respondents from Singapore took multiple solo trips in the past year, and half among these travelers (49%) embarked on three or more solo trips in the past year. Millennials are at the forefront of this shift, making up 51% – and the largest cohort – of current and aspiring solo travelers, compared to 40% across APAC.
Solo vacations are highly recommended across the region by those who have embarked on such trips. In Singapore, 85% of respondents would recommend solo travel to others. This growing trend is closely tied to broader lifestyle shifts, from increased demands at work and home to a rising emphasis on personal well-being.
Across APAC, most respondents from Singapore cited solo travel as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery – 45%, compared to the regional average of 40%.
55% of solo travellers from Singapore cite freedom and flexibility to plan their own itineraries as their primary motivation, while 52% view solo travel as an opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves. Notably, 46% of the respondents value the independence of exploring new places at their own pace.
Across APAC, most respondents from Singapore cited solo travel as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery (45%, compared to the regional average of 40%). This inclination reflects recent behavioural trends within Singapore’s highly connected and fast-paced society.
Scoot’s findings dovetail the increased focus on mindfulness, health and wellness in recent years. The white paper highlights how travel, especially solo travel, has evolved from simply being a leisure activity to one that travellers growingly seek for reflection and self-discovery.
“While the findings do not represent the end to group and family travel, the way we travel expresses our individuality and allows for self-discovery. Scoot’s white paper sheds light on the behaviour, motivations, preferences and expectations of an emerging segment of travelers today,” said Agatha Yap, Director of Marketing, Communications & Loyalty, Scoot.
“With an extensive network especially in the Asia-Pacific, Scoot is excited to be able to play a role in enabling access to some of the most sought-after and yet-to-be discovered destinations, empowering more travelers, whether solo or group, to explore the world with greater confidence and enthusiasm,” she added.
Research and Planning are Key Priorities for Solo Travelers
Results revealed that solo travelers are highly intentional in their approach. An overwhelming majority (98%) shared that they engage in some form of planning for their trips.
Aside from flight bookings, the main priorities for more than half of these travelers include accommodation selection (57%), safety considerations (51%), and budget management (42%).
They rely heavily on online review platforms, hotel websites, and online travel agencies to help them make informed decisions about their flight and accommodation bookings. For food and activity recommendations, they rely on social media.
Japan, China, and Malaysia Top Travel Wishlist
The paper also reveals a strong preference for APAC destinations among respondents from Singapore, with 9 in 10 planning trips within the region in the next 12 months. Japan (25%), China (22%), and Malaysia (22%) are the top three travel destinations in the year ahead.
These choices indicate a desire for vibrant cultures, nature escapes, and familiar comfort, reflective of the most popular types of solo trips: city breaks (39%), shopping holidays (39%), cultural and historical experiences (35%), nature holidays (34%), and time for reconnecting with loved ones (32%).
Respondents from Singapore continue to prioritize affordable air travel options, with two-thirds (66%) opting for economy class and one in five (20%) choosing low-cost carriers.
To download the full white paper, visit here.
