Solo travel after 50: where to start

Travelling on your own for the first time after 50 can feel like a big step. You might have always travelled with a partner who did the planning. Perhaps you’re newly divorced or widowed, and holidays feel like the hardest part of being single. Your friends may be busy, or your children grown and gone, and you’re tired of waiting for someone to come with you. Or you might simply want to see somewhere new, on your own terms.

Solo travel is more common than many people think, and there are more ways to do it than ever, from a weekend city break by train to a guided group tour for solo travellers. This guide covers how to get started, the main types of solo trip, how to avoid paying over the odds for travelling alone, staying safe and well, managing loneliness on the road, and what to know about holiday romance.

Why people over 50 travel alone

People travel solo for very different reasons, and it can help to be clear about yours:

• You’re single again and don’t want to stop travelling.
• Your partner doesn’t share your interests. Some couples take separate trips for hiking, culture, cruising or golf.
• Your friends can’t or won’t travel when you want to.
• You want time to yourself, perhaps after years of caring or family holidays.
• You want to meet people, including potential partners.
• You want to prove to yourself that you can. Many people find it a huge confidence boost.

All of these are good reasons. The first trip is often the hardest. After that, many people find they enjoy the freedom.

How common is it?

ABTA’s Holiday Habits research found that 19% of people had taken a holiday on their own in the past year, the highest level of solo travel this decade. Younger people were most likely to go solo, but people over 55 still travel a lot. In the same research, 84% of 55- to 64-year-olds and 80% of those aged 65 and over had taken a holiday. City breaks were especially popular with people aged 55 to 64, and beach holidays with people 65 and over.

So if you’re worried you’ll be the only person on your own, you won’t be. Hotels, tour operators and cruise lines increasingly cater for solo guests.

The main types of solo trip

Choose a type of trip that suits your confidence and what you want from it.

Type of trip	Good for	Things to consider
Short UK break (train or car)	A first trip; testing what you enjoy	Easy to reach, with no passport or currency worries
City break abroad	Culture, food, walking; easy short flights or trains	Pick a walkable centre with good transport
Group tour for solo travellers	Company, structure, no planning	Fixed itinerary; check the age range and group size
Activity or special-interest holiday	Walking, painting, cooking, yoga, language, wildlife	You meet people through the activity
Cruise	Unpacking once; built-in activities and dining	Single cabins and supplements vary a lot
Retreat or residential course	Learning, rest, reflection	Can be quieter socially
Volunteering trip	Purpose; working alongside others	Check the organisation carefully
Fully independent travel	Freedom and flexibility	More planning and more time alone

A short UK break: the easiest first step

Many people start with two or three nights somewhere in the UK: a historic city, a seaside town, a national park. Choose somewhere easy to reach, with a walkable centre and plenty to do. Good options include cathedral cities, coastal towns with promenades and museums, and places with guided walks or tours. If you’re 60 or over, a Senior Railcard costs £35 for a year or £80 for three years at the time of writing, and gives a third off most rail fares.

Group tours for solo travellers

Group tours aimed at solo travellers, including several operators that focus on older travellers, take away most of the planning and much of the anxiety. You travel with a group and a tour leader, eat together if you want to, and have company for sightseeing. Many people make lasting friendships on these trips.

Before booking, check:

• The typical age range and group size
• How much free time there is, if you want some independence
• Whether single rooms cost extra, and how much
• How physically demanding the trip is
• Whether the trip is ATOL-protected (for flight packages) or the operator is a member of ABTA, which provides some financial protection if a company fails

Activity and special-interest holidays

If you have an interest, such as walking, painting, photography, birdwatching, cooking, languages, music or history, a holiday built around it is one of the easiest ways to travel solo. Everyone has something in common, and conversation flows naturally.

Cruises

Cruises appeal to many solo travellers over 50: you unpack once, there’s plenty to do, and dining with others is easy to arrange. ABTA’s research found strong interest in river cruises among older travellers. Solo cabin availability and single supplements vary hugely between cruise lines and sailings, so compare carefully.

Dealing with single supplements

Travelling alone can cost more, because many hotels and tours price rooms for two. Ways to reduce the extra cost include:

• Look for operators that offer some rooms with no single supplement, or reduced supplements on certain dates.
• Book early. Single rooms are often limited and go first.
• Travel outside school holidays. It’s usually cheaper and quieter.
• Consider room-share schemes. Some operators pair solo travellers of the same sex who are happy to share.
• Choose hotels with genuine single rooms, especially in the UK and some European cities.
• Self-catering and smaller guesthouses can be cheaper than large hotels for solo guests.

Planning your first solo trip

1. Choose the type of trip that matches your confidence. A UK break or a group tour is a good first step.
2. Pick somewhere easy. Short travel times, a walkable centre, good transport and plenty to do.
3. Book accommodation in a central, well-reviewed area. Read recent reviews from solo travellers.
4. Plan the first and last days. Arriving in daylight and knowing how you’ll get from the station or airport to your accommodation reduces stress.
5. Plan a few anchors. A tour, a class, a museum, a show or a restaurant booking each day gives structure.
6. Leave space for spontaneity. Some of the best moments are unplanned.
7. Share your plans. Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member.

Staying safe and well

Most solo trips go smoothly. Sensible preparation reduces the risks.

Travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) publishes travel advice for every country. It covers safety and security, entry requirements, local laws and health. Check it when you book and again before you go.

Health and insurance

• UK GHIC. The UK Global Health Insurance Card is free from the NHS website. It lets you get necessary state healthcare in EEA countries and some others, on the same basis as residents. The NHS says it is not a replacement for travel insurance: it doesn’t cover medical repatriation, private treatment or mountain rescue. Apply only through the official NHS site, not sites that charge a fee.
• Travel insurance. Policies vary a lot, especially for older travellers and people with medical conditions. Many policies require you to declare pre-existing conditions. If you find cover hard to get because of a serious medical condition or disability, MoneyHelper’s travel insurance directory lists specialist providers. An insurer or a regulated broker can explain what a policy covers.
• Medication. The NHS has information on travelling with medicines, including carrying them in your hand luggage and checking local rules. Your GP or pharmacist can advise about your own medicines and any vaccinations.

Everyday safety

• Keep copies of important documents: passport, insurance and bookings, stored online or with someone at home.
• Carry two payment cards and keep them separately.
• Keep your phone charged and consider a portable charger.
• Use licensed taxis or reputable apps, especially at night.
• Trust your instincts. If a place or person feels wrong, leave.
• Moderate alcohol, especially on your own.

Solo travel with a health condition or mobility needs

Travelling alone with a health condition, a disability or limited mobility takes more planning, but help is available.

• Rail. Passenger Assistance lets you book help at stations across Great Britain: boarding, alighting, carrying luggage and changing trains. You can book through the National Rail website or app, or by phone, ideally a day or more ahead. Turn-up-and-go assistance is also available at many stations.
• Air. UK airports and airlines provide free assistance for passengers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities. Request it when you book, or at least 48 hours before you fly. Many airports also offer the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard so staff know you may need extra time or help.
• Accommodation. Ask specific questions before booking: the number of steps, lift access, grab rails, walk-in showers, and distance from the nearest transport. Photos and recent reviews help.
• Tours. Some tour operators specialise in accessible travel, and many mainstream operators grade trips by how physically demanding they are. Ask about walking distances, terrain and rest stops.
• Medicines and equipment. The NHS has information on travelling with medicines and medical equipment. Your GP, pharmacist or specialist can advise about your own needs, and your insurer about cover.

Our guide to accessible dating covers travel by train and coach, not driving at night and other access issues that apply to holidays too.

Solo travel on a budget

Travelling alone doesn’t have to be expensive. Some ways people keep costs down:

• Travel off-peak. Prices drop outside school holidays and bank holiday weekends.
• Book trains early, and use a railcard if you’re eligible.
• Choose places with free attractions. Many UK museums and galleries are free to enter.
• Self-cater for some meals. A room with a kettle and fridge, or a self-catering flat, can save a lot.
• Look for walking holidays and youth hostels. Many hostels now have private rooms and welcome travellers of all ages.
• Use coach travel for longer UK journeys if you don’t mind the time.
• Consider house-sitting or home swaps once you’re more experienced.

Eating alone and handling loneliness

For many people, the hardest part of solo travel is eating alone in the evening, or the quiet moments when they’d usually turn to a partner. A few things help:

• Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when solo diners are common.
• Sit at the bar or counter in restaurants with one. It’s sociable and less conspicuous.
• Take a book or a journal if you’d like company of a sort.
• Join a food tour or cooking class, which gives you company and local knowledge.
• Book evening activities such as concerts, theatre, guided walks or talks.
• Keep in touch with home, but not so much that you never switch off.
• Expect some lonely moments. They usually pass, and many people find solitude becomes one of the pleasures of travelling alone.

If you’re travelling after a bereavement, holidays can bring grief to the surface, especially places you went together, or anniversaries. Our guide to dating after bereavement covers grief more broadly, and Cruse Bereavement Support can help.

Meeting people, and holiday romance

Solo travellers often find it much easier to meet people than couples do, because they’re more approachable and more open to conversation. Group tours, activity holidays and cruises are especially sociable. Our guide to making friends after 50 has more on turning new acquaintances into friends.

Holiday romance

Holiday romances can be wonderful at any age, and some turn into lasting relationships. A few things to keep in mind:

• Take it at your own pace. Holidays can make feelings intense quickly.
• Use the same first-date safety habits. Meet in public, tell someone where you’re going, and keep control of how you get back to your accommodation.
• Think about sexual health. If a holiday romance becomes intimate, the same sexual health considerations apply as at home. Our guide to sexual health and STI testing with a new partner explains the basics.
• If it continues after the holiday, our guides to long-distance dating after 50 and when to travel to meet someone you met online can help.

Romance scams that target travellers

Romance scammers sometimes target solo travellers, both in person and online after the trip. Warning signs include someone who quickly declares strong feelings, has an urgent money problem, or asks for help with visas, flights, medical bills or a “business opportunity”. Never send money to someone you’ve only recently met, however genuine they seem. Our guide to dating app scams targeting over-50s explains the common scripts, and our Scam Red-Flag Checker can help if you’re unsure.

Travelling with a new partner for the first time

If you’re dating someone new, your first holiday together is a big step. It’s worth discussing money, pace, how much time you’ll spend together and apart, and sleeping arrangements before you book. Many couples start with a short UK break before committing to a long trip abroad.

Solo travel after losing a partner

For many widows and widowers, the first holiday alone is one of the hardest milestones. You may have travelled together for decades, and the idea of going without your partner can bring up grief, guilt or anxiety. Yet many bereaved people find that travel, when they feel ready, helps them rebuild confidence and create new memories.

• Start small. A weekend away in the UK, or a short trip with a friend, can be a gentle first step
• Consider a group trip. Organised holidays for solo travellers mean you’re not eating alone or planning everything yourself. Our guide to singles holidays explains what they’re like
• Choose somewhere new, if returning to places you visited together feels too painful. Others find comfort in going back. Both are fine
• Plan for hard moments. Anniversaries, couples at the next table or a beautiful view you’d have shared can bring grief to the surface. It may help to take a book, call a friend or simply give yourself time
• Bereavement groups sometimes organise outings and trips, which can be a supportive way to travel with people who understand

There’s no right time. Some people travel within months, others wait years. Our guides to dating after bereavement and how to make friends after bereavement may also help.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel alone after 50?

For most destinations, yes, with sensible preparation: check FCDO travel advice, get suitable travel insurance, share your plans with someone at home, and follow everyday safety habits.

Where should I go for my first solo trip?

Somewhere easy to reach, with a walkable centre and plenty to do. A short UK city or coastal break, or a group tour for solo travellers, is a good first step.

How do I avoid paying a single supplement?

Look for operators that offer rooms without a supplement, book early, travel off-peak, choose hotels with genuine single rooms, or consider room-share schemes.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?

The NHS says the GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, because it doesn’t cover things such as medical repatriation or private treatment. An insurer or regulated broker can explain what cover suits your trip and any medical conditions.

Will I feel lonely travelling alone?

Possibly, at times, especially in the evenings. Group activities, food tours, eating your main meal at lunchtime and booking evening events all help. Many people find they enjoy the solitude more than they expected.

Are group tours for solo travellers only for younger people?

No. Several operators focus on solo travellers over 50, and many mainstream operators attract mixed age groups. Check the typical age range before booking.

Can I meet a partner on a solo holiday?

Some people do. Group tours, activity holidays and cruises are sociable, and solo travellers tend to be more approachable. Take things at your own pace and use the usual dating safety habits.

Related guides

• Solo holidays when you’re in a couple
• Dating after 50 in the UK: complete guide
• How to make friends after 50
• Dating when you love your independence
• Long-distance dating after 50
• When should you travel to meet someone you met online?
• Accessible dating: mobility, travel and not driving at night

Sources

• ABTA, Holiday Habits 2025/26 report.
• NHS, applying for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), and travelling with medicines.
• Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, foreign travel advice.
• MoneyHelper, travel insurance directory for people with serious medical conditions or disabilities.
• Railcard prices as published in March 2026.
• Hearts Again editorial research on solo travel later in life.