More Italians than ever want to travel alone

According to a new travel report by Hilton, more and more Italians prefer to spend their vacations alone. Among those surveyed, it was found that in Italy, six out of ten people plan to take a solo trip in the next three years. Among younger travelers, the trend is even stronger, with as many as 83% of travelers aged 18 to 24 saying they want to travel alone within the next three years. The rise of solo travel is also reflected on social media: on TikTok Italy, more than 16,000 posts have been published on the topic, with 10,000 of them appearing just in the past year. While spending vacations with friends, family, or a partner is certainly enjoyable, the advantages of traveling alone are numerous, including having greater freedom and complete organizational control. However, analyzing this trend, the AI-powered payment and shopping network Klarna highlights an important issue known as the "Solo Traveler Tax," referring to the additional costs that solo travelers face. Klarna reports that those traveling alone may end up paying up to double the average accommodation cost due to single-room booking surcharges. For this reason, Klarna advises anyone considering a solo trip to plan in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. 

Klarna and Chelsea Dickenson, a travel expert and founder of Cheap Travel Expert, provide five specific tips for anyone looking to travel alone while saving money. The first tip suggests finding destinations with the cheapest accommodations, as lodging is often the biggest expense for solo travelers. Among the destinations recommended by Dickenson are Krakow, Budapest, and Tirana, cities she describes as perfect for a low-cost weekend getaway, as well as Thailand and Vietnam for long-haul trips. Additionally, Dickenson notes that to save even more, it might be a good idea to travel off-season, although one must keep an eye on the weather, particularly in destinations prone to heavy rain or extreme heat. Another travel tip from the expert is to check online search settings when looking for accommodations. Although it may seem trivial, many websites automatically set the search for two adults. It's important to verify this setting because many hotels now offer rooms specifically designed for solo travelers. 

Like Klarna, Dickenson also advises booking in advance, especially when choosing a popular destination during peak tourist season. This allows for more options and better deals, making it faster and cheaper to book flights, accommodations, and transportation. For those who want to travel alone but don’t feel ready to embark on a solo journey, the expert suggests joining a group tour. The organizers will take care of everything, and it will also be possible to share a room with another traveler, reducing costs. Finally, Dickenson’s best advice for solo travelers is to ask locals for recommendations on the best restaurants and tourist attractions instead of relying on social media. Not only is this a great way to save money and discover hidden gems, but it’s also a unique opportunity to make friends and meet new people.