Top 10 Upcoming Solo Traveler Destinations for 2026 (Based on Data)

Based on multi-year Hostelz booking growth trends (data-backed, not guesses).

Solo travel doesn’t grow evenly. Some destinations stay flat for years, then suddenly accelerate. To understand what’s actually changing, we analyzed multi-year hostel booking behavior from solo travelers on Hostelz.

This article shares the Top 10 countries with the strongest growth in solo traveler hostel bookings heading into 2026. It is not based on opinions, TikTok trends, or tourism marketing. It’s based on how solo travelers are booking.

How this ranking was built (important)

This analysis compares:

• Solo traveler bookings (1 person per booking)
• Recent year performance vs a multi-year historical baseline
• Consistent growth patterns, not one-off spikes

Privacy note: To protect user privacy and partner relationships, we do not publish exact booking volumes or expose individual hostel or city-level data. We focus on growth direction and magnitude, not raw totals.

Top 10 Upcoming Solo Travel Destinations for 2026

1) Laos

Laos shows the highest relative growth of any country in our dataset. Solo traveler hostel bookings increased by well over 20× compared to earlier years.

This points to a major shift: travelers are choosing Laos intentionally, not just passing through. Long stays, social hostels, and slower travel routes are driving the change.

• Backpacker Budget: $25–35 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $45–60 a day
• When to go: Peak season Nov–Feb, shoulder season Mar–Apr and Sep–Oct

Find all hostels in Laos here.

2) El Salvador

El Salvador recorded four-digit percentage growth in solo traveler hostel bookings compared to its historical baseline.

This is a clear example of perception catching up with reality. Solo travelers are booking confidently, staying longer, and building a visible hostel ecosystem, especially in surf and coastal areas.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–70 a day
• When to go: Peak season Nov–Apr, shoulder season May–Jun and Sep–Oct

Find all hostels in El Salvador here.

3) Cambodia

Cambodia’s solo traveler bookings grew by more than 20× compared to earlier years.

What stands out is consistency. This isn’t driven by a single city or season. Cambodia is increasingly chosen as a core destination for solo travelers in Southeast Asia.

• Backpacker Budget: $25–35 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $45–65 a day
• When to go: Peak season Nov–Feb, shoulder season Mar–Apr and Sep–Oct

Find all hostels in Cambodia here.

4) Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka shows sustained high-growth momentum, with solo traveler hostel bookings increasing by well over 10× compared to its multi-year average.

Importantly, the growth continued beyond an initial rebound phase, a strong signal that solo travelers are staying, returning, and recommending it onward.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–75 a day
• When to go: Peak season Dec–Mar (south & west), shoulder season Apr–May and Sep

Find all hostels in Sri Lanka here.

5) Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico stands out as a Caribbean outlier. Solo traveler hostel bookings grew by more than 10× compared to earlier years.

This suggests a shift toward Caribbean destinations that combine familiar infrastructure, social hostel environments, and easier logistics for solo travelers.

• Backpacker Budget: $45–60 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $80–110 a day
• When to go: Peak season Dec–Apr, shoulder season May–Jun and Sep–Nov

Find all hostels in Puerto Rico here.

6) Kosovo

Kosovo shows one of the fastest relative growth rates in Europe, with solo hostel bookings increasing by more than 12× versus historical averages.

While absolute volumes remain smaller than larger countries, the growth rate is significant and often signals early-stage momentum.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–70 a day
• When to go: Peak season Jun–Sep, shoulder season May and Oct

Find all hostels in Kosovo here.

7) North Macedonia

North Macedonia recorded four-digit percentage growth in solo traveler hostel bookings.

Solo travelers are increasingly selecting it as a destination in its own right, not just a stop between neighbors. The data suggests strong appeal for travelers looking for affordable, social, and low-pressure travel.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–70 a day
• When to go: Peak season Jun–Sep, shoulder season May and Oct

Find all hostels in North Macedonia here.

8) Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina continues a steady, multi-year upward trend. Solo traveler hostel bookings grew by more than 10× compared to earlier years.

There are no sharp drops, which suggests stable, organic growth rather than hype-driven spikes.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–75 a day
• When to go: Peak season May–Sep, shoulder season Apr and Oct

Find all hostels in Bosnia and Herzegovina here.

9) Albania

Albania remains one of the strongest Balkan performers. Solo traveler hostel bookings increased by roughly tenfold over historical averages.

This reinforces its transition from “hidden gem” to established solo travel destination, especially for budget-conscious travelers.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–80 a day
• When to go: Peak season Jun–Sep, shoulder season May and Oct

Find all hostels in Albania here.

10) Malaysia

Malaysia rounds out the list with near-tenfold growth in solo traveler hostel bookings.

What’s notable here is balance. Growth is spread across cities, islands, and regions, suggesting Malaysia is being chosen intentionally, not just used as a transit hub.

• Backpacker Budget: $30–40 a day
• Mid-range Budget: $55–75 a day
• When to go: Peak season Dec–Feb, shoulder season Mar–Apr and Sep–Oct

Find all hostels in Malaysia here.

What the data clearly shows

• Southeast Asia remains dominant, but travelers are spreading beyond classic routes.
• The Balkans are emerging as a core solo-travel region, not an “alternative” one.
• Smaller countries are growing fastest, especially where hostel culture is strong.
• Solo travelers follow other solo travelers — once momentum starts, growth compounds quickly.

Why this matters for 2026 planning

Destinations at this stage usually share four traits:

• Social hostel scenes
• Still-reasonable prices
• Increasing safety confidence
• Fewer crowds than established hotspots

That window doesn’t stay open long.

How Hostelz helps solo travelers in fast-growing destinations

When destinations grow quickly, choosing the right hostel matters more than ever. Hostelz helps solo travelers:

• Compare the same hostel across Booking.com and Hostelworld
• Filter for social hostels, female-only dorms, and quiet stays
• See more hostel options in one place (not just paid placements)

That’s especially valuable in destinations where the difference between a great stay and a bad one often comes down to the hostel.

About the author: Hostelz

We are Hostelz, and our mission is simple: to make sure you never overpay for a hostel bed again. We are the world’s most comprehensive hostel meta-search engine, trusted by budget-savvy travelers, flashpackers, and digital nomads since 2002.

As travelers ourselves, we know solo trips are about maximizing experiences and minimizing costs. Use our tools to find the perfect mix of high-rated vibe and low price.

Find the best hostel. Find the best price. That’s Hostelz.