Roam-ance on the cards: Why Gen Z is embracing solo travel to seek meaningful relationships

In the 2014 film Queen, the lead character Rani (played by Kangana Ranaut) sets out on a solo adventure (or a solo-moon) across Europe after being abandoned by her fiancé right before their wedding. 

As she gradually overcomes her jitters, Rani realises how much she enjoys making unexpected friends along the way. There is also some scope to pursue romantic relationships (read Italian chef Marcello) but she doesn’t want to go down that route. 

Rani may not have pursued romance in a new country, but Gen Z isn’t averse to the idea and is open to exploring new avenues to find meaningful relationships. 

Krati Mehta, a 24-year-old artist based in New Delhi, was looking to date someone in her city. While she met many men, she didn’t seem to click with anyone. 

On the insistence of a friend, she signed up for a solo trip to Nahan in Himachal Pradesh with an online travel group. Little did she know that this would work wonders. 

“While I wanted to explore a new town, meeting and dating someone with a similar mindset as mine was also on the cards… though I wasn’t sure if I would get along with anyone. But on the second day of our five-day trip, I met my partner. We’ve been together for eight months now,” says Mehta. 

Some people want to meet their partners ‘organically’ on such adventures, while others are open to using dating apps on their travels. 

Sharad Mahtani, a 22-year-old advertising professional from Mumbai, prefers the latter. He may have not found ‘the one’ but he admits to having met many interesting women, particularly during his travels around Europe. He also met someone when he ventured on a solo trip to Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh. 

“In the last year or so, I have met at least four to five women, all of whom shared similar sensibilities with me. Travel was their biggest passion, and we got along so well. But I wasn’t sure if I wanted to enter a relationship with anyone because I am unsure of a long distance relationship.” 

Mahtani is still on the “hunt,” as he calls it, and believes solo travel is one of the best ways to find a meaningful connection. “You never know I may bump into someone from Mumbai on one of my trips,” he laughs. 

According to dating app Tinder’s internal data collated between January and August this year, travel was the number one interest around the world among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25.

A study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tinder, between April and May 2023, indicates that 50% of Gen Z in India believe that having a shared interest in travel makes their match more attractive.

So, is the travel trend here to stay?

Seeking meaningful experiences

In the post-pandemic world, Gen Z began to approach life with renewed focus and zeal and began seeking authentic adventures and experiences. 

“That’s how a lot of young singles began embracing solo travel as a way to explore the world and meet new people. It’s become a major trend now—travelling isn’t just about sightseeing anymore, it’s a way to connect with others, share stories, and create memories,” says Papri Dev, Vice-President of Communications (Asia-Pacific), Tinder. 

In fact, the dating platform has launched the ‘Tinder Passport’ feature to help users find people they can connect with via travel. 

“This gives young adults who are solo travelling the chance to build connections before they even land in a new place. It encourages users to be open in their profiles, update their bios with their travel plans, and connect with fellow travellers over shared interests while staying safe,” Dev explains. 

Backpacker hostel chain The Hosteller says it is witnessing a rise in solo-travel bookings spearheaded by Gen Z. 

Pranav Dangi, Founder and CEO, The Hosteller, explains, “Over 20% of our bookings this year have been by Gen Z solo travellers. In fact, this generation accounts for nearly 70% of all guests we have hosted since January. Their preference for solo travel stems from a strong desire for self-discovery and meaningful connections that align with their values, such as sustainability, inclusivity, and authenticity.”

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While many start their journeys alone, they soon find themselves joining small groups on spontaneous adventures. 

Dangi recalls a traveller who checked into their Rishikesh property solo and eventually ended up on a road trip across Uttarakhand with new friends. 

“It’s clear that Gen Z isn’t just travelling, they’re building communities along the way,” he reiterates. 

Interestingly, younger singles are no longer bound by rulebooks. They do what their heart says and are willing to shed their inhibitions to find meaningful connections, says Shivika Nath, an independent relationship counsellor from New Delhi. 

“Earlier, meet-cutes were either through friends or families. Today's generation likes to take charge and do things their way. This is what has led to this revolution. Solo travel is also a form of self-expression, and the likelihood of meeting someone similar is much higher in these circumstances today.”

Safety is priority 

While finding romance on solo travels is a thrilling idea, it’s equally important to stay safe. 

Pooja Verma, a 23-year-old solo traveller from Chennai, has primarily been to cities in South India, including Kochi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. She has also met men from countries like the United States and Germany, some of whom were quite “progressive,” according to her.  

But most of them were much older to her. As she wasn’t very comfortable with this, she didn't pursue a relationship with them. 

While she’s open to meeting people of different nationalities, Verma is aware that safety is paramount. That’s why she makes sure to update her friends every few hours while she’s travelling.  

“Since my parents are conservative, and I can’t tell them about travelling by myself, someone needs to know my whereabouts. My friends are the ones who know all the details—from where I am staying to the people I am meeting, and so on. I try to share my live location with them whenever possible.”

Relationship counsellor Nath advises young people not to get carried away while being adventurous. 

“You can always hang out with someone you like in a public place. This way, you are stepping out of your comfort zone but not taking risks that you will regret later,” she says. 

Stay safe, and make the most of your vacation romance (if you find any). It may not always end up in a relationship—for sometimes, meeting someone new can be fun but it may not last. But don’t beat yourself up about it. 

“It could be disappointing if you head to your travels with large expectations. Of course, who doesn’t want to find a connection? But, even if it’s short lived, it doesn’t matter. You can always find someone back home or on your next solo adventure,” says Nath.