Gen Z and young millennials in India are embracing solo-group travel in 2025, joining curated trips with strangers to balance independence and social connection. They seek immersive experiences in wellness, adventure, culture, and international destinations, prioritising safety and budget.
Gen Z and young millennials have grown up online. They have celebrated birthdays on Zoom, sent notes through Google Docs, and nursed breakups in WhatsApp chats. While the world shut down, they came of age in digital spaces. But now that the world is open again, they are stepping out differently. Travel in 2025 is no longer about snapping touristy photos or ticking boxes; it is about being present, finding people who exist beyond the algorithm, and making real connections.
The idea of travelling with strangers might have once felt unusual, but it now feels natural. After formative years spent glued to screens, young people are craving something more human. For many, solo travel feels too quiet, while group travel with friends can feel restrictive. The sweet spot? Travelling alone - but with strangers who are looking for the same thing.
Also Read: 7 Budget-Friendly Shopping Destinations Abroad For Indians
What Is Solo-Group Travel?
Photo: Unsplash
'Solo-group travel' may sound contradictory, but it has become one of the fastest-growing trends of 2025. It allows travellers to sign up for curated group trips designed for solo adventurers. Instead of heading out entirely alone, they join pre-arranged tours with like-minded strangers, often following itineraries with shared transport and accommodation.
The appeal is simple: independence without isolation. Travellers gain the freedom of solo trips, yet also enjoy the shared safety, costs, and camaraderie of a group. This balance is what makes it particularly attractive to young Indians in a post-pandemic world.
Why Strangers Over Solo?
The roots of this trend lie in the lockdown. Time alone gave many people peace, but it also highlighted the fatigue of digital-only interactions. Once restrictions lifted, young travellers wanted more than just online connection. Group tours, which existed long before, suddenly became avenues for genuine human contact - without the pressure of travelling with family or close friends.
Photo: Unsplash
In India especially, solo-group trips are surging among Gen Z and millennials. Women view them as safer, professionals find them easier to manage, and budget-conscious travellers see them as cost-efficient. Rising disposable incomes, shifting norms around independence, and the desire to prioritise experiences over possessions have only fuelled the shift. Instead of just following influencers online, young Indians now want to write their own travel stories - with strangers by their side.
From Beaches to Treks: 6 Experiences Young Travellers Want in 2025
The biggest change is not just in how young people travel, but in what they seek. Generic sightseeing tours no longer hold the same appeal. Instead, travellers want experiences that feel unfiltered, immersive, and shareable in a way that goes beyond social media.
1. Spiritual and Wellness Retreats
Photo: Pexels
Rishikesh, Varanasi, and Dharamshala are emerging as magnets for solo-group travellers who want to pause and reset. India's spiritual legacy makes these retreats more than just holidays - they are spaces for reflection and renewal.
- Why it resonates: Structured group practices like yoga and meditation provide a collective rhythm, while Ayurveda and cultural workshops let travellers recharge both body and mind. The mix of personal solitude and community interaction makes the experience deeply grounding.
- Experiences: Sunrise yoga on the banks of the Ganga, Ayurvedic spa therapies, guided meditation, local cultural sessions.
2. Adventure and Nature Escapes
Photo: Pexels
India's diverse geography makes adventure travel one of the strongest pulls for young groups. The Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Northeast are perfect playgrounds for trekking, rafting, and wildlife escapes.
- Why it resonates: Thrilling activities feel less intimidating - and more fun - when shared. Group settings add safety and camaraderie, while expert guides ensure smooth planning. For young people, these trips are as much about bonding as they are about adrenaline.
- Experiences: White-water rafting in Rishikesh, starlit camping in Ladakh, trekking in Meghalaya, wildlife safaris in Jim Corbett.
3. Cultural and Heritage Tours
Photo: Unsplash
Heritage-rich cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Hampi are gaining traction among younger travellers through group tours that make culture accessible and interactive.
- Why it resonates: When experienced with others, history feels less like textbooks and more like stories. Cooking classes, festivals, and workshops become shared memories, sparking conversations that often outlast the trip itself.
- Experiences: Fort and palace tours, folk performances, artisan workshops, culinary walks.
4. Beach and Island Getaways
Classic destinations such as Goa, Kovalam, Pondicherry, and the Andaman Islands are now being redefined through the lens of solo-group travel. They are not just party hubs but also spaces where young people connect with strangers over sunsets and sea breezes.
- Why it resonates: Beaches and islands naturally encourage social interaction, whether it is bonfires at night or yoga at dawn. Group settings make the experience both lively and laid-back.
- Experiences: Scuba diving in the Andamans, sunset cruises in Goa, beach yoga in Kovalam, spa sessions in Pondicherry.
5. Urban Explorations and Food Trails
Photo: Unsplash
Cities may feel crowded, but curated tours in places like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata are helping young travellers see them differently.
- Why it resonates: Exploring cities in groups makes urban chaos feel more manageable and safer. Food walks, art trails, and nightlife tours offer instant opportunities to bond while experiencing culture.
- Experiences: Street food tours in Delhi, art gallery walks in Mumbai, brewery visits in Bengaluru, live gigs in Kolkata.
Also Read: 7 Breathtaking White Sand Beaches In India For Beach Lovers
6. International Solo-Group Travel
Photo: Unsplash
With affordable flights and flexible work routines, young Indians are also taking this trend abroad. Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and European cities like Amsterdam and Prague top the list.
- Why it resonates: For first-time international travellers, joining a group makes the leap less intimidating. The mix of affordability, English-speaking environments, and vibrant social scenes makes these trips easier to navigate - and more fun to share.
- Experiences: Backpacking across Europe, yoga retreats in Bali, island-hopping in Thailand, desert safaris in Dubai, cultural tours in Sri Lanka.
How Young Travellers Choose the Right Trip
With so many options, choosing the right solo-group trip is about more than the destination. For young Indians, the group itself often defines the journey.
- Trip size: Smaller groups allow intimacy, larger ones bring energy.
- The vibe: Wellness, adventure, or food-focused - each attracts different personalities.
- Budget clarity: Check inclusions like meals, stays, and excursions to avoid hidden costs.
- Peer fit: Women-only or youth-led groups often help travellers feel more comfortable.
- Organiser trust: Reviews and transparent itineraries matter more than glossy ads.
The right mix of people can transform a trip from ordinary to unforgettable.
Photo: Unsplash
Safety and Budget Tips for Young Travellers
Safety and affordability remain at the top of young travellers' priorities, especially in India. Solo-group trips make both easier - but only with smart planning.
- Stick to trusted platforms: Hostels and groups like Zostel, goSTOPS, and The Hosteller are reliable starting points.
- Opt for women-led tours if needed: Female-focused groups provide extra comfort and assurance.
- Protect essentials: Keep locks, digital ID copies, and basic safety gear handy.
- Budget wisely: Shared costs save money, but rentals and add-ons can inflate expenses.
- Stay flexible: Refundable bookings or flexible packages suit remote-work lifestyles.
This approach helps young travellers enjoy independence without the risks of being entirely alone.
Also Read: Top 8 Indian Cities To Celebrate Diwali, Durga Puja, And More This Festive Season
The Bottom Line
Hostels, curated tours, and group platforms have become second homes for young Indians. Affordable, safe, and deeply social, they reflect a new way of seeing the world. What began as an alternative to loneliness has evolved into a permanent shift in travel behaviour.
By choosing strangers over solo trips, Gen Z and young millennials are rewriting what travel means. They are not chasing bucket lists; they are chasing belonging. In 2025, the best stories may not come from where you went, but from who you met along the way.
