The cities leading the solo travel wishlist
If you've been quietly browsing hotels for a solo late-summer escape, you're apparently not alone — and you're probably looking at Mumbai or New Delhi. Travel platform Agoda tracked accommodation searches made between May 1 and July 10, 2026, for stays planned across August and September, and the two metros came out firmly on top among solo travellers.
It isn't hard to see why. Both cities offer something rare in a single package: round-the-clock transit options, a food scene that could keep you busy for weeks, and nightlife that actually rewards turning up alone. As Agoda put it, these destinations give solo travellers "the freedom to explore at their own pace" — which, honestly, is the whole point.
Beyond the metros: heritage, hills and quiet corners
What's more interesting is what comes next on the solo search list. Udaipur, with its lakeside palaces and unhurried old-city lanes, is pulling in travellers after something slower and more atmospheric. Leh, Munnar and Srinagar are drawing the crowd that wants altitude, clean air and a genuine reset. Tirupati, meanwhile, continues to anchor solo religious travel in the south.
Agoda's Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent, framed it well: solo travellers are increasingly looking for journeys that mix "exploration with personal enrichment, mindfulness, and meaningful cultural connections." In plain terms — people want a trip that actually changes something, not just fills a camera roll.
How this differs from how groups are planning
The group and family travel data tells a noticeably different story. Searches for Puri, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Ujjain are dominated by families seeking shared religious and cultural experiences. Hill stations — Nainital, Mussoorie, Shimla — are holding strong as multigenerational favourites for cool weather. Wayanad is emerging quietly as a group nature escape.
The contrast matters: solo travellers skew toward cities and heritage spots, while groups gravitate to pilgrimage routes and mountains. Two quite different Indias, planned on the same app, at the same time.
Why this matters for a solo travel audience in India
This data is a small but useful mirror. Solo travel in India has often been framed around international destinations or niche adventure circuits — but what Agoda's numbers show is that a large, confident cohort of Indian solo travellers is simply choosing their own country, and choosing it thoughtfully.
Mumbai and Delhi aren't surprising picks, but they are validating ones. They're cities where eating alone at a good restaurant, catching a gig, or spending a morning at a museum feels completely natural — no explanations needed. And the presence of Leh, Srinagar and Munnar on the same list suggests solo travellers are comfortable going further and quieter too.
If you're planning something for August or September, the window is open — and apparently, so is most of India.