What to know
- Toronto ranked first globally for solo travel in a new study by GuruWalk.
- More than half of all GuruWalk bookings in Toronto were made by solo travellers, the highest rate among 150 cities analyzed.
- The city outranked destinations including São Paulo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Seoul.
- Researchers cited Toronto’s multiculturalism, walkable neighbourhoods and welcoming atmosphere as key reasons for its appeal to independent travellers.
Thinking about taking a solo trip? According to a new study, Toronto may be the best place in the world to do it.
New data from GuruWalk, a global platform that connects travellers with local guides through free walking tours, has ranked Toronto as the world’s top destination for solo travellers.
The study found that 50.5 per cent of all GuruWalk bookings in Toronto were made by a single traveller, the highest proportion of any city analyzed.
That puts Toronto ahead of major international destinations including São Paulo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Seoul, while also outperforming every major European capital included in the ranking.
The findings come as solo travel continues to surge in popularity worldwide, becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry.
The ranking arrives as Toronto continues to attract international attention ahead of a busy summer that includes FIFA World Cup matches, major concerts and a packed festival season.
For solo visitors, researchers say the city’s mix of cultures, neighbourhoods and accessible public spaces makes it particularly appealing for exploring independently.
To compile the ranking, GuruWalk analyzed 12 months of booking data between June 2025 and June 2026. Researchers first identified the 150 most-booked cities on the platform before calculating the percentage of bookings made by solo travellers in each destination.
According to the report, Toronto’s diverse cultural landscape, welcoming atmosphere and walkable neighbourhoods helped push the city to the top spot.
Neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market, the Distillery District and Chinatown were highlighted as examples of the city’s appeal to independent travellers looking to explore at their own pace.
Toronto has long been recognized as one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and GuruWalk suggests that openness and accessibility are reasons why solo visitors feel comfortable navigating the city on their own.
The report also revealed broader global travel trends. Asia dominated the rankings, with cities including Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and Shanghai all landing within the top 15.
Latin America was the second most represented region, with destinations such as São Paulo, La Paz, Buenos Aires and Mexico City attracting large numbers of solo travellers.
GuruWalk says free walking tours have become particularly popular among solo travellers because they offer an easy way to explore a new city, learn local history and connect with other visitors.
“The solo traveller is one of the profiles that fits best with GuruWalk’s philosophy,” Belén Casanova, Head of Supply at GuruWalk, said in the report.
“Free tours offer exactly what someone travelling alone is looking for: an easy way to get orientated in a new city, an authentic experience and, very often, the chance to meet other people along the way.”
