UAE tops list for solo travellers from India

The UAE is now the leading international destination for Indian solo travellers this festive season, overtaking Thailand and Germany for the first time, according to Atlys visa data.​

 

Nearly three-quarters (71.5%) of all outbound Indian visa applications for September and October 2025 were for solo trips, a striking shift away from traditional family-centric travel during the holidays. 

 

While this solo surge is a global trend across major destinations, the UAE captured the largest share of these travellers from India, ahead of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

 

Indian millennials account for more than half of solo travel applicants at 53.5%, Gen Z contributes 29.7% and Gen X accounts for 14.6%. 

 

There is also a pronounced gender gap in solo travel, with men representing 75.9% of applicants and women 21.6%.

 

Atlys’ figures exclude work and residency renewals, underscoring a genuine rise in leisure-driven solo travel.

 

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Visitors to the UAE continue to grow, attracting close to 10 million international visitors between January and June 2025, a 6% increase over the previous year, with Indian nationals making up more than 10% of overall arrivals. 

 

Dubai alone is on track to rank among the world’s top three travel destinations in the fourth quarter of 2025, joining Tokyo and London, according to data from ForwardKeys.

 

Key drivers for the surge include increased flight connectivity, perceived safety, and streamlined visa processes. 

 

Leading airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, IndiGo, Air India, Air Arabia and Flydubai link 20 Indian cities to the UAE, offering more than 280 weekly departures.

 

Safety remains top of mind for solo travellers, and UAE cities are regularly ranked among the world’s safest for visitors, especially after dark, supported by low crime rates and visible policing measures. 

 

Abu Dhabi continues to hold the world’s top global spot for safety for nearly a decade, according to the Numbeo 2025 Safety Index. 

Simplified e-visa and visa-on-arrival systems for eligible Indian passport holders make last-minute and flexible trip planning easier than ever.​

 

Atlys CEO Mohak Nahta notes, “Festive travel in India has always revolved around family reunions, but this year we’re witnessing something different. Travellers are using long weekends to explore new destinations and experiences abroad, turning traditional holidays into opportunities for cultural discovery.” 

 

Nahta adds that this trend is further supported by consecutive long weekends and higher disposable incomes, prompting Indians to “plan smarter and explore more confidently”.

 

For more information, visit atlys.com