want to travel alone

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The 15 best places to travel alone

There’s nothing like gallivanting around the globe on your own. These are the best solo travel destinations in the world

Nothing sounds quite as liberating as upping sticks and going to see the world, at whatever pace, and for however long you want. The freedom of only being tied to your own schedule is the beauty of travelling solo, and it seems like lots of us are catching on. 

Travelling the world alone has only grown in popularity since we came out of pandemic restrictions, with many of us adopting the ‘life’s too short’ mindset, and working up the courage to just book that damn flight. And why shouldn’t we? There’s such an abundance of places to travel solo, some so glorious that you won’t even notice you don’t have company. 

Of course, there are some things to consider if you’re jetting off solo. Safety, especially for women travellers , is an important element to factor into your planning, among plenty of other aspects that need weighing up. We’ve done our research: here is our list of the best solo travel destinations in the world. 

RECOMMENDED:  🧗‍♀️ The best destinations for solo female travel ☀️ The prettiest islands in the world 🌆 The  best cities in the world  🖼️ The most beautiful places in the world

An email you’ll actually love

The best places to travel alone

1.  Iceland

The aptly-named ‘land of fire and ice’ is a magnet for nature fanatics, and perfect for those travelling solo. An abundance of caves, caverns, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes and geysers should be plenty to keep you occupied, as the landscape and scope of this Nordic island is second to none. The country’s charming capital, Reykjavik , is jam-packed with activity – why not add the Blue Lagoon or the Laugarvatn Fontana to your to-do list for some solo relaxation? And the best thing about Iceland for solo travellers is the safety. The country is named time and time again named  one of the safest places for travellers , thanks to low crime rates and a generally accepting society. It’s definitely one for the bucket list.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Iceland

2.  East Coast Australia

It goes without saying that Australia is absolutely massive. Mahoosive. Ginormous. And while that fact might make it seem daunting, particularly for those of us travelling solo, most of the action is concentrated on the East Coast. There are plenty of classic routes that run from Adelaide to Brisbane and beyond, allowing intrepid explorers to visit a variety of exciting towns that each seem to have their own magnificent ocean view. Australians are famously sociable, too, so meeting new people will never be an issue in this isolated corner of our beautiful planet.

📍 Discover the best places to visit in Australia

3.  Botswana

For those keen to explore the wonders of Africa, Botswana is likely your best bet. The country has a wealth of wildlife to appreciate and observe, with nearly 40 percent of its land area being devoted to national parks. The Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert and Chobe National Park are world-renowned safari spots, home to everything from giraffes to rhinos. Botswana is also a politically and economically steady nation, and ranks highly on safety indexes for African countries. This, plus the fact that many Botswanans speak excellent English, makes it a great destination to navigate on your solo travels.

4.  Canada

Canada ’s name is one thrown around most often when it comes to solo travel. The population has a worldwide reputation for their friendliness, and the country has everything you could want from a travel destination. Incredible off-the-grid adventure opportunities like visiting the Rockies, Niagara Falls and Banff National Park offer up plenty to see for intrepid globetrotters. However, Toronto is considered one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and Vancouver is famed for its unique urban design, stunning surroundings and the fact it's on the doorstep to some incredible nature. The weather? Not so great, but the people? Incredible.

5.  Vietnam

Vietnam ’s unique beauty and complicated history make it a compelling travel destination, particularly for those doing so alone. The country has grown into a popular travelling hotspot, and that’s led to a thriving social scene – the well-established tourist route means it should be really easy to meet like-minded travellers to journey alongside. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi and the Ha Giang Loop are three of the nation’s tourist highlights. There are also great transport networks, it’s budget-friendly and full of hostels. What more could you ask for when you’re travelling alone?

📍 Discover the  best things to do in Vietnam

6.  Portugal

Portugal’s most popular spots frequently pick up travel awards and plaudits alike, and the hype is not without good reason. Lisbon is a backpacker’s dream, while the dreamlike beauty of Porto attracts wide-eyed adventurers from all over the world.  The Algarve is much more than its budget holiday destination suggests, and the rest of the country is packed with stunning sights and spots. This European treasure boasts 800km of coastline, and it’s a particularly surfer-friendly paradise, thanks to the fact it’s perched on the edge of the Atlantic.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Portugal

7.  Chile

In South America, Chile leads the way in terms of quality of life, and unsurprisingly, lowest crime rate. It’s the perfect destination for people travelling alone thanks to its tight-knit community of backpackers, and, of course, abundance of sights to see. Atacama, the driest desert in the world, is located in the north, while there’s plenty to see in Santiago, the nation’s capital. You won’t go thirsty either, thanks to the fantastic Chilean repertoire of beer and wine. It’s also considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to its high altitude.

8.  Slovenia

Small but perfectly formed, Slovenia is a tremendous destination for solo travellers. The old ‘four seasons in a day’ adage is very much alive and well in a place where you can spend the morning skiing in the Alps before heading for a romantic solo sunset on the Adriatic at Piran. The capital, Ljubljana, is the perfect base for exploration, a city of friendly people and social spots an easy bus or train from Slovenia’s famous lakes and less-famous postcard villages. Pro tip: pick up a €15 IZLETka train ticket and get unlimited travel on the weekends.

📍 Discover four Slovenian getaways that are good for the planet

9.  New Zealand

New Zealand is a country that just gets things right. For one, it takes its reputation as one of the safest countries in the world very seriously, meaning travellers can explore in total security. But it isn’t usually safety that brings individual adventurers to New Zealand ; instead, it’s the dazzling landscapes, buzzing towns and cities and convivial people that make NZ the place it is. All of the bigger towns are backpacker paradises filled with history, culture and booze (the great trifecta of backpacking), and the scenery in between is staggering.

📍 Discover the best things to do in New Zealand

10.  Ireland

Irish storytelling is world-famous, immortalised in the novels of Joyce, Stoker, Wilde and the rest. Spend an evening in any Dublin pub and you will almost certainly hear a tale for the ages, as locals spin yarns and transport listeners to a world within a world, one pint at a time. The friendly hospitality of the Irish guarantees good conversation, while the stunning breadth of nature here allows for tranquil walks and plenty of room to think, ideal for solo travel. Getting around also couldn’t be easier, as it looks like Irish railway services are about to be amped up .

📍 Discover the best things to do in Ireland

11.  Japan

It can often feel as though Japan has been organised with solo travellers in mind. The efficiency of its transport links is as legendary as such things can be, allowing vagabonds all the time in the world to hit up the gripping cities and out-of-this-world scenery. (Check out our Japan rail itinerary if you’re planning to see the place by train.) The Japanese are among the friendliest in the world, the food is incredible and the whole experience is exactly that: an experience. It’s also another country that is consistently ranked the safest destination in the world for solo travellers .

📍 Discover the best things to do in Japan

12.  Greek Islands

No matter your preferred form of travel, a spot of island-hopping in Greece is almost a rite of passage for any traveller. That’s why you’ll meet everyone from excitable backpackers to considered veterans of the road here, each with a different story to tell. The Greek Islands are gorgeous and lush, not to mention packed with excellent food. Each one seems ready to capture your heart and convince you to stay forever and ever. Kefalonia and Corfu are the most popular and thus offer endless social opportunities, while the serenity of Naxos and Icaria will appeal to more introverted explorers.

📍 Discover the best Greek islands

13.  Bhutan

What could be safer than a culture so infused with Buddhism? Bhutan is definitely a place to include on your list should safety be one of your top priorities. The Trans Bhutan Trail reopened in 2022 , meaning travellers can follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and monks who trod the 400km route. The architecture is awe-inspiring, and the tiny country is of course perched on the very edge of the Himalayas, meaning the views are truly unmatched. There’s also tranquil lakes, luscious green valleys and dazzling glaciers to admire. Take heed: you will need some extra cash to splash in Bhutan, as the country has a pretty steep tourist tax .

14.  Croatia

Another super-safe solo-friendly destination is this jewel of the Adriatic. Boundless glorious beaches, fascinating mediaeval towns and relatively low prices are what Croatia has become so popular for. The nightlife is another perk of this place – the festival calendar is absolutely jam-packed, and Croatian cities are known for their cheap drinks and plethora of party spots. Eight national parks are also dotted around the country. Like waterfalls? There’s a whopping 90 of them at Plitvice Lakes,  though if you want a dip, head to the smaller falls at Krka National Park instead. Croatia is also an underrated wine producer and, of course, a hotspot for  Game of Thrones  fans.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Croatia

15.  Singapore

The phrase ‘melting pot’ is ridiculously overused, but one place that’s truly worthy of the label is Singapore . The island nation is a glorious meeting of different cuisines and cultures, with a landscape characterised by ancient temples and towering glass skyscrapers. Singapore is also incredibly safe, according to 96 percent of locals who we surveyed last year for our annual list of the world’s best cities . There are plenty of hostels if you’re wanting to meet other travellers. Spend your time soaking up the year-round tropical climate, and make sure to go on a food tour through Singapore’s  markets . 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Singapore

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out Worldwide

• All Time Out Locations
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific

Filed under:

How (and why) to travel alone

Smart solo travel tips to help you avoid scams, creeps, and loneliness.

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: How (and why) to travel alone

In 2019, Alea Simone quit her job, sold all her furniture, packed her bags, and embarked on a four-month trip across 17 countries in Europe and Asia — by herself. It was the first time she ever traveled solo. The Texas native had never visited Europe or Asia before, and she admits she was intimidated. Would she be able to navigate public transportation ? Communicate in non-English-speaking countries?

“I was really scared,” Simone says, “but at the same time, I had to push myself forward because there really wasn’t much for me to go back to.”

Four years and countless solo trips later, Simone is something of an expert. She recounts her travels to thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram , offering insight to adventurers, from cheap flight deals to a review of airport nail salon services . While she still gets anxiety ahead of solo travels from time to time, the best way to quell her fears is to hop on the plane and go.

Do you have a question or idea for Even Better?

Submit it by filling out this  form .

More travelers than ever before are choosing to venture on their own. According to a survey by the travel search engine Kayak , searches for single-person flights in 2023 are up 36 percent compared to 2022. Search interest in solo travel hit an all-time high in July 2023. The benefits of solo travel are wide-ranging, from complete flexibility to the potential for a transformative experience . Beholden to no one but themselves, solo travelers can eat where they want, spend what they want, and see what they want.

This isn’t to say solo travelers shouldn’t take their safety seriously. “Solo travel is definitely about getting to know yourself,” Simone says, “and trusting your intuition.” Travelers of color, queer people, and women on their own may be targets for scammers , endure catcalls , and encounter racism and other forms of bigotry. Still, travel experts say the potential for negative incidents shouldn’t deter those who hope to travel alone from doing so. With no one else to depend on, solo travelers must take extra care while planning a trip, navigating around new locations, and interacting with new people. Seasoned independent adventurers offer their best advice for staying safe, yet open to new experiences.

How should I prepare to travel by myself?

Regardless if you’re traveling to the next town over to attend a concert by yourself or you’re hopping on an international flight, you need to be prepared for what awaits you. The farther you venture from home, though, the greater the opportunity for cultural miscommunications and misinterpretations. “You’re not going to read every situation correctly, because you’re in another culture,” says Janice Waugh, the publisher of the website Solo Traveler , “whether you’re from Kansas and going to New York or New York to Kansas.”

Do some Googling to see whether your proposed destination has any travel advisories and whether there are any laws that would make your visiting unsafe. But keep in mind that countries are vast places and while one city or province may not be amenable to tourists, that doesn’t mean the entire country is unsafe for a solo traveler.

Research which neighborhoods are near restaurants, parks, public transportation, or other areas that interest you. Can you walk from place to place? Is your hostel located near all of the sites you want to visit?

Try to identify various local communities on Instagram in your proposed destination — say, a yoga club if you’re into yoga, or a queer social club — and reach out to members for recommendations on what to do and where to stay, says travel writer Bani Amor . Amor also suggests solo travel Facebook groups where you can find intel on various businesses and locals to meet up with.

Familiarize yourself with popular tourist scams, Simone says, so you don’t unknowingly get into what you believe is a taxi at the airport and are grossly overcharged. “It’s usually a very easy Google search,” she says. “What are the common scams in Morocco? What are the common scams in London? What are the common scams in Bangkok?”

When booking flights or other transportation, Waugh recommends arriving during daylight so you can get your bearings. While you’re coordinating your transit, make a plan for how you’ll get to your lodgings, says writer and travel expert Jessica Nabongo . Especially after a long flight where you may be tired and disoriented, knowing how you’ll get out of the airport is crucial. Nabongo is a fan of booking a car service, but for cheaper options, research the public transportation options from the airport. The app Rome2Rio provides a variety of routes, from subway and bus to train and car.

As a good rule of thumb for all travelers, Simone recommends a few crucial travel accessories: locks for your luggage and backpacks , and a portable door lock for hotel and hostel rooms. She also suggests an RFID-blocking wallet to prevent new-age pickpockets from using sensors to steal your data without having to even steal your wallet. A low-profile money belt that you can wear under your clothes helps keep your money close and out of sight.

If you’re traveling to a location where you don’t speak the language, try to learn a few phrases, Amor says, just in case you need to ask for directions or read signs on public transportation.

Before you leave for the airport, train station, or bus stop, or get in a car, tell a few friends and family members where you will be. You can even share your location with a contact in your iPhone or via Gmail on Android and Google Maps (you can always turn this off once you’re home). Someone should always know where in the world you are.

Where is a safe place to stay as a solo traveler?

Travel experts sing the praises of all forms of lodging: hostels, hotels, Airbnb , staying with a friend of a friend. The main consideration is your budget. Hostels will be the cheapest option since you’ll share a room and bathroom with other travelers. However, this is a great opportunity to meet other people, some of whom may also be on their own. “I always like to suggest that people who have never traveled solo stay at a hostel, because hostels are built for solo travelers,” Simone says. “They’re always going to have tours going on you can sign up for.” Remember to always keep your items secure and locked.

For a slightly more expensive option, Amor suggests a private room at a hostel. You’ll have a door that locks and won’t need to share a bathroom.

Hotels and Airbnbs will be the costliest places to stay. “I like the amenities,” Nabongo says. “I like having breakfast and my gym. And I like having a concierge, so I can ask, ‘What should I do? Where should I eat?’”

Take advantage of the staff and hosts wherever you stay, experts say. These people are often locals and are familiar with where you’re visiting. They can provide tour recommendations, directions, and places to avoid.

Before booking, Waugh suggests looking at the lodging’s location on Google Maps’ street view. “Make sure that the area looks like it’s active, that it’s well-maintained, and that you’re going to feel safe,” she says.

You can always tap your network, Amor says, and ask if anyone has a trustworthy friend who might be willing to let you crash. “Before I book anything, anywhere, I’m going online to my social network and I’m being like, ‘Who has got a place? Who has a friend of a friend?” they say. “If I’m a part of a radical community or a punk community, then I know we have some sort of ethos that is very mutual aid [focused].”

No matter where you stay, write the address in a note on your phone or mark the location on Google Maps so you always can find your home base.

How do I meet other people? Is that even safe?

While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your own company, solo travel gives adventurers the opportunity to meet new people. Group tours and Airbnb Experiences are great ways to mingle with other travelers. Opt to sit at the bar if you can since you’ll be better positioned to chat with other patrons and the bartender. These new connections might invite you to other events they have planned, Simone says, and give you strength in numbers. “You have to be open-minded and you have to be willing to say yes to things,” she says.

Try searching for clubs or social groups that align with your interests, Nabongo says. In major cities, there’s a good chance you can find a manga lovers group, beer runners, or a poetry reading event.

However, always keep these interactions in a public place, Waugh says: a cafe, a park, a museum, a store, historical sites. Simone and Waugh caution against going out by yourself at night unless you’re with an organized group like a bar crawl. Don’t tell anyone where you’re staying either, even if they ask. You can give a general location, like “on the other side of town,” and then keep the conversation moving, Waugh says.

Because different cultures have varying social norms around the appropriateness of certain comments or questions — what one culture considers a compliment may seem creepy to a person from a different background — you may be caught off-guard by offhand remarks. Sometimes cab drivers, for instance, might make comments about the way you look, misgender you, or ask intrusive questions. You don’t need to lie or justify who you are to a stranger, but keep the details to a minimum if you’re not comfortable. “Sometimes they’re just hitting on you, and … not everyone who’s hitting on you wants to abuse you,” Amor says. “But sometimes, it’s not fucking safe. I’ve never lied about having a boyfriend or a husband, but I usually just say ‘no.’”

Should a stranger become persistent in getting you alone, by offering to give you a ride or to veer off a marked hiking trail, consider that a red flag, Amor says. Don’t go anywhere private by yourself with someone you just met, be wary of people who are insistent you make a decision immediately (about whether you’ll join them on a day trip, for example), and don’t worry about being rude. “One thing a lot of us are trained to do is just to be nice,” they say. “You really have to put your foot down at some point.”

Continue using whatever metric you use at home to suss out new connections. If you get a weird feeling from a super-persistent person sitting next to you at the bar, signal to the bartender for assistance, move to another seat, or leave. “If you feel suddenly under threat,” Waugh says, “you just yell.”

Just as there are nefarious people wherever you go, there are kind and curious people, too. You have the opportunity to transform a local’s weeknight dinner into a charming memory. Be open to new connections, Nabongo says, and don’t assume everyone is out to harm you.

What do I do if I get sick or need help?

There are plenty of things that can go wrong when traveling, from the mundane — like getting lost — to the more serious, such as needing medical assistance. With no one else to rely on in a pinch, you may need to outsource help. For logistical issues, like asking for directions or inquiring how to purchase public transit passes, walk into a store and ask an employee or approach a family for assistance, Waugh says.

Waugh also recommends travel insurance , which covers medical expenses should you unexpectedly get sick or injured and need to be hospitalized. (Travel insurance also covers lost luggage and missed connecting flights .) In countries that have universal health care , a visit to a doctor or emergency room is generally cheaper than in the US, but travel insurance can cover the cost of evacuating you to a location where you can get appropriate care if you’re, say, in a remote area. The local US embassy or consulate office can also help you find a medical provider.

For less dire illnesses, local pharmacies are great resources, Waugh says. When she sprained her ankle in France a few years ago, she took an Uber ride to a nearby pharmacy, where employees helped her make an appointment with a specialist.

If you’re a victim of a crime overseas, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate ; they can replace a stolen passport, inform your family, and provide information about local points of contact or organizations familiar with that country’s laws. Involving police may not be helpful or even safe, so it’s up to you whether you want to file a police report if you’re involved in a crime, both stateside and internationally.

Although it’s important to be prepared for potential snafus, fear of the unknown should not hinder your experience. Millions of people live in traveler destinations — many by themselves — and don’t feel threatened by their hometowns. “In particular for women, society puts so much fear into us that I think is completely unwarranted,” Nabongo says. “The world is not as scary as they want us to believe it is.”

How to travel now

• Respectful Tourism
• Solo Travel
• Flight Advice
• The “Perfect” Vacation

Will you support Vox today?

We believe that everyone deserves to understand the world that they live in. That kind of knowledge helps create better citizens, neighbors, friends, parents, and stewards of this planet. Producing deeply researched, explanatory journalism takes resources. You can support this mission by making a financial gift to Vox today. Will you join us?

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via

• Tips for being a responsible, respectful traveler
• What flight attendants wish all travelers knew
• How to visit Disney World without losing your mind
• You’re going on vacation. What should you do with your pet?
• Passport wait times are up. Here’s what you need to get one.
• Your flight was canceled. Now what?
• One secret to cheap travel? Pet sitting.
• American trains aren’t great — but you should still take them anyway
• Stop trying to have the perfect vacation. You’re ruining everyone else’s.
• Traveling with a baby? Here’s what you need.
• What is ecotourism? A guide on how to travel sustainably.
• The weirdly common, very expensive travel scam you should avoid
• How RVs get their swoops
• How museum gift shops decide what to sell
• Why the US has two different highway fonts
• What I learned from taking a train across the US
• Why Americans love big cars
• How cruise ships got so big
• How airplane legroom got so tight

Sign up for the newsletter Today, Explained

Thanks for signing up.

Check your inbox for a welcome email.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Single Travel: Essential Tips for Planning a Solo Trip

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

People who have never traveled alone often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience. To take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes, or preferences of a traveling companion can be heady stuff. Solo travel gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully.

Of course, traveling alone has its perils too—such as safety concerns, loneliness, and the dreaded single supplement. But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and get you through the rough spots.

Why Travel Alone?

How to travel alone safely, how to travel alone as a woman, avoiding the single supplement, tips for solo dining.

• When You’ve Had Enough of Solo Travel

The Best Solo Travel Websites

Solo travel can be the ultimate in self-indulgence; you can rest when you want and pour it on when you’re feeling ambitious. Another benefit is that your mistakes are your own, and your triumphs all the more exciting. There’s no worrying that your insistence on trekking all the way across town to a museum that was closed ruined your partner’s day; it’s your own day to salvage or chalk up to a learning experience.

Also, you can do exactly what you want to do—all the time. Always wanted to try surfing? Sign up for a class and go for it; there’s no one sitting on the beach feeling bored while you have the time of your life. Have no desire to see Niagara Falls? Just drive right by. For more benefits of solo travel, see 11 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone at Least Once .

The 13 Best Places to Travel Alone

It’s perhaps the foremost question of the solo or single traveler: “Is solo travel safe?” Without a companion to watch your back, you are more vulnerable to criminals and scam artists, as well as simple health worries. But the saying “safety in numbers” isn’t always true—a solo traveler can blend in more easily than a group, and not drawing attention to yourself as a tourist is one way to stay secure.

Here are a few safety tips for traveling alone:

Do your homework before you arrive. Know how long it takes and how much it costs to get from the airport to your hotel or to the city center. Solo travelers are more likely to be “taken for a ride,” so ask the taxi driver for an estimated fare before you leave. If it’s considerably different from what you know to be true, take a different cab (or opt for a rideshare instead).

Choose the right accommodations. Book a hotel with a 24-hour front desk if you’ll be arriving late, so you don’t end up sleeping in your car or worse.

Trust yourself. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

Carry good identification —in more than one place. If you choose to wear a money belt , use it for storage and not as a purse. Constantly reaching under your shirt for money draws attention to it and defeats the purpose. Instead, keep your passport, extra stores of money, and other important documents tucked away, and use a theft-resistant bag or purse for carrying daily spending money.

Stick to open and public places , especially at night.

Exude confidence. Whether you’re on a street at home or 7,000 miles away, walking confidently and with direction is an effective technique for deterring unwanted attention, since appearing lost or confused can make you vulnerable. If you are lost, walk into a shop or restaurant and ask for directions there.

Avoid appearing like a tourist. Ditch the Disney T-shirt and don’t walk around with your face in a guidebook. (See 10 Things Not to Wear Abroad for more thoughts on this one.)

Leave valuables at home. Don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing flashy clothes or jewelry.

Lie a little. When asking for directions, don’t let on that you are alone: “Can you direct me to the museum? I have to meet a friend.”

Check your maps and transportation schedules before leaving your hotel/train/rental car/tourist office. A solo traveler who’s too absorbed in their phone can be a mark for unsavory types.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member at home, and stay in touch regularly via phone, text, video chat, or email.

Register with the State Department. For U.S. citizens traveling internationally, consider signing up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , which could help the State Department assist you in case of emergency. If you’re from outside the States, see if your home country has a similar program.

Arrive during the day. Areas around bus and train stations can be scary and/or deserted, and small towns tend to shut down early. Veteran solo traveler Mara Rothman of San Francisco notes that plenty of beautiful towns can appear eerie at night, and locals who are genuinely trying to help you can appear unnecessarily threatening. Arriving during the day means you’ll be able to find a place to stay and get your bearings before dark.

Trust everyone and no one. One of the best reasons to travel alone is to meet new people, but this also makes you more vulnerable. It’s okay to hang out, travel, and share with new friends, but you might not want to ask them to hold your money. Scam artists can often be the most charming companions you’ll find; you want to be open-minded, but keep your guard up enough to ensure your safety.

10 Travel Safety Mishaps (and How to Avoid Them)

Though some tips apply to just about every solo traveler, women traveling alone have their own set of safety concerns that most men don’t have to face. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself.

Exercise hotel safety. At check-in, consider asking for a room near the elevator so you won’t need to walk down long, potentially ill-lit hallways to reach your room. When filling out guest registration forms, consider using your first initial instead of your name, and skip the “Mrs./Miss/Mr.” check box. Additionally, make sure the clerk writes down your room number instead of saying it out loud. This will prevent anyone in the vicinity from knowing where to find you later. Consider packing a door stop to wedge under the door in case the lock is unreliable.

Dress to blend in. To avoid attracting unwanted attention, dress as conservatively as the women you see around you. This doesn’t necessarily mean donning the traditional dress, but a good rule of thumb is to dress modestly. Think knee-length or longer skirts. Bare arms, shoulders, and legs are considered risqué in some countries, so do the research before you go and once you’re there. Note which body parts the local women cover and do the same.

Know when to buddy up. Seeking out company can help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience. Smaller hotels and hostels are great places to find like-minded travelers to explore new places with. And even when you can’t find someone to buddy up with, there are often ways to associate yourself with others so you’ll be less likely to be bothered. In some countries, there are women-only sections in trains and women’s waiting rooms at train stations. Sticking close to families on public transportation and in unfamiliar public markets is another technique some women use.

Combat harassment. Having a repertoire of harassment deterrents can be as important to women travelers as a sturdy pair of shoes and a passport. Not engaging with people who are bothering you can make you a less interesting target. If you want to avoid being approached during lulls in activity, such as while waiting for a train, carry a novel or keep your eyes on your phone to make yourself look busy and involved.

If a situation of harassment escalates, making a scene can sometimes be effective. Many societies place a high premium on respecting social norms, so drawing attention to harassment in a loud and clear manner may solve the problem. The sentence for “leave me alone” is a handy one to learn in the language of your destination.

What is the Safest Hotel Floor to Stay On?

Frequent solo travelers are all too familiar with the single supplement, which tour operators and cruise lines often tack onto your bill to make up for the fact that they’re not making money off a second occupant. The supplement can range anywhere from 25 to 100 percent of the trip cost, meaning that you could end up paying twice as much as someone traveling with a partner.

There are several ways to get around the single supplement. You can avoid it altogether by booking with a tour operator that doesn’t charge single supplements on most trips, such as Overseas Adventure Travel .

Many other tour operators, including G Adventures , Intrepid Travel , Exodus Travels , REI Adventures , Adventure Women , and Road Scholar , offer roommate matching. By finding you a roommate, the company maximizes its own profit off each room and saves you the single supplement. The catch is, of course, that you’ll have to share a room with a stranger. If you’re concerned, contact the tour operator and see what kind of procedures it uses to match roommates. Some pair people off at random, while others will try to put travelers of similar ages together.

Several cruise lines offer single staterooms on select ships, including Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line , Cunard , and P&O Cruises .

You can sometimes save money by booking at the last minute. Tour operators eager to sell out their last few places may be willing to reduce their usual single supplement. Insight Vacations and Road Scholar are two companies that regularly discount or waive single supplements.

It’s not for everyone, but you may also want to consider staying in a hostel, which charges per bed rather than per room. Hostelling International properties tend to be reliably clean and secure, and they’re open to travelers of all ages. You can find more hostels and read reviews at HostelWorld.com .

3 Ways for Solo Travelers to Avoid Single Supplements

Eating alone isn’t so bad. Many solo travelers (and frequent business travelers) hate dining by themselves, worried that they appear like some worn-out Willy Loman of the road. There’s even a name for it: solomangarephobia. (Occasionally the fear is justified—see Terror at the Table for One .) The following tips can help you overcome what for many travelers is the most unpleasant aspect of going it alone.

Chat with the service people. Waiters and waitresses are some of the best local color you’ll find.

Choose the right eatery. Cafe or outdoor dining is often attractive to single travelers; sitting alone with a book in a cafe isn’t as unusual as a table for one at a fancy restaurant. You can also opt for a counter seat or a seat at the bar. A restaurant booth can also provide some privacy.

Bring reading material. If you start to feel uneasy sitting alone and staring down at your food, you can crack open a book, whip out your phone, or read a magazine.

Eat in. If you don’t want to endure yet another public meal alone, use room service or order carry-out from a restaurant nearby.

Eat well. Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take time for sit-down meals, a leisurely cup of coffee, or a decadent dessert.

When You’ve Had Enough of Single Travel

The constant sensory input and vigilance of traveling alone can wear you down. If you feel your attention or your body flagging, don’t be afraid to back off your ambitious itinerary, slow the pace, and kick back for a bit.

When traveling abroad, seek out an expat bar—locals will often know where these are—where you can hang out and speak your native tongue with some fellow expatriates and travelers. When traveling in more familiar locales, a hot shower and a night in front of the tube in a nice hotel room can often give you enough of a reprieve to send you out eagerly the next morning.

How to Meet Other People When You’re Traveling Solo

Best Single Travel offers vacations, cruises, and weekend getaways for solo travelers of all ages.

Flash Pack leads small-group trips of single travelers in their 30s and 40s.

GAFFL , which stands for “Get a Friend for Life,” lets you find travel buddies to meet up with in your destination.

Intrepid Travel has dedicated solo trips as well as a roommate-matching program on the rest of its offerings, so you never have to pay a solo supplement if you don’t want to.

One Traveller is a U.K.-based company leading trips for the “mature single traveller” (aged 50+) to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Singles Travel International offers trips for solo travelers with an average age 50+. If the company can’t find you a roommate by the time you make your final payment, you can have a room to yourself for free.

Solos is a U.K.-based company offering a wide variety of solo-only trips around the globe.

Solo Traveler offers tips, resources, and destination guides for solo travelers.

Women on the Road offers tips and advice for women traveling alone.

Women Traveling Together is for women travelers, most of them age 50+ and unaccompanied, who prefer to be with a group of like-minded women. The company offers tours, retreats, and other getaways, complete with roommate matching.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Sarah Schlichter and Christine Sarkis contributed to this story. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Greece: 6-Night Athens, Nauplia, Olympia &...

Luxe, 7-Night Caribbean & Mexico Cruise...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How to Travel Alone

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Traveling with friends and family can enhance your experience at any destination. You’ll have someone to share meals with, take pictures with and discuss ideas and questions about a particular place. But traveling alone has lots of its own advantages. You can customize your own trip, discover more about yourself and have time to ponder a new place without distraction.

How to enjoy a vacation alone is not as much of a mystery as you might think. Here are 11 ideas and tips for how to travel alone so that you can have the ideal solo experience. You may just like it enough to plan your own solo adventure more often than before.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

11 tips for traveling alone

1. control the itinerary.

One of the most common complaints about traveling in a group (whether it’s friends, families with kids, couples or groups of colleagues) is that it is hard to decide what you want to do together. Everyone has an opinion, and some people may want to visit certain attractions that others are not as interested in seeing.

Often, travelers end up spending time doing things that they may not like just to appease other members of the group. If you are traveling solo, you control the schedule. You decide when to wake up and what you want to do. You decide when you want to eat or sleep, when to take a break and what to visit. It’s a liberating feeling that is one of the most compelling reasons for traveling by yourself.

» Learn more: Safety tips for solo female travel

2. Try new food

Where (and when) to eat can be a contentious point for people since everyone’s palate and appetite are different. Some people are more adventurous than others. When you’re traveling alone, you can sample new foods without someone else saying they want a burger instead. You can visit many different cafes or street food stands without having to get someone else’s opinion.

Walking through a local grocery store (a favorite activity of frequent international travelers) won’t receive any eye rolls either. You’ll get a look at local life, flavors unique to a destination and even the prices for certain items overseas.

3. Pack lighter

When you’re the only person to help carry bags and move between places, you’ll find that you will pack less. Plus, you won’t have to worry about someone seeing you wear the same thing twice. If you consider doing laundry while traveling, you can lighten the load even more.

If you're flying, you’ll need to keep carry-on and checked bag rules in mind. If your bag is overweight or you have too many bags, there is no one else to help spread the weight across other bags. There is one way to circumvent any extra charges: get a credit card that waives bag fees .

» Learn more: How to prepare and pack for travel

4. Immerse yourself in local culture

“ When traveling alone, you end up listening more than speaking. ”

When traveling with other people, you often find yourself discussing your own personal lives, speaking your own language and generally seeing the world through your own lens. But, when traveling alone, you end up listening more than speaking.

You hear local discussions, language and sounds. You can ponder regular life as it passes by rather than getting caught up in conversations from home that are irrelevant to the destination.

Once you find yourself traveling alone, you will see how this simple idea can have huge implications on how you view and experience a new place.

5. Meet new people

Traveling by yourself may lead you to be more outgoing toward meeting new people. Whether you are in a restaurant or bar, sitting on the bus or exploring a museum, it can be enlightening to chat with new people to learn about where they are from, what they think of a new place and what they do for a living.

More often than not, you’ll learn something and maybe even make a new friend. It can be helpful to get suggestions from other people about the place you are visiting since they may have ways to help save money or time when exploring. You might also learn about new places to visit. If you’re looking to save money by staying in a hostel, you’ll meet other solo travelers that may want to share tips or tag along for part of the itinerary.

» Learn more: Hostel safety tips for shared travel accommodations

6. Learn more about yourself

Solo travel can teach you a lot about yourself. It can stretch your limits of adventure, courage, risk-taking and even emotion.

“ You might just surprise yourself with what you’ll learn. ”

When traveling with other people you find yourself following more of a community mindset, but when you are in control of the itinerary, do what interests you. You might just surprise yourself with what you’ll learn.

7. Work up the courage to take calculated risks

One reason many people are afraid of traveling solo is that they worry about feeling unsafe or vulnerable. With no one looking out for you, you will find yourself taking more calculated risks with every decision. When with a group, it is easier to make risky decisions since you feel the safety of a group. On your own, you are more likely to think through the repercussions of everything you do.

8. Focus on your surroundings

When traveling solo, you become hyper-aware of your surroundings. This is great for understanding culture, but also for your own safety. You focus on who is walking behind you or near you. You’re more careful with your belongings. And you make decisions that take into account that you’re alone with no one to help you should you need it. That’s a skill that can serve you well at home, too.

» Learn more: How to find cheap things to do in any city

9. Save money on certain extras

While traveling alone does not have the benefit of sharing the cost of accommodations or taxis, for example, it does mean that you may choose to dine out less in expensive restaurants in favor of more casual grab-and-go meals or cafes. These may even be tastier and more fun than a multicourse meal. Still, don’t be afraid to try a nice restaurant in a new place from time to time. Sit at the bar or bring a book. While it feels like everyone may be looking at you dining alone, most people are more focused on themselves.

Don’t forget that some hotels and cruise lines offer single accommodations that can help you shave some extra cost from the standard option. While these may be smaller than usual, it is a good way to save extra cash to spend elsewhere. Always ask if there is a discount for a single traveler.

» Learn more: How to pay for the perfect solo trip using points

10. Relax your mind

One of the best tips for traveling alone can be to pamper yourself and allow yourself to let go of the stressors from home, especially if you’re in a resort or beach destination. Bringing friends or family along can be fun, but it also makes it harder to cut the cord for a few days if what you’re looking for is a break from reality.

11. Build personal confidence

Once you take one solo trip, you’ll realize you can do a lot more things on your own, even beyond traveling. You have practiced problem-solving skills, weighed certain risky decisions and discovered that you can’t really truly immerse yourself in a place until you sit back and watch, listen and learn. Confidence can build from a successful track record of trying things that you may have thought you couldn’t do. Traveling alone is a great place to start.

» Learn more: More than half of travelers have the same resolutions this year

The bottom line

It may seem daunting at first, but solo travel is both rewarding and fun if you are up for it. Even social butterflies can find the opportunity to make new friends and meet people when they travel. You will learn a lot about the world, other people's ways of life and most importantly, yourself.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

20 expert solo travel tips for women from the Lonely Planet team

Nov 17, 2023 • 10 min read

Solo travel is one of the most exciting and liberating experiences you can have © Deepa Lakshmin / Lonely Planet

If you’re eager to see the world, why hold out for the ideal travel companion? Solo journeys create indelible memories.

Yet while voyaging by yourself can exhilarate, it can also be dauting– especially for female travelers. That’s why we asked a few travel-expert colleagues here at Lonely Planet for ideas that any woman setting out alone should keep in mind.

Here are 20 tips to keep you safe, grounded and ready to set out for the trip of a lifetime. All by yourself.

1. Seek out female hosts (ideally with pets)

If I’m booking accommodation online, I tend to opt for women owners (preferably with pets in their host photos!). This is partly psychological – but I’ve also found that women tend to think about things like where to go to avoid crowds or safer alternatives to more touristy places. It’s nice how protective women are of each other, especially when we’re traveling alone.

– Akanksha Singh , Destination Editor 

2. Ease into it 

It can be tempting to throw yourself outside of your comfort zone all at once, but doing things alone – solo traveling, or even just going out to dinner or the movies by yourself – can feel intimidating at first. But it’s a muscle you build up over time. Start with a day trip or an afternoon wandering a museum you’ve always wanted to see but didn’t know who to go with. When I backpacked through Australia and New Zealand , I tacked on extra days at the end of group tours so I had solo time to explore (and decompress!) after nonstop socializing and being “on.” I’d already acclimated to the new-to-me destination while traveling with the group, which meant I had more confidence and knowledge to navigate the streets on my own.

– Deepa Lakshmin , Social Media Director

3. Consider hostels for connecting with like-minded people of all ages

Hostels are a great way to meet people, especially fellow solo female travelers. I truly believe you’re never too old for hostels. Many cater to people of various age groups and backgrounds, and offer private rooms for added comfort and privacy. I find it’s easier to meet like-minded people in communal settings – the kind of people who are eager to exchange travel tips and stories with you and who genuinely want you to have a good time. I’ve made lifelong connections with people I’ve met in hostels. 

– Sasha Brady , Digital Editor 

4. Start with a solo afternoon

I’m not quite 100% to the point where I’m ready to dive into solo travel, so I like to just carve out a day or an afternoon of Rachy Adventures when I’m traveling with friends or my wife. (Said adventure often involves a croissant and an overpriced latte.) Some of my absolute favorite parts of a trip have been a rainy afternoon spent wandering alone in Boston , or sitting alone with a good book on a largely empty beach, taking in the waves.

– Rachel Lewis, Senior Social Media Manager 

5. Book some group activities

If you’re feeling apprehensive about taking a big solo trip, arrange a tour or activity for each day. This way your days will be organized around a preplanned group event. I made connections from all over the world on a solo trip to Australia in my early 20s – and 20 years on, am still in regular touch with a Swedish woman I met on a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef .

– Fionnuala McCarthy , Editorial Director

6. Hop on a boat or a bus

I get my bearings by taking either a hop-on, hop-off bus tour or a boat tour. On my first solo trip to Paris , I decided to take a cruise down the Seine – during which I wrote out my plans for the trip and got to know people by offering to snap their photograph. I also find spending time in local bookstores to be a great way to immerse myself in the destination as well as meet fellow travelers and locals who seem very happy to help and offer tips and advice. 

– Brekke Fletcher , Senior Director of Content

7. Bring a book 

I’ve cycled and hiked and taken trains all over the world by myself, and I never did any of it without a book on hand. Waiting on delayed trains, sitting down to meals, relaxing in a bar at the end of the day: all of these situations are improved with a book. Reading can also be a useful way to put off any potential unwanted conversation. A woman on her own can be a magnet for chatterers, and I’m not always in the mood to talk to strangers when traveling.

– Amy Lynch , Destination Editor

8. Indulge your hobbies

Look for activities related to what you already like to do at home. For example, I love to thrift-shop, so I’ll often look up secondhand or charity shops in foreign cities: it’s a great way to get a sense for local fashions and find unique souvenirs. I also love to embroider, and I’ve spent hours at textile galleries, oohing over fine needlework and learning about local fiber-art traditions. I couldn’t do that with a bored travel companion.

– Morgan Wegner, Senior Operations Editor

9. Embrace “yes!” – within reason

One of the best things about solo travel is the freedom to make or break plans whenever you want. Some of my favorite travel memories (including meeting my husband!) are because I took a chance and made a plan with new friends over an impromptu drink or meal. Celebrate saying “yes” to things you wouldn’t normally do – but trust the voice in your head at the same time. If the hair on the back of your neck stands up at a turn Google is telling you to make, take a different route. Learn to expand your boundaries – while trusting your intuition.

– Erin Lenczycki, Photo Editor

10. Be present

Traveling by yourself is a great opportunity to be mindful. With no need to rush or please anyone else, I find myself doing a lot of thinking and reflecting while traveling alone. I try to limit my interaction with my phone as well to really enjoy the quiet. I find some of my most vivid traveling memories have come from these trips.

– AnneMarie McCarthy , Destination Editor

11. Plan rest days

For every seven to 10 days of travel, set aside a day to breathe. Sleep in, treat yourself to a nice meal or just give your legs a break. If you can resist the pressure to program every moment of your trip, you won’t feel like you’re “wasting” your time. This is especially true when you’re traveling solo and not on anyone else’s schedule. 

– Ann Douglas Lott , Associate Editor

12. Use apps to your advantage (and with headphones)

When navigating a new city on foot, plug your destination into a maps app, then listen to the walking directions through headphones. This allows you to avoid pulling out a map – which is equivalent to waving a flag printed with “tourist!” Most importantly, when you’re making your plans, try to resist fear (which is used to manufacture headlines and generate clicks). Language and cultural barriers can raise discomfort, which will make you hyper-aware of your surroundings. But that doesn’t mean said surroundings are unsafe. 

– Jessica Lockhart, Destination Editor

13. Go on a food tour

One thing that makes a lot of solo travelers apprehensive is the thought of dining alone. But if you join a food tour, you’ll have dining companions for the evening and the opportunity to try out a bunch of new restaurants ⁠— all while learning about the local culture. I joined a food tour of Trastevere while traveling solo in Rome : not only did I get to meet fellow travelers, but the tour included a mix of casual street-food spots (excellent for solo travelers) and restaurants. After you check these places out in a group, you may feel more relaxed coming back on your own for a solo-dining experience.

– Alex Butler , Managing Editor 

14. Travel with a power bank

Traveling alone, you will most likely be using your phone more than usual to take photos and videos, and for navigating maps. Even if your phone has a reliable battery, it’s always good to know you have a backup, especially if you’re on your own. There are plenty of small and lightweight power banks that you can purchase to slot into your bag when on the road.

– Zara Sekhavati, Destination Editor

15. Share your location 

To ensure peace of mind, I make it a habit to inform at least one person back home of my whereabouts using the Find My Friend app , which allows them to track my location in real time. While it can be reassuring for safety reasons, what I appreciate the most about it is the tangible sense of connection it provides. My family, in particular, loves that they can place me on a map and accompany me virtually on my explorations.

– Sasha Brady

16. Traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling alone

For me, traveling solo can be a great way to meet new, like-minded people. Join a tour group like G Adventures or Intrepid for an entire trip, book a day tour with GetYourGuide , find a class for something you’re passionate about like art or cooking, research some of the digital-nomad meetups, find a bar where they show the games of your favorite team…there are lots of ways to forge new friendships on the road. 

– Melissa Yeager , Senior Editor 

17. Don’t wait for a partner

I’ve traveled solo to places like Hawaii , the Amalfi Coast and the Dominican Republic . When I tell these stories, someone will occasionally say something to me like, “Oh, I want to go there on my honeymoon, so I’m waiting to take that trip.” My advice? Don’t wait. If you want to somewhere, even a place with a reputation as a “romantic” destination or a honeymoon getaway, go anyway. There are so many ways to enjoy a destination and to make your own memories, with or without another person. If resorts or entire destinations cater specifically to couples, you will see a different – and sometimes more interesting – side of it by going solo.   

– Laura Motta , Senior Director of Content

18. Don’t overshare

The temptation to share your entire trip via social media can be overwhelming – especially if you’re having a fantastic time. But for safety concerns, it’s best to avoid sharing every movement with every follower until you return home. Not only do real-time posts alert people to where you are during every part of your trip, but they also let folks know you’re not home. Consider sharing your photos and videos from the road just with a close number of friends, or wait until your trip is over to flood your social media. 

– Alicia Johnson , Destination Editor

19. Role-play at restaurants

Dining alone can be the best kind of mini-adventure. You can chat with the bartender – often a wealth of local knowledge – or other patrons. You can play at being an international woman of mystery and hunker down with a book or a notebook and pen. And if you’ve had a long day of sightseeing, sometimes it feels good to just sit at a quiet table and fiddle with your phone. The best part? Solo diners can often glide right to the front of the line at popular and award-winning restaurants, even without a reservation. 

– Laura Motta

20. Feel your feelings – and cry when you need to

Especially if you’re traveling alone for the first time. Especially if you’re far away from everything you’ve ever known. Especially if you feel confused or lonely or out of place. I’ve shed tears in more airports than I care to admit. You’re outside your comfort zone, and that’s scary! It’s normal to feel homesick and miss the people, places and routines that feel familiar to you. But you probably embarked on a solo adventure because some part of you craves something new – and any change requires getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, at least for a little bit. It’s OK to go through it.

– Deepa Lakshmin

This article was first published May 25, 2019 and updated Nov 17, 2023.

Explore related stories

Solo Travel

Dec 10, 2021 • 10 min read

Whether it’s the atmosphere or the culture, some places are naturally suited for people traveling alone. These 10 spots are perfect for solo travelers.

Nov 4, 2020 • 6 min read

May 14, 2024 • 10 min read

May 13, 2024 • 7 min read

May 7, 2024 • 5 min read

May 3, 2024 • 12 min read

May 3, 2024 • 5 min read

Apr 29, 2024 • 11 min read

Apr 25, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 19, 2024 • 7 min read

Protect Your Trip »

Solo travel for women: the 18 best destinations (plus tips).

Plan an independent getaway to suit your own personal travel style.

Solo Travel for Women

Getty Images

For your next solo adventure, consider exploring waterfalls in Iceland, rice fields in Indonesia, beaches in Thailand and more.

Perhaps you have a bucket list of places you've always wanted to travel at the ready but you just keep waiting for the right person to go with you. But if your friends are busy, you just broke up with your partner and you're not feeling a family vacation, you don't have to wait to embark on a new adventure – just go solo .

Traveling by yourself, even as a woman, is not as challenging or scary as you might think. There are plenty of benefits: You don't have to adhere to anyone else's schedule, budget or food preferences, so you can truly prioritize yourself. Solo travel means doing whatever you want whenever you want, while seeing the places that you most want to visit. Adventuring alone as a woman can empower you to see the world on your terms.

Whether you're concerned about safety or seeking companionship, there are plenty of places around the globe to consider for your next solo trip. U.S. News has compiled this list of top solo travel destinations (and helpful tips) with expertise from women who have traversed the globe by themselves and loved it.

Barcelona, Spain

With a visit to Barcelona , immerse yourself in the local culture at your leisure, whether you want to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants or go cheer at a football (soccer) game. Writer Mona Gable says, "Barcelona is a place of wonder − medieval neighborhoods, sunny beaches, and world-class museums, not to mention Antoni Gaudí's celebrated architecture." She enjoyed exploring the Mediterranean port city, especially because of its walkability and easy-to-navigate transportation system with metro lines and buses. She also noted feeling safe on her own: "As a female traveler, I felt perfectly at ease wandering many neighborhoods alone, even at late hours, when Catalans famously dine out."

Travel tip: Gable says it's best to avoid touristy Las Ramblas – Barcelona's main thoroughfare – except to see La Boqueria, the city's legendary food market.

[See more of Barcelona:  Things to Do  |  Tours  |  Hotels  |  When to Visit  |  Photos  ]

Botswana is well known for African wildlife safaris , where travelers might encounter elephants, zebras, rhinos, lions and cheetahs while glamping in luxury tents and dining on gourmet food. "Wildlife travel offers an outstanding combination of camaraderie, safety and autonomy," says Darcie Smith, owner of Great Expeditions Travel . She recommends Botswana's green season (November to March) for solo female travelers; at this time of year the single supplement surcharge is waived at many safari camps, which offers an excellent value and means you're more likely to meet other solo travelers. It is also peak season for birding, and you'll find plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife in the lush landscape.

Many camps will send someone to meet guests upon arrival to help you navigate airports or transfers. In Smith's experience, camp guests are also escorted to their rooms at night, for an added wildlife safety element. "Solo female travelers can enjoy daily shared safari activities in intimate camps that encourage social gatherings with full independence to design the itinerary around what's best for you," she says.

Travel tip: Smith recommends making your social media accounts private when you travel so strangers can't track your location as well as learning about the customs of your destination. "This will help avoid accidentally coming across as forward or flirtatious based on local standards," she explains. "For example, while long eye contact may be considered a sign of self-confidence or being polite at home, it may come across as flirtatious in your new destination."

Picture yourself indulging in pizza and gelato, visiting world-famous museums, touring picturesque wineries, and shopping at designer boutiques – all of that is at your fingertips in Italy , writer Martha McCully's go-to travel destination. "Italians want to share their culture and it's part of their personality to welcome you," she says. "Plus, the food and wine are outrageously divine."

The idea that traveling solo means you will be alone is a misconception, according to McCully. "It's simply not true," she says. "Book a group tour at your destination, or DM a friend from your past on Instagram, which is what I did in Bologna." There are plenty of unique ways to meet fellow travelers in Italy; she recommends signing up for a cooking class in Bologna through Taste of Italy, a food tour by Curious Appetite or a painting class with Plein Air Tuscany. "The idea is you will be with like-minded travelers and someone else is doing all the organizing," McCully explains.

Travel tip: McCully suggests sticking to your wellness routine while on the road to keep healthy habits. "I like to take my rituals with me," she says. "When I ground myself with what I know makes me feel good physically and mentally, it's like I'm living in another country, not just visiting."

[Read: The Top Italy Tours .]

With glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and hot springs galore, the dramatic landscapes of Iceland make it a must-visit destination. The "Land of Fire and Ice" is also known for puffins, its Viking history and women's empowerment, with the country's reputation as a champion of gender equality.

"Iceland is a favorite destination for female solo travelers because it is easily one of the safest countries in the world," says Jenny Ly, professional travel blogger at Go Wanderly . Iceland has one of the world's lowest crime rates and no animal predators dangerous to humans – just prepare for challenging weather and exercise caution if you plan to do any driving. Ly's itinerary recommendations include whale watching, with nearly a dozen types of whales navigating Icelandic waters; visiting Vatnajökull Glacier's ice caves; and chasing the northern lights in the darker months (October to April).

Travel tip: Ly encourages solo female travelers to not let the lack of a travel companion prevent them from exploring the world. "It can be both empowering and rewarding for women to travel solo, at least once in their life," she says. "While traveling alone can be riskier than traveling with others, it can also be more fun and gratifying." Her tip is to always be aware of your surroundings.

[Read: The Top Iceland Tours .]

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

While some women may shy away from traveling to Mexico due to safety concerns, travel blogger Jeanine Romo of lewildexplorer.com , who has ventured solo to many countries, recommends visiting the charming town of San Miguel de Allende . "I decided to go on my own and had such a wonderful time," she says. "The people are friendly, the hospitality is amazing, and there are so many things to do if you love art, incredible food, and incredible architecture." San Miguel de Allende is a great option for women travelers because the city center is easily walkable and Uber is available, which Romo says made her feel safe because she could always call a ride.

Travel tip: For women traveling by themselves, Romo advises doing research on transportation options (such as local buses, metro lines and ride-sharing app availability) before you arrive. "I like to know how walkable the city I'm visiting is," says Romo. "This helps me feel so much more confident when navigating a new city."

[See more of San Miguel de Allende: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

New Zealand

From pristine beaches on the North Island to snowy mountains on the South Island – and all kinds of geological wonders in between – the diversity of New Zealand is a major draw for tourists. Travelers can learn about the indigenous Māori culture, visit a sheep farm or go sailing in Auckland , among an abundance of other incredible things to do in this island nation.

Travel blogger Nina Ragusa of whereintheworldisnina.com enjoys visiting because of the welcoming culture, outdoor adventure and feeling of safety. "Traveling New Zealand as a solo woman is quite easy, and if it's your first trip solo, this would be a good country to start in," she says. Ragusa spent a month camping in a van by herself and said she never had to worry about her safety, even in more remote areas. "I went on hikes solo, some of them deep into the mountains for miles and miles, and was either alone or passing other tourists or friendly kiwis to wave hello to," she says. Ragusa adds that New Zealand is not the cheapest travel destination, but her personal recommendation for saving money on longer trips here is to rent – or buy and later sell – a van to live in.

Travel tip: Ragusa recommends steering clear of the outskirts of the bigger cities (particularly if you do travel by van). She warns that, as in most urban destinations around the world, those parts of New Zealand are where you're more likely to run into trouble.

El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina

For an outdoor adventure in South America, Argentine Patagonia offers pristine ice hiking, backpacking, kayaking, trekking and wildlife viewing. Nicol Gillum-Thomas, an African-American solo female traveler whose mission is to encourage women to live life as an adventure, enjoyed her time in the town of El Calafate. "El Calafate, Argentina, was the destination that seemed the most off-putting in my imagination, but became the trip with the most adventure, awe-inspiring beauty and ease," she says.

Travel tip: Gillum-Thomas recommends a stay at the América del Sur Hostel Calafate, saying she appreciated the clean accommodations and interesting guests.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

If you dream of a getaway that includes picturesque beaches and crystal-clear water, Croatia is the perfect spot to explore. In Dubrovnik , the ancient city walls and medieval architecture of Old Town , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, set a particularly gorgeous scene when the sun goes down. Tamara Williams, owner of solo female travel-focused blog My Elated Odyssey , says the unmatched beauty of the surrounding sea and mountains is only one reason to plan a trip here.

"The locals are some of the nicest people I have ever met," Williams says. "They truly made it feel like a second home. They spoke English well, so no need to worry about a language barrier." She adds that this Balkan country is also considerably more affordable than destinations in Western Europe.

Travel tip: For solo female travelers, Williams suggests staying in the Lapad neighborhood or near Old Town. "Both are full of cafes, bars and shopping to keep you busy," she says.

[See more of Dubrovnik: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Svalbard, Norway

You can't go wrong in Norway , with breathtaking fjords, fascinating wildlife, scenic railways, outdoor adventure and the chance to glimpse the northern lights . Jurga Rubinovaite, founder of the travel blog Full Suitcase , says you won't want to miss Svalbard: a Norwegian archipelago located approximately 800 miles from the North Pole. "It is one of the most unique nature destinations in the world," she says. "Despite being so far north in the Arctic, it's extremely easy to visit and is also a great and safe destination for solo female travelers."

The main town, Longyearbyen, is the focal point of activities in Svalbard, which range from hiking and boat tours in the summer to winter pursuits such as ice cave visits and snowmobiling. "Because of the presence of polar bears, everything you do in Svalbard requires booking a guided tour, so you are always in safe hands," Rubinovaite explains. "Longyearbyen town itself is very lively and safe, with lots of accommodations, restaurants, shops, and a few museums, all within easy walking distance from each other."

Travel tip: For women traveling alone, Rubinovaite advises thorough research in advance of your trip to this Arctic locale; staying in hotels, rather than private accommodations; and booking guided tours or looking for a travel buddy when venturing out to very remote places.

Head to Ireland for a memorable solo getaway complete with rolling emerald-green hills, fairytale castles and Irish coffee. Experienced traveler Kelie Fiala of the Vacations Planned blog ranks this European country at the top of her list for solo travel spots. "Many attractions in Ireland are wonderful for solo travelers because they offer peaceful spots to stop and enjoy the gorgeous views, but also provide plenty of opportunities to meet friendly people at cafes and other points of interest," she says.

Fiala appreciates the nightlife and music scene of Ireland as much as the history and scenery. She suggests experiencing some of the country's pubs, even if you're a woman traveling alone, since you'll almost always find live music and friendly people. "Even if you start out by yourself, you'll easily find that you're having great conversations in no time," she says.

Travel tip: Fiala warns that for solo travelers, especially women, it's best to be careful how much you drink and leave the situation if you ever feel uncomfortable. But she also encourages women to not be afraid to have a chat. "You could hear some great stories, and make a new friend," she says.

Beautiful beaches, delicious food, friendly people, exotic animals and floating markets are just some of the incredible things that you can experience in Thailand . Loredana Gogoescu, head of content for Destguides.com , says she felt safe in Thailand as soon as she arrived. "Thai people are hospitable and kind," she says. "Moreover, as a solo traveler, I was surprisingly never alone. I had to book a private room for myself at one point just to get a breather, as I was constantly meeting new people!"

Travel tip: If you're apprehensive about exploring a new place on your own, especially if you've never traveled abroad before, Gogoescu recommends sorting out all the logistics like accommodations and transportation in advance so it's easier to acclimate once you get there. She adds, "If you're afraid of being alone, join different apps like Bumble and Facebook groups for the destination you're traveling to, to see if you can match up with other solo female travelers who will be in the area at the same time as you."

Netherlands

Nailah Hayward of TheresSoMuchToSee.com says the Netherlands is a superb option for first-time solo female travelers, based on ease of transportation, overall safety, the variety of things to do and other factors. "The Netherlands comes out high on all of these areas," she says. "And after multiple visits to the country, traveling through big cities and small towns, I always felt extremely safe." With the country's extensive train system, in addition to local trams and bike lanes, navigating the Netherlands by yourself doesn't pose too great a burden. Hayward also appreciates the ease of communicating with locals as an English speaker, since most people speak English in addition to Dutch.

"Whether you are into the arts scene, outdoor activities, luxury experiences, cultural exploration or culinary delights, the Netherlands has a huge variety of activities to dive into," Hayward says. "All of these elements make the Netherlands a place that I enthusiastically recommend for solo women travelers."

Travel tip: Don't carry cash. Hayward says most transactions can be done electronically, so there's no need for frequent trips to the ATM.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Luxury family travel influencer Irina Claire Bromberg suggests Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands as a top spot for solo female travel, partially because of its high safety rating from the U.S. Department of State. There's also no shortage of activities in this Caribbean destination, with Bromberg calling Stingray City a must. "The stingrays are peaceful and gentle," she says. "They glide along the ocean floor and you're free to observe and even play with them in their natural habitat." She also recommends soaking up some sun at the renowned Seven Mile Beach .

Grand Cayman is also a foodie paradise, according to Bromberg. "The vibrant dishes are as tasty as they are exciting, representing the fascinating mix of cultures and traditions that make the island so unique," she says. Her suggestions for food to try include the classic Cayman-style lobster, coconut shrimp and Johnny cakes.

Travel tip: Bromberg recommends checking the U.S. Department of State safety rating and other solo travelers' experiences prior to booking a trip.

[See more of the Cayman Islands:  Things to Do  |  Hotels  |  When to Visit  |  Photos  ]

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Chart your course for Istanbul , the only city in the world that straddles two continents, Europe and Asia. This anomaly is one of many features making the Turkish city stand out as a unique destination; you'll get to experience its Byzantine architecture, Ottoman cuisine and landmarks like the Grand Bazaar on a trip here. Farihah Fuaad, a Muslim solo travel expert and founder of MuslimSoloTravel.com , says, "It offers the best of both worlds – East and West, Europe and Asia, modern and ancient – and lots of surprises." This lively, fast-paced metropolis is also rich in history and culture, with remnants of bygone eras visible in the skyline of Istanbul, according to Fuuad.

For solo travelers, there are endless opportunities for memorable experiences. "Wherever you go in Istanbul, multiple surprises await you at the corner of every street, its cobblestone alleys, or within the maze-like structure in Grand Bazaar," Fuaad says. The network of easy and convenient public transportation options also makes Istanbul a great choice for women traveling solo.

Travel tip: For first-time solo female travelers, Fuaad suggests taking time to adjust to being on your own: "Start small, by venturing to your next neighboring town or city first, or any city in your country first before you make the leap into solo traveling abroad." She adds, "Don't do things you're not comfortable with. Listen to your gut feelings – they're always right!"

[See more of Istanbul:  Things to Do  |  Hotels  |  When to Visit  |  Photos  ]

Bali, Indonesia

For a tropical island escape, Bali is undeniably magical. Its natural beauty spans volcanoes, waterfalls and stunning beaches, as well as sprawling rice fields, diverse nightlife and breathtaking temples. Katie Caf, travel blogger at KatieCafTravel.com , who has been traveling solo full time for the past year and a half, says Bali is by far her favorite place to visit. "The Balinese people are very respectful towards female travelers, there's no street harassment based on gender like you might find in other locations, and while no place is perfect, Bali just feels very safe as a woman," Caf says. She adds that, although Indonesia is a conservative country, she found that women traveling there aren't expected to cover up except in temples or other sacred religious sites.

Travel tip: Caf recommends that travelers always use ride-sharing apps like Uber, Gojek and Grab rather than hailing cabs off the street, since the apps' tracking features make them much safer to use for solo female travelers in foreign countries. Some of these sites also allow you to share your route with chosen contacts for added safety.

[See more of Bali:  Things to Do  |  Hotels  |  When to Visit  |  Photos  ]

Paris is one of the most iconic destinations in Europe for any traveler. Antoinette Harris, founder and owner of travel blog Frolic & Courage , considers the "City of Love" a superb option for women traveling solo due to its cuisine, cultural attractions and hands-on activities of all sorts. "I consider Paris the city of self-love because it has everything solo women travelers need to care for themselves and their interests," Harris says.

With the flexibility of traveling on your own, you can plan the Paris trip of your dreams. Depending on what you're interested in, you may choose to learn about French cooking, immerse yourself in the Louvre , attend an opera at the historic Palais Garnier or browse local shops, as Harris has done. "Uninhibited by the demands or requests of others, I was able to really take the time to focus on who I am, what I wanted and what sparks joy and life in my spirit," she says. "Traveling to Paris taught me how to truly enjoy spending time solo."

Travel tip: One of Harris' top tips is to not bring more than you can carry, as you won't always find someone to help you with your luggage if an escalator breaks and you have to take the stairs. "By keeping only the essentials, you're able to move quickly to and from your destination without worrying too much about being a target for crime," Harris says. She also recommends downloading an offline map you can reference even without internet connection and sharing your itinerary with family members or friends who could help in a sticky situation.

[See more of Paris:  Things to Do  |  Tours  |  Hotels  |  When to Visit  |  Photos  ]

New York City

It's hard to beat the allure of the twinkling lights of Times Square , award-winning Broadway shows and Lady Liberty . Melanie Musson, a travel expert with AutoInsurance.org , loves taking a solo trip to New York City , saying she doesn't even have the chance to feel lonely because the hustle and bustle of the big city keeps her sufficiently distracted.

Musson says that, while there are risks for visitors in any city, the odds of anything scary happening to you in New York are low as long as you take appropriate precautions. "New York City prioritizes tourist safety because they know they’d lose this valuable industry if visitors had frequent bad experiences," she explains, adding that you may be surprised how friendly the local residents are. "They're usually happy to help you identify the right subway line to take or bus to catch. They'll probably even give you tips on the best places to eat or things to see."

Travel tip: Musson's pre-trip tip is to check crime reports in the destination you're heading to and stay within the safe areas. "Trust your gut and get out of the area if you don't feel safe," she cautions.

[See more of New York City:  Things to Do  |  Tours  |  Hotels  |  When to Visit  |  Photos  ]

The city of Singapore is known for being clean, green and safe for travelers – as well as expensive. Singapore boasts impressive architecture, the iconic Singapore sling cocktail, street food markets and luxury shopping malls. Daina Cohen, editor at WorldlyKnown.com , says, "Singapore is a fantastic destination for solo women travelers because of its vibrant, yet safe culture and exciting sights." On a solo trip to this Southeast Asian city, you can experience the unique blend of diverse cultures and cuisines, Cohen says, in addition to other benefits. "It's easy to navigate with plenty of public transportation options, plus an excellent healthcare system, which makes it a great choice for those who want to travel solo," Cohen notes. Tourists should research Singapore's laws – such as a ban on chewing gum – before traveling there to avoid fines.

Travel tip: Cohen advises staying in a hostel (which often have options for women-only dorms) or renting an Airbnb for more privacy. You'll also want to familiarize yourself with the city's public transportation system prior to arrival.

[See more of Singapore: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Sharael Kolberg is a U.S. News & World Report contributor with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to solo travel for women. Her first trip by herself was to New Zealand when she was 19. Since then, she has traveled solo all over the U.S. and to countries such as Fiji, Argentina, Chile and Italy. Her favorite destination to travel alone is still her native California, which offers a diverse landscape from the city to the sea and the mountains and the desert.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
• The Top Weekender Bags for Women
• The Top Places to Celebrate Women's History
• Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Most Beautiful Landscapes in the World

Tags: Travel

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Alaska cruise packing list.

Gwen Pratesi May 14, 2024

Beach Packing List

Holly Johnson May 14, 2024

12 Cheap Fourth of July Getaways

May 14, 2024

The Best Baseball Stadium Trips

Rachael Hood May 13, 2024

Icon of the Seas

Skye Sherman May 10, 2024

The Best New York City Tours

John Rodwan and Ann Henson May 9, 2024

The Best Cheap Luggage

Erin Vasta and Amanda Norcross May 9, 2024

Top-Rated St. Augustine Ghost Tours

Holly Johnson May 9, 2024

The Best San Francisco Tours

Lyn Mettler May 8, 2024

The Best Water Parks in the U.S.

May 8, 2024

How To Travel Solo Successfully: 31+ Tips For A Safe & Fun Trip

By Jessie Festa. This solo travel guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Want to learn how to travel solo successfully ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Solo travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only does it allow you ultimate freedom over your itinerary, but it can also encourage personal growth. Quite honestly, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to start my own travel business had it not been for my experiences traveling solo.

That being said, it can be intimidating to actually book that first solo trip.

If you have the desire to travel alone but need some guidance on how to prepare for solo travel and actually enjoy it, I’m here to help.

Keep reading for my top traveling solo tips as well as bonus resources to help you successfully travel on your own.

Quick tip: When traveling solo, it’s still smart to pack a few travel safety essentials . One top pick is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm , which is TSA-approved and can help scare away potential attackers. Other recommendations include Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves .

Table of Contents

Travel Solo With Confidence [Free Course]

But first, before we get into our guide to how to enjoy a holiday alone , I invite you to grab a seat in my  free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course .

If you want to travel solo, this 6-day course is for you. It’s designed to help you feel confident about booking your first solo travel trip and exploring the world alone.

Lessons include:

• Common solo travel fears and how to overcome them
• How to choose your perfect destination
• How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
• Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
• Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
• How to take amazing solo selfies

Once you’ve  grabbed your seat , read on to learn how to travel solo successfully and to snag the bonus solo female travel resources .

Is It Hard To Travel Alone?

No travel experience is perfect, though sometimes it seems like you can get pretty close.

There are both  pros and cons to traveling alone . While the experience can be both rewarding and empowering, it can get a little lonely and your safety risk is a little higher since you don’t have anyone watching your back.

I’m a firm believer that everyone should have the opportunity to experience it at least once, simply because there’s so much to learn about yourself while figuring out how to travel alone.

So, no, it’s not hard to travel alone — but you might come across different challenges you’ll need to overcome. That’s where this handy guide sharing my top travel solo tips comes in.

Tips For How To Travel Solo Successfully

On that note, I’d love to share some of my top pieces of advice for how to travel by yourself. My goal: that you feel confident taking a vacation alone and can enjoy this rewarding experience!

Before Taking A Solo Trip:

1. get clear on why you want to travel solo.

When it comes to how to start traveling alone, it really starts with mindset.

One of the main benefits of solo travel is having ultimate freedom over your itinerary. I recommend taking advantage of this aspect and really getting clear on why this solo trip is so important to you.

• What excites you about the idea of taking a trip by yourself?
• What prompted your desire to start traveling alone?
• When you visualize traveling on your own, what do you see?

In short, the best way to succeed at solo travel is to know what you want to get out of it in the first place and then plan your itinerary accordingly.

2. Set your solo travel expectations

Truth: the first few days of your solo trip will likely be hard. You’ll be diving into a completely new experience in an unfamiliar place, and you might feel lonely, homesick, and culture shock.

Also realize that as you begin exploring and immersing yourself in your destination, these feelings will subside. In fact, for many people they go away completely and turn into a love of traveling alone.

Once it really sinks in just how great traveling without needing to compromise is, your perspective can shift drastically.

And if it doesn’t and you truly hate solo traveling, know that you can always end your trip early and head back home.

3. Turn solo travel anxiety into excitement

Fun fact: fear and excitement are both arousal emotions — so when you’re feeling anxious, try to shift that toward exhilaration.

I’ve actually utilized this little mindset trick many times. Basically, if I’m feeling nervous I’ll actually visualize feeling excited — until I truly am!

4. Do your travel research

It can be fun to add a little spontaneity into your solo trip, but the best solo travel tip is to do your research and show up well-prepared so that you don’t miss anything you’re hoping to experience.

One personal travel research fail happened to me in Zadar, Croatia. I’d been really wanting to go to Plitvice Lakes National Park; however, as I was visiting during the off-season, the buses going there were way less frequent. In the end, the schedule didn’t align with my exact travel dates.

If I would have done my research, I could have easily figured this out. In fact, if I would arrived just one day earlier I would have been able to easily get there.

The worst part? The bus schedule was readily available online, but I just hadn’t bothered to look it up!

In short, knowing where you want to go and what you want to do, along with what areas you should avoid, will help make your trip enjoyable and memorable for the right reasons.

Now I may be biased, but in my opinion, one of the best ways to do research about your solo travel destination is to read blogs. These articles are typically written by people who have first-hand knowledge about the destination. You can even try reaching out to the blogger with any questions or concerns.

5. Be flexible

Curious how to enjoy a solo trip? The key is being flexible!

This is really true whether you’re traveling solo or in a group. Travel is not always the picture perfect experience Instagram leads you to believe.

There are missed trains, lost luggage, misplaced passports, and general mishaps that can pop up along the way.

But, it’s all part of the adventure.

If you avoid having a meltdown every time something doesn’t go according to plan, and instead see it as part of the solo travel experience, you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more.

Here’s an example:

While traveling solo in France on my way to Nice, the airline lost my luggage — for the entire time I was there!

And while I was frustrated, I decided that exploring and socializing in dirty jeans and an old t-shirt was better than holing up in my room and crying about something I couldn’t control.

I’m glad I did, because it ended up being a really memorable part of the trip. Not only that, but “Sorry for my appearance — the airline lost my luggage” is actually a great conversation starter among travelers, as everyone has their own version of that story to share.

6. Plan a (loose) solo travel itinerary

Now, this solo travel tip really depends on your travel style and the length of your trip. If you’ll be backpacking for a few weeks or months, I recommend booking the first few nights of your accommodation to give yourself time to settle in.

That being said, it’s smart to also leave some room to change up your plan.

When I backpacked Europe for three months , I pre-booked everything — which meant I couldn’t veer from the plan when I met fun people I may have wanted to travel with or when I learned about interesting new places I hadn’t heard of before.

Now, when I travel solo for longer periods of time, I leave room for adventure.

7. Research local customs & cultural norms

When traveling abroad alone (or in a group), it’s important to realize that not everywhere has the same norms as your home city.

Some of these differences may be small things that you’ll learn along the way, while others are vital to understand before your trip so that you don’t accidentally offend the locals.

One story that comes to mind is when I was volunteering in Thailand. The volunteers all stayed in a large dorm, and then there was a main house where we would eat and have meetings.

Before entering the house, you were supposed to take off your shoes outside and step over the threshold, not on it. Well, one volunteer missed the memo and stood on the doorframe — which deeply upset the locals running the program.

Why? Because in Thailand, it’s believed that a spirit resides here.

This is just one example of why doing this kind of cultural research is important.

8. Know how to stay safe

Building on the idea of doing research when going on a trip alone, you should also look up local scams and safety concerns to be aware of while traveling independently.

For instance, if visiting NYC solo you should be aware that there are unofficial cabs at the airport that will help you “skip the taxi line” by getting into their private black car — and then they’ll take the scenic route and you’ll end up with a hefty bill.

Being aware of these types of scams can help you stay safe and just have an overall better time taking a trip by yourself.

Additionally, I recommend packing a few travel safety essentials and keeping the usual practical safety tips in mind, like not walking alone at night and always keeping an eye on your drink if you’re at a bar.

If you’re a US citizen, it’s also wise to sign up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program . This allows you to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. When you do this, you’ll:

• Receive important information about safety conditions in your destination
• Make it easier for the embassy to contact you if there is an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency
• Make it easier for loved ones to contact you if there is an emergency

9. Make an emergency booklet to stay safe

All of the important numbers we need on a day-to-day basis are stored in our phones, but what happens if you no longer have access?

It’s a little old school, but prior to your trip grab a small notebook from the dollar store and drop all of the important information you need in it. Go beyond the obvious emergency contacts and make sure you have:

• Your passport information
• Hotel name, number, and address
• Embassy and/or consulate address, phone number, and emergency contact
• Travel insurance policy number and contact information

Essentially write down anything you might need if you were in an emergency situation but couldn’t access your phone. Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it could be a lifesaver if you do.

Personally, I also like to save a folder with this information, as well as copies of my passport, license, and credit cards, securely to the cloud. This way, even if I lose my phone, I can still access it from another device.

10. Read bad hotel reviews before booking accommodation

People tend to write reviews for two reasons: they had an awful time and want to make sure no one makes that mistake again, or they had an amazing time and want to spread the word. Rarely do they review about a mediocre time.

While standard solo travel advice tells you to pick somewhere with awesome reviews (you should!), also make sure you read the bad ones.

You want to overlook the personal bias and watch for consistency. If every review mentions bad WiFi and you need to get work done on your trip, you might want to skip that property.

Of course, also pay attention to any reviews that mention safety concerns. When it comes to solo traveling tips, nothing is more important than paying attention to personal safety. Nothing.

Oh, and bonus tip: it’s wise to opt for an accommodation near the city center so you can walk to as many attractions as possible to save on public transportation and taxi costs.

11. Schedule your flight to arrive during the day

One piece of advice for traveling solo is to schedule your flight so that you arrive when the sun is still shining.

You’ll feel a lot safer, especially if you’ll be taking public transportation to get to your accommodation.

Plus, it gives you some time to get acquainted with your destination and ease out of your comfort zone.

12. Get travel insurance

When it comes to solo travel tips, this is one of the most important. Travel insurance should be non-negotiable regardless of how you’re traveling so that you’re protected in case anything bad happens.

However, when you’re figuring out how to vacation alone, the travel insurance safety net is not only comforting but it can help you save money in the long run.

Just make sure you read the terms and conditions before choosing a plan, because some activities aren’t covered. For instance, many plans don’t cover extreme sports or activities that take place above a certain altitude.

Personally, my favorite travel and medical insurance is SafetyWing, as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country.

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

13. Download helpful solo travel apps

No guide sharing tips for traveling alone would be complete without mentioning apps. Tech can definitely be your friend during a lone travel experience. A few to download include:

• Google Maps – an invaluable app for getting around both at home and on the road
• CouchSurfing – this popular app for solo travelers allows you to stay on local couches for free and meetup with locals and other travelers in your destination
• HerHouse – this platform makes it easy for women traveling alone to connect with background checked female hosts for free homestays, house sits, and house swaps
• Meetup – meet people who share your common interests in your solo travel destination
• Facebook – join Facebook groups focused on the destination you’re visiting and see if people want to meet up
• SoloTrvlr – an online platform with trusted travel advice — by women, for women
• TripIt – keep your travel itinerary organized in one place
• Emergency App – one of my favorite travel safety apps
• Currency – quickly and easily convert local currency so you know how much you’re paying in your home currency
• Uber (or the local equivalent) – it’s smart to download a ridesharing app, especially since in some countries hailing a taxi off the street isn’t considered safe

One quick note of caution when meeting people in real life: while most people will have good intentions, there may be times where people try to turn your meetup into a date. I’ve had this happen a few times, though fortunately I’ve never felt unsafe.

My solo travel advice here would be to always meet in a public place and, if possible, make it a group outing. You might also mention that you have a partner back home — even if you don’t — in an attempt to weed out anyone trying to make things romantic (though of course some still might).

By the way, I actually have a crazy CouchSurfing story. Don’t worry, it ended up being totally fine and I’m a huge fan of this app:

14. Learn a few words in the local language

Language learning doesn’t come easy to everyone, but it does help to learn a few words in the local language .

Sure, you’ll pick up a few things as you go along; but, learning simple phrases can get you a lot further.

Some you might want to practice up on include:

• Where is the bathroom?
• How much does this cost?
• No — this is an important phrase for solo travelers, particularly when it comes to personal safety

Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg — the more you know, the better.

Some great advice for solo travelers is to download Google Translate and a language pack, which allows you to use the app offline. Additionally, install a fun gamified language learning app, like Duolingo!

15. Plan for you

The only thing you really need to take away from any travel alone guide is that the experience is all about you.

You don’t have to get the prettiest pictures, have the best travel stories , and do what everyone else does. Your goal is to do and see the things that you want to.

If that means visiting the same museum three days in a row because you couldn’t get enough, eating at the same restaurant the entire trip, or skipping the Eiffel Tower because you’re not into touristy things — do it. It’s all fair game.

Basically, don’t feel like you have to conform to what everyone on Instagram is saying. It’s your trip, enjoy it however you choose.

16. Pack light but smart

You only want to pack what you’re going to use. It can be challenging to determine this on your first solo trip, but you want to minimize your packing list as much as possible.

Nothing sours a trip faster than losing your checked bag before you even get there — so if you can pack carry-on only , it’s a great advantage. This is especially true if you are destination hopping or if your flight has stopovers.

A few tips for solo travelers:

• Opt for garments that can be used for multiple purposes (like a large scarf shawl that can also be an airplane blanket or hidden pocket garments that function as clothing and a purse)
• Choose a color palette for garments that you can mix and match
• Opt for function over fashion — unless you’re traveling for a specific high-class event, you don’t need heels
• Use compression packing cubes to save space (I love these from Cambond )
• Only bring one week of clothes and do laundry if going on a longer trip

Even if you can’t narrow it down, make sure your baggage isn’t weighed down by unnecessary items and definitely leave your valuables at home. It’s just one less thing to worry about.

17. Bring a book along

Introverted? One of the best solo travel tips for introverts (and extroverts) is to bring a book along with you. 

A book can be the best companion, especially when dining alone or as a distraction if it’s your first time flying alone .

Popping open a book on the table and enjoying a solo meal is one of the pleasures of taking a trip alone that everyone should experience. It’s useful for when you’re waiting, eating, or otherwise have a little time to kill.

It can also indicate to other travelers that you’re alone and make for a great conversation starter.

Essential Tips For Traveling On Your Own During The Trip

18. ask your hotel for a few safety essentials.

These include:

• The hotel’s business card (or a piece of paper with the name and address)
• An annotated map letting you know where is and isn’t safe to wander alone

Even if you know the name of your hotel, that doesn’t mean the local taxi drivers do. In case you’re ever in a situation where you need to get away, it’s smart to have the address of your accommodation written down somewhere to quickly give to a driver in the event of an emergency.

Additionally, an annotated map is a great reference so you’re always clear on where and where not to go solo.

19. Share plans with a loved one

One of the most basic traveling alone tips is to make sure you share your plans with your loved ones. It’s important that someone knows where you are — even if that someone is back home.

Additionally, make sure you have an emergency plan in place. Your safety is important.

While traveling by yourself is an amazing experience, you want to make sure you can easily contact your loved ones if something unexpected occurs.

20. Start your day early

In most cases, you’ll find the smallest crowds and best chances for photo opportunities earlier in the day — think before anyone’s finished their breakfast.

This also tends to be the coolest time of the day to safely travel around. Try to stay inside or in the shade during peek sun hours if you’re traveling to a warmer destination, and don’t travel alone at night.

21. Bring the perfect solo selfie camera

One downside of traveling on your own is it’s tough to take your own photo — though it’s not impossible!

A few options for solo travelers include:

• Bring a small travel tripod ( like this ) and put your phone on a timer
• Bring a small but heavy duty travel tripod, like a Joby GorillaPod , and put your camera on a timer
• Bring an Insta360 camera with invisible selfie stick

The latter is how I capture fun travel photos with myself in the picture — even if I’m solo tripping.

Here is a sample video and here is an example of a photo:

22. Learn how to cook the local cuisine

When researching local things to do when traveling alone, make sure that some of the experiences revolve around food. One of the best souvenirs you can give yourself from a trip is the gift of local cuisine.

Cooking classes offer a great opportunity to learn how to make something new, meet the locals, and take something back home with you. You can use your new-found skills to share your experience with family, ignite special memories, and enjoy a delicious meal. Plus, the more you practice, the better you’ll get!

One platform to check out for food experiences while vacationing alone is EatWith , which allows you to dine in local homes, take cooking classes in local kitchens, and book food tours led by locals around the world. It’s a really great way to meet people and other solo travelers, too.

Of course, you can also dive into other facets of local culture when on a trip alone. Consider your own unique interests, and explore them locally.

For instance, if you’re interested in art, you might take a fresco-making class in Florence , a calligraphy class in China , or an Ikebana (flower arranging) class in Japan .

23. Make a solo travel scavenger hunt of it

Here is a creative addition to our list of tips when traveling alone. Building a scavenger hunt can be a great way to give you direction, even if you’re feeling a little lost.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but a few ideas for solo travelers include:

• Trying to check off all the best bookstores in the city if you’re a bibliophile
• Making a unique souvenir list and trying to hunt everything down
• Becoming the ultimate foodie by sampling all the top restaurants in the area
• Aiming to spend time alone on the beach in as many places as possible
• Booking an actual scavenger hunt in your destination on a platform like Viator

It’s a great way to edge yourself out of your comfort zone without jumping into the deep end. And who doesn’t love a little competition — even if it is against yourself?

24. Make friends while traveling solo

There’s no one right answer for how to solo travel, but I can tell you that going on holiday alone doesn’t need to mean  being lonely . In fact, for those that love to meet new people, there are ways to do this while traveling alone.

You can encourage yourself to meet people, including other solo travelers, by:

• Keep in mind, many hostels have private rooms, so if you’re hosteling later in life you can still keep your privacy and take advantage of common spaces for socializing
• Joining a local walking tour and chatting with those around you
• Checking out popular local digital nomad hangouts
• Using travel apps meant for socializing — like CouchSurfing , which has city-specific forums where you can meet up with locals and other travelers
• Eating and cooking in local homes through EatWith
• Meeting locals that share similar interests on Meetup.com

A quick story:

When spending my 25th birthday in Mendoza while traveling solo , I was worried I’d end up alone for the night; however, after posting a message on CouchSurfing asking if anyone wanted to celebrate with me, I ended up having 11 people take me out for dinner and dancing.

These complete strangers turned into friends, and to this day it is one of my favorite birthday experiences!

25. Watch your drinking

Speaking of nights out, one of the best solo trip tips is to curb your alcohol use.

As mentioned a few times in the previous travel alone tips, personal safety should be of utmost importance for solo travelers. You want to make sure you’re never in a position where someone can easily take advantage of you.

When you do opt for an adult beverage, watch it carefully and cover the top of the glass with your hand so that nobody can lace it when you’re not looking.

This solo travel advice isn’t meant to scare you. Almost everyone you meet while traveling on your own while likely be kind; however, the reality is you can’t trust everyone. Keep yourself safe.

26. Get a local SIM card

Unless you purchase an unlimited plan for your phone carrier, using the internet while roaming can be extremely expensive.

That’s where a local SIM card comes in. One of the best tips for solo travel is to ensure you have phone access in an emergency situation or when you need directions. I can’t tell you how many tours I’ve almost been late to because I couldn’t find the meeting point without the help of Google Maps.

Many countries have inexpensive SIM cards and budget-friendly pay-as-you-go plans. You can usually grab these at the airport or local convenience store and set them up with Wi-Fi.

27. Choose alternative meal times

Now let’s discuss solo travel tips for dining alone. One thing to note is that the best restaurants are often booked up around traditional meal times.

Instead of a nice evening dinner, try a lunch or even brunch — which allows you to savor the same food with less of a crowd.

Just keep in mind that typical mealtimes may be different than your home country, so research the local customs so you’re aware of when people tend to eat.

28. Sit at the bar when dining alone

When you go on vacation alone, one concern might be what to do during meal times. Is it weird for solo travelers to eat at a restaurant on their own?

First off, no, it’s not weird. I’ve eaten at tables on my own plenty of times, though I do think it’s less awkward to eat at the bar.

Bonus: if you’re in the mood to chat, you’ll have the bartender and potentially other bar patrons to talk to.

29. Focus on supporting local

Sustainable tourism refers to traveling in a way that positively impacts the people and environments of the places we visit — which also includes supporting the local economy.

And one of the best ways to do this is to shop local. The more you can purchase souvenirs, food, and experiences from local vendors, the more likely your tourism dollars are to stay in and benefit the community.

Plus, items are often much more meaningful when you can meet the people making them and learn their stories.

30. Listen to your gut

When traveling the world alone, realize that your gut will be your best guide.

Your intuition is almost always right. This is especially important in situations where you feel uncomfortable. Even if it means being impolite, always trust that feeling in your gut.

31. Strengthen your relationship with yourself

Traveling solo to find yourself is very common. This makes total sense, as one major benefit of traveling alone is you learn to be with yourself — and enjoy your own company.

Get to know yourself better, allow time for self care, and slow down to just enjoy the moment as much as possible.

This is also a great time to bring a travel journal to really dig into your thoughts and feelings from the trip. Very likely, you’ll learn something new about yourself!

Packing Essentials For Solo Travel

Now that we’ve covered some top tips to travel alone, it’s time to discuss packing.

Along with any clothing, accessories, and toiletries you’ll want for your holiday by yourself, you should also pack a few travel safety essentials and practical items for solo travelers like:

• She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
• Your personal medications
• Jase Case Emergency Antibiotic Kit (snag $10 off with code JESSIEONAJOURNEY10)
• Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments (I’m never without mine when I travel alone!)
• Speakeasy Travel Supply Pickpocket-Proof Scarf ​​
• Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bag
• Door stop with alarm (to help keep your hotel room extra secure)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (I love Rheos Sunglasses as they’re eco-friendly, lightweight, and they float)
• Passport, ID, and any necessary tickets
• Copies of all your documents (I save these to the cloud in case)
• Credit card, debit card, and money

Best Solo Trips For Women

If you’re wondering “Where should I travel alone?” this list can help! A few of the best solo travel destinations include:

Merida, Mexico

Mexico has a reputation as being an unsafe destination, but that’s not an accurate picture. In fact, there are many great places in Mexico to travel alone — like Merida.

Merida is the bustling capital city of Yucatan state, and is widely considered to be one of the safest cities in Mexico.

It’s an affordable destination that offers you the hustle and bustle of the city as well as an idyllic Mexican beach experience in nearby Progreso.

If you’re solo traveling as a digital nomad , Merida is home to a thriving community of expats living and working abroad and there are plenty of ways to make friends. 

Dublin, Ireland

Solo travel in Ireland can be an incredible experience, and no trip to this island would be complete without some time in Dublin.

Home to friendly locals and a gorgeous cityscape, it’s an ideal destination — especially as Dublin boasts a plethora of cultural and historical sites for solo female travelers to explore.

On a solo trip to Dublin , make sure to visit Dublin Castle, shop along Grafton street, and peruse art, history, and archeology in the National Museum of Ireland.

This city is particularly known for its pub life, so you can expect a lively scene after dark, especially in the famous Temple Bar District.

In terms of timing, there is a lot to do and see, so it’s recommended to spend 4 days in Dublin or more to really take it all in.

Don’t forget to bring your camera since Dublin offers a lot of photo opportunities. It’s truly one of the most memorable places to travel solo in Europe !

Victoria, Canada

Canada has a lot of beautiful places to explore as a solo female traveler, depending on the time of year you visit; but if Pacific island life piques your interest, Victoria is the place.

You’ll want to visit in the spring or summer to take advantage of the gorgeous greenery and warmer weather.

There are many fun and unique things to do in Victoria . Stroll through the gardens at Hatley Castle, watch the boats come in from the wharf, and grab a delicious seaside bite to eat.

When you’re done, you can take a ferry ride to Seattle or Vancouver!

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is considered to be the cultural capital of Japan , offering a little bit of everything for the female traveling solo.

Not only does it offer gorgeous gardens, delicious food, and rich cultural experiences, but you can take a peek at some truly amazing Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Take in the jaw-dropping architecture and bask in the lush greenery and wonderful mountain backdrops.

March and April are especially beautiful months to visit as the city’s stunning cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.

Bali, Indonesia

Traveling solo in Bali is a dream. One of the world’s most sought-after destinations, it’s also affordable, safe, and fun.

There is so much to do and see for solo female travelers. Relax in a Bali flower bath , explore the stunning rice fields, relax on beautiful beaches, and visit the many temples that help give the destination its nickname “Island of the Gods.”

If you have at least 7 days in Bali , you might also choose to hire a guide to do an epic sunrise hike like Mount Batur or Mount Agung.

Quick tip: if visiting this incredible place, do a bit of research into when to go to Bali . For instance, if you’ll be doing a lot of outdoor activities or riding a motorbike to get around, you may want to avoid the rainy season.

Other Top Solo Travel Destinations

A few other great places to visit on your first solo trip abroad include:

• Tulum, Mexico
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Rome, Italy
• Vienna, Austria
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Guadeloupe, Caribbean

You can check out this solo female travel guide for a full list of recommended solo trips and tips.

Solo Travel Planning Resources

While the above tips for traveling solo are a great starting point, here are some bonus solo travel guides:

• 7 Ways To Have A Blast Traveling Alone
• 13 Powerful Solo Hiking Tips For Women
• 17 Safety Tips For Solo Travelers
• 25 Important Tips For Flying Alone For The First Time
• 12 Tips For Convincing Loved Ones To Let You Travel Solo
• 20 Pros & Cons Of Traveling Alone
• How To Overcome Loneliness When Traveling Solo

You can find additional resources in this in-depth guide to traveling solo . Read it, and soon enough you’ll be a pro at taking trips alone!

Final Thoughts On How To Travel Solo Successfully

The most important piece of advice in any guide to solo travel is that you plan the vacation YOU want, and feel comfortable and confident along your journey.

Learning how to enjoy going on a vacation alone might come quickly, or it might take a few days. There’s no right or wrong answer.

Whether you’re pushing through a series of solo USA road trips or flying across the world, making sure you plan ahead and go at your own pace will ensure you have the best experience. When it comes to tips on traveling alone, this is the most important one to remember.

What would you add to this guide on how to travel solo successfully?

Related posts:.

Hi, I’m Jessie on a journey!

I'm a conscious solo traveler on a mission to take you beyond the guidebook to inspire you to live your best life through travel. Come join me!

Want to live your best life through travel?

Subscribe for FREE access to my library of fun blogging worksheets and learn how to get paid to travel more!

Turn Your Travel Blog Into A Profitable Business

Subscribe to my email list to snag instant access to my library of workbooks, checklists, tutorials and other resources to help you earn more money -- and have more fun -- blogging. Oh, and it's totally FREE! :) //  Privacy Policy . 

Check your inbox for your welcome email + resource library password!

Hi Jessie! cant wait to find someone to take this edventure with!! thank you so much for your info!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Solo Travel

15 Best Trip Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

Here are the top travel destinations around the world for solo women.

Solo travel can be intimidating. Whether you're heading to a city in your own country or across the globe, traveling alone can bring up a wealth of concerns — from the awkwardness of dining on your own to more serious issues of safety, especially for women. But despite any nervousness or uncertainty, traveling solo can be one of the most freeing and rewarding experiences, allowing you to immerse yourself in the community and stumble upon those moments of cross-cultural connection organically.

Choosing the right destination is key, so we've rounded up some of the best destinations around the world for women to travel solo.

Between exploring the charming streets of Reykjavik, chasing the northern lights , and driving the famous Ring Road, solo female travelers can have an unforgettable trip in Iceland and feel safe doing so. The country has consistently ranked first on both the Institute for Economics and Peace's Global Peace Index and the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, so visitors can rest assured that safety and gender equality are prized in this naturally stunning destination. Solo tourists can head out into the wilderness via well-traveled (often busy, even) hiking trails and make friends with locals and fellow foreigners alike.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is an extremely walkable city, and you're unlikely to get lost as long as you have a map of some kind. You can window shop along Las Ramblas, stroll down the beach boardwalk, and wander through the Gaudi-designed Park Güell while taking in the gardens and claiming panoramic views of the city for yourself.

The dining options are conducive to solo travel, too. Instead of sitting by your lonesome in a dining room, you can take your paella al fresco at one of the many waterfront restaurants (people-watching is built-in entertainment) or opt for a counter seat at a tapas bar.

3. Seattle, Washington, United States

Thanks to the omnipresence of Seattle's coffee culture , a solo diner (or drinker) is not an uncommon sight. Plus, the city's proliferation of cafes means there's a rest stop around every corner to break up visits to Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, or the campy Museum of Pop Culture , aka "MoPOP." The compact downtown area makes it easy for visitors to zip between attractions, restaurants, and shops on foot — and anything that is slightly farther is accessible by the easy-to-use Link light rail.

4. Munich, Germany

The jolly German mentality shines through in this Bavarian city, where tourists and locals bond over brötchen in mom-and-pop bakeries and pints in the biergartens. Although Oktoberfest happens only in the fall (and does not lend itself to a solo experience, per se), the beer halls in Munich maintain that same kind of festive ambience throughout the year. Hofbräuhaus is, hands down, the most famous and guaranteed to contain an abundance of other tourists. Fellow travelers can also be found climbing the Olympiapark tower ( Olympiaturm ), the top of which provides views extending as far as the Alps.

5. Dubrovnik, Croatia

The rise in Croatian tourism has improved the ease of travel, and the country's low crime rate heightens the appeal. Protected by 6,365 feet of pristine walls, the oceanfront medieval city of Dubrovnik gives you history, culture, and beautiful beaches all in one destination. Its cobblestone streets guide visitors to artisanal shops and local eateries, while a walk along the walls offers spectacular bird's-eye views of the Adriatic coastline. Just a few minutes from Old Town, there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking and snorkeling via tours and rentals offered right on the beach.

6. Austin, Texas, United States

Austin's festival culture makes it easy to get pulled in multiple directions, but it's also a great way to meet new people. There's plenty to see and do, whether you're checking out live music or eating your way through Tex-Mex and BBQ restaurants and food trucks. When you need a little quiet time, head downtown for a walking tour, or find a spot to watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bats soar.

Austin is often ranked as one of the safest big cities in the U.S. Note, though, that the ubiquity of booze here can be a blessing or a curse. While it keeps the streets populated (and therefore generally safe) at night, alcohol can lead to crime even within tourist circles, so exercise caution while participating in Austin's lively bar scene.

7. Salzburg, Austria

Overlooked by the Hohensalzburg Fortress and bisected by the Salzach River, Mozart's hometown has storybook allure. After reliving scenes from "The Sound of Music" at Mirabell Gardens and Nonnberg Abbey, relax with a coffee on the terrace of Cafe Tomaselli or a pint in the 1,400-seat outdoor area of Austria's biggest biergarten, Augustiner Bräu . Cyclists should take note: While the entire city is walkable, Salzburg is also one of the country's most bike-friendly cities. More than 100 miles of cycle paths mean you can pack way more into a day and get around more efficiently (and economically) as a solo traveler.

8. Taipei, Taiwan

xPACIFICA/Getty Images

The capital of Taiwan offers an ideal mix of history and modernity. You'll find temples and skyscrapers, contemporary malls and traditional night markets — perfect for making a meal out of snacks while shopping for accessories and souvenirs. Taipei has the bustle of a major Asian metropolis but with important urban comforts as well. Street signage and public transportation all have names in English — and even though crime is overall low in the country, the metro system has " Safe Waiting Zones " marked on the platforms, which are monitored closely by video feed to protect passengers at night.

9. Copenhagen, Denmark

In the quirky Danish capital, you'll find plenty of centrally located hotels offering single rooms, each providing the perfect jumping-off point for Copenhagen adventures. Must-visit spots include Nyhavn, the iconic canal lined with multicolored houses (opt for a tour for a closer look at the city's waterways), and Tivoli Gardens, a historic amusement park. Stop for a quick solo bite at the TorvehallerneKBH food hall. With Danish culture valuing the importance of community dining, solo travelers should never feel alone.

10. Melbourne, Australia

This Australian metropolis is one of the most livable cities in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. Throw in a free tourist tram that reaches the major sights — including the Queen Victoria Market, Carlton Gardens, and Federation Square — and Melbourne's got simplicity and safety all rolled up in one. Because Australia offers a Working Holiday visa allowing visitors between 18 and 35 to work in the country for a year, the city is especially popular with young expats.

11. Stockholm, Sweden

Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure

Sweden's safe, accessible cities are ideal for solo-traveling women. The cobblestone streets of Stockholm's Old Town, or Gamla Stan, are home to coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and even a castle, prompting hours of exploring on foot. The modern areas surrounding it are also easy to navigate through a string of metro stations, which double as art exhibits with their over-the-top murals, mosaics, and sculptures.

12. Okinawa, Japan

For a taste of Japan without the overwhelming hustle, head to Naha, the capital of the Okinawa islands. The monorail is super accessible, linking the airport to the city center as well as the popular Shuri Castle. And within walking distance of the city center are the Naminoue city beach, Tsuboya pottery district, and Makishi Public Market, where the pull-up-a-chair stands are primed for solo dining.

13. Norway’s Fjords

Lara D'agostino/Travel + Leisure

There's no better environment for self reflection than the soothing blue-and-green canvas of the Norwegian fjords. In Bergen, you can ride up the Fløibanen funicular or embark on a daylong journey on the Bergen Railway. Head to Gudvangen and take a cruise through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. Equally impressive as the waterfalls-at-every-glance boat ride is the Flåm Railway trip, with views outside the window changing from seascapes to snow-capped mountains. This trip is for the solo traveler seeking peace in nature rather than busy biergartens and the like.

14. Washington, D.C., United States

The manageable size and easy layout of the U.S. capital make it an ideal stomping ground for solo travelers. In addition to exploring the memorials along the National Mall, you can take in the exhibits at the many Smithsonian museums (plus the zoo), all walkable and offering free admission. If you want to explore further, it's easy to get on two wheels at one of the hundreds of Capital Bikeshare stations, which extend to Arlington, Alexandria, and Montgomery County. Alternatively, take advantage of the efficient D.C. Metro for day trips to nearby areas.

15. London, England

For European charm without the culture shock or language barrier, there's London. Visitors could spend days just roaming along the River Thames, snacking in Borough Market, and admiring the eclectic houseboats, or strolling through the Royal Parks and eyeing luxury items at Harrods. After dark, grab a seat alongside locals at a pub or catch a show in the West End, then enjoy a late-night bite in nearby Chinatown. The endless sights and entertainment are easily connected via the London Underground, better known as the Tube.

Related Articles

• Top things to do in london in 3 days
• 12 things to do in Amsterdam in 2 days
• Top 12 things to do in Berlin in 3 Days
• Top 10 things to do in Rome in 2 days. Backpacker’s Itinerary
• Top 12 things to do in Madrid in 3 days
• Top Things to Do in Paris. The Ultimate 3-Day Guide
• Interrailing Tips
• Solo Travel Guides
• Best Travel Apps
• Hostel Tips
• Budget Travel Tips
• Best Hostels Amsterdam
• Best Hostels Barcelona
• Best Hostels Belfast
• Best Hostels Berlin
• Best Hostels Dublin
• Best Hostels Edinburgh
• Best Hostels Lisbon
• Best Hostels London
• Best Hostels Malta
• Best Hostels Milan
• Best Hostels Naples
• Best Hostels Nice
• Best Hostels Paris
• Best Hostels Prague
• Best Hostels Seville
• Best Hostels Split
• Best Hostels Valencia
• Best Hostels Auckland
• Best Hostels Brisbane
• Best Hostels Cairns
• Best Hostels Christchurch
• Best Hostels Goa
• Best Hostels Hanoi
• Best Hostels Hong Kong
• Best Hostels Koh Phi Phi
• Best Hostels Koh Samui
• Best Hostels Marrakech
• Best Hostels Perth
• Best Hostels Singapore
• Best Hostels Cartagena
• Best Hostels Chicago
• Best Hostels Havana
• Best Hostels LA
• Best Hostels Medellin
• Best Hostels Mexico City
• Best Hostels New York
• Best Hostels Rio de Janeiro
• Best Hostels San Diego
• Best Hostels San Francisco
• Best Hostels Toronto
• Best Hostels Tulum
• Make a Booking

71 Ways Your Life Will Change When You Travel Alone

Hostelworld Blog | Posted on February 8, 2017 |

Want to travel alone? You’re not the only one! Travelling alone will change your life. Don’t get me wrong, any form of wandering around this beautiful planet will bring changes and improvement to the lives of those with restless feet, but there’s something special about solo adventures. Travelling by yourself means not being able to rely on anyone else to get the most out of your trips. It means you are left to navigate your place in the world, to embrace or shun the ever-changing call of the wild. No matter where you go and what you do, it will change you.

We asked some inspiring wanderers for some insight! Want to travel alone? Here are 71 reasons why you should:

1. You’ll become more creative

?: @ICEscobar_

Sshh!... This is a secret

Sign up to discover the "Next 🔥 Backpacker Destination" this 2024, discount travel deals and future secret travel guides.

Just so you know, we will be able to see if you open our emails to help us monitor the success of our marketing campaigns. You will find further details in our data protection notice.

2. It’ll force you to be a problem solver

?:  Alex Fürsti

“You’ll learn to step up and tackle problems head on, using creativity and experience gained while doing the same on your solo travels.” – @guidocarol

3. It’ll make you more employable

“Employers don’t care as much as they used to about the curriculum of what you studied and your list of work place assignments. Nowadays it’s more about what you learned, how you’ve changed, skills you’ve gained, and your ability to adapt and conquer new challenges. I think travel can help you there…” – @MrColinRiv

4. It can improve your mental health

“For anybody out there reading this and struggling with mental health, I want you to know it’s worth pushing through the despair; fighting until you feel mentally strong enough to book that plane ticket of your own. Travel is, without a doubt, the fastest way you can grow as a human being and turn your life into an inspired one. My wonderful travel tales were made possible by taking charge of my mental health.” – Emily Mulligan

5. You can detox from technology

?: @carriepr

“They say travel is the healthiest addiction, and it can help you detox from an unhealthy one at the same time! Solo travel helps you leave the screens behind, and experience the world with your senses rather than clicks.” – @guidocarol

6. It will increase your compassion

?: @nataliaanja

“From encountering stray and mistreated animals to less fortunate and over worked local people, I have learnt a lot about compassion. Helping at animal rescue centres and partaking in ethical tourism has become a large part of my travel ethos now.” – @gypsyheartblog

7. You will become more comfortable in your own skin

?:  @daniellemuntain

“When you’re by yourself for a majority of the day and night you learn to be comfortable in your own skin, in your own mind. Most people avoid being by themselves at all costs, but you learn to embrace it by travelling by yourself.” – @advtrsalexis

8. You’ll get better at putting yourself out there

“When you travel alone you learn to push yourself in every situation, to meet people, to try new things and to see what you really love without the influence of others…” – @wearekingingit

9. Your life, your opinions

“You become more opinionated as you’ll have seen and experienced so much without another’s influence and views impacting your own. It teaches you to explore your own thoughts, ideas and dreams.” – @JohannaW

10. Goodbye comfort zone!

?:  @patchinpixels

“Even if you find out it is not for you, you have a new experience! I travelled solo through the South of Chile. Camping alone on the 5 day hike in Torres Del Paine is now one of my most amazing memories!” – @thebluebrolly

11. You’ll catch the travel bug for life

“Once you step out and start exploring the world, you will want to see it all” – @garry_astle

12. You’ll have to face your weaknesses

“ Before travelling alone, I realised how completely OCD I could be about things out of my control. Luckily, solo travel forces you to put things into perspective and decide just how much of a weakness you have time for. Now, my OCD tendencies work in my favour: planning trips thoroughly, adapting when things don’t go to plan, and enjoying my time in a way that never feels out of control.” – @lelalondon

13. You can experience the serenity of a solo sunset

“For example, chill out in Wilayah Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, during a sunset. Take a book, your camera and your good vibes.” – @thiagopalia

14. Your self-awareness will sky rocket

?: @gypsyheartblog

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

15. You’ll learn how to how to hold your bladder

“I can hold my bladder for a ridiculous amount of time because I’m not paying $10 to go into a toilet!” – @dakota_wilko

16. It’ll makes you brave

“If I’d been travelling with another, I doubt I would have bungee jumped in New Zealand, dived with sharks in South Africa, or trekked into a Volcano crater at night in Indonesia. Travelling solo means travelling without another’s opinions, doubts and fears. Solo travel makes you brave.” – @JohannaW

17. It’ll teaches you independence

“It taught me to be happy in my own company and try things I would have always relied on other people to do for me. It made me grow as a person and become very independent. Only you know what makes you happy, spend some time on your own – it’s good for you!” – @wearekingingit

18. Instagram level: ? ? ? 

“Your selfie stick will become your new best friend! However, remember there’s a time and a place for it.” – @kh_travels

19. You’ll get to #MeetTheWorld

“You’ll develop an understanding and affinity for the cultures and people you encounter as they enrich your experience and help you along the way.” – @garry_astle

20. You’ll learn to love being alone

“Before I travelled solo I assumed I’d be lonely, but due to the hostel social scene that’s not true. But, for some of your journey you will be alone and it’s one of the most liberating experiences when you realise you’re totally comfortable with it.” – @JohannaW

21. You can learn a foreign language (or several)

?: @Lovelyforliving

“Learning by immersion is the best way to learn!” – @robertopaoloferrone

22. You’ll get to #EatTheWorld

“Eat where the locals eat to reduce the chances of picking up the “Delhi Belly”. Even today I still cook dishes I’ve had whilst abroad. ” – @mezzarino

23. Your gratitude will soar

“Encountering animals in their natural habitat, alone and surrounded by nature and wild creatures has filled me with a sense of gratitude for our planet and life!” –  @gypsyheartblog

24. You’ll find out that getting lost is amazing

“Getting lost is the most fantastic thing ever! So many adventures!” – @dakota_wilko

25. It’ll give you strength to deal with life’s messes

“Sometimes things don’t work out – you miss a flight, you get elephant poo all over your shoes, the guy sharing your bunk bed snores. You have no other choice but to laugh it off because you can’t complain to anyone.” – @advtrsalexis

26. It’s a celebration of freedom

?:  Melani Cosatovic

“You won’t want to take your eyes off the breath-taking views, and you won’t have to!” – @mackenziehjc

27. It’ll force you to streamline your life

?: The Travelling Light

“Pack half the things you would normally take. You can always buy items in the local markets if needed. Travelling light also means you avoid the stress of baggage reclaim and makes you more mobile while on the move.” – @mezzarino

28. Discipline becomes essential

“My diet is a choice I made 10 years ago (dairy free and gluten free). By experience, I can tell you that it’s always possible to find something suitable to eat, as long as you keep believing it’s going to be a great trip.” – @HachemmaD

29. It forces you to hustle

?: @paulenedelosreyes

“I can run really fast up flights of stairs carrying a heavy suitcase and backpack to make it to the other side of the train station. I can actually run really fast anywhere carrying anything if need be!” – @dakota_wilko

30. You’ll learn how to deal with the unknown

“Sometimes travelling alone, gives you the fear of the unknown without a person to support you or to be there if something happens. At the same time, you come back with a happy feeling that you made it and it gives you courage to do it more often.” – @jeffsantosbr

31. It makes you way more flexible

“Solo travel doesn’t always go to plan especially when flight delays & cancellations are involved. You’ll learn how to deal with these types of scenarios and learn from them.” – @mezzarino

32. Hello sense of direction!

“It me aware of the real world. I used to have a bad sense of direction, now I can find my way anywhere.” – @shellshelley

33. It forces you to get mad

?: @JohannaW

“ There are very few places in the world unaffected by political warfare, poverty etc. The anonymity of solo travel often gives you the opportunity to get a closer look and, naturally, get mad. Mad enough to become an activist…to volunteer…and utilise newfound knowledge to effect change.” – @lelalondon

34. You’ll learn to love yourself

?: Adrina Bräm

“From yoga classes and runs through the jungle on Thai islands, to hiking up volcanoes in Indonesia – learning to love my body for its strength, endurance and physical capability over desirable aesthetic traits has been an important lesson I have learnt as a solo female traveller.” – @gypsyheartblog

35. It pushes you to your limits

“Being the only Indian traveller who participated in Rickshaw Run across 250 international travellers, I went beyond my comfort zone and I had time of my life. Introvert that I was, at the end of the journey I learned to deal with situations like accidents and sudden break downs.” – @rutaagayire

36. You’ll practice staying calm

?: Thuý Anh Nguyen

“I’m proud of my capacity to stay cool, calm and collected even though I’m actually shitting myself.” – @dakota_wilko

37. You’ll gain a deeper respect for Mother Earth

?: Dennis Mischko

“Solo travel gives you a sense of realization of how important it is to look after our environment and protect the habitats of local wildlife. Don’t even think about littering and always show respect to the local people, plants and animals.” – @mezzarino

38. You’ll learn to not take other people’s opinions too seriously

?: @wandertoofar

“The opinions of others don’t matter as much. Some people might judge you but with so many things to see in the world solo travel helps you keep your eyes on the big picture.” – @advtrsalexis

39. You’ll realize your inner strength

“Climbing Mt. Everest for someone who comes from a city like Mumbai is stuff as it gets as cold as only 25*c. Climbing the beautiful beast made me realize how strong a humans will power is to fight any situation.” – @rutaagayire

40. You’ll learn how to make things happen

“You realize that if you want something badly enough, you’ll make it happen.” – @mackenziehjc

41. You’ll see the world isn’t as scary as you think

“Despite pockets of the media telling us the world is an unsafe and dangerous place, there are many wonderful places and incredible people in these “danger hot spots”. All it takes is a bit of common sense and you’ll have an amazing time.” – @mezzarino

42. You’ll find you’re never truly alone

“You’ll quickly realize you’re never really alone unless you choose to be. Regardless of the country or the people, there is always someone willing to help or tag along on an adventure, especially if you’re staying in hostels.” – @TeeJayHughes

43. It’ll open your heart

?:  @lola.photography

“It keeps your mind, heart and soul open to the world and all the wonderful people in it!” – @sjbuttery

44. It’ll change your view of the world

?: @ hannahmagsayo

“Women are sometimes intimidated by the idea but I say don’t be, for it has been one of the best experiences of my life. The people, the places and the memories will be the best souvenirs.” – @Sabrinatouristguide

45. You can be a dreamer

?: Helen Main

“I learned to live, to have courage, to not be afraid to listen to NO, to test myself in a lot of respects, to challenge myself, to learn to respect others and other cultures, to learn to listen people, to learn to be more patient, to give more value to little things, to collect moments and not things, to follow my dreams.” – @liveloventravel

46. You’ll get to know who you REALLY are

“Solo travel is a life changing experience which makes you discover what kind of person you are. You get to know more about your own personality and what you enjoy. You learn how to get out of your comfort zone, do things on your own and sometimes you even get to surprise yourself.” – @luke_courtois

47. You’ll learn to trust your gut

“Whether it’s getting public transport or the more expensive luxury bus to go into the locals home you’ve been invited into for chai, and have no idea who they are – or not, or even as simple as to where to eat for dinner!  No decision is right or wrong and will lead you to your next adventure.” – @KH_travels

48. You can go at your own pace

?: @thelonelytravellermatt 

“You get to meet new people and work on your own time table. The other important thing is to not worry about taking a chill day, you don’t need to be doing something every day if you’re tired or suddenly experience anxiety.” – Alexander Francis

49. It makes you more spontaneous

“Don’t plan out every moment of your travel time; make room for spontaneity. If you find amazing travel buddies in one place, why not accompany them to the next? If you find yourself enjoying the atmosphere of a certain city, why not stay another week? Really allow yourself to be flexible with timing, so you can indulge yourself in a place you love. I mean that’s why you wanted to travel in the first place!” – @TeeJayHughes

50. You’ll become a walker

?:  @karynleigh89

“You can see way more when you walk 30km a day…” – @dakota_wilko

51. You’ll never be satisfied back home working a “normal” job

?: Jennifer Lachs

“Let’s face it, after time spent travelling the world, busting out of your comfort zone and reinventing yourself, the hum drum office life might not be your thing (and that’s okay).” –  @boscoppa

52. You’ll start collecting memories instead of things

?: @boscoppa

“Science says experiences will make you far happier than material things. Just sayin’…” – @MrColinRiv

53. You’ll make peace with transience

“Some travelling friends you probably will never see again, and that’s fine. They have passed through your life, to teach you something or to share incredible moments with you! I gradually developed a certain necessary detachment in some situations.” – Manuela

54. You’ll take more risks

“Good things come to those who dare, and solo travelling forces you to find your own balance between playing it safe, and seizing the day.” – @MrColinRiv

55. You’ll develop an eye for spotting killer deals

“If you feel like going somewhere and you found a good deal, don’t wait for someone to book with you to travel, do it by yourself! I have done many times this and it is how I manage to travel a lot and for cheap deals.” – @jeffsantosbr

56. You’ll become a logistics pro

“From booking transport to hostel stays, and from arranging health insurance to exchanging currency, you’ll quickly become a travel logistics guru.” – @dlsaunders88

57. You won’t settle for less than you deserve

“Solo travel makes you realise you’ll never need to settle for friendships and relationships, just for the sake of having people close to you. You become more discerning and choose your tribe through want and not need.” – @JohannaW

58. You’ll discover that hostels are a safe haven

“Hostels are a safe place full of laughter, love, security and a need to belong.” – @dakota_wilko

59. You instantly become more decisive

?: @ alexandre_rapel

“There isn’t anyone around to decide for you! Simple as that!” – @robertopaoloferrone

60. It teaches you to stop and smell the roses

“Time stood still at Castletown House as the sun slipped like butter behind the green, rolling hills of Celbridge, Ireland. Roaming through acres of unkempt gardens made for sweet memories and picturesque views. Timing is everything.” – @itsmissdarcy

61. Boredom? Yeah right

“Your destination might have an adventure in store for you even if you are on a solo flight–just ask. I randomly signed up to join a group of people who was up for a white water rafting experience. It was definitely one for the books.” – @eunirai

62. It makes you richer

“Okay, maybe not in a financial sense, but travel is a life investment. It’ll make you rich beyond your wildest dreams in the currencies of knowledge, compassion, experience, memories, culture, passion, expression, confidence etc.” – @emma.v.martell

63. It supercharges your confidence

“Let’s face it, once you’ve ridden a moped through the streets of Vietnam alone there is little that will faze you.” – @garry_astle

64. The experience is truly YOURS

“You’ll wander unexpectedly in to some amazing views. After a day of exploring central Barcelona I went on a slow aimless stroll upwards out of the city and turned around to this spectacular sight.” – @beccacrowhurst

65. It’ll expand your mind

“When traveling alone you get more approaches from strangers, more dinner invites, more authentic conversation. The people you meet shape you into becoming a more open-minded, sociable person.” – @JohannaW

66. You can really give back

“If you get the chance to stay in a location a bit longer, see what you can do to help the community. It does not always have to be much or long. I did two weeks of volunteering at a childcare centre in Buenos Aires.” – @thebluebrolly

67. It’ll teach you patience

“Long layover in order to get a cheap ticket? No problem! Gives me a chance to get out of the airport and explore a new city. Nine hour bus ride to get from Tokyo to Osaka? No problem, gives me a chance to see the beautiful countryside of Japan at ground level.” – James Mulford

68. You’ll learn how to say no

“If you’re a “people pleaser” and a “yes” person, that will soon change during solo travel. You will not agree with everyone you meet and it’s up to you to voice your opinions. Be brave, and speak out.” – @KH_travels

69. You’ll forge life-long friendships

“One of the best things about solo travel is that you are almost forced to socialise with people that normally you might not. They will come from all kinds of countries and backgrounds and most of them will be awesome.” – @garry_astle

70. You’ll learn the art of negotiation

“Travelling through Asia alone, some of the most entertaining experiences can be haggling over your next singlet. Being a solo traveller you’re also likely to be on a shoestring budget, however, before you try and shave another 20p off the price just remember what that 20p could do for the seller… a little goes a long way.” – @KH_travels

71. You’ll unearth hidden skills

“I’ve always had some difficulty with maps and such. When I was travelling with my cousin, I realized that I always let her navigate. After we split up and I went on my own, I had to step up, and I did it!” – Manuela

Why not pin this article for later? ?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Best Solo Travel Destinations in the United States for an Unforgettable Adventure

Whether you're looking for activity or relaxation, your dream trip awaits.

Whether you're planning your first adventure on your own or are a solo travel veteran, choosing a destination can be overwhelming, especially if you still have a lot of places to check off your bucket list . The good news is, you don't have to go far for the adventure or relaxation you crave, because there are plenty of options across the U.S.

Weighing variables such as walkability, safety, self care opportunities, number of historic sites and museums and access to nature, we've come up with a list of the best places in the U.S. for solo travelers — ranging from mountain and beach destinations to small towns and large cities. Time to book your ticket for one, plan your itinerary (or don't, remember, it's your trip!) and answer to no one except yourself for a few days.

Saratoga Springs, New York

This beautiful upstate New York town is a short Amtrak ride from the city, so it's ideal for NYC residents looking for a quick solo escape. Watch a horse race at the historic Saratoga Race Track, jam out at a concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and enjoy the mineral spring baths (where the city gets its name!) at the Saratoga Spa State Park. Oh and don't miss the fabulous dining and shopping up and down Broadway.

Waco, Texas

Ideal for the Fixer Upper fan looking for a low-key getaway, the heart of Chip and Joanna Gaines's Magnolia empire is a fun Texas town that's a short drive from both Austin and Dallas. Stop at Magnolia Market for tasty treats and farmhouse chic shopping. Beyond Magnolia, there's boutique shopping, wine and beer tastings and an impressive nightlife downtown. For more fun, tour the Dr. Pepper Museum, check out the Mammoth National Monument or visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

EXPLORE NOW

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

You'll feel like the main character in a storybook in Carmel-by-the-Sea — but in addition to marveling at the fairytale-like village, there's plenty to do. You'll find the famous Pebble Beach golf course, the Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and the white-sand Carmel Beach all nearby. Pro tip: Carmel Bakery and The Cottage of Sweets are great treat-yourself stops.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is a prime destination for art lovers, as it's home to both the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the original Meow Wolf (an experimental, immersive art exhibit that doubles as something of a psychedelic escape room). Art galleries, antique stores and craft shops line picturesque downtown Santa Fe, which is also a great place to try New Mexico's famous red and green chiles. Don't forget to book a spa day at the Inn & Spa at Loretto .

Burlington, Vermont

If relaxation is what you crave, Burlington is a bucolic little town with a laid-back atmosphere. Saunter through the lovely Church Street Marketplace, tour the Ben & Jerry's factory, grab a cold drink at a craft brewery or take a cooking class at Essex Resort & Spa (just a short 20-minute drive away). When the weather's warm, partake in all of Lake Champlain's fun — from boating and sunbathing at the beach to hiking along the shore. Or visit during the fall, when the foliage is nothing short of superb.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff has as many activities as a big city, but with a small town vibe. It's close to natural and historical wonders, like the Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon and the Wupatki National Monument, but you won't need a car to see them — plenty of tour operators are located in Flagstaff. If you're into space, the famous Lowell Observatory — a.k.a. where astronomers first discovered the ex-planet Pluto — is just outside of town. The city's downtown is a destination in its own right, with restaurants and bars to fill your time between adventures in the desert.

Portland, Maine

Ranked one of the 25 safest places to live by U.S. News , Portland is a pristine New England seaside city with beautiful lighthouses, an art museum and opulent Victorian mansions. Stop by any of the waterfront restaurants for the fresh catch of the day, or pop into a local brewpub for a pint.

New York City, New York

Big city energy seekers, this one's for you! Solo travelers will never run out things to do in the city that never sleeps. Visit some of the world's best museums, catch a Broadway show or join the hunt for the "best" slice of pizza or bagel in the city — both matters of some dispute. You'll need the extra carbs to explore the vast city by subway, from Central Park and Battery Park to the hipster enclaves of Brooklyn and the multi-cultural offerings of Queens.

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

The Poconos, a mountainous region in northeastern Pennsylvania filled with ski slopes and charming small towns, is a great option for adventure and relaxation seekers alike. You'll need a car to get around, but driving through the scenery — especially in the fall — is one of the area's highlights. Hit hiking trails, like the one to Bushkill Falls, and stop at local gems, like Callie's Candy Kitchen. If you're seeking relaxation (and a spa) more than action, stay at one of the many resorts in the Poconos, like Skytop Lodge.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is best known for its historic district, filled with beautiful architecture, museums, art galleries and lush green squares — all ideal for solo exploration. Plus, the "Hostess City of the South" is a foodie paradise, with a diverse range of restaurants and cafes serving all sorts of delicious cuisine. But don't forget to make time for Southern food while you're there!

Boise, Idaho

Another one of the U.S.'s 25 safest places to live , Boise is surrounded by mountains, making it a scenic location and hiker's paradise. The city itself has quite a few green spaces, including the Idaho Botanical Garden and Camel's Back Park. On Saturdays from mid-April to mid-December, it hosts the Capital City Public Market, filled with local food and craft vendors. If you happen to visit in late summer, don't miss the magical annual Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic held in Ann Morrison Park.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor is an under-the-radar town perfect for museum lovers, thanks to the University of Michigan. Worth a visit are the institution's Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History and Museum of Archaeology. We also suggest strolling through the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and catching a show at the Hill Auditorium. Off campus, visit the Nickels Arcade for shopping and eats.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

To put it simply, Oklahoma City is an underrated destination. Between its boisterous Bricktown neighborhood, unique Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, beautiful Myriad Botanical Gardens and whitewater rafting and kayaking facility, you might be surprised by how much there is to do. For food and accommodations, check out the newly-opened National Hotel, housed in a former bank (psst, there's a cocktail bar in the old vault).

Reno, Nevada

Sure, Las Vegas might get most of the attention in Nevada, but Reno is a more approachable destination for a solo trip. Yes, there are casinos here, but you'll also find impressive art and automobile museums, a lovely rose garden and the Nevada Historical Society. In the winter, skiing is nearby, and in the early fall, Reno hosts the world's largest free hot air balloon event. "The Biggest Little City in the World" certainly lives up to its moniker.

Tampa, Florida

Most travelers are familiar with South Florida's hotspots, but Tampa to the west (also considered one of the safest cities to live in the U.S. ) is rightfully drawing attention. Its most famous attraction is Busch Gardens, but the city has more to offer than roller coasters. Head to the Tampa Riverwalk for waterfront dining, or visit Ybor City for lively nightlife, classic cigar lounges and the original 118-year-old Columbia Restaurant — home to one of the tastiest house salads you'll ever eat and a must-see flamenco show.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville has an impressive range of offerings for all types of interests. Are you a fan of history? There's the Biltmore Estate.Shopper? Head for the Grove Arcade. Hiker? The Blue Ridge Mountains are yours to explore. Art Lover? Stroll through the River Arts District. Oh, and did we mention the local breweries and exceptional Southern comfort food?

Boulder, Colorado

Before you hit the ski slopes or hiking trails (depending on the season), check out the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, filled with quirky shops and tasty eats. You might not expect it, but Boulder is also home to a landmark tea spot called the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse (a solo afternoon tea sounds divine to us), a contemporary art museum and the Shelby American Collection of classic cars.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago may be a big city, but it's easy to navigate on foot — or on the "L" train system. There's no shortage of activities, whether you're interested in taking an architectural history boat tour, visiting the Art Institute of Chicago or Field Museum or taking a selfie with the famous "Bean." This should go without saying, but make sure to take yourself on a deep-dish pizza tour, because you deserve it (and you'll have the whole pie to yourself).

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

If you're interested in hiking part of the Appalachian Trail, hit the region around Harpers Ferry. The visitor center is considered the "psychological midpoint" of the trail, and there are a number of scenic day hikes in the area. The town itself — which boasts small-town charm — is part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and has an antique shop (called The Gilded Flea) and a historic candy shop.

South Bend, Indiana

College towns make for perfect weekend getaways for solo travelers, with lively downtowns and impressive museums — and South Bend is no exception. There's a three-story automotive museum, two art museums, a gorgeous neo-Gothic church, the Morris Performing Arts Center and a scenic riverfront park to fill your itinerary. It also has several chocolate shops, the Indiana Whiskey Company for tastings and restaurants serving cuisine from all around the world.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Travel

Are Vessi's Travel Sneakers Worth It?

Universal's Epic Universe Will Live Up to Its Name

The Best Mother-Daughter Trips to Take Together

13 U.S. Amusement Parks That Are Free to Enter

10 of America’s Best Water Parks

Romantic Weekend Getaways

11 Ways to Protect Yourself From Travel Scams

The Best Caribbean Resorts for Families

Best All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free

The Best Alaska Cruises

25 Fun Girls' Weekend Getaway Destinations

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Budget Travel » 10 BEST Places to Travel Alone (Why You NEED to go NOW!) 2024

10 BEST Places to Travel Alone (Why You NEED to go NOW!) 2024

When life has been grating on your very last nerve, and you need a little freedom, it’s time for some solo travel.

Free from the clutter of responsibilities, schedules, and spreadsheets, it’ll just be you and an epic swathe of wilderness.

Or perhaps it will be you and a steaming pile of delectable dumplings. Or you in the midst of an epic, thumping underground party.

Wherever you choose to travel alone, there’ll be unbridled freedom and personal growth.

How do I know? Because that’s what I gained from travelling alone. The freedom to make my choices and the responsibility of the consequences of those choices.

Throw out the misconception that you need a travel buddy, and unlock the joy of designing your own itinerary!

I’ve put together some destination inspiration for you in this article – just try and stop yourself from booking a one-way ticket at the end.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 best places in the world to travel alone.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

10 Best Places in the World to Travel Alone

Staying safe while travelling alone, final thoughts on solo travel.

Travelling alone may be as simple as a quick vacation. You may just need a little time to travel without your phone and connect with nature again.

To this end, a long stretch of beach and a crisp gin and tonic might be just what you’re after. It’s important to honour the need to take a time out. Hustle hard, sure, but take care of yourself too!

Often an extended solo trip comes with the burning need to push your limits – to write your own manifesto . Perhaps you’ve had no choice but to rethink everything you ever thought to be true. Perhaps the only way you can untangle the dumpster fire of emotions is by hitting the road and letting life happen.

More than likely, it’s somewhere in between. Good travel rejuvenates us and challenges us. A bit of yin and a bit of yang. Travelling alone is a surefire way to get a bit of both! There are no compromising schedules with your travel buddy who sleeps in – so yay, freedom.

But there is also no shoulder to cry on when the travel is confronting.

Through it all, we learn a lot. So buckle up folks.

We’re taking a look at the best places in the world to travel alone !

Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??

Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.

#1 Mexico City The Best Place to Travel Alone in the World

Mexico City might just be my favourite place in the world, period. It is one of the best places in the world to travel to AND also the best place in the world to travel to alone . It is the perfect combination of exhilarating and reflective – and has bomb-ass tacos to boot.

If you go seeking some company, Mexico City answers with an epic Couchsurfing scene and amazing hostels . And you’re never really alone in this great city. There are too many markets, curious locals, and sneaky mescal bars for that!

Backpacking Mexico is a whirlwind. One minute it’s lazing about on a sunny Yucatan beach and the next it’s driving past unmarked graves.

Mexico City is a microcosm of the country. The streets are awash with colour and passion in true Latino style. But if you go looking, there will be some heartbreaking history amongst its alleyways.

Mexico City stands in the shadow of the great Aztec Empire’s capital. There are hundreds of years of history and the ghosts of Empires past to keep you company in your solo wanderings too.

While you’re here, be sure to check out the National Museum. The stories of the last ten thousand years are displayed here – and that is certainly something to reflect on.

#2 New York City The Best Place to Travel Alone in the USA

Ah, the city that never sleeps: New York City stands out as a great destination to travel alone to in the USA .

If you want to become an anonymous observer, New Yorkers certainly won’t stop you. You can reflect in a ritzy coffee shop, or people watch on the subway. There is something to be said for speaking less and observing more .

On the other end of the spectrum – if you want to be noticed by New Yorkers – all you have to do is talk a little shit! And nowhere is it easier than in one of the many comedy clubs. Sure, there are extortionate drink prices, but there are also potential new travel buddies packed into the cellar!

And once you get partying with a New Yorker, you won’t be exactly sure how, but suddenly it will be sunrise. You’re mostly sure that you remember your name… Soon, you won’t have a choice but to be quietly hungover on the subway, once again observing the city.

One way or another, you’ll make it back to one of New York’s epic hostels , surely…

I think something that the best cities to solo travel to have in common is a buzzing and dynamic energy . You can choose to throw yourself into Times Square, the Brooklyn Flea Market, or secret New York bars. You get to indulge in the freedom that comes with travelling alone.

New York is perfect to travel alone in because it is at once easy to be part of the scenery, and easy enough to join the same scene.

#3 South Island, New Zealand The Best Place to Travel Alone as a Woman

I think everyone should travel alone. I love to travel alone. And, I have to admit that I love it even more because people love to tell women that they can’t travel alone. Bah! Hogwash.

Luckily, New Zealand is an easy country for badass solo female travellers .

Kiwis love hard workers and a good joke. They will go out of their way to make you feel at home in their little slice of paradise.

Once you start making friends in New Zealand, you will have friends of friends inviting you to stay up and down the country. Kiwis are just good like that. Besides, backpacking here has become a right of passage by so many that, no matter where you stay in New Zealand , no one is going to question your pursuit of a solo adventure.

It’s also wild . For that true Into the Wilderness type of solo travel, the South Island of New Zealand is the place.

Hobbits literally made their home out of the New Zealand landscape, and so will the aspiring solo traveller. There are rolling hills that give way into epic snow-capped peaks. There are rocks to climb, waves to surf, and whales to spot.

When you left home to travel alone, you needed the space to think. Well, there’s nothing like the sparsely populated South Island shores to get the mind turning over.

Also, nothing gains an outdoors-loving Kiwi’s respect like good handling of a manual 4WD. So while you are gallivanting about the mountainous South Island on an incredible NZ road trip , be sure to show off your new car handling skills. 😉

#4 Portugal The Best Place to Travel Alone in Europe

What are some top reasons for travelling alone?

• Swim naked in the ocean (feel wild)
• Drink red wine and make eyes with the bartender (feel desired)
• Change your mind at the last minute (feel free)

Portugal is the traveller’s answer to the travelling alone in Europe request.

There is close to 2000 kilometres of stunning coastline that hugs the untamed Atlantic Ocean. There are so many incredible places to stay in Portugal ! You can nudie swim at designated beaches – but this is Europe where the nudity is natural and not only to be seen in TV commercials.

Portugal’s wine needs little introduction. And neither do its steamy locals. 😉 It may become a question of who makes eyes first – you or the bartender?

When you do go out that evening, will it be for petiscos and fado ? Or will it be a visit to a secluded and ruined castle atop a picturesque cliff?

Either way, you could be adding a sex on the road story to your arsenal…

Many people living the boat life make Portugal their last stop before an Atlantic crossing. You may have had grand plans to continue backpacking Europe, but you aren’t sticking to your friend’s itinerary. You’re free.

Perhaps you will become a crew member on a sailboat and wash up in the Caribbean instead…

#5 Bolivia The Best Place to Travel Alone On a Gap Year

South America is a lively and dramatic place to take a gap year. There are many highlights associated with travelling alone to tick off your list here: you can learn a new travel language , see some scenery that makes you believe in the Divine again, and eat your weight in local delicacies.

Bolivia is a good place to learn Spanish as its accent is easier to understand than other Latin American countries. Bolivia also has the highest percentage of Indigenous peoples as part of its population. You can learn, not only Spanish but Quechua or Guarani too.

Hey, Bolivia is a little rough around the edges, but she always has you coming back for more. If you’re in need of something to grab you by the scruff of the neck and say, “HEY, life is exciting, make the most of it!” Then, Bolivia is where you need to be.

One of the highlights of your trip here definitely could be the Salt Lakes . They are so spectacular, it made me believe in a higher power again. You’ll be putting your camera on a timer to get that perfect shot where the sky and the earth become one.

Trekking in Bolivia is another highlight for the solo traveller. With some trusty hiking boots , you can have the best views of the country.

When you do come down from the mountains, an epic destination awaits you! There is a good balance between true solitude and meeting people here.

And of course, I’d be remiss to mention Bolivia without raving about the Chicharron. Mmmmmm, get in ma belly!

#6 Ireland Best Place to Travel Alone to For The First Time

If you want to ease into travelling alone, Ireland is the place for you.

Sure, it’s got the windswept coastlines and abandoned castled to trigger some introspection. But it’s also got Guinness, friendly locals, and Guinness. Did I mention Guinness?

Ooh, and whiskey! How could I forget?

Well, I guess it’s easy to lose track in between all the fun you can have here. I did make it back to a great Irish hostel , but I’m not exactly sure how. Delivered by the leprechaun, perhaps?

The Irish are famously funny, and all it will take to make a new best friend is to sit down and have a good ol’ fashioned pub session. Be sure to say “your man” a lot, and don’t mention the English. Unless it’s to say, f**k the English .

Irish is one of the roots of Australian English and it can be just as difficult to understand to the uninitiated. Once you understand the craic , you’ll be good to go.

Ireland is no longer going through “The Troubles”. It is a fairly safe country – one of the reasons it makes for a good first place to travel alone. So long as no one mentions the English, and you pay heed to the usual solo travel precautions , you’re in for a right laugh in Ireland!

#7 Vietnam Best Place to Travel Alone for Good Food

For the solo traveller looking for a culinary experience like no other – they need to look no further than Vietnam.

The bitter, sour, spicy (or the fire, metal, water flavours, as they are known in Vietnam) are considered in every bowl of noodles. They got some fine quality French-style bread. And when you get French bread filled with Vietnamese sauces and meats, you get the famous Banh Mi.

There are the equally famous pho noodles to try. But there are stranger and far more delicious delicacies to be found in every alleyway. There are fetal duck eggs, turtle soup, grilled pork, and noodles in every kind of way.

Vietnam is a good budget destination that will alight all your senses from the moment you arrive. You’ll sweat – from the chilli or humidity, it’s anyone’s guess – and smell the traffic and the roast beef everywhere you go. Wherever you decide to stay in Vietnam , you will find a satisfying dish.

My advice to eating in Vietnam? If it looks good, buy two .

My second piece of advice? If the plastic chairs look like they were designed for children, the food is going to be amazing here.

I am not a large person, and yet I still struggled to fit my big, Westerner butt into the small restaurant chairs. And once I was in, I became so sweaty that it was a struggle not to bring the chair with me to the next restaurant.

But, the more comfortable the seating, the less tasty the food. This is the price we pay for truly delicious broth.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

#8 Hokkaido, Japan Most Unique Place to Travel Alone

The most northern island of Japan – Hokkaido – is probably not the first place you think of when you think of where to stay in Japan .

However, this is the most unique place to travel alone .

It is known as the Kingdom of Food due to its high-quality seafood and incredible markets. If you dreamed of a place that delivers incredible oysters, squid, and crab year round – you would find yourself where the cold northern Pacific meets the Sea of Japan.

When you’re done stuffing your face with good food, it is time for a hike in an otherworldly landscape. In the winter, there are some amazing mountain trails to tackle.

In the autumn, the rivers are incredible bird-watching spots. You can kayak all the way down the river system to the Pacific Ocean!

The Ainu people have finally been recognised by the Japanese government as the Indigenous people of Japan . Their culture is felt most strongly on Hokkaido – the last holdout of their language.

It is bittersweet to meet people who have endured colonial oppression. On the one hand, joy is an act of resistance . It’s special to be able to learn from those who are left. On the other, there will always be sadness for what is lost.

Hokkaido remains a complicated and beautiful place to travel to alone.

#9 Amsterdam Best Place to Travel Alone to PARTY

Yes, there is so much more to backpacking the Netherlands than making acquaintance with some suspicious substance and wondering what exactly you were meant to be saying. There are world-class art galleries, fine dining, and even some very easy hitchhiking to do.

Drugs are still illegal and – by design – modify your brain chemistry. Know your limits, drink some water, and look after each other!

But, Amsterdam lives up to its epic party reputation! You don’t need to come here with a group to enjoy a good night out. If you are looking for live music, recycled furniture, and hipster beers that sound like the name of a strange family pet – then head to De Pijp .

This district is also famous for the coffeeshops in which lighting a fat doobie is standard practice. Noice. 😉

Most clubs are open until 3 am on weekdays and 4 am on the weekends. That means, no matter what day of the week you clamber into the Amsterdam rabbit hole, you’re in for a good time.

Choosing the best place to stay in Amsterdam will also add to your party experience. You can meet your new drinking buddies in the common room and party hard knowing you’ve got a bed to come back to!

#10 Shiva’s Holy Trinity (Sri Lanka, Nepal & India) Best Place to Travel Alone to Challenge Yourself

Travelling alone can bring up a lot. You’re alone with your thoughts after all.

You also trade security for freedom when you travel solo. So no one would blame you for sticking to a country where you blend in with the crowd.

BUT if you want to push yourself to the edge of your comfort zone then look no further than backpacking Shiva’s Holy Trinity .

You can ease into the water of South Asian goodness in Sri Lanka. There are enough green smoothies and easy-going surfers to allow a level of comfort. The best hostels in Sri Lanka are overflowing with cool people.

However, there are still lessons in haggling, negotiating traffic madness, and cultural differences.

When you’re ready to turn up the volume on the South Asian experience – head to Nepal . Rumour has it there are still communists hanging out in the jungles here…

The buses run a little later here and tend to cram eighteen more people than is comfortable in them. Who knows how much something should really cost and there is no such thing as an unpotholed road.

Just when you think you’ve got the hang of the head wobbling locals, the scruffy tab tripping ex-pats, and street begging response edict down, go to India.

Anyone who has been backpacking in India will have a complicated relationship with the country. It can be exhausting. Maddening. Devastating. If you’re not careful, India is the place that leads to travel burnout .

And yet it remains – for so many of us – the place that transformed us.

Wherever you end up, there is chai.

When you travel alone, it’s just you. That safety net of having someone else to rely on to get help if you need it urgently isn’t there.

This doesn’t mean you don’t take on the greatest adventures in the world – but it does help to be a little prepared, especially if you’re planning to go solo travelling in Mexico and the like. One way you can stay prepared is by taking out some insurance before you leave.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

There is no need to idly scroll through Instagram and dream about your next trip away. It is time to book that ticket and hit the road! You are guaranteed a life-changing experience when you travel alone.

It will likely be the most terrifying thing you ever do, and yet the most rewarding. You won’t know what ghosts are lurking within yourself – or how to get rid of them – until you spend some time travelling solo.

And when you’re done with the introspective mountain tops, when you are done putting yourself through the chaos of Mumbai, a change of pace awaits. Without consulting anyone else, you are free to change the direction of your travels.

How does a glass of wine atop a cliff at sunset sound?

Delightful, I tell you.

The only thing standing between you and your dreamy solo trip is yourself. So do it! Go explore the best places to travel alone!

Indigo Blue

Share or save this post

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Solo travel is something everyone should try at some point in their life. There's no better way to get to know who you are as a person than by spending time with yourself away from the distractions of life.

Solo travel, couple travel, and travel with friends all have their pros and cons and it can be tough to know which will suit you best. This article outlines the advantages and disadvantages of hitting the road on your own for the first time .

Personal Growth and Setting Your Own Schedule

One benefit of solo travel is that it forces you to become independent, make decisions, and step out of your comfort zone on a regular basis—something you wouldn't necessarily do if you weren't traveling alone.

When you travel solo, you have nobody to rely on but yourself, and that pushes you to learn how to function in the world. It's sink-or-swim time! If something goes wrong , it's down to you to figure out how to get out of the situation.

Another great benefit to solo travel is not having to compromise on your travels. You can wake up whenever you want, eat whatever you want, decide to have a lazy day, or choose to go on a 12-hour hike. When you're traveling solo, you can be selfish and change your mind every few days and not have to consult anybody else.

Meeting People and Building Confidence

One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is how easy it is to meet people on the road . All you need to do is wander into a hostel common room and within minutes, someone will strike up a conversation with you—it really is that easy!

You'll also find that when traveling solo, you're much more approachable than when you're in a couple or a group. A lot of travelers will assume that if you're already in a group, you don't want to be disturbed, and will turn to the solo traveler almost every time.

Solo travel can be helpful for your mental state, too. Solo travel builds confidence as you navigate an unfamiliar city, converse with strangers and figure out how to get from one place to another. Your social skills will also improve as you meet more and more people and get used to introducing yourself and making conversation.

Freedom and Time for Reflection

Another item in the "pro" column for solo travel is that is can be a time for reflection and solitude and can help bring peace to your mind. You'll get to know yourself better than you ever have before, learn what truly makes you happy and what you need to work on to improve as a person. It can often be challenging to face these truths but learning to overcome them is all part of the process of growing.

You can spend time working on a hobby, reading books in coffee shops around town, hiking every day, or simply sitting and meditating. When you're on your own, you can do whatever you want without having to worry about anyone else. That freedom is incredibly liberating. 

Avoiding Loneliness

One downside of traveling alone for long periods of time with no constant in your life is that it can be draining, and you may struggle with issues of loneliness. Not having someone to share all those amazing experiences with can be disheartening and lead to depression. Homesickness is something every long-term traveler deals with, and the effects can be amplified when you're alone.

Higher Costs

For budget-minded travelers, another downside is that traveling alone nearly always works out to be much more expensive than traveling as a couple. As a couple, you can share meals, stay in private rooms and split many of your expenses. You'll also often find that for private tours you'll be charged a lot more if you plan on taking it alone. There's no doubt about it: solo travel supplements suck. 

As a solo traveler, you'll have to pay a single room supplement if you're going to be in private rooms, you have to stay in Airbnb apartments without having someone to split the costs. In some parts of the world, like South Korea, meals are served family-style so you'll even have to pay more to eat alone in a restaurant or rely on fast food. It makes sense that businesses would charge more money for one person, but it certainly does punish solo travelers for something they can't control. Time to start making friends and sharing rooms so you can split the cost!

Safety Considerations

While solo travel isn't unsafe , it's definitely less safe than traveling with other people, making the safety issue a "con" of traveling alone. You're more vulnerable when you're on your own because you only have you looking after you. When you're in a group, you'll have other people to look out for scams, to steer you away from danger, and make you less likely to get lost. 

So while this shouldn't make you avoid solo travel, you should take extra precautions in order to keep yourself safe. Things, like being cautious when out alone after dark, researching unsafe neighborhoods before you arrive, and not getting too drunk when out with hostel friends, are all things that will improve your safety levels on the road. 

Missing the Human Connection

When you travel all the way to Sydney and stand in front of the Sydney Opera House , sometimes it's a little underwhelming. You don't have somebody to turn to and discuss how incredible it looks and how amazing it feels to be living your travel dream. Instead, you snap a few photos, you sit and look at it in awe and silence, and then you leave. Solo travel is one of the best things you can do for yourself, but it sometimes it's a little underwhelming when you don't have someone you love to share it with. 

The Unexpected Perks of Solo Travel

How to Rock Your First Solo Trip Overseas

Tips for Traveling Solo With a Tour Group

Tips and Advice for Dealing With Homesickness

Planning an All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation for Singles and Solo Travelers

Why Cruising Solo Is Worth it

8 Solo Travel Experts Share Their Best Tips

7 Ways to Make Friends While Traveling Solo

Should You Book Your Hostels in Advance?

Is It Safe in Egypt?

Is It Safe in Iceland?

20 Solo Trips in 2020: I Traveled Solo During COVID-19

FIT Travel: All About Independence

Best Tour Companies for Singles

Is It Safe in Guatemala?

Is It Safe in Rio de Janeiro?

15 Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo at Least Once

As I boarded the plane, I felt a hollowness in the pit on my stomach. "What have I done?" I thought. On an impulse, I booked a solo trip to Paris.

Solo travel isn't as daunting as it sounds. You'll meet new people, push your comfort zone, follow your own rhythm, and discover what you're truly capable of.

Though I had traveled to Europe twice before, I had never gone on my own and never really thought about doing so. But here I was, wedged in my "cattle class" seat on a plane heading to one of the largest cities in Europe.

To be honest, I was terrified.

As the hours progressed into days, I learned how to navigate the city. I got to see places introduced in books or magazines, like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.

I had to pinch myself to believe it.

I was in Paris. And I did it all by myself. It was overwhelming, exciting, and liberating all at the same time.

By the end of the trip, I was sold. I went from, "Holy @#$%, what have I done?" to "Why haven't I done this sooner?" I gained so much from my first trip, and will never forget the experience.

What Is It About Traveling Solo?

If you ask most people about traveling solo, you'll likely get one of two responses.

The first will be reeling in horror, "Why would you ever want to do that?" The second response will be akin to, "Oh, I could never do that." This is particularly common for women due to additional safety concerns of traveling alone .

Friends get a funny look on their face when they're asked about solo travel - maybe it's nervousness combined with a dash of "hey, do you think I don't have friends or something?"

What if I told you the reasons you should travel solo have powerful benefits? Like when you do something on your own that scares you a little (or even a lot), your sense of freedom, empowerment, and confidence grow exponentially. Also, it's addictive - but in a good way. If you travel solo once, you will want to do it again.

Not sure you believe it?

Smart people didn't think we would ever fly until the Wright brothers took their first successful flight.

Try to stretch your limits a little, even if you start with a day trip in your local region. Give it a chance, and you'll find, like most solo travelers, it's a genuinely life-changing experience.

These are 15 (of the many) benefits of solo travel you're bound to learn once you embrace the risk of stepping out of your comfort zone.

1. Gain a New Point of View

Just because you've always done something a certain way, or that's how everyone you know views it, doesn't mean it's right.

Travel broadens your perspective, and traveling solo helps you be more open to the learning opportunities that cross your path. Being immersed in a new city is very different than reading a blog or even hearing about a friend's journey there.

First-hand experiences provide the opportunity to challenge your own prejudices on different customs and beliefs. And that's a good thing.

If you truly open yourself up to solo travel and embrace new perspectives, it can attract the most meaningful experiences that will last a lifetime.

2. Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Mainstream news often portrays the world as a big, bad place filled with horrible things that happen on a daily basis. It's only when we get away from our day-to-day routines can we see how much good there actually is out there.

Visit a developing country and witness how generous the people are. They may be living below what would be considered the poverty level back home, but these people are rich in the things that matter.

Simple things like asking for directions can restore your faith in human kindness when the person doesn't just provide directions but takes the time to guide you. Or when you're on a crowded subway, and a stranger takes your hand to guide the way. It's intoxicating!

Be sure to pay such kindnesses forward when you see an opportunity and help make the world a better place.

3. Learn New Things by Leaving Your Comfort Zone

There is so much to see and learn outside of our average day-to-day experiences. Traveling, and especially traveling solo, provides a healthy push that can be disorienting at first. Once you gain an equilibrium, you'll learn how to feel safe and relaxed outside your comfort zone.

Embrace the unfamiliar as the beauty to be found there will leave you speechless.

Gaining exposure to other ways of life and different cultures is such a unique and rewarding experience. One you won't get watching a travel show from the safety of your sofa.

4. Earn Valuable Self-Confidence

When you travel solo, there's no choice but to handle the challenges that present themselves on the road, so you learn just how strong you really are. When you know you can manage no matter what may come along, the result is increased confidence and fearlessness.

There's a natural ebb and flow to travel. When you're on your own, you learn to roll with it and just be in the moment. It's impossible to plan for every possible outcome, so learn to trust that you can handle whatever may come, good or bad.

5. Boost Your Problem-Solving Creativity

Traveling doesn't always go smoothly. Busses break down; airlines cancel flights; and you get lost (all the time, in my case!).

Maybe you want to go on a fabulous day trip, but don't have a car and need to figure out how to get there. That's all part of the solo adventure and the story you'll share after the trip. The more problems solved; the more confidence is gained to solve new ones.

See how that works?

Each time a new situation or challenge is overcome, your creativity muscle increases in strength. Those valuable skills and life lessons go home with you, helping long after the trip has ended.

6. Meet New People You Otherwise Wouldn't Have Met

You may be concerned that traveling by yourself will be lonely, and worry about not meeting any people. The opposite is far more likely, regardless of whether you're an extrovert or an introvert.

When we travel with others, we tend to interact within our small group. It's natural. Think about it - who wants to approach strangers deep in conversation? On a solo trip, you'll meet more people than when you travel with others, that's the irony of it.

Sofa dwellers think they'll be overwhelmed by the solitude and loneliness, but they don't understand the opposite is true. Both men and women traveling solo will meet more people by being alone.

Couldn't your life use some more interesting people in it?

7. Celebrate Your Freedom

Traveling alone means doing precisely what you want when you want to do it. There's no need to worry about disappointing anyone or having to negotiate. Instead, follow your own desires and rhythm.

If something catches your interest, veer off the course to see it. Change your plans. Meet new people. Go with the flow.

There are no restrictions (besides following the law, of course), so shrug off those "shoulds" you're used to and find your inner compass. You'll be so much happier for it.

8. Face Your Fears

Are you scared of traveling alone? Great, do it!

It's when we do the things that we fear that we find personal growth. And best of all, no one knows you on the road! So, take the opportunity to test yourself and try different things you ordinarily wouldn't back home.

You might even retail that newfound sense of adventure when you return.

If you don't enjoy your solo trip, simply don't do it again. But it's not only about enjoyment, it's also about those invaluable experiences to lean back on, and having overcome fear and made it through unscathed, and perhaps even better for it.

9. Discover Yourself

The best way to get to know yourself is to be on your own. Going on a solo adventure in a new place, outside your comfort zone, and facing fears is fertile ground for self-discovery and determining what you're capable of.

When you're away from your people and your obligations, and it's only you in the mirror, that's when you see what you are truly made of.

Take the opportunity to try some new things you wouldn't do at home. Explore parts of yourself you may not be so comfortable with. The path of self-discovery during solo travel is empowering. Unleash the amazing you - not the one restricted by the expectations and obligations of others, and even yourself.

Unveil the real you. The world is waiting for you to make an introduction.

10. Learn Valuable New Skills

Making decisions and navigating the world is all on you when you travel alone. There's no one to rely on when it comes to navigating the subway system or finding the way to a museum you want to visit. You learn how much you can do and what you're truly capable of. This includes being ok with solitude, managing loneliness, and even boredom.

You gain valuable skills by traveling on your own. Patience, resilience, and managing your fear are what you find within yourself. All the while, adapting your perspective as you learn.

11. Dive Deep into Your Destination

When you travel with others, your focus is on the mutual experience. When you're alone, not having a familiar presence pushes you to interact more directly with what's around you. The added focus on your surroundings makes for a truly immersive experience and amazingly-vivid memories.

12. Meet More Locals

As mentioned above, more people will reach out to you when you travel solo, and you'll be more open to talking with people you don't know. This goes for both other travelers and locals.

There's no better way to get to know the area you're visiting than to meet its locals, and that's much easier to do when traveling alone. That's not to say you won't meet other people when you travel with someone else, but your interactions won't be on the same level.

It's great to get to experience a place through the eyes of a local. When you get to know them and learn how much you have in common, you'll discover you're not so alone after all.

13. Have an Incredible Story to Tell

When you travel solo, you're the one writing the story. You decide where to go, what to do, and even how to view things that happen along the way. Take control of your solo adventure, and with it, gain control of your story.

Experiences are worth more than "stuff", and the stories that intertwine places, events and people, are invaluable. That tart hand-made by a local chef who enjoyed a glass of wine at your table; the small paper flower a little girl handed you on a lovely walk through her city; or even the scar on the back of your calf from losing your balance and burning it on the moped (whoops!).

These are the things that have the most meaning and the stories you'll remember years after the adventure is over.

14. Delve into the Art of Self-Care

A solo adventure is one of the best ways to practice self-care. When you travel with others, you have to accommodate their wants and needs. But when you travel alone, it's all about you.

Nap whenever you need to and choose the activities that make your heart sing. If you don't want to go to the top tourist attraction in a city, then don't. If the city is overwhelming you, take a day trip to the countryside to commune with nature.

Re-tune by opening up that channel to listen to your inner voice so you can take better care of yourself.

15. Change Your Life Forever

Leave your everyday life behind, including any stress and expectations of other people. There's no boss with a deadline, no nagging mom, no needy children. As you take the opportunity to delve into your surroundings and meet new people, take some time to nurture yourself and reconnect with you.

Let that be part of your trip that returns home with you. You can never unlearn all that you discover about yourself and about the world on your first solo trip.

Solo travel sparks something inside of you when you let it. You'll find a newfound perspective of the world that's intoxicating. And, it's not just the world around you that seems different, but it's inside you as well.

Think of what you could accomplish when you have no limits imposed by others or yourself. Traveling solo teaches you just how amazing and powerful you are. Take the chance.

You'll thank yourself for such a powerful gift.

Travel Inspiration

Travel Tips

Forever Break's soft launch took place on 20 February 2020. We are adding dozens of pages of new content at the moment so some bits may temporarily appear incomplete. If you pick up any problems - big or small - feel free to contact us . Please also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest announcements.

Top Destinations

Langkawi, Malaysia

7 Compelling Reasons You Should Care About Sustainable Travel

15 Tips for Taking Tack Sharp Photos

How to Shoot Better Travel Videos With Your Drone

16 Most Important Benefits of Nature Travel

Inspiration

Photo Stream

• Help & FAQs
• VIP Members
• Privacy Policy , Cookie Policy , Terms of Use
• © 2022 Forever Break ® | All Rights Reserved

Follow us now on Telegram for the latest updates.

Want more stuff like this?

We've got you hooked, hey?

Get the goodies delivered into your inbox weekly plus enjoy all the perks of being a Forever Break VIP member - customized itineraries, earn points and unlock badges.

Joining only takes a minute and it's free!

Wait! Before you go...

There's more free goodies at Forever Break!

Simply register a free account to build itineraries, unlock badges, and earn points. It only takes a minute. And it will instantly make you better looking.

You up for it?

Overthought This

18 Ways Traveling Alone Can Help You Heal and Love Yourself

Posted: April 5, 2024 | Last updated: April 5, 2024

“Will traveling solo help me heal? Will it help me love myself more?” This is an ever-burning question for many wanderlusters considering setting out on a solo adventure. 

The ultimate answer to this question is maybe yes and maybe no. Solo travel is what you make of it, and given its subjective nature, some adventurers are bound to love it, while others may find it exceedingly lonely. Undoubtedly, solo travel can help you heal and love yourself more if you set the right intentions and expectations.

Here are a few ways you may benefit from a solo travel expedition.

Gets You Out of Your Comfort Zone.

If you have never embarked on a solo travel adventure before, you’re in for an awakening. You may believe you’re fully prepared to go off jet-setting by yourself, but you’ll quickly realize, wow, this might be a little more of a surprise than you thought. 

Getting out of your comfort zone is not bad, though—it’s just a bit uncomfortable. But so is healing. Let the uneasiness flow, and you’ll soon be on your feet after you’ve given yourself time to adjust. 

Teaches You How to Spend Quality Time With Yourself

You may believe you know yourself inside and out, but until you experience traveling alone, you don’t truly, authentically “know” yourself. As you explore new environments, languages, and cultures, you will uncover facets of yourself you may never have dreamed of. 

You may shock yourself by the ways in which you’ve found yourself being brave and confronting obstacles. Maybe you’ll also learn more about your interests, abilities, social skills, and, how to be more self-loving.

Allows You to Challenge Yourself

Without a doubt, traveling alone will be a challenge. Whether it’s a welcome challenge or a tough one, solo travel really forces you out of your shell and into mega problem-solving mode.

As you hop over the various obstacles and learn to navigate the more complex and bewildering parts of this unique lifestyle, you’ll gradually become better at conquering your fears. Once you are proficient in facing challenges, then you can calm your nerves and do the relaxing or fun things—oh, and the healing, too.

Gives You a Glimpse of How the Rest of the World Lives

If you have never traveled before, you can never claim to know anything firsthand about the rest of the world. Whether it’s solo travel or companionable travel, learning about the world through your own lens is truly a privilege and a learning experience. Immersing yourself in new cultures, languages, native people, cuisines, traditions, and more is one of the most enjoyable parts of travel..

Get out there and embrace all the incredible features the world has to offer, and you’ll find that these new visions of life can help you ponder on your own.

Encourages You to Have New Experiences

You may be a person who isn’t inclined to try new things, but when you jump into the realm of solo travel, you will inevitably become that kind of person. It doesn’t even have to be in an “extreme” way. No matter where you go or what you do, solo travel embodies the entire notion of new experiences. It’s a brilliant way to get more out of your life. Solo travel is never boring. It’s likely you’ll do or see something new every day and, in turn, alter your thought patterns along the way.

Opens Your Mind to New Ways of Being

Mark Twain once brilliantly said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” And he couldn’t be more correct.

Solo travel will unquestionably challenge your long-held views of the world and may even change those views for the better. Even if you don’t intend to use travel as a way to open your mind, it will happen anyway. It’s just a fact of the adventure. Soon, you’ll see that your mind has expanded in all the best ways and maybe even in ways that promote your inner healing.

Builds Your Confidence and Independence

As you gain experience and realize that solo travel is, in fact, something you really can do, you’ll slowly notice that you have more confidence in traveling alone.

You’ll notice yourself becoming more independent and able to do hard things as you traverse through this new adventure of traveling without someone else to guide you. You’ll find yourself puzzling out the public transportation schedule or grappling with language barriers. You become your own guide, and it’s an awesome feeling to be able to trust yourself on your path to healing.

Convinces You That You Can Be Bold and Take Risks

After you’ve discovered that you can, indeed, conquer the quest of solo travel, and after you’ve also realized how confident you are, you’ll move into the sphere of boldness.

Boldness can mean anything you want it to mean, but essentially, being bold means taking risks. It means going even further outside of your comfort zone to seek incredible experiences you would never have had before. One of the best parts of solo travel is simply basking in your boldness. Part of that boldness may include your path to healing and self-love as you become braver at addressing your issues.

Allows You to Leave Certain Stresses Behind You

It’s easy to feel like you’ll never escape the stresses of daily life. After all, you’ll have to return to it all at some point. However, if you allow yourself to let go for some time, to just “be,” you may discover that traveling allows you to compartmentalize the stresses of home from the fun of travel. Furthermore, you may end up reflecting a lot on those familiar stresses while you travel, making it easier to face the obstacles face-first once you return.

Offers a Change of Scenery

No matter what, solo travel always offers a new environment for you to traverse. While the change of scenery is a welcome one for discovering new places, it may also be beneficial to immersing your psyche into fresh surroundings .

Your brain functions differently when you are removed from the familiar routine of your home life, so let the thoughts and feelings flow naturally as you experience the new atmosphere of another country. A change of scenery may just inspire a change in you.

Forces You to Be More Social and (Hopefully) Less Lonely

As mentioned before, solo travel is only what you make of it. This means that you must use the opportunities in front of you to your advantage. Loneliness doesn’t necessarily signify that you are physically alone—rather, that you are mentally alone.

No matter where you go in the world, you can bring that loneliness with you, or you can open your mind to meeting interesting people along the way. You may surprise yourself with your ability to connect with others who travel or enjoy similar activities as you. Listen to the stories and advice; they may ignite your healing process.

Helps You to Learn Who You Are and Who You Want to Be

It’s likely that in the stuffiness of your closed-minded, same-old-story hometown, you were never afforded the opportunity to explore your identity and discover your purpose in much depth. With solo travel, you unlock a world that is abundant with new experiences, new belief systems, new interests, and new skill sets.

As you travel, you can take the time to truly think more about who you are and who you want to be. 

Helps You Reflect

If there’s one aspect of solo travel that hits most people hard during their first time away, it’s the sudden flood of thoughts and emotions you feel as you set off to discover this wide, wonderful world. This trek, more often than not, comes with discovering many different aspects of your inner self, too. 

Reflection is a great way to start the journey to self-love and healing, so embrace the ebbs and flows as you enjoy your trip. You may even want to keep a journal .

Creates a Sense of Capability

Before you conquer the battle of building confidence and taking risks, you’ll notice first that you’re simply capable. You took the leap, and you successfully set out on your solo adventure. You can do this. Which means you can also learn to love yourself and understand how to heal. It starts with a single step, and knowing you can accomplish even the basic challenge opens up a whole new universe of self-care.

Confronts Your Old Habits and Patterns

Ah… the old comfort zone again. If you don’t tackle your long-held, toxic patterns, you’ll never move forward into self-love and healing. When you embark on solo travel, you automatically confront these old ways and for many people, it is taking this giant leap of faith that helps them realize how they are wasting their life back at home. You can use your solo travel experience to refresh and rebuild new, healthier habits that are conducive to self-improvement.

Gives You the Time to Run Away for a While

Should you run away from your problems? Usually, no. But solo travel isn’t running away from problems as much as it is running full speed toward yourself. And yes, this includes your problems. Many inexperienced travelers like to daydream that their next adventure will help them solve every issue in their lives, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Running away to travel alone will help you evaluate certain problems in your life, but it takes a lot of inner work on your part. 

Inspires You to Dig Deeper

So you’ve started reflecting , you’ve started the inner work, and your solo travel adventure has been one for the books. You can only accomplish so much healing in one trip, though. While traveling alone certainly presents you with plenty of time for introspection, it’s not going to give you all the “Aha!” moments at once. When you return from your travels and settle back in at home, this is where the work continues. Solo travel surely helps you dig deep, but contemplating all you learned on your trip will help you dig deeper.

Puts You in Your Place to Find Your Humanity

One of the most valuable lessons of solo travel is not just about you—it’s about humanity as a whole and how you fit into this amazing world. Your solo travel expedition is so multidimensional that learning how to self-love and self-heal is only a small part of the journey. Your perspective is bound to change in about a thousand different ways, and part of your healing journey will most definitely include your relationship with not just yourself, but with the world. That’s when you truly evolve.

Here Are Some of the Best Destinations for Women Traveling Solo

Ready to set out on an adventure?

• Here are first hand recommendations of the best destinations for women solo travelers.

More for You

Trump trial ends with convicted Trump lawyer's evidence bomb: See Ari Melber's court breakdown

15 Jobs That Pay Insanely Well

24-year-old earns $50,000 a year living in a town of 121—how she spends her time and money

‘A dangerous precedent’: Hawaii property owner left stunned after $500K home was mistakenly built on her Paradise Park lot. Now she’s being sued

This type of supplement may increase heart disease risk, new study finds

Iain Armitage on emotional "Young Sheldon" finale and what's next

The terrifying reality of just how close we really are to nuclear war

5 Things You Need To Stop Doing If Your Car Has An Automatic Transmission

39-year-old self-made millionaire: 7 frugal habits I will never give up, no matter how much money I have

The Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in Every State

I quit sugar for 6 months and this is what it did to my face and body

Voters say they care about inflation more than Gaza. Today’s numbers should worry Biden

Fewer Young Men Are Going to College — Here's a State-By-State Breakdown of Where They'll Have the Best and Worst Job Prospects

10% of travelers have had their medicines confiscated. Here's how you can avoid it.

Head of Britain's Intelligence service warns of Russia's plans for physical attacks on West

Kirk Cousins' trip to visit Jon Gruden with teammates says plenty about QB's leadership

PGA Championship 2024: He quit the game for 20 years, and now 61-year-old has bucket-list spot in major championship

13 Remote Jobs That Pay Over $200,000 a Year

The 16 worst-paying college majors, five years after graduation

Dad who sacrificed his savings to pay for son's college calls student loan forgiveness a 'bitter pill'

Solo Female Traveler’s Guide to Mexico: Empowerment and Exploration

Mexico is an incredible destination for any kind of tourist, but a particularly rewarding place to visit as a solo traveler. It is a warm and welcoming place, full of incredible attractions and locations, with a vibrant, dynamic culture and a rich heritage.

Traveling solo as a woman can be daunting, but it is also an incredibly empowering and enriching experience. A destination like Mexico is a wonderful place to explore as a solo female traveler, thanks to its incredible variety of experiences that offer adventure and excitement at every turn.

Mexico is an extremely safe place to visit, but as a solo female traveler, it is always worth planning ahead and being mindful of the potential risks. So if you are planning to book a Mexican cruise to Puerto Vallarta, or backpack your way through the Riviera Maya, here are a few things to think about as a solo female traveler to help you navigate this fascinating country and make your experience unforgettable.

Embracing Cultural Sensitivity

Mexico is a modern, progressive country but it is also immensely proud of its rich cultural traditions and values. As a visitor to the country, it is really important to respect the local way of life and adhere to local customs. This often means dressing modestly in certain areas, particularly in religious buildings, and paying attention to cultural nuances. Learning a few words in Spanish can help immensely, as it shows respect for the culture and will help you understand and avoid any cultural pitfalls.

Choosing Safe and Female-Friendly Accommodations

Safety should be the first and highest priority of a solo female traveler . While Mexico is overall a very safe country, it is always important to consider security wherever you go, and planning for the worst-case scenario ensures that nothing can go wrong. Safe, female-friendly accommodations are key to a comfortable, secure, and enjoyable trip, so do a little research and seek out the most appropriate place to stay. There are plenty of hostels, guesthouses, and boutique hotels in Mexico that cater specifically to women, with female-only dorms or added security. Feeling safe and secure in the place you stay gives you a solid foundation on which to build an unforgettable vacation

Navigating Transportation Safely

Mexico is a huge country with loads to see, but luckily it has an extensive and efficient transport network. From comfortable intercity buses to rideshare services in major cities, it is easy to get around. It is, of course always worth sticking with reputable transportation companies, to avoid any sticky situations. The ADO bus company has a huge network of comfortable, luxurious buses with routes all over the country, and is one of the safest and most reliable options. In the larger cities, Uber is a good option, while official taxis in smaller towns can be found at designated taxi stations. If you are exploring the Riviera Maya, the brand-new Tren Maya is a modern train network that serves an array of popular destinations such as Palenque, Cancun, and Tulum.

Prioritizing Safety and Awareness

When traveling alone it is always worth staying up-to-date with local news and travel advisories , so you can be aware of any unusual or dangerous situations and change your travel plans if necessary. Solo female travelers should avoid traveling after dark if possible, and should always keep valuables and expensive items hidden from view. Trusting your instincts is usually a good rule of thumb – if something feels suspicious or dangerous, chances are it is!

A trip to Mexico is a fantastic option for solo female travelers. It offers a blend of rich culture, fascinating history, unbelievable natural beauty, and mouthwatering cuisine that is hard to beat. By keeping the above advice in mind, solo female travelers can enjoy an unforgettable experience in this amazing, immersive country.

Yucatan Times

At least twelve palapas burn in campeche, key global expansion strategies for growing your business, you may also like, cancun is among the top 3 destinations with the highest hotel occupancy in mexico, new airports under analysis by the mexican government, salbut yucatán fair 2024: san sebastián is ready for the gastronomic festival, watching your health when traveling: an on-the-road guide, tulum has become mexico’s “it” destination — and with good reason, bad practice of harassing tourists continues in río lagartos, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Our Company

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consect etur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.

• 01 Central Park, US, New York City
• Phone: (012) 345 6789
• Email: [email protected]
• Support: [email protected]

About Links

• Advertise With Us
• Media Relations
• Corporate Information
• Apps & Products

Useful Links

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Closed Captioning Policy
• Accessibility Statement
• Personal Information
• Data Tracking
• Register New Account

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept

Keep me signed in until I sign out

Forgot your password?

A new password will be emailed to you.

Have received a new password? Login here

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription.

I've stayed in Airbnbs around the world by myself. My top tip for solo travelers is to book for 2 people — even if it costs more.

• I'm a frequent solo traveler who prefers to stay in Airbnbs over hotels. 
• When I book an Airbnb for a solo trip, I say it's for two people, so hosts don't know I'm alone. 
• Sometimes booking for two costs extra, but I'm willing to pay it because it makes me feel safer. 

Cozy cabins , unique tiny homes , luxury apartments — I've booked them all through Airbnb. 

As a travel reporter, I've stayed in accommodations around the world, from the US and Canada to Western Europe. I prefer staying in Airbnbs over hotels because they often bring me more unique experiences, such as sleeping in a treehouse in Canada and a livable barrel in Switzerland.

Usually, I travel solo . I've taken overnight trains in the US and Europe, spent seven nights on one of the world's largest cruise ships sailing the Caribbean Sea, and traveled by rail to Niagara Falls, Montréal, and Quebec City . On these trips, I explored new cities and unique accommodations — all by myself.

Related stories

Now that I'm a seasoned solo traveler , I have a lot of practices in place to ensure I feel as safe as possible when I'm traveling alone — especially in other countries.

When it comes to staying in Airbnbs solo, my best tip is to book accommodation for two people

When I make the reservation, I simply change the number of guests from one to two. Then, In my message to the host, I always say that I may have a friend joining me for my trip.

This way, my host doesn't think I'm traveling all by myself. Creating the illusion that I have someone else with me makes me feel more comfortable falling asleep at night in a stranger's place.

Booking for two sometimes comes with an additional fee, depending on the Airbnb.

For example, when I traveled to Rome and booked two nights in a livable art sculpture Airbnb , the price was $102 a night for one person and $145 a night for two people. In this case, my partner did end up joining me for the stay. But even if he hadn't, I would have been fine paying the additional fee to feel more secure about staying there alone. 

Solo travel can be daunting, especially when you're booking accommodation with an individual rather than directly through a company like you would at a hotel.

But after all my unique Airbnb experiences, I think it's worth booking them even when I'm alone. And booking for two makes me feel a little safer.  

Axel Springer, Insider Inc.'s parent company, is an investor in Airbnb.

• Main content

• Sorrento Tourism
• Sorrento Hotels
• Sorrento Bed and Breakfast
• Sorrento Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Sorrento
• Sorrento Restaurants
• Things to Do in Sorrento
• Sorrento Travel Forum
• Sorrento Photos
• Sorrento Map
• All Sorrento Hotels
• Sorrento Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Sorrento
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Buses from Sorrento to Amalfi, Positano, Ravello etc - Sorrento Forum

• Europe    
• Italy    
• Campania    
• Province of Naples    
• Sorrento    

Buses from Sorrento to Amalfi, Positano, Ravello etc

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Province of Naples forums
• Sorrento forum

12 replies to this topic

A bus or taxi from Amalfi bus station can take you up the hill to Ravello. Again, the buses can be packed full with long, disorderly queues. A taxi can be €60 one way.

The newsagent at the top right of Sorrento bus/train station gives good advice about buses and sells tickets including bus passes.

Positano is an almost vertical village built on the cliff with lots of steps but the beach area is flat with shops, cafes and restaurants. Amalfi is fairly flat although both are quite small.

There are organised excursions, boat tours and private tours etc from Sorrento to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello including a minibus tour by Goldentours for €85.

My photo album below shows some of the Amalfi Coast , Sorrento and the area. Move your cursor onto each pic to see where it was taken in bottom left.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/eddie0/pi1707

There are no multi-day passes for the buses, the only pass available is for the Sita buses and for 24 hours only.

This pass is called Costierasita and it costs 10 euro. If you are only going to one village and back it will never pay out but ticket agents have been known to sell it as a convenience. For perspective, the cost of a ticket to Amalfi and back is 6,80 euro. Now, if you're going to do more than one trip per day, the gap closes some and it may well be worth the convenience.

But that all assumes you can even get on the bus. They are wildly oversubscribed and when they arrive a bit of a scrum tends to develop. You might get shoved along with the crowd and make it on the bus, or you might get shoved aside. It's not pleasant.

The ferries, which Eddie suggests, are more expensive but they are comfortable and capacity controlled. These do sell out, so I would suggest purchasing tickets the day before you want to travel, once you've had a chance to check out the weather forecast.

If you are not going to be laying on the beach, swimming or taking a boat ride in the area - there's not much to do other than mooch around shops, have a bite to eat and ogle the views

All the villages are mostly pedestrian only - Ravello is 100% pedestrian, the other two are around 80% pedestrian only.

I think you will, frankly, not have an enjoyable time if you try to do this with the buses - they are packed to the gills, don't stop when they are full and if stuck standing on the bus if you get on, you get swung around with each of the many curves in the winding road.

Please do try to include ferries in your budget - you will have a much less stressful time; from Amalfi then you could try to get a bus up to Ravello or maybe even split a taxi ride with one or two others waiting for the bus.

http://www.sorrentoreview.com - info on Sorrento and has ferry schedules to Amalfi Coast

https://www.travelmar.it/en/index - website for the ferries on the Amalfi Coast

The ferries are faster and, again, much much less stressful.

Thank you so much all 3 of you and I really am impressed and appreciate the speed of the responses. Youve all given me something to think about regarding ferry travel. Will speak to the newsagent at the top of the station and see if they come up with even more alternatives. Thank you again and if I need any further info may I take the liberty of approaching you again. All the best.

I would seriously consider Eddie’s suggestion of an organized tour from Sorrento. The cost may seem excessive at first glance but having guaranteed comfortable transport is worth the expense IMO. A long day, yes, but one that could easily be broken up with a stop for lunch with a view in Ravello.

https://www.goldentours.it/en/amalfi-coast-small-sharing-tour

Yes, that's the minibus tour I was suggesting.

There is an optional boat tour but we skipped it both times and spent time in Amalfi Cathedral which is well worth the entrance fee.

From Amalfi, the coach takes you up the hill to Scala for an optional lunch in a fabulous restaurant with great views. Then it goes to Ravello. We thought the coach trip was so good we did it twice and might do it again.

To clarify my comment in post 5: I would not attempt to travel by local (SITA) bus to Amalfi on a separate day than Ravello. If I were to decide on SITA as my transport I would see Ravello and Amalfi on the same day. But given the difficulty involved in using SITA there is little chance I would decide to travel that way; the local tour would be money well spent IMO.

IF you want more autonomy for your time on that coast, maybe you could price up the private tour as suggested above vs. costs for the ferries and see if there is a financial advantage to one or the other.

The tour may well be the best option for you but you will have more time actually in the villages if you travel via ferry given the traffic on that coast and you will have to walk in the villages anyway as the tour vehicle will need to leave everyone off the vehicle to walk - maybe with a guide, if you feel you need one.

The seller of bus tickets near that station may not be the best source of information on alternative ways to travel such as ferries or tours.

There will be more traffic from Positano to Amalfi and we got stuck in jams although they only lasted a few minutes but anything can happen with traffic. The sea views are good while you're waiting for the traffic to move and there is usually a guide on the coach telling you amazing facts about the next village.

The guide gives you time to explore the towns at your own pace and usually stays with the bus while you walk.

• How far in advance to book Vesuvio Express in June? 3:59 pm
• Lo Scoglio from Sorrento 3:53 pm
• Boat tours - what to wear...? 1:03 pm
• Train Timetable 12:08 pm
• Airport shuttle bus 9:50 am
• Recommendations for Food, drinks and Sports 8:05 am
• Hotel pre payment 6:46 am
• Amalfi coast drive yesterday
• Private driver/guide yesterday
• Trip report on a Sorrento holiday with children! May 13, 2024
• Buses from Sorrento to Amalfi, Positano, Ravello etc May 13, 2024
• Fixed price taxi from Naples train station to Naples port May 12, 2024
• Restaurant. May 11, 2024
• Tui Nastro Azzurro May 10, 2024
• rome to sorrento - trains versus bus 10 replies
• Step-by-step directions for Naples airport to Sorrento 27 replies
• Transfer from Naples Airport to Sorrento 36 replies
• Train from Sorrento to Rome 3 replies
• Ease of train to Pompeii, 24 replies
• Travel from Naples to Sorrento 20 replies
• train from sorrento to Pompei 6 replies
• Beaches in Sorrento 11 replies
• rome-sorrento bus service 20 replies

Sorrento Hotels and Places to Stay

• Sorrento general advice
• Transport options between Naples Airport and Sorrento
• Should I drive a rental car in this area?
• Directions to Marina Piccola and Marina Grande in Sorrento
• Path Of Gods from Sorrento
• Travelling from ROME to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
• Sorrento - info for visitors
• Can the Artecard be purchased in Sorrento?
• Curreri buses - the easy way from Naples airport to Sorrento, Pompei etc
• How can I Save Money on the Trains from Rome to Naples/Sorrento?
• Can I travel to Sorrento from Rome without any connections?
• Help with SITA bus timetables
• Campania Express Schedule for 2022

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

6 Apps to Meet Fellow Travelers

Is there anything more freeing or empowering than traveling alone to a new place?

While solo trips are wonderful ways to spend some quality time alone, they’re also ideal for making new friends .

Thanks to modern technology, we can use apps to meet other travelers while traveling solo.

To give you a leg up, I’ve compiled six of the best apps for meeting other travelers when you’re on the road, including where to get them, best features and the pros and cons of each app.

Couchsurfing

Facebook groups, other ways to meet travelers abroad, learn the local language, keep an open mind, find tours about what you love, stay in hostels (and join the parties).

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Website | iOS

Summary:  Easy to use app to find food experiences and people to share them with.

Eatwith provides an incredible opportunity to meet people who share the most delicious passion out there: food!  In other words, if you’re a traveling foodie, this is the app for you.

Not only can you browse food and eating experiences in the app, you can search for others (both locals and fellow travelers) to eat with.

You simply add the city and food experience that you want to have, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a great partner for poking around a Guatemala market, trying tapas in Barcelona or eating a guinea pig in Peru (yes, this is common!).

I tried this app once and was invited to dinner at a Greek grandmother’s little beach house. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

The downside of this app is that sometimes there aren’t that many experiences listed, so it works best in peak travel seasons.

With a pleasing design and an easy-to-use interface, Backpackr is the premiere website to meet travel buddies and connect with other like-minded travelers around the world.

You can use the site before your trip (say, to find someone to travel with), but it also works well on the road, with thousands of users, active message boards and a common room, where you can ask for advice and recommendations.

The site excels at using the format of social media, but for people who are traveling, or will travel soon. I’ve used the app and I ended up with some fun travel buddies that accompanied me from Crete all the way to Turkey.

The site even sends push notifications when someone is en route to your destination so you can check them out or message them.

The downside of Backpackr is that there is no Android app, so you need a laptop to access it.

Website | Android

Summary:  Long-lived and well-liked app to help you find a place to sleep with a local.

Use Couchsurfing to find locals whose couch you can sleep on. For free! 

The Couchsurfing community connects you with people who have free space in their house and are willing to offer it to like-minded people.

But even if you’d rather stay in a hotel or hostel, Couchsurfing can still be a great tool for meeting new people.

First, you can create a profile and select that you’d like to grab a beer or coffee with people, not necessarily stay in their homes.

Second, there’s a feature that lets you post what you’re planning to do that day. People can join your group to participate in your plans. Locals and travelers alike can get together to have some fun!

Couchsurfing is by far one of the most popular communities of like-minded people who are passionate about traveling, meeting new people and making friends.

The only downside of Couchsurfing is that you don’t know anything about the “couch” (which can also be a bed) until you arrive at the house, so picky travelers may want to avoid it.

Website | iOS | Android

Summary:  Well used app that helps you meet people for almost any reason you can think of.

If meeting people with similar interests is your idea of a good time, then Meetup is the app for you.

This app connects people who share passions and hobbies. 

From training for a marathon, to practicing a l anguage , to having deep conversations about philosophy, Meetup is one of the most incredible tools for people looking for friends in a new area. Especially in big cities like Berlin, London and Tokyo! You could join a different Meetup every single day of the week.

Women who code? Yep.

Solo travelers in Amsterdam? For sure.

Fellow travel photographers ? Absolutely. It’s all there!

Make sure you read the description of each Meetup group before you join. Some of them require you to bring an item, pay a fee or just read something beforehand.

The only downside here is that it’s not geared specifically for travelers, so you’re most likely to meet locals here.

Summary:  Easy to use app for women travelers to connect with other women on the road.

This app is reserved for female travelers, so it can provide a safe way to meet other female travelers with on the road. It’s worth knowing that the app verifies the users to increase safety. 

Once you download the app, you create a profile, list a destination and then start making connections with other women. 

You can use the app before you leave or while you’re in the middle of an epic backpacking trip.

I’ve heard from friends that sometimes, the number of people using the app can be low in the off season, so it’s probably better to use it in the high season.

Summary:  Trusted groups for locating fellow travelers and travel advice.

Initially, the Facebook app may seem more suited to staying in touch with loved ones back home than to making friends in new cities.

But Facebook Groups are incredible tools for meeting people around the world.

Before hopping on a plane, find a Facebook group targeted toward travelers with your needs and interests.

For example, if you’re a solo female traveler, join Girls LOVE Travel® and meet other women who will be traveling to the same location.

Want to get even more specific? Try Facebook groups such as South America Travel with Kids or Chat food travel in TW (Taiwan) .

Facebook groups are incredible assets for meeting people in different cities. These groups are filled with posts and invitations to local events, where you can meet tons of fellow explorers.

Here are some other popular Facebook groups to check out before (or while) you travel:

• Ultimate Travel Group : a large community for travelers and travel bloggers
• Explorer by Nomads : an expansive travel group that emphasizes digital work
• Travel Community : almost 200,000 members coming together for travel advice and connections
• Photographers & Travel Nomads : travel group focusing on making connections between travel photographs and digital nomads
• Backpacking Europe : if you’re backpacking around Europe, join this group to meet others who are, too
• Southeast Asia Backpacker Community : if you’re backpacking around Southeast Asia, this is a very effective group for meeting other travelers
• Backpacking South America : this group is the same as the previous two, but for South America
• Solo Female Travelers : just like the name implies, solo women travelers can connect with others easily in this group

If you don’t feel like downloading a bunch of apps, don’t worry! There are lots of other ways you can meet fellow travelers.

It may seem like common sense, but if you want to meet locals, it helps to know their language. Sure, wherever you go you may find people who know some English. But if you really want to interact with locals as you travel, learn the local language.

You might find yourself picking up the language through sheer immersion—that is, just by being surrounded by the language.

Give yourself a boost with a language learning program like FluentU . This immersion program will prepare you for real spoken languages since it teaches through authentic videos like movie clips, music videos, vlogs and more.

Watch videos to pick up on vocabulary that you might encounter on your travels like food and local customs. You can save vocabulary directly from videos and study them through personalized quizzes that also let you practice pronunciation with speaking questions.

FluentU is available in 10 languages, and has an iOS and Android app, so it can come on your travels with you.

Keep an open mind when you meet people abroad. Don’t judge them based on your preconceptions of their culture, race or gender. The entire point of traveling is to open your mind, right?

The best thing about meeting people abroad is that you probably wouldn’t have met anyone like them back home. Differences in age, style, music preferences and many other tiny details are easily forgotten when you both share a passion for traveling and experience adventures together.

There are interesting people in hostels, cafes, stores and shopping malls. Make sure you keep an open mind so you can spot them.

Going on guided tours is a great way to both learn about the culture and meet fellow travelers. And since those travelers on the same tour you are, they probably have similar interests! That makes tours a convenient way to meet people.

Take a food market tour in Taiwan . Or a walking tour of historic Sydney. Or a bike tour around New York City.

Mutual interests are the glue of new friendships.

There’s something magical about the common area of a nice hostel.

Everyone there is open to making new friends. You all always have something in common, even if it’s just that you’re travelers to this new city. Because of this connection, small parties and hang-outs often form in the common area.

And more often than not, hanging out in the common room leads to an adventure. It’s not unusual for groups to end up going out together, experiencing the city as new friends.

Even if staying in a shared room isn’t your taste, you can still look for private rooms in a hostel. In the end, you can have the best of both worlds: the privacy of a solo room and the social aspect of the common area.

Meeting people around the world with similar interests has never been easier, thanks for these apps and recommendations.

You won’t just finish your trip with new friends. You’ll also have new experiences and a ton of stories to share.

Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF!

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

Why some in new poll still want Trump in 2024 even if he's criminally charged

"He might be a bad person, but he is a good president," one person said.

Donald Trump , a twice-impeached former president facing multiple criminal investigations and charges in one -- as he denies wrongdoing and says he is being politically persecuted -- has solidified a very early lead in the 2024 Republican primary polls .

The support for his comeback bid appears to be driven, in part, by voters who say they would cast a ballot for him even if he faces additional criminal charges.

In an ABC News/Washington Post poll released over the weekend, 51% of the 1,006 adults surveyed listed Trump as their preferred 2024 Republican nominee, compared with 25% for his nearest opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis . And, when incorporating which way undecided adults would lean, 49% said they would back Trump in a general election against President Joe Biden , with 42% of respondents supporting Biden.

Trump's backers include those who think he broke the law, with 18% of respondents who said Trump should face criminal charges in investigations of his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results also saying they would be inclined to vote for him.

MORE: Broad doubts about Biden's age and acuity spell Republican opportunity in 2024: POLL

To be sure, polls in recent cycles have been wrong, including in the 2022 midterms, when surveys predicted a red wave fueled by economic anxiety only for Democrats to have a strong cycle, holding the Senate and narrowing losses in the House. And Democrats insist that Biden remains in a strong position with so much time before the 2024 race, pointing both to last year's results and a string of legislative accomplishments passed with little margin for error in his first two years in office.

Still, national surveys like the most recent one conducted by ABC News do capture attitudes among voters, even when they seem contradictory. The survey was taken before a jury found Trump liable in a case brought by E. Jean Carroll alleging he raped her and later defamed her by denying he assaulted her.

Follow up interviews with several of the poll respondents indicated there remains seemingly inexorable support from Trump from a slice of the GOP, despite his scandals and defeats. And even among those not wed to the idea of supporting Trump in a primary, they said their financial worries are encouraging them to overlook his legal peril and support him in a hypothetical rematch against Biden.

Rebecca, a 19-year-old college student who declined to give her last name, told ABC News that she had worries over "everything about [Trump] getting rid of certain files, and then the allegations of him and women," referencing Trump's possession of classified documents after leaving office and accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.

Still, Rebecca would vote for Trump even if charged, she said, "because he might be a bad person, but he is a good president."

When pressed on if she had any concerns about having a criminal as commander in chief, if Trump were to be convicted, Rebecca said she would consider who was running against him. Yet when asked who could run against him who would make her reconsider her vote, she answered, "To be honest, I'm not quite sure."

That sentiment played out in seven conversations with people who responded to the ABC News/Washington Post poll who said criminal charges wouldn't in themselves be deal-breakers in deciding who to vote for next year.

Sherry, a 56-year-old who said she is living on disability assistance, accused Trump of trying to "bribe the officials when they was trying to change over the election process." Still, she said other politicians are also "crooks and criminals" and that she could not bring herself to vote for Biden in a 2024 general election.

"There's nobody left. At least he had the jobs and everything going, you just had to weed out a lot of his comments and stuff," she said of Trump.

MORE: Timeline: Criminal probe into Trump's efforts to overturn Georgia election results

"Since Biden's been in office, I've been struggling bad. I've had to have help from my little brother, my kids, and I don't like that," Sherry said. "I didn't have to have all that help when Trump was in office. Since Biden's been in office, every month it's like, am I going to make it? If my house wasn't paid for, I wouldn't make it."

Those comments reflect the larger results from the poll, in which American adults said by a 54-36% margin that Trump did a better job handling the economy when he was president than Biden has done in his term so far -- even as Biden and his defenders are quick to point to the country's rebound from the onset of COVID-19, including low unemployment, despite persistently high inflation.

Other respondents had related gripes with Biden's foreign policy, such as the use of international aide, while praising Trump's rhetoric on limiting entanglements abroad.

Alice Castaneda, a 58-year-old living in Texas, said in the initial poll that she identifies as very liberal -- and hadn't voted for a Republican before Trump -- but "always wanted Trump" and suggested "[Biden's] doing more for other countries. And for us, we're poor here in Texas."

Conversations with the respondents suggested such economic worries also helped Trump gin up support among groups where Republicans typically get swamped.

Twenty-seven percent of Black respondents in the ABC News poll said they would vote for Trump, which would mark a jump from the 12% support he won in 2020. And 43% of Hispanic people say they'd definitely or probably support Trump or lean that way, which would be a rise from the 32% support he won three years ago.

Black and Hispanic respondents who later spoke to ABC News said it would be hard for Trump to relate to voters of color but rebuked the idea from Trump's critics that his past comments on immigrants and lawmakers of color were racist.

"What he says about some being criminals and x, y and z, it sounds a little harsh. And me, coming from a Hispanic background, I find it harsh," said 32-year-old Philadelphia resident Kayla Gonzalez. "But I find that he's doing the correct thing. I think they should try to come here legally."

"The man's been a millionaire all his life, he's used to a certain standard. So, it's kind of hard to understand what a person that's on the bottom is going through when you're always on the top," added Tommy Miller, a Black truck driver from Georgia who lamented the past rise in gas prices. "I like the man ... because he did a lot of good things."

Related Topics

• Donald Trump

Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Solo Travel Over 50: Embrace New Adventures on Your Terms

July 18, 2023 by Janice Waugh

Solo travel over 50 and you will find new interests, gain new confidence, and discover new ways to manage a major life transition.

More people over 50 are traveling solo than ever before.

More than a quarter of the respondents to our annual reader survey are over 50. The percentage is similar on Facebook where we host the Solo Travel Society with over 270,000 participants. Dozens, sometimes thousands of people engage with other solo travelers there every day.

Whether you're in a relationship or are fabulously single, solo travel delivers so much more than the typical travel experience. And whether you are traveling independently or with a group, solo travel does not necessarily mean that you are alone. Taking a cooking class, a walking tour, or attending a meetup on a subject you are passionate about are all great activities for solo travelers. They can connect you to people of all ages from all over the world.

But before we get into the best reasons to travel solo over 50, let's look at the major life transition you may be facing, some of the questions that are arising now, and why this might be the perfect time of your life to head out on your own.

Table of Contents

Travel Solo to Navigate a Major Life Transition

If you're over 50, you are likely facing a major life transition. As a 50+ you may:

• be content with your career and no longer looking for challenges there.
• have adult children who are no longer at home.
• be part of the sandwich generation with parents and children requiring your attention.
• have a relationship status that is complicated.

In the many-faceted world of those over 50, life is changing. You are facing a major life transition and it may not be clear what you're transitioning to.

Where will you redirect your energy?

Perhaps you're experiencing one or a number of the situations below. See how solo travel can help.

• Have you been in the same relationship for decades? Is it getting a little tired? Take separate vacations and return with lots to say to each other.
• Is your spouse or partner uninterested in travel? Going solo is your answer. See the world and return refreshed to your relationship.
• Have your kids just left the nest? Then it’s time to find out who you are again. You can’t really do this with a companion who knows you and expects you to act in certain ways. Get away. Travel alone and rediscover yourself.
• Are you suddenly single, either by divorce or loss? Solo travel is a real confidence builder , a great way to make a comeback.
• Are you concerned that people at work see you as old? Head out on a solo adventure and people will quickly adjust their attitudes.
• Is work dull with little hope of things changing? Solo travel over 50 will inject some challenge into life.
• Is money tight? Solo travel can be inexpensive. It’s much easier to save on hostels, hospitality stays, great deals, and cheap flights when you travel alone.
• Do you have health problems? Stress is a major contributor to most health problems. Plan a solo holiday where you set the schedule and take a break from the stress in your life.
• Did you retire early? Do you have time to travel but family and friends don’t? No need to sit around and wait for them. Go solo and enjoy.
• Is it time for change? Travel alone, reflect, analyze, and explore your possibilities without the influence of others.

Best Reasons to Travel Solo Over 50

Maybe we all need a little time to ourselves, to make decisions, discover our strengths, and experience more autonomy. Maybe we all need to travel solo.

• Enjoy your freedom.  If you have spent most of your life surrounded by and responsible to others this is your chance to be responsible to no one but yourself. Go to bed when you like. Get up when you like. Eat, drink, wander, explore what you like. It's all up to you.
• Gain confidence from that independence . Whether you're traveling solo on a tour or independently, there is a confidence-building element to solo travel for having jumped into a somewhat unknown situation on your own.
• Discover who you are when you’re not meeting the demands of a spouse or children . When responding to everyone else, who has time to get to know oneself? Solo travel over 50 gives you that opportunity. Do what you couldn’t afford or didn’t have time to do when younger.
• Explore new interests.  Solo travel can be a gateway to new interests. Whether it's music or hiking or discovering like I did last month that I like champagne, try something new. Maybe you wouldn't go to a bar by yourself at home but on the road in a town like Nashville , how could you possibly stay in with all that music around you? Perhaps  hiking is not part of your lifestyle but if you find yourself in the Lake District of England you may just find a new love. Solo travel is a chance to try something new.
• Model a different kind of aging. I find that many people in their twenties and thirties are really curious about me. They seem to look at me as the kind of person they want to be when they get to my age – which, in their mind is very, very old. They see me as bold and welcome me into their conversations. And they often tell me that I am not like their parents at all. It seems I'm an alternative model for their future.
• Expand your world with cross-generational conversations . Talking with people younger and older than me breaks me out of my limited world and gives me a better understanding of the issues faced by others. And they amuse me. I remember walking down a street in Italy with an American man in his twenties. He turned to look back at a beautiful young woman who had passed us and said to me, “I love Italian women. They have great junk in the trunk.” Really! Whatever I think about his comment, to have such access to young attitudes is wonderful, if not curious and sometimes disturbing.
• Enjoy the respect age receives in other countries . My hair is grey. Given the courtesy I receive in some countries I have thought that I present as older than I am. Then I realized that it's actually about age being respected more in other cultures. Traveling on a train in India a young man wouldn't dream of moving me from my seat even though I was willing (insisting) and had, by means of a seat shift, taken his. No, his response was, “but you are our guest.” I suspect someone younger may not have been treated quite so well.
• Reboot your life that may otherwise be on autopilot . Feeling a bit bored? Need to shake things up a bit? Need new stimulation? Solo travel can give you this. Fulfill lifelong dreams that may not be shared with a partner. Many partners take separate vacations to pursue their personal dreams. Go for it.

Different Options for Traveling Alone

There are two basic ways to travel solo.

• Independent solo travel
• Solo travel on a tour

Independent Solo Travel

Independent solo travel is when you plan, navigate, and negotiate everything yourself. The downside is all that work and responsibility if you don't enjoy it. The upside is freedom and independence. It's exhilarating! Most of what we write here is about independent solo travel. Here's a guide to over 500 posts on Solo Traveler.

Solo Travel on a Tour or Cruise

This is solo travel in a group where the planning and organizing is all taken care of for you. Every day you have a guide and the group heads out to another activity. No fear of being lonely, eating alone, or your safety. The tour takes care of everything.

Most companies organize tours and have a few solos on them. There are a few companies that just cater to solo travelers. Check out our  Deals  page for our exclusive list of solo-friendly tours with no or very low single supplements from multiple companies. You can also receive our monthly Newsletter and Advisory of Deals by email. Just click here and sign up for the Solo Traveler Newsletter.

Also read: How to Choose a Tour for Solo Travelers: Top Tips for Savings and Fun

Solo Travel Safety Considerations

Every week, people reach this blog by using the search term “solo travel after 50.” These words are frequently paired with concern for safety. There seems to be some concern about age and solo travel. From my perspective, there shouldn’t be.

Being 65, I think I'm qualified to address this issue. And, as you might imagine, I believe that it is not only safe to travel solo after fifty but also, for all the reasons above, important.

That said, at a certain age we become more aware of safety issues. When we were young, optimism prevailed. Concerns were tossed into the wind. Not so much now. So, here I have a few safety tips specifically for older solo travelers.

• Get travel insurance . If you're over 65 this can be a problem. It gets more expensive the older you are but it can also save your bacon. Read how travel insurance has saved me a number of times in  A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers.
• Put medications in your carry-on luggage . Eliminate the possibility of being separated from your daily medications should your baggage go astray. Pack all medications in your carry-on. It's always recommended to keep all meications in their original containers from the pharmacy. Read  How to Get Through an Airport by Yourself with Ease
• Request special services in advance . I've walked more than a kilometer from my plane to the airport exit. For some, this may be too long a trek. Consider your abilities and request any special support you need a few days in advance of your flight.
• Travel light . There's nothing worse than being in a position where you can't get help and you can't manage your bags on your own. Read  Bare Minimum Packing: Here’s Your Packing List .
• Wear quality shoes . Balance starts to go after a certain age. It's a subtle process. Not obvious at first but, under the right (or should I say, wrong) circumstances, a twisted ankle, or worse, can easily happen. I gave up my beloved Merrell sandals for my more stable Eccos a couple of years ago.
• Have back-up glasses . I lost a pair hiking once. It's simple to do. Best to have a backup pair.
• Keep the bling at home . At this stage of life you may have some beautiful jewelry but that doesn't mean you have to take it traveling. Keep it at home where it's safe and you won't attract attention to yourself.
• Don't promote the fact that you're away on social media . It may be exciting to be going on a solo adventure but don't announce it to the world. You want your home to be safe as you travel as well.

Also read  Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Tips for Those Who Travel Alone .

Great Destination Ideas for 50+ Travelers

In reality, the best destination for any solo traveling boomer (the baby boomer generation is generally defined as people born from 1946 to 1964) is up to them. You might want to climb Mount Everest and if you're up to the challenge, it's a great destination for you. So what can I offer in terms of destinations? How can I generalize? Here are trips that just about anyone can enjoy and they don't involve learning another language.

• Spectacular Western Canada.  I traveled Western Canada by plane, train, and car a few years ago. The grandeur of the mountains, the friendliness of the people, great hikes, and small towns made it a great trip. It was simple to plan and affordable. You can read about it here:  Western Canada Itinerary: Top Things to See and Do  and  British Columbia by Train: Budget or Luxury. It’s Your Choice.
• The United Kingdom.  The UK has so much to offer. The culture is different but the language is the same, making it interesting and easy. London is a top destination for most of us. I find the center of the city to be very safe. I've walked at night and had no problem. Read  Solo Travel London on a Budget: Top Tips for Free and Cheap and  Best Places to Stay in London: Accommodation for Solo Travelers . I'll never tire of Northern Ireland's glens and its dramatic Causeway Coastal Route. Read  Solo Travel Northern Ireland: Tips for Belfast and Beyond .
• Road trip!  I love a road trip. I especially love a road trip along the coast and through a rugged landscape and one that drops me into small towns and villages to meet locals. I've taken two such road trips in Canada, one in New Brunswick and the other in Nova Scotia. Both provinces are very accessible by car for those who live on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Read  15 Great Solo Road Trips: All Solo Traveler Tested .
• An educational holiday.  I set a goal for myself to become fluent in French. I have improved greatly by using holiday time for French immersion classes in Quebec City and Lyon, France.
• A river cruise.  A river cruise covers many destinations in one trip with only one unpacking and repacking involved. That makes it easy. Read 12 River Cruise Tips for Solo Travelers: How to Make the Most of Your Journey .
• Walking trips . I really enjoyed my walking trip on the Isle of Skye . On the path, I would stop, take in the view, and find a huge smile stretching across my face. I smile a lot but smiling just because the air and view and exertion are so wonderful is not part of my regular day. I really suggest walking trips. You can be as adventurous as you like. I encourage you to read this post by Susanne, a reader from Austria:  Solo Travel Destination: The West Highland Way, Scotland .
• Creative travel . Creative travel is travel for the express purpose of learning something new. It may be cooking or a language, dance or painting. Creative travel helps you enter your destination through the local culture and by meeting locals and learning from them. Read  Creative Travel Tips: Discover More of a Destination and Yourself.

Some Additional Solo Travel Tips

Traveling solo late in your second act (or maybe in your third) is a wonderful experience. Whether you go for luxury or budget travel, it's all available to you. I'd like you to remember a couple of things.

• Others will welcome the excitement of you . You are, by the mere fact that you're traveling solo, adventurous to many. You liven up an evening for people. I have enjoyed many a coffee or meal with travelers and locals who welcomed me into their conversation. I enrich them as they enrich me.
• Hostels are not just for the young . Once referred to as youth hostels, today they are just hostels. Some, like the YHA hostels, are still non-profit but others are part of hostel chains. Yes, just like boomers, hostels have grown up. As the hostel clientele of the 60s and 70s has matured, so have hostels. To get a sense of staying at hostels as a boomer, read  The Hostel Experience for Solo Travelers: What to Expect. How to Stay Safe .

And one final comment:  don't hesitate to return to places you visited when you were younger . One of the great benefits of solo travel over 50 is that the knowledge gained and life lived over the years will take you to a deeper understanding of a destination than you could possibly have had before.

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

Get Solo Travel News & Deals

• Create Your Advertiser Account
• Login to Your Advertiser Account
• Solo Travel Statistics
• Media & Speaking
• Privacy Policy & Disclosure

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

Missed SNAP calls continue to threaten benefits for struggling Tennessee families

“we rely on those for everything.”.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For Brooke Hill, and her 10-year-old son Liam, the monthly food benefits they receive through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs are a lifeline. That is because Liam’s diet is very limited due to a neurological issue caused by autism.

“It’s beyond important,” Hill said. “We rely on those for everything.”

But as we reported back in January, Hill had her benefits six months ago, when it was time to recertify her SNAP eligibility, but a case worker with the Tennessee Department of Human Services failed to call Hill and conduct a federally mandated interview.

Hill then got a letter from TDHS, blaming her for the missed call and her SNAP benefits got cut.

WSMV4 Investigates eventually helped Hill get back on SNAP, but now it’s time to renew her eligibility again, and Hill is going through a series of emotions.

“I’m it makes me anxious, worried. I can’t afford to go through that again,” said Hill.

Related Coverage:

Hill’s anxiety is thanks to the recertification notice she recently got from DHS, saying it’s once again time to go through the process of making sure her economic situation has not changed, and she still qualifies for SNAP assistance.

That process takes place every six months for people getting SNAP, and while Hill’s letter gave a date and time DHS is supposed to call and interview her, Hill said the letter lacked a lot of information, and it seems to her like the recertification process has changed.

All of that has Hill worried that the phone call won’t come again, and just like in December, she will see her benefits get terminated, and face the possibility of Liam going hungry.

“The letter wasn’t very helpful to tell me what I need to do,” Hill said. “I just hope that they call.”

According to Signe Anderson, the Senior Director of Nutrition Advocacy for the Tennessee Justice Center, Hill’s fear of not getting the call is not paranoia, it is a reasonable concern. That is because Anderson says a growing number of people on SNAP across Tennessee have lost benefits in the same way.

“The phone interview piece has always been an issue,” Anderson told WSMV4 Investigates. “That phone call is the wall that stands between people and their SNAP applications and them actually getting the physical benefits.”

Anderson says since the beginning of the year, her organization has heard from and helped 300 people facing the threat of losing SNAP after DHS set up interview times, but then never called.

WSMV4 Investigates continues to hear from people on social media, through email and phone calls who complain it happened to them as well, including one local family who stopped trying to apply after multiple missed calls.

“Oftentimes, the blame is placed on the family for missing that call, and so many are doing everything they can to connect for that interview,” Anderson said. “So, then for many who don’t get that call, they try calling DHS to reschedule and we’ve heard them waiting up to five or six hours on the phone.”

Anderson says the issues with missed phone calls go back years but got worse during the pandemic. She says the problem then exploded last year when DHS started using new technology to manage the SNAP program and thousands of people lost benefits.

“It’s something I wish more time and energy would be dedicated to, because I think a lot of people are being turned away [from the SNAP program] that shouldn’t be turned away,” Anderson said.

WSMV4 Investigates wanted to interview officials at TDHS responsible for overseeing SNAP in Tennessee about the missed phone calls and why this continues to happen, but a department spokesperson said that “we will not be able to fulfill your on-camera interview request at this time or in the future.”

“It shouldn’t be so difficult,” Anderson said. “But we heard from a DHS caseworker who was working with one of our clients, that just because a person gets that notice of a phone interview and it says the call will happen at 10 AM, that doesn’t mean it will. So, transparency and communication from DHS would help everyone in the long run.”

Hill says TDHS refusing to talk, tells her all she needs to know about the agency’s concern for families like hers that need SNAP to keep food on their tables.

“That tells me that they don’t care,” Hill said. “I want them to spend even a day with my son and I and try to make it even a day and see what it’s like, and how hard it is to go through the process through their system.”

Anderson says TJC has asked TDHS for information regarding the number of people who have missed calls and lost benefits due to processing issues, but they have not received any data yet.

So, WSMV4 Investigates filed our own public records request to try and determine how widespread the problem is now. When we get any updated information, we will update our reporting.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.

Humphreys County schools director ‘consummated’ romantic relationship with teacher in his office, investigator finds

Suspect identified after taking photos of boy inside mall bathroom, police say

Family praying for improvement to boy’s brain after suffering severe damage from being swept into storm drain

First Alert Forecast: Rain lingers through Wednesday

‘He was bamboozled,’ woman claims after uncle’s body goes unburied for weeks

Latest news.

3 people presumed dead after small plane crash in Williamson County

7-Eleven shooting investigation in Murfreesboro

2 shot, 2 in custody after Murfreesboro 7-Eleven shooting

Police searching for 2 accused of stealing from elderly woman at Cracker Barrel

Community picnic giving Tennesseans opportunity to get REAL ID