Traveling alone can be an incredible way to see the world. Whether you want to be really on your own so that you can explore in peace, or if you want to meet people during your trip, you can have experiences that are often impossible when traveling with a companion.
I traveled to 48 countries, many of them solo, and I selected a few favorites for the best solo countries ...
Choose a destination
A determined individual traveler can obviously go anywhere (if security allows). If you are looking for adventure, just look for the horizon!
But if you are looking for a solo holiday or a solo trek, some countries are better suited than others.
It's nice that you can simply focus on your trip without having to deal with security problems, impenetrable language barriers or lack of tourism infrastructure, especially if you are new to the solo trip.
You will probably want to choose a country that:
Is well traveled and has known routes
Has a good level of security
And is favorable to the budget (to make up for this dreaded single supplement)
While some individual travelers like to be lonely, others prefer a more social travel style, and all countries on this list work well in both directions. Whenever I travel solo, I'm rarely ever alone, and some destinations have an environment where this is especially easy to achieve.
If you are looking to meet people, try staying in hikers' inns, or choose bed and breakfasts and guest rooms with a cozy atmosphere (tip: sites like Booking.com allow you to filter by rating from the solo traveler, which almost always reveals incredible places to stay).
The best places to travel solo
Long-tailed boat on the sandy shore of Krabi
It may feel exotic and unfamiliar (and so is it!), But the logistics of traveling is relatively simple, the costs are low and meeting other travelers is a breeze (if that's what you expect).
Cheap hikers hostels make this choice ideal for young or young at heart, but with private rooms starting at around $ 20 a night, this is an ideal choice for budget travelers.
Excellent for solo hikers
An ideal starting point for a larger trip to Southeast Asia
Not a mocker looking to meet people? Isolated islands like Koh Hai, Koh Raya or Koh Kradan allow you to simply get away from it all
The Royal Palace of Alcazar in Seville
Barcelona, with its overseas architecture, is the most popular trip of the city these days, but do not miss the less valuable Valencia but so adorable.
Although my favorite region is Andalucia in the south, because it is relatively inexpensive, has a compact circuit with many fascinating cities nearby (such as Seville, Cordoba and Granada), access to the Sierra Nevada mountains, beaches untouched by Cadiz mass tourism, and an excellent rail and bus network. It is very simple and very fun for individual travelers.
Great city trips to Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia
Fantastic hikers circuit in Andalusia
Camino de Santiago trek is an exceptional experience for solo hikers
Photo credit: Dakiny Shibuya (license)
Cultural or linguistic barriers can make things still simple and immersive, like ordering ramen in a tiny bar ramen that only takes five people, trying to explain your destination to a taxi driver (and the discovery of Japan). No street addresses as we know it, or determine what one of these 20 buttons on your toilet.
Watch the flow and flow of people crossing Shibuya Square, meandering through cherry blossom parks in Kyoto, or ascending the summit of Mt Fuji. Traveling in Japan can be a meditative experience.
My best selection to have a solo experience in the area
One of the safest countries in the world, so go anywhere anytime
Dear, but you can save money if needed by staying in hostels or these famous Japanese capsules hotels
Become a single traveler without fear
Does the idea of a solo trip give you feelings of fear and enthusiasm? My book Travel the World Without Worries will be your survival guide for life on the road, with expert advice to garner the courage to travel alone, face the ups and downs and make the most of your adventure.
Beautiful desert landscapes in Peru
The typical Peru itinerary often involves a number of group tour experiences that you can easily reach locally. For example, hiking in Machu Picchu takes several days and gives you the perfect opportunity to make friends with other travelers. Free guided tours allow you to make easy presentations to the cities before exploring on your own.
Easy to meet people in travel centers like Lima, Arequipa and Cusco, especially if you are traveling in hostels
Many experiences (like Machu Picchu) involve group tours that can easily add a social element to your trip
Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia
You can have a good time along the coast exploring historic cities, cascading waterfalls and visiting the famous city of Dubrovnik. It does not accumulate in the August peak season, so for the best experience, you should aim for the shoulder seasons.
Do you want to give an easy start to your trip? Then go to Split and indulge in a week-long island excursion (boat trips are perfect for making friends!). These range from civilization all the way to the experience of the Australian banker boat, so choose the right boat based on what you expect.
Nothing adventurous here, but it's a fun European summer vacation destination offering history and culture too
Easy island trip with countless boat trips from Split
Annapurna Base Camp
The accommodation is very inexpensive, with Pokhara ranked among the cheapest destinations in the world. You can organize guided hikes anywhere on site, and the popular Annapurna hikes in the Himalayas will allow you to make a lot of friends in all the tea houses along the way. Those seeking solitude can choose from countless off-piste hikes.
A great destination for safe and affordable mountain trekking
Traditional boat on Gili Air
But once you've escaped the city, you'll enjoy shimmering rice terraces, visit ancient Hindu temples, navigate the local crafts in Ubud or just relax on a tranquil beach. There is nothing more than riding on your scooter with warm tropical air blowing in your face and not having any care in the world.
The nearby Gili Islands are easily combined with Bali and are a good place for beaches and entertainment. Gili Trawangan attracts a strange mix of visitors, but is best known as a hiker's party venue (and can be a lot of fun). Access Gili Air for more icy waves with morning yoga, snorkeling and bonfires on the beach.
It may contain some inaccuracies compared to the original. We hope, however, that it will help you in your research.
You are on an island ... so you will never be lost
The ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
With beautiful Caribbean and Pacific coasts, dense jungles, epic canyons, ancient Mayan ruins, incredible food and affordable tours and adventure activities (especially in Yucatan), you can create a wonderfully varied journey.
Belize and Guatemala combine well with Mexico as the biggest trip. Guatemala takes a little more care from the security point of view, but with some of the best sites in Central America, it is worthwhile to extend a trip to Mexico across the border.
The buzzing hive that is the old quarter in Hanoi
The buzzing urban life makes Vietnam amazing for people watching and photography. It is wonderful to absorb the chaos of cities, with seemingly endless benches of motorcycles flowing through the streets and food stalls lining all sidewalks. While visits to the Mekong Delta and Ha Long Bay can be a bit of a cookie, they offer easy tours even if you are alone. And again, with essentially a travel route through Vietnam, it's easy to make friends and team up with other travelers.
With a bowl of pho noodles costing as little as $ 1, and rooms start at around $ 15, you can also travel to Vietnam virtually any budget.
Vietnam is the perfect place for another Asian adventure
Easy-to-follow routes take a lot of thought on your itinerary
Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica - photo credit: Joe Dsilva (license)
On the other hand, Costa Rica can give you an excellent taste of Central America. As it is known for its higher security levels, you will have less worries here. Famous for its ecotourism, it offers the opportunity to easily see a ton of wildlife, including toucans, coati bears, sloths, iguanas and sea turtles.
Those on a budget might consider combining Costa Rica with neighboring Nicaragua, which is much cheaper and has a lot to offer as well.
Very touristy, but probably the best place to travel solo in Central America
A privileged choice for wildlife and nature experiences!
Longer solo trips
These are just 10 destinations that I would recommend to any solo traveler. But what if you want to cover an area instead of a country? Here are some ideas:
You simply can not go wrong while traveling in Southeast Asia. There are excellent countries for solo travel.
In the West, a tour in Europe will make a tempting choice ...
... like New Zealand and the east coast of Australia
Although a bit more adventurous, following the Pan American Highway through Central America is simply amazing. Check out my road and country summaries for Central America.
