Best Places for Solo Travel: A Guide for Your Next Solo Trip

The call of adventure whispers in many hearts, but the fear of venturing out alone can be a powerful deterrent. However, solo travel unlocks unique and transformative experiences. It’s a change to forge your own path, embrace independence and discover a world unseen through the eyes of others.

Whether you crave the serenity of a mountain hike or the bustling energy of a city in another country, solo travel offers an unmatched opportunity for self-discovery and connection. This guide equips you with the knowledge to embark with confidence on your next solo adventure. We’ll delve into the undeniable benefits; explore destinations that cater to solo travelers; and provide essential tips for planning, safety and making the most of your solo sojourn.

What is solo travel?

Think Cheryl Strayed in Wild and taking on the Pacific Crest Trail or Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love and healing after a painful divorce. Solo travel isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s also about introspection and personal growth.

Solotravelerworld.com defines solo travel as leaving behind everyone you know and embarking on a trip. Independent solo travel is where you plan and navigate your itinerary yourself. Group solo travel is when you join a cruise or tour alone. Whether you’re looking to connect with nature on a hike, visiting a bustling metropolis or eating your way through the culinary delights of a destination—solo travel can be all of these things and more.

Benefits of Solo Travel

There are many benefits of solo travel. The experience encourages you to grow as a person. You gain confidence and get better at problem-solving. You begin to understand yourself better, becoming more independent and perhaps more adept at navigating challenges on your own.

But perhaps the greatest benefit of solo travel is prioritizing your own personal interests and passions. Enjoy the luxury of doing what you want when you want on your solo vacation. You don’t have to do the things that don’t interest you, and you won’t suffer the stresses of dragging a companion to places that are not of interest to them.

When you travel solo, you can go at your own pace. The best part of traveling solo is that you’re on no one’s schedule but your own. Get the rest you need—or break loose from a meandering home life and crank up your energy. When you travel by yourself, it’s all up to you.

Challenges of Solo Travel

Have you ever been stood up by a date and ended up sitting alone at a restaurant? Well, imagine doing that by choice. You might face the classic struggle of having to eat alone at a restaurant while you’re solo traveling. On the positive side, you’ll be more open to meeting people and conversing with locals, which can enrich your travel experience.

Another difficulty is navigation, which can be a little rough if you’re not the most skilled at reading maps, schedules and signs. Most solo travelers have experienced getting lost, but the best thing to do is stay calm and remind yourself where you’re going. The best advice for solo travelers is to look at navigation miscues as unplanned detours—and to provide yourself with more time for happy diversions to help lessen stress during your solo vacation.

Finally, no one wants to be that obnoxious traveler with the selfie stick. Asking strangers to take your picture is another struggle solo travelers will undoubtedly face, but it’s polite to learn how to ask someone to take a photo in the local language and ask if they’d like to you to take a photo of them in return.

Tips for Those New to the Solo Travel Experience

Are you thinking of striking out on your own as a solo traveler? Here are some tips to help keep you safer and prepared on your solo journey.

1. Research Safe Destinations

One of the best ways to be prepared for solo travel is to do your research ahead of time. Picking up guidebooks and reading online travel recommendations (like this one!) about your destination of choice before your visit can help immensely in easing the anxiety around your first solo travel expedition. Learning a few common phrases in the local language and understanding local customs can also help you seamlessly navigate a new destination.

Word-of-mouth recommendations, particularly from friends or peers who have been to the destination you’re planning to visit, can go a long way in boosting your confidence in solo travel. Also, find a local contact—chances are someone you know knows someone where you’re going. Let your network and six degrees of separation work for you.

2. Use Technology for Safety

It’s important to plan ahead regarding how you’ll stay in touch with home while you’re traveling. Let a family member or friend know about your travel plans ahead of time and make plans to communicate with someone back home regularly.

You’ll also likely want to ensure that your cellphone carrier’s plan offers service in your destination, or you might need to invest in a local SIM card so you have access to a phone while you’re traveling. In today’s digital world, solo travelers often rely on digital maps, GPS navigation, booking platforms and banking apps while traveling. Portable chargers, GPS trackers and other gadgets can help you stay connected and safer, no matter where in the world your solo adventure takes you.

3. Find Budget-Friendly Accommodations

One of the best things about traveling solo is that you’re free to choose the type of accommodation you prefer. Many hotels—particularly in Europe and North America—offer single rooms for solo travelers. The rooms are sometimes smaller, but you’ll have access to all the amenities the hotel offers.

Solo travelers are also more likely to seek out niche travel experiences and specialty accommodations, like boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. Hostels are another option for solo travelers, offering ample opportunity to meet other like-minded adventurers.

4. Engage With Locals for Insider Tips

Want to discover the most-popular nearby restaurants without breaking the bank? Ask a local where they like to dine. Or, better yet, follow the lunch rush on the street or seek out the restaurants and vendors with the longest lines. You might just discover a hidden gem that’s well known to locals but perhaps not on the tourist crowd’s radar.

The same goes for souvenirs. Avoid high-priced touristy destinations and discover local artisan craft markets for cool and authentic memorabilia.

5. Pack the Essentials

When you’re packing for a solo trip, the best way to keep things light and essential is to start with a relatively small piece of carry-on luggage. Not only will you be forced to prioritize the most important things to bring because of space constraints, but you also won’t have to worry about airlines losing your baggage and being without it on your trip.

Avoid last-minute packing and take time to strategize each of your outfits. Ensure that your clothes can be worn in different combinations so you’ll have multiple outfit options. Rolling your clothes into baby burritos is the best way to save space while packing.

When solo traveling, it’s important to always be conscious of where all your important travel documents and money are. Don’t be that person in the airport, with a wide-open suitcase, frantically searching for your passport.

6. Take Walking Tours and Food Tours

There is no better way to get to know a destination than via a walking tour or food tour with a knowledgeable guide. Not only does a walking tour help you orient yourself in a new destination, but you’ll experience on-the-ground sights and sounds that can often be overlooked.

Local culinary tours can be a great way to try new foods you might not have discovered on your own. Experienced food tour guides know all the best spots in town and can introduce you to hidden gems, local specialties and unique ingredients that might be off the beaten path.

Best Places for Solo Travel

Here are some of the world’s most solo-friendly locations to consider for your next trip:

• Australia: If you’re looking for a relaxing self-care holiday, lie out on the soft white sand of one of the country’s stunning beaches.
• Costa Rica: Boasting a large American expat community, Costa Rica’s seaside towns are great places to catch some R & R.
• Greece: Magnificent ruins and artifacts make Greece a top destination for solo travelers—as does the access to many transportation options like trolleybus, bus, metros and trams for getting around.
• Iceland: The country is often called the Land of Fire and Ice because of its abundant natural wonders, from glaciers and volcanoes to waterfalls and hot springs.
• Italy: Rome should be on every solo traveler’s bucket list. The city is home to world-renowned artwork, the famous Colosseum, and Vatican City—the smallest sovereign state in the world.
• Japan: Tokyo is known for being a safe city, and it boasts a robust public transit system to help you get around easily.
• Norway: This nature lover’s paradise offers adventurous travelers some of the most spectacular views of breathtaking vistas and mighty fjords.
• New Zealand: Often labeled as one of the safest and friendliest countries in the world, New Zealand is an ideal option for solo adventures and for exploring the iconic landscapes featured in films like the Lord of the Rings series.
• Thailand: Many travel bloggers report that Thailand (above) is a safe destination for solo travel, including the bustling capital city of Bangkok.
• Vietnam: With friendly locals and outstanding cuisine, Vietnam is ideal for solo travelers, with its many museums, temples, pagodas and parks.

Plan Your Next Solo Trip With AAA

Ready to embrace your wanderlust and strike out on your own for a solo vacation? Whether you seek a spiritual getaway or an action-packed adventure, let our knowledgeable AAA Travel Agents help you plan and book the solo trip of your dreams.