Travelling solo has completely changed the way I experience a destination. When you travel alone, you have complete freedom to decide where you go, what you do and how long you stay. There is no need to compromise on your itinerary or wait for someone else's holiday dates to line up with yours.
Believe it or not I have been travelling for almost two decades and i spend the majority of that time travelling solo.
I've travelled extensively around the world and one thing I've learned is that solo travel doesn't have to mean travelling alone. In fact, I often find that travelling by myself makes it easier to meet people. You're more likely to chat to someone in a hostel, join a tour or simply strike up a conversation with another traveller.
If you're thinking about taking your first solo trip, choosing the right destination can make the experience much easier.
Believe it or not I have been travelling for almost two decades and i spend the majority of that time travelling solo.
I've travelled extensively around the world and one thing I've learned is that solo travel doesn't have to mean travelling alone. In fact, I often find that travelling by myself makes it easier to meet people. You're more likely to chat to someone in a hostel, join a tour or simply strike up a conversation with another traveller.
If you're thinking about taking your first solo trip, choosing the right destination can make the experience much easier.
Why Travel Solo?
There are plenty of reasons to travel alone, but for me, the freedom is one of the biggest advantages.
Hostels, group tours, walking tours and organised activities are all great ways to meet people while travelling solo.
Every small challenge you overcome makes the next one feel much easier.
And that's often where the best travel experiences happen.
Here are eight of the best solo travel destinations, along with some of the things I would consider before booking a trip.
1. Australia (I spent 1.5 years here)
Australia is an excellent choice if you're looking for a destination that combines incredible landscapes, outdoor adventures and a well-established backpacking scene.
It's also a particularly good option for longer solo trips, with working holiday opportunities available to eligible nationalities. With so many travellers making their way around the country, meeting people along the way is relatively easy.
Things to do in Australia
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn generally offer more comfortable temperatures, although the best time depends on where in Australia you're travelling.
2. Thailand (I spent 3 weeks here)
Thailand has long been popular with backpackers and solo travellers, and it's easy to understand why.
It's relatively affordable, easy to travel around and offers everything from busy cities and temples to tropical islands and diving. There are also plenty of hostels, tours and activities where you'll meet other travellers.
Things to do in Thailand
Best time to visit: November to April is generally considered the drier season in much of Thailand.
3. New Zealand (I spent a year here)
If outdoor adventure is your idea of a great trip, New Zealand is hard to beat.
From mountains and hiking trails to wildlife, beaches and wine regions, there's an enormous amount to see. Queenstown is particularly popular with adventurous travellers and is a great place to meet other people.
Things to do in New Zealand
Best time to visit: December to March is summer in New Zealand and is a popular time for exploring the country.
4. Japan (I spent 2 weeks here)
Japan is one of the destinations I would consider for travellers looking for a very different cultural experience.
The country's efficient transport system makes getting around relatively straightforward, while its cities offer an incredible mix of traditional culture and modern life.
It's also a popular option for solo female travellers.
Things to do in Japan
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are particularly popular, while winter is ideal for skiing and other winter activities.
5. Vietnam (I spent 2 weeks here)
Vietnam is another fantastic option if you're looking for an affordable solo travel destination.
It's particularly popular with backpackers, so it's easy to meet other travellers along the way. From street food and bustling cities to mountains, beaches and historic sites, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Things to do in Vietnam
6. USA (I spent 3 weeks here)
The sheer size and diversity of the USA make it an interesting choice for solo travellers.
You could spend weeks exploring one region or plan a much longer road trip across several states. There are also plenty of hostels and other accommodation options in major cities, making it possible to meet other travellers.
Things to do in the USA
Best time to visit: This varies significantly depending on where you're travelling, although spring and autumn can offer pleasant temperatures in many areas.
7. Tanzania (I spent 4 weeks here)
Tanzania is a fantastic option if you're looking for an adventure that's very different from a traditional city break.
Safari is obviously one of the biggest attractions, but Tanzania also offers mountains, beaches and the fascinating island of Zanzibar.
Things to do in Tanzania
Best time to visit: June to October is generally considered a good period for safari, with July to September offering particularly dry conditions.
8. Argentina (I spent 3-4 months here in total)
Argentina is one of my favourite suggestions for solo travel in South America because there's so much variety.
You can experience the energy of Buenos Aires, explore the mountains of Patagonia, visit wine regions or head into the country's spectacular lake district.
Things to do in Argentina
Best time to visit: December to February is summer in Argentina and is a popular time for exploring Patagonia and enjoying outdoor activities.
There are plenty of reasons to travel alone, but for me, the freedom is one of the biggest advantages.
- Complete freedom
- You meet more people
Hostels, group tours, walking tours and organised activities are all great ways to meet people while travelling solo.
- It builds confidence
Every small challenge you overcome makes the next one feel much easier.
- You learn more about yourself
- It pushes you outside your comfort zone
And that's often where the best travel experiences happen.
Here are eight of the best solo travel destinations, along with some of the things I would consider before booking a trip.
1. Australia (I spent 1.5 years here)
Australia is an excellent choice if you're looking for a destination that combines incredible landscapes, outdoor adventures and a well-established backpacking scene.
It's also a particularly good option for longer solo trips, with working holiday opportunities available to eligible nationalities. With so many travellers making their way around the country, meeting people along the way is relatively easy.
Things to do in Australia
- Explore the Great Barrier Reef
- Visit Uluru
- See the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
- Spend time at Bondi Beach
- Explore the Daintree Rainforest
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn generally offer more comfortable temperatures, although the best time depends on where in Australia you're travelling.
2. Thailand (I spent 3 weeks here)
Thailand has long been popular with backpackers and solo travellers, and it's easy to understand why.
It's relatively affordable, easy to travel around and offers everything from busy cities and temples to tropical islands and diving. There are also plenty of hostels, tours and activities where you'll meet other travellers.
Things to do in Thailand
- Explore Chiang Mai and Pai
- Go diving around Koh Tao
- Visit the Phi Phi Islands
- Explore Koh Samui
- Experience Koh Phangan
Best time to visit: November to April is generally considered the drier season in much of Thailand.
3. New Zealand (I spent a year here)
If outdoor adventure is your idea of a great trip, New Zealand is hard to beat.
From mountains and hiking trails to wildlife, beaches and wine regions, there's an enormous amount to see. Queenstown is particularly popular with adventurous travellers and is a great place to meet other people.
Things to do in New Zealand
- Explore Queenstown
- Visit the Bay of Islands
- Explore the Marlborough wine region
- See the wildlife around Kaikōura
- Go surfing in Raglan
Best time to visit: December to March is summer in New Zealand and is a popular time for exploring the country.
4. Japan (I spent 2 weeks here)
Japan is one of the destinations I would consider for travellers looking for a very different cultural experience.
The country's efficient transport system makes getting around relatively straightforward, while its cities offer an incredible mix of traditional culture and modern life.
It's also a popular option for solo female travellers.
Things to do in Japan
- Take the Shinkansen
- Explore Tokyo
- Visit Kyoto
- Experience a sumo wrestling match
- Visit Hiroshima and its Peace Memorial sites
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are particularly popular, while winter is ideal for skiing and other winter activities.
5. Vietnam (I spent 2 weeks here)
Vietnam is another fantastic option if you're looking for an affordable solo travel destination.
It's particularly popular with backpackers, so it's easy to meet other travellers along the way. From street food and bustling cities to mountains, beaches and historic sites, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Things to do in Vietnam
- Cruise around Ha Long Bay
- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Explore Da Nang
- Hike Fansipan
- Try the street food in Hanoi
6. USA (I spent 3 weeks here)
The sheer size and diversity of the USA make it an interesting choice for solo travellers.
You could spend weeks exploring one region or plan a much longer road trip across several states. There are also plenty of hostels and other accommodation options in major cities, making it possible to meet other travellers.
Things to do in the USA
- Take a Route 66 road trip
- Explore Yosemite or Yellowstone
- Visit New York City
- Explore San Francisco
- See the Grand Canyon
Best time to visit: This varies significantly depending on where you're travelling, although spring and autumn can offer pleasant temperatures in many areas.
7. Tanzania (I spent 4 weeks here)
Tanzania is a fantastic option if you're looking for an adventure that's very different from a traditional city break.
Safari is obviously one of the biggest attractions, but Tanzania also offers mountains, beaches and the fascinating island of Zanzibar.
Things to do in Tanzania
- Go on safari in the Serengeti
- Visit the Ngorongoro Crater
- Explore Stone Town in Zanzibar
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
- Relax on Zanzibar's beaches
Best time to visit: June to October is generally considered a good period for safari, with July to September offering particularly dry conditions.
8. Argentina (I spent 3-4 months here in total)
Argentina is one of my favourite suggestions for solo travel in South America because there's so much variety.
You can experience the energy of Buenos Aires, explore the mountains of Patagonia, visit wine regions or head into the country's spectacular lake district.
Things to do in Argentina
- Explore Buenos Aires
- Go wine tasting in Mendoza
- Hike in Patagonia and the Andes
- Visit Iguazú Falls
- Explore the Lake District
Best time to visit: December to February is summer in Argentina and is a popular time for exploring Patagonia and enjoying outdoor activities.
Want more solo travel advice? Read the full guide here and if you are curious what makes a destination good for solo travel, you can read more about this here.
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