The Best And Worst Cities For Traveling Alone, According To Solo Travelers Who Have Been All Over The Globe

"I think people overlook this country when planning a trip, but it should be high on any solo traveler's radar."

Maybe you love traveling alone, or perhaps you're thinking of embarking on your first solo adventure. Whatever the situation, there are certain destinations that are especially great for solo travel and others that are best for visiting with a companion or group. So I rounded up responses from the subreddit r/travel of the best and worst destinations for anyone thinking of traveling alone.

And of course, there's always risk involved with any type of travel, so it's important to do your own research and take precautions whether going solo or with a group.

1. Best: Japan

Hannah Loewentheil

"Japan is a great place to travel alone. The country is clean, safe, has great food, lots to see, cool night life, and people will even approach you to you and ask if need help. I've never experienced that while traveling anywhere else!"

—u/margikarp

"Even if you don't speak the language, people will gladly help you. The food is amazing (and it's very common to eat alone). Plus, I never felt afraid or unsafe even after dark."

—u/UnimpressionableBot

2. Best: Ireland

Hannah Loewentheil

"I had a blast in Ireland by myself. I took a week-long bus trip, spent another week in a hostel in Dublin, and in both places I was surrounded by other tourists so I always had people to hang out with. Plus, if you're outgoing in just about any pub you'll become instant friends with a bunch of Irish people." 

—u/ihopeyoulikeapples

3. Worst: Paris

Hannah Loewentheil

"I did not enjoy traveling alone in Paris. I found the people to be rude, and it was one of the most expensive cities I've ever visited."

—u/tastesliketurtles

"Having lived in Paris, I wouldn’t naturally say it’s safe for a woman traveling alone. I’ve been followed many times, I've had random men approach me, and I have even had a few try to grab me or a friend. There are definitely certain areas I wouldn’t go to unless I was accompanied by someone else. Paris is also a pretty racist city for a capital city, so for Black Asian travelers especially, there is a lot of covert prejudice and discrimination."

—just a harmless potato

4. Best: Taiwan

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"I spent a month in Taiwan and had an amazing time. I spent more of my time in Taipei, but I also visited Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Taichung. I went solo and met lots of great people in my hostel in Taipei. Taipei boasts tons of things to do, great food, interesting culture, and it's not nearly as touristy as most popular destinations like Hong Kong and Tokyo. The only downside is that because it's less touristy, it can be a bit tricky to get around if you don't speak Chinese. That being said, it's really worth a visit and I'd go back to Taipei in a heartbeat."

—u/skincareaddiction987

5. Best: The Netherlands

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"Holland is a fantastic place to visit alone. I've found Dutch people to be very welcoming and helpful, plus I've always felt safe in the three major cities I visited (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag). Everyone speaks English, the streets are clean, and weed is legal. Things are organized and calm, but locals know how to party and get down. It was a great experience traveling there solo."

—u/Traveler2121

6. Worst: Colombia

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"I would not recommend visiting Colombia alone. I visited Bogota and was robbed at knife point on my first night there. I definitely recommend traveling to this country, but it's better with a travel partner or a local guide.

—u/Traveler2121

7. Best: Portugal

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"Both Porto and Lisbon are great cities for solo travel. In fact, the country is just so wonderful, not to mention super affordable. I feel like people often overlook Portugal when planning European travel, but it should be high on your radar."

—u/tastesliketurtles

8. Best: Guatemala

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"Guatemala was great solo, especially Lake Atitlan. There are so many calm, laid-back, and beautiful places to stay and relax. But Guatemala can also be a lot of fun if you're looking for adventure or a party scene."

—u/silentsunfox

9. Best: Argentina

Hannah Loewentheil

"When I was traveling in Argentina, there were a ton of backpackers on long-term trips who were interested in hanging out. There were tons of cheap activities and amazing yet affordable food (think: Argentinian steak). I even stayed at a hostel with free wine, which made conversations flow and friendships easy to make."

—u/Andromeda321

10. Worst: Rome

Hannah Loewentheil

"IMO, Rome is tough for solo travel. It's very hard to find non-touristy places (it's doable, but you have to search hard), and everything is crowded with tourists. Wherever you go, people are hassling you trying to get you to buy things or eat at their restaurant. I was there in the off-season, so I can't imagine how unpleasant it is during the summer."

u/greckel

11. Best: New Zealand

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"My first solo trip was to New Zealand, and I fell in love with the place. I came back three years later on a Working Holiday Visa and never left. It's a great place to travel on your own. There are tons of people traveling alone and backpackers (similar to hostels, but nicer) nearly everywhere. These accommodations are a great way to meet people."

—u/ratguy

12. Best: Portland, Oregon

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"Everyone is so friendly. You'll have 10 new best friends within a few hours of arriving in the city."

—u/Yazbremski

13. Best: Thailand

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"I was there recently and met so many fellow solo travelers. The great thing about traveling in Thailand is that you can do so many things from chilling on a beach in the south to heading to Northern Thailand for delicious food and culture. The whole country was pretty cheap, felt safe, and it was relatively easy to get around."

—u/lemkat

14. Worst: Marrakesh

Hannah Loewentheil

"Marrakesh still holds the record as my worst solo travel experience. I experienced lots of hasslers, threats, and unwanted stares while exploring alone in the Medina. I think Marrakesh isn’t the best place for exploring alone, and it's better to hire a reputable local tour guide. I also found it hard to meet others while staying at a riad." 

—u/Varekai79

15. Best: Crete, Greece

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"I spent two months this summer backpacking around Europe, and Crete was by far my favorite place. The island is so huge that you can't run out of places to explore. And the bus system is fantastic." 

—robj4e3e3ff32

16. Best: Mexico

Hannah Loewentheil

"Mexico has hugely diverse ecosystems and cultures so it will cater to any kind of traveller. You'll find a mix of ecotourism and all-inclusive hotels to stay at. There's pre-colonial history including well-preserved ruins you can visit, thriving Indigenous communities and artesian industries, world-class nightlife, museums, beautiful beaches, and some of the best food in the world, IMO. Plus, Mexico is easy to navigate and has several great bus systems. The whole country is quite affordable for travelers coming from western countries. No matter where you visit (even somewhere touristy like Cancun), you can always find incredible off-the-beaten-path experiences."

—u/eastvankitty

17. Worst: Ibiza, Spain

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"I went to ibiza alone, and while the festivals and clubs were lively and fun, I still felt extremely out of place going out by myself. I also had my phone stolen. I wouldn’t go back to Ibiza myself and wouldn't recommend it as a solo trip to others, but I think with a group, Ibiza would be one of the most fun places on the planet."

—u/c11anderson

18. Best: New York City

Hannah Loewentheil

"I've been lucky enough to circle the globe a couple of times, and I still find that NYC is one of the most social cities I've ever visited, perfect for solo travelers. I'm pretty shy, but every single night in New York I ended up meeting a group of strangers to socialize with. It made my experience very memorable."

—u/AutoSuggestUsername2

19. Best: Hanoi, Vietnam

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"I would say Hanoi is one of the best cities for solo travel, and it's the best option in Southeast Asia. The city has charm, culture, hospitality, and affordable prices, whereas other urban hubs like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are very heavily modernized. In Hanoi, there are many vibrant hostels filled with backpackers near the French Quarter and its beautiful architecture. It's really easy to meet fellow travelers here to travel to the northern reaches of Vietnam (Sapa, Ha Giang) or head down to Saigon.

—u/dubz12

20. Worst: Egypt

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"I was constantly hassled and physically touched. Kids grab you and beg for money, which is horribly sad. The country was stunning, but the experience was unsettling."

—u/Dreaming-of-books

"I remember a man said I was worth five camels while other men asked me where my father was. A man screamed at me at the pyramids of Giza because I asked him to stop following me, and I was heckled so badly at the Cairo Market. I absolutely loved the food, learning about the incredible history, and seeing how different the whole Egyptian way of life is, but as an American woman I never felt safe." 

—u/lsigfrid

21. Worst: India

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"IMO, India is not a good place to travel alone. I felt that I was constantly being scammed, and at least in Delhi, it didn't feel entirely safe. Plus, it is so crowded and so loud that you'll experience a lot of confusion for the first few days. India has a ton to offer and so many beautiful sites that it's well worth a visit, but I would suggest going with others." 

—u/i_don_wan

22. Best: Malta

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"Malta is insanely beautiful and serene. It's small and easy to get around by bus, and the locals are incredibly nice and helpful. I spent a total of 36 hours there during my two-week solo European vacation, and I can say without a doubt that it is the best place for soul searching. Most importantly, I felt extremely safe."

—sparklesmuggler

23. Worst: South Africa

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"I loved South Africa, but it's better to visit this country with company. The personal safety concerns are real and something I was constantly aware of during my time there. I felt the most comfortable when I was with a local friend." 

—u/sfhkkkgftyg

24. Best: Iceland

Hannah Loewentheil

"Iceland is a great country to choose for your first solo trip. There's lots to see, there's basically no crime, and it's easy to navigate. It is fairly expensive though, so be prepared. There's so much to see and do like the Golden Circle (Thingvellir National Park and Gulfoss), Southern Iceland loop (Vik, Jokulsarlon, Skaftafell), and, of course, the city of Reykjavik. Iceland was one of the travel highlights of my lifetime."

—u/thuyghe

25. Best: Republic of Georgia

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"Georgia is home to super-welcoming people and amazing food and wine. I found other travelers tended to be incredibly friendly. You won’t be alone for long once you arrive, nor will you feel unsafe."

—Porgirella

26. Best: South Korea

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"As a solo traveler, South Korea was an extremely fulfilling experience. I never felt out of place, no one gave me any funny looks, and as a woman, I was never harassed or felt uncomfortable. Both Seoul and Busan have everything there is to offer in terms of sightseeing. And even in the metropolis of Seoul, you can easily get away from the city to do some hiking. In nature I think it would be an ideal place for other people who are embarking on their first solo travel adventure. In addition, Korea is more affordable than other popular Asian countries like Japan. You can eat well and use the public transportation on a budget."

—u/deleted

If you've traveled alone, what destinations would you recommend and which would you warn solo travelers to avoid? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!

Disclaimer: This article was written to provide travel recommendations or suggestions; however, it’s important to keep in mind your own health, community health, and COVID-19 exposure risk.