Solo travel can be intimidating. After all, planning an overseas adventure with another person can be daunting enough when it comes to organizing flights, accommodation, visas, and travel routes.
Handling all of the nitty gritty on your own makes the whole process a little extra overwhelming, and it holds so many wanderlusters back from traveling the world and exploring their dream destinations.
But do you know the hardest part of solo travel? It’s making the decision to go.
You won’t always have a travel buddy, but this should never hold you back from exploring the world. Even if you do, solo travel is a unique experience that everyone should have at least once.
So leave your partner at home, part ways with your friends for a while, and take a trip that is just for you. No matter your gender, nationality, age, or sexuality, there are plenty of beautiful, culturally-rich solo traveling destinations around the world where you’ll feel safe to explore on your own terms.
KEEP READING: 15 Best Solo Trips to Bookmark for Later
It’s tough being stuck at home—let your dreams of future travel keep you motivated!
Why travel alone?
If the hardest part of solo travel is making the decision, just say yes and let the rest fall into place. Traveling alone is a totally different travel experience than you’ve had before, as you can make your own decisions and worry only about what you want to do.
It means finding your own rhythm. You are in control, both physically and financially, and your trip can be whatever you want it to be.
You’ll become more confident, assertive, decisive, adaptable, and independent—all the things that come with international travel, but to an even higher degree because you’re forced to figure it out on your own.
And while alone time might sound scary, there is no better way to get to know yourself and appreciate the company you keep.
11 best destinations to travel alone
Wondering where to travel solo? According to GoAbroad, here are the best countries for solo travel that will make every dream come true.
Can’t wait to get out there and start exploring again? Neither can we!
1. Canada
The USA’s northern neighbor is a mecca for solo travelers and one of the best countries to travel alone. Canada is perfect for outdoorsy travelers—from wild tundra to lush rainforest, rugged mountains to coastal beach towns.
The locals are friendly and laid back, and there is so much to explore, whether you want to gain a cultural experience in the cities or immerse yourself in nature. Depending on your nationality, it can be easy to get a work visa if you’re part of the Commonwealth, which means you’re bound to meet other solo travelers.
So if you’re lucky, maybe your short-term solo trip will turn into a year abroad, spending winters shredding down mountains and summers kayaking on crystal clear rivers.
- When? July through September for optimal weather
- Activities? Adventure travel, work abroad
- Try This Program: EA Ski and Snowboard Instructor training
2. England
First-time solo travelers who have always dreamed of a Eurotrip will find that England is one of the best solo travel destinations. The country is safe, modern, easy to navigate, and English-speaking, minimizing the culture shock that goes with exploring a new destination abroad.
Solo travelers can get the quintessential British experience in London, filled with red telephone booths, straight-faced guards at Buckingham Palace, and tea shops on every corner. Others may opt to venture outside of the capital city and soak in the culture of Cambridge and Bath, or explore the beautiful coastline in Cornwall.
- When? All year round
- Activities? Au pair, study abroad, intern abroad
- Try This Program: Intern in London with The Intern Group
3. Netherlands
The Netherlands’ super-chilled-out vibe and liberal lifestyle makes it one of the best solo travel destinations for every type of traveler, no matter your age, nationality, gender, or sexuality. Everyone is accepted here.
Amsterdam continues to make every list of the best destinations to travel alone because of how easy it is to hang out solo. You can rent a bike and explore canal-lined streets, sip lavender lattes in cozy cafes, gorge on mouthwatering stroopwafels at local markets, and meet friends in hostels to go out with and explore the epic nightlife.
- When? April to mid-October
- Activities? Study abroad, intern abroad, work abroad
- Try This Program: Europe Tour with Gapforce
Iceland? Yep—it’s worth the wait.
4. Iceland
The mostly-frozen Nordic island of Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, so solo travelers can put their minds at ease. Iceland is small and intimate, the kind of place where everybody knows everybody, and the locals will help you out no matter where you want to go.
Nature lovers will be in heaven with opportunities to explore black sand beaches, epic fjords, active volcanoes, and even sleep under the Northern Lights. While the country is on the more expensive side, Iceland continues to be one of the top solo traveling destinations because of how easy it is to get around as a tourist without worrying much about safety.
- When? July and August for warm weather and midnight sun; February, March, September, and October for views of the Northern Lights
- Activities? Volunteer abroad, adventure travel, study abroad
- Try This Program: Nature Tour with Worldaway Adventure Tours
5. Thailand
Southeast Asia is a major hub for backpackers, and Thailand is a top spot for every traveler’s SE Asia route. It’s cheap, easy to travel around, and there’s a little something for every traveler, making it one of the best solo travel destinations.
City lovers can get lost in the crazy streets of Bangkok, while others may opt to travel north to Chiang Mai to explore over 300 Buddhist temples. Perhaps you’ll choose to disappear into the foothills of Pai, a tiny hippy village where you can spend your days riding motorbikes through canyons or nestled into a bookstore with a hot cup of chai.
And of course, you won’t want to miss the islands in the south where you can snorkel over insane reefs and dance until sunrise on the beach under the full moon.
- When? December for optimal weather and tons of festivals
- Activities? Volunteer abroad, teach English abroad, adventure travel
- Try This Program: Volunteer with ELI Abroad
6. Nepal
Nepal typically attracts travelers for picturesque climbs in the Everest and Annapurna regions. While these trails are definitely worth the visit, Nepal is much more than Himalayan mountains.
The Nepali people welcome every type of traveler with open arms, hoping to make you feel at home and show you the best parts of their country. It’s one of the most religiously harmonious countries in the world, making it one of the safest destinations to travel alone.
You can visit Buddha’s birth place, practice yoga where it originated, or laze about with other solo travelers in the lakeside village of Pokhara. Not only is Nepal one of the best countries to travel alone, but it will pull on your heart strings and you’ll never want to leave.
- When? Mid-October to mid-November
- Activities? Volunteer abroad, adventure travel, teach English abroad
- Try This Program: Volunteer with IVHQ
7. Sri Lanka
Don’t forget to pack a journal for trips like these!
This tiny island south of India is another one of the top solo traveling destinations in Asia. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country, meaning locals are friendly and accepting of every type of traveler, no matter where you come from.
While Sri Lanka is often overlooked by solo travelers in Asia, it is starting to become a hot spot because of how easy it is to travel the country solo.
Whether you prefer to spend your time on white sand beaches, surfing in crystal blue waters, or immersed in the undeveloped hill country for adrenaline-pumping hikes and picturesque train rides, Sri Lanka’s natural beauty will not disappoint.
- When? December to March for west and south coasts, April to September for east and north coasts
- Activities? Adventure travel, volunteer abroad, teach English abroad
- Try This Program: Gap Year with Oyster Worldwide
8. New Zealand
New Zealand features some of the most stunning, untouched natural scenery, from its snow-peaked mountains to turquoise lakes lined with purple lupins. Nature alone will make you feel at peace, but that’s not all these islands have to offer.
New Zealand draws solo travelers from around the globe with its working holiday program, allowing under 30s to spend a year working and traveling through the North and South islands.
Rent a campervan and hit the road to visit Hobbiton in the north and glaciers in the south. Get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown, where you can ski, abseil, or bungy jump in canyons. And if you ever start to feel lonely, book yourself into a hostel dorm and you’ll be sure to leave with a road trip buddy.
- When? All year round
- Activities? Work abroad, au pair, adventure travel
- Try This Program: Working Holiday Visa with BUNAC
9. Australia
Similar to New Zealand, Australia offers a working holiday visa that makes it easy to visit the Land Down Under and get a true cultural experience through working abroad. With a massive backpacker scene, Oz is one of the best solo travel destinations—especially if you have access to a car.
Road tripping is perfect to do alone, or with new mates you’re bound to meet in the many hostels along the coasts. Follow millions of backpackers on the east coast pilgrimage, making pit stops to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, surf in Byron Bay, wander Circular Quay, and visit beach towns on the Great Ocean Road.
While it is a more expensive destination, it’s easy to make your money back with the working holiday visa program.
- When? All year round
- Activities? Work abroad, study abroad, au pair, intern abroad
- Try This Program: Intern in Melbourne with the Intern Group
10. Peru
There’s more to Peru than Machu Picchu.
Always dreamed of going to South America? Peru is one of the best destinations to travel alone in South America, with diverse cultures, climate, and a big backpacker scene.
Not only is it easy to meet new people, but you’ll also have access to tons of bucket-list-worthy spots, from the Inca Trail to the Amazon Rainforest. While its reputation for safety may not match that of New Zealand or Iceland, Peru is still a fairly safe destination in this part of the world.
Be sure to brush up on your Spanish before you go, and keep your wits about you, as you would with any international travel.
- When? December to February, especially on the coasts
- Activities? Language immersion, study abroad, volunteer abroad
- Try This Program: Learn Spanish with Cross-Cultural Solutions
11. Botswana
Certain parts of Africa may get a bad rap when considering where to travel solo, but Botswana is plenty safe and one of the best countries for solo travel in Africa. It screams adventure with some of the greatest wildlife on the planet.
Explore the Okavango Delta, where big cats roam freely, or cruise in a four-wheel-drive through the Kalahari Desert, the largest stretch of unbroken sand in the world.
The safari lodge system makes Botswana an ideal location for glamping, and the roads are better than anywhere in Africa, making it easy to get around and explore the country to the fullest. The best part: rather than hanging with other travelers, you’ll find yourself making friends with elephants instead.
- When? May to September
- Activities? Adventure travel, work abroad, volunteer abroad
- Try This Program: Volunteer with Volunteer World
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Take time for yourself with these solo traveling destinations
The open road is still out there and waiting for you.
Solo travel isn’t all puppies and rainbows, but it’s definitely a unique travel experience that will help you grow as a person and quench your soul’s deepest desires. Sure, it’ll be intimidating at first, but if you dive headfirst into the unknown, you won’t regret it.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of a legendary Eurotrip, living on the cheap in Southeast Asia, road tripping through gorgeous natural scenery, or immersing yourself in a completely new culture, you can have it all with solo travel.
There are incredible destinations to travel alone all over the world. So what are you waiting for?
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