The 12 Best Solo Travel Destinations in the World in 2025

Solo travel can mean something different to everyone. For many, solo travelling is exploring a destination while making new friends on group tours (fun fact: 70% of our travellers go solo!). For others, it’s discovering a place independently and entirely on your terms. Or you could always do both; adding in a few nights before or after a group tour can allow you to experience the best of both sides to solo travelling. 

Either way, solo travelling is all about the experiences you open yourself up to - rather than the nitty-gritty details of how. Whether you’re looking to try something new, or are after some inspiration for your future solo adventures, here’s our top 12 choices of the best solo travel destinations around the world.

What Makes a Destination Great for Solo Travel?

Wondering what qualifies a destination as an amazing pick for solo travel? Here are the categories we’re considering while creating this definitive list of the best places for solo travel around the world.

Activities

City person or nature lover? Hostels or resorts? The best solo travel destinations allow you to be flexible and customise your trip down to your exact preferences. Or maybe you’ll surprise yourself and have a blast trying an activity that’s totally outside of your comfort zone - that’s one of the benefits of solo travel!

Safety

The most important priority while travelling is keeping safe and feeling comfortable in your surroundings. While group tours are generally the easiest way to alleviate this worry, as you will be with a group of like-minded people and a professional trip leader, the following destinations on our list also offer incredible independent travel experiences for those newer to solo travel.

Ease of Travel

Ease of travel can be defined in a few different ways, and no destination is built in the same way. For this list, we’re basing it on how easy it is to get around and explore the country, how well-equipped a destination is for tourism, and how likely it is to meet other solo travellers.

The Best Places for Solo Travel in 2025

It’s time to find out the 12 best places for solo travel around the world. Your future adventure of a lifetime awaits…

Australia

Best solo travel destination for: working holidays

As one of the largest countries in the world, getting around Australia independently may require some additional planning: whether that is factoring in internal flights, or picking up an Australia Bus Pass that can take you anywhere from Melbourne to Cairns. Once you have a rough idea of where you would like to go, so much adventure awaits inside this dreamy destination. Chase those bright blue skies and sandy stretches that glisten like gold!

Another great perk of solo travel in Australia is that there is no language barrier. Sharing many cultural similarities with the UK, this destination can often feel like a home away from home (if only we had up to 300 days of sunshine a year!). As Australia offers one of the best working holiday programmes in the world for travellers aged 18 to 35, you can even move here. Our ultimate guide to the Working Holiday Visa Australia covers everything you need to know ahead of an exciting new chapter Down Under!

Thailand

Best solo travel destination for: island-hopping

There is something in the air in Thailand. Picture bright turquoise waters and epic beach parties in the south; and tropical rainforests and cascading paddy fields in the north. From island-hopping to jungle trekking and temple exploring, each day can look completely different to the next inside this mesmerising destination. Even better than that, Thailand is one of the most backpacker-friendly places in the world: making it a trustworthy choice for solo travel.

Sleeper buses and ferries are affordable options for getting around Thailand, although you may need to book in advance. For those with a more flexible budget, internal flights are a reliable and time-smart alternative. If it is your first time in Southeast Asia, you may prefer starting with one of our Thailand tours, before spending a few days by yourself enjoying the cities or island life.

Switzerland

Best solo travel destination for: interrailing

Beyond chocolate and the snowy Swiss Alps, if there is one thing that Switzerland is renowned for, it has to be those picturesque train journeys. Good news for solo travellers: these rail journeys are just as reliable and efficient as they are beautiful. Services typically operate every half hour, gliding between cities or the more rural areas if you are looking to experience it all on one trip. 

In terms of where to start, you may find yourself spoiled for choice. If you are flying into Switzerland, it may make more sense to start with a major city like Zürich. From here, you could plan a day trip to Rhine Falls, before taking yourself over to Lucerne (which looks like a postcard come to life!) for a few days and finishing at a stunning ski resort town called Interlaken: perfect for adventures in all the seasons.

Japan

Best solo travel destination for: traditional experiences

Let’s be real, who doesn’t love Japan? From golden temples and scarlet red shrines to great lakes, cherry blossoms and the snow-capped Mount Fuji, Japan is one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. While Japan prides itself on its deeply traditional culture and practices like tea ceremonies and the art of samurai, this destination is also super modern and ten steps ahead of everyone else.

The result? Japan’s public transport system is one of the most efficient services around, particularly on the main island of Honshu. Bullet trains can glide you from one mega-city to another at record speed. Purchasing a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is your best bet. This all-inclusive ticket can cover almost every Japan Rail available, including bullet trains. A 14-day adult pass purchased outside of Japan will typically cost £250.

Although there can be a language barrier inside more localised areas, travellers looking to see all the main sights should be able to travel around with ease. For planning that first solo trip to Japan, our 2 Weeks in Japan: Essential 10 & 14-Day Japan Itineraries has all the inspiration you need.

Canada

Best solo travel destination for: outdoorsy adventures

Filled with giant glacier lakes, rugged snowy peaks, and vast stretches of forest, Canada is bursting with natural beauty. Even in the heart of Canada’s biggest cities, travellers can expect to find all these features that make this destination such an iconic one. Imagine strolling the cobblestone streets of Qúebec City, sailing around the Vancouver harbour, or exploring the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. What’s not to love?

If you can drive, hiring a car will make a huge difference to your experience as a solo traveller: providing you with way more options while planning your itinerary. In particular, longer journeys into the wilderness may require extra research to find suitable transportation. A popular option is booking yourself onto one of our Canada group tours to save on various transportation costs; and then planning a solo city break before or after your big trip.

New Zealand

Best solo travel destination for: road trips

Home to powerful landscapes, exploring New Zealand is an experience that can only be described as pure magic. Whether you are deep into the native bushlands, unwinding on the unspoiled coastline or trekking over icy glaciers, New Zealand promises adventures that are one of a kind. Nature is also never far away from city life; with the tropical Waiheke Island being a popular day trip from Auckland, and Queenstown hailed as the world’s adventure capital. 

Similar to Canada, New Zealand is one of those destinations that is socially geared for solo travellers; however, being able to drive will make a big difference to your overall experience. While there are some public transport options available, these can be quite limited in the more rural areas of New Zealand. And just like Canada, some of the most beautiful moments inside this destination are the extraordinary landscapes that you drive past. As they say in New Zealand, every road is the scenic route!

Ready to hit the road? Check out our Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary for all the inspiration and details you need - including shorter loops around the North and South Islands!

South Korea

Best solo travel destination for: cultural variety

South Korea is pretty special in that each corner of this destination can offer an experience that is unique to the next. Maybe you feel drawn to South Korean culture, or K-culture, which is making waves all over the world. Maybe you cannot resist the sizzling flavours of Korean barbecue and its iconic street food markets. Or maybe, you are all about the ancient temples nestled into rugged valley peaks and the wealth of World Heritage sites. Either way, South Korea leaves a lasting impression, and that is not the only reason why it has made our list as one of the best places for solo travel.

Navigating South Korea is fairly straightforward as a solo traveller. High-speed rail services are available to take you between the main cities, and bookings typically open one month in advance. While in Seoul or Busan, purchasing intercity bus passes or subway tickets may be easier to do in person at a machine or station counter, due to potential language barriers online. And when it comes to rideshares, Kakao is South Korea’s app of choice.

Singapore

Best solo travel destination for: easy exploring

Speaking of super modern destinations, it hardly comes as a surprise that Singapore also qualifies as one of the best solo travel destinations. As a city-state, Singapore is super easy to explore on foot; yet if you ever need to rely on public transport, the public buses and subway system (also called the Mass Rapid Transit, MRT) have your back. On the off-chance that you ever get lost, the majority of Singapore’s public signs are also written in English. So if you have ever felt curious about exploring Southeast Asia by yourself, Singapore has everything you need to get started.

While Singapore is viewed more as a luxury layover or finishing touch to an epic expedition around Southeast Asia, it is a completely different story for solo travellers. Nicknamed ‘Instant Asia’, Singapore is a chance to experience a melting pot of cuisines and cultures, all in one place. The Hawker Centres - open-air food courts containing street food vendors - alone are a mouth-watering adventure for the senses.

Interested in spending a few days in Singapore? Our Singapore Stopover covers all of your accommodation for three days’ worth of fun; plus, all your public transport tickets, and some truly unmissable activities, come included.

Vietnam

Best solo travel destination for: stepping out of your comfort zone

If you have a few solo and independent trips under your belt, and you are craving somewhere adventurous, Vietnam may be the answer to your wanderlust. From the lantern-lit yellow streets of Hoi An to the surge of scooters around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam packs a punch. Offering a completely different experience is the mountainous north, home to the epic Ha Giang Loop, the paddy fields of Sa Pa, and the alluring limestone rocks inside Ha Long Bay. Every corner you turn, Vietnam has something special to offer.

While trains are inexpensive and reliable in Vietnam, they can also be slow and are more suitable for shorter, scenic routes. Bus journeys are one of the best ways to travel around Vietnam on a budget, particularly sleeper buses. It is also worth downloading an app called Grab, which is super popular in Southeast Asia and can be used to book a rideshare among other services.

Scandinavia

Best solo travel destination for: first-time solo trips

Whether it is your first time planning a solo trip or you cannot resist cool destinations, Scandinavia never goes out of style. Anticipate some of the most magical getaways imaginable inside Denmark, Sweden and Norway’s trio of capital cities: all of which are super popular among younger backpackers thanks to the ease of travel and lively social scenes.

Picture yourself chasing the rainbow along Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s iconic waterfront, before diving into the city’s alluring backstreets and sampling the food markets. Feel a sense of wanderlust while exploring the historic centre of Stockholm, bound to take your breath away. And as for Oslo, its modern cityscape and rugged wilderness make for a spellbinding contrast.

Any of these cities are worth visiting by themselves for a weekend break. If you can get away for longer, why not explore them all, right? On our Interrailing - Scandinavia trip, all of your accommodation and train journeys come organised: making it the perfect stepping stone for your first solo travel experience.

👉 Check out The Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe

Costa Rica

Best solo travel destination for: wildlife

Looking to explore Central and South America solo for the first time? Costa Rica is the ideal introduction to this part of the world, and it is perfect for anyone craving an adrenaline rush. From La Fortuna waterfalls and Santa Teresa beaches to Manuel Antonio wildlife and the iconic Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde, there is so much adventure waiting to be had. While it is possible to see all these places on a single solo and independent trip, you may prefer sticking to one or two locations and exploring those in-depth. This can be a helpful way to experience a new destination, without spreading yourself too thin.

Buses are an affordable option in Costa Rica, however, many travellers choose to travel with a comfortable shuttle service called Interbus. Ferry journeys are another popular choice, especially if you want to explore somewhere only reachable by water. Ubers are also fairly common in Costa Rica when it comes to shorter journeys.

USA

Best solo travel destination for: city breaks

More into urban jungles? With 50 states to choose from, a USA city break could be right up your alley. Whether you are discovering the neon-soaked streets of New York City, catching a baseball game in Boston, or listening to live music in New Orleans, once you have had a taste of the USA city life, it is pretty addictive.

Most USA city breaks are made for solo travel. The East Coast especially is famous for having reliable public transportation, with NYC and Boston as the stand-out stars. Have your heart set on the West Coast? San Francisco is the answer to all your solo travel desires. If you just cannot decide, you can see it all on our USA tours: the perfect addition to your independent plans.

Our tips for travelling solo

Stay at hostels

If you are new to solo travelling, hostels are your best bet. Aside from the amount you can save on accommodation (meaning more money to spend on activities or future trips 👀), the social environment you get to experience while staying in hostels is pretty unbeatable. The cool thing about staying at a hostel is that you can be as involved in the social scene as you want to be. One night, you could head out with a small group and grab a few drinks. The next day, you can explore completely at your own pace.

You can find the best deals on budget-friendly accommodation across the globe at Hostel World: plus, the incredible opportunity to connect with other travellers even before you book a place to stay!

Embrace change

Even if you are the type of traveller who has a spreadsheet documenting every single activity on your itinerary at the go, things do not always go according to plan. From delayed journeys to torrential rain on the day that you specifically set aside for beach time, the more you travel, the easier it is to accept things existing outside of your control.

That cancelled beach day could be a blessing in disguise, opening you up to a world of spontaneity. From a kind interaction with a stranger to discovering a new side to a destination, moments like these could end up becoming your favourite memories of a trip. If nothing else, it makes for a funny story to share back home.

Learn a few phrases

It is impressive how far the basics can get you. Whether you have a language-learning app downloaded onto your phone or a trusted phrasebook in your back pocket, a little bit can go a long way. Even inside tourist-friendly destinations, that extra effort is still appreciated. And besides, doesn’t it feel pretty cool to master a few basic phrases?

Unsure if solo and independent travel is for you?

Group tours can be a huge stepping stone for solo travellers, as you still get to explore somewhere new and try something adventurous: with an experienced trip leader and a new group of mates on the other side.

When all your accommodation and transport are taken care of, this means you get to focus on the most exciting parts of your trip: like those bucket-list activities or foodie hotspots. Group tours are also a reliable way to experience lots of different places on one trip while following a trusted route backed by travel experts. So if there is a destination you want to return to, you will know exactly where to go as a result of your lived experience.

No two of our group tours are the same; we offer a whole range of options for different travellers, including tours tailored around freedom and flexibility (aka, plenty of free time to explore at your leisure). We also offer independent adventures: unguided experiences with the most important details like places to stay or how you’ll get around taken care of.

How will you be solo travelling?