The 10 best places to travel alone

Hostelworld Blog | Posted on July 2, 2022 |

Backpacking and solo travel go together like peas and carrots, like Forrest and Jenny. Why should we wait for our friends to be ready to explore the world when we can venture out solo, meet heaps of incredible new people and discover an inner independence and sense of freedom that we never knew existed? More and more solo travellers head to hostels each year to take advantage of the social areas and friendly, laid-back vibes. But where are the best places to travel alone?

We’ve looked into the solo travel hotspots around the globe to give you the 411 on where to visit on your next independent adventure. It’s time to treat yourself to the trip of a lifetime! Here are our 10 best places to travel alone based on where the most solo bookings are.

1. The USA

📍 San Francisco, California 📷@izzyworldwide_

The USA is one of the best solo travel destinations thanks to its diversity. In other words, The USA really does have something for everyone – from the sunny surf havens of California to the iconic skyscrapers of NYC, surreal landscapes like the Grand Canyon to the music and foodie hotspots in the South. And the best part? You’re travelling solo, so it’s totally up to you to pick the adventure you wanna have. The US is a wonderfully accessible spot for first-time solo travellers, with excellent infrastructure and high safety levels. Add to this some classic American friendliness and a bit of Southern Hospitality, and it’s no surprise that The USA sees some of our biggest numbers of solo traveller bookings!

It can be rather expensive to visit, which is where hostels come in to save the day. By sharing dorms, not only will your budget stretch way further, but you’ll also meet all kinds of amazing people that’ll make your solo adventure anything but lonely. In the mountains of Colorado, The Bivvi brings warm, family vibes that can melt through the snow. Here travellers share beers around the campfire and stay in for cosy movie nights, after spending their days hanging out on awesome group activities like white water rafting and hiking!

Check out all of our hostels in the USA

2. England

📍 London 📷 @megkatem

So old chaps, second on our list of the best places to travel alone is England, a great first step for anyone who’s a little nervous about travelling solo. It’s safe, modern and easy to get around, plus it’s so small that you won’t have to face any bum-numbing 24-hour train journeys on your own! London is constantly one of our highest-booked cities for solo travellers who want that quintessential experience – red buses, black cabs and a trip to Buckingham Palace to say hey to King Charles. Not to mention local faves like a curry on Brick Lane, a pint in a traditional pub and some of the best nightlife in Europe. Venture outside the capital to discover creative hubs like Liverpool and Bristol, historic gems like Cambridge or Bath, South Coast arty vibes in Hastings or Brighton, and the surprisingly beautiful beaches of Cornwall. For more England inspo, check out 22 places that travel bloggers love.

For a London hostel with an unbeatable social atmosphere, try Selina, Camden. Not only is it in the heart of one of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods, an absolute must-visit for music lovers, but it also has it’s own vegan eatery.

Check out all of our hostels in England

3. Spain

📍 Barcelona 📷 @nattaliarr

Every region in Spain has a distinct, vibrant culture, meaning that you can spend months embarking on an epic Spanish adventure and never get bored. Although each city has its own unique feel, there are a couple of things that connect them all. Firstly, the welcoming hospitality that makes solo travellers feel instantly at home. Secondly, Spanish food is out of this world – seriously! Indulge in tapas and sangria until you’re sleepy enough to slip into a siesta. Dreamy right?! So, what Spanish spots should solo travellers hit up? Big hitters Barcelona and Madrid are so packed with things to do, plus so many other backpackers, that it’s impossible to really feel alone. For a chilled-out time, San Sebastian is a foodie’s dream with incredible surfing spots, or for a spot of Andalusian tradition, the flamenco shows in Seville are legendary.

La Banda Rooftop Hostel is a favourite with solo backpackers who love getting involved with the drinking games, live music and artsy nights on the beautiful rooftop. There’s a family dinner every night and the staff will take you on a bike tour of the city to make you fall deeper in love with Seville.

Check out all of our hostels in Spain

4. Australia

📍 Queensland 📷 @abenteurvanlife

Perhaps the first place that springs to mind when you think of the best solo travel destinations, Australia is practically a rite of passage for travellers. The backpacker scene here is second to none, with hostels all around the country filled with party-loving travellers wanting a slice of the land down under. Most find it difficult to leave, which is where the Australia Working Holiday comes in, allowing solo travellers to settle down for a bit and start their own global fam. And with the money they save working, they’re able to visit the most incredible spots this country has to offer. We’re talking cosmopolitan Sydney, trendy Melbourne, the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, the vast Outback, the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef… seriously, we could go on all day. It’s safe to say Australia is one of the best places to travel alone!

Being lonely is impossible at Australia’s fun-loving hostels. The parties at Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns are legendary, which is no surprise when you’ve seen their massive lagoon-style swimming pool, open-air bar, massive sports screens and on-site nightclub!

Check out all of our hostels in Australia

5. Italy

📍 Venice 📷 @iamjoshstratton

Sure, I could tell you about the classic beauty of Rome’s architecture, the romance of Venice’s waterways, the fairytale-esque cliff-hugging houses in Positano, or the enthralling history of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but I know what you’re really looking for from a trip to Italy… food, glorious food. Widely considered the centre of the carb universe, Italian food is globally renowned, and you’ll get the best quality straight from the source. Avoid the tourist traps and instead ask the hostel staff for insider tips on where the locals eat. And PLEASE, for the love of Cheesus, head to Naples to try pizza in the city where it began. The amazing train network in Italy makes it a dreamy solo travel destination, as it couldn’t be easier to explore the country on your own stress-free. Why not extend your solo trip by grabbing an Interrail pass and travelling even more of Europe on a budget?

If you are looking for an oasis after your city exploring, you could do far worse than booking a few nights at Hopestel Secret Garden Hostel. Not only does this hostel have a secret garden (surprise!) but it’s also a fantastic place to meet other solo travellers.

Check out all of our hostels in Italy

6. Thailand

📍 Wat Arun, Bangkok 📷 @_nana.kweku_

Thailand is without a doubt one of the best solo travel destinations on earth, a fact that’s evident from the thousands of lone wanderers who head there every year. The chaotic charm of Bangkok, the laid-back hippy vibes of Chiang Mai and Pai and the paradise-like islands in the south are just some of the things that pull us in… and the insane nightlife, incredible food and world-class hostels don’t hurt either. You may feel a million miles from home when you touch down in this unique country, but nothing brings solo travellers together like a few cocktail buckets on Bangkok’s Khaosan Road. P.S. Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party is every bit as wild as you might expect. You have been warned!

Most travellers land in Bangkok, thanks to its mega international airport and easy access to nearly everywhere else in Thailand. This city is way more than a jumping-off point, with some of the very best street food, canal markets, art galleries and temples. If your priority as a solo traveller is being close to the city’s famous nightlife then Lost Inn BKK is near the legendary Khaosan Road. It’s close to plenty of temples too, so make sure you have some hangover-free days to absorb the city.

Check out all of our hostels in Thailand

7. Germany

📍 Berlin 📷 @hopewarrenx

Known for its beer, bratwurst and the best (and most exclusive) nightclubs in the world, Germany is an awesome solo traveller destination that’s perfect for meeting fellow backpackers. In summer, the capital Berlin is essentially one massive beer garden with locals and travellers alike sharing a stein of the cold stuff. Its notorious nightlife scene is unrivalled in Europe, and bouncers are known to favour individuals and smaller groups, so you’ll have no trouble getting in as a solo traveller. Munich’s beer-fuelled Oktoberfest is a true bucket list event that every backpacker should experience at least once, and if you visit on your own you can guarantee you’ll be leaving with several boozy new buddies. But there’s a lot more to Germany than partying, which you’ll discover when you leave the cities and head to the epic natural landscapes and fairytale castles of the countryside.

In Berlin, Circus Hostel has heaps of social spaces for solo travellers to hang out, like an on-site microbrewery and an Instagrammable cafe/restaurant. It’s right in the city centre, so you’ll never have to worry about being far from the action when you want to head out on a solo mission!

Check out all of our hostels in Germany

8. France

📍 Paris 📷 @avrilstoriesmx

Paris might be known as the city of love, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be one of the best places to travel alone too! Eating croissants overlooking the Eiffel Tower, sipping wine in swanky bars, catching a show at the Moulin Rouge or taking a stroll through the Louvre are all equally as fun without a romantic partner – or even better, with a new hostel BFF. It’s why Paris remains one of our top-booked cities for solo travellers. There’s way more to France though, so if you’re the type of traveller who prefers lesser-known places, we think you’ll love Hossegor, one of our best backpacker destinations for 2020. It’s a surfing hotspot with hippy vibes, amazing beaches and lots of cute cafes where coffee doesn’t come at Parisian prices.

One of our favourite French hostels for solo travellers is Paris’ Les Piaules, a fully renovated Art Deco building in the beautiful Belleville neighbourhood. It’s surrounded by cafes and bars that locals love, but when you’re not sampling them you can hang out in the hostel’s games room or swanky rooftop terrace with your new roomies.

Check out all of our hostels in France

9. Japan

📍 Kyoto 📷 @swepix_

Visiting parts of Japan feels like taking a trip into the future, with its insane technology, huge modern cities and space-inspired pod hostels. The bright lights of Tokyo are as exhilarating as they are overwhelming, and the street food is truly sensational. But it’s also a country of unspoiled nature and centuries-old tradition. Visit gorgeous temples and sleep in traditional ryokans, spot geishas gracefully walking through the streets of Kyoto and be inspired by the postcard-perfect Mount Fuji. The Japan Rail Pass makes it easy for solo travellers to navigate the country, with a super-efficient, high-speed service that gets you between cities comfortably for a pre-paid bargain price. Pod hostels are also a godsend, offering solo travellers the privacy of their own room while keeping the cheap prices and social benefits of dorm living.

Solo travellers can’t go wrong staying at Guest House Ga-Jyun. This hostel has superb ratings and is a solo traveller favourite. It’s easy to get to many of the must-see sights in Kyoto and we hear their breakfast is generous! So fill yourself up, make new friends and explore traditional Japan.

Check out all of our hostels in Japan

10. The Netherlands

📍 Amsterdam 📷 @tiara.moon

The Netherlands is truly one of the best solo travel destinations with some of the friendliest locals in the world. The home of gorgeous tulip fields, winding canals and, of course, legalised marijuana, The Netherlands will forever be one of our favourite places to visit in Europe. Whether you’re cycling around Amsterdam or admiring Rotterdam’s unusual architecture, you may be a little more – err – laid back than usual while in The Netherlands, making it the perfect destination to travel alone, meet new people and open yourself up to new experiences.

The ultra-stylish King Kong Hostel Rotterdam is conveniently located in the city’s coolest neighbourhood, so you’ll have no problem channelling your inner hipster. There’s a lively bar and cafe, as well as an outdoor social space that comes alive in summer. The staff’s expert local tips make exploring Rotterdam on your own a total breeze.

Check out all of our hostels in The Netherlands