The 15 best places to travel alone

Japan is such a comfortable, safe and accessible destination for solo travellers that it’s almost a cliché. Yes, the locals are unfailingly friendly. Indeed, everything works so dependably that getting about is delightfully stress-free. Aye, eating and drinking on your own here is marvellously normal. But it’s all so true. I spent three months travelling solo around the country last year, from Sapporo in the chilly north to Kagoshima in the semi-tropical south, and at no point – no matter how far I strayed from the tourist trail – did I feel like any of the country was beyond my reach. A few words of Japanese go a long way, of course (especially in rural areas), but there’s no better way to do Japan than on your own. 

💡 Editor’s tip: ‘Hitchhike! Japanese hospitality for hitchhikers is legendary, with punters often offered not just a lift but bed and board, too.’ –Ed Cunningham, News Editor

Discover Japan:
⛰️ The most underrated destinations in Japan
🚆 The ultimate two-week itinerary for Japan
🏨 The best hotels in Japan

When it comes to feeling welcome, you’d be hard pressed to come by a nation who are more hospitable than the Irish. I might be a bit biased – my family all hail from the Emerald Isle – but I can guarantee that whether you’re in the hectic centre of Dublin or the easy-going shores of Galway, something about the people here will make you feel right at home. In fact, I’ve found that the plush countryside and dramatic hills paired with the wood-covered, pint-filled walls of pubs where a local is usually spinning a tale strikes the perfect balance between tranquillity and community – it’s primed for solo travel. 

📍 Fancy visiting the Capital? Check out Dublin’s best restaurants and its best things to do

It goes without saying that Australia is absolutely massive. Mahoosive. Ginormous. And while that fact might make it seem daunting, particularly for those of us travelling solo, most of the action is concentrated on the East Coast. There are plenty of classic routes that run from Adelaide to Brisbane and beyond, allowing intrepid explorers to visit a variety of exciting towns that each seem to have their own magnificent ocean view. Australians are famously sociable, too, so meeting new people will never be an issue in this isolated corner of our beautiful planet.

📍 Discover the best places to visit in Australia

The aptly-named ‘land of fire and ice’ is a magnet for nature fanatics, and perfect for those travelling solo. An abundance of caves, caverns, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes and geysers should be plenty to keep you occupied, as the landscape and scope of this Nordic island is second to none. The country’s charming capital, Reykjavik, is jam-packed with activity – why not add the Blue Lagoon or the Laugarvatn Fontana to your to-do list for some solo relaxation? And the best thing about Iceland for solo travellers is the safety. The country is named time and time again named one of the safest places for travellers, thanks to low crime rates and a generally accepting society. Plus you have a seriously good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s definitely one for the bucket list.

🍽️ Discover the best restaurants in Reykjavik
📍 Discover the best things to do in Iceland

For those keen to explore the wonders of Africa, Botswana is likely your best bet. The country has a wealth of wildlife to appreciate and observe, with nearly 40 percent of its land area being devoted to national parks. The Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert and Chobe National Park are world-renowned safari spots, home to everything from giraffes to rhinos. Botswana is also a politically and economically steady nation, and ranks highly on safety indexes for African countries. This, plus the fact that many Botswanans speak excellent English, makes it a great destination to navigate on your solo travels.

Canada’s name is one thrown around most often when it comes to solo travel. The population has a worldwide reputation for their friendliness, and the country has everything you could want from a travel destination. Incredible off-the-grid adventure opportunities like visiting the Rockies, Niagara Falls and Banff National Park offer up plenty to see for intrepid globetrotters. However, Toronto is considered one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and Vancouver is famed for its unique urban design, stunning surroundings and the fact it's on the doorstep to some incredible nature. The weather? Not so great, but the people? Incredible.

Vietnam’s unique beauty and complicated history make it a compelling travel destination, particularly for those doing so alone. The country has grown into a popular travelling hotspot, and that’s led to a thriving social scene – the well-established tourist route means it should be really easy to meet like-minded travellers to journey alongside. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi and the Ha Giang Loop are three of the nation’s tourist highlights. There are also great transport networks, it’s budget-friendly and full of hostels. What more could you ask for when you’re travelling alone?

📍Discover the best things to do in Vietnam

Another super-safe solo-friendly destination is this jewel of the Adriatic. Boundless glorious beaches, fascinating mediaeval towns and relatively low prices are what Croatia has become so popular for. The nightlife is another perk of this place – the festival calendar is absolutely jam-packed, and Croatian cities are known for their cheap drinks and plethora of party spots. Eight national parks are also dotted around the country. Like waterfalls? There’s a whopping 90 of them at Plitvice Lakes,  though if you want a dip, head to the smaller falls at Krka National Park instead. Croatia is also an underrated wine producer and, of course, a hotspot for Game of Thrones fans.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Croatia

In South America, Chile leads the way in terms of quality of life, and unsurprisingly, lowest crime rate. It’s the perfect destination for people travelling alone thanks to its tight-knit community of backpackers, and, of course, abundance of sights to see. Atacama, the driest desert in the world, is located in the north, while there’s plenty to see in Santiago, the nation’s capital. You won’t go thirsty either, thanks to the fantastic Chilean repertoire of beer and wine. It’s also considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to its high altitude.

Small but perfectly formed, Slovenia is a tremendous destination for solo travellers. The old ‘four seasons in a day’ adage is very much alive and well in a place where you can spend the morning skiing in the Alps before heading for a romantic solo sunset on the Adriatic at Piran. The capital, Ljubljana, is the perfect base for exploration, a city of friendly people and social spots an easy bus or train from Slovenia’s famous lakes and less-famous postcard villages. Pro tip: pick up a €15 IZLETka train ticket and get unlimited travel on the weekends.

📍Discover four Slovenian getaways that are good for the planet