Get Inspired to Go It Alone with the Best Places to Travel Solo

Embarking on a solo travel adventure can be a highly fulfilling and empowering experience. Not only does it allow you to explore new places on your own terms, but it also gives you the opportunity to connect with new people, immerse yourself in different cultures, and challenge yourself in new ways. The world is a big place though, and narrowing down where to go on your own can feel overwhelming.

We've rounded up our best suggestions for places to travel solo to get you started. The choice is incredibly personal, but we think you'll find these destinations a good fit for those traveling alone. One thing is for sure, the experience will be rewarding! Wherever you choose to go, consider HomeExchange for your accommodations. It's a great way to settle right in and feel at home on your own wherever your solo travels take you!

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Toronto, Canada: Canadian Hospitality at the Country's Front Door

Sometimes solo travel is about seeking great adventures. Other times we decide to travel alone simply because we need a change of scenery. If this sounds like you, Toronto is a great choice for solo travel. Why is that? Canadians have an excellent reputation of being friendly, open, and welcoming – which you'll find a real advantage when traveling on your own. Toronto offers a lot of the appeal of a big city like New York, with a slightly softer and more welcoming side.

Sometimes called Canada's front door, we stay step right into Toronto! There's something for everyone in this vibrant city, from dining, shopping, musesums and so much more. It's also a big business capital, so if you're planning on spending some of your solo travels working, you can setup shop in local co-working cafes and network with likeminded people. As a safe, friendly, and bustling city, Toronto definitely tops our list of the best places to travel alone.

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Tokyo, Japan: A Top Solo Travel Destination

Solo travellers agree that Japan is a great choice when taking a trip on your own, for many reasons. For starters, it's incredibly safe with little crime and an overall culture of respect and kindness. Many women love solo traveling in Japan as well as they a sense of security. It's also easy to get around with ultra modern public transportation that is simple to use, affordable, and reliable. For all these reasons, Tokyo is often an inaugural solo trip for travellers going it alone the first time. If it's your first trip to Japan, Tokyo is always a good place to start to take it all in.

There is no shortage of sight seeing, shopping, and of course dining in the Japanese capital. Japanese eating is also centered around bar stool dining which is great when trying out restaurants on your own. You'll be spoiled for choice in this bustling city, from sushi to ramen and so much more. A few of our other favorite activities for solo travelers in Tokyo is strolling the Tokyo Imperial Palace, visting the Meiji Shrine, exploring the Harajuku neighborhood to see Kawaii culture, shopping at the Ginza Mall, and trying out local spas where you'll find amazing treatments for skin, hair, and more that the west is yet to see.

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Queenstown, New Zealand: For the Solo Adventure Seeker

If you're less into cityscapes and more into the great outdoors, New Zealand is one of the best places to travel alone. Kiwis are known for their warm and welcoming nature towards visitors, making solo travelers feel comfortable and at home. They have a laid-back attitude that makes it easy to strike up conversations and find friends. New Zealand is also considered to be one of the safest countries in the world, an essential of solo travel. Wherever you may choose to visit here, you can't go wrong as there are friendly faces and natural beauty all around. If outdoor adventure is your thing, consider Queenstown for a solo traveler Home Exchange.

Queenstown isn't just considered the adventure capital of New Zealand, but of the world. This natural playground offers incredible winter sports in colder months, and year round horse back riding, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, rafting, bungy jumping, and so much more. If it gives you an adrenaline rush, Queenstown has got it. When you want to relax an unwind, local wineries, restaurants, and bars are highly regarded. Life around this beautiful lake area landscape and the surrounding mountains doesn't disappoint, so if you're a solo traveler on a quest for adventure, add Queenstown to the top of your list.

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San José, Costa Rica: Safe Solo Travel in Central America

Costa Rica tops our list as a destination for so many different types of travelers, from romantic honeymooners, to families traveling with a baby, to solo travelers. Why is that? It offers all of the appeal of visiting Central and South America and is very safe. In fact, Costa Rica is ranked as the safest country in Central and South America, and with steady economic growth over the past 25 years it's an upper middle income country with the benefits of solid infrastructure tourists appreciate like healthcare. It's natural beauty and vibrant culture attract visitors from all over the world, some of whom even decide to become expats and end up calling the country home.

For solo travelers getting started in Costa Rica, set up a home base in the capital of San José. It's a great place to touch down and start discovering all this country has to offer. San José is a beauty city with many cobble stone streets lined with beautiful old Victorian mansions built from the coffee fortune of the country back in the day. From San José you can branch out anywhere based on your interests exploring jungles and seeing local wildlife like adorable sloths, to scuba diving excursions along Costa Rica's magnificent coastline. As one of the best places to travel alone, the chances are you'll meet many like minded solo travelers along the way.

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Reykjavík, Iceland: The Most Peaceful Place in the World

Did you know that Iceland is categorized as the most peaceful country in the world? If that's not enough to send solo travels to this Nordic island nation we've got lots more reasons. Imagine seeing the Northern Lights for the first time, or hiking on magnificent glaciers. Think of soaking in completely natural geothermal hot tubs, or watching Icelandic whales plunging in an out of the water along the coast. Envision what its like to see an active volcano, or take a stroll on a black sand beach. There are even adorable ponies roaming freely all over. Packing your bags yet for Iceland? Chances are you'll land in Reykjavík and be welcomed with open arms with locals ready to share all the reasons they're proud of their country.

The Icelandic capital of Reykjavík is surprisingly well served by air travel, thanks to its strategic location between Europe and North America. Getting here is surprisingly easy and affordable if planned well. In Reykjavík you can get to know Iceland's Viking history at its many museums, discover local fashion and art ( Reykjavík even has a fashion week!) and experience local cuisine known for being quite creative with lamb, seafood, and more despite the harsh conditions for growing because of the climate. Reykjavík also has a reputable music and nightlife scene that solo travelers hoping to meet and mingle will appreciate.

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Portland, Oregon: One of th Best Places to Travel Solo in the USA

Solo travelers love Portland for its laidback and open vibes, and overall appeal to outdoorsy types. The city is a great balance of being a bustling mini metropolis with tons going on, but where you're never far from extraordinary nature excursions. Solo travelers in Portland can have it all, and in recent years the city has acquired many new residents attracted to its affordability and quality of life. For solo travelers this helps with meeting people, if you don't already know someone who moved totown! Another aspect of Portland is that it's a very liberal minded city where all are welcome and free to be themselves. No matter where you come from or what you're into, you'll fit right in!

Among our favorite things for solo travelers to do in Portland is browsing its amazing bookstores. You can stock up on reading to enjoy in the peace and quiet many of us crave when choosing to travel solo. There is also no shortage of delicious dining, and Portland has even been ranked as the country's best city for foodies. Some particularly amazing eats that are well known are the Reggie Deluxe at Pine State Biscuits, the Maple Bacon bar at Voodoo Doughnuts, and khao man gai at Nong's. Hungry enough to head to Portland yet? If you over do it on the dining you can always work it off by biking around this cycling friendly city, or heading just a few minutes out of town for the extraordinary hiking trails of the Pacific Northwest.  

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Austin, Texas: It's All Happening Here for Solo Travelers

Speaking of booming cities stateside, Austin in the heart of Texas has really taken off in recent years. Suddenly this city is on everyone's radar and with good reason. Austin is lively and eclectic, and perfect for solo travelers who love music, food, and outdoor adventures. With its famous music scene, delicious cuisine, and beautiful natural landscapes, there's always something new to discover in Austin. It's young, dynamic, and growing population also make it great for meeting new people, networking, and broadening your horizons. Explore all Austin has to offer on your own terms and you'll see why it's on our list of best places to travel solo in the United States.

Austin is home to a wide range of museums and galleries, showcasing everything from contemporary art to Texas history. The most famous museums include the Blanton Museum of Art, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the Mexic-Arte Museum. Plus, with plenty of galleries and art studios, it's easy to discover the local art scene. Sampling local cuisine solo is easy too with its abundance of casual dining, notably food trucks serving barbecue, tacos, and other tastiness. With live music venues scattered throughout the city, the local music scene is vibrant and inviting. Whether you're interested in country, blues, jazz, or rock, there's always a live show happening here.

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Paris, France: Not Just a City for Lovers

While Paris has a reputation as being a city for lovers, we beg to differ. Paris is a city for everyone, and actually a great place to travel solo. The romance of the French capital is more about the place itself than having the perfect person to share it with. Sunsets on the seine are actually just as lovely on your own! Traveling solo in the City of Light means lingering as long as you like and taking it all in. You can take your sweet time in the city's beautiful shops searching for suitable souvenirs, and you won't have to share all of the gourmet goodies you pick up at Paris's world famous pastry shops with anyone.

Much of French culture actually lends itself very well to spending time on your own. Its not unusual at all for people to dine out by themselves here. In fact, seating at tables on the city's terraces face outward towards the street, because Parisians often prefer people watching than talking to one another at the table. The city's many world famous museums are also great places to go alone, where you can explore at your own pace and pause in front of works of art to ponder as long as you like without anyone inquiring if you're ready to go. Despite their reputation sometimes, Parisians are really quite welcoming as long as you greet them properly with bonjour. They'll be happy to host you here, but if you want to enjoy your time to yourself, won't bother you with small talk and pleasantries like many other cultures. In sum, no need to wait for your honeymoon to come to Paris. Back a bag and head here anyway because it's really one of the best places to travel solo.

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Safe & Satisfying Solo Travel With HomeExchange

There are so many reasons to travel solo and few that should every stop you from doing so! Of course, there are always some safety tips to keep in mind, like having an emergency contact and someone who is up-to-date and your whereabouts with regular check-ins. Setting up a HomeExchange for your trip accommodation is also a great way to connect with locals to give you local travel and safety tips, and feel the comforts and safety of a real home where you are. Plus, with HomeExchange not having someone to split the price of place to stay isn't an issue. The community is based on exchange instead paying high hotel prices. Wether you're an experience solo traveler, or getting ready to go it alone for the first time, with HomeExchange and our best places to travel alone we're sure you'll have a safe and rewarding experience!