On your own
Travelling solo
Safe countries, easy to get around by public transport and full of people travelling just like you: destinations for a first solo trip, close to home or on the other side of the world.
Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides
To start with, close by
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SpainSantiago de Compostela
The end of the Camino de Santiago: the most classic way to travel alone without ever being lonely.
What to see in Santiago de Compostela -
PortugalLisbon
Close, easy to get around and full of travellers to share plans and viewpoints with.
What to see in Lisbon -
PortugalPorto
Small, with plenty of atmosphere by the Douro and easy to see on foot.
What to see in Porto -
IrelandDublin
Friendly people, pubs with live music and group trips to the cliffs of the west.
What to see in Dublin -
United KingdomEdinburgh
A safe, manageable city, with walking tours, castles and the Highlands close by.
What to see in Edinburgh -
NetherlandsAmsterdam
Canals, museums and bicycles, with very sociable hostels in the centre.
What to see in Amsterdam -
SloveniaLjubljana
A small, quiet capital, with Lake Bled and the Postojna caves nearby.
What to see in Ljubljana
For a big trip
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JapanTokyo
One of the safest countries in the world, with punctual trains and everything clearly signposted.
What to see in Tokyo -
JapanKyoto
Temples, gardens and wooden neighbourhoods, with traditional guesthouses where you meet people.
What to see in Kyoto -
ThailandBangkok
The gateway to South-East Asia: the route most travelled by solo travellers and very easy to follow.
What to see in Bangkok -
ThailandChiang Mai
Temples, cookery courses and mountains, with a calm, very traveller-friendly atmosphere.
What to see in Chiang Mai -
VietnamHanoi
The joyful chaos of the Old Quarter and the starting point for Ha Long Bay and Sapa.
What to see in Hanoi -
IcelandReykjavik
Vast landscapes and one of the safest countries, with group trips from the capital.
What to see in Reykjavik -
New ZealandQueenstown
The adventure capital, with backpacker buses all over the country.
What to see in Queenstown -
PeruCusco
Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, with agencies and groups to share excursions with.
What to see in Cusco
Frequently asked questions
What is the best country for a first solo trip?
Portugal, Ireland or Scotland if you want somewhere close; Japan, Thailand or New Zealand for a big trip: they’re safe, easy and full of solo travellers.
Where can women travel solo?
Japan, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia and New Zealand are among the safest countries. Before going anywhere, check the official travel advice.
How do you meet people when travelling solo?
By staying in hostels or shared houses, joining group excursions and walking tours, or walking the Camino de Santiago.
What should you do before travelling solo?
Register with your country’s traveller registration service if it has one, take out travel insurance and share your route with someone you trust.
Bagintravel · We travel together
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Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.
The app is currently available in Spanish.
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Reviewed 19 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Basile Morin (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.