The Complete Solo Travel Guide
Everything about traveling alone, destinations, safety, budgeting, meeting people, and the gear that makes solo travel actually work.
Solo travel doubled in popularity between 2018-2025 and is now the fastest-growing segment of independent travel. Done right, it’s life-changing. Done wrong, it’s lonely or unsafe.
This pillar covers everything we’ve published about solo travel — best destinations for solo female travelers, safety guides by country, how to make friends abroad, monthly accommodation strategies, and the practical logistics that solo travelers need.
Most of our team’s writing draws from years of independent + solo travel. Drew Treasury has spent 7 years on the road. Read more about Drew.
Best Solo Travel Destinations
Where to go solo.
Safety by Country
Honest safety assessments for solo travelers.
Travel Scams + How to Avoid Them
Scams target solo travelers most. Know them before you arrive.
Slow Travel + Community-Building
How to actually meet people on the road.
Budget Strategies
Solo travel doesn’t double accommodation costs but does change cost-per-day math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solo travel safe?
Generally yes, but it varies by destination + traveler. Asia (Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan) is exceptionally safe. Western Europe is safe with normal precautions. Most of Latin America is safe in tourist zones. Solo female travelers face additional considerations: see our country-specific safety guides for details.
How do you make friends as a solo traveler?
The single best tactic: stay in one place for 2+ weeks instead of constantly moving. Use co-working spaces, language classes, hostels (even if you don’t sleep there), gym memberships, surf schools, yoga studios. Read our full guide: How to make friends while slow traveling.
What’s the best destination for first-time solo travelers?
Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Bali) for backpacker community + low cost. Western Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy) for safety + infrastructure. Mexico (CDMX, Oaxaca) for vibrant culture + value. Solo female travelers should add Japan + South Korea to the shortlist for unmatched safety.
How much does solo travel cost?
Solo travel typically runs 20-40% more per-person than couples travel because you pay full accommodation costs alone. Budget solo travel: $40-60/day in Southeast Asia, $60-100/day in Eastern Europe, $80-150/day in Western Europe. Mid-range solo travel: 1.5-2x those numbers.
Is solo travel lonely?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The first 3-7 days of any new destination are usually lonely. After that, if you’ve put in social effort (co-working, classes, meetups), community appears. If you bounce between destinations without rooting anywhere, loneliness is constant. Slow travel solves loneliness; fast travel amplifies it.