Solo travel made easy

Let’s start by dispelling some myths. Travelling solo isn’t just for gap year backpackers and senior explorers. In 2023, almost 60% of solo travellers were aged 24 to 54, and the average age was 47. So long as you travel sensibly, going solo is safe for both men and women. In fact, more than 80% of solo travellers are female, and safety is the highest priority of all reputable providers. You don’t need to be single to travel solo, either. Recent statistics show that between a third and a half of UK adults see travelling separately from their long-term partner as possible and healthy. Finally, travelling alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. From joining tours to taking classes or finding online meet-up groups, there are plenty of ways to stay social on any trip.

Aside from enjoying fantastic travel experiences, there are plenty of reasons to consider going solo. Travelling alone lets you focus entirely on your destination and each experience without the distraction of social obligations. Taking complete responsibility helps you push your boundaries, step out of your comfort zone, learn new life skills, improve your languages, and perhaps even discover something about yourself. Joining groups on escorted tours or excursions puts you in a fantastic place to meet new people, find connections, and make life-long friends. The better question might be, why not go solo?

For the most part, solo travel prep is no different to any other holiday prep, but experienced soloists recommend a few small things to keep you stress-free and extra safe. For instance, pack light, you’ll need to carry everything yourself. Knowing local transport systems helps you get where you want and not get stuck where you don’t. Learning language basics is great not only for finding assistance but also for immersing yourself in local life. Don’t rely 100% on your phone; write down important contact details and information so you always have a backup, and make sure someone at home has a rough guide to your itinerary in emergencies. Finally, travel insurance is a must, while an emergency credit card and a small stash of currency are also good to have. You might never need these things, but you’ll be grateful if you do.

While daytime exploration often takes care of itself, some solo travellers find themselves more aware of being alone after nightfall. With a little bit of planning, there’s no need. Book a cooking class or evening city tour. Find a river or harbour cruise. Embrace dining for one in exactly the restaurant you choose. Or why not check out the local theatre, cinema, or concert listings? Think about all the things you’d do at home or all the distinctive experiences offered in your destination, and plan ahead. Another key fact to remember is that you don’t need to be constantly out and about. Indulging in a long bath and a night of Netflix with room service is never a bad way to spend a holiday evening. If in doubt, our Travel Specialists or your hotel concierge will always have activities to suggest.

The most important part of any solo holiday is the destination. When you travel alone, yours is the only wish list that matters. Choose a city you’ve never seen and explore without restrictions, or return to one of your favourites and discover all that’s new. Join a coach tour across the country, go trekking in the mountains, cross vast plains on scenic trains, or hire a driver to guide you in comfort. Alternatively, go somewhere you can stay still. Check in to a spa resort, wellness retreat, or luxury five-star on the beach and enjoy indulging for as long as you choose. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few suggestions we think are perfect for going solo:

A city break is one of the simplest ways to solo travel. You stay in one place, unpack, and know everything is safe while you enjoy the destination on your terms. From wandering on foot to public transport or readily available taxis, getting around a city is easy. New York City is a fantastic solo city with an endless choice of things to see and even more to do. Arrive with a checklist of landmarks, attractions, and experiences. Grab selfies at each famous site, or sign up for a group activity at any time of day. When night falls, choose a Broadway show, a comedy club, or head to a sports game. Other self-contained cities ideal for going solo include San Francisco, Rome, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Melbourne.

Another great way to go solo while staying in one place is to visit a city with plenty around it, like Cape Town. Choose a base in the centre or by the boardwalks of the V&A Waterfront, and plan your adventures as you choose. Ride the cable car to the peak of Table Mountain, walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, or join a day trip around the Cape Peninsula to discover sandy bays and penguin-populated beaches before posing for a picture at the Cape of Good Hope. More? Add a tour to the Winelands, perhaps even with an overnight stay, or join an escorted trip along the Garden Route. To top things off, Eastern Cape game reserves offer Big Five safaris just a short distance away. Similar cities at the edge of adventures are Las Vegas, Cairo, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Sydney.

One of the great things about travelling solo is immersing yourself entirely in the amazing places you visit. Jordan’s ancient city of Petra, carved into the desert’s rose-red canyon walls, is a spellbinding sight whether you arrive at the height of day or by candlelight in the evening. Seeing it solo lets you soak in every inch while quiet moments of appreciation create connections you’ll never forget. Most iconic landmarks like Petra can be visited solo on a day trip from a nearby city or on a longer tour with all transport and accommodation included. Build your solo trip around magical moments at the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Niagara Falls, or the Grand Canyon. In Australia, add an unforgettable experience when you spend a night under the stars at Uluru or dive into the Great Barrier Reef.

Individual experiences are great, but longer tours are one of the most popular and rewarding ways to travel solo. For instance, how about a bucket list adventure through the Highlights of Peru? Travel from Lima to Cusco, taking part in cooking classes and seeing local craftspeople at work before hopping on a train to the legendary city of Machu Picchu. Feeling fit? Add in a four-day trek along the mystical Inca Trail. Completing incredible journeys together is how solo explorers become life-long friends, and Peru is far from the only place you can do it. Japan and New Zealand are ideal destinations for comprehensive tours packed with distinctive experiences.

Of course, you don’t have to climb mountains to enjoy a solo holiday. At the other end of the scale are the world’s luxury resorts where all you have to think about is feeling good. A great example of a pampering place perfect for enjoying alone is the health-focused BodyHoliday in St Lucia. Here, you stay all-inclusive with a banquet of delicious and nutritious food plus blissful treatments to try each day. Yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi are all on the menu, as are watersports and fitness classes. Or you can simply lay back to enjoy soothing massages and rejuvenating scrubs at the spa. If wellness and fitness aren’t your thing, try golf in Mauritius, a little cowboy life at a USA ranch, diving days in the Maldives, or simple luxury at an all-inclusive resort, wherever you choose.