Need to take off on a journey alone? Haven’t any concern. Listed here are some locations ideally suited for travelling solo.
Travelling solo may be an extremely rewarding expertise that teaches you a lot about your self and allows you to to pursue journey wherever you discover it.
However let’s be trustworthy: solo journey can be a little bit scary.
I travelled to a different continent solo for the primary time again once I was simply 17… I’ll admit I used to be type of barely extraordinarily terrified. I couldn’t catch any sleep on my flight due to the extraordinary combine of pleasure and nervousness I used to be feeling. However the journey taught me that I might survive in an odd land simply advantageous — and even make a number of mates alongside the best way.
However whether or not you’ve a profitable solo journey relies upon massively on the place you select to journey.
In the event you’re nonetheless new to solo journey, it’s completely vital to choose the appropriate vacation spot, as some are far more acceptable to this journey type than others.
Selecting a straightforward nation first
To be trustworthy, any vacation spot generally is a solo journey vacation spot. In idea, there’s all the time a means you can also make it work. That doesn’t imply it is going to be straightforward essentially, however so long as you might be decided sufficient you possibly can journey alone just about wherever (the one exceptions being—to my thoughts—a couple of uncommon international locations the place it’s simply not very protected).
Some locations generally is a robust nut to crack for a solo traveller.
Street-tripping by means of the heartland of the USA could look like a enjoyable and even cinematic thought, however in actuality, it’s tougher to do by yourself as you may need to remain in resorts and motels that aren’t actually so welcoming to the solo traveller.
Going someplace tremendous loopy and intense like India can be not necesserily the very best introduction to solo journey. If you wish to dive straight into the deep there’s nothing stopping you, however the tradition shock goes to be fairly extreme and also you’ll need to take care of all types of problem every day.
My level right here is that if you wish to flex these solo journey muscle tissues a bit first, there are some higher locations to select from.
Travelling as a backpacker
There are numerous kinds of journey, however the one that’s merely the finest for solo journey is backpacking. That is very true should you’re younger, although this sort of journey can be tailored in numerous methods should you’re older. My very own expertise is principally in travelling as a backpacker, notably in budget-friendly destinations.
Some individuals need to journey solo to truly get away from all of it, preferring distant locations the place they may hardly ever meet anybody else. However if you wish to socialize throughout your journey, the best means is to remain in hostels in international locations which are at the very least moderately well-liked backpacker locations.
In the event you’ve not stayed in hostels earlier than, take a look at my guide to what hostels are and how they work.
What to search for in a solo vacation spot
Anybody decided sufficient can (with expertise) journey solo nearly wherever, however I imagine these three standards are ones to search for if you would like issues to be a little bit simpler:
1. Is a rustic pretty well-travelled?
Travelling solo is a bit like exhibiting as much as a celebration by yourself. If it’s already an excellent occasion with a number of laughter and many individuals there, it’s straightforward to affix the enjoyable. If it’s an awkwardly quiet cocktail reception, you would possibly really feel in a different way. The perfect solo journey international locations are like enjoyable events the place everybody’s already having a good time.
If a rustic is well-travelled it’s positive to have a number of backpacker hostels. Staying in hostels will make your journey far more social and so much simpler, as they usually have a enjoyable communal ambiance and entice many different solo travellers. As soon as you might be extra snug you don’t have to depend on hostels on a regular basis, however they’re extraordinarily useful, particularly at first.
2. Simple journey logistics straightforward or a number of problem?
When you’re by yourself it may be a little bit tougher to take care of difficult journey logistics.
A primary-time solo vacation spot ought to have loads of transit connections, straightforward visa formalities, relative security, and so forth. Not all the pieces must be ideally suited as generally a little bit of journey can get you to greater rewards, however it’s good to not have to fret about too many issues without delay so you possibly can concentrate on merely taking advantage of your time.
3. Is there a good circuit or an apparent route?
It helps so much if a rustic has an apparent backpacking route or if a rustic is comparatively small. Giant international locations like the US, India or China are much less ideally suited, as their geographies are wide-open and you’ll all the time go in every single place from any level.
However wherever there’s a extra compact circuit, travellers usually tend to be heading in roughly the identical route at any given time. This makes it simpler to make mates on the path (and to satisfy them once more and even journey collectively). It additionally makes it simpler to get helpful suggestions and knowledge from different travellers about locations to go subsequent.
One of the crucial good journey trails I can consider is the one in Vietnam. As a result of the nation is so slim, backpackers principally go in simply two instructions: north to south or vice versa. In the event you begin your journey in Hanoi and meet some enjoyable individuals there, you might keep in contact with all of them the best way to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Nations for solo journey
That can assist you together with your journey analysis, listed below are a couple of strategies for international locations which are superb for solo journey even should you’re a newbie.
Thailand
Highlights: Bangkok nightlife, seashores and tropical islands within the south, calm and laidback Chiang Mai and Pai within the north, Buddhist temples, mind-blowingly good meals.
Why Go Solo? Thailand is, frankly, the best nation on the earth to go backpacking that I do know of. It would look like a distant and unique place that shall be tough to navigate, however it’s not. Some individuals fear about language limitations, however I assure you this gained’t be a problem in Thailand; many individuals communicate English, notably these working within the tourism trade.
Thailand can be such a well-liked vacation spot that you just’ll discover nice backpacker hostels catering to all forms of travellers in every single place, and it’s one of many best international locations to search out journey buddies spontaneously. Are you apprehensive about travelling ‘all by yourself’? Don’t be, since you’ll inevitably meet others travelling solo similar to you in Thailand on a regular basis. You’ll be able to learn extra in my Thailand backpacking guide.
Vietnam
Highlights: seeing the loopy hustle and bustle of a Vietnamese metropolis, the limestone karsts of Ha Lengthy Bay, and rice terraces of Sapa. In the event you’re seeking to occasion, you are able to do so very effectively in Nha Trang.
Why Go Solo? Vietnam truly has one factor going in opposition to it: generally you possibly can encounter scams and different hassles in essentially the most touristy locations, so it’s price studying up on this stuff so that you’re a little bit ready. What it has going for it: it’s stuffed with backpacker hostels, it’s low cost and straightforward to journey round, and most of all, the nation’s lengthy vertical form makes it ideally suited for a solo traveller. Everyone seems to be both travelling north to south, or south to north.
For extra, take a look at my Vietnam backpacking guide »
Peru and Bolivia
These international locations mix effectively, with Peru being the apparent place to begin.
Highlights: nearly too many to say. The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, lake Titicaca (the biggest high-altitude lake), trekking the Inca Path or Colca Canyon, the salt flats of Bolivia, and far far more.
Why Go Solo? Peru could appear like a giant nation on the map, and it positive is, however many of the motion occurs south of Lima. It has a good and really well-established backpacker circuit, with most individuals following roughly the identical route. Peru is arguably the preferred backpacking nation in South America, so that you gained’t be the one one travelling there (solo or in any other case). If you wish to meet different travellers, an excellent place to start out is Cusco. You’ll be able to study extra about backpacking in Peru here.
Southwest Mexico
Highlights: Paradisical seashores within the Yucatan area of Mexico, scrumptious meals and engaging tradition in Oaxaca, and a few nice seaside and occasion locations. From southeast Mexico, you too can simply dip into Guatemala to see the epic Mayan ruins of Tikal and the gorgeous lake of Atitlan ringed by huge volcanoes. For more information, take a look at my backpacking guides for Mexico and Guatemala
Why Go Solo? Opposite to well-liked perception, Mexico is definitely very protected for vacationers, notably within the particular states the place most travellers go. Transporation connections are low cost and handy, so that you don’t have to fret a lot about get from A to B. Seashore locations in Mexico corresponding to Tulum and Playa Del Carmen are wonderful for assembly individuals and making mates.
Extra data on Mexico »
Western Europe
Highlights: the entire nice cities (Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona, and many others.), picturesque rural areas of France and Italy particularly, epic landscapes within the Alps, and plenty of dramatic selection between international locations particularly when in comparison with the journey distances concerned
Why Go Solo? I’ve centered a lot on far-flung locations to this point, primarily as a result of I’m from Europe myself and can generally neglect what’s proper at my doorstep! However Europe is clearly a tremendous area to journey.
One of many downsides is that it’s actually unfold out and there aren’t any clear routes that everybody follows. Additionally it is dearer than travelling in growing international locations. However, questions of safety are minimal and also you’re prone to have a worry-free expertise.
Europe is large for metropolis journey, so should you like cities you’re going to adore it. All the most important cities have nice trendy hostels. The Couchsurfing scene can be huge in Europe, and even should you don’t need to keep on individuals’s couches there are common CouchSurfing meet-ups the place you possibly can meet each locals and different travellers. (Although precise couchsurfing has moved over the higher Couchers.org as of late.)
Australia
Highlights: Melbourne and Sydney are clear highlights, in addition to the numerous browsing/seaside locations, and naturally going into the Australian outback.
Why Go Solo? Whereas it’s a huge nation, you’ll discover that most individuals journey comparable routes alongside the coast within the south and southeast. Australians are HUGE travellers themselves (go to any nation on the earth and also you’re assured to satisfy some Ozzies) and meaning they’ve constructed up a tremendous backpacker infrastructure in their very own nation.
Backpacker hostels are in every single place they usually’re excellent. One thing to remember relying in your perspective is that the backpacker crowd in Australia may be very boozy and tends to be fairly a bit youthful than elsewhere. It’s notably well-liked amongst youthful European backpackers. This generally is a good or dangerous factor relying on what you’re on the lookout for.
Keep in mind: you possibly can meet individuals wherever
Whereas it helps to choose a great place to journey solo, it doesn’t need to be a lonely affair irrespective of the place you’re going. Most individuals who’ve travelled solo so much will let you know that they’re hardly ever alone should you put within the effort.
Need to know journey solo and take any of the challenges head-on? Then remember to take a look at my e-book, Travel the World Without Worries, which covers all of the strategies and hacks for profitable solo journey in nice depth. Within the e-book, I’ll additionally share a couple of of the (often embarrassing!) tales from my 20+ years of taking solo journeys. The teachings realized will allow you to make mates, keep protected, put together to your journey, and meet a number of locals and different travellers in every single place alongside the best way.
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