Quick answer
Reviewed · 4 min read
Solo travel works best with a little more structure than a trip for two. Choose destinations with good infrastructure, stay in central, well-reviewed hotels, share your itinerary with someone at home, enroll in STEP and arrange transfers for late arrivals. Expect single supplements on tours, cruises and safaris, but look for solo cabins, small-group departures and occasional supplement-free offers.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Easy first trips
- Japan, Singapore, Ireland, New Zealand
- Watch for
- Single supplements on tours and cruises
- Safety basics
- Share itinerary, enroll in STEP
- Best mix
- Independent cities plus guided highlights
Where is easiest for a first solo trip?
Choose places with efficient public transport, low crime and plenty to do on foot. Japan stands out: Tokyo and Kyoto are orderly, rail travel is simple and eating alone at counters is completely normal. Singapore, Ireland and New Zealand are also easy, English-friendly choices.
For your first big solo adventure, a guided trip removes the hardest logistics. Our best solo travel destinations list has more ideas by travel style.
How do single supplements work?
Tours, cruises and safari camps usually price per person based on two people sharing. When you travel alone, you pay a single supplement for the room or cabin, which can be substantial, sometimes approaching the cost of a second guest.
Ways around it: newer cruise ships with dedicated solo cabins, tour operators that offer roommate matching, and safari camps or cruise lines that reduce or waive supplements on selected dates, often in shoulder or green season. A hotel-based trip avoids the issue entirely, since you simply book a room.
How do you stay safe traveling alone?
Most solo safety comes down to good planning and a few habits.
- Arrive in daylight when you can, and pre-book an airport transfer for late arrivals.
- Stay in a central, well-reviewed hotel with a 24-hour front desk.
- Share your itinerary with someone at home and agree a check-in routine.
- Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
- Use official taxis or verified rideshares, and check the plate before getting in.
- Keep digital copies of your passport and cards, and carry only what you need each day.
Should you travel independently or join a small group?
Many solo travelers mix both: independent time in easy cities, then a guided experience where logistics or safety benefit from it. A small-ship Galápagos cruise or a safari puts you among like-minded travelers at meals and on excursions, with the planning handled.
Private guides are worth it for a day or two in a new city. You get context, a local’s restaurant picks and someone to talk to, without committing to a full group tour.
How do you enjoy dining and downtime alone?
Sit at the counter or the bar. Sushi counters in Tokyo, tapas bars in Madrid and wine bars in Paris are made for solo diners and often give you the best seat in the house. Cooking classes, food tours and walking tours turn strangers into dinner companions.
Choose hotels with a good lounge, bar or club floor where sitting alone feels natural. A Virtuoso advisor can also add amenities at partner hotels, typically breakfast and a property credit, that make a solo stay more comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
What is a single supplement?
Is solo travel safe for women?
Where should I go on my first solo trip?
How do I avoid feeling lonely when traveling alone?
Does a travel advisor help solo travelers?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.