Got the travel bug but can’t convince your friends and family to join you on a trip? Don’t let their reluctance hold you back! This is the perfect opportunity to branch out and brush up on some tips for traveling alone—we promise that it will be an unforgettable trip. Not only will it force you to become 100% self-reliant (after all, if you can’t navigate to your hotel, no one else will!) but it will make you more confident as a traveler and in your everyday life. Plus, you’ll love the luxury of setting your own schedule. Want to visit every museum in the city? Go for it. Love to wake up at the crack of dawn and take a jog around your new neighborhood? No need to convince your travel companions. And if you’re worried about eating meals alone, we guarantee you won’t be the only one. Solo travel is becoming increasingly popular, so if you’re in the mood for conversation just look around—you likely won’t be the only table for one! To give you a little solo travel inspiration, pick up one of these prints from our favorite destinations to travel to as a party of one.
Keep reading to see our roundup of the best places to travel solo…
Iceland
The pristine, natural beauty of this breathtaking country makes it an ideal choice for any type of trip, but travelers with a penchant for outdoor exploration will be especially happy here. Test out the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, hike around the volcanoes and glaciers (we recommend Thingvellir National Park), and keep your eyes peeled for some adorable Icelandic horses… although we can’t promise they’ll have flowers in their hair. ;) As a destination with high safety ratings, this makes an ideal nature-based trip for solo travelers.
Thailand
Frequently ranked among the world’s friendliest countries, Thailand is the perfect place for solo travelers looking to explore white sand beaches and dense jungles… with plenty of incredible dining options. Follow Gray’s personal itinerary and make the Golden Triangle, Phuket, and Chiang Mai your main stops, or forge your own path through the scenic landscape.
Switzerland
Rated as one of the safest countries throughout Europe, we highly recommend adding Switzerland to your bucket list of must-see destinations as a solo traveler. Not only is it an ideal, serene place to dip away for some solitude, but their transportation system is easy to follow, and even the Alps are well-marked with the names of each mountain peak and time it takes to hike from one location to the next. That said, if you’re the outdoorsy type (or even if you just enjoy some seriously breathtaking scenery from the cozy indoors), the charming Swiss towns and towering natural landscape make this an unforgettable destination for traveling solo.
Australia
Just a hop, skip, and (an admittedly long) flight away, Australia is well worth the hours on the plane. Explore the miles of stunning coastline, venture into the vast outback, or take a city escape into Sydney, the capital city. Whichever route you choose, you’ll feel right at home in this famously welcoming country. Spend your evenings watching the waves roll in and enjoying some of the many healthy (and delicious) dining options, which pair nicely with a glass of wine from one of the many vineyards in New South Wales and Victoria.
Have you ever traveled solo internationally? What destinations would you recommend?
Shout out at us on social @GrayMalin and share your recs with us! And of course, find more travel guides for all your planning needs right here.
Xx Team GM
Photos: Gray Malin