As enjoyable as family vacations and getaways with friends can be, there’s something to be said for traveling solo. On a solo trip, you aren’t tied to anyone else’s schedule or tastes. You can change plans on a whim, and let the day take you wherever it may. As a result, solo travelers often discover hidden gems and have experiences that fly far under the radar of those with travel companions and set itineraries. If you’re looking for the best places to travel solo and get the right insurance to keep you covered, read on.
Best Places to Travel Solo Abroad
France
If you think France is only a top destination for couples, think again. The romance of Paris and the luxurious beaches of Nice can make solo travelers fall in love with the country. The cathedrals and castles of Paris will enthrall you, and of course the Eiffel Tower offers some of the most iconic views in the world, whether you ascend to the top or just view it from your hotel balcony over a cup of coffee. From La Rochelle to Lille, Lyon, and the gorgeous South of France, the country is eminently walkable, full of fascinating sites, and easy to reach from nearly any major airport in the world. There’s a reason it’s a beacon for solo travelers.
Italy
Can you name another destination where you can conceivably cruise through a Venetian canal in the morning, and ski some of the best powder in the world by evening? Italy, being home to both Venice and the Dolomites, can offer you just that sort of adventure. But why stop there? Rome, home to the famous Colosseum and Vatican City, is a must-visit. The same goes for the rolling hills of Tuscany and the unmatched glamor of Milan. Eat, explore, and fall in love with your surroundings. We’re sure you’ll agree that Italy is one of the best places in the world to travel solo.
Ireland
Looking for a smaller, friendlier solo travel destination? Ireland should be at the top of your list. While Dublin is a cosmopolitan city that might be heaven on earth for fans of whisky and Guiness, it’s also packed with sights like Dublin Castle, the Dublin Zoo, and the famous St. Mary’s Cathedral, a former church that’s been transformed into one of the most interesting nightclubs you’ll ever find. Being a relatively small country with little traffic, there’s no reason to stick only to Dublin. Rent a car and explore Cork and Galway, and don’t forget to visit the Cliffs of Moher. You may have seen them on postcards but experiencing them in person will blow your mind.
Germany
Germany packs an incredible amount of variety into a country that’s smaller than the state of Texas, making it an attractive destination for solo travelers. For instance, in Berlin alone you can experience the history of the Cold War up close by visiting Berlin Wall remnants, party at some of the most groundbreaking nightclubs in Europe and feed your fashion bug as you stroll along Kurfürstendamm. Expand your itinerary to include Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Oktoberfest, and you may have trouble fitting it all into one trip. One thing is guaranteed, though. You’ll have a fantastic time as a solo traveler in Germany.
Norway
Boasting an intricate network of beautiful fjords, mountains, valleys, and unique landscapes, Norway is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque countries in the world. Nature lovers will find endless adventures here, but there’s a lot to do in the cities as well. Norway’s capital, Oslo, can seem more like a park than a major city, situated directly next to Oslo Fjord and dotted with greenspaces to enjoy. And when you’re ready to fuel up for your next adventure, the incredible Scandinavian cuisine of Norway is a delight for the palette. Backpackers, cyclists, and all sorts of adventure-minded solo travelers owe it to themselves to plan a trip to Norway.
Best Places to Travel Solo in the US
San Francisco
Though known primarily for the famous Golden Gate Bridge, there’s so much more to San Francisco. Solo travelers can set off on a walking tour to experience the incredibly diverse culinary scene, arts districts, and topography of the city, including Lombard Street, known locally as the most crooked street in the world. If you’re feeling more adventurous, a kayak tour of the bay, a visit to Alcatraz Island, or a stunning hike or bike ride in the nearby Marin Headlands should be on your list. Also, be sure to ride the city’s famous cable car, which conveniently connects to both Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, two of San Francisco’s most popular tourist attractions.
Santa Fe
A bastion for artists surrounded by the amazing topography of New Mexico, Santa Fe is a top destination for solo travelers in search of a laid back experience in the high desert. Dating back to the year 1610, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States. The Pueblo-style adobe buildings give it a singular charm. If you’re a fan of local art, Canyon Road boasts more than 80 galleries. History buffs should absolutely pay a visit to the 1869-built Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. Fans of fine culture should plan on attending a performance at the Santa Fe Opera House. Indoors or outdoors, solo travelers are sure to come away from a Santa Fe trip feeling energized and enlightened.
Portland
Although Portland has been the subject of satirical TV shows for its eccentric, hipster aesthetics, the variety of things to do in this “weird” Pacific Northwest city make it worth a visit for any solo traveler. For instance, Portland is home to fascinating museums like the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Oregon Maritime Museum, as well as the Oregon Zoo with over 230 species of animals. Of course, being Portland, the city is home to countless unique restaurants and coffeeshops, myriad city parks and trails to explore, and one of the best live music scenes in the region. In other words, Portland is everything you think it is, but it’s also so much more than that.
Seattle
Located about 180 miles north of Portland in the state of Washington, Seattle has long been a popular destination for visitors of every ilk. Being surrounded by national parks, mountains, volcanoes and the Puget Sound, Seattle is unlike anywhere else. The 605-foot Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Olympic Sculpture Park are just a few of the unique sites solo travelers can visit. Seattle is also known for its strong coffee and being the birthplace of the grunge music movement. To this day, the city retains an incredible live music scene. Just be sure to pack an umbrella, as Seattle experiences about 150 rainy days annually.
New York
No list of the best places to travel solo would be complete without including the Big Apple itself, New York City. From the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to Times Square, the East Village, Yankee Stadium, and Central Park, New York is a city where the world comes together. You can find dining options from all around the globe, visit famous locations from countless TV shows and movies, and even explore the city’s darkest days and resilience at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Transit utilizing the subway system is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it, and there’s something new around every corner to experience. And just when you think you’ve seen all of one borough, there are four more to explore.
Solo Travel Insurance
One of the challenges of traveling abroad by yourself is the need to be self-reliant. You won’t have a friend or loved one to help you out if something goes awry half a world away from home. However, even solo vacationers don’t have to travel alone. With the right insurance , you can enjoy an extra measure of protection.
If you’re a US resident and your solo trip is taking you abroad or staying in the US, you may want to take advantage of the benefits offered by travel insurance. A travel insurance plan, also known as a trip cancellation insurance plan, is primarily focused on protecting your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs in the event of an unavoidable cancellation, interruption, or delay of your trip. But most plans can offer emergency medical coverage as well.
No matter what insurance plan you choose, be sure that it covers the activities you plan to take part in. For instance, if you plan to go kayaking on your trip to San Francisco, make sure the activity isn’t excluded from coverage by the plan you want to purchase. If it is, you should consider hazardous sports travel insurance to make sure you’re protected.
Regardless, don’t forget to read the terms and conditions of any insurance plan prior to purchase, as they can differ. This way, there will be no question about what is included or excluded from coverage should you need to file a claim.
Just enter your information into our convenient quote form, get instant quotes from multiple insurance companies, compare them side by side, and select the best coverage for you.