10 Countries Recommended by Experts for Solo Travel
Traveling alone should feel easy, welcoming, and full of simple wins. These ten countries regularly show up in expert roundups for safety, transit that just works, and cities that reward unplanned wandering. Each pick includes where to base yourself, how to get around without stress, and small details that make solo days flow smoothly. Use common sense as you would anywhere, choose well lit routes at night, and save a local taxi or rideshare app for the last mile back to your room. With the right base and a pocket full of transit cards, you will spend more time exploring and less time troubleshooting.
Japan: Effortless Trains, Comfort Food, Calm Streets
Japan sets the standard for solo friendly travel with spotless stations, clear signage, and polite help everywhere you turn. Base in neighborhoods like Tokyo’s Asakusa or Kanda for easy rail links, then add Kyoto for shrines and quiet morning walks through temple districts. Pick up an IC transit card and load it on your phone so you can tap through ticket gates without thinking. Convenience stores keep meals simple with bento, fresh fruit, and good coffee at any hour. Capsule hotels and business hotels give you tidy, affordable rooms that feel secure and predictable. Ask station staff at a koban if you need directions since they are used to helping visitors. Women traveling alone will find women only train cars on some metro lines during peak times and attendants are visible on platforms.
Portugal: Walkable Hills, Easy Trains, Warm Evenings
Portugal balances historic cores with modern transit in a way that makes solo days smooth and memorable. Lisbon’s Baixa and Chiado keep you close to trams, elevators, and river walks while Cedofeita in Porto puts you near art streets and wine cellars. Intercity trains connect the dots between Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto while local trains and buses cover the Algarve with minimal fuss. Pick up a Viva Viagem or Andante card to tap in and out without juggling cash. You can eat well on a budget with pastel de nata for breakfast, a hearty prato do dia for lunch, and seafood near the river at sunset. English is widely understood in tourist areas and menus are clearly marked. Evening streets stay lively in the center which adds comfort for late dinners and slow strolls.
Slovenia: Compact Beauty, Friendly Faces, Stress Free Days
Slovenia is small enough to feel manageable and varied enough to fill a week of solo exploring. Base in Ljubljana’s pedestrian core for cafés along the river, then add day trips to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and the Postojna cave system. Buses reach the lakes frequently and the rides are short which removes planning anxiety. Most guesthouses feel family run and hosts are quick with trail tips and bus times. Signage on paths around the lakes is clear which makes solo hikes straightforward. Evenings in the Old Town are relaxed with live music on warm nights and a friendly crowd along the bridges. Prices are reasonable for Central Europe which stretches your budget without feeling spartan.
Iceland: Big Landscapes, Small Group Tours, Clear Logistics
Iceland’s wide open scenery feels tailor made for solo travelers who want a mix of city comforts and wild day trips. Base in Reykjavík and book small group tours for the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula so you can skip winter driving or long solo stretches. Tap to pay works almost everywhere and you can get through a full week without touching cash. Thermal pools are a social highlight where it is easy to chat with travelers and locals. Summer brings long daylight hours that turn evening walks into soft light photography sessions. Winter shows off the northern lights when skies cooperate and tour operators handle the timing for you. Neighborhoods around the old harbor feel safe and lively which keeps dinners and late strolls easy.
New Zealand: Friendly Hostels, Straightforward Buses, Dreamy Trails
New Zealand welcomes solo travelers with trail networks, clean hostels, and towns that feel like base camps. Start in Auckland or Wellington for café culture and waterfront walks, then head to Queenstown or Wanaka for mountain scenery and simple day hikes. InterCity buses knit the islands together at a relaxed pace and regional shuttles get you to popular trailheads. Department of Conservation huts on the Great Walks make multi day hikes viable without heavy gear. Rooms in motels and backpacker lodges are spotless and staff are generous with transport advice. Distances look small on a map but the scenery is the point so plan fewer bases and longer stays. If you drive, remember to keep left and give yourself extra time on winding roads.
Ireland: Friendly Pubs, Rail Links, Storybook Coasts
Ireland’s small scale and talkative locals make solo travel feel social from the first night. Dublin’s city center is an easy first base with museums, parks, and direct trains to Galway and Cork. Join a day tour to the Cliffs of Moher or the Giant’s Causeway if you prefer a driver and a good guide. Pubs are more about conversation than nightlife and bartenders look out for single visitors who want a quiet corner. Side streets in central neighborhoods stay lively which keeps night walks comfortable. Rooms above pubs and family run guesthouses offer simple amenities and warm breakfasts. You can plan the next leg over tea without feeling rushed which is a gift on a solo trip.
Singapore: Clean, Safe, and Seamless from Changi to City
Singapore is the definition of smooth for solo travelers who value order and food that never disappoints. The MRT connects the airport and every major neighborhood with fast, spotless trains that run from early morning to late evening. Stay in Tiong Bahru for cafés and Art Deco streets or Kampong Glam for color, street art, and easy walks to the river. Hawker centers set you up with outstanding meals at friendly prices and shared tables make it easy to try new dishes. Tap to pay works across transit and shops which keeps your wallet light. Night walks along Marina Bay or the Singapore River feel relaxed and well lit. Afternoon heat is real so plan museum time or a shady park break in the middle of the day.
Taiwan: Night Markets, Mountain Trails, Welcome Everywhere
Taiwan combines real city energy with small town hospitality and trains that just make sense. Base in Taipei near Da’an or Zhongshan for parks, cafés, and quick rides on the metro, then add Hualien for Taroko Gorge or Tainan for temples and slow evenings. The High Speed Rail links north and south while the regular TRA lines cover the coast and mountains. EasyCard means you tap into trains, buses, and even convenience stores which makes daily errands simple. Night markets feel festive and safe with foods you can try one bite at a time. Hot spring towns like Jiaoxi add a quiet reset without long travel days. Visitors rave about helpful strangers and clear bilingual signage that removes the guesswork.
Canada: Big Cities, Low Stress, Nature Right There
Canada’s large cities are built for solo travelers who want art, food, and quick escapes to green spaces. Vancouver gives you seawall walks, beaches in the city, and a SkyTrain that is intuitive from the minute you land. Toronto’s neighborhoods line up on a grid with a subway that takes you from museums to waterfront easily, and transit cards keep transfers simple. Montréal and Québec City add European style streets with parks and café culture that feel calm and walkable. English gets you far everywhere and French speakers switch easily when you need help. Tap to pay is common on transit and in shops which speeds up the small moments. Day trips are easy because trains and buses run often between central hubs.
Netherlands: Canal Calm, Bike Paths, Trains That Just Work
The Netherlands shines for solo travelers who value compact cities and rail stations that sit right in the center. Amsterdam needs no introduction, but solo travelers often prefer a base in Haarlem or Utrecht for quieter evenings and quick trains back to the museums. The national rail network runs on a frequent timetable so you can day trip to Rotterdam or The Hague without a plan. Rent a bike for car free paths that feel orderly and safe even for first timers. Cafés spill onto canals in the early evening which turns dinner into a slow walk with scenic stops. English is widely spoken and menus are clear which reduces friction at every turn. The best tip is to look for locals only streets a block off the main canal where you can sit and watch the city breathe.
This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance
