Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2018 | Destinations for Solo Trip

People often ask for best places to travel alone. It can be hard to find someone to journey with for some of us, who desire to travel. Friends and family members are busy with their job, stressed to save money and they don’t always want to go to the same places.

But we want to travel. The only solution is to go alone. Sometimes it is a frightening prospect, then again at the same time, it is a chance for self-discovery and adventure. But, where can we get the most fun traveling alone?

Traveling alone can be amusingly self-indulgent. You can do whatever you want like spending a day doing nothing but café hopping or lingering in a single museum. Lounge on a beach on the South China Sea or you can hire a guide to visit isolated ruins. You can treat your classical music passion in one of Europe’s great concert halls or join a group of compatible strangers for a Himalayan trek.

Best Places to Travel Alone:

So make yourself ready, because here we are going to make a favorite list of destinations for a solo trip in 2018.

10. San José City, Costa Rica

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, San José City, Costa Rica
San José City, Costa Rica | image credit – Wikimedia/Wikipedro

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica. It is situated in the Central Valley region with the Talamanca Mountains to the south and volcanoes to the north. Because of its relatively high elevation—3,839 feet (1,170 m)—like the rest of the Central Valley, the city is always an agreeable temperature year-round with very limited showers. Besides, its location in the Central Valley makes it both magnificent and suitable as a base of exploration.

Major Attractions:

  • Spanish colonial architecture
  • the elaborate neoclassical National Theater
  • Hundreds of gleaming artifacts are displayed in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
  • You can visit the striking collection of museums and take yourself back in time
  • visit the magnificent Opera House, the pride and joy of Costa Rica
  • learn how this century-old cultural symbol represents a significant era in history
  • take a trip to the University of Costa Rica and the beautiful Sabana Park
  • Don’t forget to check out the open-air markets to see the abundant amounts of indigenous arts and crafts
  • You can take a trip to nearby Poas Volcano National Park, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park or Turrialba Volcano National Park
  • You can also take a voyage in the Orosi River Valley

Expenditure: Even though San Jose is one of the poshest cities in Central America, it’s still cheap by North American or European standards. You can eat locally. It will help to keep the cost low.

Transport: Renting a car is not advisable. The best option is walking, the bus would be second best but it can sometimes be a hassle.

Safety: The city is fairly safe for traveling alone. Take compulsory precautions as always.

9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | image credit – Wikimedia/Akira Mitsuda

Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and the most populous city of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a gem. It is a city that houses monkeys and a myriad of cultures. Don’t miss this great destination for your solo trip in 2018.

Major: Attractions:

  • the distinctive outline of the Petronas Twin Towers
  • the massive standing Buddha image found outside Batu Caves
  • colorful Petaling Street market in Chinatown
  • the famous Sultan Abdul Samad Building in the colonial quarter of the city
  • the indoor Aquaria KLCC oceanarium and Petrosains Art Gallery in Suria KLCC
  • There is the Lake Gardens home to popular bird and deer parks that you can freely visit
  • visit the I-City Shah Alam to take cool photos of its nightly colorful display of LED-lit attractions
  • insane shopping center in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang
  • you must have the experience of a meal on a banana leaf

Expenditure: In the city, you can find great hotel pricing, reasonably priced cuisine, and no lack of free activities.

Transport: It is advisable to take a taxi because they are convenient, dependable, and affordable.

Safety: Kuala Lumpur is a relatively safe place, so you should take normal precautions.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Amsterdam
Amsterdam | image credit – Wikimedia/Patrick Clenet

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. The artistic heritage, intricate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th century Golden Age make Amsterdam one of the most favorite destinations in the world. Amsterdam is known as the “Venice of the North”. It is dream come true destination for solo traveler.

Major Attractions:

  • There is a broad array of recreational and cultural sites in Amsterdam
  • captivating old buildings, like the Oude Kerk, the Hash Marihuana Museum
  • the Rijks museum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum
  • You can go to the beach
  • Situated on the artificial island of IJburg and the beach features swimming, sunbathing, and beach parties galore
  • Check out Vondel park if you are looking for a quieter atmosphere
  • you must visit the Leidseplein or Leidse-square

Expenditure: As far as European cities go, Amsterdam is a great bargain. But hotel and hostel pricing can make it a bit expensive. They offer breakfast though. There are many cheap options for your meals, and there might not even be the need for transportation, so that will help to keep costs low.

Transport: In Amsterdam, you can essentially walk and bike anywhere.

Safety: Amsterdam is known as an extraordinarily safe city. But, do take necessary precaution as you are traveling alone.

7. San Francisco, USA

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, San Francisco
San Francisco | image credit – pixabay.com

Located in northern California, San Francisco is a city on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The city is famous for its hilly landscape, perennial fog, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colorful Victorian houses.  San Francisco is the leading financial and cultural area in northern California. The city has a convenient size and a generally happy population.

Major Attractions:

  • Set along the water with rolling hills and an exclusive mix of architecture
  • the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz
  • A giant International Orange-colored bridge, a park spanning more than 1,000 acres
  • you must get brunch
  • You can choose from the multitude of cafes and restaurants found here
  • visit the Haight-Ashbury district to experience where the hippie movement was born
  • the Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, California Academy of Sciences, De Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco

Expenditure: Cost here can be considered as a little pricey but doable. Take comfortable walking shoes and use public transportation to get to places. You can avoid posh brunch spots by checking them out on Yelp first.

Transport: When you cannot walk, you will find an extensive bus, streetcar, cable car, and subway network to get you to your destination in San Francisco.

Safety: While perfectly safe during the day, the Mission District can be a daunting location at night, mainly around 16th Street and east of Valencia.

6. Bangkok, Thailand

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Bangkok
Bangkok | image credit – Wikipedia/Terence Ong

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. Some 200 years ago, Bangkok began as a small trading center and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The splendor and glory of its illustrious past still prevail today. Be it astounding temples, magnificent palaces, a world-famous floating market or colorful Chinatown, each of these famous places has a fascinating story to tell. Referred to as the ‘Venice of the east‘, the city possesses so much energy, chaos, and beauty.

Major Attractions:

  • Immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture
  • You can visit one of the many temples and take time to value the culture and everything it has to offer
  • You must visit the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew, these two attractions command respect from all who have walked in their sacred grounds
  • the Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
  • Explore the waterways by boat, one of the most picturesque areas, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night

Expenditure: Cheap. You can find many bargains in Bangkok. You check into decent hotels for low prices and the food is notably cheap and superb. It will be a nice change for your budget to spend a week or so in Bangkok.

Transport: Bangkok has excellent and modern public transport systems, which make it unexpectedly easy to navigate your way around. Taxis are available and cheap. And of course, tuk-tuks are worth the experience at least once.

Safety: Bangkok is not intrinsically dangerous. Crimes most common against tourists are “stealth” crimes such as pick pocketing, credit cards scam, or confidence tricks with fake goods or gemstones.

5. Dublin, Ireland

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Dublin
Dublin | image credit – Wikimedia/Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

Located on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey, Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland.  The town that was established by Vikings has become the most incredible destinations in Europe.

Major Attractions:

  • Visitors here will still get a sense of Dublin’s history even though the city center has a metropolitan feel to it
  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Kilmainham Gaol, and Dublin Castle are all must-sees
  • Culture vultures, as well as history buffs, will also delight in Dublin as there are plenty of galleries and museums to choose from including the National Gallery of Ireland
  • you have to check out the Guinness Storehouse
  • For beer lovers, it’s like Disneyland
  • Make sure you visit Dublin on an empty stomach
  • Dublin Zoo, the National Aquatic Center, Phoenix Park, Book of Kells

Expenditure: Dublin is fairly expensive. There are plenty of hostels to choose from with good locations but your location might cost you. You can bargain for it though. Many of the attractions listed above are within walking distance of each other while some of the more famous attractions are on the more expensive side. Food won’t be as low-priced as some cities, but it will be luscious.

Transport: Dublin has a very good transport system. You can jump on the coastal train (DART) to explore just outside of Dublin. You can also use the extensive public buses to get all around the city. As everything is fairly close, you can also bike or walk if you prefer.

Safety: Dublin is just as safe as any European city. Take the usual necessary precautions.

4. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Rio De Janeiro
Rio De Janeiro | image credit – Wikimedia/Artyominc

Rio de Janeiro is a huge seaside city in Brazil. It is famous for its Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, 38m Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mt. Corcovado and Sugarloaf, a granite monolith with cable cars to its summit. Dazzling mountains, immaculate beaches, and a surplus of rainforests near a deep blue sea — Rio is one of the best places to travel alone in 2018 and always. But it can also be one of the most dangerous. So take caution but it’s worth a visit.

Major Attractions:

  • Explore the landscape as much as possible
  • Go hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain and take in the magnificent views
  • Explore the downtown area with likeminded travelers if you can
  • There is a surplus of ways to occupy your time in the city with the churches, the historic buildings, and the ample amount of museums
  • You must visit the Tijuca National Park
  • You can hike to Rio’s highest peak, the Pico da Tijuca, to enjoy unreserved views of Guanabara Bay and the city below
  • Mayrink Chapel, which has murals painted by the famed Brazilian neo-realism painter Cândido Portinari
  • the tumbling 100-foot Cascatinha Waterfall
  • relax on one of the beaches. It will be unlike anything you have ever experienced
  • Rio de Janeiro is famed throughout the world for the grandeur and extravagance of its Carnival

Expenditure: Rio is pretty pricey. Hotels near beaches or city attractions are expensive, as to be expected, and the costs of attractions aren’t low either. But seeing the sights and hitting up the trails and beaches is free (unless you hike to the very top).

Transport: While fast and frequent, Rio buses are relatively cheap. Though, they can be rather crowded.

Safety: Safety is a major concern as mentioned earlier. Crime rates are very high in Rio. It is advisable to find other people to accompany you out in the city.

3. Toronto, Canada

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Toronto
Toronto | image credit – Wikimedia/John Vetterli

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario, Canada. The city is a large, ethnically diverse & sprawling along Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore. Toronto has a rich history beneath a thriving city.

Major Attractions:

  • world-famous CN Tower and Toronto Islands just offshore
  • latest musicals and other performing arts
  • Escape the city life for a day and explore the Toronto islands
  • Simply hop a ferry and head to the collection of eight islands
  • The islands offer a friendly green atmosphere beyond the cityscape that is Toronto
  • Enjoy a nice stroll or bike as there are no cars on the islands
  • check out the St. Lawrence Market
  • Toronto Zoo, The Casa Loma Building, Art Gallery of Ontario, and many more things

Expenditure: Prices in Toronto are similar to that of L.A. or NYC and while hotels can be costly, they’re generally within walking distance to great city features.

Transport: The city center is still relatively easy to navigate, with many of the top attractions within walking distance of each other and a subway system to cover longer distances. The public transportation system is extensive and very affordable. Otherwise, walking and biking will suffice.

Safety: Downtown Toronto is considered safe. But some sites recommend that travelers avoid straying too far from downtown into the outer neighborhoods.

2. Portland, Ore.

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Portland, Ore.
Portland, Ore. | image credit – Wikimedia/Stuart Seeger

Located near the convergence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the largest city in the U.S. State of Oregon and the seat of Multnomah County. This city is known for many things. Its love of nature and bike commutes among them.

Major Attractions:

  • Perchance to compensate for the damp Pacific Northwest winters
  • impressive gardens
  • Oregon green places range from roses and rhododendrons to a classical Chinese garden
  • You can make a trip to the Columbia River
  • Waterfront Park is a must visit, It lines the west bank of the Willamette
  • you can go on a food cart tour, with a little money you can try all kinds of local favorites
  • Take a walk through Forest Park after you’ve eaten all you can eat and breathe in all the natural beauty
  • stop in for a doughnut and an experience at Voodoo Donut
  • Pittock Mansion, The Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Portland Art Museum

Expenditure: Portland, Ore. is relatively cheap with the occasional fine-dining experience that can be expensive. Food trucks and ease of transportation help keep costs low. You can also look into getting an attraction pass that will let you in several attractions for five days for around $30.

Transport: You can walk/bike to many places in the city and use reliable public transit for the rest.

Safety: Generally regarded as safe with a few neighborhoods that might be worth avoiding: Hazelwood, Old Town, Lents, and West Burnside Street. If you are biking, be careful while crossing Sellwood Bridge as there is little shoulder space.

1. Taipei, Taiwan

Top 10 Best Places to Travel Alone, Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan | image credit – Wikimedia/Yulu

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. It is a modern metropolis with Japanese colonial lanes, busy shopping streets and modern buildings. Taipei is situated at the northern tip of Taiwan on the Tamsui River.

Major Attractions:

  • the tallest building in the world (2004-2010)
  • the biggest collection of Chinese art
  • The cultural kaleidoscope of Taipei pulses wherever you go
  • veiled temples dating back to dynastic times merge flawlessly with a neon street life of a definitely more modern era
  • dozens of world-class restaurants where gourmets can taste the best regional Chinese cuisine
  • plenty of night markets serving up delicious evening snacks in an environment of chaotic excitement and fun
  • hundreds of street-food carts and pop-up stores all in a 10-block stretch
  • Experience the food, the fashion, the culture of Taipei
  • day hiking destinations right in the city for those who want to escape the city buzz
  • you can soak away the cares of the world in mineral-rich hot springs nestled in the flourishing mountain foothills ringing the Taipei Basin
  • Longshan Temple, Dalongdong Baoan Temple, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Yangmingshan

Expenditure: There are a lot of cash machines that accept foreign cards. Besides, Taipei is a very large city with things in nearly every price range. But compared with mainland China, some tourists might find it to be on the expensive side. Still, Taipei is cheaper than Japan. Once you arrive in Taipei, it’s quite possible to get by on very little.

Transportation: Buses are the best intercity travel option. Several companies run bus travel with more comfort and higher pricing to get from point A to point B.

Safety: Taipei is full of petty theft. While in the rest of Taiwan the general crime rate is said to be increasing or staying the same, the crime rate in Taipei is actually decreasing. To tourists of all kinds, Taipei has a reputation of being very friendly and helpful. So it Taipei is a very good place for travelling alone.

Conclusion:

Many travelers claim that traveling alone is the best way to see the world. According to them you intentionally travel on your own, so that you can experience the world without the influence of a friend or partner’s tastes, prejudices, or preferences. It’s easy to focus on the person you are traveling with and forget about meeting other travelers when you are traveling with a companion. You are more likely to be on an expedition of self-discovery while traveling alone.

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