There used to be a certain stigma around solo vacations, with cruises charging extra for single occupancy and waiters frowning at the words “table for one.” But we're happy to report that the times are a’changing. The world has never been more accommodating to solo travelers—we’re constantly hearing about new meet-up apps to combat loneliness and safety measures to combat discomfort (so long, catcalling).
If you have the will and the way, you can travel just about anywhere by yourself. In fact, these 18 getaways are even better when you go it alone, whether it's a soul-searching hike through Scotland or a pod hotel where, frankly, two’s a crowd. And if you’re still a little anxious about writing up an itinerary by yourself, we’ve gone ahead and suggested travel specialists that can help you out with the more planning-heavy trips.
Check out some of our favorite solo vacations for 2023, and get ready to start loving your own company.
This article has been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- Julian Schiemann/Unsplash
Take a self-guided tour of Ireland
For U.S.-based travelers, Ireland is kind of a no-brainer when it comes to solo travel, thanks to easy access and friendly locals. Travel to the Emerald Isle becomes even easier with Brendan Vacations, a Dublin-based agency dating back to 1969. While they offer traditional group tours, solo travelers should try one of the “locally hosted rail” options: These excursions—including the editor-approved Ireland’s Sparkling Gems tour—will set you up with hotels, transports (including train rides and chauffeured drives), and one activity per day, but leave you with enough free time to explore on your own. Even better? You’ll be given a 24/7 emergency number and a local guide who will meet you in each city, ready to provide restaurant recommendations, insider tips, and more.
Price: From $1,787
When to go: Open all year
How to book: brendanvacations.com
Tap the experts: Kathleen Sheridan (McCabe World Travel) - Courtesy Riviera River Cruises
Set sail on a European river cruise
It’s hard for solo travelers to consider a cruise without first worrying about “single supplements”—the dreaded fees slapped on passengers for booking a room designed to hold two or more people (depending on the trip, those fees can end up tacking on thousands of extra dollars). Luckily, the industry is becoming increasingly accommodating, with cruise lines of all sizes reducing or getting rid of the infamous fees. Riviera River Cruises is one company that specifically caters to solo travelers, with a variety of routes and exclusive departures for solo travelers. Even better? The cruise line has waived the dreaded single supplement on eight of its 2023 itineraries, including routes that visit Burgundy, Paris, and Normandy, as well as Portugal’s Douro Valley.
Price: $1,699 to $4,889 (varies based on trip)
When to go: Departure dates available in March, August, October, and November
How to book: rivierarivercruises.com
Tap the experts: Angela Turen (Churchill and Turen Ltd.) - Courtesy Under Canvas
Go glamping in Montana
Glamping company Under Canvas is known for its safari-style tents in iconic American sites, from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore. In June 2023, the brand will add a new camp in North Yellowstone-Paradise Valley, offering sweeping views of the Yellowstone River and Absaroka Mountain Range. Each of the 50 tents will feature elevated decks and private bathrooms, as well as king-size beds and wood-burning stoves. With its close proximity to the famously beautiful geothermal features in Yellowstone National Park, we can’t think of a better place to take a digital detox solo trip in the new year.
Price: From $349 per night
When to go: June to September
How to book: undercanvas.com
Tap the experts: Lesley Egbert (Live Longitude Travel) - Daniele Franchi/Unsplash
Explore the nature and culture of Sri Lanka
Flash Pack is one of our favorite tour operators for solo travelers, offering high-end adventures for people in their 30s and 40s. The company is especially great for visiting countries that may be new to you, since you won’t have to worry about the minutiae of your itinerary or have to navigate unfamiliar terrain all on your own. For 2023, we have our sights set on Flash Pack’s 12-day “Inside Sri Lanka” trip, which includes temple cycling in Polonnaruwa, train rides through Tea Country, and leopard safaris in Yala National Park (among many other activities).
Price: From $2,875
When to go: January to April; July to August; October to December
How to book: flashpack.com
Tap the experts: Miguel Cunat (Sri Lanka in Style)
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Rescue turtles in the Mexican Caribbean
People travel alone for many reasons, but not everyone wants to focus on the self. Do your part as an eco-friendly traveler in Quintana Roo, Mexico, where you can join the many local efforts to rescue sea turtles. Most notable is the Akumal Turtle Camp, a program that’s been hosted by the Akumal Ecological Center (CEA) since 1993. The camp invites volunteers to learn about the species with in-class education, turtle monitoring protocols, and species identification before continuing with fieldwork: tagging and protecting nesting females, marking nests with GPS coordinates, and minimizing predators from the nesting sites. Note that the program requires volunteers to commit at least two weeks of their time, so start stocking up on vacation days now.
Price: $180 for two weeks; $350 for four weeks (does not include accommodations)
When to go: May to October
How to book: ceakumal.org
Tap the experts: Zachary Rabinor (Journey Mexico) - Courtesy Belmond/David Noton
Hop aboard the Royal Scotsman
Long solo train rides and bus trips lend themselves perfectly to reading. Since you aren’t going to be chitchatting with a friend or challenging each other to a game of cards, now’s the opportunity to finally read that book everybody’s been talking about. (Need some recommendations? Check out this list.) And while you can accomplish that on any given Amtrak ride, we suggest taking the ultra-luxurious route—Belmond’s Royal Scotsman through the Scottish Highlands, to be exact. The trips (which range from three to seven nights) include guided tours of Mount Stuart and Glamis Castle, and the iconic train comes with private cabins, multi-course meals, and even a full-service spa.
Price: From $7,333
When to go: April to October
How to book: belmond.com
Tap the experts: Mary Lou Yeager (Royal Travel Center) - Courtesy Nine Hours Group
Sleep in Japan’s pod hotels
When there are two pairs of elbows in a tiny hotel room, someone’s bound to get hurt. But a single traveler has more options, like New York’s two Pod Hotels in Midtown. Single rooms have a twin bed, flat-screen TV, free Wi-fi, and…not much else, ideal for propelling you out on the town. In Japan (including various train stations and Tokyo’s Narita Airport), the experience is more extreme: For a low price, you can get a pod bed at Nine Hours for, yes, nine hours—just long enough to rest and shower.
Price: From $30 per nine hours
When to go: Early spring or late fall, when the weather is ideal
How to book: ninehours.co.jp
Tap the experts: Amy Tadehara (InsideJapan Tours) - Robert Harding/Getty
Track gorillas in Rwanda
Yes, a solo safari is possible—and extremely rewarding. There are few better places to recharge and recenter than in the middle of Africa, with only the hotel staff and wild animals to keep you company; plus, some travel companies even have discounted single supplements. In 2019, Singita opened two new properties in Rwanda—Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House—complete with gorilla trekking expeditions ideal for adventurers traveling alone. You don’t have to worry about having enough travel companions in a group, because regardless of whether you’re alone or traveling with friends, “guests are divided into groups of eight (dependent on their fitness level) where guides take them into the Volcanoes National Park to track gorillas,” Traveler contributor Mary Holland discovered during her solo trip to Rwanda.
Price: Trekking permits are $1,500 per person, per trek; suites start at $2,245 per night
When to go: June to September or December 2023, to avoid the rainy seasons
How to book: singita.com
Tap the experts: Linda Friedman (Custom Safaris)
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Cycle through the Italian Dolomites
Cycling trips are perfect for lone travelers, giving you plenty of time with your thoughts while still being part of a small group. There are tons of tour operators specializing in bike trips, but try to book with a group that specializes in solo travel—like Trek Travel, a company with experienced guides, plus options to room either by yourself or with an arranged roommate. One of their newest adventures is a five-day ride through the Italian Dolomites, with 220 miles of challenging trails offset by the beauty of the surrounding mountains and glistening lakes. The price of the trip includes hotel accommodations, meals, equipment (including Domane SL 7 bikes), and daily snacks and drinks.
Price: From $1,799
When to go: June to July
How to book: trektravel.com
Tap the experts: Georgia Yuill (Butterfield and Robinson) - Courtesy Aurora Expeditions/Tyson Mayr
Escape the noise in the Arctic
We can’t imagine anything more serene and soul-searching than a trip to the Arctic—especially if you decide to take the trip by yourself. Aurora Expedition’s cruises to Svalbard and the Arctic Circle ensure travelers have enough space without getting lonely, with small ships (averaging 132 passengers) and group excursions that take like-minded adventurers through some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring spaces. And if you book one of these select Arctic sailings before December 31, 2022, you won’t have to pay any single supplement fees—a deal that can potentially save you thousands of dollars.
Price: From $10,490
When to go: May to September
How to book: auroraexpeditions.com
Tap the experts: Leslie Fambrini (Personalized Travel Consultants, Inc.) - Mac Gaither/Unsplash
Walk across the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos archipelago, off the coast of Ecuador, is one of the world’s most famous destinations for adventure travel. Join a small group of fellow outdoor enthusiasts on this “Galapagos: In Darwin’s Footsteps” trip from Exodus Travels, a two-week walking tour that lets you explore 45 miles of the islands on foot. Highlights include hiking up the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling with sea turtles and manta rays, boating past sea lion colonies, and touring the city of Quito on the mainland. With a group size of 6 to 16 people and no mandatory single supplement fees (though if you don’t want to share a room, you can book single rooms for a very minimal fee), this trip is cater-made for solo travelers.
Price: From $7,779
When to go: March to May; October to November
How to book: exodustravels.com
Tap the experts: Jennifer Gillmore (Travel Beyond) - Courtesy American Queen Voyages
See the Pacific Northwest in a new light
The Pacific Northwest is a region well worth exploring, whether trekking through a national park or exploring a major city. But thanks to American Queen Voyages, travelers can now view this corner of the U.S. from a unique new vantage point: the deck of a river cruise. The company’s “Portland to Spokane” journey onboard the American Empress (the largest overnight riverboat west of the Mississippi) travels along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, stopping in several ports in both Oregon and Washington. It’s an excellent way to experience the PNW’s stunning landscapes and charming cities, with unlimited tours and open bars (and single-occupancy staterooms!) to boot.
Price: From $2,497
When to go: March to November
How to book: aqvoyages.com
Tap the experts: Sheri Doyle (Pacific Northwest Journeys)
- Benjawan Sittidech/Getty
Drive Iceland’s Golden Circle
Safety is obviously a concern during solo vacations, so you might as well plan a trip to the safest country in the world: Iceland. Fly into Reykjavik, then rent a car and hit the road. Iceland is great for long, soul-seeking drives—and if you go by yourself, you won’t have to annoy fellow passengers when you pull over every five minutes to take photos of waterfalls and glaciers. You can see most of the country along the Ring Road (Route 1), but if you're crunched for time, catch some of southern Iceland’s greatest hits like Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, along the Golden Circle route.
Price: Gas is currently $8.53 per gallon in Iceland
When to go: Early May, before the summer crowds descend
Tap the experts: Chris Gordon (Icepedition) - Oneil Williams/Unsplash
Learn Spanish in Colombia
Sojrn is a new travel brand that is essentially like study abroad for adults, offering four-week immersion courses ranging from cuisine in Mexico City to fashion in Paris. One of the company’s most popular classes is the Spanish language course in MedellÃn, Colombia—and trust us, you’ll make friends fast when you’re learning the basics of a new language together. For an entire month, you’ll meet with a private language tutor every day, have weekly happy hours with your fellow classmates, and enjoy extras like salsa dancing lessons and cooking classes. For accommodations, choose from a private bedroom in a shared apartment or your own entire private apartment (both with reliable Wi-Fi, in case you want to turn this vacation into a workcation).
Price: From $2,999
When to go: January 9–February 5; July 3–July 30; December 11–January 4, 2024
How to book: sojrn.travel
Tap the experts: Cristina Consuegra (Galavanta Colombia Tailored Travel) - Laughingmango/Getty
Take a silent retreat in Bali
The Buddhist practice of quietly meditating dates back millennia, but the need for silent reflection in the face of never-ending online chatter is so needed today. There are many hideaways around the world aimed at helping travelers disconnect, but one of our favorites is Bali Silent Retreat. As the name suggests, the retreat involves no talking, no listening to music, just silence and the noises of nature (so really, there wouldn’t be any point in bringing along a travel companion). Nestled in the foothills of the sacred Mount Batukaru volcano and surrounded by rice fields and jungle, this is an especially great choice if you want to completely get away from it all—no phones or internet allowed. Another perk for solo travelers: Accommodations range from women-only dormitories to single rooms and private bungalows.
Price: Housing from $40 to $90 per night; Day Passes (which cover the cost of meals and programs) are $37
When to go: Open all year
How to book: balisilentretreat.com
Tap the experts: Diane Embree (Bali Barong Tours) - Courtesy Hotel Vartiosaari
Chase the Northern Lights in Finland
Solo travel company Flash Pack launched a collection of new travel experiences in late 2021. One of the most exciting offerings is the “Finland’s Secret Island” tour, a four-day journey through Finnish Lapland complete with husky rides, cold-water plunges, and Northern Lights safaris on the back of snowmobiles. At night, you can cozy up at Hotel Vartiosaari, a boutique property located on its own private island in the Kemijoki River. Only up to 18 travelers are allowed to join the group at one time, so you’re guaranteed to make quick friends as you huddle for warmth above the Arctic Circle.
Price: From $3,195
When to go: January to April
How to book: flashpack.com
Tap the experts: Jan Sortland (Norwegian Adventures AS)
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Visit elephants in Thailand (the responsible way)
While few subjects elicit more impassioned debate than elephant tourism, there are ethical ways to see the gentle giants up close. Travel company Contiki offers a 14-day “Total Thailand” trip, covering Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. (Accommodations range from twin-share hotel rooms to jungle cottages.) The Chiang Mai leg includes a visit to the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation center that allows visitors to feed the animals without exploiting (or riding) them.
Price: From $2,603
When to go: February to December
How to book: contiki.com
Tap the experts: Daniel Fraser (Smiling Albino) - Patrick Schneider/Unsplash
Venture deep into the South Caucasus
Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) is a tour company specializing in small group trips for women, with trips exploring 75 countries across all seven continents—plus no single supplements! For a true bucket list experience, book a spot in the “Georgia & Armenia: Ancient Lands of the Southern Caucasus” tour, a 16-day journey that stretches from Tbilisi down to Yerevan, Armenia. The guided journey includes stops in Borjomi, the cave city of Vardzia, and plenty of monasteries, temples, and wineries in between. You’ll also get to participate in lectures and discussions about sensitive, yet important cultural topics, like the role of women in post-Soviet Georgia and the Armenian genocide.
Price: From $5,495
When to go: April to October
How to book: oattravel.com
Tap the experts: Natalie Fordham (Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel)
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