The World’s 4 Best Places to Travel Alone
My first time travelling out of the country alone was in 2011. I was a senior in college, heading to Peru to take part in a six-week archaeological field school in the Andes mountains. I still remember the feelings of fear and uncertainty I had as I boarded the airplane in Chicago. What if I get on the wrong plane? Will I be able to find my hostel in Lima? Will I be lonely?
I was well-prepared; I had scoured all the Lonely Planet travel guides I could find on Peru, I had booked all of my reservations in advance, and I would be meeting up with other members of the field school once I made it to Lima. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little helpless as I embarked into the unknown.
I stayed in Peru for over two months on that trip (I moved my return flight back twice). By the end of my stay I had climbed my first mountain, seen innumerable cultural sites, and met a myriad of amazing people from all over the world. The trip changed my worldview in many ways and led me to pursue a life chasing travel and new experiences.
READ: How to Hike Safely Alone
There’s no doubt about it, solo travel can be daunting. Fears over safety, loneliness, and heightened independence make travelling alone scary for many people. However, I’ve travelled alone on many occasions since that first trip to Peru, and I find it freeing in a lot of ways.
As a solo traveler, you’re not bound to anyone else’s schedule or agenda. You can be more spontaneous and follow your own whims more easily. As a solo traveller I also find that I tend to meet people more easily. Not having a friend or family member along makes it much more likely I’ll engage and interact with others around me, making new friends in the process.
Here I’ll share some of the best places to travel alone. These places have the right combination of accessibility, safety, and inspiring scenery to make them an ideal destination for solo travellers. Since I’m a hiker and this is a hiking-centric blog, I’m going to focus primarily on areas with a lot of hiking and outdoor opportunities, and highlight some of those hikes.
Consideration When Travelling Alone
There are things you have to think about when travelling alone that you don’t have to be as cognizant of when travelling with others. Part of the reason I think these are some of the best places to travel alone is that they have a reputation as being safe, they don’t have too much of a cultural/language barrier, and they aren’t too logistically complicated.
Do your research ahead of time and remember, safety is the top priority. The Global Peace Index (GPI) is a valuable resource which ranks the safety of countries on a variety of factors; and the U.S. State Department issues travel-safety ratings which give you an idea of places to avoid. Part of what I love about solo travel is the opportunity it provides to be spontaneous, but I recommend you reserve at least the first couple days of lodging ahead of time. This will give you some time to acquaint yourself with the area before making your next move.
Cusco and the Inca Trail, Peru
Few places in the world can match Cusco’s combination of natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. According to Unesco, Cusco is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the Western hemisphere. It has become the hub for people from all over the world travelling to southern Peru, and it is the jumping-off point for people visiting Machu Picchu, the famous Incan ruins high in the jungle of the Andes.
While the hustle and bustle and touristy feel of the city could be a turn-off to some travellers, it’s one of the best places to travel alone for this reason. Travellers can fly straight into Cusco with no hassle, and options for lodging and restaurants are plentiful. Spanish is the native language, but English speakers will have no trouble getting around.
If you’re travelling to Cusco you have to see Machu Picchu. And there is no better way to see Machu Picchu as a hiker than via the Inca Trail. A section of road that once connected the ancient Incan empire, the Inca Trail offers a chance to immerse oneself in the incredible history of the area. You’ll pass several ancient ruin sites on your four day trip through the jungle, culminating with the world-famous view of Machu Picchu itself.
Because of the popularity of the trail, the number of hikers per day is limited, and all hikers must travel with a licensed guide. For this reason it is a great option for solo hikers. As part of a guided trip you’ll have all of your food, travel, and accommodations taken care of. Also, going as part of a guided tour is a great way to meet other like-minded travellers!
Be sure to book well in advance as this is a popular hike and permits are limited.
New Zealand
New Zealand comes in at number 4 on GPI’s list of the world’s safest countries, making it one of the best places to travel alone. There is no language barrier for English speakers, and the country is set up unbelievably well for travellers, especially people camping in their vehicles. There are holiday parks and campgrounds scattered throughout the country, and travellers can “freedom camp” at designated public land as well. I suggest renting a camper van for your visit to have the most freedom to explore and be independent.
New Zealand is one of the best places to travel alone as a hiker because, well, the hiking is some of the best in the world! The 11 Great Walks of New Zealand range in length anywhere from 2 to 6 day trips and feature a little bit of everything the country has to offer. I loved the Kepler Trek through some of the South Island’s finest alpine scenery, and the Abel Tasman Coast Trek which winds its way through the beaches of the South Island’s North Coast. The country has an impressive system of huts along most of the tracks that makes it easy for solo backpackers (no need to bring a tent!), and can be a great place to meet people.
John Muir Trail, California
What better hike to include on a list of best places to travel alone than one named after one of America’s premier mountain men and solo travellers, naturalist John Muir. Muir has inspired countless conservationists, environmentalists, and nature-lovers with his writings, penned through independent forays into the wilderness. There was no place which Muir loved more than the high alpine of the Sierra Mountain Range in California.
The John Muir Trail winds 211 miles through the Sierra high country from Mt. Whitney in the east to Yosemite Valley in the West. You’ll pass through federally protected lands that look much the same today as they did when Muir roamed them over 100 years ago. Be aware, this hike takes most hikers around two weeks to finish and should only be attempted by experienced backpackers.
You’ll need to do your research for this one. Permits are required in certain areas and you’ll need to plan on food resupplies at points along the route. The season for optimal hiking conditions is short, and as a solo hiker you need to be well in tune with the conditions before making a hike of this magnitude.
For those looking for a challenge the John Muir trail offers unparalleled beauty and a unique chance to connect with nature as a solo traveller.
Tour du Mont Blanc, The Alps
The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular long-distance treks in all of Europe, making it one of the best places to travel alone for solo travellers who want to embrace the unique cultural and natural beauty of Europe. You’ll swear you were transported o a scene from The Sound of Music as you pass through France, Switzerland, and Italy on your 103 mile circular course around the breath-taking Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of the Alps.
Most hikers of the Tour du Mont Blanc will begin their hike in the French mountain town of Chamonix. Chamonix has a myriad of options for solo travellers, from quaint hostels to luxurious hotels, and there are a plethora of guiding companies in the area that offer trips of the Tour ranging from 9 to 14 days in length. Accommodations are plentiful along the entirety of the route, meaning that it can be broken into sections to suit any hiker’s needs. As a solo hiker, the popularity of the hike means you’ll never be too far from help or from civilization if you need it.
Stay Safe and Have Fun
I hope this list of best places to travel alone has opened your eyes to the possibilities of solo travel. Do your research, have a plan, and turn your dreams into reality. You never know what life-changing experience you may encounter as a solo traveler or who you’ll meet out there. Happy travels!
