Veteran solo travelers will tell you that traveling alone can be a life changing experience, and perhaps one of the best ways to see the world. When you choose to travel solo, you get to experience the world without the influence of a friend or partner’s tastes, prejudices, or preferences — and rely solely on yourself to navigate and enjoy a new country. Read on for the 10 best countries for US solo travelers to visit this upcoming summer and venture down a road of self-discovery.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a natural place for solo travelers, since it’s known as a place where people tend to be incredibly independent. If traveling here, you should equip yourself with good hiking boots and a Swiss Rail Pass, which is good for every train, tram, and lake steamer in the country. Solo travelers may want to start with a couple of days in pedestrian-friendly Zurich, and then head south to the shores of Lake Geneva for the bistros, nightlife, and museums of Montreux and Lausanne, before carrying on to the Italian-speaking Ticino region.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is ranked as one of the world’s happiest countries, and the concept of adventure travel was born here. This Central American destination has been drawing Americas for decades to surf on the Pacific coast or join a rafting company for a day on the white water of the Reventazon of Pacuare Rivers. The country offers storied adventure lodges that offer day trips in the beautiful cloud forest — a beautiful setting to discover oneself!
Vietnam
In Vietnam’s largest cities, street life is colorful and safe, whether you’re exploring Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City or heading for Hanoi’s massive Dong Xuan Market. Solo travelers can partake in tai chi lessons with hundreds of others by Hoan Kiem Lake before heading into the mountains of the Central Highlands on a trek with a local outfitter. For a taste of the Southeast Asian beach-bum lifestyle, head to Phu Quoc and soak up the sun.
Japan
Solo travelers should spend a few days in the fascinating megalopolis of Tokyo and then hop on a bullet train past Mount Fuji to experience the contrasting tranquility of old Kyoto. From the inns to modern hotels, each are designed with single travelers in mind. During your trip, enjoy a communal hot spring bath, meditate in a Zen garden, and dine at the counter of a sushi restaurant.
Sweden
Stockholm is one of the easiest cities to be a solo traveler in, since it’s a compact city surrounded by the waters of the archipelago. Here you can sea kayak, explore the city’s parks by bike, venture through outdoor cafes and artistic treasures of the Moderna Museet, and experience some exceptional shopping for uniquely Swedish designs. City life aside, experience Sweden’s outdoors, either lakeside or by trekking in the far north, both easily done with an outfitter.
Germany
As a solo traveler in Germany you’ll encounter too many choices, which can be a good thing, especially since Germany is one of Europe’s friendliest countries. You can hang out in Berlin while café, gallery, and nightclub hopping or explore other parts of the country like the art hub of Dusseldorf, the beer gardens of Munich, or the restored city of Dresden.
Laos
Similar to Vietnam, Laos was once a war-ravaged city that has emerged as a peaceful haven. Laos has managed to retain much of its original culture and to preserve its environment, which is among the most pristine in Southeast Asia. Solo travelers can experience highlights such as a classic riverboat trip down the Mekong, a visit to the royal city of Luang Prabang, or simply hanging out with an international cadre of travels in the capital of Vientiane.
Netherlands
The Netherlands offers liberal social policies, bike culture, and cities and towns crisscrossed with canals, making it a solo traveler’s dream destination. The Dutch are among the most laid-back and accepting people in all of Europe. Solo travelers can get wonderfully lost in the tiny streets of Amsterdam for a week, and in small cities like Utrecht or the art capital of Maastricht.
Ireland
Whether you’re in a thatch-roofed pub in County Clare or walking down Grafton Street in Dublin on a literary walking tour in this UNESCO City of Literature, you will feel welcome. Ireland has a vast network of bed & breakfasts, making solo travel throughout the country easy.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has long been a welcoming place for single American travelers. Here, you can enjoy theater, museums, palaces, and everything else without getting lost in translation. Historic cities like York and Cambridge, as well as the countryside destinations, are a heaven for solo travelers too.
