Best Cities for Your First Solo Trip

Your first solo trip should be easy to navigate and welcoming. These cities are well suited, and here is how to make the most of one.

What makes a city good for solo travel

Look for easy public transport, walkable centres, good hostels or small hotels, safe neighbourhoods and plenty of things to do on your own. English widely spoken is a bonus.

Great first-trip cities

• Lisbon, Portugal: Friendly, walkable and affordable, with many social hostels.
• Copenhagen, Denmark: Safe, bike-friendly and easy to navigate. Expensive, so plan a budget.
• Edinburgh, UK: Compact and welcoming, with walking tours and pubs.
• Singapore: Very safe and efficient, with excellent food in hawker centres.
• Tokyo, Japan: Safe, polite and solo-friendly. Eating alone at counters is normal.
• Vienna, Austria: Calm and cultured, with coffee houses made for lingering.
• Melbourne, Australia: Relaxed and social, with cafés and laneways.

Practical tips

1. Stay in a social place. Hostels with private rooms or small guesthouses make it easy to meet others.
2. Join a free walking tour on your first day to get your bearings.
3. Share your plans with someone at home, and check in regularly.
4. Trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong, leave.
5. Learn a few words in the local language.
6. Keep copies of important documents.

Eating alone

Choose counters, markets and food halls, where solo diners feel natural. Take a book or journal if you like.

Stay flexible

Do not over-plan. Leave space for rest. A first solo trip is about discovering how you like to travel.

Check current safety advice from your government before you go.