Coming in at the top of the worldwide list is Berlin—and it’s easy to see why this German city has been named the world’s best city for solo travel. Whether you’re exploring the remnants of the Berlin Wall or dancing the night away in a techno club, Berlin offers solo travelers a chance to dive into a city that is as dynamic as it is welcoming. With an average meal cost of $31 and hotel prices at $168 per night, it’s a budget-friendly choice, too.
BETA

This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

### More From Forbes

Sep 9, 2024,09:24am EDT

Sep 9, 2024,07:46am EDT

Sep 9, 2024,07:00am EDT

Sep 9, 2024,06:07am EDT

Sep 8, 2024,02:51pm EDT

Sep 8, 2024,08:00am EDT

Sep 7, 2024,05:55pm EDT

Sep 7, 2024,05:04pm EDT

# The 20 Best Places For Solo Travel, Ranked In A New Report

Laura Begley Bloom
Senior Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Transformative Travel: I look at how travel can change lives.

Aug 29, 2024,05:00am EDT

Updated Aug 29, 2024, 05:15am EDT

- Share to Facebook
- Share to Twitter
- Share to Linkedin

A new report has listed the top places to travel solo. Pictured here: A traveler on the ... [+] Oberbaumbrucke bridge in Berlin, which was named the top spot for solo travelers.

getty

Solo travel is having a moment. According to a recent report by Kayak and OpenTable that ranks the world’s best places for solo travel, 50% of Americans plan to take a solo trip within the next year.

What’s the appeal? The freedom to explore at your own pace, dive deep into a local culture and enjoy a meal without making small talk are just a few examples of what’s drawing adventurers to hit the road solo. Another reason: Without the distraction of a companion, solo travel allows for a deeper connection with the destinations you visit.

So where to go on your next solo trip? Kayak and OpenTable analyzed a number of cities in the U.S. and around the world based on the largest share of solo travel searches made on Kayak and the share of solo dining at OpenTable restaurants. They then crunched the numbers by tapping into data like safety (including a safety index from Numbeo and FBI crime reports), affordability (including prices of hotels, flights and meals on Kayak and OpenTable), hotel satisfaction scores and cultural richness (using OpenStreetMap to see the number of tagged museums, theaters and concert halls in a city). Lastly, an online consumer survey was conducted to determine how welcoming the cities are to solo travelers.

The result—a ranking of the 10 best destinations for solo travel worldwide and the 10 best places for solo trips in the U.S.

## The World’s Best Cities for Solo Travel

Coming in at the top of the worldwide list is Berlin—and it’s easy to see why this German city has been named the world’s best city for solo travel. Whether you’re exploring the remnants of the Berlin Wall or dancing the night away in a techno club, Berlin offers solo travelers a chance to dive into a city that is as dynamic as it is welcoming. With an average meal cost of $31 and hotel prices at $168 per night, it’s a budget-friendly choice, too.

MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR

Viewing the Vancouver skyline at sunset from the Island Park Walk.

getty

Coming in second on the list is Vancouver, a Canadian city that blends urban sophistication and natural beauty. Known for its safety and stunning landscapes, Vancouver is ideal for those who enjoy both city life and the great outdoors.

Montreal—another Canadian city—takes third place. A city of festivals, food and history, Montreal provides an exciting cultural experience with a European flair. Plus, it’s got a high safety rating and moderate costs, making it an excellent choice for solo travelers.

Crossing a bridge over the Lachine Canal in Montreal, one of the world's best places for traveling ... [+] solo.

getty

Other cities on the list include Paris (which might be famous as the city of love but is also a dream for solo travelers), followed by Milan, Dublin, Toronto, Dubai, Mexico City and London.

## The Best U.S. Cities for Solo Travel

For those who prefer to stay stateside, Kayak and OpenTable also ranked the top U.S. cities for solo travel. Topping the list domestically is Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital is perfect for history buffs and art lovers alike, with plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace. The city’s high average hotel rating and its numerous free attractions also help make it a top choice for solo travelers.

Walking alone on Beacon Hill in Boston.

getty

Boston follows closely behind. Rich in history and brimming with character, the capital of Massachusetts offers solo travelers a chance to follow in the footsteps of America’s founders, enjoy world-class museums and dine in some of the best seafood restaurants in the country. The city’s compact size and walkability make it an easy and enjoyable place to explore on your own.

Chicago—a place known for its architecture, arts scene and deep-dish pizza—lands in third place. The Windy City offers a mix of cultural experiences, from the Art Institute to jazz clubs, making it a fantastic destination for those traveling alone. The city’s affordability and variety of attractions ensure you’ll never run out of things to do.

Beyond the top three, other U.S. cities that shine as solo travel destinations include Atlanta (which offers a blend of Southern hospitality and a rich culture); Salt Lake City (perfect for outdoor enthusiasts); Tampa, Florida; Philadelphia; Seattle; Los Angeles and New York City.

Crossing a city street in Berlin, which was named the best place to travel solo.

getty

## Ranked: The World’s Top 10 Solo Travel Destinations

1. Berlin, Germany
2. Vancouver, Canada
3. Montreal, Canada
4. Paris, France
5. Milan, Italy
6. Dublin, Ireland
7. Toronto, Canada
8. Dubai, UAE
9. Mexico City, Mexico
10. London, U.K.

Exploring solo in Washington D.C. along the Tidal Basin.

getty

## Ranked: The Top 10 Solo Travel Destinations in the U.S.

1. Washington, D.C.
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. Chicago, Illinois
4. Atlanta, Georgia
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
6. Tampa, Florida
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. Seattle, Washington
9. Los Angeles, California
10. New York City

### MORE FROM FORBES:

### Join The Conversation

Comments

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.

Read our community guidelines  here.



## Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service.  We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

- False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
- Spam
- Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
- Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
- Content that otherwise violates our site's terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

- Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
- Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
- Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
- Actions that otherwise violate our site's terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

- Stay on topic and share your insights
- Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
- ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
- Protect your community.
- Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service.