The 13 greatest locations to journey solo in 2026

Solo journey will be very rewarding, whether or not it is only a weekend to your self or a for much longer journey of self-discovery.

Though planning your first huge solo journey could appear daunting, most individuals discover the expertise empowering. You will have the liberty to plan your journey (or play it by ear) based mostly by yourself preferences, with out worrying about anybody else. You possibly can step exterior your consolation zone, strive new issues and make connections with fellow vacationers and locals you meet.

Plus, you are extra more likely to discover nice offers on award flights when you do not want a number of seats collectively.

Begin the method by deciding what sort of journey you need. Rejuvenating by the seaside? Consuming your method via a metropolis? Mountaineering solo via the mountains? Fortunately, this checklist of the very best locations to journey solo has all of it.

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Thailand

Greatest for: Adventurers who need to discover a well-trodden vacation spot

For vacationers planning their first solo journey, Thailand is a good starter locale. The well-established tourism business — which began because the spine of the backpacker journey scene — runs like a well-oiled machine.

You will need to bookend your journey with just a few days in Bangkok, which is thought for its incredible meals scene and pulsing nightlife. Then head to Chiang Mai, the center of Thailand’s mountainous north, to get your fill of Buddhist temples. That is additionally a great jumping-off level for multiday jungle treks.

On the southern facet, you will discover tropical islands like Koh Samui (the place elements of “The White Lotus” Season Three had been filmed) and Koh Tao (identified for world-class diving), in addition to seaside resorts for all budgets in Phuket, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands.

TPG tip: Bangkok’s glittering resort scene added one other jewel in 2025: The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, a Marriott Bonvoy property. Nightly charges begin round $425 or 56,000 Marriott factors, which means you may ebook a stick with a 50,000-point free evening award topped up with just a few thousand factors.

Proper now, the next Marriott playing cards are providing these priceless certificates as a part of their welcome bonuses:

New York Metropolis

Greatest for: Vacationers looking for vitality, tradition and a endless checklist of issues to do

In New York Metropolis, doing issues alone is not simply regular; it is cool. Dinner for one? Stylish. A Broadway present solo? Energy transfer. Museum-hopping at your individual tempo? Chef’s kiss.

Begin your day with a correct New York Metropolis breakfast: a bagel. Then, wander the paths or people-watch in Central Park, and present your self some retail remedy at SoHo’s designer boutiques or Fifth Avenue’s iconic flagships.

After darkish, watch the town sparkle from the highest of the Empire State Constructing or rating offers on last-minute Broadway tickets by way of TodayTix.

TPG tip: After an eight-year renovation, the Waldorf Astoria New York made TPG’s checklist of the very best new accommodations in 2025, because of its 375 opulent rooms you possibly can ebook with factors. Charges begin round $937 or 150,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening, making this an ideal use of your Hilton free evening certificates.

You possibly can keep two nights at this luxury resort for primarily free by including the Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card to your pockets. Not solely does this card grant cardholders one priceless free evening certificates upon opening the cardboard and annually after your account renewal, nevertheless it additionally provides 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus factors after you spend $6,000 on purchases inside your first six months of card membership.

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Greatest for: Seaside lovers who additionally desire a buzzy nightlife scene

Mexico has an extended checklist of sizzling spots for solo vacationers, however Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast shines for its mixture of seashores, tradition and simply the correct quantity of after-dark enjoyable. Plus, it is one of the crucial LGBTQIA+-friendly locations on the earth.

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Begin your day exploring the cobblestone streets and colourful road artwork of Outdated City (aka Zona Romantica). The neighborhood’s legendary tacos are the right gas for a stroll alongside the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta’s beachfront promenade, or the 2-mile coastal hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas.

To pattern different native fare, from ceviche to el pastor, join a meals tour — a good way to fulfill like-minded vacationers. And do not miss the city’s nightlife scene, which might solely be described as “flip-flop stylish.”

TPG tip: With The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta set to reopen as an all-inclusive on Could 1, there is no higher time to ebook a visit with factors. Costs will begin from $423 or 188,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening for 2 individuals.

Associated: The most effective all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta

South Africa

Greatest for: Your first solo journey to Africa

South Africa’s thriving cities and sturdy infrastructure make it one of the crucial accessible locations on the African continent, particularly for solo vacationers.

Cape City has develop into a beacon for digital nomads. Not solely is it comparatively straightforward to succeed in, with United Airways and Delta Air Strains providing a number of direct flights from the U.S., nevertheless it’s additionally ideally positioned for day journeys to locations just like the Stellenbosch wine area and the penguin-populated Boulder Seaside. One other essential hub, Johannesburg, is the place to begin your self-drive safari in Kruger Nationwide Park.

When you’re feeling social, South African backpacker hostels are often fashionable affairs that provide ample alternatives to fulfill different adventurers. You will not want to remain in a dorm room both; most provide non-public lodging.

TPG tip: South Africa not too long ago added two new accommodations to its factors portfolio. You possibly can ebook Cape City’s Cover by Hilton Cape City Longkloof from $156 or 44,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening or the Park Hyatt Johannesburg from $427 or 25,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening.

New Zealand

Greatest for: Thrill-seekers and road-trippers

Adrenaline junkies trying to push their boundaries will love New Zealand, the birthplace of bungee leaping.

This lengthy and wildly diverse nation provides every thing from seashores and mountains to lakes and glaciers — and there is no higher method to absorb its attractive surroundings than with adventurous pursuits like skydiving, white water rafting and heli-skiing. Don’t fret, tamer choices like mountaineering and tenting are on provide, too.

Queenstown is an effective place to begin for a street journey across the South Island, house to only 25% of New Zealand’s inhabitants however 10 of its 13 nationwide parks. Or, fly into Auckland to discover the North Island, house to Rotorua, a sizzling spot for each geothermal exercise and Maori tradition, in addition to the Hobbiton Film Set.

TPG tip: Resort Indigo Auckland marks the model’s debut in New Zealand and the newest in a latest string of recent IHG One Rewards properties within the nation. Nightly charges begin round $118 or 24,000 IHG factors.

Puerto Rico

Greatest for: A tropical getaway with out a passport

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is doubly handy for American vacationers: It provides a Caribbean expertise with out a passport and makes use of the U.S. greenback as its forex.

The capital, San Juan, makes a great house base. You should utilize San Juan’s plentiful Ubers to get round city and make day journeys to different points of interest like Culebra Island, a snorkeler’s dream.

Hikers can tramp to their hearts’ content material — and even physique surf down pure rock waterslides — within the lush rainforest of El Yunque Nationwide Forest. One other must-do is a kayak tour via one of many island’s three bioluminescent bays on a moonless evening, when microscopic dinoflagellate organisms make the water glow neon inexperienced and blue.

TPG tip: San Juan’s La Concha Resort, Puerto Rico simply acquired a serious rework and joined Marriott’s Autograph Assortment, with charges beginning at $254 or 52,000 Marriott factors per evening.

Associated: Are there any all-inclusive resorts in San Juan, Puerto Rico?

Switzerland

Greatest for: Practice journey lovers who need an eye-filling dose of surroundings

Switzerland’s famend practice system makes it secure and simple for solo vacationers to discover this small however adventure-packed nation. You should purchase a Swiss Journey Move for limitless journey by practice, bus and boat.

Practice lovers will desire a ticket on one of many nation’s most scenic rail routes, just like the Sixties cogwheel Gornergrat or the panoramic Bernina Categorical, whereas outdoorsy vacationers may have a discipline day within the Swiss Alps. The car-free city of Zermatt, with its Matterhorn backdrop, attracts a fair proportion of solo vacationers who come to climb, hike and bike in summer season and ski in winter.

The hub of Geneva provides the very best of each worlds, because it’s surrounded by mountains and a lake but has all of the historical past and tradition of a serious metropolis. You possibly can even make your individual Swiss watch at an Initium watchmaking workshop.

TPG tip: For an expensive solo retreat, ebook The Ritz-Carlton Resort de la Paix, Geneva, ranging from $662 or 102,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico

Greatest for: A therapeutic spa retreat in an inventive setting

While you want a rejuvenating solo retreat, look no additional than Santa Fe. New Mexico’s capital is thought for its serene high-desert setting, thriving artwork scene and award-winning spas.

“Town totally different,” because the all-adobe state capital payments itself, is virtually an paintings in itself. However it’s additionally house to dozens of artwork galleries and world-class museums, in addition to the unique Meow Wolf immersive artwork set up, “Home of Everlasting Return.” In summer season, the open-air Santa Fe Opera attracts a worldwide viewers.

After a day of exploring, unwind with a therapeutic massage or sizzling spring soak at Ojo Santa Fe or Ten Thousand Waves. Spas like these provide wholesome eating choices as properly, however you will not need to miss Santa Fe’s New Mexican meals scene, which rivals that of a lot bigger cities.

TPG tip: There are a number of choices for attending to Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) with factors and miles. As an example, you may fly nonstop from Dallas for 9,000 American Airways AAdvantage miles one-way or from Chicago for 14,000 AAdvantage miles one-way, plus beneath $20 in taxes and costs.

For a restricted time, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs) is providing 100,000 American Airways AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Greatest for: Solo strolling expeditions

The Cinque Terre area on Italy’s northwest coast provides lots of the perks you’d count on from the Amalfi Coast — contemporary seafood, sun-drenched vineyards and rugged cliffs — with out the crowds.

Solo vacationers will really feel proper at house within the area’s pleasant seaside villages, 5 of that are linked by a cliffside mountaineering path generally known as the Sentiero Azzurro. Preplanned, self-guided strolling excursions, resembling these provided by Macs Journey, take the stress out of planning your journey. These excursions usually present nightly lodging and every day baggage transfers, so you possibly can concentrate on connecting with nature (or new associates you meet alongside the way in which).

TPG tip: The closest airports are Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA), Pisa Worldwide Airport (PSA) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). From there, you possibly can take a practice to the village of Monterosso or Levanto. Air France and KLM provide direct flights from Boston and Atlanta to MXP, with bookings by way of their joint Flying Blue loyalty program ranging from 24,000 miles one-way.

Flying Blue is a 1:1 switch accomplice of all the most important factors and miles applications: American Categorical Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Final Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards.

Chile

Greatest for: Trekking, stargazing and sizzling spring soaking amid surreal topography

Chile is thought for its spectacular array of pure landscapes, starting from the otherworldly Atacama Desert within the north to Patagonia’s Torres del Paine Nationwide Park within the south. You will not stumble upon many different vacationers whereas exploring the park’s ever-shifting panorama of jagged peaks, dense forests and thundering waterfalls, making this a great spot for a calming solo retreat.

To get to Patagonia, you will must fly into the capital, Santiago, and catch a regional flight to hubs like Punta Arenas or Balmaceda. It is price spending just a few days in Santiago when you’re at it. The bohemian Bellavista neighborhood is ideal for sipping Chile’s famed purple wine or pisco (grape brandy), and tradition hounds will take pleasure in a go to to La Chascona, an artwork museum and the previous house of poet Pablo Neruda.

TPG tip: Tierra Patagonia, a luxurious journey lodge overlooking Lake Sarmiento and Torres del Paine Nationwide Park, provides a gateway to Chile’s nice outdoor. Whereas not cheap, the all-inclusive price (beginning at $2,550 per evening) covers meals, drinks, guided excursions and airport transfers. Plus, eligible Amex cardmembers can make the most of perks via American Categorical Fantastic Resorts + Resorts. The property is closed throughout Chile’s winter season from Could to mid-September.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Greatest for: Medieval cities, seashores and “Sport of Thrones” set-jetting

With related refined seaside vibes to Greece’s Santorini and Italy’s Amalfi Coast (however extra reasonably priced costs), Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast makes for a dreamy solo getaway.

Start within the fairy-tale metropolis of Dubrovnik on the nation’s southern tip. The medieval Outdated City is a spotlight for many vacationers, however “Sport of Thrones” followers will likely be particularly thrilled to go to this King’s Touchdown set location. A 3-hour drive north, you will discover Break up, one other medieval walled metropolis and “Sport of Thrones” backdrop. (It should additionally get a new direct flight from the U.S. beginning in April.)

Alongside the way in which, experience the great thing about the area’s pebble and sand seashores, bordered by the aquamarine waters of the Adriatic Sea on one facet and dramatic limestone cliffs on the opposite.

TPG tip: The Dalmatian Coast has a definite summer season excessive season, and lodging charges can greater than double throughout July and August, particularly in Dubrovnik. So, it can save you cash by reserving off-peak dates.

The brand new Hyatt Regency Zadar, which opened in spring 2025, begins at $180 or 17,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening within the offseason. Or, since this resort is a Class 4 property, you may redeem a Hyatt Class 1-4 free evening award.

The World of Hyatt Credit score Card (see charges and costs) is presently providing as much as 5 Class 1-4 free evening awards as a part of its welcome bonus: Earn three free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus two free nights after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first six months.

Japan

Greatest for: Foodies with an urge for food for tradition and historical past

The choices for solo journeys in Japan are as diverse because the forms of sushi.

When you want a quiet, introspective retreat, Kyoto is simply what the physician ordered. Wander the cherry tree-lined temples and shrines of the Thinker’s Path in Kyoto, then take pleasure in a multicourse meal and a sizzling spring soak at a ryokan (conventional Japanese inn).

For one thing a little bit fresher, head to Tokyo to benefit from the nightlife and eat your method via hole-in-the-wall ramen joints and conveyor belt sushi bars. There’s additionally the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection, Shibuya Crossing, the place hundreds of walkers cross with every streetlight cycle.

When you have the time, there’s loads extra to discover past the massive cities, from the legendary ski slopes of Hokkaido to the tropical seashores of Okinawa. It is easy to get round Japan by yourself, however a tour operator will help you benefit from your time with minimal effort.

TPG tip: Alaska Airways expenses as few as 30,000 Atmos Rewards factors plus minimal taxes and costs for nonstop Hawaiian Airways flights between Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) and Tokyo’s Narita Worldwide Airport (NRT) in financial system.

You possibly can earn greater than sufficient for a round-trip ticket with the welcome bonus on considered one of these cobranded playing cards:

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Iceland

Greatest for: Unforgettable pure phenomena

With regards to seeing nature in all its glory, you merely cannot beat Iceland.

The aptly named Land of Hearth and Ice has all of it, from glaciers and ice caves to volcanoes and geothermal sizzling springs, such because the famed Blue Lagoon. You possibly can even snorkel between tectonic plates within the frigid waters of the Silfra fissure in Thingvellir Nationwide Park.

From September to April, this is likely one of the greatest locations to examine the northern lights off your bucket checklist. And on Aug. 12, Iceland will likely be within the path of totality in the course of the 2026 photo voltaic eclipse.

The Golden Circle is a well-liked drive that hits lots of Iceland’s central points of interest. You possibly can hire a automobile and drive it your self, or use Reykjavik as your own home base and ebook day journeys to close by actions.

TPG tip: The brand-new Skald Resort Akureyri Curio Assortment by Hilton is now accepting reservations for stays from July 15 onward. Positioned alongside the nation’s northern coast, it will likely be considered one of only some factors properties exterior of Reykjavik. Nightly charges begin round $238 or 51,000 Hilton factors.

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Backside line

After all, you possibly can — and may — go anyplace by yourself, however some locations provide quick access and pleasant communities of like-minded vacationers that make solo journey much more enjoyable.

When you’re feeling intimidated on the considered planning a visit by yourself, bear in mind: It is simpler to plan once you’re solely making an attempt to please one particular person.

And because of tour corporations providing new group journeys geared towards single vacationers — and money-saving factors and miles applications — solo journey is extra accessible than ever.