5 Cities to Practice Traveling Solo this Year

Traveling solo is terrifying the first time you go. Picture this: Traveling a new city, getting to your hotel, and then … and then what? How do you leave?! Where do you go?! Why are you suddenly so nervous to be alone? Well, you’re not the only one who’s panicked, which is why I’m sharing these 5 Cities to Practice Traveling Solo this Year.

To be honest, I don’t remember the first time I traveled to a new city alone. I practiced a lot when we had family trips. We would have a meeting spot where we would divide and conquer. Often sharing what we found/bought when we met up again.

I encourage anyone to road trip nearby towns to practice. Traveling by bus, train, and car will definitely help you get accustomed to traveling on your own.

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5 Cities to Practice Traveling Solo this Year

These cities are perfect for newer travelers who want to start small and grow. These cities have everything possible. From planes, trains, underground metro systems, taxi services, and buses.

Savannah, GA

Savannah really surprised me last Autumn. I went on a solo southern road trip and it was the first city I visited. I loved it. You could stay downtown and never leave it because there’s so much to do, see, explore and learn.

It was a very quiet and quaint city and it didn’t feel huge or over the top at all. That’s because nothing could be built higher than the first church that they build back in the 1600s. It’s also a flat city with a rich history. I genuinely loved my solo adventure and think others would too. Though there isn’t a subway, they do have a great bus system. They also have taxis, Uber, Lyft, etc. I rented a car because it was a road trip but if I travel there again, I would opt to stay in the Historic District.

Favorites

Bike Tour – This was one of the highlights of my trip. I had the best tour guide ever and it was very inexpensive. There were two others with me and it was easy to make small talk and not feel alone.
Forsyth Park & The Forsyth Fountain – The perfect picnic spot. There are so many families out there, soccer games, musicians, weddings, etc. Recommend for budget meals on the go and people watching.
Rooftop Yoga – The schedule didn’t work out but this was on my list of things to do. If you do it, please let me live vicariously through you and leave a comment!

Check out my Savannah posts here.

Vancouver, BC

If you’re looking to travel outside of the US this year, Vancouver is a fantastic city to start with. It’s a darling little city and it’s very flat. You can easily hop on Vancouver’s rapid transit rail from the airport and be downtown in 30 minutes. I recommend staying downtown if you’re solo because everything is walkable. I suggest Yaletown. It has some of the best sushi I’ve ever had!

It has similar weather to Seattle but with the UK twist to the buildings and a foreign feel because many of the signs are in English and French Quebec. It’s very clean and an easy city to get around. There are boats/ferries that connect the neighboring continents, and a train that’ll take you to the US & throughout CA. The options are limitless.

Favorites

Stanley Park – My favorite place to rent a bike and ride around. Everyone goes the same direction and there’s a separate lane for walkers. It’s the perfect picnic spot!
Granville Island – The best little market, north of Pike Place in Seattle (of course 😉). I love Granville Island Tea co and all the spice shops under the main building.
Rooftop Bars – Specifically The Roof for an upscale vibe or Lift Bar & Grill for a beautiful view of the marina/boats/water/etc.

New York City

Am I biased? 100%. Both my parents are New Yorkers.

With that said, New York City is by far the easiest city in America to get through. You can hop on the subway in Time Square and be in Brooklyn in 40 minutes. You can cover a lot of ground via the subway.

What I also love about NYC is that it’s not as scary as it used to be. I think NYC still has an unflattering reputation. In fairness, it can be overwhelming for newbie solo travelers but it’s absolutely worth it. Yes, you should always be on alert while traveling (especially if you’re a woman alone) but the city never sleeps. There’s always someone around and, for the most part, the core of the city has good-hearted people living in it.

Favorites

Yankees Game – It’s America’s team. These games are always packed and you’re never alone. The food is so good and the people are friendly. Buy a hat, and blend on in.
Essa-Bagel – Trust me. Get a bagel to go, find a park bench, eat and people watch. You won’t regret it.
Grand Central Station – Iconic and a great place to feel surrounded by people when you’re alone. There’s also a hidden bar that you can swing into to get a drink and people watch.

Check out my post on 23 Things I Miss About New York.

London

It’s really no surprise that London would be next on this list because it’s another country that speaks English. It’s also a very large city with a killer underground system. If you can master London’s tube, you can master any mass transit. It’s so incredibly easy to figure out and I just love each and every platform. I know, sounds insane but I love that you can take the tube from Heathrow Airport straight into the heart of the city, right outside of Westminster Abbey. (This map is a lifesaver)

London has a very special place in my heart. Though not well known for food… but they’re known for high street clothing and exceptional tea. I’ve visited multiple times and will continue to visit because it’s very easy to hop on a train to visit other cities in the surrounding areas for day trips.

Harrod’s – As a solo traveler, you could spend hours in Harrods. I tend to pick up all my gifts to bring home here and will get something from their kitchen to grab and eat at a park.
Kensington Palace & Gardens – Oh, guys. You will love it here. I was brave enough to go on a jog around the gardens and also visited the palace with my mom. We loved it and there was a display with some of the Queen’s, Princess Margret’s & Diana’s Dresses. Totally recommend. This will keep you occupied for a while. Also, check out the Tower of London for the Queen’s Jewels! If you’re there a while, you should check out the London Pass.
Free Walking Tour – I’ve used Sandemans New Europe’s free walking tours in many cities. It’s a great way to meet people and learn about local history. Tip around 5-10 £.

Paris

Though I was petrified to explore Paris on my first trip, it’s actually incredibly easy to navigate with GPS on your phone. I know Paris gets a lot of slack from Americans for “being rude” but, in their defense, many of us go into other countries and expect everyone to speak in English. They simply want to help you learn their language. If you go, I recommend learning the basics (I loved the coffee break french podcast) and if you plan to get a coffee in a shop, they don’t leave tips.

Other than that, Paris is magical throughout all the seasons. It’s very old but quaint. Each sector has a different vibe but anyone would help you if you needed it.

Favorites

Sacré-Coeur – One of the most beautiful basilicas. It’s on top of a huge hill that overlooks all of Paris. Grab a lemon cake from the local Monoprix, sit on the steps and watch everyone go by. Do be careful of pickpocketers outside the church. It’s a tourist spot so they are very crafty.
The 7th Arrondissement – In short, this is the ritzy end of Paris. You will love exploring this area’s neighborhoods, florist shops, and history. Known for the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, and Faubourg Saint-Germain.
George V de l’Alma – I’ve been dreaming of their Hot Goat Salad since I left three years ago. Totally worth stopping into. They have outdoor seating and let you lounge for as long as you want.

That’s it, my friends! Those are my suggestions for 5 Cities to Practice Traveling Solo this Year! In all fairness, these would work any year, for those looking to travel solo. I do have another post coming up on things to do while traveling solo. I think that’s where a lot of people get tripped up.

When I travel, I try to find things unique to the city but there is nothing wrong with going to the movies, seeing a theater play, or reading at a cafe.

Happy Travels, darlings!