The Best Solo Vacations to Take in 2024
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There used to be a certain stigma around solo vacations, with cruises charging extra for single occupancy and waiters frowning at the words “table for one.” But we're happy to report that the times are a’changing. The world has never been more accommodating to solo travelers—we’re constantly hearing about new meet-up apps to combat loneliness and safety measures to address discomfort (so long, catcalling).
If you have the will and the way, you can travel just about anywhere by yourself. In fact, these 18 getaways are even better when you go it alone, whether it's a soul-searching hike through Scotland or a pod hotel where, frankly, two’s a crowd. And if you’re still a little anxious about writing up an itinerary by yourself, we’ve gone ahead and suggested travel specialists who can help you out with the more planning-heavy trips.
Check out some of our favorite solo vacations for 2024, and get ready to start loving your own company.
This article has been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- Julian Schiemann/Unsplash
Embark a self-guided tour of Ireland
For U.S.-based travelers, Ireland is kind of a no-brainer when it comes to solo travel, thanks to easy access and friendly locals. Travel to the Emerald Isle becomes even easier with Brendan Vacations, a Dublin-based agency dating back to 1969. While they offer traditional group tours, solo travelers should try one of the “locally hosted rail” options: These excursions—including the editor-approved Ireland’s Sparkling Gems tour—will set you up with hotels, transports (including train rides and chauffeured drives), and one activity per day, but leave you with enough free time to explore on your own. Even better? You’ll be given a 24/7 emergency number and a local guide who will meet you in each city, ready to provide restaurant recommendations, insider tips, and more.
Price: From $2,403
When to go: Open all year
How to book: brendanvacations.com
Tap the experts: Kathleen Sheridan (McCabe World Travel) - Laughingmango/Getty
Take a silent retreat in Bali
The Buddhist practice of quietly meditating dates back millennia, but the need for silent reflection in the face of never-ending online chatter is so needed today. There are many hideaways around the world aimed at helping travelers disconnect, but one of our favorites is Bali Silent Retreat. As the name suggests, the retreat involves no talking, no listening to music, just silence and the noises of nature (so really, there wouldn’t be any point in bringing along a travel companion). Nestled in the foothills of the sacred Mount Batukaru volcano and surrounded by rice fields and jungle, this is an especially great choice if you want to completely get away from it all—no phones or internet allowed. Another perk for solo travelers: Accommodations range from women-only dormitories to single rooms and private bungalows.
Price: Housing from $40 to $90 per night; Day Passes (which cover the cost of meals and programs) are $47
When to go: Open all year
How to book: balisilentretreat.com
Tap the experts: Diane Embree (Bali Barong Tours)
- Courtesy Nine Hours Group
Sleep in Japan’s pod hotels
When there are two pairs of elbows in a tiny hotel room, someone’s bound to get hurt. But a single traveler has more options, like New York’s two Pod Hotels in Midtown. Single rooms have a twin bed, flat-screen TV, free Wi-fi, and…not much else, ideal for propelling you out on the town. In Japan (including various train stations and Tokyo’s Narita Airport), the experience is more extreme: For a low price, you can get a pod bed at Nine Hours for, yes, nine hours—just long enough to rest and shower.
Price: From $30 per nine hours
When to go: Early spring or late fall, when the weather is ideal
How to book: ninehours.co.jp
Tap the experts: Amy Tadehara (InsideJapan Tours) - Daria Gordova/Unsplash
Rescue turtles in the Mexican Caribbean
People travel alone for many reasons, but not everyone wants to focus on the self. Do your part as an eco-friendly traveler in Quintana Roo, Mexico, where you can join the many local efforts to rescue sea turtles. Most notable is the Akumal Turtle Camp, a program that’s been hosted by the Akumal Ecological Center (CEA) since 1993. The camp invites volunteers to learn about the species with in-class education, turtle monitoring protocols, and species identification before continuing with fieldwork: tagging and protecting nesting females, marking nests with GPS coordinates, and minimizing predators from the nesting sites. Note that the program requires volunteers to commit at least two weeks of their time, so start stocking up on vacation days now.
Price: $180 for two weeks; $350 for four weeks (does not include accommodations)
When to go: May to October
How to book: ceakumal.org
Tap the experts: Zachary Rabinor (Journey Mexico)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Courtesy Hotel Vartiosaari
Chase the Northern Lights in Finland
Solo travel company Flash Pack launched a collection of new travel experiences in late 2021. One of the most exciting offerings is the “Finland’s Secret Island” tour, a four-day journey through Finnish Lapland complete with husky rides, cold-water plunges, and Northern Lights safaris on the back of snowmobiles. At night, you can cozy up at Hotel Vartiosaari, a boutique property located on its own private island in the Kemijoki River. Only up to 18 travelers are allowed to join the group at one time, so you’re guaranteed to make quick friends as you huddle for warmth above the Arctic Circle.
Price: From $3,345
When to go: January to March; November to December
How to book: flashpack.com
Tap the experts: Jan Sortland (Norwegian Adventures AS) - Courtesy Riviera River Cruises
Set sail on a European river cruise
It’s hard for solo travelers to consider a cruise without first worrying about “single supplements”—the dreaded fees slapped on passengers for booking a room designed to hold two or more people (depending on the trip, those fees can end up tacking on thousands of extra dollars). Luckily, the industry is becoming increasingly accommodating, with cruise lines of all sizes reducing or getting rid of the infamous fees. Riviera River Cruises is one company that specifically caters to solo travelers, with a variety of routes and exclusive departures for solo travelers. Even better? The cruise line has waived the dreaded single supplement on eight of its 2024 itineraries, including routes that visit Burgundy, Paris, and Normandy, as well as Portugal’s Douro Valley.
Price: $2,049 to $4,889 (varies based on trip)
When to go: Departure dates available in March, April, July, August, October, and November
How to book: rivierarivercruises.com
Tap the experts: Angela Turen (Churchill and Turen Ltd.)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Benjawan Sittidech/Getty
Drive Iceland’s Golden Circle
Safety is obviously a concern during solo vacations, so you might as well plan a trip to one of the safest countries in the world: Iceland. Fly into Reykjavik, then rent a car and hit the road. Iceland is great for long, soul-seeking drives—and if you go by yourself, you won’t have to annoy fellow passengers when you pull over every five minutes to take photos of waterfalls and glaciers. You can see most of the country along the Ring Road (Route 1), but if you're crunched for time, catch some of southern Iceland’s greatest hits like Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, along the Golden Circle route.
Price: Gas is currently $8.82 per gallon in Iceland
When to go: Early May, before the summer crowds descend
Tap the experts: Chris Gordon (Icepedition) - Robert Harding/Getty
Track gorillas in Rwanda
Yes, a solo safari is possible—and extremely rewarding. There are few better places to recharge and recenter than in the middle of Africa, with only the hotel staff and wild animals to keep you company; plus, some travel companies even have discounted single supplements. In 2019, Singita opened two new properties in Rwanda—Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House—complete with gorilla trekking expeditions ideal for adventurers traveling alone. You don’t have to worry about having enough travel companions in a group, because regardless of whether you’re alone or traveling with friends, “guests are divided into groups of eight (dependent on their fitness level) where guides take them into the Volcanoes National Park to track gorillas,” Traveler contributor Mary Holland discovered during her solo trip to Rwanda.
Price: Trekking permits are $1,500 per person, per trek; suites start at $2,470 per night
When to go: June to September or December 2024, to avoid the rainy seasons
How to book: singita.com
Tap the experts: Linda Friedman (Custom Safaris)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Courtesy Getaway
Get away with Getaway
While cabins in the woods tend to conjure up horror-movie memories, Getaway’s cabins are nothing but charming and idyllic—and perfect for solo travelers. The company specializes in boutique rentals in rural areas outside of major hubs like New York, Austin, and Los Angeles, the idea being that people can escape the stress of the city for a long weekend. Expect all the normal creature comforts (a full bathroom, kitchenette, comfortable bed, etc.) as well as cute touches like vintage radios and s’mores kits. The star of every cabin, however, is the giant floor-to-ceiling window adjacent to the bed—perfect for an unplugged vacation that trades Netflix binges for birdwatching and leaf peeping.
Price: From $99 per night
When to go: All year
How to book: getaway.house - Nicola Pavan/Unsplash
Cycle through the Italian Dolomites
Cycling trips are perfect for lone travelers, giving you plenty of time with your thoughts while still being part of a small group. There are tons of tour operators specializing in bike trips, but try to book with a group that specializes in solo travel—like Trek Travel, a company with experienced guides, plus options to room either by yourself or with an arranged roommate. One of their newest adventures is a five-day ride through the Italian Dolomites, with 220 miles of challenging trails offset by the beauty of the surrounding mountains and glistening lakes. The price of the trip includes hotel accommodations, meals, equipment (including Domane SL 7 bikes), and daily snacks and drinks.
Price: From $1,999
When to go: June to August
How to book: trektravel.com
Tap the experts: Georgia Yuill (Butterfield and Robinson)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Yuri Choufour/Hurtigruten Expeditions
Escape the noise in Antarctica
Ever since we saw Cate Blanchett sneak off to Antarctica in Where'd You Go, Bernadette?, we've been wondering how possible a solo trip to the frozen continent really is. Turns out, a solo trip is very possible. Contributor Judy Koutsky wrote about her Antarctic cruise, which she claims was best experienced by herself. Norway-based cruise line Hurtigruten ensures travelers have enough space without getting lonely, with group excursions and restaurants that allow you to join others' tables. And then there are the quiet moments. Koutsky writes: “Walking among the chinstrap penguins, or taking a scenic zodiac ride where the Gentoo penguins were diving in the water, cruising around massive icebergs, snowshoeing up a hill to get amazing views of humpback whales—it felt so peaceful, so fitting that I was alone.”
Price: From $10,576
When to go: January, March, October
How to book: hurtigruten.com
Tap the experts: Tim Soper (EYOS Expeditions) - Mac Gaither/Unsplash
Walk across the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos archipelago, off the coast of Ecuador, is one of the world’s most famous destinations for adventure travel. Join a small group of fellow outdoor enthusiasts on this “Galapagos: In Darwin’s Footsteps” trip from Exodus Travels, a two-week walking tour that lets you explore 45 miles of the islands on foot. Highlights include hiking up the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling with sea turtles and manta rays, boating past sea lion colonies, and touring the city of Quito on the mainland. With a group size of 6 to 16 people and no mandatory single supplement fees (though if you don’t want to share a room, you can book single rooms for a very minimal fee), this trip is custom-made for solo travelers.
Price: From $8,118
When to go: April to May; October to November
How to book: exodustravels.com
Tap the experts: Jennifer Gillmore (Travel Beyond)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Paweldotio/Unsplash
Visit elephants in Thailand (the responsible way)
While few subjects elicit more impassioned debate than elephant tourism, there are ethical ways to see the gentle giants up close. Travel company Contiki offers a 14-day “Total Thailand” trip, covering Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. (Accommodations range from twin-share hotel rooms to jungle cottages.) The Chiang Mai leg includes a visit to the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation center that allows visitors to feed the animals without exploiting (or riding) them.
Price: From $2,376
When to go: January to December
How to book: contiki.com
Tap the experts: Daniel Fraser (Smiling Albino) - Patrick Schneider/Unsplash
Venture deep into the South Caucasus
Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) is a tour company specializing in small group trips for women, with trips exploring 75 countries across all seven continents—plus no single supplements! For a true bucket list experience, book a spot in the “Georgia & Armenia: Ancient Lands of the Southern Caucasus” tour, a 16-day journey that stretches from Tbilisi down to Yerevan, Armenia. The guided journey includes stops in Borjomi, the cave city of Vardzia, and plenty of monasteries, temples, and wineries in between. You’ll also get to participate in lectures and discussions about sensitive, yet important cultural topics, like the role of women in post-Soviet Georgia and the Armenian genocide.
Price: From $5,495
When to go: April to October
How to book: oattravel.com
Tap the experts: Natalie Fordham (Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Courtesy Belmond
Hop aboard the Oriental Express
Long solo train rides and bus trips lend themselves perfectly to reading. Since you aren’t going to be chitchatting with a friend or challenging each other to a game of cards, now’s the opportunity to finally read that book everybody’s been talking about. (Need some recommendations? Check out this list.) And while you can accomplish that on any given Amtrak ride, we suggest taking the ultra-luxurious route—Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express throughout Malaysia, to be exact. The brand’s “Wild Malaysia” trip includes guided tours of Penang and Taman Negara National Park, and the iconic train comes with private suites, multi-course meals, and 24-hour concierge service.
Price: From $3,410
When to go: March to October
How to book: belmond.com
Tap the experts: Tisha Neufville (Neufville Travel) - Eric Welch/Unsplash
Backpack through the Scottish Highlands
In the crowded Old World, the idea of backpacking is less wild and more cultural. Trek through Scotland on a multi-day trip, and you’ll hardly be alone—you’ll meet farmers as you cross their fields and sleep in small-town inns every night. The 96-mile West Highland Way is probably the most famous hike in the country, taking travelers past the moors and mountains of the Scottish Highlands. You can certainly plan the trek yourself, or let a travel company do it for you—Macs Travels has an 8-day tour that includes daily breakfasts, door-to-door baggage transfers, and accommodation in select B&Bs and guest houses.
Price: From $1,265
When to go: March to October
How to book: macsadventure.com
Tap the experts: Camilla Davidson (NoteWorthy) or Jonathan Epstein (Celebrated Experiences)
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- RAZVAN CIUCA/Getty
Channel your inner Indiana Jones in Jordan
Jordan has all the colorful history, layered archeology, and warm hospitality of its neighboring Middle Eastern countries, with none of the turmoil—meaning the country is a viable option for solo travelers. Instead of planning every detail of a trip to a country that's new to you, book a spot on the “Untold Jordan” trip offered through Flash Pack—a company that specializes in high-end adventures for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s. Highlights of the eight-day tour include riding camels through the Wadi Rum Desert, floating in the Dead Sea, and hiking to the ancient city of Petra.
Price: From $3,095
When to go: February to June; August to December
How to book: flashpack.com
Tap the experts: Jennifer Barnaby (Kaanect) - Margarita Almpanezou/Getty
Learn Spanish in Costa Rica
Travel with a buddy abroad, and you’ll revert to English most of the time; go alone, and you’ll be forced to talk the talk. Language immersion vacations can include homestays and hangouts outside of class—and, best of all, they can take place on the beach in Costa Rica. Language school Intercultura offers a variety of Spanish programs for all ages and skill levels (both group and private lessons), which take place in either Heredia City or the school's waterfront campus in Samara Beach.
Price: From $235 per week for classes, $195 per week for homestay immersion
When to go: All year except for Costa Rican national holidays
How to book: interculturacostarica.com
Tap the experts: Pierre Gedeon (Costa Adventures)