There has never been a better time to travel alone. Solo travel is officially booming — recent hostel booking data shows destinations like Albania surging nearly 28% in solo bookings for 2027, and surveys of solo travellers keep finding that the vast majority prefer Europe, where the transport is easy and the hostels are legendary. The best part? Travelling solo does not have to mean spending more. The destinations in this list prove that one person, a backpack, and a modest budget can still go very, very far in 2027.
Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe
Europe remains the undisputed home of solo travel. Dense train networks, an unbeatable hostel scene, and cities built for wandering make it the easiest continent to navigate alone, a big reason most solo travellers choose Europe.
Kraków, Poland
Kraków is arguably the perfect first solo trip: a stunning medieval old town, one of Europe’s liveliest hostel scenes, and prices that feel frozen in time. A recent Oct 2026 travel study ranked Kraków the number one backpacker city for 2027, with median hostel dorms around £17 a night — and it shows in the buzz of its bars and free walking tours. Safety note: Kraków is one of Europe’s safest major cities for solo travellers, including women; the main streets are well lit and busy late into the evening.
Lisbon & Porto, Portugal
Portugal’s two great cities are made for solo explorers — miradouro viewpoints made for sunset lingering, hostel terraces that double as social clubs, and a food culture (pastéis de nata, vinho verde) that costs very little. Dorms run £18–25, a filling lunch at a tascas is £8–12, and the surf towns of the coast are an easy day trip.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is the classic solo-travel rite of passage: grand boulevards, thermal baths, and the famous ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter where striking up a conversation is practically mandatory. Hostel dorms cost £12–18, a bowl of goulash is £5–8, and a soak in Széchenyi Baths is one of the world’s great cheap luxuries. Safety note: central Budapest is very safe at night, though keep an eye on belongings in crowded ruin bars.
Albania: Tirana & the Riviera
Albania is having a moment — solo bookings are up sharply for 2027 according to recent hostel data, and it’s easy to see why. This is the Mediterranean at a fraction of the cost: Riviera beaches that rival Greece, Ottoman-era UNESCO towns, and a dorm bed for £8–12. Our full Albania travel guide covers the Riviera, Berat, and real daily budgets — a budget traveller can get by on around £30–45 a day.
Split, Croatia
Croatia’s Dalmatian coast has a reputation for being pricey, but Split is the exception that proves the rule — especially outside July and August. The 1,700-year-old Diocletian’s Palace forms the living old town, ferries hop to islands like Hvar and Brač, and shoulder-season dorms drop to £15–20. Street-food ćevapi costs £4–6, and the Riva promenade is made for solo evening strolls. Safety note: Croatia ranks among the safest countries in Europe for solo travellers.
Prague, Czechia
Prague has been a backpacker legend for decades and still earns its place among the cheap places to travel in Europe. Beyond the Charles Bridge crowds lies a city of courtyard beer gardens, trdelník stalls, and £3 pints of some of the world’s best lager. Dorms cost £14–20, a hearty pub lunch is £7–10, and the city’s hostel bars make meeting people effortless.
Seville, Spain
Seville is southern Spain at its most romantic — and surprisingly kind to solo budgets. Dorms run £15–22, tapas bars serve £2–4 plates (order a caña and the tapa is often free or cheap), and the city’s plazas, the Alcázar gardens, and flamenco peñas are perfect for unhurried solo days. Safety note: Seville is very safe; pickpocketing around the cathedral is the main risk, as in any busy tourist spot.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is one of Europe’s great unsung capitals — golden-domed churches, a buzzing café scene, and Mount Vitosha’s hiking trails 30 minutes from the centre. Dorms cost £10–15, a filling banitsa breakfast is under £2, and restaurant dinners rarely top £10. It’s an ideal stop on a Balkans loop with Albania and Kraków.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the solo traveller’s European metropolis: nobody cares what you do, everyone’s welcome, and the free walking tours, street-food markets, and museum islands fill a week easily. Dorms run £18–28, a döner is £5–7, and the U-Bahn makes the whole city accessible. Safety note: Berlin is generally safe, though the usual big-city awareness applies at night around major stations.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn’s fairy-tale old town — all medieval towers and cobbled lanes — feels built for solo wandering, and Estonia’s digital-nomad scene means cafés full of fellow independent travellers. Dorms cost £14–20, hearty Baltic meals are £7–11, and the ferry to Helsinki makes a fun day trip. Visit in winter for the best Christmas markets in Europe or in summer for the white nights. Estonia is consistently rated one of Europe’s safest countries.
Best Solo Travel Destinations in Asia
Asia is where solo travel budgets stretch the furthest — £20–30 days are genuinely possible in Southeast Asia. Our roundup of the cheapest places to travel in Asia in 2027 goes deeper on costs; these are the standouts for travelling alone.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is the unofficial capital of the solo-travel world: hundreds of temples, legendary night markets, Thai cooking classes, and elephant sanctuaries — all wrapped in a backpacker ecosystem designed for meeting people. Dorms cost £6–10, pad Thai from a street stall is £1.50–3, and a full day out rarely tops £20. Safety note: Chiang Mai is very safe for solo travellers, including women; the main risks are scooter accidents and overpriced tuk-tuks.
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is pure magic after dark, and Vietnam’s prices make it one of the cheapest solo destinations on earth: dorms £5–9, a bowl of cao lầu noodles £1–2, and custom-tailored clothes for less than a high-street shirt. Vietnamese hospitality toward visitors is genuine and warm.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs an entire continent’s worth of experiences into one teardrop island: surf towns, tea-country train rides, ancient temples, and safaris — and it’s far cheaper than its Indian Ocean neighbours. See our guide to places like the Maldives but cheaper for the beach angle. Dorms and budget guesthouses run £7–14, rice-and-curry meals cost £2–4. Safety note: tourist areas are generally safe; women travelling solo report feeling comfortable, though modest dress is appreciated at temples.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali remains the default answer for a reason: surf camps in Canggu, yoga retreats in Ubud, volcano sunrises, and a digital-nomad scene that makes solo travellers feel instantly at home. Dorms cost £6–12, a nasi goreng warung meal is £2–4, and scooter rental opens up the whole island for a few pounds a day. Safety note: Bali is safe overall; be cautious on scooters and only swim at beaches with lifeguards.
Kyoto, Japan
Japan is the world’s easiest country to do things alone — solo dining is a cultural norm, not an awkward exception. Kyoto’s temples, bamboo groves, and geisha-district lanes reward slow solo wandering like nowhere else. It isn’t Southeast Asia-cheap, but it’s manageable: hostel dorms £20–30, convenience-store meals £4–7, and temple entries mostly £3–5. Japan is also arguably the safest country on earth for solo travellers.
Goa, India
Goa is India’s gentlest introduction: palm-fringed beaches, Portuguese-era old towns, yoga on the sand, and a long-established backpacker trail. Dorms cost £5–10, thali meals are £2–4, and the north-coast flea markets are perfect solo browsing. Safety note: Goa’s tourist areas are generally safe, but avoid isolated beaches at night and use registered taxis after dark.
Best Solo Travel Destinations Beyond Europe and Asia
Looking further afield? These four deliver the adventure factor — deserts, ancient wonders, and megacities — while staying firmly in budget territory.
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is sensory overload in the best way: the medina’s souks, Jemaa el-Fnaa square at dusk, and Atlas Mountain day trips. Our Morocco travel guide breaks down costs and itineraries — riad dorms run £8–14, tagine meals £3–6, and haggling in the souks is half the fun. Safety note: Marrakech is generally safe, but solo women should expect some hassle in the medina — dress modestly, walk with purpose, and a firm “la, shukran” (no, thank you) works wonders.
Mexico City, Mexico
One of the world’s great cities — and one of its great bargains. The Coyoacán neighbourhood (Frida Kahlo’s blue house, cobbled streets, market halls) is a perfect solo base, with dorms at £8–14 and taco-stand meals under £2. Safety note: stick to well-known neighbourhoods (Roma, Condesa, Coyoacán, Centro Histórico by day), use Uber at night, and you’ll be fine.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is the Balkans-meets-the-Caucasus wildcard: sulphur baths, a clifftop old town, legendary supra feasts, and some of the warmest hospitality on earth. Dorms cost £8–13, khachapuri is £2–4, and the wine — Georgia invented it — is absurdly cheap. Solo travellers consistently call Georgians among the friendliest hosts they’ve met.
Cairo, Egypt
The pyramids of Giza alone justify the trip, but Cairo rewards solo travellers who dive in: Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Coptic Cairo, felucca rides on the Nile. Our Egypt travel guide covers the practicalities. Koshary (the national dish) costs under £2, and Uber makes getting around cheap and safe. Safety note: tourist areas are well policed; solo women should dress modestly and expect attention in busy areas — booking a reputable guide for the pyramids area is money well spent.
Solo Travel Safety Tips for 2027
Solo travel is very safe in the destinations above — but smart habits make it safer still:
- Share your itinerary. Leave your route and accommodation details with someone at home, and check in regularly.
- Arrive in daylight. Try to land in a new city before dark so you can orient yourself and find your hostel easily.
- Choose social accommodation. Well-reviewed hostels with common rooms and organised activities are the fastest way to meet people and stay safe.
- Keep valuables split up. One card and some cash in a day bag, the rest locked in your hostel locker. Photograph your documents and store them in the cloud.
- Trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong, leave — no politeness required. Solo travellers who listen to their gut stay out of trouble.
- Get travel insurance. Non-negotiable for solo travellers; a hospital bill abroad can dwarf your entire trip budget.
- Learn a few local phrases. Even a clumsy “hello” and “thank you” transforms how locals treat you — especially in Morocco, Egypt, and Georgia.
FAQs About Solo Travel in 2027
Is solo travel safe in 2027?
Yes — the destinations on this list are all well-established on the solo-travel circuit with strong tourist infrastructure. Millions of people travel alone every year without incident. The key is choosing destinations with a good safety record, staying in social accommodation, and following the basic precautions above.
What are the cheapest solo travel destinations in 2027?
Southeast Asia wins on pure cost: Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia offer genuine £20–30 days. In Europe, Albania, Bulgaria, and Poland are the best-value options; Morocco, Egypt, and Georgia are the cheapest picks elsewhere. Shoulder-season travel (April–June, September–October) cuts costs further everywhere.
What are the best solo travel destinations for women?
Portugal, Japan, Croatia, Vietnam, and Thailand are consistently top-rated by solo female travellers for safety and ease. Within this list, Kyoto, Lisbon, Hoi An, Split, and Palolem (Goa) are particular favourites — all combine low hassle levels with great social hostels. Wherever you go, reading recent reviews from other solo women on hostel booking sites is the best pre-trip research you can do.
How do you meet people when travelling solo?
Stay in hostels with common rooms and book their activities — walking tours, pub crawls, cooking classes, and day trips are where solo friendships are made. Free walking tours on day one in each city are the single best trick. Apps like Backpackr and Meetup fill the gaps.
Is it more expensive to travel solo?
It can be — you lose the ability to split private rooms and taxis — but the destinations on this list minimise the “single supplement” problem. Hostel dorms cost the same per bed regardless, street food is priced per portion, and group tours charge per person. Budget travellers who stick to dorms and public transport often find solo trips cost barely more than travelling as a pair.
When is the best time to plan a solo trip for 2027?
Search demand for solo travel peaks in January and February, when everyone plans their New Year adventures. For the trip itself, shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October) offer the sweet spot of good weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds across Europe and Asia alike.
Final Thoughts: Your Solo Adventure Starts Now
The solo travel boom is not a fad — it’s a fundamental shift in how people explore the world, and 2027 is shaping up to be its biggest year yet. Whether you start with Kraków’s £17 dorms, Chiang Mai’s £2 pad Thai, or Marrakech’s £4 tagines, the formula is the same: pick a destination built for independent travellers, stay somewhere social, and let the journey surprise you.
Ready to plan? Dive into our Albania travel guide for Europe’s best-value solo trip, check the cheapest places to travel in Asia in 2027 for budget breakdowns, browse the most beautiful places in the world for inspiration, and see how these destinations stack up in our cheap places to travel in Europe roundup. Happy travels — and travel safe.
