15 Things You Need To Know About Solo Travel In The United States
By Jackie Ann|Published February 14, 2024
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Six years ago, I decided to take my first solo trip, but I wanted to have some fun with it. I gave my brother and sister-in-law a budget, a time frame, and a list of places I’d already been and told them to plan a mystery vacation for me. The only rules were that they could not send me somewhere I had already been, and they had to send me out of the state. I come from a family of pranksters, so that second rule was important. The night before, I drove to my brother’s house, who gave me a sealed envelope with my plane ticket and told me the weather for what to pack. I packed according to his weather forecast, drove to the airport, and then opened the envelope to see where I would be spending the next four days. Since then, I’ve traveled all over the globe on solo adventures, and I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. Whether you’re a first-time solo traveler or a seasoned pro, here are 15 things you need to know about solo travel in the United States.
Solo traveling can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do, but it can be overwhelming! Figuring out the logistics of your adventure feels like a full-time job, but there are a few tips and tricks for solo traveling that can help alleviate the stressful part.
I'm a member of several travel groups online. One of the major themes that continues to come up is travelers stressing about things that are out of their control. Your flight may be delayed. You may not be able to check in to your hotel early. Your view of the Grand Canyon may be obscured by fog. The "perfect vacation" does not exist, and worrying about things you cannot control is only adding unnecessary stress to what's supposed to be an enjoyable adventure. Sometimes, those speed bumps end up leading you to surprise side quests that become your favorite part of the trip. Embrace the uncertainty.
I’m a budget traveler, and one of the ways I’m able to go to so many places is by following the deal, not the destination. I use Google Flights, SkyScanner, and Kiwi to check what flight deals are on the table and go from there. If you can be flexible with your destination, you might surprise yourself and have the adventure of a lifetime. Once you have your plane ticket, sites like Booking and Expedia can help find lodging, and Viator is always my go-to for booking tours.
Regardless of where you travel, just be careful. It’s easy to forget all the basic safety practices when you’re on vacation, but that’s how a great vacation turns south. If you’re traveling alone, tell at least one person your itinerary. Before I leave for a trip, I always give my family my flight and hotel info. Sharing your location on your phone with someone is also a good idea. I promise you it will give both you and your loved ones peace of mind. In that same vein, be mindful about who you tell you're traveling alone. You wouldn't give your stranger your home address, so maybe don't tell anyone you meet where you're staying and that you're traveling alone.
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Best Places To Travel Alone In The US
The United States is huge. You could spend a lifetime exploring the entire country, honestly. Do you want to explore the country’s beaches? Forests? Mountains? Swamps? Or maybe you want your adventure filled with city skylines and neon lights. The perk of this country being so large is that there truly is something for everyone. Here are some of the best cities to travel alone in the U.S.:
I lived in Boston for about five years and absolutely loved it. It’s a great city for first-time solo travelers, and you can typically find cheap flights to Boston pretty easily. While Beantown isn’t necessarily one of the cheapest cities to explore, Boston’s public transportation makes it easy to navigate the city without a car so you can save some money there. Boston has no shortage of historic sites to see, plus plenty of neighborhoods to explore. Boston’s North End is one of my favorites, and I’d highly recommend getting a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry. This Italian pastry shop has been a favorite since 1946!
Nashville is the perfect destination for solo travelers for a few reasons. The bustling downtown scene is perfect for meeting new people and enjoying live music, but you’re also not far from Nashville’s natural side, either. Radnor Lake State Park is just south of downtown Nashville and boasts 1,368 acres to explore.
Nashville is one place I’d recommend getting a hotel over an Airbnb. Airbnbs in Nashville can be pretty expensive, and when you don’t have the extra people to split the costs with, it can bust a budget really quickly. Hotels in downtown Nashville are much more affordable and put you within walking distance of some of the best things to do in Nashville. Plus, many include breakfast which can help with solo traveling on a budget, too.
Sitting pretty in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll never run out of things to do in Portland. As far as big cities go, Portland is on the safer side, and it’s got a great mix of both nature and man-made attractions. As one of the more bike-friendly cities in the United States, you can get around downtown easily without renting a car, which is always nice. Between the many microbreweries and coffee shops, you’re never too far away from your favorite beverage, and Portland’s food truck scene is off the charts. Plus, there are plenty of incredible hiking trails around Portland which offer spectacular views.
Best Travel Destinations For Nature
Nothing compares to the self-confidence you gain after you take your first solo adventure. For me, I prefer to travel to remote destinations where I can be surrounded by nature and swap the sounds of car horns and air conditioners for songbirds and rushing water. If this sounds right up your alley, then consider one of these remote destinations that are some of the best places to solo travel for nature lovers:
It doesn’t get more remote than Alaska. Whether you want to embark on an epic road trip or challenge yourself with one of Alaska’s many hiking trails, Alaska is one of the best places to visit for solo travelers looking to experience Earth’s raw beauty. I’m a sucker for scenic train rides, and Alaska has some of the most beautiful train rides in the world. The Anchorage to Seward train gives you a front-row seat to witness iconic sights like the Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains with plenty of river canyons, waterfalls, and glaciers to admire all from the comfort of your seat. It doesn’t stop there, through. The Alaska Railroad stretches for 470 miles and stops at several Alaskan towns including Talkeetna, Fairbanks, and Denali.
Wyoming is one of the best places to travel alone in the US, especially if you want to reconnect with yourself through nature. Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. If you don’t want to rent a car, I’d recommend taking a guided day tour of Yellowstone. Personally, I love guided tours. All I have to do is sit and look out the window while someone smarter than me tells me everything I need to know. Sign me up for tours all day long. Tours are great opportunities to meet others, too. Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had were with random seatmates on tours. There are plenty of tours available, too. How about a wildlife-watching tour through Grand Teton National Park at sunset? Or a full day of dog sledding and snowmobiling in Jackson Hole?
Having the right gear for your adventure can make or break your trip, so give yourself some time to make a list of anything you’ll need. I’m not talking about just the travel essentials, but things that are specific to your journey. Here are some of my favorite things to bring on my adventures:
If you plan on doing extensive hikes through remote areas, having a Garmin GPS and an AllTrails + account is critical. This one is waterproof, provides 18+ hours of battery life, and features two-way satellite communication. It’s also super lightweight (14.5 ounces) and doesn’t take up much space in your bags.
A solid travel backpack is a must. I only travel with a carry-on and a backpack, so I can be pretty particular about what backpack comes with me. It’s very helpful to have a backpack with multiple compartments, and even better if it's waterproof/water resistant. Osprey really does make quality backpacks, and they’re great for both hiking excursions and wandering through the streets of a new town. Grab a few TSA-Approved luggage locks and you're ready to roll.
Since I work remotely, I've got to stay connected. No matter where I travel, I always have my portable power bank with me so I never run out of battery on my phone, my camera, or my laptop. When you're traveling alone, you always want to make sure you have enough battery on your phone to get you where you're going, and this power bank charges your phone super quick plus it holds its charge for a long time. Win-win!
Solo Traveling On A Budget
Traveling alone is an extremely rewarding–and expensive–endeavor. Those costs can add up quickly when you don’t have anyone to share the bills with. One of the biggest tips for solo traveling on a budget is to travel in the off-season. Prices will be much cheaper, and you’ll experience fewer crowds. While accommodations can eat up your budget, there are still plenty of awesome places to stay as a solo traveler that aren’t your average hostel.
If your solo adventure calls for you to get off-grid, Moose Haven Cabin is just for you. This dry cabin in Walden, Colorado offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, endless dark skies to stargaze, and plenty of wildlife to watch. Elk Run Trail is right outside the door and is perfect for hiking/biking in the summer, or snowshoeing in the winter. This cabin is about $110/night and comes with everything you need. The cabin is solar-powered since it’s a dry cabin, and well water is provided.
This fully-stocked cabin in Montana is just dreamy from start to finish. Surrounded by trees and perched on the side of a hill, you’ll have stunning views of the mountains in Glacier National Park from just about everywhere in the cabin. Large windows and an open floor plan make you feel like you’re camping, but you still have modern touches including electricity, WiFi, and cell service. The cabin is $125/night and puts you in a perfect spot to enjoy northwest Montana.
Van life has grown in popularity over the last few years, with folks typically living in their builds year-round. You don’t have to buy an RV or a camper van to enjoy the lifestyle, and companies like RVShare offer several RV and camper vans at affordable rates. Combining your lodging and transportation can be a great way to save money while traveling, not to mention the added benefit of choosing your own bedroom view.
While these may be some of the best places to solo travel in the country, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. You could spend a lifetime exploring the United States. Just be warned…once you take your first solo trip, you’ll be hooked! You might even begin planning your next journey on the plane ride home. Welcome to the club.
Ready for more? Check out our ultimate hiking packing list:
