Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.
Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business...
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
Have you ever ventured into a new city on your own? While solo travel might appear intimidating initially, it offers you the liberty to explore stunning cities without the influence of fellow travel companions.
We set out to find the best places to travel alone by ranking 50 of the largest U.S. cities on 15 factors related to solo travel across 5 categories: safety, accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. From our nation’s capital to sunny Miami — keep reading to discover the most welcoming cities for solo trips around the U.S.
The Best U.S. Cities for Solo Travel
Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Miami stands out as the top city to travel alone, with a low violent crime rate of 580 per 100,000 residents and an abundance of reasonably-priced rooms on Airbnb with a Superhost at just $75 a night on average. The city’s pedestrian-friendly environment, marked by a walkability score of 77 out of 100, makes it easy for tourists to explore. Miami also offers a plethora of solo-friendly dining options, including 8 food halls and 73 food trucks per 100,000 residents.
Orlando, Florida, shines with a remarkable 291 Airbnbs with Superhosts per 100,000 residents. It also boasts the highest number of tours — offering 195 per 100,000 residents. Everglades airboat tour, anyone? Orlando also has a thriving food truck scene, with 103 food trucks per 100,000 residents. From chicken and waffle food trucks to Mexican-style street food, Orlando has it all! These factors combine to make Orlando an ideal destination for solo trips and travelers seeking a delightful blend of excellent cuisine, accommodations, and an abundance of exciting tours.
Hot Tip:
Solo travelers have a Florida trifecta to explore, as 3 of our top 10 cities are nestled in the Sunshine State: Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
Washington, D.C., excels with an impressive walkability score of 98 out of 100 and a flawless public transit score of 100. There’s no shortage of tours in our nation’s capital either (71 per 100,000 residents) in every mode of transportation imaginable, such as hop-on, hop-off buses, electric carts, and river cruises. D.C. is an ideal destination for museum enthusiasts, and with 11 food halls, you’ll have no trouble satisfying your culinary cravings as you explore.
The Best U.S. Cities for Solo Travel by Category
Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Certain cities are better options when traveling alone than others. Some cities are safer due to their low violent crime rates, while others are cheaper to fly into, with low-price accommodations better suiting the solo traveler. Find out which cities have earned their bragging rights among the best places for solo travel in the following categories.
Fewest Violent Crimes
Cities boasting the fewest violent crimes per 100,000 residents include:
Virginia Beach, Virginia — 112 crimes per 100,000 residents
Honolulu — 261 crimes per 100,000 residents
Providence, Rhode Island — 394 crimes per 100,000 residents
Safety is key, especially when traveling alone. You should feel equally comfortable whether picking up a morning cappuccino in a new city or navigating the streets after dark.
Highest Number of Airbnb Rooms With Superhosts
Cities leading the way with the highest number of Airbnb rooms with Superhosts per 100,000 residents are:
Orlando — 291 rooms per 100,000 residents
Salt Lake City — 180 rooms per 100,000 residents
Miami — 178 rooms per 100,000 residents
Supherhosts live and breathe hospitality, going above and beyond to create a welcoming experience for their guests and offer helpful recommendations. Booking a room on Airbnb over an entire place is also a cost-efficient option for someone traveling solo.
Highest Number of Tours
Cities boasting the highest number of tours per 100,000 residents include:
Cities with the highest number of Airbnb experiences per 100,000 residents include:
Miami — 48 experiences per 100,000 residents
Honolulu — 46 experiences per 100,000 residents
New Orleans — 29 experiences per 100,000 residents
Airbnb Experiences typically involve group activities, providing a fantastic opportunity to connect with friendly people during your solo travels. From pasta-making classes to horseback riding adventures — you’ll be sure to make new friends on your trip.
Highest Walkability Scores
Cities with the highest walkability scores are:
Washington, D.C. — 98 out of 100
San Francisco — 89 out of 100
New York — 88 out of 100
There’s nothing quite like exploring a city on foot. We gauged walkability on a scale of 0 to 100, factoring in accessibility to various destinations like parks, restaurants, and retail stores.
Highest Public Transit Scores
Cities with the highest public transit scores are:
Washington, D.C. — 100 out of 100
New York — 89 out of 100
San Francisco — 77 out of 100
Effortlessly hopping on and off the subway is a convenient way to navigate from midtown to downtown without relying on an Uber. Transit accessibility was evaluated on a scale from 0 to 100, taking into account factors such as the frequency and type of routes available.
Lowest Average Airfare
The most budget-friendly cities to fly into, based on the lowest average airfare are:
Las Vegas — $269.92
Orlando — $274.08
San Jose, California — $306.68
While a solo road trip can be enticing, there’s nothing quite like the convenience of flying to your destination for an enjoyable getaway on your own.
Your City Guide to Solo Travel
Ready to spread your solo travel wings? Explore how your current city measures up, or consider booking a ticket to one of the enticing cities across the U.S.
We’ve compiled our full data study for all 50 U.S. cities analyzed into the interactive data table below. Simply search for a specific city or click on the column headings to sort the data by your preferred category!
Methodology
To unveil the finest cities for solo travelers, we analyzed 50 of the largest U.S. cities. These cities were ranked across 15 distinct factors and categorized into 5 key groups: safety, accommodation, activities, transportation, and food.
For each of these factors, cities were assigned a score ranging from 0 to 5, with a score of 5 signifying the most favorable conditions for solo trips. We determined each city’s total score from the total of its individual factor scores, which were weighted according to their impact on the solo travel experience. Individual factor scores were then added together to give each city a final score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicated that a city is especially welcoming for solo travelers.
Certain cities have the perfect ingredients for a rewarding solo trip. Destinations like Miami, Orlando, and D.C. have secured top positions on our list for good reason. These cities share key characteristics, including walkable streets, an abundance of solo-friendly dining options, and a plethora of affordable Airbnb accommodations. So, why wait? Take the plunge and start planning your solo adventure today!
![The Best Places to Travel Alone in the U.S. [2023 Data Study]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Woman-traveling-alone.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
