The Best Places to Travel Alone in the U.S. [2023 Data Study]

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

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.

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

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:

• Orlando — 195 tours per 100,000 residents
• New Orleans — 170 tours per 100,000 residents
• Miami — 164 tours per 100,000 residents

From Wynwood mural tours in Miami to steamboat jazz cruises in New Orleans, tours offer the solo traveler a way to see a lot of a city in a short amount of time. 

Highest Number of Airbnb Experiences

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.

Ranking factors include:

Final Thoughts

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!