A city is one of the best places to travel alone. There is always something to do, public transit makes you independent, and you can follow your own curiosity all day without negotiating with anyone. Solo travel also has its own challenges: dinner for one, the occasional lonely evening and the need to look after your own safety. With a few habits, those become easy to manage.
Why go alone
The freedom is the point. You can spend three hours in one museum gallery and skip the next museum entirely, eat dinner at five or at ten, and change the whole plan at breakfast. Many solo travelers also find they notice more, talk to more local people and come home with sharper memories than from group trips.
Choosing where to stay
- Location matters even more. Stay somewhere central, near good transit, on a street that feels comfortable after dark. You will be walking back alone.
- Look at single and small rooms. Many hotels price per room, so solo travelers effectively pay double. Hostels with private rooms, small boutique hotels and older hotels with compact single rooms can be better value.
- Consider sociable places. Hostels and some hotels run events, walking tours or shared breakfasts that make meeting people easy.
Our guides to where to stay in San Francisco and where to stay in Boston compare neighborhoods with this in mind.
Planning your days
Without anyone else to slow you down, it is tempting to pack every hour. Resist it. Plan one or two fixed points each day, such as a museum in the morning and a neighborhood walk in the afternoon, and leave the rest open. Solo travel is tiring in a way that group travel is not, because you make every decision and handle every problem yourself. Build in a cafe break or an hour in a park.
Eating alone with confidence
Dining solo is very common in American cities, and nobody is watching you. Still, some settings feel easier than others:
- Sit at the bar or counter. Many restaurants serve full meals at the bar, and bartenders and neighbors are often happy to chat.
- Use food halls and markets. San Francisco's Ferry Building and Boston's markets and food halls are made for grazing alone.
- Make lunch your big meal. Restaurants are more relaxed at lunchtime and solo diners are everywhere.
- Bring a book if you like, or simply watch the room.
Meeting people
If you want company, plan for it rather than hoping it happens. Group walking tours are an easy start, and many cities have tours built around food, history or architecture. Cooking classes, museum talks, bike tours and day trips by small group all put you alongside other people with shared interests. Neighborhood bars with trivia nights or live music are friendly in both cities. Equally, it is fine to enjoy your own company and say no.
Staying safe on your own
- Share your plans. Send your itinerary and hotel details to someone at home, and check in at agreed times.
- Arrive in daylight when you can, especially in a new city.
- Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank. See our guide to staying connected.
- Do not advertise that you are alone. Avoid sharing your exact location publicly in real time; post photos after you have left a place.
- Watch your drinks and your limits, especially at night.
- Trust your instincts. If a street, a bar or a conversation feels wrong, leave. You do not owe anyone an explanation.
For more on avoiding theft and handling uncomfortable situations, see staying safe in big cities.
Getting good photos
Solo travelers often come home with no pictures of themselves. A small tripod or a phone stand and the camera timer solve this. You can also ask another visitor to take one; offering to take theirs first usually works.
Handling the quiet moments
Evenings can feel long when you are alone. Plan something for at least some of them: a show, a concert, a sunset viewpoint or a late museum opening. A busy day followed by an early night is also perfectly fine. Many solo travelers find the second or third day easier than the first, once the city starts to feel familiar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel solo in San Francisco and Boston?
Both are generally safe for visitors who take normal city precautions: stay aware, keep valuables out of sight and plan your route home at night.
Will I pay more as a solo traveler?
Often for accommodation, since rooms are priced per room. Hostels, small rooms and off-peak dates help reduce the difference.
What is the easiest way to meet other travelers?
Join a group walking tour on your first day, or stay somewhere with communal spaces and organized events.