Amazing Tours For Solo Travelers

Just because you don’t have someone to travel with, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go at all. The world is full of incredible places to experience first-hand, from outdoor adventures to city escapes to serene and quiet vacations. Keep reading to learn about the best tours for solo travelers as well as tips for planning and what you should do once you arrive.

The perfect time to visit is now.

Best for Solo Train Enthusiasts: Scotland

Discover the incredible and indelible beauty of the Scottish highlands, full of lochs, glens, castles and fluffy highland cows and sheep on a journey with Vacations by Rail. You’ll be well taken care of as a professional tour guide leads you through the nine-day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands tour.

Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime tour include rides on the Jacobite Steam Train, or the “Hogwarts Express”, as it crosses the stunning 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct; Kyle Line, a lovely route that begins in Inverness and snakes through the rugged and verdant landscape; and West Highland Line, which has the most isolated train station in the UK, where you’ll travel from Glasgow to Fort William.

Beyond beautiful train crossings, you can expect this value-forward trip to also include a delightful cruise from Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, a visit to the colorful chocolate-box village on the Isle of Mull, and a stop at the 13^th-century well-preserved Eilean Donan Castle, located on a tiny island surrounded by Loch Duich. By the time you reach Edinburgh, at the end of the trip, your cameral roll will be jam packed with beautiful photos, and you’ll have a lifetime of memories that you can sift through like multi-hued gems in your hand.

Good to Know

A tour manager is included from start to finish. Once you arrive in Edinburgh, all of the logistics and planning will be taken care of. This local expert is always available should you need anything or want to ask questions to provide valuable context to what you’re experiencing. Luggage transfers and all breakfasts are included as well.

Best for Solo Urban Walkers: London

There’s much to experience in this massive city of nine million people, whether you want to see important historic landmarks like the Tower of London, a castle and former prison in the heart of the city, as well as the home to the famous Crown Jewels; Westminster Abbey, a gorgeous and looming Gothic church; Buckingham Palace, the home of the British monarch; St. Paul’s Cathedral; or Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Best explored on foot, wear your comfy shoes (the Dillon Canvas shoes from Xero Shoes are a solid choice) and prepare to get your steps in. There’s nothing more special than walking over the Victorian-era Tower Bridge or strolling around Kensington Palace and the British Museum.

Where to Stay

Located within walking distance to much of what London has to offer, the historic London Marriott Hotel County Hall, next to The London Eye, is perfect for you home-away-from-home.

Gareth Walker, The Library restaurant manager at the hotel, is also a celebrated graffiti artist who offers masterclass opportunities for guests at Leake Street Arches, a former railway tunnel beneath Waterloo Station. “I run the afternoon tea here, which is very shocking to people as they see me in my suit serving afternoon tea, then by night in the grimy tunnel working my magic on the walls,” Walker says. “Marriott have been very supportive on my journey.”

Best for Solo Wildlife Aficionados: Alaska

One of the most diverse national parks in the US in terms of wildlife viewing is Kenai Fjords National Park. Hugging the south-central Alaska coast, just over two hours south of Anchorage, this national park is home to a wide range of marine wildlife: humpback, gray, and orca whales; sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and Dall’s porpoise; and a plethora of bird species including horned and tufted puffins, cormorants, and eagles. And, yes, big ole land mammals live here too: black and brown bears, moose, mountain goats, and porcupines, among other woodland creatures.

For a one-stop-shop planning and logistics juggernaut, look no further than Pursuit, leaders in curating exclusive one-of-a-kind wilderness experiences in Alaska and beyond. You’ll begin your adventure at Windsong Lodge in Seward, your gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, before heading to Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, located on the remote and rugged Fox Island.

Kenai Fjords Tours will deliver you safely across Resurrection Bay, a 12-mile journey from Seward—the only way to reach the island. For a two or three-night stay, you’ll be treated to delectable meals, a sweat session in the dry barrel sauna, a hike through the weathered forest to a panoramic look out, and a kayaking adventure like no other. Enjoy private waterfront cabin accommodations, with views of either Halibut Cove or the lagoon. You’ll love searching for heart-shaped rocks on the beach and harbor seal noses poking out of the water.

When you’ve finished your stay, you’ll get the ride of your life as you see an abundance of wildlife and flora as well as glaciers on an educational cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours, operating since 1978. This multi-hour tour is led by a professional captain who will narrate the entire tour, giving you indispensable context and information for what you’re seeing and experiencing.

Good to Know

Be prepared for outdoor adventure by packing weather appropriate clothing—layers are key. From warm base layers to rain jackets to study footwear to clothing you can move in, check out new styles from Cotopaxi, Helly Hansen, Arc’Teryx, prAna, or Danner.