Oct 25, 2026

6 Solo Travel Spots That Won’t Break the Bank

Imagine this: You’ve been working nonstop and need a vacation, but you aren’t partnered and can’t be around your mom 24 hours a day. With whom do you travel?

Yourself, that’s who! Tracey Nesbitt, writer at Solo Traveler, stated there are several unexpected benefits from traveling alone, including a heightened appreciation of your surroundings, the ability to live in the moment and the opportunity to discover new things about yourself.

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Traveling alone does come with certain considerations, however. Namely, there’s no one with whom to split the bill. There’s also safety to consider. Nevertheless, neither of these factors should necessarily deter you.

MoneyLion discovered six solo travel destinations to put on your list — explore whether any of them suit your solo-travel desires below.

1. Yogyakarta, Java (Indonesia)

Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, is a city with the only active monarchy in Indonesia. According to Gaya Avetisyan, founder of Indo by Design, Yogyakarta offers several safe and low-cost attractions such as traditional culinary markets, the palace of the reigning Sultan, underground caves and ancient temples. Additionally, a community-first lifestyle means locals and travelers enjoy communal meals.

Per Avetisyan, budget accommodations can be found for $5 to $10 a night, a full restaurant meal costs $2 and a motorcycle ride costs only $1.

2. Edinburgh, Scotland

With the crime rate lower than that of London and hostels costing a mere 30 to 50 pounds a night, Edinburgh comes highly recommended by Andrea Affinati, founder of Voyaged Magazine. Not only are hostels extremely social, but “most of what is worth seeing is free." This includes Dean Village, The Castle (from the outside), Royal Mile, The Writers’ Museum and The National Museum of Scotland.

3. Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Not only did Patrick Vishy, creator of No Nonsense Courses, call Santa Cruz “the safest place in Bolivia,” but he described their “Plaza Culture” as an outdoor living room where solo travelers can socialize with locals while watching street performers. Visitors can also see the Samaipata rock formations, spot jaguars in Kaa-lya National Park and visit a variety of museums and art galleries.

Per Vishy, because of the conversion rate, items cost just 25 to 30 cents on the dollar. He stayed in a hotel for $30 a night and drank quality wine for $4 a glass.

4. Las Vegas

Whether you want an energetic social scene or a retreat-like space or both, Las Vegas allows solo travelers to set their own pace with a range of experiences (and prices) in close proximity.

“You can go from a world-class show or chef-driven restaurant to a yoga class, spa treatment or poolside afternoon,” stated Tara Labie-Bilokur, vice president of hotel operations at Virgin Hotels. It’s also pretty easy to meet people at the blackjack tables — just don’t gamble too hard on day one.

Per Labie-Bilokur, rooms start at $68 per night with parking and resort fees included.

5. Okinawa, Japan

When it comes to Okinawa, a region comprised of more than 160 islands, “safety is a given — it’s Japan,” Affinati said. The capital city of Naha on the main island offers a social experience with vibrant nightlife and communal breakfasts, while the island of Zamami (25 miles west) offers free, public beaches and the opportunity to be alone in nature.

Per Affinati, guest houses run $25 to $80 per night and meals cost $5 to $10.

6. Mexico City

In Mexico City, food tours and cooking classes double as group meals, transit is easy and inexpensive (a metro ride is 30 cents) and locations like Chapultepec Park, The Zocalo (the main public square) and Museo Soumaya are completely free to visit.

While tourists can be skeptical of safety in Mexico, Joe Cronin, president at International Citizens Insurance, stated Mexico City is generally safe and no different from anywhere else. However, as you would almost anywhere, it's still important to stay aware of your surroundings and not carry expensive valuables.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Cara Danielle Brown

A graduate of Northwestern University's School of Communications, Cara has worked in both publishing and Hollywood as a journalist, essayist, and script writer. Recent bylines include Variety, Travel & Leisure, Huffington Post, Shondaland, MSN, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo! Finance.For her work as a script writer, she was awarded the Humanitas New Voices Prize for her nuanced writing on the human condition; an award Barbra Walters once called The Pulitzer Prize of American Television. In her spare time, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, meeting new and interesting people, and snuggling every dog and cat in a 10-mile radius.

Edited by

Cory Dudak

Cory has worked as a finance editor since 2018, focused on providing readers with money advice across a broad range of categories from budgeting and saving to banking and cybersecurity. He is informed by his previous work with GOBankingRates, where he also contributed to the brand’s newsletter, video and social media.