Let’s be honest: A perfect travel companion is hard to find.

That’s because friends and family typically don’t share all of your travel preferences. They rise early; you like to sleep in. They prefer cheap hotels; you enjoy a little luxury. They want to see all the top tourist sights; you want to explore little-known corners. Even if you’re vacationing with the person you love most in the world, a travel-style mismatch can ruin the trip.

Solo travel is the answer.

How to pick your perfect solo travel destination

It’s all about knowing yourself. Here are some questions to guide you:

How social are you? If you crave solitude, find yourself a remote mountain cabin. If you need at least one casual conversation, choose a country or city known for welcoming, outgoing locals.

How adventurous are you? Some people think it’s a thrill to get lost in an unfamiliar city where they don’t speak the language. Other people think that sounds absolutely terrifying. When planning your solo trip, consider your tolerance for risk and uncertainty. If it’s high, great! If it’s not, pick a destination that’s easy for tourists to navigate, or join a group of solo travelers.

What are your three favorite activities when you’re traveling? Shopping, golfing, plein-air painting? Hiking, birdwatching, soaking in hot springs? Find a place where you can do all three.

Is there anywhere you want to go that’s off the beaten path? Maybe you’ve always dreamed of seeing Azerbaijan. Maybe you really want to take a road trip to all the Lincoln-Douglas debate sites. Instead of trying to convince others to join you, just travel solo!

What are your top safety concerns? While you shouldn’t let solo-travel anxiety discourage you, you want to be an informed traveler. Look up your chosen international destination on the U.S. Department of State’s site to learn about known threats to travelers. Solo women travelers and LGBTQ+ travelers should steer clear of destinations known to be unwelcoming or dangerous.

Do you have any physical limitations? Solo travel can be more difficult when you live with a disability,  but it’s not out of reach. The Concierge service included with certain Allianz Travel Insurance plans can answer your specific questions about accessible facilities at your destination. Learn more: The Best Accessible Destinations for Travelers with Disabilities

The best travel insurance for solo travelers

Travel insurance is essential for any trip, especially when you’re flying solo. Here’s what to look for in a plan:

1. Protection for disrupted or canceled trips. You’re paying for the trip, so you don’t want to lose all your money to an unexpected cancellation or trip interruption.
2. Trip delay benefits. Without insurance, you’re facing added expenses and aggravation if your journey gets delayed. With insurance, you can be reimbursed for hotels, meals, and more during a covered delay.
3. Emergency medical benefits. U.S. health insurance plans aren’t typically accepted when traveling overseas. Travel insurance can reimburse you for covered emergency medical expenses and ensure you get high-quality care.
4. Emergency transportation benefits. If you need a medical evacuation, travel insurance can arrange and pay for it — as well as bringing a friend or family member to travel to your bedside, if you’ll be hospitalized for more than seven days. These benefits also can cover the cost of getting you home on a commercial flight following a covered injury or illness.
5. 24-hour assistance. Having access to an expert travel assistance team means you’re never alone in an emergency, even when you’re traveling solo. The Allyz® TravelSmart app makes it easy to get help anytime.

So, which Allianz Travel Insurance plan is your best bet?

If you’re taking two or more trips in the next 12 months, an AllTrips annual travel insurance plan can protect them all for less. Consider AllTrips Executive or AllTrips Premier. If you’re planning just one trip and you’re on a budget, OneTrip Basic has all the key benefits you need, including up to $50,000 for emergency transportation. And if your solo-travel destination is remote or wild, you may want to maximize your protection with the OneTrip Premier Plan, which includes up to $1,000,000 in emergency transportation benefits.

10 of the best places for solo travel in the U.S.

Palm Springs, California for sun-dappled swimming pools, world-class golf, and midcentury architecture.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California for fairytale cottages, wine-tasting rooms, and great shopping. As a bonus, it’s one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the U.S.

Sedona, Arizona for healing energy vortexes, spa treatments, and sunrise hot-air balloon tours.

Santa Fe, New Mexico for culinary tours and classes, historic pueblos, and fun street festivals.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming for epic skiing, horseback riding, and live music at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Chicago, Illinois for gangster-history tours, Lake Michigan views, and a baseball game at Wrigley Field.

New Orleans, Louisiana for legendary food, live jazz, and walks through the French Quarter (the locals will tell you to skip Bourbon Street.)

Asheville, North Carolina for mountain hikes, bluegrass bands, and the fabulous Biltmore Estate.

New York City for phenomenal food, long walks in Central Park, and that Big Apple buzz you can’t get anywhere else.

Bar Harbor, Maine for fiery fall foliage, whale-watching, and really good ice cream.

10 of the best international destinations for solo travel

Madrid, Spain for convivial nightlife, world-class museums, and picturesque urban parks.

Lisbon, Portugal for sunset views, sharing a glass of sangria with locals, and the charming old neighborhood of Alfama.

Dublin, Ireland for traditional Irish music, the Guinness Storehouse, and famously welcoming residents.

Buenos Aires, Argentina for street tango in El Caminito, fine art at MALBA, and shopping at the San Telmo market.

Tulum, Mexico for Mayan ruins, turquoise seas, and rainforest adventures.

Cape Town, South Africa for a morning in the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, an afternoon on Clifton Beach, and a sunset hike to Lion’s Head.

Osaka, Japan for izakaya bars, ancient shrines, and the best ramen you’ve ever tasted.

Hong Kong for the exuberant nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong, evening markets, and exploring the neighboring islands. (As a bonus, solo travelers say they feel extremely safe in Hong Kong.)

Seoul, South Korea for savory street food, royal palaces, and animal cafés that let you cuddle raccoons and sheep.

Sydney, Australia for walking down George Street, sunbathing on Bondi Beach, and seeing the Sydney Opera House.

Just don’t wait until the last minute to buy your travel insurance! Find out why more than 70 million American travelers each year trust Allianz Travel Insurance to keep them safe. Get a quote today.

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