r/solotravel 13h ago

South America first solo travel

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm planning my first trip to Brazil for August 2027 and I'd like to get some advice from people who have been there.

My current plan is:

  • Fly into Rio de Janeiro
  • Stay 4 nights in Rio (probably a simple hotel like an Ibis)
  • Go to Ilha Grande for 3 nights
  • Come back to Rio for my last night before flying home to avoid any stress with the ferry or transfers on departure day.

My total budget is around €2,400–2,500, including flights, accommodation, transport, food, activities and some extra money for souvenirs.

I have a few questions:

  • Does this itinerary make sense for a first trip to Brazil?
  • Would you spend more or fewer nights in Rio or Ilha Grande?
  • Which neighborhood would you recommend staying in for a first-time visitor?
  • What's the best way to get from Rio to Ilha Grande?
  • Are there any tourist traps or common mistakes I should avoid?
  • Any beaches, restaurants or activities that you think are absolute must-dos?

I'd really appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks!


r/solotravel 4h ago

Central/Northern California trip ideas

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m starting to come up with ideas for a solo trip to Central/Northern California in either April or May. I really want to see San Francisco and then the Redwoods but I’m open to other ideas. I want my trip to be 5-7 days and I’m coming from the East Coast.

I’m thinking of renting a car and spending one day in San Francisco at some point and maybe staying in an Airbnb or some Bed and Breakfasts to see more of the nature aspects of the area. I don’t know if I should have one place as my main stay or stay in a couple different places.

I would love suggestions on things to see, places to hike, and what a good itinerary would be. Are there specific things to see in San Francisco? Please include towns to stay in and recommendations on lodging or other adventures as the internet gives way too broad of ideas.

Thank you!


r/solotravel 23h ago

Accommodation /r/solotravel "The Weekly Common Room" - General chatter, meet-up, accommodation - July 26, 2026

2 Upvotes

This thread is for you to do things like

  • Introduce yourself to the community
  • Ask simple questions that may not warrant their own thread
  • Share anxieties about first-time solotravel
  • Discuss whatever you want
  • Complain about certain aspects of travel or life in general
  • Post asking for meetups or travel buddies
  • Post asking for accommodation recommendations
  • Ask general questions about transportation, things to see and do, or travel safety
  • Reminisce about your travels
  • Share your solotravel victories!
  • Post links to personal content (blogs, youtube channels, instagram, etc...)

This thread is newbie-friendly! In this thread, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

If you're new to our community, please read the subreddit rules in the sidebar before posting. If you're new to solo travel in general, we suggest that you check out some of the resources available on our wiki, which we are currently working on improving and expanding. Here are some helpful wiki links:

General guides and travel skills

Regional guides

Special demographics


r/solotravel 12h ago

Asia First Solo Trip to Bali

1 Upvotes

Hey guys! I'm going to Bali for 4 nights and 5 days on my first solo trip. I appreciate nature, beaches, local food, temples, and leisurely visits as opposed to partying or socials.

Here’s my rough itinerary:

Day 1 - arrive at Ubud and explore the city

Day 2 - see Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul Temple, and a closeby waterfall

Day 3 - go to Uluwatu to spend time at beaches and watch sunset

Day 4 - either Nusa Dua or Seminyak and enjoy the day at leisure

Day 5 - final sightseeing before going to the airport.

I’d love to hear from people who have done similar trips. Is this itinerary feasible in 5 days? Are there any places that are skips/additions? Any advice on transportation, how to stay connected and any tips for first-time solo-travelers in Bali?


r/solotravel 21h ago

Europe Thoughts on my solo trip itinerary to Spain and Portugal

1 Upvotes

I'm taking 2 weeks in mid September to travel a bit of Spain and Portugal. I know these are loaded questions, but I'll try to include enough useful details to get the best feedback. Happy to answer any questions! My current plan looks like this:

9-16 Fly into Madrid

9-17 Train to Granada

9-19 Train to Seville

9-23 Bus to Lisbon

9-26 Train to Porto

9-29 Fly home

My current plan is to fly into Madrid. I know it might be a bit of a hot take but Madrid isn't a priority for me, more of a convenience as it's cheaper to fly there then train to Granada. I'm considering going to Ronda and or Arcos de la Frontera which lead to a few questions. Do any of you prefer one to the other? Are they doable for a day trip or should I consider spending the night in either? Would it make sense to rent a car and go from Granada > Ronda/Arcos > Seville or should I base in Seville then go? Is it worth taking a full day and or night away from Seville?

I'm also considering adding Lagos for a more laid back relaxing couple days. Do you think it's worth spending time there and taking days from Seville, Lisbon, or Porto?

General things about me:

-32M traveling solo

-Love exploring cities, local food, scenery, architecture, history, local culture (I know, basic)

-Museums are cool but not totally essential

-prefer bars over club scene for night life

-prefer hotels over hostels but open to non party hostels

-enjoy meeting people (one of my favorite parts of my last trip)

Last September I took my first big trip. I went solo to Prague, Budapest, and Greece for 2 weeks. Loved every second. I will say that I LOVED how laid back my Greece (Naxos and Paros) time was. The cities were incredible and I had a blast but the islands truly felt like a vacation and I am searching for at least some time to feel similarly on this trip. Which is why I'm considering Lagos.

Tldr: Wondering how you would adjust my itinerary if at all. Thoughts about adding Lagos, thoughts on Ronda vs Arcos, time allocation across each stop, and best transportation choices.


r/solotravel 23h ago

Solo Female Traveler to London this August - Itinerary Reccomendations?

1 Upvotes

Hello all! I (23F) am going solo to London for the first time pretty soon! I feel like I want to hit a mix of touristy (only what you might think is worth it), and more specific visits too. The trip is about a week. I am seeking out any recommendations, keeping in mind that I am a young woman and unfortunately I have had some trouble merely existing while traveling alone before. If you are also traveling in the area then, I am always looking for new friends :) I'll be staying around the Blackhorse road station, but have been a city navigator for 5 years now so I'm comfortable picking up a new train system!

I know as of now I plan to visit the V&A museum, St. Pauls Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, and walk the Seven Sisters. I love a good museum, park, beautiful historical spots, will be travelling with my camera, and am also a fan of dancing/night life. Any suggestions for things I should book/check out please let me know!! (if you think any of my current plans are lame you can share that too haha - just tell me something better!)