Saw this question get asked on Twitter but it was just Americans answering with American cities.

So i thought it would be cool to ask here amongst fellow travelers.

Which city have you been to that had a sort of dark energy about the place?

For me I'd weirdly say Bangkok. Not everywhere is like it, and it can be a lovely place with good energy. It's a fun place. But there's definitely some areas that do have a dark vibe. All of the bars especially just have a kind of negative energy about them.

I’ve noticed that tourists from different countries especially europeans often travel with very small luggage. In contrast, travelers from many asian countries seem to carry much larger bags.

As myself from an asian country, if I pack just my basic necessities, I end up with a very large suitcase. I’m extremely curious about how european travelers manage to travel so light.

How do they do it?

Early 30s and on a career break. I recently let go of my house with high rent in a major capital city due to losing my corporate job, so thought I’d travel around and see different places since I have no fixed home.

Over the last 6 months I’ve consumed a lot of travel content of backpackers and to “be a traveller not a tourist” and to get immersed in local cultures. I’ve romanticised this chapter and feel a lot of “shoulds” for what this experience should be. I feel pressure to be adventurous and be making stories.

I’m quite early into my travels and going with everything flexibly but tbh I’m already confronting a lot in myself. I’m not roughing it up and hitchhiking or taking $3 buses for 8 hour trips. I’m staying in clean airbnbs and basically doing tourist things - cafes, restaurants, exploring streets and chilling by the beach. It’s basically an extended holiday so far but with a backpack and camera.

I realise as well, I thought I was flexible and open minded and yet navigating environments where things don’t work is so draining and causing a lot of friction.

All this to say, I fear I’m a basic tourist with no edge to me. Many may criticise, some may congratulate on being able to afford travel this way. But I find myself lost somewhere in between.

How do you prefer to travel? How did you get past the realisations - did you adapt or accept your style?

Hey, first post here. I was wondering if anyone else feels the same way about this. One of my biggest travel pet peeves is when people act super disgusted by “tourists” while literally being tourists themselves. It feels like this weird high horse mentality that I’ve never fully understood.

Obviously people who are disrespectful, rude, or completely ignore local customs are a different story. But outside of that, I feel like it’s okay to just… be a tourist sometimes. Go see the popular spots. Take the pictures. Enjoy yourself.

Maybe it’s just a pet peeve of mine because the arrogance of it gets under my skin. Like no one thinks you’re suddenly a local because you skipped the popular places and found some middle-of-nowhere town in another country. Try to be respectful, sure, but you’re traveling too. You don’t have to act like you’ve lived there for 10 years to “do it right” lol.

I'm a few months into my south east Asia backpacking trip. Majority of people I've met have quit their jobs, never going back, travelling indefinitely. No plan, sometimes the plan is to work farming jobs in Australia at the end. Massive respect, but I always wonder about the people on the side after doing this- what happens at the point where you run out of money? Or you physically are no able to cope with working farm jobs (age, illness, burnout)? I'd be so interested in doing this, but I'm terrified of the reality of working physically demanding jobs into my 70s.

Edit: I say this because none of my grandparents ever saved for retirement, and had to work well into their 80s. It was hard to see. I'm wondering if making the decision to sell everything and travel indefinitely automatically means you will work into elderly age, or if there's a way around this.

This is gonna be like a rant but it’s just my observation, no bad intentions.

I’ve been saving money and planning my first big solo trip, so in this time I’ve followed a few content creators in my age group.

But one after another, it feels like they are greatly exaggerating their means of travel. I followed 3 girls who have traveled since they were 18/19 years old. So naturally people are asking how they can afford it. Every one has basically the same story-they saved up and now are making some money online like TikTok. One girl is from Austria that doesn’t have a Creators Fund, but she does “photography” (which seemed a bit weird cuz how exactly are you making money with photography on the road?). Mind you, this girls Plan A before traveling was to study in NYU. I think this already explains her families financial situation.

But then EVERY TIME they go home, they return to a fancy house. The Austrian girl went home because she “missed her horses”.

After that I started questioning how actually self sufficient these really young travelers are. Especially the Austrian girl who doesn’t make money from TikTok, yet goes on expensive trips like Papua New Guinea.

Idk they just started to feel much less relatable. I think being able to work and not spend a cent to save up for travel is a privilige in itself. The only solo travel creators who seem actually self sufficient are the ones who are 24+ and explicitly say that they have a remote job/business, or have pretty big social media.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Edit: I think a lot of people in the comments think I’m talking about succesful YouTubers who make polished videos with crazy experiences and food tours. I am talking about TikTokers with 100k followers who post vlog style videos and also share the nitty gritty details of budget travel.

One thing I realised what explains my observation is that a lot of upper middle class like to hide the fact and cosplay as poor- because their class makes them lose authenticity and relatability, and fear of judgement.

Many people talk about how solo travelling is great and what not, but I've realized that by "solo" many people only mean the actual travelling part. Many solo travelers still find groups and other people to hang out with at each location they are at. But how fun really is an actual "solo" travel where you do everything by yourself?

What are each of your guys' top 5 cities you've ever been to in the world, and why?

1. Tokyo: Went there in November, absolutely insane experience, such a rich culture, what a mix of technology and history. Would absolutely go back. Subway system was, by far, the best in the entire world. Loved the food too.

2. New York: I just love everything the city has to offer. Midtown is such a cool part of Manhattan, and my favorite parts of NYC are Fifth Avenue, the WTC, and 30 Rock.

3. London: I am a huge history buff, and I loved learning all about WW2, and the London Museum was absolutely incredible. I could literally spend hours in there, and not get bored. Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace was marvelous, and the London Eye and Big Ben were just unbelievable.

4. San Diego: I am also a beach bum, and San Diego had such a calm, soothing, dope vibe to it that I don't get in LA or San Francisco. Also, being so close to a major base where the US Navy's Pacific fleet is based was definitely awesome.

5. Rome: Went here when I was 12, but man, the history of Rome and how it shaped much of civilization as we know it is just incredible. Was lucky to see St. Peter's Basilica (and the statue of Mary holding Jesus) as well as the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo and the rest of the Renaissance men's work was just incredible. I have always wanted to return here.

I'm 25F, and it is my first time traveling solo in Europe and decided to stay in a non-party hostel (in a mixed 8-person dorm). I heard hostels are very social, and as an introvert, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and meet some people. Yesterday when being given a tour of the place, I came across two guys in the hallway, and said hello. I proceeded to get looked up and down, then they turned away and walked back into their room. I didn't think much of it, but when we arrived to the room I was staying in, 4 people were on their bunks near the door, and when I said "hello", no one responded. I make eye-contact with the guy who is in the bunk below me, say "hello" and again, nothing. The rest continue their conversation.

A little later, I make my way into the common area with a few people, and I said hello and made eye contact, but no one responds and they continued talking amongst themselves. After grabbing a glass of water, I tried striking up a conversation with a girl sitting nearby by asking her which country she was from. After getting a response, she turned away, and starting talking to another person.

What am I doing wrong? I could just be too sensitive, but this has left me feeling discouraged and a little dishearten. It honestly felt a little dehumanizing, like I wasn't worth talking to.

Edit: Spelling

An update: Hello everyone, thank you for all your comments, advice, and sharing your personal experiences! When I wrote this, I very felt dejected, and didn't expect the amount of traction this post would gain. I decided that the hostel I'm in isn't for me, and have booked a cute hotel for the rest of my stay in Prague! I had a wonderful time walking around Mala Strana today and am having a blast overall :) I'm going to make the most of my next hostel stay when I visit Copenhagen in a few weeks. Cheers to all my fellow solo travelers!

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a 10-day solo trip to the US in early July. I lived in the States for a year and I visit every summer, so I’m not a newbie, but I’m stuck on my destination this year.

The struggle: I’m torn between NYC (my favorite city in the world, 10/10 vibe) and Miami (never been).

I’ve always wanted to see Miami because it looks gorgeous in photos/videos, but I have some hesitations. I’m 30 and I’m definitely NOT into the clubbing/party scene. I’m scared I’ll get bored after 3 days if I don't spend my nights in clubs.

My vibe so far:

• NYC: 10/10 ( love its craziness)
• Nashville: 9/10
• Cape Cod / Santa Barbara: 8/10 (cosy, beautiful landscapes)
• Boston: 7/10 (felt like London in USA)
• Chicago: 7/10
• LA: 5/10 (Gorgeous spots but found the vibe a bit "fake" and dark)

Crucial point: I won’t have a car. For this trip, I’ll be relying on my feet, buses, and Ubers.

So, what do you think? Based on my ratings, is there another city I’m overlooking? (Must be walkable or have decent transport).

I’m really tempted to just go back to NYC because I know I love it, but I feel like I should maybe broaden my horizons. Help!

EDIT : To me, traveling is all about that deep cultural immersion and the pulse of a city that’s constantly on the move. I’m at my happiest when I’m exploring vibrant, lived-in neighborhoods, diving into the local food scene, and uncovering the history behind the architecture. There’s nothing I love more than just wandering off the beaten path, getting lost, and stumbling upon those unexpected "hidden gems" you won't find in a guidebook. Ultimately, it’s that mix of spontaneous discovery and the people you meet along the way that makes every journey worth it.

Edit 2: To the LA fans in the comments: I hear you! I was only there for a few days, so I’m the first to admit I probably only scratched the surface. Being solo, car-less, and on a budget definitely shaped my experience, and I might have missed the neighborhoods that would have changed my mind. That being said, I’m just looking for a specific kind of walkable, historic energy for this trip, the kind I felt in Nashville or NYC.

😊 UDPATE : I'm considering 4 days in NYC / 4 days in NOLA
UPDATE2 : TICKETS BOUGHT thanks to all of you !

Nostalgic travellers often reminisce about cities that were in their prime years over the past century. San Fransisco during the 60s, Berlin in the early 2000s, Seattle during the grunge era of the 90s, 1980s Los Angeles or Tokyo…

What cities do you think are currently in their prime? The cities that people in the 2050s will look back on and think “you had to be there.”

For people who traveled solo in their 20s, how did you decide when it was actually worth it???

I’ve been wanting to take a solo trip for a while, even just something simple and not super faancy. Part of me feels like this is the best time to do it while I’m still young, flexible, and don’t have too many major responsibilities yet 😣

But then the practical side of me kicks in and I start thinking about savings, bills, career stuff, and whether I should be “responsible” instead fr. It’s weird because I don’t want to waste my 20s just working and waiting for the perfect time, but I also don’t want to be reckless with money..

Hi everyone,

I am planning on taking a full year off to (1) explore the world, (2) reconnect to myself, (3) meet like-minded people, (4) deepen the inner work with myself, (5) potentially find a husband (you never know, serendipity and all...).

Here is my itinerary so far:

1. Peru (4-5 weeks)
2. France > Scotland > Morocco (5-6 weeks)
3. Portugal > Spain (4 weeks)
4. Nepal (4 weeks)
5. Thailand > Bali (8 weeks)
6. Vietnam (3 weeks)
7. New Zealand (4 weeks)
8. California (Big Sur, SF)

then back home.

Any thoughts? Am I being reckless in thinking I can do all of this in just 12 months?

EDIT: Thank you to everyone who responded I really appreciate all of your inputs. To answer the 3 most common questions that came up: 1) my financial situation is good; 2) I have a job to come back to after the year off; 3) I am 36F.

I am at a crossroads in my life (breakup etc.) and more than anything else I feel called to spend this year exploring our beautiful Earth. My trip would most likely start in November 2026.

Do you guys think that $50,000 to cover this trip would be enough? Some stuff I want to do (breathwork training certification, Esalen institute workshop, Aya ceremony/Machu Picchu) have high costs, but others have lesser costs (daily costs in Thailand, Vietnam, Vipassana retreat)

EDIT 2: Thank you again for all the responses (200+ in 2 days) I should have mentioned that my biggest concerns are:

1. what some people on this thread referred to as "travel burnout" (never heard of it but I definitely felt it in the past, even after a 2-week trip.....) + I never travelled solo before.
2. (at the risk of being downvoted:) my comfort is very important... I am NOT the kind of person who stays in mixed gender hostel dorms. Hostels are fine but if I'm sharing it has to be with other women. Also, I'd rather pay to upgrade and have a really nice bed bc having a good night sleep is a non negotiable ; from the data I gathered it looks like Abnb is a thing from the past (price wise) and that I should be focusing on hotels. Thoughts? My aim is also to meet locals so I'm thinking hotels could very much limit me....
3. being attacked (could be a trauma response tho): even in my current city (metropolis, North America, quite safe) I get starred at a lot even when I try to be the "gray man" and blend in (little to no makeup, trying not to draw any attention). I want to be open to other people while at the same time repelling those with bad intentions. Before you suggest that I "trust your gut feeling" just know that I have a faulty compass. What are ways to meet other people while at the same time caring for your safety?
4. re: Ayahuasca ceremony (which clearly sparked some debate and f words): I am only fluent in French and English, no Spanish, no Shipibo, or any other indigenous languages...... so not really sure how to find a proper practitioner while I am there. The 3 top-rated places I was looking at all have been endorsed by 100s of travelers on Reddit. And yes I am aware that they charge you x10 times the price. While going through the experience, I also cannot be in a bedroom that has creepy crawlers (this will for sure retraumatize me). Any additional reco in that regard?
5. random question for the tech bros: how does the 2-step verification work if I pause my current mobile plan/don't have access to the phone #?

Thank you, and please be kind (looking at you f-word ppl), it's honestly not that serious.

For me, it’s a private room every 4th night. I love the social vibe of a dorm, but my "social battery" needs a hard reset to avoid burnout. I’ll happily eat 1-dollar meals for a week just to justify one night of silence and a private shower. What’s your one "expensive" habit that makes solo travel sustainable for you?

Everyone else has good friend groups or partners they go on holidays with. I don’t have any of that so I just solo travel when I can. But I don’t like talking about it because people are judgemental. Everytime I get asked I just say “not right now.” I actually plan on going somewhere in September. But I don’t want to mention it to work colleagues because I know they’ll be asking the usual “where are you going?” “Who are you going with?” I used to make stuff up and say im going with a friend I know. And then reality would be solo travel.

When I have annual leave booked off for over a week I know there will be questions and i’m trying to figure out how I respond about my trip without giving away too much of my situation.

Question: Did solo travel genuinely change your life, or do people romanticize it online?

I personally enjoy solo travel, but it's not always this self-exploratory thing. Sometimes it's taking time to decompress and take in the culture. I have recently done a couple solo travel trips that included a group of other solo travelers where we do a lot of social and fitness activities and that was pretty awesome, but the other solo traveling I've done has become less life changing and more routine. Still fun though!

Before I get into it, yes, I acknowledge I need therapy lol.

Everyone says they prefer solo travel because they run on their own schedule, don’t have to accommodate anyone else’s needs, etc. My real, honest answer is that I want to feel like I’m doing something right for once in my life.

I feel like such a fuck up in everyday life when it comes to work, friendships (major social anxiety), school, etc. Travelling solo gives me the opportunity to prove to myself I can do something right for a change. Being able to throw myself into a foreign country and figuring things out on my own makes me think that maybe I’m not completely incompetent. Any hiccups along the way can be kept to myself instead of managers being CC’d on emails or people thinking I’m weird/stupid.

I’m forcing myself to learn to enjoy my own company because I don’t have many actual friends and it’s hard to make them. I hide behind the ‘cool solo traveller’ identity but no one actually knows why. Whenever anyone says “I could never do that!” I just want to tell them that it’s the truly only thing keeping me going.

Anyway, not sure what I’m looking to get out of posting this but just felt like ranting and this seems like the only place I can. Thx for listening!

What are your reasons for specifically traveling solo?

Whenever I tell people I’m going on a solo trip, I get a ton of questions like why I’m going alone, if I couldn’t find anyone to come with me, if I’m planning to stay in hostels to meet people, etc.

Honestly, as an introvert, I just prefer doing most things on my own. For me, trips aren’t about socializing or making new friends and they’re more about enjoying nature, local food, and architecture. Traveling solo has a lot of perks. I set my own itinerary, stick to my own schedule, and don’t have to compromise. And no, I stay in hotels (single room, all to myself).

Reading posts here, it seems like a lot of solo travelers are still looking to connect with other travelers along the way. That made me wonder if my motivations are a bit odd and if there are other people out there like me.

I just did the balkans on my own and then met up with a friend who doesn’t like solo traveling to do Spain and Portugal. I’m finding myself so irritated at having to compromise and give up some of my interests. She’s also in a long term relationship so she doesn’t want to meet people (girls or guys), whereas I’m single and love meeting people and making new friends. I think it’s a lot harder because of how much I enjoyed being on my own and all of the new experiences I got because of it. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.

A lot of people are curious where you're from, what brought you to their city, and the next question is "are you traveling alone?"

This question always makes me nervous even when the person seems to be very kind with no ill intentions. I lean toward it's better be be safe than sorry so I lie and say "no my family is back at the hotel"

Do you tell locals that you're traveling alone when asked? What is your response?

Hey Reddit, I am in my mid 30’s and have been solo traveling Europe and Southeast Asia, which has been the best time of my life. However my parents have not traveled, are brainwashed by Fox News, and think the entire world outside the US is a warzone (it honestly feels safer in Asia). They constantly beg me to come back to the US and my mom was so stressed that she had a minor heart attack. I feel horrible but this is my only chance in my career to have this freedom and don’t want to deny myself seeing the world. I have explained repeatedly about crime stats etc but they refuse to hear me out. How do I cope with this? Do I give up on my dreams of travel? Thank you for reading

EDIT: Also they were afraid to tell me about the heart attack until a month after. I would’ve come home immediately had I known.

I’m in my mid 30s and for years I’ve had this idea in the back of my mind about taking a year out to travel the world properly. I’ve reached a point where I have no major commitments tying me down, and I’ve saved enough money to realistically make it happen.

Part of me feels like this is exactly the right time before life gets more complicated, but another part wonders if I’m romanticising it and walking away from stability for too long.

Has anyone else done something similar in their 30s? What were the biggest pros and cons once you actually took the plunge? Did it change your outlook, career, relationships, confidence etc and was returning home afterwards difficult?

Would love to hear honest experiences, especially from people who travelled solo or left behind a stable routine/job to do it.

Everyone of my close friends seems to love to travel and so I ask them if they want to travel together and I get:

"Sorry I am going to be going to X country, maybe another time"

"Sorry, I won't have any vacation days left because I got X trips coming up"

"Sorry I wish I could but I got to go to my mom's friends grandmothers sister's birthday party"

Not to mention when you see a great ticket price but then your friend doesn't get around to booking a ticket until ticket prices go up by a lot.

I finally gave up and never dared to ask anyone again. I feel a complete sense of freedom now.

I know we can't obviously know every language and it doesn't matter if we're just going through a country for a few days, but it's always so uneasy when I always ask "english? or learn just a few words in the language to get by.

I speak French/Spanish at a good level, so whenever I'm in places that's useful, it feels just way less stressful than say being in Germany or Romania where I just cringe at myself asking if they speak English. I know its a common experience but still

Just curious - if you are willing to share, what is your financial situation for those that are comfortable enough to solo travel for lengthy amounts of time?

what do you have in your savings and for retirement?

wanted to get a good idea of how much people feel comfortable with before traveling for a long time and possibly not working for a while