City, New Zealand
Auckland for solo travelers
Is Auckland good for solo travel?
New Zealand's only big city: harbour views, volcanic hills, good food and easy day trips to islands and beaches. Suits working holidays and a first stop; rent is high, transit is thin and weather changes fast.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Usual care with drinks and late-night walks outside busy streets. |
How to meet people in Auckland
Hostels in the CBD and Ponsonby, working-holiday meetups, run and surf clubs, island day trips, Meetup groups and volcano-top sunset hikes.
Good things to do alone
- Ferry to Waiheke for vineyards and beaches
- Walk up Mount Eden for city views
- Hike Rangitoto Island's volcano summit
- Surf lessons at Piha
- Eat at the Auckland Night Markets
Where to stay in Auckland
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| CBD and Viaduct | First-timers: ferries, trains, hostels and nightlife |
| Ponsonby–Grey Lynn | Cafés, restaurants and long stays; close to the center |
| Parnell–Newmarket | Calmer, upscale, shops, near the museum and domain |
| Devonport | Seaside village across the harbour by a 12-minute ferry |
| Mount Eden–Kingsland | Cheaper flats, local pubs, volcano walks |
Solo travel across New Zealand
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Queenstown | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Auckland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Wellington | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Christchurch | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Rotorua | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Wanaka | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Taupo | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bay of Islands | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coromandel | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Tauranga | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Dunedin | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nelson | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kaikoura | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Milford Sound | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Lake Tekapo | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Waiheke Island | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Franz Josef | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Auckland good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). New Zealand's only big city: harbour views, volcanic hills, good food and easy day trips to islands and beaches.
How do you meet people in Auckland?
Hostels in the CBD and Ponsonby, working-holiday meetups, run and surf clubs, island day trips, Meetup groups and volcano-top sunset hikes. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Auckland?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Auckland safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Usual care with drinks and late-night walks outside busy streets.
More about Auckland
Going to Auckland solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Auckland meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.