City in Texas, United States
Austin for solo travelers
Is Austin good for solo travel?
Live music, tacos, barbecue and a big tech and remote-work crowd, with swimming holes and a lively outdoors scene. Summers are brutally hot, the city is car-dependent and downtown weekends get loud.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable in central areas. Watch drinks on Sixth Street, avoid empty trails after dark and use rideshare at night. |
How to meet people in Austin
Live-music venues and open mics, run clubs at Lady Bird Lake, coworking and tech meetups, hostels downtown, and swimming at Barton Springs.
Good things to do alone
- Swim at Barton Springs Pool
- Hear live music on Red River Street
- Eat brisket at Franklin or La Barbecue
- Watch the bat flight at Congress Avenue Bridge
- Paddle Lady Bird Lake at sunrise
Where to stay in Austin
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown / Rainey Street | Bars, music venues and walkable evenings |
| South Congress (SoCo) | Boutiques, cafés and a relaxed, central stay |
| East Austin | Breweries, food trucks and a creative crowd |
| Zilker / Barton Springs | Parks, swimming and the Hike-and-Bike Trail |
| Hyde Park / North Loop | Quiet, local cafés and cheaper long stays |
Solo travel across United States
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nashville | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Austin | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Los Angeles | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Francisco | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Honolulu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Washington, D.C. | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Chicago | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| New Orleans | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Diego | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Seattle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Key West | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Denver | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Portland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Atlanta | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Charleston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Savannah | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kauai | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Big Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sedona | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Orlando | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Maui | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Antonio | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottsdale | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Austin good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Live music, tacos, barbecue and a big tech and remote-work crowd, with swimming holes and a lively outdoors scene.
How do you meet people in Austin?
Live-music venues and open mics, run clubs at Lady Bird Lake, coworking and tech meetups, hostels downtown, and swimming at Barton Springs. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Austin?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Austin safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in central areas. Watch drinks on Sixth Street, avoid empty trails after dark and use rideshare at night.
More about Austin
Going to Austin solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Austin meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- CapMetro (Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
- Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
- Visit Austin
- Austin Water
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.