City in West Java, Indonesia
Bandung for solo travelers
Is Bandung good for solo travel?
Cool highland city with a big student scene, cheap cafés, factory outlets and volcano and tea-plantation day trips. Easy weekend from Jakarta by fast train; traffic, hills and dated sidewalks are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Fine for solo women. Dress modestly, expect stares and occasional catcalls, and use ride apps at night. |
How to meet people in Bandung
Café and student scenes around Dago and the universities, language-exchange meetups, hiking groups for Tangkuban Perahu and Dago hills, and coffee tastings.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Braga heritage street at dusk
- Day trip to Tangkuban Perahu crater
- Cycle or visit tea plantations at Ciwidey
- Browse Cihampelas and Factory Outlet streets
- Eat batagor, siomay and Sundanese food on Jalan Braga
Where to stay in Bandung
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Dago | Cafés, hills and views; good for longer stays |
| Braga and Asia-Afrika (city center) | Colonial architecture, walkable streets, mid-range hotels |
| Cihampelas and Pasteur | Shopping, outlets and cheaper rooms near the highway |
| Lembang | Cooler hill town north of the city; farms and viewpoints |
Solo travel across Indonesia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ubud | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Canggu | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Seminyak | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sanur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amed | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Malang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Manado | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 | Limited |
| Jakarta | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nusa Penida | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kuta | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nusa Dua | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Raja Ampat | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bandung | 3/5 | Limited |
| Batam | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bintan | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Medan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Surabaya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Jimbaran | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Bandung good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Cool highland city with a big student scene, cheap cafés, factory outlets and volcano and tea-plantation day trips.
How do you meet people in Bandung?
Café and student scenes around Dago and the universities, language-exchange meetups, hiking groups for Tangkuban Perahu and Dago hills, and coffee tastings. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Bandung?
Limited.
Is Bandung safe for solo female travelers?
Fine for solo women. Dress modestly, expect stares and occasional catcalls, and use ride apps at night.
More about Bandung
Going to Bandung solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Bandung 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.