City in Alberta, Canada
Calgary for solo travelers
Is Calgary good for solo travel?
Practical big-city base for the Rockies, with sunny winters, Stampede in July and no provincial sales tax. The core is car-oriented and quiet at night; Banff is 90 minutes away.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late and avoid LRT platforms alone at night. |
How to meet people in Calgary
Hostels, Meetup hiking groups, brewery nights, Stampede events and climbing gyms; outdoor group trips to the Rockies are common.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Bow River pathway
- Eat at Calgary Farmers' Market
- See Stampede in early July
- Visit Heritage Park historical village
- Take a day trip to Banff
Where to stay in Calgary
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Beltline | Bars, restaurants and condos near downtown; good first stay |
| Kensington (Hillhurst-Sunnyside) | Indie cafés and shops by the Bow River |
| Inglewood | Breweries, music venues and vintage shops |
| Downtown East Village | Library, riverside paths and Stampede grounds |
Solo travel across Canada
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Montreal | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Toronto | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Banff | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Quebec City | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Whistler | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Ottawa | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Calgary | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Victoria | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Jasper | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Halifax | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Tofino | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kelowna | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Niagara Falls | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Edmonton | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Yellowknife | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Mont-Tremblant | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Prince Edward Island | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Calgary good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Practical big-city base for the Rockies, with sunny winters, Stampede in July and no provincial sales tax.
How do you meet people in Calgary?
Hostels, Meetup hiking groups, brewery nights, Stampede events and climbing gyms; outdoor group trips to the Rockies are common. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Calgary?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Calgary safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late and avoid LRT platforms alone at night.
More about Calgary
Going to Calgary solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Calgary 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.