City in South Carolina, United States
Charleston for solo travelers
Is Charleston good for solo travel?
Beautifully preserved Southern port city for food, history and beaches. Compact and walkable; expensive, hot and humid in summer, and flood-prone at high tide.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks around nightlife areas and stay on lit streets. |
How to meet people in Charleston
Walking and food tours, kayak and paddleboard outings, rooftop bars, run clubs, and live-music nights on King Street.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Battery at sunrise
- Kayak or paddle in Charleston Harbor
- Eat shrimp and grits at a local restaurant
- Tour a plantation with a focus on history
- Ride a bike over the Ravenel Bridge
Where to stay in Charleston
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Historic Downtown (South of Broad) | Walkable sights, restaurants and old houses; most expensive |
| King Street and Upper King | Shops, bars, cafés and nightlife |
| Mount Pleasant | Quieter, close to beaches and the Ravenel Bridge |
| Folly Beach | Surf town on a barrier island, 25 min from downtown |
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 Charleston good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Beautifully preserved Southern port city for food, history and beaches.
How do you meet people in Charleston?
Walking and food tours, kayak and paddleboard outings, rooftop bars, run clubs, and live-music nights on King Street. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Charleston?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Charleston safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks around nightlife areas and stay on lit streets.
More about Charleston
Going to Charleston solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Charleston 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.