City in Otago, New Zealand
Dunedin for solo travelers
Is Dunedin good for solo travel?
Student city with Victorian and Scottish architecture, a lively music scene and wildlife on the Otago Peninsula. Cheap by NZ standards and good for a slow stop; winters are cold and the center is small.
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 | Very comfortable for solo women. Usual care with drinks and walking home late. |
How to meet people in Dunedin
Hostels near the Octagon, Saturday farmers' market, live-music nights, wildlife tours and student-area cafés.
Good things to do alone
- See albatross and penguins on the Otago Peninsula
- Walk or taste at the Saturday farmers' market
- Tour Larnach Castle
- Climb Baldwin Street for a quick look
- Surf or walk St Clair Beach
Where to stay in Dunedin
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| City Centre and Octagon | Short stays: cafés, bars, hostels, museums |
| North Dunedin (student area) | Cheaper flats, near the university, lively nights |
| St Clair | Seaside suburb with surf and beach cafés |
| Port Chalmers | Small harbour town with galleries and quiet stays |
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 Dunedin good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Student city with Victorian and Scottish architecture, a lively music scene and wildlife on the Otago Peninsula.
How do you meet people in Dunedin?
Hostels near the Octagon, Saturday farmers' market, live-music nights, wildlife tours and student-area cafés. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Dunedin?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Dunedin safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Usual care with drinks and walking home late.
More about Dunedin
Going to Dunedin solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Dunedin 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.