City, New Zealand
Nelson for solo travelers
Is Nelson good for solo travel?
Sunny, relaxed arts town at the top of the South Island, close to Abel Tasman and Kahurangi. Good for hiking, kayaking and a slow pace; public transport is limited and winters can be chilly.
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 on remote tracks and with hitchhiking. |
How to meet people in Nelson
Hostels in the center, Saturday and Sunday markets, kayak and walking tours in Abel Tasman and cafés with local artists.
Good things to do alone
- Kayak or hike in Abel Tasman National Park
- Visit the Centre of New Zealand lookout
- Browse the Saturday Nelson Market
- Take a Nelson Lakes day trip
- Visit the World of Wearable Art museum
Where to stay in Nelson
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Nelson Central | Short stays: cafés, galleries, hostels, markets |
| The Wood | Quiet residential area near the center |
| Tahunanui | Beach suburb with cheaper stays and an airport |
| Richmond | Cheaper long stays 20 minutes away |
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 Nelson good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Sunny, relaxed arts town at the top of the South Island, close to Abel Tasman and Kahurangi.
How do you meet people in Nelson?
Hostels in the center, Saturday and Sunday markets, kayak and walking tours in Abel Tasman and cafés with local artists. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Nelson?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Nelson safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Usual care on remote tracks and with hitchhiking.
More about Nelson
Going to Nelson solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Nelson 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.