City in New York, United States
New York City for solo travelers
Is New York City good for solo travel?
The easiest big city in the US to be alone in: 24-hour subway, endless food, museums and meetups. Rent and hotels are among the world's highest, and summer heat and noise wear on you.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Polite but reserved |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect some catcalling; choose busy subway cars near the conductor late at night and use a rideshare from bars. |
How to meet people in New York City
Meetups and run clubs (Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge), social hostels in Manhattan and Brooklyn, comedy open mics, free walking tours, and coworking or language-exchange events.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the High Line into Hudson Yards
- Catch live jazz at a Village club
- Take the Staten Island Ferry for free skyline views
- Spend a day at the Met and walk Central Park
- Eat your way through Flushing, Queens
Where to stay in New York City
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Lower Manhattan (East Village, SoHo) | Nightlife, food and walkable first-time stays |
| Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn | Cafés, bars, music; quick subway into Manhattan |
| Upper West Side | Quieter, near Central Park and museums |
| Long Island City, Queens | Cheaper rooms, short ride to Midtown |
| Midtown West | Tourist sights and hotels; busy and loud |
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 New York City good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). The easiest big city in the US to be alone in: 24-hour subway, endless food, museums and meetups.
How do you meet people in New York City?
Meetups and run clubs (Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge), social hostels in Manhattan and Brooklyn, comedy open mics, free walking tours, and coworking or language-exchange events. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in New York City?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is New York City safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect some catcalling; choose busy subway cars near the conductor late at night and use a rideshare from bars.
More about New York City
- Solo travelacross United States
- Safetyin New York City
- Cost of livingin New York City
- Weather & best timein New York City
- Air qualityin New York City
- Internet & coworkingin New York City
- Getting aroundin New York City
- Tap waterin New York City
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin New York City
- Healthcare & insurancein New York City
Going to New York City solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in New York City meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- MTA (subway, buses and fares)
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- NYC Official Guide (NYC Tourism)
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection (water)
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.