City in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Port Elizabeth for solo travelers
Is Port Elizabeth good for solo travel?
Officially renamed Gqeberha in 2021. Beachfront city with long beaches, a cheap cost of living and the gateway to Addo elephants and the Garden Route. Quiet for solo travelers; use Uber and watch water supply.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women can travel here with care; avoid empty beaches and streets at night, use app rides and meet dates in public. |
How to meet people in Port Elizabeth
Beachfront parkrun, surf and kitesurf lessons, hostels in Summerstrand, Addo group safaris, and bars and cafés in Richmond Hill.
Good things to do alone
- Take a day trip to Addo Elephant Park
- Walk Hobie Beach to Humewood
- Visit the Donkin Reserve and lighthouse
- Join a dolphin or whale boat trip
- Take a surf lesson at Algoa Bay
Where to stay in Port Elizabeth
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Summerstrand | Beachfront stays, university area, restaurants and Hobie Beach |
| Walmer | Residential, cafés, quieter long stays |
| Humewood | Beach, hotels and Boardwalk; short stays |
| Richmond Hill | Restaurants and bars; use Uber at night |
Solo travel across South Africa
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kruger National Park | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Stellenbosch | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Hermanus | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Knysna | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Plettenberg Bay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Jeffreys Bay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Johannesburg | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Durban | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Pretoria | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Port Elizabeth | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Franschhoek | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Umhlanga | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Port Elizabeth good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Officially renamed Gqeberha in 2021.
How do you meet people in Port Elizabeth?
Beachfront parkrun, surf and kitesurf lessons, hostels in Summerstrand, Addo group safaris, and bars and cafés in Richmond Hill. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Port Elizabeth?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Port Elizabeth safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women can travel here with care; avoid empty beaches and streets at night, use app rides and meet dates in public.
More about Port Elizabeth
- Solo travelacross South Africa
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- Tap waterin Port Elizabeth
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin Port Elizabeth
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Going to Port Elizabeth solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Port Elizabeth 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.