City in Washington, United States
Seattle for solo travelers
Is Seattle good for solo travel?
Waterfront city of coffee, tech, ferries and mountains, with Pike Place and easy trips to Mount Rainier and the San Juans. Dry, bright summers and grey winters; rent is high and downtown has visible street problems.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Polite but reserved |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Comfortable in most areas with normal care. Avoid empty downtown streets at night, use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars. |
How to meet people in Seattle
Hostels near Pike Place, run clubs on the waterfront and Green Lake, tech and coworking events, brewery tours in Ballard and hiking groups.
Good things to do alone
- Browse Pike Place Market early
- Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island
- Visit the Museum of Pop Culture
- Hike a day trip at Rattlesnake Ledge or Mount Rainier
- Walk the Fremont Troll and canal path
Where to stay in Seattle
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Capitol Hill | Nightlife, cafés, LGBTQ+ scene and light rail |
| Downtown / Belltown | Pike Place, waterfront and transit access |
| Queen Anne | Views, quiet streets and the Seattle Center |
| Fremont / Ballard | Breweries, cafés and a village feel |
| South Lake Union | Tech campuses, new apartments and coworking |
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 Seattle good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Waterfront city of coffee, tech, ferries and mountains, with Pike Place and easy trips to Mount Rainier and the San Juans.
How do you meet people in Seattle?
Hostels near Pike Place, run clubs on the waterfront and Green Lake, tech and coworking events, brewery tours in Ballard and hiking groups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Seattle?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Seattle safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in most areas with normal care. Avoid empty downtown streets at night, use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars.
More about Seattle
Going to Seattle solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Seattle meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Sound Transit (Link light rail)
- King County Metro
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
- Washington State Ferries
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.