City in British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver for solo travelers
Is Vancouver good for solo travel?
Mountains, forest and ocean right by a compact city; great for hikers, cyclists and sushi lovers. Housing is Canada's priciest, winters are grey and wet, and downtown has visible drug use.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late, avoid Hastings Street at night and tell someone your plans for backcountry hikes. |
How to meet people in Vancouver
Hostels in Gastown, run clubs on the seawall, climbing gyms, Meetup hiking groups, brewery nights and language exchanges are the easiest ways to meet people.
Good things to do alone
- Cycle the Stanley Park seawall
- Hike Grouse Grind or Quarry Rock
- Eat at Granville Island Public Market
- Kayak or paddleboard in False Creek
- Day trip to Whistler on a bus
Where to stay in Vancouver
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Gastown–Yaletown | Central, restaurants and bars, close to SkyTrain |
| Kitsilano | Beaches, yoga, cafés; relaxed long stays |
| Mount Pleasant | Craft breweries, coffee, cheaper rents than downtown |
| West End | Near Stanley Park and beaches; walkable and LGBTQ+-friendly |
| Commercial Drive | Independent cafés, music, budget food |
Solo travel across Canada
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Montreal | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Toronto | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Banff | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Quebec City | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Whistler | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Ottawa | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Calgary | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Victoria | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Jasper | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Halifax | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Tofino | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kelowna | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Niagara Falls | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Edmonton | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Yellowknife | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Mont-Tremblant | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Prince Edward Island | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Vancouver good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Mountains, forest and ocean right by a compact city; great for hikers, cyclists and sushi lovers.
How do you meet people in Vancouver?
Hostels in Gastown, run clubs on the seawall, climbing gyms, Meetup hiking groups, brewery nights and language exchanges are the easiest ways to meet people. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Vancouver?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Vancouver safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late, avoid Hastings Street at night and tell someone your plans for backcountry hikes.
More about Vancouver
Going to Vancouver solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Vancouver 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.