City in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
York for solo travelers
Is York good for solo travel?
Compact walled city of minster, medieval lanes and Viking history, easy for a first solo trip on foot. Busy with day-trippers, pricey in summer and short on nightlife outside pubs.
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 | Comfortable for solo women, including walking back from pubs. Watch drinks on busy weekend nights and avoid unlit riverside paths late. |
How to meet people in York
Hostels near the walls, free walking tours, pub quizzes and folk nights, parkrun at Rowntree Park, and the university's student events in term time.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the full circuit of the city walls
- Climb York Minster's central tower
- Visit Jorvik Viking Centre early in the day
- Have afternoon tea or a pint on the Shambles
- Cycle the riverside path to Bishopthorpe
Where to stay in York
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Within the city walls | First-timers: Minster, Shambles, pubs, everything on foot |
| Bishopthorpe Road (Bishy Road) | Independent cafés and shops; quieter, 15 minutes' walk from center |
| Micklegate | Pubs, bars and cheaper stays near the station |
| Fulford and Heslington | Student areas with cheaper rooms south and east of center |
Solo travel across United Kingdom
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| London | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Edinburgh | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bristol | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Manchester | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Liverpool | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Glasgow | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Brighton | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottish Highlands | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| York | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Lake District | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cornwall | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Belfast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cardiff | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Birmingham | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Newcastle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Leeds | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Snowdonia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Oxford | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bath | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cambridge | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Isle of Skye | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cotswolds | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is York good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Compact walled city of minster, medieval lanes and Viking history, easy for a first solo trip on foot.
How do you meet people in York?
Hostels near the walls, free walking tours, pub quizzes and folk nights, parkrun at Rowntree Park, and the university's student events in term time. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in York?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is York safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, including walking back from pubs. Watch drinks on busy weekend nights and avoid unlit riverside paths late.
More about York
Going to York solo?
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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.