United States
One country, fifty different sets of rules for solo travelers
The short verdict
It depends on the state and on who you are. The big cities are easy to do alone, but the US ranks 134th of 163 in the 2026 Global Peace Index and 47th in Spartacus. New York, top of the state index, and Arkansas, Oklahoma or Tennessee, at the bottom, feel like different countries. Trans travelers should check the document rules before booking.
Solo Score
| Safety | 18 | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety for women | 83 | |
| LGBTQ+ inclusivity | 79 | |
| Trans recognition | 55 | |
| Social life | 54 | |
| Ease | 95 | |
| Cost for one | 37 | |
| Nightlife and events | 80 | |
| Singles demographics | 56 |
version v1 · How we calculate it
The US is easy to travel alone in its big cities and much less so elsewhere. In New York the subway runs 24/7 and nobody looks twice; in many other cities, Italy's foreign ministry notes, downtown empties by 6 or 7pm and getting anywhere in the evening becomes a problem. Without a car, which cities you choose matters more than anything else.
The safety numbers aren't reassuring. In the 2026 Global Peace Index the US ranks 134th of 163, and Italy's foreign ministry reports rising violent crime. The UK Foreign Office adds that gun violence rarely affects tourists. In practice: no empty streets on foot alone at night, and stay away from demonstrations.
For LGBTQ+ travelers there's no single America. Spartacus puts the country 47th for 2026, fifteen places below the UK, and scores every state separately: New York first, California, Nevada and Washington next, Florida and Texas joint 40th, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee at the bottom. Marriage equality has applied nationwide since 2015.
For trans travelers the picture changed in 2025. A January 20 executive order directs that passports, visas and Global Entry cards show sex at birth, and on November 6 the Supreme Court let the passport policy take effect while the case continues. The order concerns US documents, but it has knock-on effects for visitors: read the safety section before you book.
If you're flying from London, the practical checklist is short: ESTA approved before you board, insurance that covers US medical costs, and a credit card that works, because an unpaid restaurant bill can end in a temporary arrest.
Who it's for / who it's not for
- Anyone who wants big cities where being alone is normal
- LGBTQ+ travelers who choose their states carefully, starting with New York and the West Coast
- Mid-to-high budgets
- Anyone relying on public transport outside the big cities
- Daily budgets under $100
- Trans travelers without time to check the document rules first
Safety
General
134th of 163 in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Italy's foreign ministry reports rising violent crime, advises caution in the evening in some big-city areas and recommends avoiding demonstrations, especially around elections. The UK Foreign Office says violence and guns rarely affect tourists. Hurricanes from June to November on the Gulf Coast and in Florida; wildfires on the West Coast from August to November.
Women
Avoid walking alone through quiet areas, especially at night, and check local police advisories for the neighborhood where you're staying.
LGBTQ+
Marriage equality nationwide since 2015; beyond that, laws vary from state to state. Spartacus 2026: 47th nationally.
Trans people
Executive order of January 20, 2025 on sex in federal documents; on November 6, 2025 the Supreme Court allowed it to apply to US passports. A change of sex on your documents requires a new ESTA. The FCDO advises travelers whose passport sex differs from their sex recorded at birth to contact the US Embassy. This section needs review by a trans person before publication.
Emergency numbers
- 911Emergency (police, ambulance, fire)
LGBTQ+
Same-sex relationships are legalchecked on 2 November 2026
- Marriage
- legal nationwide since 2015
- Legal gender
- varies by state; federal IDs use sex at birth
- Spartacus 2026
- #47
Since June 26, 2015 and Obergefell v. Hodges, every state must license and recognize marriages between two people of the same sex. Everything else depends on the state. Spartacus, which has scored each of the 50 states plus DC since 2020, added a censorship category because of laws in a growing number of states that ban discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. In 2026 the US is 47th with 4 points; New York tops the state index with 16, while Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee sit at the bottom on -5. For trans travelers, the new federal document rules are covered in the safety section.
AreasWest Village (New York)
Entry and documents
Visa Waiver Program travelers, British citizens included, need an approved ESTA from the official US government site before boarding; the FCDO's US entry requirements page has the current rules (checked October 27, 2026). This is not legal advice.
Official source ↗Culture and customs
The drinking age is 21 and bars check ID. Cannabis is illegal under federal law even where a state allows it, and airports are federal territory. Drink-driving limits are low and strictly enforced; if police pull you over, stay in the car with your hands on the wheel. Border officers may ask to inspect your devices, including messages and social media. An unpaid restaurant bill can lead to a temporary arrest, so check your card works before you travel.
Solo itineraries
7 days
The East Coast
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Washington
Four nights in New York, one in Philadelphia, two in Washington: three cities you can do without a car. New York State is first in the Spartacus state index, DC ninth, Pennsylvania 23rd.
14 days
The West Coast, top of the Spartacus state index
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Portland
- Seattle
California and Washington share second place in Spartacus's state index, Oregon is fifth. Four nights in Los Angeles, four in San Francisco, two in Portland, four in Seattle. Check wildfire alerts between August and November.
Cost for one
- Low US$110per day
- Mid US$170per day
- High US$340per day
Based on New York: a dorm bed (Hostelworld average 'from' €38.50, about $43), $28 cheap meals per Numbeo users and $3 subway rides for the low figure (about £83); a private room or pod plus a sit-down dinner for the mid figure (about £128). The high figure is an estimate with no verified hotel rate behind it.
Verified on 27 October 2026
Recurring events
- Pride · JuneNYC Pride March, New YorkJune 28 in 2026.
- Carnival · OctoberVillage Halloween Parade, New YorkOctober 31, 2026 at 7pm.
Cities
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to enter the US from the UK?
Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before boarding; travelling on one when you're not eligible can lead to detention and deportation. Apply on the official CBP site, where approvals are typically valid for two years or until your passport expires.
Is the US safe for solo travelers?
The UK Foreign Office says violent and gun crime rarely affect tourists, but advises against walking alone in quieter areas, especially at night, and checking local police advisories. Italy's foreign ministry notes that many downtowns empty out by 6 or 7pm, which makes evening transport harder.
How much do LGBTQ+ rights vary by state?
A lot. In Spartacus's 2026 state index New York is first with 16 points and California, Nevada and Washington share second; Florida and Texas are 40th on -3, and Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee are last on -5. Same-sex marriage has been legal everywhere since 2015.
What should trans travelers know before they go?
A January 2025 executive order directs that passports and visas show sex at birth, and in November 2025 the Supreme Court let the policy apply to US passports while litigation continues. On a foreign passport, a change of sex on your documents means a new ESTA, and the FCDO says travelers whose passport sex differs from their sex recorded at birth should contact the US Embassy.
How much does a day cost alone?
In New York, about $110 (roughly £83) on a dorm bed and cheap meals, $170 (£128) with a private room or pod and a sit-down dinner. Healthcare is excellent but expensive, so get insurance that covers medical costs and repatriation.
Can I bring cannabis if it's legal in that state?
No. Cannabis is still illegal under federal law, and airports are federal territory, so even recent use can get you refused at the border.
Sources
22 sourcesContent checked against sources, waiting for an editor's sign-off. Not indexed yet.
- Cost of Living in New York (aggiornato 26 ottobre 2026), Numbeo · crowdsourced, treat with care · accessed 27 October 2026
- Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government (20 gennaio 2025), The White House · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Docket No. 25A319, Trump v. Orr (ordinanza del 6 novembre 2025), Supreme Court of the United States · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Euro foreign exchange reference rates, 27 October 2026, Banca centrale europea · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Frequently asked questions about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Gay Travel Index 2026 e USA-Index 2026 (PDF, valutazione del 26 febbraio 2026), Spartacus · index · accessed 27 October 2026
- Global Peace Index 2026, Institute for Economics and Peace · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- Hostels in New York, prezzi di listino, Hostelworld · media · accessed 27 October 2026
- NYC Pride March 2026, Heritage of Pride · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (26 giugno 2015), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School · study · accessed 27 October 2026
- Official ESTA Application, U.S. Customs and Border Protection · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2026, Spartacus · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- Stati Uniti d'America, scheda paese (aggiornata 26/5/2026), Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Viaggiare Sicuri · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Subway and bus fares, Metropolitan Transportation Authority · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- The LGBT Community Center, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- The Stonewall Inn, The Stonewall Inn · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- USA travel advice: entry requirements, FCDO, GOV.UK · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- USA travel advice: getting help, FCDO, GOV.UK · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- USA travel advice: safety and security, FCDO, GOV.UK · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Village Halloween Parade 2026, Village Halloween Parade · official source · accessed 27 October 2026
- Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security · index · accessed 23 October 2026
- Sources: 22
Photos
- Conti Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, May 2019: Infrogmation of New Orleans / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated on 2 November 2026