Solo Travel to London: Tips for a Stress-Free Adventure

Thinking about a solo trip for your next vacation? You’re in good company. Solo travel is on the rise — a last year’s Skyscanner survey found that 43% of people traveled alone last year, and 62% planned to take two to five solo trips in 2025. 

The appeal is easy to see. When you travel solo, you decide everything: the destination, the pace, the meals, and how social (or private) you want the journey to be. More than that, going alone gives you space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with yourself beyond everyday routines.

In this guide, we at See The Sights Tours share why London is one of the best cities for solo travel, from safety and hotel choices to smart tips on what to do in London alone — so you can make the most of your trip, your way.

Why London is good for solo travel 

Few cities make solo travel as easy as London. First, it’s one of the world’s best-connected destinations. Nonstop flights arrive daily from the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and beyond, so getting there rarely involves more than one change. Once you land, London’s public transport — from the Underground to buses and trains — makes navigating the city straightforward, even if it’s your first time.

What really sets London apart for solo travelers is variety. You can fill a day with museums, parks, or historic sights and never run out of options. If you’d like company, it’s easy to join a walking tour, chat with locals at a pub, or meet fellow travelers at markets and events. And when you want quiet time, London offers plenty of calm corners — from leafy Hampstead Heath to tucked-away bookshops.

Finally, London has a well-earned reputation for safety compared with many other global capitals. It’s busy, diverse, and welcoming, making it a reassuring choice for anyone setting off alone.

Smart Travel Tip: Base yourself near a central Underground line. With the Tube as your anchor, you’ll save time, simplify navigation, and feel more confident exploring solo.

How to fly smarter on your solo trip to London

When you’re flying alone, the right flight plan can make the journey far smoother. Nonstop flights are usually best — they cut out the stress of changing planes and keep arrival times predictable. If a nonstop isn’t an option, look for short, well-timed connections through reliable hubs like Dublin, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt. Arriving in London during daylight hours can also make transfers into the city easier and safer.

Solo travelers often benefit from more flexible tickets too. Platforms like Ovago specialize in virtual interline and multi-city options — useful if you want to add a quick stop in Reykjavík or Lisbon before heading to London. These custom itineraries can be cheaper than separate bookings, while still giving you the freedom to explore more than one city.

And when it comes to choosing who to fly with, safety and reliability matter even more if you’re on your own. Ovago also shares guides on the world’s safest airlines, along with other flight-smart tips — a helpful resource to explore before you book.

Smart Flight Tip: Don’t ignore one-way and open-jaw tickets. Flying into London and home from Paris, Dublin, or even Edinburgh is often no more expensive than a round trip — and adds another city to your adventure without extra planning hassle.

Things to do alone in London

London is one of the best cities in the world for exploring on your own, because so many of its top experiences are just as rewarding solo as they are with company.

Start with the classics: stroll through the British Museum, Tate Modern, or the National Gallery at your own pace — no need to rush or linger unless you want to. Walk along the South Bank for riverside views, street performers, and plenty of cafés where you can pause and people-watch. For a taste of royal London, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or a tour of the Tower of London are iconic and easy to enjoy solo.

If you’d like something livelier, book a ticket to a West End show. Food lovers can wander Borough Market or Camden Market, where trying different stalls feels natural alone. And if you’re looking for peace and quiet, head to Hampstead Heath, Regent’s Park, or one of London’s many hidden gardens for a slower, reflective afternoon.

Smart Travel Tip: Don’t hesitate to join a guided walking tour. They’re affordable, give context to the city’s history, and are a simple way to meet other travelers without committing to group travel. For a more personal experience, consider a private tour with See The Sights Tours. It’s a great way to uncover hidden corners of the city, with a guide tailoring the pace and focus to what interests you most.

Best hotels in London for solo travelers

Finding the right place to stay can make all the difference when traveling alone. London’s hotel scene has something for every solo traveler, from budget-friendly hostels to stylish boutique stays.

  • Boutique hotels in areas like Bloomsbury, South Kensington, or Shoreditch combine comfort with character. They’re small enough to feel personal but central enough to keep you close to major sights.

  • Hostels with private rooms (such as Generator or YHA) are a smart pick if you’d like a social atmosphere without giving up privacy. Many hostels also organize events and walking tours, which make meeting other travelers easy.

  • Well-connected chain hotels like Premier Inn, citizenM, or Z Hotels offer reliability, good locations near Tube stations, and fair pricing — ideal if you want peace of mind and convenience.

  • Luxury stays at hotels such as The Ned or The Langham give solo travelers a sense of security and indulgence, with attentive staff and plenty of onsite amenities.

Smart Stay Tip: Some London hotels offer dedicated single rooms, which are often cheaper than standard doubles. They’re a budget-friendly option for solo travelers, especially if you book early in central areas.

Is London safe for solo female travelers?

London is widely considered one of the safer major capitals for women traveling alone. The city is well lit, public transport runs late, and locals are accustomed to visitors from around the world. For most, exploring museums, parks, shops, and theaters feels comfortable even without company.

That said, London is still a busy metropolis, and the usual big-city awareness applies. Stick to main streets after dark, avoid unlicensed minicabs, and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas like Oxford Street or major train stations. Apps such as Uber, Bolt, or the official Transport for London journey planner make getting around at night easier and more secure.

Many solo female travelers also highlight how approachable London feels — whether it’s striking up a conversation at a café, joining a group walking tour, or enjoying a meal alone without standing out. The mix of cultures and international visitors means solo dining or sightseeing is completely normal here.

For added reassurance, London also has women-focused travel communities and guided experiences. Groups like Girl About Travel occasionally host events. Private tour companies such as See the Sights can arrange tailored experiences — and often accommodate requests for a female guide if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Smart Safety Tip: Choose accommodation in central neighbourhoods like Bloomsbury, South Kensington, or Westminster. Shorter journeys back to your hotel after dark add an extra layer of peace of mind.

Smart tips for London solo travel

A solo trip runs smoother when you plan with a few insider strategies in mind. Beyond the basics of transport and safety, these tips can help you make the most of London on your own:

  • Time your museum visits. Major museums like the British Museum or Tate Modern are busiest mid-day. Going early in the morning or later in the afternoon means fewer crowds and more time to linger where you like.

  • Book activities that welcome solo participants. Cooking classes, photography walks, and food tours are designed for small groups and make it easy to connect without committing to long-term companionship.

  • Use day trips to vary the pace. Windsor, Oxford, and Cambridge are all under an hour away by train and give you a refreshing change of scenery while keeping logistics simple.

  • Take advantage of single theater seats. London’s West End often releases premium single seats close to showtime at reduced prices — a perk only solo travelers can fully enjoy.

  • Keep an eye out for free events. From gallery late-openings to public lectures and music festivals, London constantly offers activities that are easy to enjoy alone without extra cost.

Smart Travel Tip: If your schedule allows, mix London with one or two nearby destinations. Platforms like Ovago can help you build custom open-jaw or multi-city flights — so you could fly into London, hop by train to Paris or Edinburgh, and fly home from there — often for the same or less than a standard round trip.

Solo travel in London is as rewarding as it is straightforward — and with a bit of planning, you’ll have the freedom to shape the journey entirely your way. When you’re ready to add depth to your trip, See The Sights Tours offers private and guided tours that help you discover the city’s history, culture, and hidden corners with confidence.

This article has been provided by our friends at Ovago - https://ovago.com