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Hayley on Holiday

15 Reasons To Move To Melbourne

April 21, 2016 in Australia, Melbourne, Victoria
When an Australian expat decides to move to Australia... again

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here.

Today I’m sharing 15 reasons to move to Melbourne. After moving to Melbourne alone (twice), I feel like I’m an expert on relocating to the city now!

So this week marks mine and Melbourne’s first anniversary. How it has already been a year I don’t know, but that’s what the calendar tells me. I have already reflected on why I wanted to move to Melbourne in the first place, and how I felt after six months. Now it has been a year, has much changed? Not really. I still don’t regret moving to Melbourne alone at all. Melbourne is a fantastic city, and I think the best in Australia (sorry not sorry, Sydney).

I mean, it’s not Australia’s top student city for nothing – there are so many fun extracurricular activities waiting for students in their new backyard. I for one have enjoyed getting out and exploring on the weekends. I survived the winter but loved Melbourne’s summer. The only thing my Melbourne experience is missing is the friends I made in Vancouver. Why it’s so hard to meet people here I will never know. So for expats, international students or other Aussies wondering whether a move to Melbourne is right for them, I thought I would compile a handy list.

You should move to Melbourne if…

1. You enjoy drinking coffee

I mean, this city is saturated in coffee shops. I should know, seeing as I work in one. If you visited a cafe a day in Melbourne, I think it would take you years to sample them all. So, if you’re a coffee-lover, there is no better place to move to than Melbourne.

As a side note (1.1) the abundance of coffee shops and bars in Melbourne also means there’s plenty of hospitality jobs on offer. My second job is also in the industry, so I know there are many jobs for the taking.

2. You’ll be relying on public transport

As a former expat, I know when you move to a new country you will be relying heavily on public transport to get from A to B. Fortunately, Melbourne has the best public transport system in Australia. The fact the city uses trains, trams and buses make getting around a lot easier. Hey, I’m not even an expat anymore and I rely solely on public transport. Yes, I sometimes miss having a car, but with free trams around the city, my transport costs are quite low.

Melbourne trams

3. You don’t mind living in a share house

Rent in Melbourne is harsh. Not as steep as Sydney (so I’ve heard), but I found it difficult to find a reasonably priced room in a shared unit when I moved. So if you want to keep costs low, share housing is the way to go. For others moving to Melbourne alone, I recommend checking out Gumtree (Australia’s Craigslist) or Flatmates for listings.

4. You like to feast on brunch

Brunch in Melbourne is basically its own course. So many cafes are packed on the weekends with people filling up on what I think is the best meal of the day. Check out this article for 65 excellent places to choose from (yeah, this is just the beginning too).

Move to Melbourne for brunch and coffee

Here are some of my favourite places to eat in Melbourne and Richmond

5. You aren’t moving to Australia for year-round summer weather

If this is why you are moving down under, check out my hometown of Townsville. A move to Melbourne means you are going to experience summer and winter, but a pretty mild winter compared to its northern hemisphere counterparts.

6. You like to keep busy

There’s always some kind of festival/expo/event happening on the weekends, and a lot of them are free. Check out Weekend Notes, whose writers always know what’s going on in Melbourne. You seriously won’t be bored when you move to Melbourne.

Move to Melbourne for summer festivals

7. You’re a fan of sports

Melbourne is called Australia’s sporting capital, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the home of Australia’s largest sporting stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (known around these parts as the MCG, or just the G). During the cooler months, you can enjoy watching AFL (Australian Football League), rugby league or rugby union. In summer, the city’s attention turns to soccer, tennis and cricket. Basically, if you like sport, move to Melbourne.

8. You like to walk

I’ve discovered throughout my travels that some cities are just so easily walkable, like New York City and Vancouver. Well, Melbourne is now added to this list. Thanks to its grid system, it is so simple to walk around the CBD and visit the Yarra River, the many gardens, Queen Victoria Market and Bourke Street Mall.

Move to Melbourne for views like this

9. You aren’t a surfer

If you’re moving to Australia so you can surf every day, your best bet is to move to Sydney and pay exorbitant rent to live near the beach. Melbourne is on the coast and you can swim in suburbs such as St Kilda, Port Melbourne and Brighton. But the surf is better once you leave the city and head either to Geelong and the Great Ocean Road or to the Mornington Peninsula.

10. You’re all about the markets

Anyone else love markets as much as me? Melbourne has plenty to choose from each week, fortnight and month. I love going to the Queen Victoria Markets and picking up fresh meat and produce on a Sunday. I recommend the $3 boreks for lunch and visiting the churro truck any time of the day. Its similar suburban counterparts are the South Melbourne and Prahran Markets. The Finders Keepers Markets only happens twice a year, but they are full of unique and local handmade accessories. I have also heard good things about Camberwell Market, which is all about vintage clothing and treasures.

Move to Melbourne, Australia

11. You’re a traveller

Another plus for a move to Melbourne is the number of direct flights there are to other nearby countries. I’m constantly checking the Jetstar, Tigerair and Virgin Australia websites for good flight deals. If you’re flexible, you can definitely get cheap deals on domestic and international flights. For example, I am flying home next month (3 hours each way) for $140 return. I also flew to Bali for under $400 return, thanks to Webjet. You can fly direct from Melbourne to many New Zealand cities, and a lot of Asian countries, including Japan. It’s not Europe, but South East Asia is cheaper.

12. You’re a lover of the arts

Melbourne is all about culture. I mean, there is plenty of street art to enjoy, yes. But there are also excellent exhibitions regularly at the National Gallery of Victoria. On the theatre side of things, thanks to my work with The Australia Times I have discovered just how many big musicals and independent plays are performed in Melbourne every week. The answer is A LOT. There’s also a different national or international music act hitting the Melbourne stage too. No matter what art you are into, Melbourne has you covered.

Move to Melbourne for the street art in Hosier Lane

Here are some of the best places to take Instagram photos in Melbourne

13. You like to live in cities with epic nightlife

Every city has nightclubs, but not every city has hidden bars (seriously). Melbourne is home to plenty of excellent rooftop bars and award-winning restaurants. For Italian food, look no further than Lygon Street. If you fancy Chinese, check out Chinatown, which is home to the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western world – thanks, Google. From Brunswick to Fitzroy to St Kilda to the CBD, Melbourne only gets better when the sun sets.

14. You have a thing for fashion

As well as being the sporting, coffee, nightlife and culture capitals of Australia, Melbourne is undoubtedly the fashion capital too. Bourke Street Mall and Collins Street are the two main shopping areas in the CBD, while Chapel Street is the most popular street outside of the city. Chadstone Shopping Centre is the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere too. Vintage shoppers will love Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. Fellow bargain hunters like myself will love the Harbourtown and DFO centres in Docklands.

Move to Melbourne because it's the best

15. You want to live in Australia’s #1 city

I couldn’t not finish with this as #15. I hands down believe Melbourne is Australia’s best city for living in. Many people may disagree and say Sydney, but what’s a little friendly competition?

I hope this list helps you decide on a move to Melbourne. If you decide you want to live in a city, Melbourne has everything you could want and need. Plus, I’m a prime example that moving to Melbourne alone is possible too. Before I go… check out my archive for all of my Melbourne content.

This post is in partnership with Aussiety and may contain affiliate links.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. granny flat perth says

    May 3, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    Now I’m convinced! Melbourne is the place to move in! Thanks for this article!

    Reply
  2. Claire @ October Rain says

    March 22, 2018 at 11:11 am

    I found this when prepping for our move to Australia. We chose Melbourne for various reasons and coming from Vancouver as well, I love this list! It seems very similar to Vancouver!

    Thanks for taking the time to write this!

    Reply
    • Hayley | Hayley on Holiday says

      March 22, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks so much for reading, Claire. It definitely has similarities to Vancouver. I’m sure you’re going to love it!

      Reply
      • Steve Gibb says

        September 6, 2018 at 12:24 pm

        Hi Hayley, great article, I really enjoyed reading it and thank you for promoting our wonderful City to the World. I operate Starbus Airport Shuttle and was wondering If you would consider adding us to paragraph 11 as a cheap way to travel to and from Melbourne Airport. We offer trips from most of Melbourne’s Inner City Suburbs for $20 and even cheaper when a return trip is purchased. Our service operates 365 days a year to and from Melbourne Airport between 5am to 9pm. If you want to learn more about us our website is https://www.starbusshuttle.com.au . I would be interested to also work with you on other things if you would like to make contact with us and ask for Steve in marketing on 0383788700. Thanks again and keep up the great work.

        Reply
  3. Rachael Doyle says

    June 20, 2017 at 10:59 am

    I’m currently living in Whistler and looking to move to Melbourne later this year! If I wasn’t already convinced, you’ve definitely just helped!!!! Thanks for the informative post – great photos too by the way! :)

    Reply
    • Hayley // Hayley on Holiday says

      June 20, 2017 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks so much for the kind words, and for reading, Rachael!

      Reply
  4. Chandeep says

    May 23, 2016 at 7:39 am

    Hi.. we are planning to shift to Australia by September. Can u tell me about the job market these days there.?

    Reply
    • Hayley says

      May 24, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      As I am not currently looking I am unsure as to how the job market is, sorry. But I do know there are always plenty of hospitality jobs on offer in Melbourne.

      Reply
  5. Kristen @ SYIAP says

    May 5, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    because melbourne is the best :) if we ever move back to australia, i reckon there is a 50/50 chance between sydney and melbourne. i definitely miss the public transport lol

    Reply
    • Hayley // Hayley on Holiday says

      May 6, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Melbourne for the WIN! ;)

      Reply
  6. yokomeshii says

    April 25, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    Love this. So right about 12 & 14 – I have lived in both Brisbane & Sydney and visited Melbourne many times but found the music and fashion scenes in Melbourne by far the best! Congrats on your one year anniversary.
    http://www.yokomeshii.com

    Reply
    • Hayley // Hayley on Holiday says

      April 26, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Ah thanks so much! Glad you agree :)

      Reply
  7. Caitlin says

    April 24, 2016 at 10:33 pm

    I love this post! I’ve been wanting to visit Melbourne for years and all your photos and tips are doing nothing to curb my wanderlust! I love how unique Melbourne is – it seems to me that there’s no city quite like it! Also – congrats on the one year anniversary!

    xx, Caitlin
    http://www.wandererandwolf.com

    Reply
    • Hayley // Hayley on Holiday says

      April 25, 2016 at 10:17 am

      Thanks so much, Caitlin. I agree, Melbourne is definitely unique. I hope you get to visit soon!

      Reply

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Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian who’s been solo travelling around the world for 10 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo and budget travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

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SOLO TRAVEL

Places to visit in Australia: Mount Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania

The 10 Best Places to Visit Alone in Australia

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone. My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based on my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂   Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. However, I chose these Australian solo travel destinations as you can visit them without hiring a car and still have an unforgettable vacation. The best places to visit in Australia for solo travellers 1. Melbourne Let’s start with my current home, Melbourne. Thanks to the immense amount of things to do and its great public transport network, I believe Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Australia if travelling alone. However, I would recommend spending more than just a solo weekend here. Some of my favourite things to do in Melbourne include visiting St Kilda, having brunch and a browse of the boutiques in Fitzroy, spotting street art in the CBD and going for walks through the city’s many gardens. You also shouldn’t leave Melbourne without doing a trip along the Great Ocean Road. I did an organised tour a few years ago and thought it was excellent. Where to stay in Melbourne: I have a post on where to stay in Melbourne. But my parents have stayed at the Atlantis – great location, good price and comfortable beds. I also recently stayed at Space Hotel, which has dorms and private rooms. The central hostel is fantastic and has a rooftop deck, lounge and gym. I’ll be back on return visits to Melbourne for sure. Read more: Where to eat in Melbourne, free things to do and general things to do, where to take the best photos and other day trips to check out. 2. Magnetic Island This may be a surprise entry, but I had to include Magnetic Island on this list of solo weekend getaways in Australia. Located a 20-minute ferry ride from my hometown, Townsville, this is where my parents live. It’s one of the best solo travel destinations in Australia because it’s made for tourists. With public buses and two great hostels located in different bays, Magnetic Island is one of the best places to visit in Australia if you’re travelling alone. On Magnetic Island, I recommend doing the Forts Walk, seeing the sunset at Horseshoe Bay, feeding the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay and swimming at Alma Bay. You can get to Townsville by flying or taking the Greyhound bus from two other destinations on this list: Cairns and Airlie Beach. The bus even drops you directly at the ferry terminal – now that’s convenience 😉. Where to stay on Magnetic Island: Bungalow Bay or Base are the two hostels I mentioned. Bungalow Bay is probably my favourite though, purely because it’s located in Horseshoe Bay. Read more: Things to do on Magnetic Island, favourite photo locations and where to find koalas. 3. Sydney Ah, Melbourne’s rival and Australia’s biggest city. Sydney is another one of Australia’s best solo travel destinations. Although I think Melbourne has more things to do, Sydney does have the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. However, I found that it takes longer to get places in Sydney when using public transport, so be prepared. You can get the bus to Bondi and do the Bondi to Bronte Walk. Then you can hop on the train to Instagram’s favourite place: The Grounds of Alexandria. Where to stay in Sydney: Can we talk about the epic views from both Bondi Backpackers and Sydney Harbour YHA?! They’re also top-rated on Hostelworld, which is what matters most to me. Read more: Fun things to do in Sydney As you’ll see with these places to visit in Australia, I only recommend hostels for solo travellers. Read this post for my top hostel tips and check out this post for great ways to meet people when travelling alone. 4. Hobart I know Hobart isn’t the first place you think of visiting on a solo weekend getaway in Australia. But if you have the time, it’s a short flight from Melbourne and a totally different city. It’s home to beautiful architecture, Australia’s most unique museum and some delicious food. I recommend visiting Mount Wellington, getting up close to Aussie animals at Bonorong Sanctuary and wandering around Salamanca. Where to stay in Hobart: I stayed at The Pickled Frog and wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else. They offer free day trips to MONA and Mount Wellington, and the hostel is conveniently located in the CBD. Read more: A visit to Mount Wellington, top things to do and where to eat in Hobart. 5. Cairns So Cairns is located a five-hour drive north of Townsville (the two cities have been frenemies forever). Thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the fourth most-visited destination in Australia. Because it’s such a tourist hotspot, Cairns is also one of the best places to visit in Australia when travelling solo. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, and there are plenty of tours available. Top attractions near Cairns include Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Kuranda and Fitzroy Island. You could easily spend a week enjoying Cairns and its surrounds. Where to stay in Cairns: I’ve stayed at Gilligan’s before for a friend’s 21st and it’s […]

Lake Bled, a great day trip from Ljubljana.

My Top Picks For The 21 Best Places To Travel Alone In Europe

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. Looking for the best places to travel alone in Europe? Well, you’re in the right place. Keep scrolling to discover the best cities in Europe for solo travel and my recommendations for the safest places to travel alone in Europe. So far I’ve published posts on the best places to travel alone in Australia and the United States. Hence it’s now time to turn my attention towards Europe. Altogether, I’ve spent approximately six months travelling solo across Europe and in that time I’ve visited (and revisited) many amazing cities. So, from my personal solo travel experience, here are 21 of the best places to travel alone in Europe.  I base whether a city is a good place to visit alone in Europe on a few elements. This includes good public transport and easy navigation, hostel options, a variety of activities you can do alone and friendly locals.  Before we begin, make sure you check out these two informative guides: top tips for travelling alone in Europe and my Europe budget travel tips.  Best places to travel alone in Europe 1. Dublin I flew into Dublin after visiting family in Bristol and my initial thought was, this city is BUSY. But besides the crowds, Dublin is one of the best cities in Europe for solo travel for multiple reasons. This includes the fact you can easily walk between most attractions or catch public transport. I only caught two buses: one from the airport and the other to the train station. Dublin is also overflowing with hostels and fun things to do. I recommend doing a free walking tour (how unusual), visiting the Chester Beatty Library, having a picnic lunch in St Stephen’s Green and going on a Dublin doors excursion.  Where to stay in Dublin: Abbey Court Hostel, which has pros and cons. Pros: central location and large common area. Cons: small eight-bed dorms and tiny ensuite bathroom. Related Dublin posts: 20 things to do in Dublin and my Ireland/Northern Ireland itinerary for solo travellers. 2. Amsterdam I’ve said this before, but when I first visited Amsterdam at the ripe old age of 18, it was overwhelming. I was overwhelmed by the eccentrically-dressed locals, the smell of pot in the air and by our eye-opening adventures into the Red Light District at night. But when I returned 10 years later, it felt like I was visiting a different city entirely. Amsterdam is now firmly one of my favourite European destinations and it also happens to be one of the best places to travel alone in Europe. With friendly locals, good public transport options and many walkable districts, I highly recommend visiting Amsterdam as a solo traveller. Where to stay in Amsterdam: Generator Amsterdam, which again had pros and cons. Pros: modern facilities in a scenic park setting. Cons: expensive and located about a 30-minute walk from the city centre.  Related Amsterdam posts: My three-day guide to Amsterdam and where (and what) to eat in Amsterdam. Omg, that post makes me want a fresh stroopwafel immediately. 3. London Ah, lovely London. I don’t feel the need to live in London like so many fellow Aussies, but it’s one of my favourites cities in Europe to visit. I love that I’ve been there multiple times, yet I still have things to tick off my London bucket list. As one of the best cities in Europe for solo travel, spend your time visiting museums, having lunch at its many marketplaces, strolling through its colourful neighbourhoods and shopping along Oxford Street, of course. I also highly suggest seeing a show on the West End. I went to two matinees on my recent visit to London and my row alone was made up of multiple people seeing the musical alone. Where to stay in London: I’ve stayed at Wombats multiple times and it’s fantastic. Good common areas, kitchen facilities, an onsite bar with nightly activities, and modern rooms. I also stayed one night at Astor Victoria because it was close to the Victoria Coach Station, but it had nothing on Wombats. Related London posts: My solo traveller’s guide to London, an Oxford day trip from London and London at Christmas. 4. Copenhagen Copenhagen is definitely one of the most expensive cities to visit alone in Europe. Nevertheless, it’s a great city for solo female travellers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from, a long list of things to do and the friendliest locals. From the talkative guy behind the counter in 7/11 to the supermarket clerk, everyone politely switched to English without hesitation.  Where to stay in Copenhagen: Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger was expensive, but the dorm rooms were modern and large with plush beds. There’s also a kitchen, multiple common areas and you’re walking distance from many of Copenhagen’s main attractions. Related Copenhagen post: My budget travel guide to Copenhagen and if you’re interested in a Malmö day trip, check out this post. 5. Belfast Belfast may be one of the most surprising cities on this list of the best places to travel alone in Europe. However, I really enjoyed my weekend in the city. I did a day trip to Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and spent the following day seeing the sights and joining an eye-opening political walking tour. This is my top pick for things to do in Belfast if you want to learn more about the city’s history.  Belfast isn’t the city that instantly comes to mind when thinking about the safest places to travel alone in Europe. But I felt comfortable walking around the sleepy city centre during the day and along the main street at night to get back to my hostel. I didn’t know what to expect in Belfast as I’d previously heard mixed reviews, but I highly recommend visiting if you’re travelling alone in Europe and the UK. Where to stay in Belfast: Vagabonds, a very […]

Enjoying the view at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida in Bali, Indonesia

The Ultimate Bali Solo Travel Guide – What You Need To Know Before You Visit Bali Alone

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. As someone who’s visited Bali, Indonesia on multiple occasions (both with my family and as a solo female traveller), here is my top advice for solo travel in Bali. Keep reading to discover the best places to visit in Bali for solo travellers and the top things to do in Bali alone. Hi, my name is Hayley and I miss Bali. But seeing as we can’t travel there right now, the next best thing (for me, anyway) is to write about it. I’ve visited Bali on several occasions and last year I stayed for a whole month (and didn’t get sick 🙌🏻). Bali will always be one of my favourite places and it’s already been the focus of quite a few blog posts. But I thought I would talk about Bali from a solo female traveller’s perspective today. With detailed information on the best places to visit, things to do in Bali alone and general travel tips, this is the only travel guide you’ll need to read before you solo travel in Bali. General solo travel in Bali tips Firstly, I want to direct you to this post, as it covers all of my top Bali travel tips. But here are some additional tips, specifically in regards to solo travel in Bali. Getting around Bali as a solo traveller Arriving at the airport You’ll undoubtedly be arriving in Bali via plane. The airport has gotten a lovely renovation in recent years (I still have fond memories of the previous airport). Nonetheless, once you step outside you will be overwhelmingly greeted by hundreds of locals holding signs that display different names. Most accommodation in Bali will offer to organise airport transport for you. I take them up on the offer as it’s the easiest option, especially when you’re arriving in a foreign country late at night. Alternatively, you can visit the taxi desk at the airport. Day to day transport As for day to day transport, if you feel comfortable renting a scooter, it’s one of the most popular options. There are locals renting scooters everywhere in Bali, which shouldn’t set you back more than 60,000 IRP per day. However, if you want to hire a scooter I recommend organising an international driver’s licence before you leave your home country. Personally, I rely on walking and Blue Bird taxis as a solo traveller in Bali. Blue Bird has an app, but I’d just walk and wait for one to appear on the main road. Once you arrive in Bali you’ll understand what I mean. The Balinese streets are overwhelmingly filled with a lovely combination of scooters, cars and taxis. Now, Blue Bird is the best company because all taxis have meters for the most affordable rate. If you hop into a different taxi, the driver may try to barter with you or “forget” to turn the meter on and no one has time for that. Uber and Grab are also present in Bali, but drivers are prohibited from entering many of the main tourist areas. As for public transport, the only option is the Kura-Kura public shuttle bus service. It travels between Bali’s most popular tourist attractions and destinations. I’ve never used this bus network, but I have seen them travelling around Bali. Travelling around Bali alone On my last solo trip to Bali, I also travelled from Kuta to Ubud and back again. In the first instance, I got my family’s driver to drive me as I wanted to stop at a few different places along the way. He’s fantastic, isn’t pushy like some drivers and speaks great English. If you’d like his details, let me know. On the other hand, from Ubud to Kuta I paid 60,000 IRP to travel on a shuttle bus with other people backpacking Bali alone. I just booked it at the travel desk outside my homestay in Ubud. If you’re a fellow budget traveller, this is a good option.  Money tips When I visit Bali, I travel with my Citibank debit card as I don’t get charged any international fees. I also predominantly use official bank ATMs. If you prefer, you can also bring cash in your local currency and change it at a money exchange. Although a few high-end restaurants have card facilities, cash is king in Bali. Tipping is also always appreciated at both restaurants and spas.  What to pack for solo travel in Bali As luck would have it, I’ve already written a post that highlights the 10 things I highly recommend packing for a trip to Bali. Check it out here. How to avoid Bali Belly on your solo trip to Bali We have to get real for a second because Bali Belly is a menace I am, unfortunately, all too well acquainted with. It’s essentially an upset stomach or travellers’ diarrhea that you can get while travelling around Bali. Predominantly caused by contaminated food and water, stay away from Bali’s tap water as it isn’t potable. Although experts say to not drink the ice in Bali, it’s government-regulated now and safe to drink.  I also take Travelan before lunch and dinner in Bali and it seems to be the magic ingredient. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as I was when I travelled around Bali for one month without getting sick. Life goals, friends 😂. If you do inevitably get struck down by Bali Belly, make sure you stay hydrated, take rehydration drinks (available from convenience stores) and stick to a bland diet. Bali Belly is also why I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your solo trip to Bali.  Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? This is probably one of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to solo travel in Bali. In my option, Bali is safe for solo female travellers. Personally, I’ve never felt afraid while walking around Bali alone. On my last trip, I stayed […]

Tower Bridge in London, England

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with an ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also within walking distance of two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better.  Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London  Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames.  2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are […]

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