• Home
  • ABOUT
    • PRESS
    • CONTACT
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • CATEGORIES
    • Accommodation
    • Books
    • Budget Travel
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
      • Entertainment
    • Packing Lists and Tips
    • RESOURCES
    • Solo Travel
    • Working Abroad
  • PLACES
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Japan
      • Singapore
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
        • Sydney
      • Queensland
        • Brisbane
        • Magnetic Island
      • Tasmania
      • Victoria
        • Melbourne
      • Western Australia
    • Canada
      • Vancouver
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Ireland
      • Lithuania
      • Netherlands
      • Slovakia
      • Slovenia
      • United Kingdom
    • USA
      • California
      • Hawaii
      • Nevada
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • South Carolina
      • Tennessee
      • Washington State
  • WORK WITH ME
    • Content Writing Services
    • PORTFOLIO
  • SUBSCRIBE

Hayley on Holiday

My 12-Day Ireland and Northern Ireland Itinerary

January 22, 2018 in Europe, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Solo Female Travel, United Kingdom
Cork should be added to every Ireland itinerary.

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

Here’s my Ireland and Northern Ireland itinerary! Check it out to find out how I spent 12 days travelling across the island, solo and as cheaply as possible.

I had high hopes for Ireland, as I’ve never met anyone who disliked the country. Unfortunately, the country didn’t quite meet my expectations. If I had a flexible Ireland itinerary and a rental car, I think perhaps I would have fallen more in love with the country.

Nonetheless, I did still enjoy my time in Ireland, I just wasn’t swept off my feet, if that makes sense. My Ireland itinerary involved stopping in Dublin, Cork and Galway for three nights each. I also ventured to Belfast in Northern Ireland for three nights. I think my itinerary is perfect for other travellers who are either on a budget, have a restricted amount of travel days, or are travelling solo in Ireland.

Here is a breakdown of my Irish itinerary, including my favourite things to do in each place and where I stayed. Hopefully, this guide will help you in planning your own Ireland/Northern Ireland itinerary.

My Ireland itinerary

Dublin

Although I’m glad I went to Dublin – as it’s the capital and thus the place to visit in Ireland – it wasn’t my favourite city. It just felt much too crowded and touristy for me. When I’m on holidays I usually like to stroll, so I can window shop and take a million photos (as you do).

But in Dublin, it felt like every other person was in a rush. The pace they kept was INSANE. I don’t know how anyone keeps up. Anyway, I did see and do a lot during my 2.5 days in Dublin, such as:

  • The Hostel Culture free walking tour from my hostel. My guide was funny, informative and full of awesome recommendations.
  • One of his recommendations was the Chester Beatty Library. Entry is by donation and the museum only has a few exhibitions, but the ones I saw were very interesting (and I rarely go to museums).
  • Following the rainbow: I took many photos of the colourful streets and buildings off Grafton Street and in the Temple Bar area. There are also so many colourful doors in Dublin, which are the pops of brightness this gloomy city needs. Check out the buildings around Fitzwilliam Square and Merrion Square. Finally, Dublin Castle has a surprisingly colourful exterior too. It’s business in the front and party in the back!
  • Chilling in St Stephen’s Green. I also recommend going for a wander through Stephens Green Shopping Centre.

Colourful Dublin, Ireland. A great solo travel destination that needs to be added to your Europe itinerary.

There are plenty of things I didn’t get to see in Dublin, including the famous Guinness Storehouse (although I don’t like Guinness so this wasn’t a total loss). I also walked to all of these locations. I only took public transport to get to the train station on my final morning.

For 20 things to do in Dublin, check out this post

Where to eat in Dublin

Eating out in Ireland is expensive. I found myself frequenting supermarkets and the Dunnes/M&S Foodhall to get small dinners and snacks. In Dublin, I discovered Boojum, a takeaway Mexican place I also visited in Belfast. The only meal I had in a restaurant in Dublin was brunch at San Lorenzo’s. Our tour guide recommended the Coco Pops French Toast, which was as decadent as it sounds. Unfortunately, the service at San Lorenzo’s was pretty much non-existent.

Dublin, Ireland

Where to stay in Dublin

Surprisingly, a lot of hostels didn’t have any availability when I booked my accommodation a few weeks in advance. I thought October would be off-season, but apparently, Dublin is always in-season. Anyway, I ended up in an 8-bed female dorm – the only 8-bedder of my entire trip – at Abbey Court Hostel.

This place had its pros and cons. Pros: central location, large kitchen and seating area with free breakfast, and a females-only “getting ready” area (complete with mirrors framed with globes). Cons: the room and ensuite were extremely small.

Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland

Cork

Cork isn’t as popular as other Irish locations, but it quickly became my favourite place in Ireland. I highly recommend adding it to your Ireland itinerary. I got the train from Dublin to Cork, which was comfortable, efficient and only took three hours. But there are also buses between the two cities, with GoBus doing several daily transfers.

There isn’t a lot to do in Cork, but my favourite activity was walking from my hostel along the river to Fitzgerald’s Park (don’t forget Daly’s Bridge). I then walked to the city in a different direction and walked past University College Cork and Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The walk to the park looked very good in fall/autumn, as the pastel-coloured houses were perfectly reflected in the river.

Cork should be added to every Ireland itinerary.

The other thing I recommend doing in Cork is going to a live music performance and dinner at The Oliver Plunkett. The two or three-course menu you choose from is quite expensive, but the musical trio – and the two young dancers – were highly entertaining. They told us anecdotes or facts before each song and I felt totally fine dining solo.

I also took a half-day trip to nearby Cobh, which is a 30-minute train ride from Cork. Unfortunately, I visited on a dreary Monday when it seemed everything was closed (I am not exaggerating). But the ladies at the information centre were lovely and I got a photo of the popular rainbow houses backdropped by the church, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time.

Visiting Cobh on a day trip from Cork, which should be added to every Ireland itinerary

Where to eat in Cork

Other than The Oliver Plunkett and Subway (how I missed thee when travelling in Eastern Europe), the only other restaurant I visited in Cork was Quinlan’s for delicious fish and chips. Another option is The Fish Wife.

Cork should be added to every Ireland itinerary.

Up early to explore Cork

Where to stay in Cork

I stayed at Sheilas Hostel in Cork. The hostel had two different common areas, which I liked. But the 6-bed female dorm room and ensuite were quite old, the breakfast cost €3, and the microwave in the kitchen honestly looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years. It’s also located up a steep hill, so be prepared for that if you have a suitcase like me.

Cork should be added to every Ireland itinerary.

Hello, gorgeous

Here’s my complete guide to a weekend in Cork

Galway

A five-minute walk from my Cork hostel was my Citylink bus to Galway. I blame Ed Sheeran for making me so excited to check out Galway. It has a great nightlife for young travellers and it’s the place to base yourself for exploring the Cliffs of Moher. But it’s also very small, so there isn’t a lot to do around the seaside town.

Once again, I did a free walking tour. Our guide told us lots of interesting stories about places I would’ve never looked twice at. Then I walked along the river towards Galway Cathedral, which is beautiful inside. Next, I photographed the colourful Long Walk from the Claddagh side and got caught in a rain shower (or three).

Add Galway to your Ireland itinerary today!

I also checked out the free Galway City Museum and walked around Shop Street and the Latin Quarter, which is a very colourful place. My second day was spent visiting the Cliffs of Moher with Lally Tours, which is one of Ireland’s top attractions.

Where to eat in Galway

There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants in Galway. I only checked out Tuco’s Taqueria (because I’m obviously in love with burritos) and I had a delicious burger and cider from An Púcán. If you have a sweet tooth like me, visit Gourmet Tart Company as well. The chocolate pecan pie was delicious!

Add Galway to your Ireland itinerary!

Where to stay in Galway

Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel was honestly one of the best hostels I stayed at during my trip. It ticked all the boxes: social events, free breakfast, modern rooms, large common areas and friendly staff. Basically, don’t stay anywhere else.

Add Galway to your Ireland itinerary!

Here are the other hostels I recommend across the UK and Europe

My Northern Ireland itinerary

Belfast

To get from Galway to Belfast, I had to get the bus to Dublin and then another bus to Belfast. I used Citylink and Aircoach. I didn’t have high hopes for Belfast after hearing negative reviews from a lot people, but once again I was surprised by what I saw in Belfast. The city has a lot going for it and is definitely a place you need to visit when travelling around Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Belfast, United Kingdom

I spent my one full day in the city visiting the Botanic Gardens, admiring Queen’s University, buying prints (and a cupcake) at St George’s Market and walking along the waterfront to the Titanic Quarter.

But the best thing I did (and a travel highlight of the year for me) was a political walking tour in the afternoon. I did a Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge day tour too, which I also highly recommend. I booked both tours just a day before from the Irish Tour Tickets office opposite the bus station.

Belfast is definitely a place to visit on any Ireland and Northern Ireland itinerary

Where to eat in Belfast

I only ate at one pub in Belfast: Crown Liquor Saloon. Upstairs there’s a small restaurant that was turning away a lot of people (the perks of travelling solo). But my Irish stew and cider were fantastic.

Where to stay in Belfast

I stayed in a 6-bed female dorm at Vagabonds Belfast. The staff here were very friendly and the room was small but there were plenty of shared bathrooms. There’s a free breakfast and it’s only about a 10-minute walk to the city, so, all in all, I would definitely stay there again.

Belfast is definitely a place to visit on any Ireland and Northern Ireland itinerary

Here’s my weekend guide to Belfast

There you have it – my complete Northern Ireland and Ireland itinerary.

I wish I had more time in Ireland and Northern Ireland, but I think I did pretty well and saw a few amazing places that left me wanting more! For more travel advice, check out my guides for tips on how to travel solo and on a budget across Europe. I also have a post featuring my 20+ top places to travel alone in Europe, if you need more inspiration.

Follow along: Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Pinterest

4 Comments
Previous 26 Things To Do in Brussels, Belgium
Next 17 Helpful Tips For Solo Female Travellers Staying in Hostels

RELATED POSTS

The view from St Patrick's Hill in Cork, Ireland.

My Weekend Guide to Cork, Ireland

Cliffs of Moher day trip with Lally Tours from Galway, Ireland

The Cliffs Of Moher Tour From Galway You Need To Do...

Edinburgh Castle glowing at sunrise from Edinburgh's Grassmarket neighbourhood.

10 Reasons to Add “Visit Edinburgh” to Your Post-Lo...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mia Lupo says

    January 27, 2018 at 7:54 pm

    Even though you said that this trip didn’t meet your expectations, it looks like there are so many beautiful things to see throughout Ireland! Thank you for sharing so many details about each place, it’s very helpful to understand what makes them special :)

    Reply
    • Hayley // Hayley on Holiday says

      January 29, 2018 at 8:24 am

      Thank you so much for reading, Mia!

      Reply
  2. The Petite Explorer says

    January 23, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    This is such a comprehensive list! I would love to explore Ireland properly. It seems silly I haven’t considering I live so close!

    Reply
    • Hayley // Hayley on Holiday says

      January 24, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      I hope you do! I think it could be good for a long weekend or an extended trip too :)

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian freelance writer who has been solo travelling around the world for over 15 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo, budget and digital nomad travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

Looking for Something?

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 […]

BUDGET TRAVEL

Sydney Opera House at sunset.

30+ Free Things To Do in Sydney

Edinburgh Castle glowing at sunrise from Edinburgh's Grassmarket neighbourhood.

20+ Cheap & Free Things To Do in Edinburgh

FlixBus parked in front of snowy mountains in Innsbruck, Austria (Europe budget travel tips)

16 Easy Tips For Travelling Across Europe On a Budget

The colourful waterfront buildings of Nyhavn in Copenhagen.

The Ultimate Copenhagen Budget Travel Guide

Copyright © 2023 Hayley on Holiday
Theme by SheShoppes