I’ll admit, there are times being a solo traveler at night can feel like… well, a single gal alone on a Friday night! But that’s a mindset many of us carry over from a daily predictably single lifestyle. Travel is where we step outside our comfort zone to experience new discoveries and there are a growing number of ways to spend your single evenings when exploring a new destination!

In solo travel, what to do at night when traveling alone? In this post, i’m sharing 18 things to do at night when traveling alone.

Is it Safe to Go Out Alone at Night While Traveling Solo?

Evenings for cities are at its peak dazzle, with colorful neon lights, its mystery glow and magic. Yet one of the biggest anxieties for solo travel is about night safety. Years ago, the advice for solo female travelers was to avoid going out after dark.

When I travel alone, I often don’t return to my pad until after 10pm to midnight. I practice strong street smarts, like staying in busy, well-lit places, keep my wits about me and listening to local advice about unsafe neighborhoods. But by booking tour activities, visiting local events and exploring local resources, my evenings are some of the most rewarding parts of my trip. Read 31 Safety tips for Solo Travelers

Top 18 Night Activities for Solo Travelers

If you’re searching for “what to do at night when traveling alone” or “best things to do solo in a new city after dark,” here are ideas

1.   Romantic city walks

I like to explore the city on foot and fall in love with it. Each city takes on a magical face in the evening, as it’s veiled in light, shadow and occasionally in neon. Locals and families go out at night.  Explore streets lined with lights, visit a popular boardwalk, sit at a cafe, observe how locals come out to play. Unwind through the smells wafting from restaurants, food hawkers in the streets and homes. Evenings are lit with locals who leave their offices to take to the streets to enjoy their leisure time . It’s when the city is its most authentic self.

Romance isn’t only for couples, but are for soloists too. Go ahead, make a date with the city!

Check out anti-theft bags for solo travelers

2.   Take an evening city bus tour

Taking a city bus tour at night are a wonderful way to explore the city, as it takes you to all the major landmarks lit by light.

But if you can’t find an official city bus tour, go ahead and make your own. I’m a big fan of do-it-yourself tours.

Public transportation services such as city buses, ferries and monorails make perfect and cheap way to see the city lights at a slow pace. I rode a Hong Kong double decker bus with a circle route so could ride around city and end where I started (Read my post on Bangkok’s transit options to get an idea of ways to see a city through its transportation)

3. Visiting night temples and religious sites

Museums, theme parks and government attractions typically clock out when it hits sunset, but places of worship, such as temples, churches and religious landmarks are still open for traveling pilgrims and local worshippers. As long as there are things to see, these shoes will go until it closes the town down.

Some temples and churches stay open late, bathing in soft light and welcoming visitors after sunset. I’ve sat quietly letting the hum of evening prayers ground me, even in bustling cities.

4.   Explore night markets and street fairs

One of the best things to do at night when traveling solo is visiting night markets. These spots are social hubs for locals and travelers alike. I’ve haggled at busy markets in Thailand, sampled bizarre snacks in Taipei night markets, and watched street performers in Vietnam.

Night markets are perfect for trying local food, shopping for unique souvenirs, and getting a slice of daily local night life.

Haggle for cool local craftwork and souvenirs or dive into the local foods and snacks… there’s so much fun to be had at a night market or street fair. Watch my tips on how to haggle when traveling.

5. Indulge local food on the streets

The best street food comes out at night. Skip restaurant isolation and dine where the action is- on bustling sidewalks, crowded hawker stalls, plastic chairs on noisy street corners. I’ve shared tables with strangers who quickly became new friends or guides to the best local dishes.

Next time you visit street foodie capitals, like Thailand, Kolkata or Taipei, dare to step outside the tourist box and experience it local style.

Read my tips on street food safety and how to avoid getting sick abroad

6. Cultural performances and night shows

Night shows, dinner shows and cultural performances showcase local talent and culture in the evening. You’ll find opera in Paris, water puppet shows in Hanoi, Legong dances in Bali, and local theater in small-town India. Night is when the arts scene comes alive, often at affordable prices and in unforgettable locations.

Evenings are a perfect time to support cultural and local events.

Tip: Get 5% off your next Get Your Guide booking (use my referral code: GRRRLTRAVELER5)

7.   Participate in local events and festivals

All cities have a local event calendar where you’ll find concerts, opera, festivals, markets, etc…  For solo travelers seeking free things to do alone at night,  don’t overlook street parades, open-air concerts, or community theater. One evening in Valladolid, Mexico, I stumbled on a colorful and epic carnival just by asking the front desk about events.

On other occasions, I’ve attended night festivals around the world from Yi Peng and Loi Krathong to Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival. 

8.   Brave creepy crawlers on a night safari or wildlife tour

Are night safaris safe are for the adventurous soloists, but with the right guide, wandering jungles and wetlands at night lets you see critters that sleep all day. A flashlight, bug spray, and sense of wonder are all you need. My night wetlands tour in Borneo was started with a hike to a village, where I experienced foods that were cooked in bamboo and an open fire. From there we boarded a boat and with flashlights, searched for nocturnal wetland wildlife.  It’s fun, eye opening and enough to give you the heebie-jeebies! Read about my stay and night safari at Bako National Park

9.   Enjoy dining alone

First-time soloists feel awkward about dining alone. The reality: no one is paying attention! Pick a busy restaurant, grab a window seat, people-watch, or bring a book. Sometimes I spot other solo diners and strike up a quick conversation. Read tips on How to Eat Alone.

10. Join a group night tour or themed walk

The best solo night tours include ghost walks, food tours or even night cycling tours where you can sample the city safely in a group of other travelers.

In Bangkok,  my night tuk-tuk tour with Expique was a glowing highlight of tasting delicious street foods, night markets, temples and stunning city views through the wheels of my neon studded tuk tuk.  Bangkok is a beautiful city with many activities to enjoy at night.

Tip: Get 5% off your next Get Your Guide booking (use my referral code: GRRRLTRAVELER5

11. Shop local supermarkets and malls after dark

One of my favorite things to do at night when traveling alone is to explore grocery stores, convenience marts and shopping malls. Doing your shopping at night also makes time for you to do your historical and monument sightseeing at day..

Hunt for quirky snacks, shop for skincare…  I’m always curious about how a country is different from my own.

In Asia, I find skin care products with whitening in it -even underarm deodorant-  and in India you’ll find Ayurvedic ingredients in moisturizers and facial creams.

Islamabad, Colombo and Bangkok have surprisingly mega-glam malls that blows American malls out of the water! Don Quijote in Tokyo at night… I could stay there until closing and in some Japanese grocery stores, foods get discounted in the evening.

Read 24 ways to avoid pickpockets

Spam by the gift box sold in Korea

12.   Make friends in hostels or common areas

Meeting people when traveling solo isn’t a hard thing to do. Hang out in hostel lounges – some host nightly events, book budget tours and often it attracts open-minded and friendly compadres, who are willing to share advice and recommendations of where to go and what you shouldn’t waste your time seeing. You can find a dinner companion or more or even strike up a group of friends to go to a bar with.

Read about my experience in finding friends to go to Bangkok’s X-rated ping pong shows.

13. Call home or catch up digitally

Solo travel nightlife for introverts often means ending the night with Skype or Facetime calls or online catch-ups, updating your social or writing on your blog. I always check in with family, even if it’s just to say hi to my dog

14. Read, journal, plan your next day

Personal downtime is key for solo travelers. “Things to do alone in a hotel room” are common searches, and journaling or reading guidebooks helps digest your day while planning the next adventure.

We all need downtime to rest, absorb and process our day. Journaling or reading guidebooks helps digest your day while planning the next adventure. I like to wind down my day with figuring out my transportation route for the next day!

15.  Cozy up for a movie night and light shows

Grab some popcorn and find a cozy outdoor cinema screening, light show or visit an actual cinema and watch a movie in a foreign language without subtitles. It can be quite fun!

I  took in my first 4DX movie in Thailand watching an American film about a big whale while having my chair rock and shoot mist at me to simulate being on a boat at sea. This was before 4D came to the U.S.!

Immerse yourself in a different kind of story, surrounded by strangers who become your movie-night companions for a few hours.

16. Join a night group tour or themed event

The best solo night tours include ghost walks, food tours or even night cycling tours where you can sample the city safely in a group of other travelers.

In Bangkok,  my night tuk-tuk tour with Expique was a glowing highlight of tasting delicious street foods, night markets, temples and stunning city views through the wheels of my neon studded tuk tuk.  Bangkok is a beautiful city with many activities to enjoy at night.

Tip: Get 5% off your next Get Your Guide booking (use my referral code: GRRRLTRAVELER5)

17. Take a cooking class at night

Taking a hands-on local cooking class is a perfect way for solo travelers to connect and learn the secrets of local cuisine. Not only will you gain culinary insights, but you’ll also connect with other travelers and locals, sharing laughter and delicious meals.

18.  Book overnight trains and buses

Overnight sleeper trains and buses are hotels on wheels. If I want to maximize my daytime exploring, while saving on a night at a hotel, I’ll book an overnight train or sleeper bus. For instance, I love taking the overnight train in Thailand and India, while the Myanmar overnight Hello Kitty bus was surprisingly comfortable.

Watching a new city roll by as the sun rises, after a surprisingly cozy night’s sleep, is a thrill I’ll never tire of.

Tip: Check out my Resources page to see the tools I use for transportation