I've lived abroad for the last nine years since leaving university, but recently decided to come back to the US for the winter season. As I haven't been back in years, I thought it would be a good chance to do some travel too. That was when I realized how awful it is to solo travel to the US, and really understood why the US has less of a travel culture than other countries.

• No hostels in most cities. You're stuck paying money for airbnbs or hotels that jack up the price of your trip. In addition, a key social outlet is now gone, so loneliness is much more likely to strike.

• Awful public transit between and within cities. I've either got to go on a long road trip and spend on gas money, or I've got to fly somewhere and then rent a car. The car rental and gas costs once again jack up the price of your trip. You can't rent a car if you're under 25 in many places too.

• Expenses. In addition to the cost of a hotel or airbnb, plus car costs, eating out in the US is getting ridiculously expensive, tipping percentages have gotten higher, and stuff you used to not tip for back in 2018 now make you tip. Attractions are also expensive.

Now, these costs and the loneliness can be brought into check if you travel with friends. However, as a solo travel experience, the US is exceptionally awful.

So at the end of the day, you have an expensive, inconvenient, and lonely experience. I can definitely see now why so many Americans dislike travel, don't use all their vacation days, and rarely travel abroad. If you dislike travel in your home country, they may figure, why would abroad be any better?

I'm now booking a trip to Mexico, which has hostels galore. At least there, I can do proper solo travel. My own home country as a travel destination? With friends, sure, but never do it solo.