Solo travel in
Europe.
Europe is where I've done most of my solo trips - from Porto's riverfront to Hallstatt's lakes and the Baltic capitals I grew up close to. This is my hub for solo travel in Europe: where to go, when, what it costs and how to get around.
The short version
Solo travel in Europe: key takeaways
- Best first countryPortugalCompact, walkable and full of social hostels - see why.
- Daily budget£30-80 east / £70-150 westBudget to mid-range, per day, before flights.
- Best timeApr - May & Sep - OctMild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices.
- Entry (UK)90 days visa-freeIn any 180 days. Expect fingerprints and a photo at your first EES border check.
Europe at a glance
What should you know before travelling solo in Europe?
Europe is compact, safe and brilliantly connected - most capitals are a short flight or train ride apart. Here's my quick snapshot.
- My benchmark
- HallstattLakes, mountains and a fairytale village - my favourite place in Europe.
- Countries
- 44
- 29 of them are in the Schengen Area, with no border checks between them.
- Money
- Mostly euros
- Plus the Swiss franc, Czech koruna, Hungarian forint and pound. Carry a little cash.
- Languages
- 24 official EU languages
- English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas.
- Safety
- Very safe
- Most of Western and Northern Europe is in the Global Peace Index top 20.
- Healthcare (UK)
- Carry a GHIC
- Covers state healthcare at local cost - you still need travel insurance.
Why Europe
Why is Europe so good for solo travel?
For me it's how easy it is: fast trains, cheap flights and dozens of different cultures within a couple of hours of each other - perfect for long weekends as well as longer trips.
It's so easy to get around
High-speed trains link the major cities within hours, and the Eurostar gets you from London to Paris in about 2h15.
Perfect for short trips
Most places are under three hours from London, so a long weekend is all you need - I've squeezed whole cities into 72 hours.
Easy to meet people
Hostel culture is huge in Lisbon, Porto, Prague, Budapest, Vilnius and Berlin, and solo dining is normal - bar seats, communal tables and food markets.
Great value if you go east
A week in Budapest costs roughly the same as three nights in Amsterdam. Eastern Europe and the Baltics stretch your budget much further.
Cities and nature
Go from Paris and Rome to Hallstatt's lakes, the Swiss Alps and the Scottish Highlands - often on the same trip.
One of the safest regions
Violent crime against tourists is rare. Just watch out for pickpockets in busy tourist spots.
Explore by country
Which European country should you visit solo?
For a first trip I'd say Portugal. I've written about 13 countries so far, and every other country in Europe is below too - use the filters to find your match by interest and month.
Showing all 49 countries
Portugal
Mid-rangeI spent six days in Porto in July 2025 and it exceeded all expectations - compact, walkable and full of social hostels. Lisbon and the Algarve are easy add-ons.
Hungary
BudgetExtraordinary value and one of Europe's most beautiful capitals. Budapest's thermal baths, ruin bars and Fisherman's Bastion make it brilliant for a few days solo.
Czechia
BudgetPrague is still one of the best-value capitals on the continent - a fairytale old town, castle views and plenty to do for free.
Lithuania
BudgetOne of my personal highlights. Vilnius has one of the largest preserved medieval old towns in Europe and a thriving creative scene.
Latvia
BudgetWhere I was born. Riga's art nouveau streets and cobbled old town make a perfect long weekend - here's how I'd spend 72 hours.
France
Mid-rangeParis was always a dream destination for me, and it's about 2h15 from London by Eurostar. Beyond Paris, Lyon is a food city I'd return to without hesitation.
Italy
Mid-rangeHome to Rome, my second-favourite city in the world - history on every corner and food to match. Florence and the Amalfi Coast are classic add-ons.
Spain
Mid-rangeTapas, sunshine and late nights. Barcelona, Madrid and Seville are made for wandering solo - in Barcelona I stayed at the Axel Hotel.
Austria
HighHallstatt remains the benchmark against which I measure every other place - lakes, mountains and a fairytale village. Vienna is an easy add-on.
Switzerland
HighScenic trains, lakes and the Top of Europe at Jungfraujoch. It's pricey, but I could've easily spent more time exploring this alpine gem.
Germany
Mid-rangeBerlin's history and nightlife, Munich and fairytale castles - and easy to travel solo by train. I stayed at the Axel Hotel in Berlin.
Scotland
Mid-rangeGlasgow and the wild Highlands - and no passport needed from the rest of the UK. Here's my 7-day route.
England
HighI've lived in London for over 20 years. Visiting the UK? Start with my complete guide to London - museums, markets and neighbourhoods made for exploring solo.
Every other country in Europe
Not on my list yet - here are the basics for each, so you can compare.
Albania
Some of Europe's lowest prices - Riviera beaches, mountain villages and a fast-growing backpacker scene.
Andorra
A mountain microstate in the Pyrenees - hiking in summer, skiing in winter.
Belgium
Brussels, Bruges and Ghent - medieval squares, waffles and beer, all an easy Eurostar ride from London.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo's history and Mostar's famous bridge - powerful, welcoming and great value.
Bulgaria
Sofia, the Black Sea coast and mountain monasteries - one of the EU's most affordable countries.
Croatia
Dubrovnik and Split's old towns, island-hopping and Plitvice's lakes - busiest in July and August.
Cyprus
Long sunny seasons, beaches and ancient ruins - and English is widely spoken.
Denmark
Copenhagen's cycling, harbour swimming and food scene - safe, easy and design-led.
Estonia
Tallinn has one of Europe's best-preserved medieval old towns - and it finishes the Baltic route.
Finland
Saunas, lakes and Lapland's northern lights - one of the safest countries for solo travel.
Greece
Athens' ancient sites and hundreds of islands to hop between - shoulder season is the sweet spot.
Iceland
Waterfalls, glaciers and hot springs - one of the safest countries in the world, but pricey.
Ireland
Dublin's pubs and the wild Atlantic coast - friendly, English-speaking and an easy first trip.
Kosovo
Europe's youngest country - Pristina's cafe culture and the riverside old town of Prizren.
Liechtenstein
One of Europe's smallest countries - alpine hiking and an easy add-on to a Swiss trip.
Luxembourg
A tiny country with a dramatic clifftop old town - and free public transport nationwide.
Malta
Sunshine, history and swimming spots - small, safe, and English is an official language.
Moldova
One of Europe's least-visited countries, known for its huge wine cellars and low prices.
Monaco
Riviera glamour in a tiny city-state - an easy day trip from Nice.
Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor and dramatic mountains packed into a small, affordable country.
Netherlands
Amsterdam's canals and cycling culture, plus Rotterdam and Utrecht - English is spoken almost everywhere.
North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid's old town and churches - one of the Balkans' most underrated spots.
Northern Ireland
Belfast's history and murals, and the Giant's Causeway - no passport needed from the rest of the UK.
Norway
Fjords, mountains and scenic railways - spectacular, but one of Europe's most expensive countries.
Poland
Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk - one of the best mixes of value, culture and transport in the EU.
Romania
Transylvania's castles and medieval towns, plus buzzing Bucharest - great value and full of character.
San Marino
A hilltop microstate surrounded by Italy - an easy day trip from Rimini.
Serbia
Belgrade's legendary nightlife and cafe culture - one of the best-value capitals in Europe.
Slovakia
Bratislava's compact old town and the High Tatras mountains - often overlooked and great value.
Slovenia
Ljubljana is small, green and laid-back, and Lake Bled is an easy day trip.
Sweden
Stockholm's islands and design scene, with long summer days and an easy-going pace.
Vatican City
The world's smallest country, inside Rome - St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums.
Wales
Castles, Eryri (Snowdonia) and the coast path - and no passport needed from England.
Belarus
Check the latest FCDO travel advice before considering a trip.
Russia
Check the latest FCDO travel advice before considering a trip.
Ukraine
Check the latest FCDO travel advice before considering a trip.
| Country | Best for | Best time | Budget level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | First-timers, food, sunsets | Apr - Jun / Sep - Oct | Mid-range |
| Hungary | Thermal baths, nightlife, value | Apr - Jun / Sep - Oct | Budget |
| Czechia | City breaks, value, history | Apr - Jun / Sep - Oct / Dec | Budget |
| Lithuania | Old towns, value, culture | May - Sep | Budget |
| Latvia | Baltic city breaks | May - Sep | Budget |
| France | Culture, food, art | Apr - Jun / Sep | Mid-range |
| Italy | History, food, art | Apr - Jun / Sep - Oct | Mid-range |
| Spain | Sun, food, nightlife | Apr - Jun / Sep - Oct | Mid-range |
| Austria | Lakes, mountains, Vienna | May - Sep / Dec | High |
| Switzerland | Alpine scenery, scenic trains | Jun - Sep | High |
| Germany | History, cities, trains | May - Sep / Dec | Mid-range |
| Scotland | Nature, cities, no passport | May - Sep | Mid-range |
| England | Museums, food, nightlife | May - Sep | High |
Itineraries
What's the best Europe itinerary for a solo trip?
For a short trip, pick one great city. With one to two weeks, I'd do the Baltic route for value; with two weeks, the classic Western circuit by train or my southern culture route.
City breaks: one great city
3-7 daysMy favourite solo city breaks, each with a ready-made itinerary - tap one to open it.
1-2 weeks: the Baltic and Eastern route
Best valueThe best-value route in Europe: lower costs, smaller crowds, and underrated architecture and nightlife. Easy by bus between each city.
- 01Warsaw
- 02Vilnius
- 03Riga
- 04Tallinn
2 weeks: the classic Western circuit
All by trainSix capitals in six countries, all doable by train - starting with the Eurostar from London to Paris.
- 01London
- 02Paris
- 03Amsterdam
- 04Berlin
- 05Prague
- 06Vienna
2 weeks: the southern culture route
Food & sunshineBarcelona's buzz, Lyon's food (and lower prices), then five days in Porto before finishing in Lisbon.
- 01Barcelona
- 02Lyon
- 03Porto
- 04Lisbon
Getting around
How do you get around Europe as a solo traveller?
I'd take the train wherever I can - it's comfortable, central and scenic. For longer hops, budget airlines are often cheaper and faster, and buses are the cheapest of all.
Typical costs
How much does solo travel in Europe cost?
It depends hugely on the region. Excluding flights, I'd budget around £30-80 a day in Eastern Europe and £70-150 in Western Europe, from budget to mid-range. Here's my breakdown by region, in GBP.
Pick a region and travel style, then set your trip length, and I'll estimate your on-the-ground budget.
Covers a hostel or budget hotel, two to three meals a day, local transport and an activity or two. Flights and insurance not included.
A week in Budapest costs roughly the same as three nights in Amsterdam.
Many hotels charge solo travellers an extra £10-30 a night for a double room on your own.
A typical mid-range mix of Western and Eastern cities from the UK, flights included.
All prices are approximate guidance in GBP and will drift with exchange rates.
Plan it with my budget calculatorWhere to stay
Where should you stay in Europe as a solo traveller?
Hostels are best for meeting people; boutique hotels give you comfort and privacy. Either way, I always stay central - it saves on transport and feels safer at night. Here are the places I've reviewed.
Lisbon, Porto, Prague, Budapest, Vilnius and Berlin all have brilliant, social hostel scenes.
Book with free cancellation so you can stay flexible, and look for single rooms to avoid the solo supplement.
The Log Hotel by Piamonte Hotels
My 6-night stay - and a great base if you're staying a while.
Read my reviewHotel Vilnia
An elegant boutique stay in a central location - with a few unexpected twists.
Read my reviewLa Suite en Rose
A hidden gem with a private jacuzzi - but one strange flaw.
Read my reviewAxel Hotel Barcelona
A 4-star stay - and how it outshone its sister hotel in Berlin.
Read my reviewAxel Hotel Berlin
The pros, cons and my personal experience.
Read my reviewFrom the road
Latest Europe stories
Trip planning checklist
How do you plan a solo trip to Europe?
Book your flights or Eurostar, then accommodation and travel insurance, sort your mobile data, add activities, and check the latest entry rules. Here's my checklist, in the order I sort things before every trip.
Affiliate disclosure: some links below are affiliate links from partners I've genuinely used or researched. If you book through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you - it keeps this blog running. Thank you!
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01
Book flights or the Eurostar
Budget airlines are cheapest booked early - I look on Tuesdays - and the Eurostar is the easiest way to start a rail trip from London.
I use Skyscanner, AviaSales, Booking.com
Search flights -
02
Book your accommodation
Hostels for meeting people, boutique hotels for comfort - always central, and with free cancellation so I can change plans.
I use Booking.com
Find hotels in Europe -
03
Get travel insurance & a GHIC
A free GHIC covers state healthcare at local cost, but not repatriation or private care - so I always get proper travel insurance for the whole trip too.
I recommend SafetyWing, EKTA
Get covered -
04
Sort your mobile data
Roaming charges vary by UK network since Brexit, so I check mine - or pick up an eSIM - before I go.
Free tool My eSIM Data Calculator
Check my data -
05
Book activities & tours
Pre-book the big ones - museums, a day trip to the Alps or a food tour - to skip the queues. I pick tours with free cancellation.
I use GetYourGuide, Viator
Find tours in Europe -
06CHECKED NOV 2026
Check the entry rules
UK travellers get 90 days in any 180 visa-free in the Schengen Area. Your passport must be less than 10 years old when you enter and valid for at least 3 months after you leave. ETIAS isn't needed yet - beware unofficial sites charging for it.
Check entry requirements
What's changed
EU entry rules for UK travellers
Your first entry to the Schengen Area records your fingerprints and a photo, replacing passport stamps. It's free - just allow extra time.
Visa-free for holidays across all 29 Schengen countries. EES now tracks your days automatically.
A travel authorisation valid for 3 years. It has no confirmed start date and is now expected in 2027 - there's nothing to apply for yet.
FAQs
Europe solo travel FAQs
Quick answers to the questions solo travellers ask me most.
Is Europe good for first-time solo travellers?
Yes. It's safe, well connected and full of English-friendly cities, with a big solo travel community. Portugal and Lithuania are where I'd start - Porto is compact, walkable and full of social hostels, and Vilnius is easy, safe and great value.
How much does a solo trip to Europe cost?
Excluding flights, I'd budget around £30-50 a day on a budget in Eastern Europe (£55-80 mid-range), and £70-90 a day in Western Europe (£100-150 mid-range). A two-week mix of Western and Eastern cities typically costs £1,200-1,800 all-in from the UK.
Do UK citizens need a visa to travel in Europe?
Not for short trips. UK travellers can visit the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Since 10 April 2026 the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints and photo at the border on your first visit. ETIAS, a €20 travel authorisation, isn't required yet - it's now expected in 2027.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
EES is the EU's digital border system, fully running since 10 April 2026. It replaces passport stamps: the first time you enter the Schengen Area, you register your fingerprints and a facial photo, and it then tracks your 90-day allowance automatically. It's free, and allow extra time at the border on your first trip.
What is the cheapest country to visit in Europe?
The Balkans are cheapest overall, at around £25-40 a day on a budget. Within the EU, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are the best value - a week in Budapest costs roughly the same as three nights in Amsterdam.
Is it safe to travel Europe alone, including as a woman?
Yes. Most of Western and Northern Europe ranks in the Global Peace Index top 20, and violent crime against tourists is rare. Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Lithuania and the Netherlands score especially well for solo women. The main risk is pickpocketing in busy tourist spots, so keep your bag in front of you in crowds.
When is the best time to visit Europe solo?
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the sweet spots - mild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer suits the Baltics and Scandinavia, and winter is great for Christmas markets and the Alps.
What's the best way to get around Europe?
Trains are the most enjoyable: the Eurostar gets you from London to Paris in about 2h15, and UK residents can use an Interrail pass. Budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air often cost £20-60 if you book ahead, and FlixBus is cheapest of all - Prague to Vienna is typically £10-20.
Your Europe adventure starts here.
Pick a city, sort the essentials with my checklist, and take the leap. If you've got a question I haven't answered, get in touch - I read every message.
Where next?
Start with one of my city itineraries.
My 5-day Porto itinerary All my destinations Ask me a question