Solo Female Travel in Europe: My Honest Experience

Let me start with the truth: solo female travel in Europe is not always Instagram-perfect. There will be moments of loneliness, times when you feel vulnerable, and days when you question why you're doing this alone. But for every challenging moment, there are ten that will remind you why solo travel is one of the most transformative experiences you can have.

After more than 50 solo trips across Europe – from backpacking through Eastern Europe in my twenties to luxury solo breaks in my thirties – I've learned that solo female travel is both easier and harder than people think. It's easier because Europe is incredibly safe and well-connected. It's harder because society still makes us believe that women shouldn't or can't travel alone.

This is my honest account of what solo female travel in Europe is really like, including the parts that travel blogs often skip.

Why I Started Traveling Solo

My first solo trip wasn't planned – it was born from necessity. A friend canceled on our Paris weekend at the last minute, and I had to choose between losing the money or going alone. I was terrified. What if something happened? What if I got lonely? What if people thought I was weird for eating alone?

That Paris weekend changed my life. For the first time, I moved at my own pace, followed my own interests, and made decisions based purely on what I wanted to do. I spent three hours in the Rodin Museum because I wanted to. I ate dinner at 9pm because that's when I was hungry. I discovered parts of myself that only emerged when I stopped worrying about what others wanted.

Safety: The Reality vs. The Fear

The question I get most is about safety. Here's the truth: I have never felt seriously unsafe during solo travel in Europe. I've been approached by overly friendly men, I've gotten lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods, and I've made some questionable decisions about walking home alone late at night. But I've never been in actual danger.

Europe is genuinely one of the safest regions in the world for solo female travelers. That doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind, but it does mean that most of your safety fears are worse than the reality you'll encounter.

The Destinations: Where I've Felt Safest (and Least Safe)

The Loneliness Factor

The loneliness hits at unexpected moments. It might be seeing an incredible sunset with no one to turn to and say "Look at that!" Or it might be getting food poisoning in a tiny Italian town where you don't speak the language and just wanting your mum.

But here's what I've learned: loneliness and solitude are different things. Loneliness is feeling disconnected. Solitude is being comfortable with yourself. Solo travel teaches you the difference and helps you cultivate the latter.

How I Deal with Loneliness on the Road

• Stay connected – Regular video calls with friends and family
• Meet people – Join walking tours, stay in social hostels, take classes
• Embrace solo activities – Museums, galleries, and cafés are perfect for solo exploration
• Document your experiences – Journaling or blogging helps process emotions
• Plan social accommodations – Hostels or guesthouses where you'll meet other travelers
• Be kind to yourself – Some days you just need to watch Netflix in your hotel room, and that's fine

Practical Realities: The Stuff They Don't Tell You

Eating Alone

This was my biggest fear initially. The reality? Most people don't care, and many restaurants are perfectly equipped for solo diners. I've discovered some of my favorite restaurants by being open to counter seating, early dining times, and lunch specials.

Pro tips: Bring a book or journal, sit at the bar when possible, embrace lunch as your main meal (less awkward than solo dinners), and remember that in many cultures, solo dining is completely normal.

Accommodation Choices

The "single supplement" is real and annoying. Hotels charge almost as much for a single room as a double, making solo travel expensive. However, I've found creative solutions:

• Boutique hostels – Many now offer private rooms at reasonable prices
• Apartment rentals – Often cheaper than hotels and you get kitchen access
• House-sitting – Free accommodation in exchange for pet/house care
• Solo traveler discounts – Some hotels offer these, especially in shoulder seasons

Transportation

Europe's excellent public transportation is solo travel's best friend. Trains are comfortable, reliable, and scenic. However, traveling alone means:

• No one to watch your luggage during bathroom breaks
• Paying full price for taxis (no splitting costs)
• Being more vulnerable to pickpockets (no one watching your back)
• Making all navigation decisions yourself

The Unexpected Joys

For all the challenges, solo travel has given me experiences I never could have had otherwise:

What Solo Travel Has Taught Me

I'm more capable than I thought. When you can't turn to anyone else, you figure things out. I've navigated foreign medical systems, solved language barriers, and problem-solved my way out of countless small disasters. Each success builds confidence.

I actually enjoy my own company. This sounds obvious, but many people have never spent significant time alone. Solo travel forces you to become comfortable with your thoughts, your pace, and your own decision-making.

The world is kinder than the news suggests. For every cautionary tale about solo female travel, I have ten stories of strangers who helped me, locals who went out of their way to assist, and communities that welcomed me.

Freedom has a learning curve. Complete autonomy over your schedule and decisions is intoxicating, but it can also be overwhelming. Learning to make choices without consensus-building is a skill.

Should You Try Solo Travel?

Not everyone needs to travel solo, and that's perfectly fine. But if you're curious about it, if you're waiting for someone else to be available, or if you're afraid of what people will think – I encourage you to try it, even just for a weekend.

The Reality Check

Solo female travel in Europe isn't about proving you're fearless or independent. It's not about collecting passport stamps or appearing adventurous on social media. It's about giving yourself permission to move through the world on your own terms.

Will there be challenging moments? Absolutely. Will you sometimes wish you were traveling with someone else? Of course. But will you also discover things about yourself and the world that you never would have found otherwise? Without a doubt.

Europe offers an incredible playground for solo female travelers. The infrastructure exists, the safety standards are high, and the experiences waiting for you are extraordinary. The only question is whether you're ready to give yourself permission to explore it on your own terms.

I hope you are. The world is waiting for you – and you're much more ready for it than you think.

Are you considering solo travel, or do you have solo travel experiences to share? I'd love to hear from you on Instagram @discoverysiren – let's support each other on this incredible journey!