The Ultimate Guide to Budget Solo Travel in Europe

Have you always dreamed of traveling to Europe but don’t know where to start? Then, keep reading because I’ll share some tips I learned from my 50-day trip through Europe.

Planning

First things first, list the countries that you’d like to visit. If you’re on a budget, one of the most significant costs of the trip will be the flight to and from Europe. Once you know the general countries you’d like to visit, you can begin comparing the costs of the cheapest flights to Europe.

For me, I knew I wanted to visit Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, so I compared the cost of flights to the major cities of each country and picked the cheapest one. However, if you have a specific country in mind that you want to visit first or have to fly out of, that will limit your options a bit.

Booking Flights First

Booking your flight in advance is a key strategy for budget travel. Once you’ve secured your flight, you can start planning your route. A physical map can be a helpful tool to visualize the locations of the countries you’ll be visiting.

From there, begin exploring the cities you want to visit within those countries. List the cities and start estimating the dates you’ll stay in each. It’s helpful to conduct a quick Google search to determine the recommended time for each destination.

For example, I knew I wanted to visit cities such as Munich, Berlin, Salzburg, and Vienna, but I didn’t know how long to stay in each of them. A quick search revealed the following:

• Berlin – 3-5 days
• Munich – 2 days
• Salzburg – 2 days
• Vienna – 3 days
• Zurich – 1 day
• Bern– 1 day

To stay organized, I created a chart of the cities I wanted to visit and the number of days in each one.

Sample Itinerary Planning Table

Country	Location	# of Days	Dates	Currency	Example List: Attractions
Germany	Berlin	4	5/5–5/9	Euro	Berlin Wall, Museum Island
	Munich	2	5/9–5/11	Euro	Neuschwanstein Castle
	Traveling	1	5/12	–	Travel to Salzburg
Austria	Salzburg	2	5/13–5/15	Euro	Sound of Music Tour
	Vienna	3	5/15–5/18	Euro	Schönbrunn Palace
	Traveling	1	5/19	–	Travel to Zurich
Switzerland	Zurich	1	5/20	Swiss Franc	Lake Zurich, Old Town
	Bern	1	5/21	Swiss Franc	Old Town

Factor in Travel and Rest Days

Depending on your route and the distance between cities, you may need to factor in travel days—days where your main objective is just to get to the next place. Trying to squeeze in attractions on travel days can be stressful.

In this example, since Berlin is quite far from Salzburg, I added a full travel day.

For trips longer than two weeks, I also recommend building in rest days. If you’re like me and like to pack your trip with sightseeing and activities, trust me—you’ll value these built-in breaks. They also give you flexibility in case you want to stay longer in a particular city.

Transportation

Getting Around in Cities

Getting Around in Cities

Now that you know the general sequence of your trip, it’s time to figure out how you’ll get around. Many cities offer intercity transportation passes that are valid for 1 to 3 days. These are great if you’re visiting multiple attractions throughout a town or just don’t want to walk everywhere.

They’re also usually cheaper than buying single tickets and save you the stress of figuring out how to purchase transit access each time you go out.

Some locations you want to visit may not offer transportation passes, so in these places, you will need to purchase individual tickets. However, another great way to sightsee is simply walking to the different attractions.

Train Travel in Europe

Traveling through Europe by train is the way to go if you’re solo traveling. You can book tickets in advance at a decent price, and the train ride itself can be a scenic and relaxing way to experience the countryside.

If you’re a confident planner, consider Super Saver Tickets—they’re cheaper but typically non-refundable. Keep in mind: there’s no need to arrive super early like at airports—just show up 10–15 minutes before departure to find your platform.

Your first time navigating a European train station might be a little overwhelming. Don’t stress—I made a quick guide to help you understand train tickets (coming soon!).

If you’re visiting multiple countries, I highly recommend looking into the Eurail Pass—especially the Flex Pass version.

How the Eurail Flex Pass Works

• You pay for the pass and activate it once.
• You can use it only on the days you choose to activate it—great for long-distance travel days.
• It covers nearly all significant trains, but in some countries (like Italy), you’ll still need to pay for seat reservations even if you have a pass.

I used the Eurail Flex Pass on my trip and never looked back.

Currency and Card Planning

If you’re more go-with-the-flow and prefer minimal planning, make sure you at least check in advance what currency each country uses and whether people tend to use cash or card.

This helps you plan how much local currency to bring and which debit or credit cards to carry to avoid extra fees. Many banks charge foreign transaction fees, so if you’re on a budget, this can make a big difference.

Look into what your card charges—or consider one that is built for international travel.

On Your Trip

Tourist Offices Are Your Friend

If you arrive in a new city and are confused about how to get around, head to the nearest tourist office. These are usually located in train stations or airports, and the staff can walk you through transportation options, city passes, and more.

If you have longer train rides between cities, use that time to research city-specific passes and make your plan for the next stop.

Stay in Hostels

Some of my most memorable experiences were at hostels.

They’re not only a great way to save money, but also a chance to meet fellow travelers—especially if you’re on the road for a long time and start to feel a little lonely.

Many hostels have:

• Common rooms
• Group activities
• Free breakfasts

I used Hostelworld to book all of mine and found some amazing spots. Just make sure to read the reviews before booking to ensure the place suits your needs—location, vibe, safety, and amenities.

Attractions and Discounts

If you decide to purchase a city pass, check to see if any attractions or tours are included at a discounted rate. These can be a game changer if you plan on visiting a lot of city attractions.

If you want to plan ahead, you can also check the main websites of the museums and attractions for ticket information to find prices and any available discounts.

Solo Traveling can be incredibly intimidating and scary, and I remember that I had many things to worry about on my first trip to Europe. But, with planning and research, you may find yourself on the adventure of a lifetime—one that you will remember for the rest of your life. So, don’t let your fears stop you now!