I spent a week in Europe traveling by myself. Here are 10 things I learned about solo travel in other countries.

Joey HaddenNov 13, 2022, 17:42 IST

The author travels solo by train through Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

Solo travel can be daunting, especially in countries where you don't speak the language.
I recently traveled to Germany and Austria alone during a 2-week train trip through Europe.

I'm pretty used to traveling alone, but a recent solo trip to Europe made me realize that I'm still perfecting the art of solo trips in foreign countries.

The author travels alone in Vienna.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I started planning my trip, I learned that some countries tend to be safer for solo travelers — particularly females.

The author travels solo in Berlin (L) and Vienna (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I packed for my solo trip as lightly as possible with just a backpack. I was surprised to find that I could fit everything I truly needed for two weeks in just one bag.

Everything the author packed for her two-week trip to Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

Public transit can be daunting for me, especially in a new city, but once I tried it in Berlin and Vienna, I found the system to be easy to learn, and it helped me gain a better sense of my surroundings.

Public transit in Berlin (L) and Austria (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

Public transit can be daunting for me, especially in a new city, but once I tried it in Berlin and Vienna, I found the system to be easy to learn, and it helped me gain a better sense of my surroundings.

In Berlin, I booked an Airbnb outside the city, and in Vienna, I booked an Airbnb in the heart of the city. I found that the latter made exploring alone easier.

The author's Airbnb and neighborhood in Germany (L) and Austria (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I spent one week on my own in Europe before my partner joined me, but I was surprised to realize I wished I booked an even longer trip while solo.

The author's calendar shows her time spent in Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I'm by myself, my headspace can make or break a trip. So I learned to make efforts to stay in the moment, celebrate small wins, and not dwell on mistakes.

The author arrives at her Airbnb outside of Berlin (L) and enjoys a Kebap in Vienna (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

For me, being dehydrated and tired made staying positive harder. I learned it's important to prioritize getting enough sleep and drinking enough water when solo.

The author rests at a hotel (L) and hydrates in a train lounge (R) in Vienna.Joey Hadden/Insider

It can be tough to communicate with people who speak a different language than you. But in my experience, smiles and gestures can go a long way.

The author smiles after getting off an overnight train.Joey Hadden/Insider

For me, traveling alone can be especially lonely when I'm in a different time zone than loved ones. I learned to make it a priority to schedule times to talk to them.

The author's schedule shows when she talked to loved ones.Joey Hadden/Insider

Ultimately, I found that traveling solo in other countries makes me appreciate the times when I'm traveling with a buddy even more.

The author and her partner in Switzerland.Joey Hadden/Insider

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I spent a week in Europe traveling by myself. Here are 10 things I learned about solo travel in other countries.

I'm pretty used to traveling alone, but a recent solo trip to Europe made me realize that I'm still perfecting the art of solo trips in foreign countries.

When I started planning my trip, I learned that some countries tend to be safer for solo travelers — particularly females.

I packed for my solo trip as lightly as possible with just a backpack. I was surprised to find that I could fit everything I truly needed for two weeks in just one bag.

Public transit can be daunting for me, especially in a new city, but once I tried it in Berlin and Vienna, I found the system to be easy to learn, and it helped me gain a better sense of my surroundings.

In Berlin, I booked an Airbnb outside the city, and in Vienna, I booked an Airbnb in the heart of the city. I found that the latter made exploring alone easier.

I spent one week on my own in Europe before my partner joined me, but I was surprised to realize I wished I booked an even longer trip while solo.

When I'm by myself, my headspace can make or break a trip. So I learned to make efforts to stay in the moment, celebrate small wins, and not dwell on mistakes.

For me, being dehydrated and tired made staying positive harder. I learned it's important to prioritize getting enough sleep and drinking enough water when solo.

It can be tough to communicate with people who speak a different language than you. But in my experience, smiles and gestures can go a long way.

For me, traveling alone can be especially lonely when I'm in a different time zone than loved ones. I learned to make it a priority to schedule times to talk to them.

Ultimately, I found that traveling solo in other countries makes me appreciate the times when I'm traveling with a buddy even more.