Traveling Europe solo can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life—an open ticket to self-discovery, spontaneous adventures, and unforgettable friendships. With your Touropa spirit guiding you, this is your roadmap to making the most of every cobblestone street, café terrace, and sunrise view.
Unparalleled Freedom: Create your own itinerary—sleep in Lisbon one day, dance in Berlin the next, or wake up on a vineyard in Tuscany the morning after.
Meet Like‑Minded Travelers: Backpackers and tour groups swim along your wavelength, opening doors to instant camaraderie.
Grow & Empower Yourself: You'll build confidence navigating unfamiliar cities, public transport quirks, languages—you name it; solo travel fast-tracks self-reliance.
Backpacking costs fluctuate depending on whether you're hopping through Eastern Europe on a shoestring or indulging in Western Europe's charm. Here’s a practical breakdown:
Eastern Europe: €15–25 /night
Western Europe: €30–50 /night
Average hostel cost range: €20–50/day, with dorm beds much cheaper than private rooms The World Was Here FirstSavvy Backpacker.
Budget meals (sandwiches, pasta, street food): €10–15/day
Occasional restaurant or cafe splurge: €10–20/day
Daily total: roughly €20–35 The World Was Here FirstShe's Abroad Again
Public transport: €0–10/day
Interrail or point-to-point trains/buses: €10–20/day
Budget together: €20–30/day total She's Abroad AgainThe Times
Museum entry, walking tours, small splurges, SIM cards: €10–20/day
Always keep a buffer — roughly €15/day She's Abroad AgainThe Times.
| Trip Style | Daily Cost Range | Weekly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| East Europe (Hostel) | €40–60 | €280–420 |
| West Europe (Hostel) | €60–100 | €420–700 |
| Frugal Mid‑range | €80–125 | €560–875 |
Budget backpackers in the West: €75–125/day
Backpacking in Eastern Europe: €40–90/day Savvy BackpackerA Backpacker's World
€900–2000/month typical depending on destination and pace A Backpacker's WorldShe's Abroad Again.
Sleeping in hostels isn’t just economical—it’s social gold for solo travellers. Here are some of Europe’s standout hostels (2024–25) with personality—and great prices:
Circus Hostel (Berlin) – sociable events, modern facilities, from ~$20–40/night One Weird Globe.
Hostel One Budapest – vibrant atmosphere ideal for mingling The Broke BackpackerOne Weird Globe.
Croatia hostels – dorms from ~€17, privates from ~€50 The Broke Backpacker.
Generator Paris – design-led and community-focused, dorms around €30–60 One Weird Globe.
Kabul Party Hostel (Barcelona) – lively bar scene, €€ budget dorms Europe BackpackerOne Weird Globe.
Flying Pig Downtown (Amsterdam) – DJs and themed nights, beds ~€25–€50 Europe BackpackerOne Weird Globe.
Other top picks: The Hat Madrid, YellowSquare Rome, The Passenger (Porto) Hostelgeeks.comOne Weird Globe.
Opt for hostels with free breakfast & kitchens—cook your meals and save.
Prioritize 24/7 reception so late night arrivals are no dramas Savvy BackpackerBusiness Insider.
Book a few nights ahead in hot cities or high season to lock in better prices.
Interrail Pass: Unlimited travel across 33 countries—great value if you're crisscrossing Europe. Book early to save on seat reservations (€100–200/day overall cost incl. travel, lodgings, meals) The Times.
For single short journeys: buses (Flixbus, Eurolines) and budget airlines—book early.
In cities: opt for buses, trams, metro, or rent bikes—usually €2–€3 per ride or day passes for around €7–15.
Solo doesn’t have to mean alone. Touropa’s guaranteed coach tours are tailor‑made to let you embrace your freedom AND the benefits of group travel when you want. All tours are confirmed with just 2 people, so your tour won't cancel—ever touropa.com.autouropa.com.au.
Explore Europe's most iconic cities with room to craft your own ending—choose your own start/end. Transfers, itineraries, and local guides included. touropa.com.au
Head to the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre-Dame and many more Parisian gems—all laid out with care. Ideal for balancing solo time with group insight touropa.com.au
Fully flexible coach tour—pick your dates and city stops to match your dream trip style. touropa.com.au
Discover a classic route; from Prague through Vienna and Budapest. Perfect for a culturally rich route with friends met along the way touropa.com.autouropa.com.au
Routes obviously crafted for flexibility—great for mixing classic tours with signs to slow travel moments such as “lunch on your own” or extended free evenings touropa.com.autouropa.com.au
Zero cancelation worry – tours proceed from just two participants touropa.com.autouropa.com.au.
Built-in community – meet fellow explorers while still crafting your own journey.
Local guide insights – delve deeper into culture, history, and hidden stories.
Ultimate flexibility – customize start dates, pick add-ons (local tours, transfers), pause or continue as you like.
Here’s a sample 3‑week solo Europe itinerary to mix independent exploration with group-powered moments:
Amsterdam (3 nights): stay at The Flying Pig Downtown (~€30/night).
Brussels & Bruges (2 nights): budget hostel (~€25/night).
Paris (4 nights): Generator Paris (~€35/night).
European Extravaganza (5–6 days): Paris → overnight coach to… Rome!
Continue on Best of Europe to Venice → Vienna → Budapest over the next 7 days.
Budapest (3 nights): Hostel One Budapest (~€20/night).
Krakow (3 nights): west-east train (€30); hostel (€15).
Prague (3 nights): a&o Hostel (~€20).
Estimated Breakdown
Independent: 10 nights @ €25 avg = €250 + food/transport/activities ~€400
Touropa Tour: 6–10 days = approx €1,500–2,500 AUD (depending on route, style) via Touropa site
Final days independent: ~€200
Total = ~€2,000–2,500 (~AU$3,200–4,000) for 3–4 weeks.
Pack light: One carry-on backpack keeps you mobile and nimble.
Stay connected: eSIMs or Pocket WiFi help. Maps.me offline is your best friend.
Book ahead in peak season: Secure hostels & train seats before cherry-picking.
Download a budgeting app: Monitor your EUR/AUD, track daily spending.
Get travel insurance early: Most Touropa travellers opt for this—covering medical, luggage, cancellations.
Budget-friendly tricks:
Free city walking tours (tip what you can) The Times
Supermarket meals + hostel kitchens
Volunteer in hostels for free stays (via Workaway or hostel offers) The World Was Here First
Visit Eastern Europe extensively for best value: Vilnius, Krakow, Budapest often top affordability lists Financial TimesCondé Nast Traveler
Solo travel = total freedom + self-growth
Daily budget: €40–100 depending on region & style
Hostels: Social, affordable—perfect for solo travellers
Mix in Touropa Tours: You stay free and flexible—and never alone on the road
Three-week sample trip: ~€2,000–2,500 total—balanced budget meets experience-packed journey
Europe may be big, but it's yours to explore—your way. Let Touropa power up your solo trip with a flexible coach tour that plugs seamlessly into your independent adventure. It's your journey—customisable, community-driven, unforgettable.
✈️ Ready to set off? Browse the tours at Touropa.com.au, choose your route, and customise your dates. Then swipe on your backpack, pack your sense of wonder—and let Europe meet the true you.
Let me know if you'd like a packing checklist, season-by-season advice, or tips for solo female travellers.
