Solo Travel in Austria

Can there really be an easier country to travel around in Europe? Not only is Austria a stunning country but it is also incredibly safe. If you're wondering ‘is Austria safe to visit?' Yes, it is! There is such a low rate of crime that the cities are perfect to wander around and easy to navigate alone too.

People can speak English here so there is always someone to ask if you do get lost. If you visit for the skiing and decide to go off-piste, just be careful skiing alone in case of avalanches. Solo travel in Austria for amazing art, classical music and stunning architecture. Austria is just gorgeous and attracts women from all around the globe. If you're unsure of where to go in Austria and the cities in Austria to visit, you may feel more comfortable on a guided tour.

About Austria

Austria is situated in Central Europe. Home to amazing art, classical music and stunning architecture Austria attracts many visitors from all around the globe, and especially those from Asia who come for the Sound of Music tours.

You need weeks to explore the best of Austria and you’ll never be short of a tour to go on either. Whether you prefer sightseeing, trekking or skiing, Austria has so much to offer that you’ll be planning your second trip before you even leave.

Vienna

Start in Vienna, the capital and one of our favourite cities to see in Austria. Here you’ll find modern architecture, old taverns and coffee houses as well as tons of galleries and museums to look around. Museums Quartier Wien is where you’ll find most of the museums from classical to modern. It’s a great place to chill and meet others with international students frequenting here.

Vienna Sightseeing

When you're visiting Vienna, you could spend hours in the historic centre which has breathtaking architecture and feels like a living history museum in itself. Things to do in Vienna include: walking around the old town and visiting Vienna attractions such as St Stephens Square and cathedral, and Baroque castles. Feel like a princess at one of the palaces – Imperial Palace or Belvedere Palace Museum. The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the beautiful places here, and walking through the beautifully landscaped gardens are one of the free things to do in Austria (you have to pay to enter the interior of the palace).

Other places to visit in Vienna include the Kunsthistorisches Museum – one of the country’s art museums with pieces dating back to ancient Egypt, and the Spanish Riding School, one of the unique places to visit in Austria where you can watch famous Lipizzaner horses being trained or during their display and gala performances. Make sure you book a ticket to see them when you solo travel Vienna.

* Click here to discover all activities and things to do in Austria

Vienna

Salzburg

If you love music then you’ll love Salzburg, one of the best places in Austria to visit, and the birthplace of Mozart – the famous Austrian composer. It is said that Salzburg inspired his music and one of the things to do in Salzburg includes visiting his birthplace (which is now a museum) and his old residence. This city in Austria is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of our travel tips is to take a walking tour to explore this city that inspired Mozart.

There are so many hidden back streets to explore but if you don’t fancy walking, then cruise along the banks of the Salzach instead. Salzburg is a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and has one of the oldest fortresses in Europe – Fortress Hohensalzburg.

Nicknamed ‘The Rome of the North’ because of its churches and cathedrals, Salzburg is not short of palaces either. Visit Leopoldskron Palace or Hellbrunn Palace for their water fountains. Explore the world-famous gardens of Mirabell Palace (one of the Austria tourist attractions), or meander around the Baroque Old Town. Don’t forget to visit the monastery where monks brew their own beer!

If you love the Sound of Music (and which girl doesn’t!) then it’s fine to do the touristy thing and take the tour to the lake district, Mondsee, Berchtesgaden and sights around the city where the movie was filmed. The Untersberg Mountain is full of legends and myths and you can take a cable car to the top.

One of the unique things to do in Austria is to go underground in the Salzburg salt mines and learn about the country’s salt-mining history. Berchtesgaden is 20 km from Salzburg and is where white gold has been mined since the Bronze Age.

Salzburg

Innsbruck

Austria draws adventure seekers so if you are an adventurous solo you’ll find plenty to get your heart pumping especially in Innsbruck where the mountains meet the valley. This medieval city centre is the capital of the Alps and has a gorgeous gondola ride with views of the surrounding mountains.

You’ll find snowboarding, freeriding, tobogganing, rock climbing and mountain hut hikes amongst lakes and summits, not to mention cultural activities. It is also a great place to shop in the small boutiques and craft shops to find a unique Austrian gift. There is always some kind of event happening so you’ll never be short of things to do in Innsbruck. When you’re here, make sure to spot the Golden Roof, an unusual attraction in Austria and the landmark of Innsbruck. Meander through the heart of the Old Town to find it in all its dazzling glory.

The Salzach Valley has many quaint villages, farmhouses and ski resorts. The Dachstein is an alpine glacier and although it’s a romantic village, it’s worth paying a visit to see this winter landscape from the comfort of a warm local inn. Near the Salzach Valley is Werfen, a quaint village and Fortress Hohenwerfen, an impressive sight which shouldn’t be missed.

Wine lovers will love the south of the country. Visit the state of Styria for wineries or hire a car and drive to Burgenland, the eastern edge of Austria. This Pannonian plain is just an hour from Vienna. Its lakeside vineyards produce dessert wine in WineArchitecture – stunning buildings that this area is known for.

Austria has dozens of lakes with opportunities for hiking and cycling. Hallstatt is one of the most picturesque villages in the country and is a UNESCO site. This is also home to the oldest salt mine in the world. Klagenfurt is near Lake Worthersee and is a popular destination in the summer and one of Europe’s largest lakes. Don’t forget your bikini either as you’ll find several beaches on the lake shores.

Graz is another one of the places to see in Austria for beauty. The Old Town has even made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Graz has beautiful architecture from the Baroque Eggennberg Palace to the modern Kunsthaus Graz (the art museum) that has been dubbed as the ‘friendly alien.’

You can visit Austria any time of the year. The Alps aren’t just there for the winter so if you can’t ski or snowboard then don your walking boots and visit in the summer for the walking trails. If you decide to spend the summer in Austria, take advantage of hiking around the Austrian lakes. The best place to visit in Austria for hiking is Galtur which has a network of hiking trails. Other areas are St. Johann, Kitzbuhel, and Obergurgl.

Both Lech and Oberlech have activities for the summer from mountain biking, trekking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, and even canyoning in their autumn splendour. Choose from themed hikes, mythological hikes, mountains, peaks or water hikes or you can cycle instead.

Hallstatt

One of the adventurous things to do in Austria in the winter is to take on the Bergisel Ski Jump, an important ski jumping venue, 250 metres high. But you don’t have to be that adventurous to see it or just visit in the winter either, as you can just travel to the tower and enjoy the views of Innsbruck from the panoramic restaurant instead. As one of the tourist spots in Austria the tower is open year-round.

If you do visit in the winter, mooch around the Christmas markets at the lakeside villages of St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen and Strobl. Vienna turns into an Ice World from January to March where you can ice-skate at City Hall Square. From the historic village of St. Wolfgang, you can take a boat ride across Lake Wolfgang to the picturesque village of St. Gilgen.

Two of the must-sees are Europe’s biggest waterfall – Krimml Falls which cascades down a mountain valley, and the world’s largest ice caves high above the village of Wergen – one that should definitely be on your Austrian bucket list.

Other places to see in Austria are Wachau in the south with many historic monuments and the Danube River, Melk Abbey – a Benedictine abbey that overlooks the Danube, or Bad Gastein for hot springs and relaxing spa treatments.

Austria has stunning cities and landscapes and whether you choose to travel Austria in the summer or winter, it is a country that oozes both sophistication and beauty.

Accommodation in Austria

You can find all different types of accommodation in Austria from ski chalets and holiday apartments to spa hotels in the Alps. Book a 3 or 4-star hotel in Salzburg or Innsbruck or choose a luxury 5-star hotel in the centre of Vienna through Booking.com.

If you are backpacking in Austria and on a budget, consider one of the hostels of which there are many in the country. Plus there’s Airbnb if you decide that you want company and to stay with a local. Save $20 off your first stay with this Airbnb link.

Treat Yourself at Hotel Topazz or stay at a luxury chalet in Austria in the Alps region of St Anton, Lech, or Stuben.

To book, check prices or availability for all accommodation in Austria

Travelling Around Austria

How to travel in Austria by train – When you are travelling in Austria, the country has a great train network making it easy to get around. Austrian travel is efficient and punctual and at Westbahof you can buy your ticket on the train. All trains depart Vienna from upstairs on the second floor of Westbahof or take the metro from downstairs (a single journey ticket costs €1.10). You can also pre-book your train ticket and they will scan it on the train.

Traveling in Austria by train is a good way to get around. Trains in Austria are really good and Austria rail displays the route on an interactive map along with the times it will take to each destination, but they are costly. A ticket from Salzburg to Vienna for example will cost €30 or travel from Vienna to St Anton for €140 return. You can travel from Vienna to Innsbruck by train in 4 hours 15 minutes, and the Innsbruck to Salzburg train takes less than 2 hours. Find the Austria train map here

For unlimited travel around Austria, it may be cheaper to purchase an Austria travel pass which allows you multiple train journeys, if you are planning on seeing more than 3 cities. Find out more here

Traveling through Austria by bus can help you reach the areas that you can’t get to on the train line, and are cheaper than the trains. Intercity buses run to the major cities and to nearby capital cities. The buses have air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and power chargers, and you can buy your tickets from the ticket machines at the stations.

If you are planning on visiting other countries as well as Austria, then renting a car is an easy way for traveling Austria on your own itinerary. You have the freedom to stop where you want on your own road trip and to navigate the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria’s highest mountain, taking in the magnificent views of this 48 km scenic road. The road takes you from Salzburg to Heiligenblut.

* To hire a car for touring Austria, we recommend pre-booking car rental with Avis so you can collect your car when you arrive at the airport.

Tours in Austria

Tour Companies

G Adventures

If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, G Adventures is a responsible tour company that mainly caters for budget travellers. Most small group tours have an average of 10 people and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your trip you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when you’re there.

Their sightseeing tours in Austria start from an 8 day trip from Venice to Budapest travelling through Vienna and Salzburg to a 30 day European Trail including 10 other countries. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people using their trips are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips can appear more costly than G Adventures.

Their Austria tour packages include cycling the Danube in 8 days through a tour of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, or combine Austria on a 43-day tour from Madrid to Rome. With both tour companies, you share a room with another female or you can pay extra for your own room. Read our Intrepid Travel Reviews

Local Tours

Fraulein Maria's Bicycle Tours – Offers bike tours in Salzburg so you can get some exercise and meet others at the same time.

Vienna Explorer – If you're unsure what to see in Vienna, Vienna Explorer offers Vienna day trips including a city walking tour, and a Wachau Valley Winery bike tour. If you are keeping the capital as your base during your visit here, they also operate Austria tours from Vienna.

Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and tours in worldwide destinations including Austria. Choose from a half-day tour to Hallstatt from Salzburg, a classical concert at Schonbrunn Palace, or the original Sound of Music tour. There are several to choose from including Vienna tours and day trips from Vienna, and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. * Check all tours and prices here

From The Airport

From Innsbruck – It’s only a 4km journey into the city. The bus runs every 15 minutes via the train station and costs approx €1.50.

From Salzburg – Bus run from the airport to the train station and also the city centre. They depart nearly every 10 minutes from 7.00 am in the morning and cost approx €2.10 for the 20-minute journey.

From Vienna – Take a metered taxi to the city for approx €35 or take a 20-minute bus ride for €6. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 0630 to midnight.

* Feel more confident on your visit to Austria with someone waiting for you at the airport when you pre-book a transfer with Hoppa, a reliable and safe service for solo females.

Where can I go from here?

Rome – 1.5 hrs
Berlin – 1 hr 15 mins
Paris – 2 hrs

How Long Do You Need?

There are so many places to visit in Austria but if you only have a week visit Vienna, Salzburg and Hallstatt.

How To Be a Conscious Traveller in Austria

Social Impact Projects

• StadtCafé, Graz – The StadtCafé is a non-profit women's employment project, which is run by the non-profit SASt GmbH on behalf of the AMS Steiermark. The aim is to enable job-hunting women to permanently re-enter the regular labour market by providing temporary transit jobs.

• Vollpension, Vienna – Vollpension is a group of cafés that hire elderly people, in order to combat loneliness and old-age poverty. Grandmothers make the best cake is their motto, and they also offer online baking courses in order to spark conversation between generations.

• Café Namsa, Innsbruck – Café Namsa is a social enterprise in Innsbruck that offers recognized refugees initial employment. The experience and skills learned create prospects in the Austrian labor market.

• Offline Retail, Graz – The Offline Retail Shop provides employment to people with addictions. The target group are people who consume alcohol, drugs or illegal substances or who have consumed them until recently. The aim of the project is to offer a job and working environment for long-term unemployed addicts.

Cultural Experiences

Wine tasting along the Styrian wine roads (e.g. wine tasting at Castle Seggau)
Visit a Buschenschank! (A Buschenschank is a name given to taverns that are open during the summer/autumn months, serving local wines and simple, locally-grown food)
Visit a coffeehouse in Vienna (Step into the footsteps of Klimt, Wagner, or Freud and enjoy a piece of Sachertorte in one of Vienna’s many coffeehouses )
Ethical and sustainable shopping in Graz. Read more…

Stay Eco in Austria

Biohotel Grafenast, Pill

The sustainable Biohotel Grafenast rooms reflect the philosophy of the house, striving for unity with nature. All rooms were built according to the strict criteria of sustainability and ecology. In the organic restaurant, the guests are spoiled with regional and organic specialities.

Prices start from £80 for a standard single room with an ensuite
To book, check prices or availability for Biohotel Grafenast

Hotel Feichtinger, Graz

The tourism industry is responsible for a big amount of waste. At Hotel Feichtinger no food is thrown away. In cooperation with Foodsharing.de they are fighting for an end to food waste.

Prices start from £71 for an apartment
To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Feichtinger

Naturhotel Outside, Matrei

The sustainably designed rooms of the Naturhotel Outside provide guests with a fabulous view of the National park Hohe Tauern.

Prices start from £123 for a private room
To book, check prices or availability for Naturhotel Outside

FAQs

Can I drink the water? Yes.
Is tipping expected? It is not expected and restaurants may round up the bill but 10% is usually a good tip.
Fixed price or barter? Fixed Price.
Any ATMs? Yes.
Which side of the road do they drive? Right.
Good for vegetarians? Yes, they always seem to have a veggie option on the menu.
Any seven wonders of the world? No.
Is Austria safe to travel alone? Completely.

Map of Austria

Plan a Trip To Austria

Facts

Budget – £40 a day

Capital – Vienna

Population – 8,372,930

Language spoken – German

Currency of Austria – Euro

Do I need a Visa?

Vaccinations Required

Useful Info

Airlines to Austria

The Best Time to Go – July

Which Plug Do I need?

UNESCO Sites in Austria

Events and Festivals in Austria

Local Cost Guide

Driving Distances

Local Customs & Etiquette

Austria's Sacred Sites

Did you know? The Vienna Waltz is the national dance of Austria and is one of the oldest ballroom dances.

Lingo – Useful German Phrases

Eco Hotels

Das Park Hotel

Schneedorf Igloo Village

Volunteering

Volunteers for Peace offer teaching and educational programs as well as agriculture work in Austria.

Cultural Experiences

Learn the Viennese Waltz with individual classes

Watch an Opera in one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Tip – Buy a standing ticket 90 minutes before the performance for a cheaper ticket.

Mind-Body & Soul

Alpen Yoga and Meditation Retreats

Kriya Yoga Centre Vienna

Spa Treatments at Hotel Goldener Berg

Weather in Austria – Below is the annual weather chart for Austria from January to December.

Girl about the Globe

Making Solo Travel Easier

Solo Travel in Austria

Travelling Solo in Austria

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