I’ll be honest with you—before I left for Europe, the idea of traveling alone for 30 days felt like signing up for equal parts dream adventure and emotional rollercoaster. Would I get lonely? Would I get lost? (Spoiler: yes, in Rome. More than once.) Would it be worth it? Absolutely.
Traveling solo across Europe for a month taught me more than any travel guide ever could. It wasn’t just about ticking off destinations; it was about confidence, freedom, and learning that eating gelato at 10 AM in Florence is a perfectly acceptable breakfast choice.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could do it—or if it’s really as magical as Instagram makes it look—let me walk you through what those 30 days looked like, what I learned, and why I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Why I Chose to Travel Europe Alone
People asked me the same thing over and over: “Why alone?” My answer? Freedom.
I didn’t want to negotiate daily plans with someone else or wait around for a travel buddy’s vacation days to line up. Solo travel meant:
- My schedule, my rules. If I wanted to sleep in, I did. If I wanted to walk 10 miles in Paris just to find a croissant, I did.
- Flexibility. I could change routes last minute, add a random town, or skip a crowded tourist trap without guilt.
- Personal growth. Cheesy, I know, but being alone forces you to rely on yourself. And trust me, navigating a Budapest tram system solo is character-building.
And here’s the truth: you’re never really alone when you travel solo. You meet people constantly—on trains, in hostels, at cafés. Sometimes, traveling alone actually makes you more approachable.
Planning the 30-Day Europe Itinerary
Did I meticulously plan every detail? Nope. That would kill the fun. But I did sketch out a basic route to keep things manageable.
Here’s the rough path I took:
- London (4 days) – museums, afternoon tea, and walking along the Thames.
- Paris (4 days) – croissants, Eiffel Tower sparkle, and endless café people-watching.
- Amsterdam (3 days) – bikes, canals, and stroopwafels.
- Berlin (4 days) – history, street art, and bratwurst.
- Prague (3 days) – fairytale streets and cheap beer.
- Vienna (3 days) – opera, cake, and fancy architecture.
- Budapest (3 days) – ruin bars and thermal baths.
- Florence (3 days) – Renaissance overload and gelato.
- Rome (3 days) – chaos, ruins, and the best pasta of my life.
That’s nine cities in one month, which is ambitious but totally doable with good trains and cheap flights.
Pro tip: Use a rail pass like the Eurail Global Pass. It saves money and hassle if you’re bouncing between countries.
What I Packed (and What I Wish I Didn’t)
Packing for 30 days sounds like prepping for a Mars mission, but I promise—you don’t need as much as you think.
Essentials I loved:
- A carry-on sized backpack (no checked luggage drama).
- Comfortable sneakers—because cobblestones don’t care about your fashion goals.
- A universal adapter (saved me multiple meltdowns).
- Kindle/e-reader for long train rides.
Things I regretted bringing:
- A pair of “just in case” heels. Spoiler: they stayed in my bag the entire month.
- Too many outfits. I wore the same 4-5 pieces on repeat, and no one cared.
Lesson? Pack light. Laundry exists in Europe. So do budget-friendly H&Ms if you get desperate.
Highlights from the Journey
London: A Cozy Kickoff
London felt like the perfect starting point. Everyone spoke English, so it was a gentle way to ease into the trip. I spent hours in the British Museum (free, by the way), walked along the Thames at night, and had my cliché fish and chips moment.
Did I also get lost in the Tube on day one? Absolutely. But hey, that’s part of the charm.
Paris: Croissants, Chaos, and Charm
Here’s my hot take: Paris is every bit as magical and as chaotic as people say. The Eiffel Tower sparkling at night? Unreal. The Louvre crowds? Stressful. The croissants? Life-changing.
One morning I sat in a café, scribbling in my journal, and realized I’d never felt so independent. That moment alone made the trip worth it.
Amsterdam: Bike or Die (Almost Literally)
I thought I could casually rent a bike in Amsterdam and blend in. Reality check: Dutch cyclists move like Formula 1 drivers. After one near-death experience at an intersection, I happily stuck to walking.
Still, the canals, the Van Gogh Museum, and the cheese shops made Amsterdam unforgettable.
Berlin: History Hits Hard
Berlin was heavy but fascinating. Walking along the East Side Gallery felt surreal, and the museums were overwhelming in the best way. At night, the city’s energy totally flipped—bars, street food, and techno beats until sunrise.
Prague: Straight Out of a Fairytale
I swear Prague doesn’t look real. The castles, the bridges, the red rooftops—it’s like stepping into a Disney set. Bonus: everything was super affordable compared to Western Europe.
Vienna: Cake and Culture
If heaven has dessert, it’s Vienna’s sachertorte. Between coffee houses, palaces, and opera shows, Vienna oozed elegance. Did I understand the opera? Not at all. Did I feel fancy sipping champagne during intermission? Yes.
Budapest: Baths and Bars
Nothing feels more surreal than soaking in a thermal bath surrounded by locals playing chess in the water. At night, I explored ruin bars—old abandoned buildings turned into funky pubs. Definitely one of the most unique cities on the trip.
Florence: Art Overload
Florence is basically a giant open-air museum. Between Michelangelo’s David and climbing the Duomo, I thought my neck might break from constantly looking up at stunning ceilings. The gelato, though, kept me grounded.
Rome: Chaos and Pasta Nirvana
Rome was wild. The traffic, the crowds, the constant honking—it’s a sensory overload. But then you turn a corner and boom: Colosseum. Or the Pantheon. Or a random piazza with live music.
And the pasta? I still dream about it.
The Best (and Hardest) Parts of Solo Travel
The Best
- Freedom. I could follow my curiosity without compromise.
- New friends. I met travelers from everywhere—Canada, Brazil, Japan. Some even became long-term friends.
- Confidence boost. By the end, I felt like I could handle anything—delayed train, lost phone, language barriers. Bring it on.
The Hardest
- Lonely moments. Yep, they happened. Sitting alone at dinner in Rome felt weird at first.
- Logistics overload. Trains, hostels, directions—doing it all solo can be mentally exhausting.
- Decision fatigue. No travel buddy means every choice is on you. “Pizza or pasta?” becomes a life-or-death decision.
Safety Tips I Actually Used
Everyone warned me about safety before I left. Honestly? Europe felt safe, but I still stayed smart.
- Stayed in well-rated hostels/hotels (Tripadvisor and Booking.com reviews are lifesavers).
- Used a crossbody bag to avoid pickpockets.
- Shared my location with family using Google Maps.
- Avoided deserted areas at night. Obvious, but worth repeating.
Pro tip: A small lock for hostel lockers gave me peace of mind.
What I Learned from 30 Days Alone in Europe
The biggest lesson? I can do more alone than I ever thought possible.
Traveling solo forces you to problem-solve, push past discomfort, and trust yourself. It also shows you how kind strangers can be—like the German woman who helped me find the right train platform or the Italian waiter who brought me limoncello “on the house” when he realized I was eating alone.
It’s cliché, but I came back with more confidence, new friends, and a list of stories I’ll be telling for years.
Conclusion: Should You Travel Europe Alone?
If you’re debating it, my answer is yes, do it. Will it be scary sometimes? Sure. Will you get lost, tired, maybe even a little homesick? Definitely. But you’ll also laugh more than you expect, eat food that makes you cry happy tears, and realize you’re capable of more than you think.
So if you’re sitting on the fence about booking that solo trip, take this as your sign. Pack your bag, grab your passport, and go. Worst-case scenario? You’ll have some great stories. Best case? You’ll love it as much as I did.
Related Post: Packing Like a Pro – Top Tips to Save Space, Time & Stress
Ready to plan your trip? I recommend starting with a Eurail Global Pass for flexibility and a lightweight travel backpack to make your journey smooth.
Trust me—you’ll thank yourself somewhere between your second Paris croissant and your first Rome pasta feast.