Solo Female Travel Guide Europe

Top Tips For Visiting Europe

When traveling alone, you want to be as prepared as possible! There are some things I have experienced over the years of traveling in Europe that I wish I had been prepared for:

01. You might need to pay to use the public toilet in places like transit stations, malls, and service stops. It varies countries to country, but in Germany, for example, it is very common. The cost is usually around 50 cents. So it is wise to have coins on you at all time. – And some tissue in case there is no toilet paper.

02. Tipping is not always required. It varies from country to country, so check my Europe Travel Guide, where I talk about what you can expect. 

03. Don’t forget to check if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees. Silly me assumed in this day and age, all cards come with no foreign transaction fees. I paid the price for that. Browse my favorite cards, all notorious for having amazing mileage signing bonuses if you aren’t already a cardholder! 

4. You need cash, but probably not that much. I recommend having a couple hundred euros on hand for your trip, but not much more than that unless you are going somewhere that is known to prefer cash. Germany is an interesting place, for example, in Berlin I needed cash in many establishments, while in Heidelberg they took cards everywhere, including Christmas market vendors.

5. You will find common over-the-counter medications such as antacids, ibuprofen, and Imodium, but they won’t be the brand names you know. And you will need to go to a pharmacy to get them. In Europe, you can’t buy simple things such as cough drops at your local convenience store like you can in the US. Many pharmacies will be closed on Sundays, but there will be something open. You just need to search for them online- I use Google Maps and filter with Open Now- I also call to confirm because the information on hours is sometimes incorrect. 

6. Leave the heels at home! Trust me on this! You won’t want to be wearing anything but comfortable shoes while walking on cobblestone streets. Shoes also take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so be very choosy about what you bring.

7. You might need a visa—not just the ESTA process starting in 2025. When planning your trip, make sure to check the visa requirements well in advance. It’s also crucial to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. This can save you a lot of stress and last-minute scrambling, so double-check your passport’s expiration date early in your travel planning process!

8. Not all European airlines consider your carry-on suitcase carry-on worthy. This is mainly advice for those traveling from the USA. Be sure to double-check the airline measurements. And if you think you might get away with a slightly larger suitcase I would it give a 50/50 chance. You could also be forced to check it if the airplane is full, so don’t bring anything you aren’t comfortable checking.

9. Sometimes budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Vueling aren’t worth it. Don’t get me wrong—they are often cheap, and I love a good deal, but I urge you to double-check the airport’s distance from the city. Some budget airlines fly into airports that are quite far from the city, like Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA), located about 85 kilometers north of Paris. They also tend to have some of the worst flight times. Now that I’m in my 40s, I have no interest in landing at 11 PM just to save €75. I’d rather pay more to arrive at a more reasonable time.

Airport pickups are a great idea in certain situations. While I’m a big advocate for public transport from the airport, if you’re a solo female traveler in Europe for the first time, you might want to schedule a pickup. Arriving late at night or having a lot of luggage also makes it essential to have a pickup scheduled. You can price check online to see if local taxis are cheaper, but I consistently use Welcome Pickups!

10. Don’t overstay in the Schengen Area. The rule is straightforward: you’re allowed to stay for 90 days within any 180-day period. This means that once you’ve spent 90 days in the Schengen countries, you must leave for another 90 days before you can re-enter. It’s essential to keep track of your days to avoid issues with immigration authorities. Always plan your travel dates carefully to ensure compliance with these rules. Check the Entry / Exit info here.

11. Be cautious with your hairdryer and straightener when traveling abroad—they might fry. Electrical voltage and plug types vary from country to country, and your devices may not be compatible without the right adapter or voltage converter. Before you pack your favorite styling tools, check if they are dual voltage or if you’ll need additional equipment to safely use them at your destination. This can prevent damaging your devices and avoid unexpected inconveniences.