Austria Solo Female Travel: Everything you Need to Know

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Everything you need to know to be prepared for solo female travel in Austria – including safety tips and travel advice.

Austria was one of the first countries I visited solo, years ago at the start of my career as a travel blogger. I was dead nervous before that trip, but it took almost no time at all for me to fall in love with this beautiful country, with its fairytale cities, too-good-to-be-true mountain landscapes, and amazing food!

Since then, I’ve visited many times. It’s such an easy country to visit solo. English is widely spoken, the public transport system is fantastic, and even the biggest cities have a laid-back atmosphere that makes them easy to explore on your own. Plus, this is one of the safest destinations in Europe, so it’s ideal for your first solo trip.

Below, you’ll find all my travel tips for solo female travellers visiting Austria for the first time. Use the contents menu below to skip to the sections you need – and feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Best Destinations in Austria for Solo Female Travellers

Vienna – One of my favourite cities in Europe, Austria’s capital is elegant, safe, and easy to navigate, with excellent public transport and a fantastic cafe culture. Read my Vienna Food Guide here.
Salzburg – Compact and walkable, Salzburg is known for its stunning Baroque architecture, Sound of Music filming locations, and its legacy as Mozart’s birthplace. Its small size makes navigation easy, and the lively student atmosphere ensures plenty of opportunities to meet people.
Graz – Austria’s second-largest city blends Renaissance and modern design. It’s less touristy than Vienna or Salzburg, offering a more relaxed vibe.
Innsbruck (Tyrol) – Nestled in the Alps, Innsbruck is perfect for those who love nature and adventure. With easy access to ski resorts in winter and excellent hiking trails in summer, this mountain city is well-connected for day trips in nature.
Vorarlberg – Lesser-known by most tourists, the mountainous Vorarlberg region is perfect for adventure travellers. It was also one of my first-ever destinations as a solo female traveller, so I can confirm it’s an easy place to explore on your own. Read more in my guide.

Is Austria Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

The short answer is YES: overall, Austria is very safe for solo female travellers. In 2025, Austria was ranked the 4th safest country in the world on the Global Peace Index, and is consistently ranked among the safest destinations in Europe.

Crime rates are low, especially violent crime, and Austrian cities are well-lit, clean, and easy to navigate. Public transport is also reliable and widely used. However, there are a few things to be aware of, which I’ll outline below.

No matter which country you’re visiting, my advice to all solo female travellers is to remain vigilant, practice common sense, and avoid dangerous situations. I’ve included some more specific Austria solo travel tips later in this article to help out.

Tips for Solo Female Travellers in Austria

General safety tips for female travellers in Austria

• Carry your valuables out of sight in a zipped bag (preferably cross-body).
• Never leave a drink unattended or take a drink from a stranger.
• Avoid sharing your live location on social media: post your Instagram stories at the end of the day!
• Don’t meet up with anyone you don’t know.
• Don’t allow hotel or hostel staff to enter your room while you’re alone.
• Never travel in an unlicensed taxi. Use Uber or Bolt, or ask the staff at your hotel/restaurant/etc to call a taxi for you. Turn on location sharing with a trusted friend or family member via WhatsApp if you’re ever concerned.
• Use reputable providers for tours and excursions. Check recent reviews to make sure that the company is up to scratch!

Get a Local SIM or eSIM

Internet access makes travelling in Austria much easier. It’s handy for using maps to plan your journeys, calling Ubers, and using translation apps when speaking with locals or trying to decipher signs.

You can buy a local SIM card from most international airports in Austria, as well as phone shops, convenience stores and petrol/gas stations. The main mobile networks in Austria are A1, Magenta (T-Mobile), and 3 Drei AT.

Personally, I prefer eSIMs: you can download them to your phone and activate them as soon as you land to get online straight away. eSIMs can be a bit more expensive, but they’re much easier and more convenient.

Learn the local emergency numbers

Memorise or save these in your phone, in case of an emergency.

Have good travel insurance

I cannot stress the importance of travel insurance enough! If you encounter an issue – whether it’s a cancelled flight or a medical emergency – you want that covered.

I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance – they have policies specifically for long-term travellers, digital nomads, and backpackers, and offer good cover for more adventurous types of travel.

Travelling at night

It’s generally safe to travel at night in Austria. Public transport is clean, reliable, and considered low-risk even after dark, and violent crime is rare. The main issues tourists encounter are petty theft in busy areas, rather than serious threats.

In cities like Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg, the trains, trams and buses are well-lit, monitored, and widely used, making them safe options for solo travellers.

It’s generally safe to walk around city centres after dark, although it’s important that you stay alert, avoid poorly lit areas, and keep your wits about you. If you’re nervous, stick to licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app like Bolt or Uber.

Hiking solo

If you’re hiking solo, stick to waymarked trails and make sure you’ve understood the route grading. Hiking routes in Austria are classified by colour: blue (easy), red (intermediate), and black (difficult) – read more here. Even as a confident hiker in the UK, I found the red mountain trails challenging at times – they have some exposed areas or parts which are secured by safety ropes.

Read the route description thoroughly before you set off. If there’s a tourist office or information centre, it’s worth asking there for local advice about the different trails. Remember that the weather can change fast in the mountains, so carry extra layers or waterproofs.

Always leave details of your itinerary with someone when you’re hiking solo. Make sure your phone is fully charged and carry a backup power bank. You should also carry a torch, extra layers, and basic first aid.

Book a tour for adventure activities

Adventure sports and outdoor activities are riskier if you’re alone. Even if you’re a competent skier, hiker, mountain biker, etc, going solo in a foreign country is more dangerous. Consider hiring a guide or joining a group tour instead.

Tours can also be a great way to meet fellow travellers, so it may be worth booking some in city centres, too. I love a food tour when I’m in a new city!

Check recent reviews and make sure you’re booking a tour company with a good reputation. I prefer to use Get Your Guide and Klook to search, as they both have a great review system, which makes it easy to find the best tour companies.

KLOOK PROMO CODE: Use code EMLUXTRAVEL when you book with Klook to get 10% discount for new customers and 3% discount for existing customers.

Tips for Getting Around

Public Transport

Austria’s public transport is one of the easiest, safest, and most efficient ways to get around — perfect for solo travellers. Trains, trams, and buses are clean, reliable, and well-connected, meaning you rarely need a car to explore the country.

Trains: There’s an excellent rail network in Austria. The national rail operator is ÖBB; their high-speed Railjets connect major cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck, while regional trains reach smaller towns and scenic villages. Most trains have free Wi-Fi, quiet zones, and clean facilities. Solo travellers will be happy to hear that the public trains are generally very safe, even at night.

Top Tip: Buying tickets in advance can work out cheaper, especially for long-distance journeys. Tickets can be purchased online, via the ÖBB app, or at station machines.

Buses: Long-distance buses between towns and cities can be a more budget-friendly alternative to trains, although they’re often slower. FlixBus is the largest operator in Austria.

In Towns and Cities: Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg have excellent tram, bus, and metro networks. Day passes or multi-day cards are more cost-effective and save time. In Vienna and other big cities, night buses run after metro services close, so you can still get home safely.

Top Tip: Make sure to stamp your ticket before boarding buses and trams (or use mobile tickets to avoid this step). If your ticket isn’t validated, you could be issued an on-the-spot fine.

Is there Uber in Austria?

Uber operates legally in Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg, and the drivers are required to hold taxi licenses. However, Bolt is much more common in Austria, especially in major towns and cities.

Top Tip: Set up Uber or Bolt’s in-built safety features in advance. You can set up pickup code, switch on safety check-ins, and add a trusted contact with whom you can quickly share your location and trip status if you’re concerned.

Driving in Austria

I’ve personally never driven in Austria – because I haven’t needed to! The public transport system is fantastic, and it’s so easy to get around without a car that I’ve never bothered.

However, if you do want to plan a road trip, driving in Austria is said to be fairly straightforward once you get used to it. Roads are well-maintained and well-signposted. Be aware that mountain roads may be more challenging, especially if you’re unfamiliar. Read more in this guide.

Quick Summary: Austria Solo Female Travel

• Austria is a very safe country for solo female travellers – but you should still take the same safety precautions you would take anywhere else.
• Public transport is very safe – even after dark.
• Get a local prepaid SIM or eSIM (use my referral codes above for a discount).
• Have good travel insurance – and make sure it covers any adventure activities you plan to do.
• Take extra care if you’re planning on hiking, biking, or trying any adventure activities solo.

Please don’t let the above advice make you nervous about visiting Austria! This is a beautiful country with so much to discover – including stunning landscapes, delicious food, and a fascinating history.

On the whole, Austria is safe for solo female travellers – as long as you use common sense, stay vigilant, take care, and avoid dangerous situations!

Is there anything else you’d like to know about visiting Austria as a solo female traveller? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!