Solo Travel: Why Austria is the Perfect Place for Solo Adventures
It's safe, easy to get around - and offers a huge variety of activities.
Looking for some me-time, eager to try something new, or just can’t get days off the same time as your partner and friends? Solo travel is continuously on the rise in the UK, with women especially adventurous: 28 percent would consider venturing out on their own according to a recent study by Saga, compared to just 12 percent of their male counterparts. What’s more, British solo travellers are among the highest spenders when out and about. More than 80 percent hold at least one university degree, meaning they have a significantly higher budget to splash out than the average Brit.
Austria is a great destination for solo travellers, scoring with buzzing cities and beautiful landscapes as well as nearly endless activities and places to discover. Let us show you what Austria holds in store for solo travellers this year.
VARIETY: CITIES, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES - OR A MIX OF BOTH
Sightseeing geek, art fan, hiking pro or foodie, no matter the travel type, Austria won’t disappoint. Cities such as Vienna and Salzburg are hotspots rich in history and culture, where days filled with strolls around UNESCO-awarded town centres, museum and gallery visits, great local food, concerts and theatre performances or sundowner drinks at a rooftop bar won’t leave any time to feel bored or lonely. It’s also perfectly normal in these towns to go exploring alone or enjoy a dinner for one, eliminating any feeling of awkwardness. Then there are Innsbruck and Graz, two cities so close to nature that you can easily combine sightseeing and some hiking, biking or vineyard hopping all in one day.
Or how about an Alpine escape? Popular holiday hubs such as Zell am See – Kaprun, Zillertal or Paznaun – Ischgl all have countless outdoor activities on offer, many of them in guided groups, making it easy for solo travellers to meet likeminded people while exploring their surroundings and trying out new adventure sports.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS EXCELLENT
Driving around solo might seem a bit daunting for many. But the good news is, it’s easy to explore many parts of Austria without a car. Austria has one of the best public transport systems in Europe, with trains connecting all major cities and most holiday regions throughout the day and buses filling the gaps in between.
Many resorts also offer complimentary guest cards with overnight stays, which often include free use of public transport in the region in addition to discounts on attractions.
IT'S A SAFE DESTINATION FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
Safety is the number one concern for female solo travellers according to studies – and Austria definitely scores on that front. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Austria is the forth safest country in Europe and the fifth in the world, only beaten by Iceland, Denmark, Ireland and New Zealand, making it a great destination especially for women venturing out on their own.
THERE ARE COUNTLESS TOURS AND RETREATS TO JOIN
Travelling solo but looking for some company? Every major city in Austria offers a wide range of tours – from historic sightseeing to foodie adventures – which are all excellent ways to meet like-minded people while checking out the destination’s gems.
Popular resorts in the Alps such as Schladming – Dachstein, Kitzbühel, St. Johann in Tirol or Innsbruck all have guided hiking, biking, paddling, or other adventure tours, allowing solo travellers to master their skills or dip their feet into new territory while mingling with others. Hiking fans are especially well catered for, with many villages offering special hiking single weeks. Yoga festivals and retreats are another fun way to combine fitness and social aspects. The Mountain Yoga Festival St. Anton in September ranks among the most popular of its kind.
HOTELS WITH SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
With solo adventures continuously on the rise, more and more hotels are also embracing the trend, eliminating single supplements, or offering special packages for those looking for some me-time. Hotel Aviva in Upper Austria is Europe’s first hotel exclusively for singles and those travelling with friends (they have a strict no couples, no children policy), offering wellness, fitness, and a daily activity programme as well as regular events, ranging from summer parties to salsa nights and craft workshops.
Other hotels popular with the solo crowd include Landhotel Agathawirt in Salzkammergut, with the European Capital of Culture and countless outdoor activities on your doorstep, Zillertal’s Landgut ZapfenHof (offers group hiking tours and evening events for solo travellers) and Grossarler Hof in the St. Johann in Salzburg region - their single package includes 1-2 nights, spa use, prosecco and fruit platter and a daily activity programme.
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