My Solo Travel to Vienna was the BEST - My Complete Guide

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Vienna

Vienna is both fancy and relaxed. It feels a bit showy, yet it stays friendly, like a café waiter spinning a tray with ease.

One moment you stare up at marble emperors; the next you chase a pigeon for the last bite of your strudel.

Traveling here alone is great, but you must watch your money.

This guide will help you save cash and pick a smart hostel.

Inside you’ll learn why Vienna suits solo travelers, see a simple three-day plan you can change as you like, and find out which areas fit your travel style.

By the end, you’ll know where to sleep, where to eat, and how to stay safe without carrying a huge can of pepper spray. Ready? Let’s start.

Why Vienna Is Good for Solo Travelers

The old center is small and round like a doughnut, so you can walk from palaces to bars in minutes.

Buses, trams, and the U-Bahn are on time, cheap, and run late, so “one more stop” is never a problem.

Cafés welcome people who sit alone. No one minds if you drink one coffee for an hour while you plan your next pastry.

The city offers free walking tours, outdoor movies, and street markets where many people speak English. You can meet others without spending much.

A 2–3 Day Plan

Day 1 – Big Sights

• Morning: Start at Stephansdom. Climb the 343 steps for a great view of the city.
• Afternoon: Buy a €3 Käsekrainer sausage at Bitzinger and ride tram 1 around the Ringstrasse to see major buildings for little money.
• Evening: Get a €5 standing ticket at the State Opera. Tie a scarf on the rail to mark your place.

Day 2 – Art and Coffee

• Morning: Take the metro to Schönbrunn. Walk the free palace gardens and climb the hill to the Gloriette.
• Afternoon: Return to town and explore Neubau’s small shops. Rest at Café Jelinek with a smooth milk coffee (melange).
• Evening: Meet hostel friends and visit the Gürtel bars under the railway. Many places have free entry and cheap drinks.

Day 3 – Green Spaces and Wine

• Morning: Catch a train to Kahlenberg. Rent a bike and ride among the vineyards.
• Afternoon: Go down to Nussdorf for a heuriger (wine tavern) visit. Order a wine spritzer (Gespritzter) and cold meats.
• Evening: Stop at Danube Island on the way back. Swim or join local grill parties before taking the tram home.

Hostels in Vienna

Hostels here make it easy to meet people. Many offer pancake breakfasts, free walks, cooking nights, and laundry rooms that double as chat spaces.

Dorm beds often have outlets, reading lights, and lockers big enough for large backpacks.

Staff usually plan group events like club nights or day trips to Bratislava, so culture and fun cost less.

Safety

Vienna feels very safe, even late at night. Streets are well lit, and violent crime is rare.

Still, zip your bag on busy tram 1 and stay on main roads after midnight. Use hostel lockers and remember the emergency number 112.

Meeting People

Start in the hostel kitchen: share food and you’ll make friends fast. Free walking tours create instant chat groups. Try a language-exchange night at Café Phil or relax on the colorful seats in MuseumsQuartier.

Best Areas for Solo Travelers

• Innere Stadt – Famous sights all around you, but beds cost more.
• Mariahilf (6th) – Big shopping street, good coffee, and two U-Bahn lines. Safe and mid-priced.
• Leopoldstadt (2nd) – Parks, many food choices, quick trams. Calm and budget-friendly.
• Neubau (7th) – Street art, record stores, small breweries. Lively for night owls and remote workers.

Cheap Food and Drink

• Naschmarkt stands – €4 Käsekrainer sausages with mustard.
• Café Sperl – Shared tables mean easy talk; try the house Sachertorte.
• Der Wiener Deewan – Pay-what-you-want Pakistani buffet.
• Bitzinger Würstelstand – Late-night sausages after the opera.
• Gürtel bars – Happy hour spritzers for about €3.
• Heuriger Mayer am Pfarrplatz – Rustic wine garden with live accordion on weekends.

Final Tips

Carry a bottle; tap water comes from the Alps and tastes great. Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.

In cafés, order first, pay later, stay as long as you like. Baristas will not hurry you.

Coffee can cost more than beer, so plan your budget. Otherwise, Vienna’s mix of history, safety, and sweets makes it perfect for solo travel.

Backpacking Vienna? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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Where to stay in Vienna for First Time

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I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in Vienna

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.