Travelling alone is no longer a niche pursuit. More Europeans are booking trips by themselves, drawn by the freedom to set their own pace. But choosing where to go can be daunting, especially for first-timers. A new ranking from Radical Storage, the luggage storage network, aims to make that decision easier by comparing Europe's most visited cities on the factors that matter most to solo travellers.
The Solo Travel Index analysed 48 cities against 11 criteria, including average daily spend, safety scores from Numbeo, and the number of hostels – a staple for those travelling alone. Each city was scored from 1 to 10 per factor, and the results were averaged to produce an overall ranking.
Central and Eastern Europe lead the way
Prague, the Czech capital, came out on top. A mid-range day there – covering accommodation, food, transport and entertainment – costs around €134, and the city recorded the eighth-highest safety score in the study. Its compact historic centre, excellent public transport and thriving hostel scene make it a natural fit for solo explorers.
Kraków in Poland took second place, helped by being the second-cheapest city in the entire ranking. Poland's former royal capital offers a rich medieval core, a lively student atmosphere and easy access to day trips like the Wieliczka salt mine. Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city, came third, with the lowest hostel dorm bed prices of any destination surveyed – a key draw for budget-conscious travellers.
Gdańsk, on Poland's Baltic coast, also made the top five, ranking fifth overall. Poland's strong showing underscores the appeal of Central and Eastern Europe for solo travellers seeking value without sacrificing culture or safety.
Southern Europe also shines
Portugal and Spain each placed two cities in the top ten. Lisbon came fourth and Porto seventh, while Seville and Barcelona took eighth and ninth respectively. Berlin, Germany, secured sixth place, and Riga, Latvia, rounded out the list in tenth.
The full top ten is:
- Prague, Czechia
- Kraków, Poland
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Gdańsk, Poland
- Berlin, Germany
- Porto, Portugal
- Seville, Spain
- Barcelona, Spain
- Riga, Latvia
Where solo travel gets expensive
At the other end of the scale, Zürich was named the worst city for solo travellers, largely due to its punishing prices. Accommodation there averages €168 a day – the highest in the study – and it also has the second-highest food costs and third-highest transport costs. Reykjavík in Iceland came second from last, followed by Venice, both hampered by high costs that are harder to absorb when you're not splitting bills.
According to Radical Storage, a day in the bottom ten cities costs an average of €252, nearly €100 more than the average of €153 in the top ten. The bottom ten includes several Swiss and German cities, as well as Dublin, Nice and Marseille.
The bottom ten in full:
- Zürich, Switzerland
- Reykjavík, Iceland
- Venice, Italy
- Aarhus, Denmark
- Cologne, Germany
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Nice, France
- Marseille, France
- Dublin, Ireland
The findings align with broader travel trends. As best-value destinations gain attention, travellers are increasingly looking beyond the usual Western European hotspots. For solo travellers, the sweet spot appears to be cities that combine affordability with safety and a welcoming atmosphere – qualities that Prague, Kraków and Istanbul offer in abundance.
For those planning a solo trip, the index also highlights the importance of choosing a city with a strong hostel culture, as it not only lowers costs but also provides opportunities to meet fellow travellers. As the sustainability movement reshapes how Europeans travel, solo trips are becoming a way to explore at one's own pace while keeping budgets in check.
Whether you're drawn to the Gothic spires of Prague, the royal history of Kraków or the Bosphorus views of Istanbul, the message is clear: solo travel in Europe is more accessible than ever – if you choose your destination wisely.
