solo travel in europe: is it really safe for us?
I’ve been daydreaming about taking a solo trip across Europe this summer—just me, my suitcase, and a train pass. I’m in my late 50s now, and while I’m still pretty mobile, I do have some mobility issues that make me a bit anxious about traveling alone, especially in unfamiliar places. I want to see France, Italy, Germany, and Greece, but every time I look up travel safety, I see warnings about pickpockets, crowded stations, and uneven sidewalks. It’s enough to make me wonder if I’m being too optimistic, especially since I’ve only ever traveled to places that felt really safe before.
My plan is to stick to smaller towns and villages (big cities wear me out and honestly, my budget can’t handle them anyway). The only big cities I’m set on are Lyon and Munich—otherwise, I’m open to suggestions. I’m thinking about a month-long trip, mostly by train, and I’m hoping to keep it under 2000 euros, though I know that’s probably wishful thinking.
Here’s where I’m stuck: everyone says Europe is beautiful, but is it really safe for someone like me traveling alone? Are there small towns in France, Italy, or Greece where you felt comfortable walking around, even at night? And is it true that train stations are hotspots for trouble? I want to be cautious, but I also don’t want to miss out on the adventure. Sometimes it feels like travel guides are written for twenty-somethings who can run after a bus or sleep in a noisy hostel—what about the rest of us?
#solotravel #europe #safetravel #Travel
