21 Of The Best Places To Travel Solo Around The World In 2024
Our Solo Tours visit some of the most recognizable places on the planet while also taking you to off-the-beaten-path locales that are sure to stick in your ...
Central Europe for Solo Travelers tour
Bonding with fellow travelers over giant steins of beer, pots of gooey fondue, and guided tours of charming medieval towns makes our <anchor>Central Europe for Solo Travelers tour</anchor> one of the best solo travel destinations. In addition to exploring jaw-dropping Alpine landscapes and important historical sites with fellow tour mates, solo travelers can strike out on their own, be it for a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Lucerne, a performance of Mozart’s music in Salzburg, or a night at the opera in Prague. You’ll also ride the Riesenrad, a giant Ferris Wheel, for a unique view of Vienna—named the most livable city in the world eight times in the last decade. We’re not saying you won’t want to come home, but we may have to remind you it’s a Solo Tour and not your new residence.
Central Europe Tour for Solo Travelers | EF Go Ahead Tours
Submit Search

Submit Search

Hohenschwangau castle in Bavaria



See all (12)

See all (12)

# Central Europe for Solo Travelers

9 days  |  11 days with Prague extension

Group size15–28 travelersReviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

Activity levelHigh

## Join fellow solo travelers to see the cities and sites of Alpine Europe.

Discovering the world and meeting like-minded people go together like The Sound of Music and the Austrian countryside. Whether you’re excited to see Bavarian castles or sample Swiss chocolate, you’ll enjoy all the perks of a guided tour as you travel through Switzerland, Germany, and Austria—and make new friends along the way.

### Your tour package includes

- 7 nights in a private room at handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 5 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach

### Included highlights

- Kapellbrücke
- Nymphenburg Palace
- Spanish Riding School
- Belvedere Palace
- Salzburg Cathedral

## Itinerary



### Overnight Flight1 night

#### Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Zurich today.

### Swiss Alps2 nights

#### Day 2: Arrival in Zurich & transfer to Swiss Alps

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Switzerland! Transfer to your hotel in the Swiss Alps. Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow group members at a mixer. Afterward, continue getting to know one another over an included dinner, served with either beer or wine.

Show full itinerary

## Reviews

Loading reviews

## Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.



### Grand Hotel Europe

This Belle Époque hotel is located near the lake promenade. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and outdoor terrace. Nearby, you’ll find Lake Lucerne, Chapel Bridge, and the Swiss Museum of Transport.



### Holiday Inn Munich City Centre

This centrally-located hotel is located in the heart of Munich. Guests enjoy the fitness center, Finnish style sauna, and an on-site restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the Au-Haidhausen district, Marienplatz, and Residenz.



### Arcotel Castellani

This contemporary hotel is located in Salzburg city center. Guests enjoy the large garden, fitness center, and restaurant. Nearby, you'll find the Salzburg Old Town, Mozart's birthplace, and Fortress Hohensalzburg.



### MAXX by Steigenberger Hotel Vienna

This convenient hotel is located in the city center of Vienna, Austria. Guests enjoy the fitness area, on-site bar and restaurant, and spa. Nearby you’ll find the Naschmarkt open-air market, Leopold Museum, and Schönbrunn Palace.



### NH Prague City

This modern hotel is located in the Smíchov district of Prague. Guests enjoy a gym and sauna, restaurants with terraces, and a tennis court. Nearby, you’ll find Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, and Petřín Tower.

## Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

### Add our airfare and you’ll get:

- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

## FAQ

Passport, Visa & Entry Requirements

- This tour visits Switzerland, Germany, and Austria (plus the Czech Republic on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SG6.

Arrival & Departure Information

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Zurich and depart from Vienna (or Prague on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Zurich, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity & Mobility

###### Physical Activity Level

This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to regularly be on the move throughout your trip.

###### Tour Pacing

This is a briskly paced tour. Tour pacing considers how often you’ll switch hotels, what you’ll do each day, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

- One 1-night stay
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy

###### Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day on city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- During the visit to Neuschwanstein, travelers can expect to walk 25 minutes uphill on a steep incline to view the castle and further walking to get to the castles entrance, if they wish.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.

###### Climate Considerations

- In the summer months from June to September, travelers can expect high temperatures from 70 F - 80 F and lows from 50 F - 60 F with occasional extreme heatwaves.

###### Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage-handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The group can’t miss any activities because of an individual’s needs.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, wheelchairs and walkers will be difficult to use and aren’t recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring any mobility aids with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.

On-Tour Transportation, Hotels & Luggage Expectations

- Most transportation on this tour is by private motor coach. Private motor coaches have steps required to board and often do not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- You must be able to manage your own luggage while on tour, as porterage isn’t guaranteed. This includes when arriving at hotels or airports and boarding trains or ferries.
- Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto racks—sometimes located above their seats.
- You should be prepared to manage your bags during ferry transfers. This includes carrying them up and down boarding ramps, lifting them onto racks, and navigating spaces crowded with other people and motor vehicles.
- Elevators in hotels aren’t guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets, so our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.

Baggage Allowance & Expectations

- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.

Clothing & Packing Tips

- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.

Hotels on Tour

- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220–240 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two small, round pins. You may also use a Type J plug with three small pins in Switzerland.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.

Optional Excursions

- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

Health

- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SG6.

Meals & Cuisine

- This tour includes three dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
- German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
- Austria is known for its savory Wiener schnitzel and excellent wild trout, carp, and crayfish. Save room for dessert—especially the strudels of fruit and nuts and elegant chocolate cakes, such as the world-famous Sachertorte.
- On the tour extension, Czech food is hearty, and you’ll find large portions of veal, beef, and potato dishes. Some of the world’s finest beers are produced here, including the original Budweiser and Pils.

Tipping

- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.

Currency

- You will use the Swiss franc in Switzerland and the euro in Germany and Austria (and the Czech koruna in the Czech Republic on the tour extension).
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.

Wi-Fi, Data & Our Mobile App

- To help you feel prepared before going on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There’s no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Tour Director

- Your Tour Director will lead your group. Their role is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each day’s activities, and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and can’t provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.

On-Tour Support

- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is having access to our 24/7 Emergency Support Team.
- Our extensive network of global offices and our integration of ISO 31000 Risk Management Guidelines help this dedicated team anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible, iterative way.
- Using a combination of extensive training, thorough incident response planning, and decades of experience, this team assists travelers and Tour Directors in case of emergencies—stepping in for everything from personal health concerns and injuries to major world events.
- Our On-Tour Support team can also provide additional help to travelers on tour, arranging assistance from outside specialists and liaising with local and international authorities as needed. And if there’s an emergency on the road or at home, the team will facilitate and support communication between travelers and their families.

Time Zones

- Switzerland, Germany, and Austria (and the Czech Republic on the extension) are 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Responsible Travel

- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.

## Select tour date

Available to book now

Filter

DateExtensionMore info on ExtensionPriceMore info on Price2024

Sep 17 –
Sep 25Call to book

Available

$4,329

Oct 8 –
Oct 16Waitlisted

Available

$4,139

Oct 15 –
Oct 23Waitlisted

Available

$3,939

Oct 22 –
Oct 30Almost full

Available

$3,939

Nov 2 –
Nov 102 spots left

Available

$3,699$3,399$300 off

$3,399, $300 off$3,699

Nov 9 –
Nov 17Almost full

Available

$3,699$3,499$200 off

$3,499, $200 off$3,699

2025

Feb 18 –
Feb 26

Available

$3,599$3,449$150 off

$3,449, $150 off$3,599

Mar 11 –
Mar 19

Available

$3,629$3,479$150 off

$3,479, $150 off$3,629

Mar 25 –
Apr 2

Available

$3,629$3,379$250 off

$3,379, $250 off$3,629

Apr 15 –
Apr 23

Available

$3,839$3,689$150 off

$3,689, $150 off$3,839

Apr 22 –
Apr 30Waitlisted

Available

$3,839$3,539$300 off

$3,539, $300 off$3,839

May 6 –
May 14

Available

$4,299$4,099$200 off

$4,099, $200 off$4,299

May 13 –
May 21

Available

$4,299$4,149$150 off

$4,149, $150 off$4,299

May 24 –
Jun 1

Available

$4,299$4,099$200 off

$4,099, $200 off$4,299

Jun 17 –
Jun 25

Available

$4,399$4,199$200 off

$4,199, $200 off$4,399

Jul 1 –
Jul 9

Available

$4,329$4,129$200 off

$4,129, $200 off$4,329

Jul 8 –
Jul 16

Available

$4,329$4,179$150 off

$4,179, $150 off$4,329

Jul 22 –
Jul 30

Available

$4,329$4,079$250 off

$4,079, $250 off$4,329

Aug 12 –
Aug 20

Available

$4,289$4,139$150 off

$4,139, $150 off$4,289

Sep 23 –
Oct 1

Available

$4,159$3,909$250 off

$3,909, $250 off$4,159

Oct 7 –
Oct 15

Available

$4,039

Oct 14 –
Oct 22

Available

$4,039$3,839$200 off

$3,839, $200 off$4,039

Oct 21 –
Oct 29

Available

$4,039$3,889$150 off

$3,889, $150 off$4,039

Nov 8 –
Nov 16

Available

$3,769$3,619$150 off

$3,619, $150 off$3,769

2026

Feb 17 –
Feb 25

Available

$3,619

Mar 10 –
Mar 18

Available

$3,649

Mar 24 –
Apr 1

Available

$3,649

Apr 7 –
Apr 15

Available

$3,859$3,659$200 off

$3,659, $200 off$3,859

Apr 21 –
Apr 29

Available

$3,859

May 12 –
May 20

Available

$4,319

May 23 –
May 31

Available

$4,319

Jun 9 –
Jun 17

Available

$4,419

Jun 16 –
Jun 24

Available

$4,419

Jun 30 –
Jul 8

Available

$4,419

Jul 7 –
Jul 15

Available

$4,349

Jul 21 –
Jul 29

Available

$4,349

Jul 28 –
Aug 5

Available

$4,349

Aug 4 –
Aug 12

Available

$4,309

Aug 11 –
Aug 19

Available

$4,309

Sep 8 –
Sep 16

Available

$4,179

Sep 15 –
Sep 23

Available

$4,179

Sep 22 –
Sep 30

Available

$4,179

Oct 6 –
Oct 14

Available

$4,059

Oct 13 –
Oct 21

Available

$4,059

Oct 20 –
Oct 28

Available

$4,059

Nov 7 –
Nov 15

Available

$3,789

Nov 21 –
Nov 29

Available

$3,789

Dec 5 –
Dec 13

Available

$3,789

## Get travel deals and news right to your inbox

Email address

Submit

United States Tour Operations Association Active Member

Get in touch

Trips

Travel resources

About Go Ahead

EF Programs by age

Get in touch

EF Center Boston

Two Education Circle

Cambridge, MA 02141

Trips

Travel resources

About Go Ahead

EF Programs by age



*Tour prices are per person, before flights, and based on two travelers per hotel room on select departure dates. All prices are only valid for the duration of this browsing session.

4.7

4.7 out of 5 stars

Overall rating based on 142 traveler reviews

Showing 1-6of 142 traveler reviews

Sort by highest rated

Lala’s character make tour top of the world .

5 out of 5 stars

7th-time traveler Phichpaiboon, traveled in May 2024

I never see anyone have great energy , great character and the way she help and talk with tour group make every thing interesting to listen. The words cannot reach her perfect abilities , I heard some one talk great about her before that how great she was until she is my tour...Read moreof Lala’s character make tour top of the world .

First time with EF Tours

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Terry, traveled in Apr 2024

I had a wonderful time. The sights were great. I would have never been able to visit all the places we went on my own. They had it all planned out and it was the right amount of time. Maybe a little more shopping time ha ha. But really it was just wonderful. Our tour guide was...Read moreof First time with EF Tours

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Bradley, traveled in Jul 2024

100000/10 would recommend

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Kimberly, traveled in Jul 2024

It was such an amazing experience being able to go to as many countries as we did. Chris, our tour guide, always took care of us and was very knowledgeable about every place we went to. This was my first time doing a solo tour and it was lovely! I’m so happy to have been able to...Read moreof 100000/10 would recommend

5 out of 5 stars

2nd-time traveler Susan, traveled in Jul 2024

A Fabulous Trip!

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler Anonymous, traveled in Jul 2024

What a fabulous trip! Our Tour Director Chris was amazing! She took care of everything, had an amazing knowledge of our areas, and a wonderful sense of humor. I had not taken a solo tour before, but I would recommend it highly! Thanks for a memorable trip! Don’t miss the chance...Read moreof A Fabulous Trip!

Showing 1-6 of142 traveler reviews

PrevNext