isabel, my daughter and I loved Vienna. As someone else stated before, try to stay inside the Ring area and you can walk just about everywhere.

The train ride from Venice to Vienna was long, but we were tired from four days of no-stop walking and needed a low key "break day". Some nice sights along the way, but also some "dead spots." If I had to do over again, I might try to break up the journey and stop somewhere in the mountains. Could not do that last time do to time constraints. Play around with the italian railroad website or the german one and see what alternate routes you can come up with and keep the legs around four hours.

Venice was a fantastic trip (I've done twice now). Easy to do solo female. I also liked Paris & Amsterdam.

On an overnight train, I did spring for a private sleeper compartment (between Geneva and Venice) which made that more comfortable. Honestly I have never had a problem with finding a "language barrier" (unfortunately I speak no language but English). Things just always seem to work themselves out.

As far as getting around, just make sure you have the address of your hotel with you & you can always catch a taxi back (should you become lost). I start out on foot in small circles near my hotel to get the lay of the land.

Pack light! Is my best suggestion for solo travel. It *really* makes things easier. I don't do "fine" restaurants so solo dining is fine. I keep my eyes open during the day and choose a nice low-key place near my hotel for dinner. Take a paperback novel, if you are new to eating alone.

Safe & happy travels!

If you go to Prague, PLEASE be careful, my schoolgroup has been robbed 3 times in 2 days in the market-clocktower square

I've done Prague, Rome, Bratislava, and The Netherlands alone. No problems, just some jerky Italian men trying to pick me up in Rome. Never been pick-pocketed anywhere. Prague IS NOT more dangerous than Amsterdam or Rome. In fact, Amsterdam was THE scariest place of all, due to scruffy looking dudes hanging outside the central station. When you travel alone, you have the advantage of trying to blend in with the locals, rather than being a part of a "touristy" looking crowd, which puts you at risk of being targeted more. Don't let these people with their pickpocket stories scare you. If you are cautious, don't do anything stupid (like wear a backpack -with all your valuables stashed in the back zippered compartment - on the metro at rush hour..), and make an attempt to "do as the Romans do", you will be fine. Enjoy your freedom, and the valuable life adventures that travelling solo can provide!!! (PS - none of the places I've listed has a big language barrier. Most big cities will have plenty of English signs, and the younger natives will ALL know some English..)

I was in Vienna, Zakopane and Krakow alone and never felt concerned. While I was staying with friends in Berlin, I spent most of the days alone as they were working and it was great. Dresden, Prague, Budapest, Interlaken area of Switzerland, Florence.
The only suggestions are, if you go by train, find a compartment with other women; stay in small hotels, B&B or pensions so they will miss you if something should happen; and have fun doing what you want to when you want to do it.

I have traveled solo in Western Europe both before and after kids (mine are grown and one lives in Germany now). I took the kids with me when they were still at home with me.

Most of my traveling has been done by home exchanges since 1990. I would not feel going solo in Western Europe anywhere to be uncomfortable.

By the way, home exchanges include a car, so I get to drive around a lot when I go. I am most widely traveled in the UK, France & Germany--although, of course, I have not been everywhere.

I'm curious to the Prague posting about robberies (the same group and 3 times in 2 days). What was the situation? Were people using moneybelts under their clothing for safety? What exactly was stolen and how?

I am sorry to hear an unfortunate travel report like Franit's post, but wonder about the specific circumstances. Plus it is a helpful warning to only others if we have more details.

For the poster who feels awkward about eating alone at nice restaurants, and others who feel that way: how about suggesting some dates on this board so Fodorites in the same city on the same dates can get together for a meal? I don't frequent this board much so I don't know if this has been suggested, but it's something I would do.

I really enjoy travelling solo, I think the locals take more time to chat with you and have never had any problem about dining out alone, sometimes meeting other diners and sharing part of the dinner hour with them.
I travelled round Europe by three forms of transport, train, plane and coach and enjoyed them all. To England, Scotland, Holland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece and Germany.
For my first trip I did a coach tour but after that went solo. In some places I have friends to visit but in many do not know anyone.
In total I have spent nine months in Europe, I have some french, enough to get by and a little italian but did not find the lack of any language a problem. So many Europeans speak english now that there is always someone close by to help out.
One just has to be sensible about where you are, train stations, out at night etc. and remain alert but also calm. It's a good idea to let the receptionist at the hotel you are staying at know if you are going to be out of the area for the day, eg a long hike, a day trip. Don't advertise that you're a tourist by drawing attention to yourself by reading maps in the street, swinging a camera in non touristy spots.
Go for it, take advantage of being solo to enjoy things you may not be able to experience with others, museums, concerts, shopping and don't think about being alone, think of all the new friends you will meet.