The College Guide to Solo Travel

So, you’re flirting with the idea of solo travel. Maybe your friends can’t get the same week off. Maybe you’re tired of waiting for the “perfect” group trip to come together. Or maybe, like me, you want your Eat Pray Love moment and you’ve realized that traveling alone might actually be the best way to meet new people, do whatever you want, and grow in ways you didn’t even know you could.

Here’s the truth: solo travel in college is one of the most freeing things you’ll ever do. Whether you’re dreaming of sipping espresso in Italy, hiking to Machu Picchu, or escaping to beachy spots that make your Instagram look like a travel magazine, there are so many places to go, and you don’t have to wait for anyone else’s schedule to line up.

After hitting over 25 countries (and counting) solo, here’s everything I’ve learned about making solo travel in college doable, affordable, and unforgettable.

1. “Solo” doesn’t have to mean alone

When I first started traveling solo, I assumed it meant 22 person hostels, cheap food, and being bored out of my mind, (which, yes, that has happened. And yes, it was as bad as you think.) But what I’ve learned is that solo travel is really just independent travel, you make the call on where you want to go, how you spend your days, and who you meet along the way.

One of my favorite ways to do it? Traveling “solo” with a group trip. You get all the freedom of showing up on your own without having to plan a single thing. You’re still flying solo, but you instantly have 20 new travel besties who also decided to do something bold and book the trip themselves. You’ll make friends to go out with in Amsterdam, explore markets with in Thailand, or watch sunsets with in Santorini, all while having no ties, so if you ever want to break off solo – you can.

My first solo trip was on an EF Ultimate Break trip to the Greek Islands. I was 19 and this was my first time out of the country and I was NERVOUS. I instantly made best friends, and had the best time. There was also times where the group wanted to do one thing and I wanted to do another so I broke away and did my own thing. Being so young, I felt safe being in the group, while also stepping out of my comfort zone and traveling solo. Eventually as I have traveled more, I have done actual solo, with a backpack and in a hostel alone, but the more I travel, the more I find myself coming back to solo group travel. I love the ease of not planning the big stuff and not sweating the stress of making friends on trips.

2. The best places to go for solo travelers

If it’s your first time, start somewhere easy to navigate and safe for young travelers. My top recs:

• Portugal —Perfect mix of beaches, culture, and cheap food (hello, pastel de nata).
• Japan—Super clean, super safe, and full of bucket list moments.
• Greece—Great for spring break trip ideas that go beyond the basic beach vacay.
• Costa Rica—If you want adventure and affordable vibes, this is your spot.
• Italy—Because hello, obviously.

And if you’re not ready to go international yet, start small! Solo travel doesn’t have to mean crossing oceans, explore a new city in your own state, hit a national park, or find a cheap flight somewhere new for a long weekend. The world’s got options.

3. Budget like a pro (aka how to afford it in college)

Here’s the thing: you don’t need a trust fund to travel solo. Between student discounts, hostels, interest free payment plans, and budget airlines, cheap vacations are absolutely possible. I’ve traveled across Europe for less than what I’d spend on a semester of iced lattes. A few tips that have saved my wallet more times than I can count:

• Use Sky Scanner to track the best deals.
• Travel in shoulder seasons (aka April/May or September/October).
• Prioritize experiences over souvenirs, you’ll remember the sunset hike, not the overpriced magnet.
• Split the difference: trips like EF Ultimate Break include flights, hotels, and some meals, so you know your costs up front and don’t have to worry about surprise expenses mid-trip.

4. You’ll grow in ways you didn’t expect

It sounds cliché, but it’s true, traveling solo changes you. You get comfortable being uncomfortable. You learn to trust yourself, make quick friends, and figure things out (even when your train goes the wrong way in Berlin or your suitcase wheels break in the middle of Rome). There is one thing that most people won’t talk about. The anxiety before you solo travel.

A few months ago, I booked a solo trip to Iceland alone on a whim, and the whole night before I couldn’t sleep because I was so anxious. I kept thinking “why did I do this” and “I’m never doing this again.” That Iceland trip was one of the best I have ever taken, and my most recent. With fours years of solo travel under my belt, I still get anxious, and let doubts creep in. Solo travel can be hard, you are doing something huge all alone, but in the end it will always work out and leave you happier and with more lessons learned than before. You realize you’re capable of more than you thought. That you can show up in a totally new country, not know a soul, and still make it work. And that confidence sticks with you long after your tan fades.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to book that trip, this is it. College is the best time to do it—you have flexible schedules, student rates, and a world that’s begging to be explored.

So start looking up the best places to travel to in 2025. Find a trip that makes you genuinely excited. And then book it. solo.