Top 10 Destinations for Your First Solo Trip (During College)
From a college girl who’s done it: here are 10 destinations that are perfect for your first time going it alone.
Taking your first solo trip in college is equal parts exciting and terrifying. You’re figuring out airports alone, trusting Google Maps a little too much, and realizing you actually can eat dinner by yourself without looking like a freak. The right destination makes all the difference: walkable, social without being overwhelming, and easy to navigate when you’re still learning how to be a “solo traveler” (and to speak the language).
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh feels like training wheels for solo travel. It’s compact, easy to walk, and full of history without feeling stuffy. You can wander the Royal Mile, hike Arthur’s Seat for a solo reset moment, and pop into cozy cafés without feeling awkward being alone. It’s calm, safe, and confidence-boosting. And a huge plus – there’s no language barrier!
2. London, England
If you’re nervous about being alone abroad, London is a great first step. Everyone’s doing their own thing, so solo wandering feels normal. Public transportation is extremely straightforward, there’s something to do in every neighborhood, and you’ll never feel weird grabbing food or going to a museum solo.
3. Paris, France
Paris is surprisingly great solo, especially if you lean into slower days. Walk along the Seine, people-watch from a café, journal in a park, repeat. You don’t need an intense itinerary here; just being in the city is enough. It’s also a good place to practice being comfortable alone in public.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is affordable, stunning, and easy to navigate, which is exactly what you want on a first solo trip. The city center is very walkable, hostels are social, and you can see a lot in a short amount of time. It’s ideal if you want history, good food, and low stress.
5. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is friendly in a way that makes solo travel feel less intimidating. Locals actually talk to you, pubs feel welcoming even if you show up alone, and day trips are easy to plan. It’s a great place to ease into conversations and make friends you will actually keep.
6. Valencia, Spain
Valencia is underrated and perfect for a first solo trip. It’s less chaotic than Barcelona but still full of energy, with beaches, parks, and amazing food. You can bike through the city, spend afternoons outside, and enjoy a slower pace while still feeling like you’re somewhere exciting. Public transportation is easy to navigate, but everyone uses bikes anyway.
7. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is budget-friendly and social, which makes it ideal for college travelers. The ruin bars are easy places to meet people, and the city is split up in a way that makes exploring feel manageable. Plus, soaking in thermal baths alone is weirdly empowering. While everything is walkable, the public transportation is easy to use and very reminiscent of New York subways.
8. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is clean, organized, and calm, basically solo-travel comfort food. Public transportation is reliable, the city feels safe, and it’s great for museum days, coffee breaks, and quiet wandering. If you like quiet and chill, Vienna delivers.
9. Munich, Germany
Munich is a solid choice if you want something lively but not overwhelming. It’s easy to get around, has plenty of green space, and beer gardens are surprisingly solo-friendly. It’s also a great base for day trips if you want to explore more of Bavaria.
10. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon just works for solo travelers. It’s affordable, scenic, and full of hostels and cafés where being alone doesn’t feel weird. Ride the trams, explore different neighborhoods, and take a day trip to the coast when you need a break from city life, it’s the perfect mix.
Your first solo trip doesn’t need to be intense or perfectly planned. Pick a place that’s easy to move through, gives you space to figure things out, and lets you grow into traveling alone, because once you do it once, you’ll never stop wanting to go back out on your own.
Key takeaways
- Choose destinations that are easy to navigate, safe, and walkable so your first solo trip feels exciting, not stressful.
- Being alone is part of the experience — cafés, museums, parks, and wandering on your own build real confidence fast.
- Start with affordable, social cities where meeting people is easy but doing things solo never feels awkward.
- You don’t need to plan any of this alone—we already did the hard part. You just pick what destination, trip, or experience speaks to you the most and show up (solo).
Know before you go
From the ins and outs of our trips to finding the one that fits you best—here’s what you need to know.
