By Solene Granatur (UC Santa Barbara)

So you’ve applied to study abroad—your application is submitted, and all the paperwork is filed. And suddenly you’re dreaming of walking through streets you don’t know, meeting new people, and Dr. Seuss becomes the voiceover to your story, “Oh, the places you’ll go!”

When I first applied to study abroad at the University of Barcelona, I knew I would spend about eight months in Europe. I wanted to squeeze every drop of my free time and see the world. And why wouldn’t I when a different country was only a two-hour bus ride away?

I’ve always been a bit of an optimist, and I’ll admit that my approach to solo traveling was less of a toe dip and more of a deep-end plunge. During my first month in Europe, I went to Vienna alone for five days, and it is, to this day, the best trip I’ve ever taken.

Over time, I developed the perfect checklist for a solo traveler. These strategies have allowed me not only to ball on a budget, but also to feel safe in cities where I don’t speak the language, don’t know the law of the land, and don’t know anyone. As a woman, that’s a rare treat that I’m glad to have experienced.

Here is everything I wish I had known on my first solo trip.

Essential Safety Tips for Solo Travelers

Hostel in Vienna

Vienna is by no means an unsafe city. I went in January, so the days were short and biting cold. I knew my hostel needed to be close to the city center since I would be walking as much as possible, inevitably in the dark.

  1. Choose accommodations wisely: Book hostels through HostelWorld, focusing on those rated 8-10 for safety, cleanliness, and location. A personal locker is non-negotiable – trust me when I say a lock is your best friend. I recommend one with a code, so you don’t have to worry about a key.
  2. Stay connected and aware: Carry a portable charger to keep Google Maps accessible. Stay on main roads, and avoid small alleys. Pro tip: Connect headphones to your phone for discrete navigation – suddenly, you’re a local! Just use one earbud, though—not both—so you can stay aware of your surroundings.
  3. Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate to seek safety. Hop into the nearest café or store and wait it out. I’ve found that I’m willing to buy a coffee for security – two euros is a small price to pay for safety.

It’s a bit sad, but I do feel like fresh meat in a shark tank when I exit the airport and I’m surrounded by pushy taxi drivers trying to get me to purchase a ride. When this happens, at the airport or anywhere else for that matter, stay calm and continue to look disinterested. Either walk to the nearest group of people and pretend to assimilate or go back inside the airport and sit down.

Smart Travel Planning

Once you’ve figured out your housing, it’s time to start thinking about how to get there and how to get around. Cheap airlines are the way to go, but these are bare-bone planes with No entertainment or snacks. Download a movie in advance, pack a book to read, and drop a few pre-packaged snacks in your backpack.

  1. Transportation tips: Use Skyscanner for cheap flights, comparing airlines like easyJet, Vueling, RyanAir, and WizzAir. Check Rome2Rio for ground travel options. They’ll show you the average prices for trains, buses, cars, and planes. Their numbers aren’t always accurate, but you’ll get a good estimate. It’s a great way to compare distances and see the time you’ll save or spend.
  2. Luggage tips: Always check bag dimensions for budget airlines, and carefully measure your bag. It’s easy to buy a bag based on liter size, which is the measurement you’ll see online. Budget airlines are extremely strict about sizes; an extra bag fee can cost as much as your ticket!
  3. Navigation tips: Most hostels provide instructions from major transit points. Use these alongside Google Maps, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Your Travel Bestie: the Right Backpack

I absolutely adore my backpack. Using it in Vienna was surreal; I felt like such a backpacker! For reference, the backpack I use is a 35-liter pack, which is incredibly spacious, and now I have to pay extra to take it as a carry-on on every flight. As a newbie, I didn’t check the dimensions before I bought it. Trust me: do as I say, not as I do.

Solene's 35L backpack - with fee for carry-on

Now that you have the essentials down: your flight is booked, your bag is packed, and your lock and snacks are safely stowed, what’s next?

You’ve Arrived In the New City

There is no way around the new city freak-out. When I landed in Vienna, I panicked. I didn’t speak the language and knew positively no one.

Step one: Don’t panic.

Step two: Take a deep breath and open the instructions to get to your hostel from the airport or bus stop.

Step three: Start walking.

Start Making Connections

Don’t be afraid to be sociable! A simple “Hi, I’m [name]!” can lead to unexpected friendships. In Vienna, I casually introduced myself to a fellow traveler, and months later, she was happy to be my personal tour guide in Amsterdam. There’s something particularly beautiful about solo traveling – you’re never truly alone, and small moments can make lasting connections.

Group of study abroad friends smiling

Budget-friendly Tips to Finding Hidden Gems

I recommend researching beyond the obvious tourist spots. Check Time Out Magazine, watch location-based movies, read local blogs, and search Reddit for authentic recommendations. Some of my best discoveries, like Cafe Kafka in Vienna and a record store I heard about from the movie Before Sunrise, came from these sources.

My secret weapon is Too Good to Go, an app that offers mystery bags of food at incredibly cheap prices (usually 1-6 euros) from restaurants trying to reduce waste. It’s budget-friendly, environmentally conscious, and reduces the stress of ordering in a foreign language.

While safety should always come first, be open and willing to be surprised. The best memories are the ones you never see coming. In Vienna, a simple conversation with a barista about a book I was reading turned into hours of discussion that set the tone for my entire journey.

Learn more safety tips for your study abroad experience

Solene Granatur profile

SOLENE GRANATUR

Study Abroad Program University of Barcelona
Program Location: Barcelona, Spain
Home University: UC Santa Barbara
Major: English
Year: Junior

Solene Granatur is a current student at UC Santa Barbara. Entering her last year, she plans to graduate with a degree in English and a minor in Applied Psychology. Aside from completing her degree and eating In-N-Out upon arrival, her plans remain open. Like most soon-to-be graduates, she’s uncertain about what the future holds. Luckily, she has inherited a travel gene and plans to spend a year working in different cities and backpacking around the globe before determining her next academic steps. Study abroad has opened her horizons to traveling independently, and Solene plans to build upon these skills. Her first stop (she hopes) will be Australia. She aims to carry Spanish tapas culture with her wherever she goes. Gone are the short dinners that last an hour tops—from now on, the standard eating time is a minimum of two hours.