Traveling Europe on Your Own

What to do with a pocket full of graduation-present cash and your last summer of freedom ahead of you? Travel Europe. It’s a great way to celebrate the four long years you’ve dedicated to earning your degree, and the BEST way to postpone the inevitable job search.

Can’t find a friend to scope Scotland with? Travel alone and do what you want, when you want—and learn a lot about yourself in the process. But when hitting Europe solo, keep your head about you and follow these tips for a safer and more rewarding experience.

Make new friends.
Meeting locals and other travelers can turn a good experience into an unforgettable one. Youth hostels will not only help you stretch your cash but will introduce you to other young travelers to help stave off those occasional bouts of traveling loneliness. You might even find travelers heading the same direction for a day or two, allowing you to pool expenses and gain the protection of a group. Sleeping in large hostel bunk rooms (usually of 14-16 people) is also a good way to be safe—it is more public and you can better avoid unwanted attention and situations.