Top 11 Tips for Planning Solo Travel During Your First Year Abroad Program
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Solo travel during your CIEE First Year Abroad (FYA) program is an incredible opportunity to start college abroad, see the world, and step out of your comfort zone. While your program will include excursions and cultural activities, planning a few solo adventures is a great way to immerse yourself further.
Here are 11 tips to help you balance safety, fun, and exploration on your solo journeys while living abroad for a year!
1. Check Your Program’s Solo Travel Policy
Every CIEE First Year Abroad (FYA) program has its own rules for solo travel, so it’s important to check with your local CIEE support staff while making plans. These policies prioritize your safety and ensure you don’t miss classes, excursions, or co-curricular activities. Staying informed helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures your plans align with program expectations.
2. Start Small
Solo travel can be exciting and a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time doing things on your own like eating out, sightseeing, or staying in a hotel alone. These experiences can feel strange or even lonely—not necessarily because you’ve never been alone before but because travel often comes with memories of family and friends.
For many of us, activities like exploring new places or attending events are so tied to social experiences that doing them solo feels like uncharted territory.
Start by planning something simple, like taking yourself out to lunch, visiting a nearby attraction, or spending a day exploring your host city. These smaller steps can help you ease into the independence of solo travel while building confidence. Over time, you’ll likely find that traveling alone is not only freeing but also incredibly fun and rewarding!
3. Check Out What’s Worth Exploring Nearby
You don’t have to go far for a meaningful adventure. Start by exploring your host city or nearby areas! Historic neighborhoods, bustling markets, scenic parks, or a small-town getaway can be just as exciting as far-flung destinations. Plus, local travel is often easier to plan and more budget-friendly while living abroad for a year.
Remember that your FYA program will include required excursions designed to give you incredible cultural experiences. Before planning solo trips, check the program schedule to avoid accidentally visiting a destination already part of a CIEE excursion. This way, you’ll maximize your travel experiences and enjoy the best of your program and personal adventures.
4. Stay at a Hostel and Meet Other Travelers
If you want to connect with other travelers, consider staying at a hostel. Hostels are budget-friendly and often have lively common areas where you can meet fellow adventurers from around the world who are also doing solo travels. Many hostels even cater specifically to young travelers and have an age limit of 25 for guests.
Whether swapping travel tips or joining a group for dinner, hostels can turn your solo trip into a social experience where you can make lifelong friends.
5. Bring Cash
While credit and debit cards are convenient, they’re not always reliable when traveling. Smaller towns, markets, or local eateries might not accept cards, and banks can sometimes lock your account if they detect transactions from a new location.
To avoid hiccups, carry a small amount of local currency, inform your bank about your travel plans, and always have a backup payment method.
6. Research Safe Areas to Travel
Wandering a new city without a set plan can be exhilarating, but you must always be aware of areas that may not be the safest. Before heading out, research neighborhoods that might not be safe for visitors. During the daytime, feel free to explore and get lost in the adventure, but stick to well-lit, busy areas at night and stay aware of your surroundings.
7. Start Your Trip with a Walking Tour
One of the best ways to kick off your solo adventure is with a walking tour. These can easily be found and booked online. They are typically announced as “Free Walking Tours,” but it's common courtesy to tip your guide at the end if you enjoy the experience!
Not only will you get a feel for the city and its layout with a walking tour, but you’ll also learn fascinating local history and local spots. Plus, walking tours often attract other solo travelers, making them a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and perhaps even a new travel buddy.
8. Check Visa Requirements When Crossing Borders
If you plan to visit another country, be aware that crossing borders isn’t always straightforward. Thanks to the Schengen Area, programs in Europe often make travel to neighboring EU countries a breeze. However, entry may require additional visas or paperwork in regions like Latin America or Asia. Research visa requirements ahead of time to avoid surprises while you’re participating in your FYA program.
9. Be Open to Meeting New People
Solo doesn’t have to mean lonely! Whether chatting with locals at a café, joining group activities, or participating in a cooking class, find ways to strike up conversations and connect with others. These experiences often lead to unique insights about the culture.
10. Don’t Skip Class!
As tempting as it might be to extend a weekend getaway, remember that your education is your priority. You’re not excused from classes or program activities for personal travel. By sticking to your commitments, you’ll enjoy a better balance between your academic goals and your travel adventures.
11. Communicate Travel Plans with Your Host Family (If Applicable)
Sharing your travel plans with your host family isn’t just polite—it’s a CIEE policy. If you’re staying at a homestay during your CIEE First Year Abroad program, your host family is part of your support network. Keeping them in the loop about where you’re going and when you’ll be back helps ensure your safety. They might even share valuable tips or recommend places to visit!
Build Independence While Solo Traveling!
Solo travel is a fun and exciting way to enhance your college abroad experience and help you grow as an adult. While your college education and host city are the main focuses of your First Year Abroad, it’s worth getting to know surrounding towns and cities while you’re at it.
Curious about what a CIEE First Year Abroad could look like for you? Check out our FYA programs to see how you can combine academic success with cultural immersion and fun adventures. Explore FYA programs today!