How To Plan A Trip Abroad + Tips for Solo Travelers

Hey all! I've been meaning to make this video for quite some time so here is how I planned my backpacking trip throughout Europe things you should know before traveling by yourself. I talk about transportation, accommodation, budgeting, and activities when it comes to backpacking especially throughout Europe and some tips I learned as a solo female traveler.

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[teagan]

This videos great for my imaginary vacation

[carolem]

One tip I want to add is : do not try to be the traveler that you're not. Most of the time we see these travelers doing a lot of things, hiking whatever and we can feel like we have to be an explorer. But we don't have to.
I've been travelling solo for 3 years. I don't short trips around Europe and bigger ones to Canada. I'm not a hiker and I have health issues so my trips are more chill and I don't put myself in extreme situation.

[laurakastner]

I’ve always found that it feels weird at first and then after a few days it feels totally natural. Solo traveling is so common nowadays and if you’re reading this you’re a badass so there’s no reason to be self conscious :-)

[lalavillafane]

To travel around Europe by train there is a pass called "interrail train pass" and you can travel to every country pretty cheap. There is also this pass for just a single country but sometimes it is not worth it if compare the price of the individual train tickets to the pass one.

[coreno]

Anyone else trying to plan a solo trip and dont know where to start aside from getting a plane ticket 🤦🏽‍♀️

[Melanie-wwyk]

I 100% agree with the "trust you gut" notion. I went backpacking with a college friend in Europe last summer, and on our last full day (we were in Munich, Germany), this guy that gave us both weird vibes came up and started talking to us in a crowd of people watching some street buskers. He ended up leading us to a different area (much less crowded), which was sort of a red flag for me (since we didn't know that area at all, and he did). We ended up just talking as the sun started setting (although his conversation also became a little strange: talking about the "have and have nots" and how "life isn't fair sometimes"), and we went are separate ways (probably due to intense "you're sketching me out" non-verbal communication by me lol, trying to leave before the sun fully set), so everything was fine. Turns out, my friend was on the phone with her mom when she noticed the guy staring at her from a far (for a long time), and was trying to give me "the look" before he approached (which I missed). Maybe we overreacted...who knows. Moral of the story: if you start getting a weird vibe, look out for red flags/reasons to go your separate way (avoid less crowded areas, leave before the sun goes down, etc.). We probably could have cut the conversation off a lot earlier, but both my friend and I were trying to be polite and missing/misreading each other's signals. Also, not sure if this is necessary info or not, but he also had like drawn on eyebrows (almost sharpie-like), which was a tad strange....but I ignored it cause he seemed pretty friendly.

[junetaylor]

Always ask younger people if you need help. Most european teenagers know English by now. And now have fun 😊.

[cocoowen]

This could't have been uploaded at a more PERFECT time; currently reflecting on my recent travels and planning for my trips to Spain and France soon :)

[zazzaify]

Flixbus and Ryanair are your travel best friends in Europe.

[mamiokada]

It's always very useful to learn how to say numbers in the local language beforehand :)

[imzjik]

I took up basic French and Japanese classes and I must say, they're pretty helpful especially for me who wants to go to those countries. I've never travelled outside the country but I would love to do it once I get a job and save up.

[skloise]

I really wanna try backpacking to Europe!!! 💞

Ps:
Looking forward to that haircare routine video, my queen!!

[kayleighkearnan]

I'm legit about to book flights for solo travel today this is so well timed lol

[paulascorner]

it's so sad that as females we have to be like extra carefullll...just...in case someone...wants to...HURT ME? :(

[ninacampbell]

this video is so helpful thank you for making it! really de-mystifies solo travel. i just watched before sunrise + before sunset on the plane and i feel like you really embody the freedom of the characters!!

[katiecampbell]

this is perfect timing!! I'm leaving for Europe in 2 weeks and doing part of my travels alone!

[esmeemooren]

I'm currently on a solo backpacking trip and I've been traveling in Europe for 3 weeks now. I definitely found that in the low season that it is right now, you can risk going to a city without booking in advance and just go to a hostel and ask for a bed. Just make sure you take busses and trains throughout the week and not at night. Flixbus and regiojet busses are fine and cheap. The more to the east you go in Europe, the cheaper it will be. And a tip from a native dutch person, if you visit the Netherlands, please visit some other place (like Utrecht, Groningen, Rotterdam, Maastricht) besides Amsterdam. Really worth it for a real dutch experience!

[ruthmccarthy]

This is so strange i was literally thinking earlier when is she going to post about travelling alone!!! Can't wait to watch this!

[sarahh]

This was such and amazing video ! My planning on living in Belgium as an Au pair next year, and I’m planing on doing some solo traveling during my time off. You inspire me everyday, and remind me that anything possible ! xx

[clarisseb]

using the actual train website of the country is always cheaper, at least in europe. Thank You Elena, because after my exam i'm going to visit 3 countries by myself and that's because you video gave me the idea <3