If you've never flown alone, navigated your way through a European train station, or figured out what to pack for 2 weeks in Mexico...if you have no idea how to get from O'Hare airport to downtown Chicago, or what to do if your wallet is stolen when you're 600 miles from home...don't panic. Just stick this guide in your backpack and hit the road! With more than a million miles under his belt as a travel pro, Peter Greenberg has all the tricks and travel secrets to help first-time travelers get where they're going safely and with a maximum amount of fun/style/adventure/cool. Tips include: -Special air and train ticket deals for students -What to pack for 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4-8 weeks -How to decode train stations in any language -How to get around in most major U.S. cities -Cost comparison of air, bus, car, and train travel -All about youth hostels and other cheap sleeps -How to cope if a friend abandons you in the middle of a trip Whether you're making your first trips to visit out-of-state colleges, hitting the road for Spring Break, or just visiting relatives, the Real U Guide to Traveling on Your Own is your ticket to an excellent adventure.