Yeah, I like wandering cities on my own without having to worry about talking to or waiting for others. But that's Canada and the States. I just wasn't sure about staying at hostels on my own.
Okay, if you could do it, then so can I. Yes. I'll just make sure my passport is strapped to my body ;)
Same here. I did it twice, once at 18 and once at 19, and it was fine. There are lots of people traveling alone, including lots of women--I'm sure even more so now than *cough* years ago.
I was a little nervous beforehand, like you, but it turned out great. I had a really wonderful time, for the most part. Just exercise common sense precautions, and you'll have a fantastic time, I'm sure!
I'm so glad to hear so many women reassuring me that travelling alone is okay! Thanks, Plin. I'm a little scatterbrained and nervous when I travel, but I will be careful and let myself be adventurous for once :)
Absolutely. I did it all over the place back in 2001. Just make sure you invest in a waterproof bag so you can take your valuables in with you when you shower. There aren't usually lockers or any other place to safely store things. I actually found travelling alone a lot of fun, partly because you ended up quite naturally hooking up with other lone travellers or small groups. Not "hooking up", just....you know,t he respectable kind. I was actually surprised by how many people WEREN'T 18-22 year old students looking to get stupid drunk. Mind you, I might not have gravitated to those kind of groups, so they might still have existed
( ... )
Yeah, I was in Prague very briefly and I want to go again with more and better planning, but it was a really great experience spending time with these two clusters of college-age travelers (one U.S.-based, one Australia-based) who were staying at the same hostel I was.
And yeah, the hostels I stayed in in London and Prague I just found on the Internet (the Edinburgh one came recommended from a friend who'd done study abroad in Edinburgh and was I think the only one that provided an actual locker -- though you had to provide your own padlock or buy one from them -- but I didn't feel unsafe leaving my stuff in my room in the other hostels).
Very good idea about using a locker, thanks! I might bring my own padlock, even if it's an extra thing to carry. I didn't realise hostels could be specific to a foreign country -- I figured they'd be run by locals. Will have to do some googling.
I suspect all the hostels I stayed at were run by locals (though there are chains -- the place I stayed in Bangor, Wales, with my friend Gillian might have been), but there are lots of directories online, so you can comparison shop for any given area.
I would note: pay attention to its proximity to public transit and/or places you're going to want to see while you're there ... I wasn't really thinking when I booked my hostel in Prague and it ended up being on the outskirts, away from the major tourist attractions (not to mention the airport), and navigating a public transit system in a foreign language was daunting. It wasn't a huge deal, but when I go again it's definitely something I'll pay attention to when planning.
My Europe trip last summer was largely on my own -- all my flights, plus all travel in Edinburgh and Prague and most travel in Northern Ireland and some travel in London; I stayed in hostels on my own in London, Edinburgh, and Prague and was fine. I never felt unsafe.
I went to Europe by myself and it was wonderful. I was nervous at first, but you actually meet more people when you're on your own that you do when you're travelling with others. I think travelling alone can be a terrific experience; you just have to use your common sense, as you would travelling by yourself in Canada or the USA. I went to South America (Ecuador and Peru) by myself too. I never once had an experience that made me really nervous, although I did do a few things that I wouldn't do now. You'll be fine.
Thanks so much for reassuring me! I feel a bit better now. Though too bad I don't have much common sense ;) But I'll try to be careful and just let myself have a little adventure of my own. *g*
Europe is fairly save for women traveling alone. Just be careful in the the situations you are usually careful in big cities. You should not have any problems just because you are a woman by yourself. I never stayed in hostels, but everyone does, so that, too, shouldn't be a problem. And I found that Lonely Planet Guides often have not only good tips no hostels, but also country-specific safety tips, but you probably know that already. About getting along with English: not a problem at all, though people (especially in France) are much more likely to speak english with you if you make an effort in their own language, even if it's only "Hello" and "Goodbye".
I might splurge on a nicer hotel for a night or so, I'll have to see once I budget things out more. I'm not really a fan of hostels but I like saving money more!
I'll definitely check out Lonely Planet. Thanks for the reassurance -- I'm so glad so many women are telling me it's okay to travel alone. I feel more confident already, just seeing your comments :)
Lonely Planet is pretty good about giving the warts and all viewpoint. I think I liked Let's Go as well, but it's all so many years ago, alas...
Once you grab a guidebook and mark off some possible hostels it's a good idea to check online for more reviews, just to make sure you're making the best choices. I didn't want to carry the monster guidebooks around so I brutally ripped the sections I needed out of the books and it worked quite well.
Good idea about ripping out the pages I need, though I hate defacing books. My sister got more creative and actually created her own guidebooks for the various cities she visited, complete with maps and tourist sites and important info. She printed them off the colour printers at work!
Comments 43
(The comment has been removed)
Okay, if you could do it, then so can I. Yes. I'll just make sure my passport is strapped to my body ;)
Reply
I was a little nervous beforehand, like you, but it turned out great. I had a really wonderful time, for the most part. Just exercise common sense precautions, and you'll have a fantastic time, I'm sure!
Reply
Reply
Reply
And yeah, the hostels I stayed in in London and Prague I just found on the Internet (the Edinburgh one came recommended from a friend who'd done study abroad in Edinburgh and was I think the only one that provided an actual locker -- though you had to provide your own padlock or buy one from them -- but I didn't feel unsafe leaving my stuff in my room in the other hostels).
Reply
Reply
I would note: pay attention to its proximity to public transit and/or places you're going to want to see while you're there ... I wasn't really thinking when I booked my hostel in Prague and it ended up being on the outskirts, away from the major tourist attractions (not to mention the airport), and navigating a public transit system in a foreign language was daunting. It wasn't a huge deal, but when I go again it's definitely something I'll pay attention to when planning.
Reply
Reply
Reply
You'll be fine.
Reply
Reply
About getting along with English: not a problem at all, though people (especially in France) are much more likely to speak english with you if you make an effort in their own language, even if it's only "Hello" and "Goodbye".
Reply
I'll definitely check out Lonely Planet. Thanks for the reassurance -- I'm so glad so many women are telling me it's okay to travel alone. I feel more confident already, just seeing your comments :)
Reply
Once you grab a guidebook and mark off some possible hostels it's a good idea to check online for more reviews, just to make sure you're making the best choices. I didn't want to carry the monster guidebooks around so I brutally ripped the sections I needed out of the books and it worked quite well.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment