chitink

Never taken an "Alone" trip before but it's about time! London for 7 days / 8 nights booked a car from the airport so I don't have to stress about that. Staying Central London at a Hostel, but is there anything I should watch out for traveling alone as a female? I am from Chicago so used to City life, probably won't plan on being out after dark alone, as I don't do that here at home. I may be a little over cautious

I want to do a lot of sightseeing and just casual observations like sidewalk cafes, etc. I almost went to Paris but a little worried about the language issue being this is my first solo trip. I am trying to pack light, however, having a car for the airport that won't be a huge issue anyway.

Planning some walking tours, gardens, museums, maybe Wicked if I can grab a discounted ticket. I want to go see Big Ben the typical tourist things. One thing I would really like to see is a castle, how far would I have to go for that?

Thought of a day trip into Paris but not sure I want to give up that much time for it.

chitink

Sorry forgot to add, what should I wear? Are jeans acceptable I am worried summer dresses will be too cold to wear for the weather there then.

tailsock

I think 8 days is plenty for a daytrip to Paris. Don't worry so much about the language as English is widely spoken there. Besides, who are you going to have to talk to anyway? If you grab something to eat in a café you can point to what you want. it's up to you but seriously, Paris is a very walkable city that's well mapped out. it's up to you

Tower of London is a castle within the city. You can reach Windsor Castle via national rail at Waterloo station as it's just over 20 miles away. There's also Leeds castle
www.leeds-castle.com/

janisj

Well - the prototypical castle is right in central London. The Tower of London. You can also take the train to Windsor castle.

Wear what ever you want - trust me no one will care one way or the other. The main thing is comfortable shoes since you will do a LOT of walking. Also plan on layers since it can be humid/warm/cool/cold/rainy/clear/windy - all on the same day even.

Which hostel? Some are good - some not so much . . .

>>probably won't plan on being out after dark alone, as I don't do that here at home.<<

Then you can't very well go to the theatre (of course you can go to a matinee but that eats into sightseeing time while evening performances don't conflict w/ doing other things). It is perfectly safe to be out after dark.

janisj

we were posting at the same time . . .

Scootoir

Hampton Court Palace is easy to reach from London. Architecturally it seems to be part palace and castle and also has lovely gardens. We loved our day there last October. You can visit Kensington Palace in London and try tea in the Orangery, there are gardens there as well.

Jeans are acceptable and you are right it may not be warm enough for summer dresses in London just a few weeks from now. Definitely dress in layers.

A day trip to Paris would be lovely and don't worry about language!

wanttogo

I hope you don't mean you booked a rental car from the airport! maybe you mean a car and driver
To take you into London. you sure don't need a car in London.

I don't have any specific info on this but I believe that certain British universities lease rooms
When students are on break. It might be worth researching. Have a great time.

Pat

chitink

I booked the YHA London Central, hopefully that's ok! I meant a car and driver yes

Is it safe to go out after dark in London, not safe in Chicago but that is what I am used to!

Would the full trip be better in Paris or London? I want to ensure I am spending my time in the right place! Not sure when I will have the opportunity to go back, hopefully soon but maybe not.

Thanks I will check into the university rooms!

tailsock

that will depend on your interests and comfort level with the French language. If you chose Paris, I would definitely learn a few basics before you leave. (please, thank you,goodbye, where are the toilets?, etc.) Both are very interesting cities that could easily occupy a full 7 days by themselves. Have you considered possibly splitting the time between the two?

janisj

There are at least 5 or 6 yha hostels in central London - maybe more. Which one?

>>Is it safe to go out after dark in London,<< yes . . .

>>I want to ensure I am spending my time in the right place!<<

There is no <i>right</i> place. Both cities are absolutely wonderful Some prefer London, some prefer Paris. You do have time for a day trip to Paris -- but only you know if the expense (you are much too late to get discounted Eurostar tickets) is worth the 8 or 9 hours you'd have in Paris.

janisj

You are going at the end of this month - right? If so it is very late to be finding accommodations in either city. If you already have a room booked in London it would seem changing your plans to Paris isn't very practical.

chitink

I JUST yesterday booked my room in London, this was a very last minute opportunity that arose. The YHA is called London Central at 104 Bolsover Street.

I am not at all comfortable with another language and to be honest being this is my first alone trip probably London is safest for me, I am hoping it will show me that it's fun and safe and exciting! Then off I will be again to another new fun place. I thought of splitting my time but I was reading on here that people really recommend against it if you only have a week.

menachem

You could do Paris as a daytrip easily. I often go back and forth in a day, and likewise, I'm 2.5 hours away by train. The language shouldn't present you with too many problems. However, you really need to know where you want to go in order to maximize the opportunity. Gare du Nord is adjacent to central Paris, so you'll want to buy tickets to the metro. If you want to go, my suggestion would be to pick an exhibition somewhere central as a destination, see it, then have lunch, walk around a bit in an interesting part of town (Marais, for instance, or Canal St Martin) then head back in the early evening, perhaps after having had a small bite.

Consider visiting Windsor Castle. It's not a long train ride.

That Bolsover st YHA looks very nice!

PatrickLondon

To save time getting public transport tickets for Paris, you can buy a carnet of 10 tickets at the information desk in the Eurostar departure lounge at St Pancras, but it's a gamble as to whether you'd use them all, and at £15 it's not cheap. But queueing up at Gare du Nord is a bit of a drag, and there can be some tiresome (but not dangerous) scammers hanging around.

Bolsover St is a pretty upmarket area.

Tulips

Bolsover Street is a good location - central and lots of restaurants nearby (Charlotte Street). Don't worry about being out after dark; and in May it gets dark pretty late.
Go to the half price ticket booth on Leicester Square; for just one person, you may get lucky and find a ticket for Wicked.

Going to Paris for a day on the Eurostar is easy to do; you're not far from St Pancras station. Not speaking French is not a problem. But for the end of May, most cheap tickets will have sold out.

texasbookworm

And if you are going soon (May/June) it's not dark til really late, you know, so you will have plenty of light to be out in in the evening.

Clothing--yeah, just about anything is fine, including jeans. But definitely layers and definitely broken in walking shoes and definitely rain-gear (I like a jacket with hood which may not be fashion-forward but serves as extra layer and prevents having to carry an umbrella, so hands free)

I loved Hampton Court for the castle experience outside of London (definitely first choice is the Tower), but I haven't been to Windsor yet (going in June!).

Enjoy!

janisj

You are going in less that 2 weeks right? The Eurostar is wonderful - but at this late date the tickets can be VERY pricey.

chitink

Thank you everyone this is so helpful! The trip is so soon I feel like I have so much to do! While I want to keep my costs down I also don't mind spending a little bit as I get my flights ver reasonable so that has saved me a lot!

Question on the Paris Metro, has anyone used the one day Travel card rather than a book of passes?

maxima

In my opinion, I would not go to Paris for just a day. Save it for your next trip.

There are many things to do and see in London. Almost all of the museums are free, there are excellent walking tours, given by London Walks and they also have good trips out of London for a day. Save money on the bus and tube by getting an oyster card. Go to the half price booth for theater tickets or see what is on at the National Theater they often have reasonable prices too..
enjoy your trip
To see a Castle.. there is the Tower of London, Kensington Palace right in the heart of London and some of the rooms in Buckingham Palace may be open as well.. Windsor is an easy day trip from London too.... go to the markets..
You can wear jeans, bring your most comfortable sneakers or shoes for walking and touring ; layers are always a good idea as the weather may be changeable and cool; bring something for the rain; a pair of dress slacks would be fine for any place that you don't want to wear jeans,

Tabernash2

Will you have a private room in the hostel? Shared bath or ensuite?
I'd want a private room for sleeping, in order to feel safe as a solo female traveler.

You have 8 nights. I would definitely do a day-trip to Paris, or even go for one night. So many people speak English there, it's really not hard to get around. And Parisians are not all anti-American, contrary to urban legend!

If you decide not to, there is plenty to do in London.