SINGLE WOMAN IN EUROPE... SAFE?
 

I am a single 23yr old single female planning a trip to Europe alone.
Although I am sure I have read everything I could get my hands on about security, I am left wondering if there are any cities or districs best not travelled by a woman alone (or by anybody for that matter). Could anybody help me make a list of places to avoid at all cost on my upcomming two months of European Heaven?

It depends on the country/countries you are visiting. Therer are many cities and districts in Europe ;0)

I am planing on a eurail trip through all the cities on my pass. I'll be going for 2 months, so I'll have pleanty of time to savor the culture. I am not going for "glitzy" Europe, I want the everyday europe. I think, maybe, that is more risky in terms of ending up in the wrong neighborhood.

Europe is a big place, so it would be hard to name every place it might not be wise. I personally would not travel to some middle Eastern countries alone (having been there, not alone) or those to the E/NE of Greece in Europe--eg, Turkey. Probably not Albania.

As far as districts, if you mean an area of a city, there are too many to name in all of Europe. In most cases, you could travel somewhere in some way, but I wouldn't advise doing certain things in a place (ie, running around at night by yourself or going certain places).

If you're pretty and especially blonde, take extra percautions in southern and eastern Europe. Young girls still get kidnapped and sold into white slavery.

Thank you for your replies.

I guess I really should be more especific in my question. (Did i mention that is my first trip to... well ANYWHERE other than my home island of Puerto Rico)
I will post my not-so-ironclad itinerary tomorrow for advise on my choice of cities.
thanks again.

Just do as you would in any unknown city in the US (I assume that is where you are from).

I can still remenber my mother advice when I was a young girl :"Never Accept candies from Strangers...."
Europe is quite safe, just be aware, dont walk in dark isolated places at night, most of all use your common sense and trust your instincts.
Buon viaggio,
Kismet

My first trip was for four weeks, half of it alone -- I was 30. Best thing I ever did. I had very little money and stayed mostly in inexpensive places -- many with bathroom down the hall.

This is very doable. You're very fortunate to have two months to spend there. It is an experience you will never forget. Just have some sort of plan and stay flexible.

As far as safety, I always found Europe to be safe. I am always cautious about my surroundings whether here or there.

Think about the places the pass (Eurail?) can take you. I started in Amsterdam, then Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Venice, Florence Rome, Nice, Geneva, Paris, and back to Amsterdam. If I could do it again, I would leave out Vienna and add Greek islands. I spent too much time in big cities and not enough in the countryside.

If I'm not mistaken, the U.K. is not included in the Eurail pass.

Do lots of research -- this board has a wealth of information if you can weed through the posts. Then post specific questions.

Solo travel in Europe is great; it's always best not to walk alone late at night, but of course that's everywhere. The only place that I've been that really felt odd at night was Amsterdam, but I didn't feel unsafe, really, just weirded out by what was going on. It's a great daytime city, though!

Of course! That is the only way I have traveled the 10+ times I have been back and forth to Europe. I found the "Let's Go!" travel guides to be the most helpful as they are geared towards single travelers, women, budget conscious folks, etc. Their hotel recommendations have never been seedy or dangerous - unlike some other guides that may exaggerate on the amenities of a location.

I don't know exactly where you will be going, but the obvious thing would be to avoid hanging around train stations at night. Hotels may be cheaper around those areas, but are usually a little dangerous (Naples comes to mind). You can stay in some nice places along the waterfront for surprisingly cheap.

I would not carry a purse around with you. However, if you must have one, European women (esp. in Italy) tend to wear/carry their purses right under their armpits (handles on shoulder) or strung across the front of the body with purse facing you. Alternatively, you can always tuck some euros away in your brassiere. :-)

Whatever you end up doing and wherever you end up going, have a great time and walk around like you belong in the place. No one will bother you and you will fit right in.

you will be fine. I am 25 and have travelled solo many times to Europe. Just be smart and a @#$ch if need be. there is a man in Paris still hurting from the impact of my shoe. : )

I'm remined of a story a former girlfriend told me back in the early '80s. She had traveled in Europe quite a bit by herself and, while traveling on a train through Germany, was seated across from a German businessman-type guy. She was wearing shorts and said that the guy kept staring at her legs which began to make her a little uncomfortable. Suddenly, she said, he moved across the aisle, dropped down on his knees and began kissing her knee. She told me it was so weird that it took her a few moments to even react. Then, after she told the guy to get lost, he apologized and ran away. I've heard of foot fetishists but never knee fetishists....but he's out there somewhere. :)

capo, you're so bad.

I was mugged on December 15, 1977 at 8:35 PM, right here in NYC. I was just a bit older than you. After that experience I became a 9th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. I mostly travel alone and, now, I do it without fear. God be with you.

I can honestly say that in four months traveling Europe, I never once felt unsafe anywhere. But I'm kind of weird that way.

OK...come to think of it, I lied...I felt a bit unsafe at the train station in Naples, but that's because some guy kept circling around me looking at my stuff. I was with a travel friend at the time too, and we both felt he was a bit dodgy.

Just have your guard up and trust your intuition...it's stronger than you think.

Thanks to all that have responded so far. You?ve been a great help in alleviating my fears. If staving off knee kissers and honing my punting kick is all I have to worry about, then I think I?ll be okay.

I have loved hearing stories of women making Europe their own, it has gave a confidence that I didn?t have when I started planning my trip. Since I have no one to be concerned when I go, I will take your advice as that of a loving mother wishing her child doesn?t get in any trouble in a foreign country.

Please check out my other posting: Any thoughts on Europe? Where I ask for advise on my itinerary.

My sister - strawberry blondish hair, VERY curly and long - got wayyy more attention while backpacking in Italy, than her much darker headed female traveling partner. She said it was a great boost for her ego!

Also, my sister got robbed coming off a train in Barcelona. She was trying to disembark with the rest of the crowd, and the guy kept pushing her back ONTO the train. She said it was very confusing and she didn't even know she'd been robbed until a few minutes later.

Definitely be careful in the train stations, wherever you go.

Hi-I just got back from a couple of weeks on my own (Ireland/England/Spain) and I had a great time.
The only time I felt fear was in Barcelona and I did not go out at night there on my own. Everywhere else I went out and stayed out late and never felt afraid.
The only thing I do when I stay travel on my own is stay in a little bit nicer hotels-somehow that makes me feel protected I guess..
I have not had any knee kissers-although I would welcome the guys that are into feet..a good footrub would be nice after all that walking..
Good luck-and always look like you know where you are going-older couples are the best when it comes to asking for help-they always have the best stories and are so sweet!

The most dangerous places (thiefwise) in most cities are the streets around bus and train stations and areas where tourists gather.Be extra careful there.
Outside cities most people are honest.
(same as home?)
There are no cities so bad you should avoid them, but some (eg Barcelona) are worse than others.

I felt safe when I was in Czech, Poland. Now I am going to travel South-East Europe (Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania). Any special suggestions? I'm not speaking about general cautions, but especially those for woman travelling alone. I would appreciate your advice.