Who Has Travelled Alone in Europe?
 

Hi . . . I'm getting cold feet about travelling alone to Europe this February. I want to know who, especially women, has travelled by themselves anywhere in Europe and is it safe for a woman alone? All I have to do is book my airfare now but I'm dragging my feet. The tours look very hectic and that's the one reason I wanted to try it alone. I need some encouragement and advise. My friends don't travel much, so that really just leaves me. My plans at the moment are Germay, Switzerland , and possibly Austria for 14 days. HELP!!

All over Scotland and England and some bits of Ireland, Spain and France. Absolutely no sweat.

You're not 14 are you?

Europe is generally a very safe place for a woman alone to travel and your itinerary are the three safest places in Europe, IMO, to travel. English is widely spoken and the train and air transport systems are excellent. I would encourage you to travel on your own. I live in Switzerland and often travel by myself throughout Europe. Never had a problem yet.

I've travelled alone on several occasions. Get some guidebooks and start planning what you want to see if you don't want to do a paid tour. Build some flexability into your plans; for example, don't be dogmatic about having to see a certain museum on a Tuesday morning--you might get there and discover it's closed for renovations.

As far as safety goes, I try to use good common sense that I'd use if I were visiting a large US city alone. This means I always have one hand over the zipper that would open my purse, I try to be very aware of my surroundings, etc. I have never had any problems and would very much recommend "going it alone".

Happy Travels,
BC

I'm single, live in the UK and have frequently jumped on a plane to places all over Europe - there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I've also spent long periods driving through the States on my own - and wouldn't think twice about doing so again.

Given your name, I'm assuming that you're from the States, so I have to ask whether you'd be worried about travelling there in an area you hadn't previously visited?

Me! I did! Well, Paris so far but enjoyed it sooooo much, I'm planning to go alone next time too. I have friends, and one special friend. Its strange, I REALLY enjoyed travelling alone.

I've travelled alone all over the UK, (scotland, England), France, Italy, Spain, a bit in Germany and Swtizerland. If you need encouragement, here it is!
"cold Feet" is a normal part of jumping in, but don't let it stop you! Use your common sense, and make sure you do research here to provide yourself with an easy way to call home if you need a familiar voice while you're travelling, and enjoy your trip!!!
Tallulah has a point, but I understand your hesitation, because for a woman who lives in the UK, Europe is alot closer to home than the US is, but I think your itinerary is a very good one, and you'll be fine! Good luck.

Hi Savannah-

Definitely go! I've been doing it since I was 19 years old. Been to England, Wales, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland by myself on many different trips.

The only concern I initially had was eating meals alone. But in the end, I just started talking to my fellow diners and had a great time most of the time.

MANY of us travel alone, and there are many threads here on this topic. The places I have been have been safe places, as far as I know, although any time I have been alone in larger cities (e.g., Palermo, Naples, Paris, Marseilles, Milan, Catania), or at train stations that just didn't feel right (Florence, Bergamo, believe it or not), I've been a little extra cautious. However, I have never been to the countries you are planning to visit.

Hi Everyone . . Thanks for answering so fast because I need to book my ticket soon. To Tallula(SP), I am from the US and have driven alone in the here to different places and never felt worried or had a problem. Like you and everyone else said . . . common sense prevails no matter where you are. I'm glad to hear that none of you had a problem and would do it again. My youngest daughter went backpacking around Europe by herself a while back and loved it. Well, I'm not going to over-think this and just do it. Thanks for the encouragement, it's much appreciated.

i'm 20, and when I was 19 I travelled twice to Europe alone, for 2 weeks the first time and one week the second. Been to London, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. Don't hesitate--not once did I encounter any problems, even when walking through the red light district in Amsterdam. Keep on your toes of course and if something doesn't feel safe, go someplace else, but honestly I was treated fine and respectfully everywhere I went. Several times I was somplace and made friends with other single female travellers--we're out there, that's for sure. Anxiously awaiting a third solo trip in February.

It's been fine for me so far. Maybe if you plan out your itinerary in detail, that will help you feel more confident.

It's funny you mention that you feel fine about travelling throughout the US alone..I actually feel the opposite way. I really haven't seen much of the US, and I've found that I don't feel as comfortable in certain places when I'm by myself. Generally, I feel more comfortable travelling alone to major cities then in smaller towns or not so major cities. (im from nyc and just moved to boston.)

Yes, to several cities in Italy and also to London.

Take the same precautions you would in any city. Travelling solo is quite wonderful in my experience. As an executive for a large firm, I travelled thoughout the US and Caribbean for 20 years on my own. So when it came time to vacation solo, it was not at all intimidating.

Savannah--One more vote to just go and have fun! I was a bit apprehensive before I left on my first international solo adventure and planned carefully and all went well. I had a great time and none of the stuff that worried me happened. Like you said yourself, don't over think it and have fun. It's really great travelling by yourself. You wake when you want, do as much or as little as you like and people are so much more friendly and helpful when they see you're travelling on your own.

Enjoy!!
OWJ

I have traveled solo/female to Amsterdam, Geneva and the Vaud region nearby, Paris, and Venice (not all on the same trip). I never encountered any problems. I book my air tickets and make hotel reservations but other than that I wing it.

My best advice is to pack light! One 22" rolling suitcase plus one medium tote or pocketbook. You will be so thankful for ease of movement, plus I figure it's an added safety feature to look and be in control of yourself and your stuff.

I would never do a tour because there's no way I'm getting up at the crack of dawn on my vacation to bus around with a bunch of strangers and eat in bad restaurants (harshly stated I realize, but that's the way I feel).

I find traveling alone to be an incredible freedom (do what you want when you want to). Carry a good paperback novel. Practice eating in a restaurant alone at home before you go, if that's a concern.

Treat with a grain of salt any negatives you hear from friends who don't travel themselves.

Every few weeks - UK, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Greece. I often feel safer in Europe than I do at home.

Check out www.journeywoman.com for advice and inspiration on travelling alone.

My travel companions are dropping like flies so I am considering going over there alone too. I don't think I will be afraid but I think I might be lonely. I have been afraid in the USA many times all of my life. I live where there are race riots that don't get mentioned the the newspapers and murders every night. I don't know what Europeans can do to top that so I won't be afraid I surmise.

Look at my thread "what if I die on my vacation" if you want to be cheered up.

We just returned from our first trip to Italy. Traveled with my husband and two teenagers.

I am definitely going back. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all being on my own...in fact I might prefer it..(grin)

I've travelled to Greece, Spain, Ireland & Italy on my own. Loved it! You can be completely selfish and do what you want to do. Just use common sense, don't go out alone at night, wear money belt. Planning ahead makes for pretty stress free as well. Book hotels/B&Bs and know where they are/ how to get there. Ejoy!

I haven't yet traveled alone, but am in the process of planning a solo trip to Paris. Like you, I have had reservations about it, but I've copied every Fodors thread about solo travel, and reading them has eased my fears and gotten me really excited about doing it on my own. Doing what I want when I want and not having to consider someone else's likes and dislikes sounds pretty appealing to me! I say go for it!

I've traveled to Germany, Prague, Paris and London by myself and loved it. The one drawback--mostly, on your first time doing it--is getting used to eating alone. After that it should be a snap. Actually, now I try to see who else I might know in the destination I'm headed to so I can meet them for a meal, which is a great way to enjoy a meal and company but not have to be committed to an entire trip with them.

The one big thing that will happen is that you'll be spoiled by the freedom of travelling alone! The next time I had to travel with a companion (a coworker, in fact), I found myself getting annoyed and feeling like she was holding me back.

This eating alone issue. I don't understand. Are you all "coupled"?
I am divorced, but still feel the need to eat dinner. I go out often and plenty of times by myself.
As I work for a living, I go out to lunch nearly everyday. On "bad" days, its my desire to eat alone and simply read or work a crossword.
It occurred to me quite a few years ago that with the advent of "professional women" and travelling the world doesn't pay the lone woman much attention at all. (If anything, the periodic a wistful longing admiring look...the leer, the friendly nod...)
NOT ONCE, not once, did I ever hear "oh that poor soul...what's wrong with her...she's alone."

When I was 20 I travelled alone to Belgium, Netherlands and France. Later in my mid 20s, I travelled alone all over Great Britain. I never had a problem and met a lot of nice people. My recommendation - stay at B&B, guesthouse type places - great for meeting people and the owners seem to take a special interest in helping single travellers. Just use common sense (i.e. Don't wander around strange areas late at night) and you will be fine. Don't take a tour - way too hectic!

SusieC, I think that a lot of women are use to going to a restaurant with a husband, a companion or a co-worker from the office etc.

My stepdaughter had to start traveling with her employement requirements. She was fine with everything but the eating dinner alone. I suggested she slip a pocketback book in her bag, or since she is always worrying about making list of "to do things" maybe a notepad and pen.

Anyway, she now breezes into restaurants, orders a nice glass of wine and dinner and usually just sits and enjoys the enviroment and completely relaxes and enjoys her dinner.

Think the idea perhaps of eating out a bit a home before traveling alone is a good idea if one lives in a somewhat big city. If one lives in a small town I believe it will feel more uncomfortable if one lives in an area that is real family oriented.

When I lost my DH and tried to sit at an outside cafe and even have a cup of coffee by myself (small family oriented town) I was asked even two weeks later "if I was alright because I had been seen by myself". Good grief. Would go to SF and no problem, I think half of SF residents are unattached. Actually do not know the percentage but think you get the gist of what I am trying to convey.

One activity that might help a person new to traveling alone is bringing some postcards along with them to the restaurant. One can write those while enjoying their drink and waiting for dinner. I have noticed in Italy women on their own doing that.

Have also noticed within five minutes women on their own are having a pleasant conversation with someone.

So dear travelers, listen to all the great ideas on this thread and just go!
Once you do your only problem after that will be to find the money and the time to take another vacation and then the big decision, where to go to next.

Happy solo traveling ((*))

>>>>The one big thing that will happen is that you'll be spoiled by the freedom of travelling alone! The next time I had to travel with a companion (a coworker, in fact), I found myself getting annoyed and feeling like she was holding me back. <<<

Heh. Yes, this is my biggest problem with traveling alone! I get spoiled. I LOVE to travel alone. Went on my first big trip at 20. Went to Prague, London, all over Italy, Ireland, France, Switzerland, and Germany. I had a blast and for the most part prefer traveling alone. I never have had a problem eating alone. In fact, I enjoy that as well since I can bring my book or people watch or make new friends!

Have a great trip!

..have travelled alone many times as well as in tamdem and with family and friends...a few suggestions. travel light (already recommnded) and choose your hotel with some care. I would suggest a central hotel in a good neighborhood..reason- cuts down on taking cabs back at night and you are bound to find good neighborhood restaurants. I also choose small hotels..they may not have all the ammenities but often have a helpful staff who seem to go over backwards to help out (or so I have found).. Take a tour bus day trip if you find something you would like to do..sometimes you can meet fellow travellers..I met a great couple from NZ who were old enough to be my parents. Met them for dinner the next day and we still exchange Christmas cards.. I took a 1 day cooking class (because I enjoy cooking) and again met some interesting people and we subsequently met for drinks..So go for it!

I agree with the comments of the other posters! I've been to Germany, Holland, many times to London, many times to Paris and other parts of France - and each trip has been wonderful. I LOVE to travel alone, and avoid going with anyone else. In the beginning, I was a little uncomfortable eating in nice restaurants alone, but not anymore. I have done a few tours before I attempted the trips to Europe on my own.
While I did enjoy those, I much prefer these trips on my own, and will do it this way as long as I'm able (I'm not getting any younger, if you get my drift). While I was married, we mostly visited family, and he would not have enjoyed Europe (unless someplace on a golf course). These trips alone to Europe have been so liberating for me.
DO IT! And then be sure to write a trip report on here about how glad you were that you did. And by the way, DO
research alot beforehand, and DO pack light.

Oh, Suzie, I should clarify....I'm not coupled but I guess on my first solo trip I was still hanging on to that American hang-up of needing to eat in public with someone. It was just that initial trip. But I'm over that now and enjoy it! I also love meeting new people while dining alone.....especially at Le Sancerre in Paris!