Wonderful replies by all, but it's starting to seem weird that the OP has not checked back in since first posting...

why weird? she's a student. terminally self-absorbed.

my DD just started [well, last sat, 6 days ago] at university 300+ miles away. So far we've had one 5 minute phone call, I text, and one e-mail. I'm trying to think that this means she's having a good time, but not too good if you get my drift.

no news is good news.

regards, ann

It's a great thread in its own right, whether Sarah returns to read it or not. Maybe she doesn't have her own computer and has to use school or library? Who knows?

Going alone is not the issue -- there are advantages and disadvantages to having friends and/or family along. (without them, you are more open to interacting with those around you, etc.)

To me, the real concern is solo backpacking. If you can meet up with others you trust, fine. Personally, I have no problem traveling alone -- but I stay in safe hotels, take public transit (or cabs) with people around at appropriate times of day; etc.

Perhaps I am misreading you, but I think of backpacking as spending at least some time alone in more isolated circumstances -- which is where you are vulnerable to someone who is perhaps not as nice as typical Fodorites. Perhaps you have plans that keep you safe, but I'd take the safety issue very seriously.

Many people use the term "backpacking" refering to traveling the major cities of Europe, staying in hostels, and traveling low-budget. I do not believe it necessarily refers to hiking, camping, or being in isolated places in this use of the term.

There are more travellers in London now than us Brits!!!!

YOu'll meet people so easily, you may even decide to travel around Europe with some of them. Go with the flow and don't worry London is like any big city, keep your wits about you and you'll be fine.

Most of all enjoy it, so many others would love to do what you are about to do, it'll be an experience you'll never forget!

Happy Travels

Of course you should not travel alone. You should forgo this fantastic opportunity because there are no other nineteen year olds living / studying in London.

If I didn't travel alone I would never have been to

Argentina
Australia
Bali
Chile
Uruguay
many parts of the UK


Here's some news for your parents / friends

You can be raped anywhere, have your bag stolen anywhere etc. etc.

Be sensible, minimise the risks and have a fantastic time

My daughter set off alone on her RTW at age 18, spending five months in India, Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia, stopping briefly in Tokyo, and then across the US before returning to England.

Was I worried? Of course - that's a father's job. She returned home full of confidence, knowing she could fend for herself, and went on to get a good university degree. It was the best thing she could have done, IMHO.

By comparison, a semester in London and a summer backpacking in Europe will be a walk in the park. Go for it - you won't regret it.

Sarah,

I think you'll have a wonderful time traveling solo. I have no doubt that you'll meet other young people to spend some time with along the way. I suggest that you give your family a brief itinerary, and give them a call or e-mail every few days to let them know you're ok.
As far as safety, go with your gut feeling. I've always felt pretty safe, and I travel solo all the time.
I hope you have a great trip!

GO!!! I get the same reaction ALL the time (I'm 36 and a solo traveling female). I have been on 9 vacations ALONE over the past 5 years. The last big one was in February: I flew into london for 3 nts, then took the eurail to Paris for 5 nts. I too, have no knowledge of the french language or any other language for that matter. I knew no one and had only seen pics of europe. You will not get killed or raped BECAUSE you are a single female alone in a foreign country (for some reason, people always think this when you say you will be traveling alone). Use your street smarts as you would in ANY city when traveling by yourself (even your own). I generally stay in during the evening hours; but I actually strolled along the Seine (Paris) at 10:00 p.m. (again, by myself). The bottom line is you only live once...so do it but with smarts. You are not crazy. After all, when you truly, truly love to travel, it doesn't really matter whether you are in a group or going it alone. It's the true experience that counts and what you take from it.

check out my pics from my solo trip to london & paris www.myspace.com/desibroussard

frustrating when the original poster seems so concerned with a problem and everyone offers advice only to have it seemingly ignored.

Thank you all so much for your amazing replies!!!! I'm blown away by the encouragement I've found on this board! I'm sorry I didn't check back in sooner, I've had midterms this past week and that's kept me tied up in the library most of that time! I can't tell you how great it is to hear from smart/enthusiastic/encouraging/ travelling people! I'll definitely keep everyones safety tips in mind. Very little or no drinking for this gal one beer and I'm tipsy! I'll definitely send an itinerary(when I have one!) home to the family in case something happens, and use my everyday common sense like not walking around at three am in a shady area of town! I'm also happy to report that my mother has(very reluctantly) come around to the idea. My sister as well, she bought me a guidebook to Europe for my birthday. As for the rest, well, I can't live my life the way other people want me to. I'm going to Europe!!! AAAAH!

Thank you again for all of the encouraging replies! Fodorites rock! I will be writing soon with questions I'm sure!

Sarah

I just moved to Cambridge for my job; 23 yr old single, female. I didn't really know a soul before I got here, but it has been a fun adventure. I think the key in mental preparation, and it sounds like you'll be fine since you've considered even posting your thoughts. For my birthday last month I took my first long trip by myself to Norway. I found it relieving to be alone; it meant I could do what I wanted whenever I wanted, and I did. It was great! Generally can take pictures of you and you meet fascinating travelers from all over. I booked my accommadations through hostelworld.com as I have many time. They give honest ratings, and note the safety/ location/ fun %s. Nowadays with myspace and facebook, its actually hard to get lonely and you can share your travels with your friends from home instantly. I looking forward to a 2 week adventure through the alps for Christmas. One thing that helped me was before I left I took a couple weekend trips back in the States by myself to get used to doing activities alone. It takes a bit to get used to the mental shift, but after that it is great! Enjoy.

I too have traveled the world solo many times, including Antartica! Bring or buy lots of books and begin a travel log as soon as you leave and keep it up everyday. I so enjoy re-reading where I have been. Take extra memory for your camera and try to take a photo with a name of the place visible so you will be able to put the photo with a place. It is so easy to forget after being in so many places.

Be very careful in hostels, my god daughter went to Europe after graduation from college and was robbed of her wallet at a hostel. Fortunately I was in Italy and she met me in Lago di Como at my hotel for a lovely lunch and a refill with a new wallet.....

Go and have the best time you can, to stay in touch with my husband and daughter, I purchase a local sim card if staying in one country more than 1 week. Incoming calls do not use minutes in Europe, but make sure you first have your phone "unlocked" in he USA or thru yur provider to accept the sim card and make sure you have a 3 banded phone. When you get the new sim card it has its own telephone #, I email everyone I want to be in touch with and they can always phone me. Of course you can phone out, but be aware that calling the states is terribly expensive on cell phones.

Internet cafes are everywhere and very inexpensive, so it is a great way to stay in touch. You sound very mature and self reliant, go with your instincts and just have the best time ever. Make sure you have a way to access additional funds when needed, you WILL need them....

travel safe..

Sarah, the world belongs to those who have seen it. Enjoy.

A book you might like is "Travel That Can Change Your Life by Jeffrey A. Kottler, Ph.D.

Also, you might want to join the site "couchsurfing (dot) com" to meet people your age before you leave home. It is a new discovery for me but I'm hosted five travellers this past summer and have enjoyed every minute of it -- just wish I knew about such organizations before I spent a fortune on hotels over the years.

Practise your photography skills before you leave too. Check out the albums on Flickr (dot) com. You can show your friends that the most interesting photos do not include someone pointing to a statue or posing as a statue themselves.

And if anyone has ever met someone who can say "I'm sorry I ever travelled", have them contact me.

All the best and "happy trails".

I got the same reaction from most people when I told them about the trip I took back in April. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague, Krakow, Vienna, and Salzburg, all alone. Granted, my cousin did end up meeting me for Prague, Krakow, and Vienna, so I wasn't totally alone. It was nice to have the company in the more unfamiliar locations, but other than that I had a wonderful time doing exactly what I wanted to do.

I just told them I was excited and was going to be fine. I'm sure women get more concern directed at them.