solo travel

golf19

Basically, would like to start travelling solo but really concern about safety.. I would like to know are their places where single female traveller would feel completely safe and have no hassle? I think I need to start from somewhere and see that it's possible to have a good solo holiday.

tanith

Are you talking World wide travel?

Doshwaster

Good for you. Travelling solo is great fun. Why be stuck at home if just because you don't have anyone to go away with? If you haven't travelled much then I'd suggest starting with a few weekends away in Europe to get some confidence and experience before venturing further away.

One common piece of advice for solo women is to buy a very cheap "wedding" ring so that you can wear it when you want to fend off unwanted attention.

golf19

tanith wrote: »

Are you talking World wide travel?

Yes, outside of the UK. Need to recharge my batteries and also to see the world.

Doshwaster

golf19 wrote: »

Yes, outside of the UK. Need to recharge my batteries and also to see the world.

SE Asia is usually good for a solo traveller as you'll meet lots of likeminded people and it is good value too. Have a search for posts by "totallybored" who is a regular contributor about her travels in the region.

Worst areas would possibly be the Middle East and India where solo women can get a lot of hassle from locals and the authorities.

tanith

Yes start off short and closer till you get familiar and comfortable with things most of Europe should be safe and easy .

sazaccount

It all depends on your budget (and age slightly)...

My original plans (until a phone call from the hosp on monday has put them on hold :-( ) was to go travelling solo, I'm 26 I did some of Oz when I was 21/22 solo loved it as i wasn't stressing with the other girls if we had different on options on where to go.

My plan was to go to India first, I'm involved within girlguiding and there is a world centre in Pune I was going to visit. then Thailand for 5 weeks and then a week in cambodia then 6-8 weeks in oz and seeing some friends and then doing my working visa in NZ. I'm a confident person but can be quite and shy when meeting new people and I'm happy to sit and read a book or "getting lost" in a city than partying and drinking.

If you have the funds then I suggest possibly doing the east coast of Oz, you can either do a tour or do a hop on hop off type trip. Or you can travel Europe, I've some friends from oz who came over and did a Top Deck Euro tour and they loved it its a bit more chilled out than some of the tour companies.

Let us know what your thinking budget, age and what you want to see/do and we can go from there, but don't let being a solo female put you off as long as you are sensible, not getting blind drunk and can say a solid no youll be fine!!!
xx

SallyD

I started solo travelling in my 40's and now in my early 60's. I started off doing 4 day coach trips to Europe. My first full week away was to Austria for 7 days by plane - fabulous, that really got me going. The biggest bind of all is the "single supplement" but you can sometimes find for example with Cosmos/Travelsphere/Archers "room share" which I have done quite a few times. All the room shares I have done have been successful, like minded people wanting to see the world.
I have stayed at many youth hostels, especially abroad. Often city centre based, folk from all over the world and all ages. My first go it alone was Venice in the International Youth Hostel. Most hostels included your breakfast in the price and often have an evening meal choice. I am in touch with people that I have met in youth hostels and meet up regularly. The only place I ever felt uncomfortable travelling alone was in Nairobi, but hey, I don't have to go back.

ampersand

I would suggest taking Life membership with the YHA/HI [possible in instalments.
https://www.yha.org.uk/membership]: currently £47 p.a. x 5.

Knowing there is a safe roof to be under each night will free your mind and expand your sense of adventure and confidence.

Blasty-blast! Lost post, but now see SallyD advocating much the same:-). I am near same age-group too.

Do try.
#
Re-reading your post op, realistically, one can be hassled anywhere, but it's really not a 'what if' determinant of Life. basic sensible practice should be part of you anywhere, any time i.e. bag openings shut, kept close to body. Read the travel/banking advice forum, allow yourself time if you need a U.K. passport[n/a for me, fortunately], embrace the learning curves that experience will furnish. Isn't this why you want to travel? Clear browsing history if using internet away from home etc.etc. - all the basics become 2nd nature.

fufu_banterwaite

How old are you? I spent 18months travelling around the world from 2009 to 2011 and met plenty of single females travelling and none of them had had bad experiences.

As long as you have a bit of nous about you you will be fine, and the longer you travel for the more you will be able to deal with any situations that arise.

Also you won’t be on your own for long. I met so many people that in 18months I way I reckon I spent maybe a fortnight of that travelling truly on my own, the rest of it I spent with people I met in hostels and on buses/trains, etc, etc.

SailorSam

SallyD wrote: »

I started solo travelling in my 40's and now in my early 60's.

I'm 61 and was just about to post that i wished i'd had the bottle to throw some things in a rucksack and go and see some of the world when i was younger, but i'm to old now.
And then Sally i read your post, and you're the same age.