girl travelling solo tips!

symphonies

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Always carry a book!

Done and done! I always have a book with me regardless of where I'm going as I'm an avid reader!

symphonies

rainygreyhound wrote: »

I travel by myself quite a lot and I love the freedom it gives you. I do sometimes feel a bit awkward dining by myself but that's just me. I'm sure people don't even notice to be honest. There's plenty of reasons to be on your own in a restaurant. As mentioned, I always make sure I've got a book to read whilst waiting. I love Italy so I'd highly recommend Florence!

I think you're right. Most people probably don't even notice however because you feel so self conscious, you just think everyone's looking at you. I need to get out of that mindset!

Florence sounds very tempting!

symphonies

Doshwaster wrote: »

Good on you for wanting to travel alone. Why be held back just because your friends dont want to go to the same places you do?

There's a whole world out there to explore but if you have never gone solo before I'd suggest trying a few short breaks in major European cities before getting more adventurous with longer trips to more exotic destinations.

A lot of female solo travellers take a cheap (but fancy looking) ring with them so that they can slip it on to warn off any unwanted personal attention (or take it off it they want to encourage it...)

No matter where you go you will find loads of other independent travellers from all over the world. Just don't be shy in striking up a conversation - most people are happy to chat about where they have been, what their plans are and to share tips. Taking a book/Kindle is always a good backup but don't treat it as your only companion, there are loads of interesting people to meet out there (and a few crazy ones too but they are easy to escape from).

Exactly! My friends and I are quite different so it can be difficult when we all go on holiday together. Usually they tend to go to the beach and hit the clubs at night whereas I prefer to wander through the city, visit museums and sip coffee in quirky little cafes and go off the beaten track. Sometimes it does feel like I'm on a holiday by myself however, it's still comforting to know they're around. I think that's why I'm worried about going by myself because I know that if things go wrong, I can't call one of them up and ask to meet up asap.

Oh, that's a good idea about the ring! And I'm the chatty type so I think I'll be okay striking up conversations with people especially if they're female and speak English!

symphonies

zagfles wrote: »

Loads of people travel alone and it's probably about 50/50 male/female. I've met hundreds in my travels, check the tripadvisor forums for any place you're interested in and there'll be plenty of trip reports from people who went on their own.

Why rule out hostels? Most have private rooms if you don't want a dorm, and they are brilliant places for solo travellers. Hotels can be lonely places for solo travellers, they are usually full of couples & families, whereas hostels are full of independant travellers, and even those who aren't on their own are far friendlier than people in a typical hotel.

Typical hotel bar people will keep themselves to themselves, typical hostel bar people will get together with strangers for a drink and a chat.

Walking tours are a great way to see a city and meet people when you're travelling alone, they're usually cheap or even sometimes "free" (ie tips only).

Eating alone in a restaurant isn't that uncommon - plenty of business travellers do, you've probably just not noticed it. Especially in pub type places. But you're likely to meet people who are also travelling alone and find someone to go out and eat with (solo female travellers in particular seem to make friends very quickly with other solo female travellers and go do stuff with them for a few days)

I've heard horror stories about hostels from friends and friends of friends however, if the picture looks nice and it has good reviews, I suppose I wouldn't rule it out especially if the price was right. And I can understand why the people at hostels would be far more receptive/open to new encounters with fellow travels as like you said, most of them are solo travellers themselves.

I really like the idea of a walking tour and it's something I'll definitely take advantage of!

It'd be nice to find a dinner buddy but it doesn't work out that way then I'm sure I'll get through it with the aid of a book or a newspaper. I think the trick is to keep yourself occupied so you don't have a chance to sit at the table and feel self conscious.

symphonies

totallybored wrote: »

I'm female and went travelling on my own a couple of summers ago. I'd never done it before but I had a great time. I decided to be very adventurous and went overland through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. It turned out to be much easier that I thought so you'll be fine in Europe!

Things I'd advise are:

Take luggage you can carry, lift, put on public transport easily yourself. I'm used to having hubby do all the carrying for me.

Take a kindle and a smart phone. I found them invaluable for when I was in a bar or restaurant on my own. Both are places you normally go with someone else so they help keep you occupied. I was fine drinking in bars on my own which is something I'd never dream of doing here.

Take a bag that goes across your body to keep valuables in. I love designer bags but they're not practical when travelling on your own.

Book hotels that are walkable to the main sights if you can. I don't mind using public transport in other cities but when you're on your own as a female you don't always want a complex journey back to where you're staying late at night.

Don't feel obliged to talk to other solo travellers if you don't want to! I found loads of people tried to befriend me but you don't have to go for dinner with 55 year old Shiela from Melbourne if you feel the only thing you have in common is speaking English and being female!

Wow, Thailand is very adventurous! I hope I can get there someday! I think I'd try an English speaking far away place first like Canada or New Zealand before attempting places like Vietnam and Japan but it's something I definitely want to try!

Thank you for the tips! I'm a tiny person and a very light packer which is quite fortunate. I think I'll probably only have a rucksack, a wheely-draggy case and a long strapped bag that I'll wear cross body with the zip on the inside!

I definitely need to make sure my hotels are close to main attractions as it's much easier to walk than take a taxi. I suppose it's especially true in foreign places where you can't tell whether a taxi is licensed or not.

The smartphone/kindle idea is fantastic as I can always occupy myself if I feel self conscious. And it would be nice to have a dinner buddy but I don't think I'll be spending the entire day with them. But I won't think twice about (politely!) giving them the heave-ho if they get to friendly!

symphonies

Piggywiggy wrote: »

Keep a little bit of money in your bra just in case you get in a muddle.

Got it.

symphonies

dawyldthing wrote: »

I spent the last 2 weeks in Thailand on my own as me and my friend fell out. I'd say to book things if you can (there's nearly always someone to speak to). I often go to gigs, concerts and stuff on my own. Went to cheltenham on my own Wednesday as people couldn't come. Always keep your card/ passport on you and I always sleep on my bag to keep it safe. It's not too bad really. I'd suggest taking some music/ a book.

Enjoy!

Like I've mentioned to a few other people, my friends and I have very different tastes so it makes sense to go off by myself somewhere and do thing I want to do and not feel guilty about asking them if they want to come visit a gallery or catherdral with me, lol.

As for doing things like going to events on your own, hopefully it's something I'll be able to do more of back home as well. I can't tell you how many plays, concerts and movies I've missed because nobody wanted to come with me and/or couldn't find the time.

symphonies

Dr._Shoe wrote: »

Venice is a typical place for single females to travel to I gather. You could also think about Florence or Milan., or anywhere in Italy. Greece is a favoured destination too: think Shirley Valentine!

Eat in the hotel if you're self conscious about dining alone. You may even meet another girl in the same situation but as she's not a "mate" you won't feel compelled to spend the rest of the day with her. Dining companions are common in places where a lot of singles tend to go.

I did exactly this one holiday and met a lovely woman about the same age as me. She was slightly more posh than me but not so much so we didn't have much in common. We enjoyed our meals together but we didn't hang out at all.

Now that I've decided I'm actually really going to do this, it all sounds so tempting! Especially, Florence!

And that's another good idea - eating in hotels. However to vary it up a bit, I suppose I would bite the bullet and eat elsewhere. I'll just do as some other posters have suggested and keep myself occupied with a book or my phone.

It'd be nice to have a dinner buddy but we'll see what happens! Either way, I don't think I'll starve!

symphonies

pathtofreedom wrote: »

Maybe start with city breaks as you could get a lot of them with a £1500 budget and still even stay in hotels. It depends what sort of holiday you want though I guess, ibiza out clubbing would be a lot more expensive than rome or Venice just doing sight seeing type things.

I did Venice a few years ago and stayed in an apartment place I found on expedia. Do you want somewhere people will speak some english in shops etc or are you happy enough going less touristy or to somewhere where less english is spoken? I've been to Amsterdam a couple of times with friends before but am thinking of going again by myself soon as it is a lovely city.

Where ever you pick remember to check hotels etc through quidco / top cashback etc to help reduce the costs a bit.

Never been the party animal type. I'd prefer more of a sightseeing, cultural holiday which I guess works in my favour as it would be cheaper. To be honest, Ibiza sounds like my idea of a nightmare and a dream come true for all my friends (who happen to be the exact opposite of me!)

I don't mind if the people don't speak English as I'm more than happy to learn enough of the local lingo to get by! And I do like going off the beaten track and uncovering quirky little cafes and boutiques!

Amsterdam has always been somewhere that I've been pretty unsure about. I guess it's the stereotype. But if I hear people have had a lovely time there then I wouldn't rule it out.

Thanks for the tips - especially regarding the cashback sites!

mum2one

I didnt go abroad till I was 28... and I went by myself my first stop was Tunisia, since then Ive been to
Gambia, Cyrpus, Dom Rep, Turkey, Mexico, Tunisia, Prague.

The 1st tip I read was to wear a wedding ring, - this has been my best investment ever - from white lies, hubby lagging behind, hubby waiting for me....

If you can avoid school holidays your get a better place.

If you like beach as well as culture, I would say Cyprus, or Tunisia.

Tunisia - 3hr flight from Bham.

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I always use to get a brochere and look at single room supplement before I choose a hotel, but now the internet makes it a lot easier to price up.

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Top tip for any resort

Take a book - great for by the pool but also at bfast/dinner, you can use it as a marker for your table.

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Go your have a fab time xxx