Travelling alone

katejo

I do my solo trips in the summer as it is easier to eat alone at an outside caf! than inside a restaurant.

zagfles

bugslet wrote: »

I don't mind spending time on my own abroad, but I hate eating an evening meal on my own. That's the one thing that holds me back.

Lots of solutions to this one.

Have your main meal at lunchtime, lots of people eat alone at lunchtime in cafes/bars. Grab a snack in the evening

Don't dine "alone", find a pub/restaurant with wifi and Skype your friend/relative/spouse/mum

Stay somewhere with self catering eg a hostel and cook your own meal. You'll likely to find others doing the same who you can have a chat with while cooking/eating.

Though I've never found eating alone in restaurants a problem - I've done it enough while travelling on buisiness. You won't be gawped at or have people people sorry for or thinking you're billy no mates, really. No-one will care, if that's what you're worried about. Take a book or newspaper to read, or listen to music on your phone.

But when travelling alone I don't usually go to resturants, tend to have sandwiches, fruit and on-the-go type food rather than sitting down for a meal most days.

AubreyMac

bugslet wrote: »

I don't mind spending time on my own abroad, but I hate eating an evening meal on my own. That's the one thing that holds me back.

I'm planning my first solo trip and this is something I've been thinking of.

Lunch time is usually fine but the evening meal I think could be a bit daunting. Especially in busy restaurants.

AubreyMac

zagfles wrote: »

Lots of solutions to this one.

Have your main meal at lunchtime, lots of people eat alone at lunchtime in cafes/bars. Grab a snack in the evening

Don't dine "alone", find a pub/restaurant with wifi and Skype your friend/relative/spouse/mum

Stay somewhere with self catering eg a hostel and cook your own meal. You'll likely to find others doing the same who you can have a chat with while cooking/eating.

Though I've never found eating alone in restaurants a problem - I've done it enough while travelling on buisiness. You won't be gawped at or have people people sorry for or thinking you're billy no mates, really. No-one will care, if that's what you're worried about. Take a book or newspaper to read, or listen to music on your phone.

But when travelling alone I don't usually go to resturants, tend to have sandwiches, fruit and on-the-go type food rather than sitting down for a meal most days.

Lots of good tips here.

As for skyping friends, that will depend on time zone. Doubt many of my family or friends will be happy being at being called to keep me company for a meal at 4am

Doshwaster

AubreyMac wrote: »

I'm planning my first solo trip and this is something I've been thinking of.

Lunch time is usually fine but the evening meal I think could be a bit daunting. Especially in busy restaurants.

Eating alone has never bothered me. I'm hungry and I want to eat so why should I care what other people think?

Maybe the sort of high end "romantic" restaurant where you might go with a partner would be a bit odd but there are always loads of pubs, cafes where you get a lot of solo diners. My top tip is to sit at the bar rather than a table as you always get talking to the staff or other punters.

usernameisvalid

When DH worked away from home for years I got used to eating out alone

Didn't cost me a thought to walk into a busy resturaunt and ask for a table

It was easier to eat out then to cook myself a meal and sit at home alone


My iPhone was great company if I got a rubbish table. Mostly though I'd end up chatting to those at the next table or just people watched through the window.

I've never travelled abroad alone but I 'sight saw' this country alone when we moved here. I like chatting to strangers and I'm happy with my own company so for me it's relatively easy

If I'm unsure of an area, a meal in a shopping mall suffices

Gloomendoom

AubreyMac wrote: »

I'm planning my first solo trip and this is something I've been thinking of.

Lunch time is usually fine but the evening meal I think could be a bit daunting. Especially in busy restaurants.

I used to travel alone on business and I always found a newspaper eased the ordeal of eating dinner alone. You do get used to it though.

bugslet

Doshwaster wrote: »

Eating alone has never bothered me. I'm hungry and I want to eat so why should I care what other people think?

Maybe the sort of high end "romantic" restaurant where you might go with a partner would be a bit odd but there are always loads of pubs, cafes where you get a lot of solo diners. My top tip is to sit at the bar rather than a table as you always get talking to the staff or other punters.

I eat at night in restaurants on my own when I'm away for business, doesn't bother me in the slightest, but by then I'm probably in the mood for a bit of decompression on my own. Occasionally I'll pop out at home on my own and eat out if I CBA to make something myself.

Going away though, I think it's missing someone to talk over the day with. I like the idea of eating at the bar though - good idea!

And zagfles idea, I like the idea of a main meal at lunchtime - I prefer a bigger meal then anyway.

Thanks to all for the thoughts.:)

heatherw_01

I travel alone most of the time and love it. Been to New York alone 4 times too

FreeBear

Biggest bugbear I have with traveling solo is the "single supplement" charged on rooms. As a result, I'll often take a tent and camp instead. Not so easy with city breaks.