Has anyone taken a trip to Europe solo?

[mcsangel2]

I mean really solo, no tour groups. Tell me about it! DH is a very willing travel partner, but we are restricted due to one of our pets needing twice daily medication (getting someone else to do it is not feasible). So we can only go somewhere together for two days, or we are free to travel separately or with a friend. DH fortunately has a single friend who's up for going everywhere. I don't. 

I have tons of places in Europe I still want to see! Part of me thinks it's not worth it without someone to share it with, part of me thinks being solo might be better when going to museums and places like that. 

Not sure what I think about the safety aspect. The most reasonable choice for me is London, as I have been there twice and am familiar, and we have family that lives there (but I wouldn't stay with them). I also want to see more of Scotland, but I'd rather go somewhere I haven't been, Amsterdam is on the top of that list.

[mich1]

Yes. I started out with friends, but splintered off by myself and went alone to Paris. It was incredibly liberating, as I realized that I could do this by myself. Then I went to Turkey and Greece alone a few years later. I stopped in Paris for several days again on my way back.

Safety wise, I tried to keep to well traveled areas. The first trips, I really tried to make sure I was back in my hotel before dark (in Paris, Athens and Istanbul). I did go out one night to the ballet in Paris and I should have taken a cab home.

[just]

I've done a couple recently in Europe - Paris, Rome specifically.

I'm from Ireland, so when I was living at home, obviously I was often in Dublin alone, but also - Many places in Ireland, London, Edinburgh, others in the UK, parts of Crete, Portugal, etc.

Regardless, I've never felt anymore scared in Europe than I was in the US. I grew up in a city so being back before dark isn't something I've felt the need to stick by as long as I know my routes.

I've done many parts of asia alone too. I love travelling alone, and think the biggest thing for your confidence is preparation, and somewhere you're 100% comfortable in to sleep. Even if I have a scary moment or two during the day, knowing that my hotel is safe and comfortable, makes a huge difference.

[rupertpenny]

I did two trips to Europe alone in my early 20s and have been back alone more recently for conferences.

Overall, I don’t worry about personal safety much in Europe. I think pickpocketing and ATM skimming type stuff is still the biggest risk. Especially if you aren’t getting wasted on pub crawls like I was at 22. Just be smart and stay aware of your surroundings just like you would at home.

If you’re really worried about safety I would look into Asia. I walk around Hong Kong at all hours of the day and night and have never felt unsafe at all.

Anyway, have fun! I’m a little jealous. I love solo travel and I never get to do it anymore besides an occasional work trip. It’s so nice to be able to do whatever you want to and you aren’t as obvious a tourist when you aren’t conversing in English very few minutes.

[dragon's breath]

If taking my teenager is still "solo", I have. A few nights/days he was done, so stayed in the room, while I walked around and explored by myself, sometimes until midnight or 1 am (looking at you, Bruges!)

I've felt pretty safe in every place I was. I walked around Berlin by myself late at night, around Krakow during the evening/night/day all by myself, as well as Paris, Bruge, Munich, and Edinburgh. I'm sure there were more, but those I specifically remember venturing out solo for at least a few hours.

I'm looking at my future trips being completely solo, and while I'll miss taking my son with me, I'm kind of excited for the adventure.

[GilliC]

I took a short trip to Sardinia on my own a few years ago. It was a pretty lazy vacation (I read on the beach, did some scenic drives in the area, and ate a lot).

On the more traditional city sightseeing front, I moved to Paris for three months for an internship when I was 20. Obviously I didn't stay solo for too long, because I made friends and started spending time with them, but I did most of the touristy sightseeing stuff on my own.

Overall, I definitely prefer city sightseeing and cultural attractions when I'm traveling solo. I can explore museums at my own pace without having to wait around for someone else (or make them wait for me), and if there's lots to see and do, then I don't miss having someone around to talk to. In more rural areas, I prefer a more active trip, but I still get a bit nervous when I'm hiking alone (I'm prone to ankle injuries), so I have to stick to shorter trips on popular routes where I can be sure someone will pass by if something happens.

[pittpurple]

I live in Europe so the flights and such are quicker but I've gone on a few solo trips - or been on my own a few days then met up with a friend. I feel much safer in the majority of European areas than being on my own in the states and cities in particular are so easy that I wouldn't hesitate to go anywhere on my own. I'm planning a long weekend in Malta on my own now and am very excited. I personally prefer being on my own in a city than in the countryside just because I don't love driving.

English is more and more widely spoken so pretty much any major city will be manageable nowadays if that's something you'd find stressful. Anywhere with the Latin alphabet is easier for looking up translations of course, but there are tons of options. Since you've been to London, I'd look at other options - there's so much to see!

I'd happily go to Barcelona, Florence, Venice, Rome, Paris, Brussels, Munich - just as a starting point. And I live in Edinburgh so recommend here as well :-)

[emilyinchile]

Go somewhere new! I've been to London, Berlin and Moscow by myself. Moscow was the hardest since I don't speak Russian, and I was told that the average person on the street doesn't speak English, so I couldn't just stop people to ask them for directions or something like that, but it was still fine. Enough restaurants had English menus and at least one person who spoke English for me to manage to feed myself, and I'd just set off each day with a clear idea of where I wanted to go. London is obviously suuuuper easy, as you know. Berlin is also easy, plenty of signs in English and people speaking English.

Are you worried about anything in particular, or are you just kind of generally nervous because you haven't traveled alone before? You mention safety, but as I'm sure you know, many places in Europe are safer than places that you wouldn't think twice about going in the US. Of course there are dangerous places and situations in every big city, but beyond keeping your purse close to avoid pickpocketing, I wouldn't worry about most touristy areas of most major European cities. As far as wanting someone to share things with, I get that, and there are for sure places I'd rather go with a partner. But traveling alone can also be really freeing and fun. I vote you go to Amsterdam, if you've been wanting to, and I bet that after this first trip you'll feel totally confident to keep exploring more.

[osumelissa]

Go and have fun!! I took my first solo trip in December 2013 because I needed to escape for a week after separating from my XH. I went to London and had the best time. It was so nice getting to do exactly what I wanted when I wanted without having to compromise with a travel buddy. In June 2014, I went to Scotland and England for three weeks by myself - I traveled via train between destinations, met some really great people along the way, and again got to do what I wanted. This past June, I took myself to Ireland for 10 days to celebrate my 35th birthday. I rented a car and drove myself (the first couple of hours were me clutching the wheel since I don't drive here in the States much, but by the end of the first day I felt like a pro...lol). Again another fantastic trip.

I have never felt unsafe on my solo trips. However, I don't stay out late, and if I am going to have a couple of beers at a pub, I tend to pick ones close to my hotel or AirBNB. Also, I tend to bring a book to read at a restaurant/pub/bar, but I do that here in DC where I live. Other than that, I do what I do here at home - use cross body bags, am aware of my surroundings, walk with a purpose, and don't have my phone out.

Amsterdam is a great city, so I think that would be a great choice for a first solo trip. English is widely spoken and the trams are easy to use. Plus lots of museums and things to do to keep you busy. My boyfriend and I went to Amsterdam last February and we split up for one of the days we were there so we could do our own thing. I will also ditto a PP about Edinburgh - fantastic and I found being a solo traveler there easy.

I'm thinking about doing Portugal on my own in the fall.

[steamboat185]

I spent sometime in Croatia alone and also did a trip to Ireland and Paris alone. Aside from eating dinner alone, the rest is NBD. It’s fun to do whatever I want whenever.

[majesty318]

I have been to Spain alone twice and more recently, Paris & Amsterdam. I LOVE traveling alone - you get to do whatever you want! I enjoy sitting for lunch with my Kindle, and I always do a food tour and sometimes other walking tour types of things to meet people.

The Couchsurfing app is also useful. In addition to its main purpose of finding a couch to sleep on (no thank you), they often have events in big cities (weekly party in Paris, for instance) and you can also use it to say something like "going to the museum, who wants to join?"

I never feel unsafe and especially not in Amsterdam. It's very walkable and everyone was friendly.

[mrsukyankee]

When I was in my early 30s I went to London and Paris all on my own. Not a problem in the least. I love travelling on my own and, if my H wasn't into travelling as much as I was, I'd do it now. There's enough of us International Nesties around in almost every location (or they lived in them) that we can give suggestions about doing stuff on your own.

Oh, and I've never, ever worried about safety when walking around in any European city as a lone female - I've done it a lot even when travelling with others as I need alone time.

[dutchgirl678]

I grew up in Europe and every since high school I have done lots of solo trips. I have been to Vienna, Budapest, Rhodes (Greece), London. I think if you venture out of London and English-speaking countries, you will be fine and have a blast! Bigger cities like Barcelone, Sevilla, Paris, Rome, are super easy to get around and have a great time on your own.

[Deleted]

I've never done Europe alone, but I do a solo trip at least 1-2 times per year.
Most recently the past 2 years I've gone to Montreal, Colombia and Ecuador alone. I also traveled around S Africa alone when I lived there.
I love traveling alone to cities and exploring on my own.
If there's somewhere that you want to go, traveling solo shouldn't stop you and I don't think you should limit it to Europe if there are also other places you want to go.

[alleinesein]

I've been all over Germany on my own and had no issues aside from some minor language stuff in former East German cities. I did meet up with friends a few times but spent most of the trip alone. I was there to go to a bunch of concerts so I was out late at night and sometimes in parts of the city that were industrial and deserted at night.

London is super easy to do solo but it is a great city to explore with another person.

[dearprudence]

I did in my 20s and I loved it. I loved being able to do what I wanted without worrying about what other people wanted to do. It was a fantastic experience and I think it gave me a lot more confidence in myself.

I left friends in Amsterdam and traveled to Cologne, Vienna, and Prague.

I didn't have any safety concerns once I was actually in the cities, because it's the same as being by yourself in any city. Overnight train travel made me nervous, because I shared a sleeping car, but I always lucked out with the other people who ended up there.

[mcsangel2]

::super jealous of everyone::

Your stories make me less nervous! Of course, I always get nervous anyway, whenever I go somewhere in Europe I haven't been before (especially if it's not an English speaking country).

I might get a cousin to go with me to Amsterdam, which would be ideal, I think. Otherwise, it'd probably be a tossup between going to Amsterdam and going (back) to London, or maybe Scotland again. I've been to Edinburgh, but would like to go again and go to Inverness too. But the list of things I haven't seen yet in London is longer. So it becomes a question of, do I use my valuable vacation $$ to go somewhere I've already been twice but is easier to navigate, or go somewhere new (and deal with the nerves of possible getting around issues and possible language issues which of course are not as likely in AMS than other places in Europe).

And then I have to deal with DH getting a little pissy about me possibly doing this, lol. He's got a friend who's bugging him to go with him to Toronto this year, and also plan a big trip to Tokyo. I'm 50/50 with Tokyo so it might make more sense for him to go with his friend. I asked him, of all the places on my list, which was he least interested in, and that's Amsterdam. He definitely wants to see Berlin and Vienna (and all three are at the top of my list). But then his friends who've been to AMS said how cool it is, and he kind of wants to see it now.

He doesn't care about London, because he has family in England and has been there a bazillion times. I asked how he'd feel if I went to Paris (we were went in 2010) again, on my own, and he's not sure because he wants to go there again too. Ugh.

[pittpurple]

mcsangel2, is Tokyo an option for you? Because it's amazing. And unless you have firm plans to visit all the places on your list in the very short future, I wouldn't put off anything because one day you might want to go together. There are a million places to visit and revisit so I'd just take advantage of the time / money you have now and do what you can today instead of thinking always about what might happen later if that makes sense.

Personally, given how many options there are, I'd look at what are the best / cheapest flights you can get somewhere in Europe (skyscanner is great for this) and go there!

Amsterdam honestly is pretty much English-speaking. There are millions of tourist and everything is in English. I have friends from England who lived in Leiden for years and barely learned Dutch as it was genuinely difficult to find a time when it was needed. The only places I've been where English wasn't helpful at all is various rural places in Italy and France, Tokyo, Beijing in parts and some of our experiences in India. I've been all over Europe for weekends with my husband, friends or on my own and speak nothing else and it's never been a real issue. Pointing and smiling will get you almost anything!

[mrsukyankee]

I would go somewhere different (even though I obviously love London). I'd suggest Barcelona or somewhere in Italy, like Florence or Rome. Both VERY easy to deal with on your own and w/o speaking English. If my parents could handle both areas, then almost anyone could. And Amsterdam is one of the easiest places to go as an English speaker.

[mcsangel2]

Jan 31, 2018 4:36:19 GMT -5 pittpurple said:

mcsangel2 , is Tokyo an option for you? Because it's amazing. And unless you have firm plans to visit all the places on your list in the very short future, I wouldn't put off anything because one day you might want to go together. There are a million places to visit and revisit so I'd just take advantage of the time / money you have now and do what you can today instead of thinking always about what might happen later if that makes sense.

Personally, given how many options there are, I'd look at what are the best / cheapest flights you can get somewhere in Europe (skyscanner is great for this) and go there!

Amsterdam honestly is pretty much English-speaking. There are millions of tourist and everything is in English. I have friends from England who lived in Leiden for years and barely learned Dutch as it was genuinely difficult to find a time when it was needed. The only places I've been where English wasn't helpful at all is various rural places in Italy and France, Tokyo, Beijing in parts and some of our experiences in India. I've been all over Europe for weekends with my husband, friends or on my own and speak nothing else and it's never been a real issue. Pointing and smiling will get you almost anything!

Tokyo is way down on my list, but at the top of my DH's list. I meant, when that time comes, I may or may not go with my DH and his friend.

There are a lot of European cities on my list. Most of them, DH is interested in too and mostly I don't want to go without him. But I'm considering it in our situation for one time for a place he's not so keen on . 

We went through something similar with another pet for several years. When she passed in May 2016, we quickly put together a trip to the UK for September. The pet who is requiring our care now is only likely to be with us for another year or so. It's just there are so many cities I want to see and I always intended to see as many as I could before I retired (20 years to go).

[Shreddingbetty]

Can't you just do a recon trip to places he wants to go as well? Plus places like Paris there is so much to do that it's not like you can all do it in one trio anyway. And as long as you don't care about going again sometime then who cares.

I haven't done true solo trips but last summer spent a month in Europe with my 7 y/o and the summer before that 2 weeks after my H went back home. We mostly went visiting family and friends but I drove 2000 miles in 2 weeks going from Paris to Normandy to Switzerland to the Netherlands then back to Paris. It was awesome other than the several speeding tickets but at least I don't lose points there. . We spent a fair amount of time in Paris and I don't know why but I feel pretty safe there even at night as long as you don't go to desolate areas. We went to dinner with a friend and he lived completely opposite way and didn't think twice about taking the metro back and walking back to the apartment at almost midnight because most those areas are well frequented. My aunt thinks I'm nuts but of course when we were visiting my cousin in downtown Paris she thought we were crazy for taking the metro at 10 pm and that was when my H was with us so she drove us home instead.
Amsterdam is similar in that a lot of places are busy at night as well. I think the biggest problem is pickpockets really. So you just have to be aware of your surrounding and not look like a complete tourist and when people try to stop you because of possible scams you just keep walking and don't engage (sometimes I will just say shit to them in Dutch chances are they don't understand that anyway outside of the Netherlands)
I love traveling with just my kid. It was so nice and easy. I could do what I wanted for the most part as long as my kid approved (sometimes we had to negotiate lol)
I wouldn't mind traveling alone either really. Ive come to appreciate just being able to do what you want to without having to worry about anyone else. It's pretty liberating.