Solo Travel: Pros and Cons
Many people are reluctant or nervous to travel alone. Share your tips on traveling alone safely, economically...and without being lonely.
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Traveling Solo
I actually just traveled for the first time alone last year: two short trips to the Mainland USA. They were very short trips that started with a group both times, then I veered off on my own. I rented a car and although somewhat nervous, it was great. I have to say MapQuest is a livesaver! Never got lost. I do absolutely love the freedom of being on my own and doing what I wanted when I wanted, but because I've been on quite a few road trips with a friend in past years, did miss the shared experiences, as well as just talking to someone. I ended up making a lot more conversation with waitresses, cashiers, hotel personnel, etc. and I'm sure my mom appreciated hearing from me a lot more often than usual. Meals might have been uncomfortable, but I made it a point to eat before the usual busy hours, and that made it a lot more comfortable. I also ordered take-out a few times and ate in the comfort of my room. I'm planning on going to New Zealand next year to celebrate my birthday, and if I can't find a travel companion, won't hesitate to do it on my own.
Sarah <email>
Wahiawa, HI USA 06/29/2009
Dining alone
I too enjoy the freedom of traveling alone. However, I agree with some of the other posters that dining alone can be uncomfortable.
I have found that I feel more comfortable at a restaurant with bar seating. Many of the bigger hotels have restaurants with bars.
Tom <email>
Phoenix, AZ USA 06/24/2009
I've never truly traveled "alone" except for 5 or so days I spent in Amsterdam a couple of years ago. The best part was not having a set schedule, not having to worry about seeing or doing things for the sake of another person, or "meeting up" at specified times.
However, with that having been said, it is sometimes nice to have one person (be it a spouse or best friend) to share certain moments in travel with. There are some things you encounter while travelling, things so precious and beautiful, that you almost feel selfish for enjoying them alone.
KC <email>
San Leandro, CA USA 06/10/2009
dining alone
I was in Rome several years ago and I ran into the same problem - single diner and turned away. Rather "glad" to hear it wasn't just me. I am considering one of Rick's tours but the dinners on own are a concern. Has anyone tried to make a reservation for one rather than just show up and ask for a table?
Lynn Harris <email>
Hastings-On-Hudson, NY USA 05/25/2009
Women Solo Travelers
Wearing a fake wedding ring is a great idea! From now on when I travel, I'm going to pack a wedding ring because it never fails that I'm hit on by men whenever I vacation.
Brenda
Washington, DC USA 05/19/2009
Solo Travel
I usually wear a "fake" wedding ring and if someone asks about my "husband" I tell them he's: taking a nap, ate too much of the good local food, doing some solo shopping, he's not feeling well, too much sun,etc. Keeps in being polite, and can ward off unwanted attention/potential problems.
USA 05/15/2009
Solo through Spain, France and Italy
Hi. I am a Spaniard who lives very close to the France/Spain border, in the beautiful Ampurdán -Empordá in catalan- region. I have visited quite a few countries here in Europe -and the nice Eastern Coast of USA-, but, by far, my favorite trip experience is taking my old car and driving solo my wonderful Mediterranean "arch": from Ampurdán (Northern Mediterranean Spain) to Tuscany (Central Mediterranean Italy) and back. Of course, with stopovers in Provence, Cote d'Azur ...
During the last years, due to circumstances beyond my will, I have been forced to travel alone and I discovered THIS WAY OF TRAVELING IS GREAT. Ok, it has some pitfalls, but experiencing FREEDOM throughout this beautiful part of the World makes me to live. This part of Europe represents no problem for solo travelers. Good accomodation, extraordinary food -the best restaurant in the Word, Ferran Adria's "El Bulli" is in Cala Montjoi, Ampurdán, close to my house, and from here to Lascio there is a chain of outstanding restaurants, of every price level-. I would like to explain you, step by step, all the "hits" and "must-see" of my routes, but this few lines is getting too long and, sadly, my English is too short.
Best regards, and if you can, take or rent a car and travel through this varied and rosmarined and olive-oiled and charming and garlicly (?)and sunny part of the World.
Mestre de Cabestany <email>
Girona, Spain 05/12/2009
Being Alone & Making it Clear as Such
@Claire - I can relate to wanting to be alone and sometimes shunning unwanted attention from those who assume I want company. I do the old "I don't speak your language" thing. Of course, to make this work you have to know or feign another foreign language. For example, when in Holland I use Italian, "Mi dispiace, non parlo..." and the person who either speaks Dutch or English or German usually leaves me be. On the other hand, with men I just usually put on a confident front and act as much as I can like a local an I have never had too much trouble.
In regards to the comment about dining alone from earlier posts, I can say I have never been turned away from a cafe or restaurant BUT I have occasionally had the experience of the host of a restaurant trying to seat me at a table with strangers!
In some cases this has been quite awkward. Once in Amsterdam a host tried to seat me with a British couple who positively recoiled when they overheard the host's suggestion, as they were clearly enjoying an intimate meal with wine and candlelight. To their relief I was only getting a couple beers and take away so seated myself outside.
I can only assume that some countries take solo diners as in need of company? The whole family style concept I guess. Nice but terrible awkward for most Westerners!
Nina Lyon
Morgan Hill, CA USA 05/06/2009
Remaining solo while solo
If solo travellers have suggestions for remaining solo, I'd love to hear them. Perhaps this sounds anti social-but when I travel alone, I really do prefer to travel alone. Why do people think it's OK to just come up and being talking to you (in fairness, I'm a young woman and these are generally young men, so maybe it's just the obvious). I really don't like having to brush them off-- I really just want to be left to myself. If anyone has suggestions for being seen as unapproachable, please do share.
Claire
Houston, TX USA 05/03/2009
Traveling solo has its own rich rewards!
Ellen, by all means do it! I traveled solo to Italy last year, and it was an amazing experience. I stayed in Rome, Florence, and Venice and used Florence as a home base to explore some smaller Tuscan towns as well, including Pisa, Lucca and Siena. I use good common sense, but I've never felt unsafe anywhere I've been.
Feel free to read my travel journal if you would like to hear more about the freedom of traveling solo. It's at:
http://vtprofessor.wordpress.com/
I've also posted tons of pictures from my trip on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vt_professor/collections/72157605647920135/
Best of luck!
VT_Professor <email>
Burlington, VT USA 04/06/2009
Solo Travel
Ellen, Avoid wearing flashy jewelry and carry your purse cross-shoulder. Be careful about going out alone at night in areas that are not frequented by other tourists. My nephew was mugged on an elevator in Switzerland last month - and he lives there, so it can happen to anyone. I'm sure if you take small precautions, you will be just fine.
Jenny P <email>
San Diego, CA USA 04/05/2009
solo traveler
I'm traveling alone for the first time since my husband passed away. I've read horror stories on the graffiti wall about scams, etc. I'm going to Florence, northern Italy, and Switzerland. Any suggestions? I have the Rick Steves' hidden pocket.
ellen
madison , wi USA 03/29/2009
SOLO!!!!!
Im ready to go to Europe end of April for two weeks for my second solo trip- London, Krakow, Prague, Munich, Salzburg, Rome, Venice...there is NOTHING like the adventure of traveling alone...the solitutde of being alone, so far from home, in another land and culture...there is something so freeing about it...
Jon
New York City, NY USA 03/22/2009
Solo Dining
I'm surprised to hear the comments from a few of you re: getting turned away at restaurants as a solo traveler. I'm a veteran solo traveler, and have never been turned away from a dining establishment. Now I admit to getting a few odd looks from time to time, but never turned away. I always take a book or tour book with me or take my journal to do some writing. I go to a mix of cafes and some nicer places...nothing four star mind you, but nice for a "splurge" dinner.
Carole S <email>
Chicago, IL USA 02/28/2009
Solo travel tips
I took my first solo trip to Europe last Oct for my 29th birthday and I have to share a couple of tips. One is that if you are uncomfortable eating out alone for dinner, I would recommend grocery shopping for a special meal in your hotel room/hostel. Most people are ok with eating lunch alone, I loved sitting in cafe's people watching and journaling while eating my lunch.
Another tip is staying in places that you are likely to meet new people like hostels or hotels that cater to business travelers...that way you can go out to dinner with your new friends! As I stayed in hostels for my trip I was never alone and found fun people to sight-see with...FYI not just young people stay in hostels, I met quite a few people over the age of 40 who liked the social atmosphere of hostels.
Solo travel is not for everyone; my basic rule of thumb is if you wouldn't do it at home alone, you probably would not do it travelling. I'm planning my next adventure to Europe and I will travel alone again for my 30th birthday! Happy Trails!
Kristy
Tacoma, WA USA 02/26/2009
The Dreaded
...The absolute worst part of traveling alone! Restaurants will often refuse service to singles. Sometimes other American diners "rescue" me and allow me to join them. Other than that, traveling alone rocks!
Jenny P
San Diego, CA USA 02/26/2009
Start with a short trip
I am a 47 year old wife and mother of 2 teenaged boys who has gotten my feet wet traveling alone--I have been to Maine to the coast 3 times and after the first nervous trip really began to enjoy it! I get to do what I want to do when I want to do it, and come back refreshed and ready to take on what life dishes out. My son's are at a point where they don't want to travel much with the folks and my husband doesn't get as much time off from work as I do. I have traveled with friends before and that is fun too but traveling alone leaves me so much at peace. This spring I am going to Disney World by myself--it will be my 12th time there but the first alone. There won't be any problems with who wants to do what and when. The only part about solo traveling i don't like is eating dinner out(breakfast doesn't bother me) so now I just order take out and bring it back to the room and am much more comfortable. So for anyone considering traveling alone but is nervous try a short trip at first and if you like it go from there. It's a blast!
pawsomepooch47 <email>
VT USA 02/25/2009
Eating Alone
Nick,
I know how you feel about eating alone. My last two trips to Florence and Paris were as a solo traveler, and the only negative experience is eating alone. I'm heading to Rome this Spring and will try to strike up a conversation with the patrons at a nearby table if close enough.
That's odd that you were turned away from restaurants because I always found being a solo diner to work in my favor--maybe it's because I'm a woman.
bgray5267@juno.com
DC USA 02/15/2009
Eating Alone
I have traveled outside the US with groups of friends and with my girlfriend to Paris. While my preferred way to travel is with one friend, I mostly travel by myself. My only issue, and it's not a big one, is eating alone. I'm uncomfortable going to a nicer restaurant and occupying a table by myself; and sometimes I forget to bring a book or something to read. In Rome I was turned away from two cheap places, but usually I can find a nice place that's not too busy and is happy to have my business.
Nick
Anaheim, CA USA 02/08/2009
Feature article
Hi I am a journalist writing an article on solo travelers. Would anyone like to be quoted in an article.
I love to travel, but have never done it alone. Does anyone have any tips?
annie smith <email>
Richmond, VA USA 01/15/2009
No Regrets on Solo!
Okay - one more time! Solo traveling is nothing more than the best way to travel, bar none. I enjoy the freedom of time, choice of sights, sitting in front of a special art piece for hours, and eating at my pace and what I want. However, I also have the best of both worlds because I usually have prearranged dinners with family and/or friends every couple of nights. I always let THEM chose the place and time - makes for easy relationships! We spend hours comparing notes, laughing, eating, sharing tips, and laughing some more. It is lovely sharing the knowlege we have each gained and planning to meet again for a picnic or concert. We even bring along "new" friends for a real cultural mix and have never been disappointed in the conversation or camraderie. The only "CON" I ever experience is missing my family that did not make the trip. But, I get to see them soon after and it never deters me from grabbing my bag, passport and toothbrush and heading for the airport!!
Patt
Winter Haven, FL USA 12/31/2005
Solo travel is great
Solo travel is great! I love not having to wait for someone to get ready in the morning (It takes me about 20 minutes from waking up to getting out the door when I have a new city to explore and it makes me crazy to wait!) You can do what you want to do when you want to do it. If you have just had it for the day, you can go back to your hotel or hostel, or just grab a beer, glass of wine or cup of tea. One of the best things to do if you are lonely or overwhelmed is to find a bookshop with an English section and browse for a while. No, most don't have comfy chairs like Barnes and Nobles, but you can usually make do. As for an itinerary landing in Amsterdam, you are just a few hours from Brussels, Brugge and Paris, or you could go the other direction and into Germany. It really depends what you like....
Michelle
San Diego, CA USA 12/31/2005