I realized I haven't been on a travel trip in a while and for the first time in a long time I want to go. But I want to go to Europe. I am wondering if that is biting off more than I can chew.

I have been all around the US solo before.

I have been to NYC alone-- and traveled on the subway - Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, DC. All alone. I have even been to Europe before -- Germany - but that was with the family and also my brother met us there and drove us around.

I am considering taking a week in April and flying to London, staying in a hotel near a train station / underground and just doing things by myself. I would also like to take the train to Paris for a one day tour by myself.

But am I crazy? Have I not thought about a lot of things necessary? I do have a passport.

[piggy momma]

I travel all over the world all one. As long as you’re smart about your choices, you’ll probably be just fine

[downandlonely]

I usually travel with family or friends, but last time I went to Orlando I went to Harry Potter World alone. It was kind of nice being able to do what I wanted without having to consult anyone else. If you can handle other cities, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to handle London and Paris.

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I usually travel with family or friends, but last time I went to Orlando I went to Harry Potter World alone. It was kind of nice being able to do what I wanted without having to consult anyone else. If you can handle other cities, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to handle London and Paris.

Well of course Paris is speaking another language (though I have conversational french down) but also my boss lived there for a year so he can give me tips. I just worry there is something I don't know about it but yes I think I can handle it. Right now my biggest thing stopping me is that unless I do another overnight trip (which I did to Germany and wasn't fun) I will end up in the UK at 7 pm and have to travel to the hotel at night. Which isn't the best for someone who doesn't know where they are going.

Thanks for the info.

[splitimage]

I've been to all over England and Europe solo and always had a great time. England is a great starting point, because there's no language problem. London's metro is really easy to navigate, and there are a number of day trips you can take to see sights if you want, while using London as a base.

If you're only going to Paris for a day, you might want to sign up for a bus tour, as that way you'll be sure to see all the tourist high lights without worrying about getting lost.

Have fun if you do go.

splitimage

[Sunny2150]

Wow you guys are cool! I’ve never traveled alone except maybe a few day trips to Philly and New Orleans. I’m saving up to go to Africa in 5 years and may have to do that alone because nobody I know right now is interested. But I find it sort of scary lol

[WishfulThinker66]

There was a period in my life where I did everything alone. I took advantage of the opportunity to do so. I regularly camp by myself for example. And, yes, I have quite happily traveled on my own. The experiences have always turned out positively.

I want to point out that there is one major detail to consider. Travelling alone means incurring a hefty single supplement fee on such things as tour packages and accommodations. For example, the last riverboat cruise I took I did so by myself. It was absolutely fabulous but I did have the added cost of a single supplement fee to both the land and sailing portions of the holiday.

There IS a way of getting around this. If you are prepared to do so, have your travel agent indicate you are willing to share accommodations. If it turns out this does in fact happen, the resulting adventure is usually quite positive. However, more often than not you end up getting that room or stateroom all to yourself - with out the added cost.

A single supplement fee is usually determined as 1/3 again the cost per person (ie, a $1000 package being $1300 for the solo traveller).

[MickeyCheeky]

I'd say go for it while you can; you seem a pretty responsable person, so I don't see why you couldn't hande both London and Paris. You can do it! Many hugs to you, and have fun if you decide to go

[KD1980]

No, it's not crazy. It sounds like fun. I hope you end up going to London.

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

I want to point out that there is one major detail to consider. Travelling alone means incurring a hefty single supplement fee on such things as tour packages and accommodations. .

I find that so strange. Paying more to share a bedroom in a different country ? Insanity. I will just order up a vacation package via Expedia like I always do.

I have a passport but do I need any other travel documents?

I did have a couple of issues the last two times I traveled. First, I had someone harass me in Chicago. Not bad he just followed me on a boat cruise. Then in NYC, I had a panic attack. Interestingly that made the least sense because I could have just hopped on a train and been home at any time. Perhaps that was it.

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

I realized I haven't been on a travel trip in a while and for the first time in a long time I want to go. But I want to go to Europe. I am wondering if that is biting off more than I can chew.

I have been all around the US solo before.

I have been to NYC alone-- and traveled on the subway - Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, DC. All alone. I have even been to Europe before -- Germany - but that was with the family and also my brother met us there and drove us around.

I am considering taking a week in April and flying to London, staying in a hotel near a train station / underground and just doing things by myself. I would also like to take the train to Paris for a one day tour by myself.

But am I crazy? Have I not thought about a lot of things necessary? I do have a passport.

finances?

hotels in london are quite expensive

and you need to think about transport.. if you plan to take the taxis for example, that's more money

the underground in london is very, very busy- with people moving and shoving you in all directions- you need to know if you can cope with that. it's not quiet at all, their's no such thing as a quiet platform or a deserted station, plus I should probably warn you that the london underground only stops for a 30/40 second time period at each station, and getting off the train is going to be hard with people trying to push you off
train ticket for the eurostar to go to paris

french currency to spend in paris (the euro I believe)

a plan of what you're going to do once you are in paris

ticket back to london

Originally Posted by raging vortex

finances?
hotels in london are quite expensive
and you need to think about transport.. if you plan to take the taxis for example, that's more money
the underground in london is very, very busy- with people moving and shoving you in all directions- you need to know if you can cope with that.
french currency to spend in paris (the euro I believe)
a plan of what you're going to do once you are in paris
ticket back to london

I have priced the basic trip out on Expedia and it is doable - assuming about 500 for expenses over and above that. I plan on taking the underground for everything in London (or one of those hop on hop off tours). I don't think I will have trouble with the underground because I take the subway where I live and I have traveled on the NYC subway which I think is about the same. I have been warned not to travel on the underground during rush hour so that should be doable.

My thoughts on the problem of arriving in the UK when it is dark is that I make a hotel reservation at the airport hotel and sleep there the first night and then the next day travel to the new hotel. The new hotel will be close in proximity to the underground and the train station the train to Paris departs from.

Does anyone know if you can use credit cards in Europe so you don't have to take money (or substantial money) with you?

Do I have to do anything with my cell phone to get service? My last trip to europe cell phones didn't exsist!

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

I have priced the basic trip out on Expedia and it is doable - assuming about 500 for expenses over and above that. I plan on taking the underground for everything in London (or one of those hop on hop off tours). I don't think I will have trouble with the underground because I take the subway where I live and I have traveled on the NYC subway which I think is about the same. I have been warned not to travel on the underground during rush hour so that should be doable.

My thoughts on the problem of arriving in the UK when it is dark is that I make a hotel reservation at the airport hotel and sleep there the first night and then the next day travel to the new hotel. The new hotel will be close in proximity to the underground and the train station the train to Paris departs from.

Does anyone know if you can use credit cards in Europe so you don't have to take money (or substantial money) with you?

Do I have to do anything with my cell phone to get service? My last trip to europe cell phones didn't exsist!

most cell phone networks have diffrent rules for roaming (what they call using your phone in other countries), my best suggestion would be to check with your customer services of the network you are on

it may simply be a case of paying extra for calls, or in some situations they want you to change your contract

[bounceback]

Yes you can use credit cards in Europe. Most countries take them. I would get some euros and pounds before you go. It is easier that way. It is easier to use euros or pounds for smaller purchases and credit cards for the bigger ones. It is kind of difficult finding compatible atms in europe and sometimes they have a charge. THis is what i did. For food and small purchases I used euros or pounds and then for large purchases credit card

[bounceback]

About the phone check with your service supplier. I thought i had roaming and ended up with a huge bill when I got back. I didn't make calls but i used google maps a lot to figure out where i was going. In london you can sign up for some bus tours which is fun. They show you the sites. You can get off where you want. They aren't very expensive either. I love London. Wish I had more time there though.

[zapatoes]

In the past did travel a few days on my own in Australia. Went on group tours and was careful to stay close to the hotel when walking around. Did eat dinner in my hotel room since it would be uncomfortable alone. Breakfast and lunch were ok to eat alone.