is it safe for a girl to travel alone?

Question

i recently been to corfu and i want to go back again but none of my friends can go but i still would like to go even if it's on my own. however im quite nervous at the thought of going to the airport and checking in etc all on my own and not having anyone to talk to. do you think it will look odd if i go into bars or restaurants by myself? i sort of know someone out there who i went clubbing with several times but what if he's no there when i go? plus we ended our fling on a bad note so i dont even know if he's speaking to me. would any of you go alone? i just want to sunbathe in the day but i don't wanna be stuck in the hotel at night i'd rather go out and get drunk. what's your opinion?

Answer 1

I'm a guy and I live in Greece.

If you are less than 16-17 years old and not very social i suggest you don't come to Greece alone it might be a tad difficult for you to get around.

As others said there are dangers for anyone anywhere when he's alone, i.e. a friend of mine got mugged in Brixton and another one right out of his door in Athens. I used to live for about 3 years in the worst area of Athens, with lots of brothels/drugs/guns/mafia around, was coming back late, walking, sometimes drunk and alone, nothing ever happened to me.

While nobody can guarantee anything Greece is a pretty safe and quite westernized country. People are friendly they like to argue about various things but don't overdo it :) They like their coffee cold during summer and prefer coke over pepsi :) (some Athenians tend to be a bit posh like people in every big city )

I've heard about some rapes etc over the last years in Islands like Corfu and Zante and Crete and it's mostly by certain holiday groups of people from UK the last years than Greeks.

So if you think of going out alone getting drunk at one of those wild places in one of the above islands i guess that would be a bad idea as someone already said. Visiting Historical places would not be any problem at all and perhaps preferring Cyclades islands is much better thing to do.Try to avoid Myconos it's very beautiful but it is known to be a really wild pansexual island during summer although bouncers are very solid and protective in bars and clubs. If a drunk tries to attack a girl or she reports being threatened at best the guy is going to be shown the exit.

Better solution if you decide to come in Greece alone is meet people during your wait at the airport, in the boat to the islands.
I would advise more "relaxed" islands like Syros/Antiparos/ Paros/Santorini (volcanic Island unique place) /Andros /Tinos (colourful and typical greek setting) or even the smallest ones like Koufonisia.

Be careful with cab drivers in Athens some times they charge extra. Make sure there's no underground line before you take a cab.

In general avoid being alone and drunk and keep in mind that some (usually very young) Greek boys can act a bit idiotic when they see a nice girl on the street. Most of them are harmless... and fun to hang out with they just react as the wolf in cartoons when the singer was coming on stage. AROOOOOOOOOOOOOO....tongue rolling on the floor etc.

just in Case :)

Here you will find some telephone numbers that may be useful for your holiday in Greece or the Greek Islands.

GENERAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Police
100
Ambulance
166
Fire Department
199
Hospitals
106
Tourist Police
171 / (In Athens - 210 922 7777)
24 Hour Pharmacies
107
Emergency Doctor (2pm-7am)
105/107
Greek National Tourist Organisation
210 331 0437 / 0561 / 0562
TRANSPORTATION - TELEPHONE NUMBERS
KTEL Buses - Terminal A (Athens)
210 512 4910
KTEL Buses - Terminal B (Athens)
210 831 7181
OSE Railway - Larissa Station (Athens)
210 524 0601
OSE Railway - Peloponnese Station (Athens)
210 513 1601
Piraeus Port Authority
210 422 6000
Rafina Port Authority
22940 22 888
Athens Airport
210 353 0000

Answer 2

I never flew out od the country alone.. But I have flown accross country to Chicago for the boot camp graduation for the USN and stayed a whole weekend in a hotel alone and also, I fly home to PA every few months alone. International might be a little scarier though! Good luck hun! And keep your head up, BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AT ALL TIMES!

Answer 3

I had done that before, and of course, whether you are alone or not, you can still be in any danger any part of the world you travel. But the risks, I suppose is far more dangerous when you are alone. I went to London by myself and believe me, you will get hit on by a lot of men. Its up to you to protect yourself. Dont get drunk by yourself. Thats the most stupid thing a woman can do in a foreign place.

Answer 4

Hi,
i am going toAustralia for 12 months in Jan alone so i think so you, you just need to be careful.
I think alot of people go through airports on there own, if it will make you feel abit more comfortable say to someone that works at the airport that you are on your own, maybe they will have time to talk make you feel about more relax.
Once you get on the plane i think you wioll be ok.
But please be careful and have a good time!!!!!!!

Answer 5

i would definitely go alone . it's all a matter of confidence really. if you are outgoing and make friends easily then it should be easy for you to meet people and have a great time. if you are a bit introverted however, perhaps you need to rethink else you'll be so miserable with no one to have fun with.

don't count on your ex, he's probably got over you by now and out with other girls. just think about what kind of person you are and that should make the decision for you. good luck

Answer 6

To be honest...going to the airport booking and flying...shouldn't pose you any problems...my concern is actually when you arrive there...you will be alone, knowing no one, one reads in the press about the local idiots, plus the drunken louts that tend only to surface at nights....we all know that when they have had a drink...their thoughts turn only to one thing......I would seriously advise that you do not go on your own....it would be too far a greater risk....

Answer 7

It would be safe to go alone if you were planning to behave seriously. If you go out in bars alone, late at night, and get drunk, and look like you want to have fun and make friends (or make out), well, I wouldn't count on being safe from drunk guys and rapists.

Answer 8

I have always travelled on my own, I have been to Australia, USA,Czech Republic and many other places, all solo, no problems at all. What you do need to be is very sensible, very security conscious and to checkout the foriegn & Commonwealth Offices' website for travel advice

Answer 9

holiday romances are not happening you would be very silly to even contemplate going back to Greece on your own. If you want to go back please take a member of your family or a friend. my daughter comes back august after back packing the world and originally wanted to go on her own but thankfully her boyfriend went with her she has emailed me every day and is so glad she took my advice

Answer 10

I'll go with ya too. My holiday week off starts on 29th July for one week. Single, female and need a holiday!!