Is it safe for a girl to travel alone on vacation, possibly Europe?

Question

All of my friends are just graduating or can't afford to go with me to Europe. I thought about just going alone, but would that be safe?

Answer 1

I did a vast amount of travelling within Europe on my own when I was in my late teens and early twenties. I had an absolute blast, and would recommend it to anyone who has a sense of adventure, independent and has a certain amount of sensibility and street smarts.

The main thing about travelling on your own, especially as a female, is to not put yourself in a situation where you could be taken advantage of. I primarily stayed in youth hostels, and I made sure I was back there before it started getting dark. After dark, I would stay in the hostel and chat with other travellers. I would make sure I found out from the youth hostel staff where it was safe to go and where I should avoid.

When I was out and about in an unfamiliar city, I would make sure I didn't stand out like a tourist. No camera strung around my neck, no walking around with a guide book or a map. I would carry a backpack rather than a purse, and it would be locked all the time. If I felt threatened at any time, I would walk into a store or find a police officer.

There have been a number of times where guys would ask me to meet them for coffee/dinner/dancing and would keep following me until I agreed. In those occasions, I found it easiest to tell them I was late for an appointment and tell them to meet me at my 'hotel' at a certain time. I would give them the name of a hotel (a real one) and then go off on my way. Of course, I would never be there. The chances of you running into those people again are very slim.

Basically, travelling alone is as safe as you want to make it. You can either travel sensibly and keep your wits about you, or travel like an idiot and put yourself in situations that could turn dangerous.

Answer 2

Some parts are safer then others. I certainly think the North is a little safer. In places like Spain and Italy you really have to keep your wits about you. Although that really is the case anywhere. I traveled a little by my self in Europe when I was 17/18 but mostly I was with a boyfriend. If the past few years have traveled alone a lot more and it has it's good points and bad. It can be frightening at times and lonely although you will often meet people, especially on trains and in hostels.

Because it is your first time I would encourage you to maybe wait until you can go with someone. You may even be able to find a travel partner online some where.

Answer 3

It depends. Age isn't always the best indicator for this - a lot depends on your maturity, resourcefulness, cautiousness, and street smarts.
It also depends on what you plan to do while you're over there. If you're looking to celebrate, party at clubs all night, drink, flirt with hot Euro guys, etc, then it isn't a good idea to do so alone in ANY country. You need to have someone watching your back and helping you out if you get in a sticky situation. But if you're just going to sightsee and soak up culture, then all you need is some common sense and caution. Traveling alone is a great way to build your independence and self-confidence, but you have to be careful.

If you're worried about safety, stay in hotels rather than hostels - it's more expensive, but you also have your own room with a lock on the door to keep you and your possessions safe. Be wary of accepting help from strangers - even friendly compatriots from your own country. Carry your money in a pouch under your clothes, and don't let anyone see where you keep it or how much you have. Make copies of your passport and keep them in separate pieces of luggage, so even if your original gets stolen you can still prove your identity to the embassy. Don't bring anyone home to your room, and don't follow anyone else home. Don't wear anything with an American flag on it - it not only labels you as a tourist and easy mark, but as a cultural oppressor and therefore ideal victim.
Plan out your route ahead of time, and give yourself some flex time in case you need/want to change your plans at the last minute. Carry a phone card and dialing instructions so that, no matter what happens, you can always call home for help as a last resort.
I traveled through Europe alone after college, and it was great - but I also saw high school grads partying their way through the same cities, and missing all the "good" stuff - if you want to party, take a cruise; but if you want to see Europe, go by yourself or join an adult tour.

Answer 4

There is no yes or no answer. In general, you can be safe, but you have to think ahead. You might consider staying in your hotel at night. The worst thing to do is to be wandering around drunk in a strange city. Ppl who have been to Europe or lived there know that the crime rate there is not zero. Book your hotel rooms in advance so your family in the states can have an exact itinerary of your travels. IMHO, the youth hostels were kind of creepy. Either you stay in a room with someone you don't know or you stay in a room full of ppl you don't know. I have heard of ppl having their luggage stolen while they slept. Not to mention having a lound and drunk roommate. A safer and more comfortable idea is staying a a budget hotel (often used by European vacationers) where you have a small room and a bathroom at the end of the hall (just like in a dorm). Many European families stay at these places. Rick Steves series of books can give you some exact names and addresses of these hotels. Even if you don't stay at these places, I have found that you might be able to find a place in the same neighborhood. Your hotel clerk might be able to give you advice on which areas of town are "rough neighborhoods" and which are safer. When walking around, keep your tourist map in your pocket and take it out only when you really need to (no need to advertise that you are from out of town). You might consider using a day bag or briefcase with a shoulder strap (looks more European) instead of a backpack (which screams that you are a tourist). Trying typing in "travel tips for women" at www.yahoo.com and you can find lots more good advice (it's up to you when it comes to sifting through good advice and not so good advice, but it helps to have some ideas). All in all, I envy you and hope you will have a great time in Europe.

Answer 5

It's as safe as anywhere else, which probably isn't as safe as you want. If you have never been to Europe, it has all the same problems as home. There are plenty of areas that are not safe and everywhere else you keep to keep your eyes open. Try harder to find someone to go with, but you can go it alone.

I just came back from Europe last week, you will love it as I do. Good luck.

Answer 6

I traveled in Europe by myself and had no problems.

Just a few things to do:
1. Be careful of random people particularly men selling roses in parks or around tourist attractions. I had problems with people coming up to me and one man tied a "friendship bracelet" around my wrist and then demanded 5 euros for it. I would recommend learning how to say "Go away" in whatever language of the country that you are going to be. For Italy, it was "va via."
2. I also wore a ring on the ring finger of my left hand so that it looked like I was taken even though I was single. I still had some men that tried to hit on me, but at the very least if the attention was not welcomed it helped to be able to raise my hand and say I'm married.
3. Register yourself and Check in with the American Embassy in the country that you are staying in. That way if anything happens you have a safe haven.
4. Stay in youth hostel's while traveling alone. I met some amazing people who were traveling my themselves and there is always plenty people to go out and eat with or tag along with to tourist sites.
5. I did learn how to say "Do you speak English" in the language of each country I traveled to. It's very rude to walk up to a stranger and immediately start speaking English to someone and just expect that they will understand you.

All in all, you are going to be fine. The language barrier was never a problem, public transportation in cities and from country to country is very user friendly. Oh and get Rick's Steves guide, he has some amazing tours in his books that you should definitely look at like the Fountain tour of Rome at night.

Have fun and best wishes for safe travels.

Answer 7

I are living on my own in international international locations seeing that 18, so I might say "trustworthy if you're cautious". Here is my recommendation: Choose hostels with well stories on shuttle consultant or identical web sites. Better if they're within the town centre/touristy locations, and accesible through bus or taxi. Keep meals for your room and dont pass out at night time. Dont inform humans wherein you keep, pass out with them handiest in crowded locations. Be additional cautious in bus/educate stations and dont journey past due. Always permit any one recognize wherein you're, or provide your mum and dad your journey plan upfront. Dont speak to strangers. Dont bring plenty of coins with you. Wear "first rate" garments. Have a town map/subway plan with you. Listen for your intuition. Keep your mobile charged. European emergency quantity is 112. Just take care and you can be great! :)

Answer 8

I went alone years ago after college.
It is safe, but all of the precautions you would follow in the states go for other countries as well.

Answer 9

Its as safe there as anywhere else. Its a shame you can't go with someone else though. It is more enjoyable to have someone with you.