I am planning to go to Europe in may 2007. (Even start working extra hours so I can get some cash. ) . But just can’t find buddy who wanna travel with me. My friends say I should try contiki group thing. But I hate traveling that way ….where people spend most of their times rushing and taking pictures. I would rather spend a month in one country rather than one night in pais, next in italy. That’s why I cant find any friends to go with me cause they wanna see 6-7 countries in 2 weeks.
Anyway. So I have decided to go on my own. I am little scared but I know it will be fun. I am thinking to go to Czech (if I have enough money than may be some parts of
Austria) . I wanna see whole Czech ..from Central Bohemian to South Bohemian and South Moravian region.
I would like to get some advice from people who have traveled alone. For instance …
When on first day you get there….where do you go ??? start looking for hostels ? or you book hostels before getting there? And how do know you which cites you will be going to visit in that country? Do you ask the locals or already know where you wanna go? How do you decide what transportation to use while going from one city to another? do you carry your bags with you all the times? Do you need to know the native language?
I know my questions seem dumb but I would really appreciate your advice.
Thanks for reading
All of us who’ve travelled have had the same anxieties, so you’re not alone! In your case, you have plenty of time to prepare, and to think about what you’d like to do.
In my opinion, going with a group means that you’ll be in a sort of cocoon, and some need the security, even at the expense of being isolated from local people and culture. I think that your decision to travel alone is the right one, but be prepared for times when you’ll feel uncertain or lonely—- more than offset by the advenures that you’ll have!
I think it’s definitely a good idea to reserve lodging for at least the first night, and I’d even say two. You’ll arrive tired from your flight, and a little disoriented. Really, on arrival day, I plan to do very little as a rule, except to find my way to where I’m staying, and drop my baggage. Then, I like to keep moving until dark, and go to bed early. On the next day, you’ll awaken in the early morning, and feel more ready to start exploring.
Since you’re planning to stay in hostels, you’ll start meeting people almost right away, and have at least temporary friends.
As far as where to go, do a lot of reading. Sometimes, I make a list of major priorities so that I have some structure to my trip, but I’ve almost always made changes once I’m over there. I might decide, for example, that I really like a place, and stay an extra day, or decide that someplace else isn’t what I’d imagined, and move on.
Language is always intimidating, and I wish that we could all be fluent in many languages! I can speak French fairly well, and I know just a few words of Spanish and Italian, and took German and Russian in school (in the last century!). What’s important, I think, is to learn a few essential words for the country (or countries) that you’ll stay in. Hello, please, thank you, toilets, mens/womens…
Fairly recently, I’d made my first trip to Hungary, and ventured into a restaurant, where I managed to order. Then a wine list appeared, and I was struggling—- until the waiter said (in English), "what about a glass of the House Red", and we both laughed!
Thats great that you’ve decided to embark on an adventure rather than a guided tour. It is slightly intimidating to think about some of the important details, like- how do I get food, how do I get from one place to another, how to I find things, etc. in a foreign place that speaks a foreign language. Some of those things you just have to find out when you get there, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, TONS of information can be found on the web, in english. You just need to search around for it. Ask here if you need to find a website for something specific.
Although you can find most info on the web for free, if you don’t know much about where you want to go, a guidebook is a good place to start. Lonely Plnaet, Let’s Go, Rough Guide, they all give basically the same info: sight seeing, accomodation, cuisine, transport, and just about all the general info you need. Just remember that it’s only a guide and there is so reason to follow it too closely.
Hey Rani,
I’m also maybe planning to go alone for 3 weeks to France (it depends when my friend finishes school)...i dont speak any French, though i am trying to learn…but basically what ive done so far is get a guidebook- Lonely planet and read about the places i want to go to…and ive made a list of all those places, and now im just trying to see how long i want to be in each place. It seems scary but im sure that once you’re there youll have a great time!!
oh and im also going in May 07…
have fun!
Ive never been in Europe, only in some US cities. I think that if you don’t speak the language, you might considering getting some friends who can a) lodge you, b) show you the city and help you.
Well that’s what i am considering already!
Exactly. I remember when I went to South America the first time. I decided to book a flight to Buenos Aires as I assumed this would be the most "European" country – in 1994 it wasn´t a common thing to go backpacking in Latin America. What people had in mind about that continent weren´t the nicest things: brutal dictators, corruption, wild street crime, drug trafficking…
Well, it´s all bullshit. Although I spoke almost no Spanish at all, absolutely everyone was really patient, welcoming and helpful to me.
I had no plan whatsoever about where to go and where not to, but minutes after I have checked into a hostel (when I asked for directions someone even walked with me up to the front door) I made friends with two Swiss guys who stayed there and the next day I joined them to a flight to Tierra del Fuego.
So! If you don´t have a bad halitosis or stinking feet you´ll never be alone. There are always enough other travellers to ask where they went or where they are going. I was in fact almost never travelling alone.
And this was 12 years ago, without the wonders of the internet. You can use sites like airninja.com to find cheap flights or hostelworld.com to book your bed for the next day.
DON´T PANIC !!!
Welcome to travelling. Going alone is what most Europeans do when travelling around there. They interact with people who don’t speak their language, see different customs, and make friends. Just like you will.
I like this site:[url=‘http://www.locallingo.com’]Locallingo.com[/url] for some help in learning the czech language.
You might do some research into the hostels in the different areas you’re going. I’ve never stayed at these but they get good reviews.
[url=‘http://www.sirtobys.com/’]Sir Toby’s[/url]
[url=‘http://www.hostelboathouse.com/’]Boathouse[/url]
Some of the towns near Prague are day trips so I wouldn’t worry about places to stay.
Here is a map that might give you some perspective on where you want homebase to be. [url=‘http://www.sitesatlas.com/Maps/Maps/516.htm’]SitesAtlas[/url].
Eat the food, use the wrong verbs, and end up getting charged double.
Ahahahaha….. i’ve been in Chile and Argentina (i’m peruvian myself), and none of these countries is so aggresive. Of course, you have to be careful, like in everywhere, but i think it’s pretty chillin! You just have to know where to go and how to move… like in every place of the world.
And we <3 tourists.
In the other hand, i’ve heard many horror stories about neonazis. And turkish people.
No offense if there’s a neonazi or a turkey in here!
Well, if there is a neonazi here, I kindly ask him to take offense and get lost.
Peru was my vavourite country to travel (although if you forced me to move permanently to South America I would probably pick Santiago de Chile instead).
Lima is a crazy city and the weekend evenings in Barranco were always excellent (does the "Más Alla" still exist?).
Lima had also the coolest hostel I stayed at in South America (Hotel Espana, Jirón Azangaro).
Then I got stuck in Cuzco for three weeks. Everyday I planned to take the train to Macchu Pichu, but then I always had a hangover to cure in the next morning (I blame that on Peruvian-style Cuba Libres – 1 inch Coca Cola, the rest rum – at "Mama Africa"
.
Err, and if there is a turkey in here he/she can relax. I prefer beef.
Why would you live in Chile instead than Peru? More organized?
Hahaha, no, if it was at the boulevard, then i am sure "El m{as Alla" doesn’t exists anymore. Or it changed its name (probably that).
No Machu Picchu? Never been there…. i’ve heard it’s awesome. And if i can remember, i think "Mama Africa" still exists….
And yeah, the Hotel España is very popular in here, lol… but the zone (in the center of the city) is kind of risky. Still, i like the center. I work at the center.
Well, yes. As a European, I am used to some good services the government provides for me: good infrastructure, security, efficient administration. Good public schools for the children, healthcare and so on.
These things are not perfect in Chile, but better than anywhere else in South America. Especially in Santiago, which is also a very nice city apart from that.
Oh, you misunderstood me. Of course I have been there. It was absolutelz stunning. It just took me weeks to get up early enough for the train!
Dont know what its like now, but I didnt feel unsafe. There were LOTS of police, and they were even friendly. Well, I am male, 20 cm taller and 30 kg heavier than most Peruvians so maybe the thieves were scared of me?
One soldier of the presidential guard even wanted to exchange boots with me! (he fancied my Doc Martens). I would have agreed happily, but his feet were 5 sizes smaller than mine!
Im glad you didn’t miss Machu Picchu. I’ve heard it’s awesome.
First time i heard the words " unemployment check" and noticed some countries have such kind of benefits… i was speechless. I am used to not receive anything from the government. Well, all peruvians are. The government sucks…. and yeah, there’s a LOT of problems to change in here.
Hahahaha, peruvian guys are normally short. At least compared to Germans! But this german i know is skinny, small… and even shorter than i (i am 1’69).
Hi Rani,
.
I’ve backpacked Europe three times..twice on my own and once with a friend of mine- trust me- you’ll have a better time being on your own! Don’t be worried..its totally safe as long as you’re prepared and you know how to read a map
I once did 3 weeks in Prague and Italy with most of my time in Italy. Two weeks between Portugal and Spain and most recently 3 weeks in 6 countries between Eastern/Central Europe just because the countries in that area are much smaller..I felt like it was doable.
In terms of guide books, I am a big fan of Rick Steves. I also have Lonely Planet.
True.
Nothing to be speechless about. My salary is 35.000 per year, but 12.600 of it goes directly to the government – so I guess it´s fair to expect to get something in return.
Hi Rani, I am going to be in Europe Spring of 2007, I have been there beofre, fi you have any questions or want to meet-up drop me a line at: bnghujdw@yahoo.com
I wouldn’t mind to give away half of my payment if i am going to get benefits FOR REAL.
Or at least a cleaner country.
Right, tell that as many people as possible when you are in Europe. We have got these stupid neo-liberals as well who want to make everything "
rivate". I could see quite well how the people who live in Miraflores can deal very nicely with that (no police? hire private security!), but not the rest of the country.
I would apply this: you throw trash to the floor? PAY 50 bucks as punishment. For real. This country needs a hard hand.
Throwing trash in the streets is something that really pisses me off.
So i am also traveling alone. i know this is an old post, but figured would bring it up. lots of advice for traveling alone, but much comes with staying in hostels. If not staying in hostels- will it still be easy to meet people do you think? I have a friend in Frankfurt, Germany- but I don’t know if I will see him in the beginning or at the end.
I am mostly excited for the trip, but terrified also- reading through this site has helped much with planning and places to go, and things i never gave thought to: medical insurance, etc. Same time- it’s also made me more nervous with talks of robberies with mult people there, then gas on trains? not sure if that’s true, and fatigue.. i know traveling is exhausting- and when doing it alone, you have no one to take over.
My biggest fear is not knowing waht to do once I get there- where i’m going, how to understand anything, will I know how to get around places after getting off the main rail station? Will it be safe to do night trains alone? etc
And will I still meet people if I’m not staying in hostels? Looking into couch surfing to save money- will I still meet people along the way?
Any input would be much appreciated! Or advice.. But I will NOT resort to asking my friend to go- cuz she would destroy the trip, i’d rather go alone.
Jenn
You shouldn’t be terrified about anything. Noone’s going to be out to get you or anything. Just don’t break the law and you’ll be okay
Really though, I was in Europe by myself for a month last year, it’s no biggie. Just prepare, that’s all I’d say. If you’re afraid of getting lost, bring maps. If you’re afraid of not understanding anyone, bring a rudimentary phrase book. (Though most people speak English anyway). If you don’t prepare at all, I’m sure it will be stressful, but if you have a well-thought out itinerary, know what things you want to see/do to keep busy, you’ll be fine.
I should mention I’m also not really a people person either, haha…. as in, I’m not very good at just walking up and striking a conversation with someone I don’t know
...but I’m still alive 
If you’re curious about what to do when you arrive just list your itenerary and people will be more than happy to offer up suggestions. A guidebook wouldn’t hurt either especially if your not sure what to see or do.
Meeting people is up to you. I’m sure you won’t interact with as many people if your not staying at a hostel but I’m sure if you hit up a bar you would likely meet someone be it another backpacker or a local. During my week in Amsterdam the only people I met were at the hostel I stayed at. But I didn’t seek people out either. I did meet 2 other Americans at an Ajax game but lost them afterwards which sucked because they were cool dudes.
Keep asking questions when it comes to directions and getting on and off of trains. I found that the people working at the stations in Europe are just like here in the USA...most of ‘em are of no use. I had to ask 4 or 5 people before I got clear info on where I was headed when at the Centraal Station in Amsterdam.
I spent a week alone and it was my first (and so far only) trip in Europe. I knew nothing other than the info in my guides and the stuff I dug up online and I made it just fine. There’s nothing to worry about. Train gassing is, I believe, an urban legend. But remain vigilant as petty crime around train stations is something to be aware of and to lookout for. It’s no different than being in Chicago or New York City.