Travelling Solo Advice

[boomslang]

Hey guys, in need of a bit of advice here.

I'm 20 years old and I'm wanting to see a bit of the world. I live in Newcastle, England, and have a weekend off work next month and a bit of money lying away. It's enough to get me to Paris, where I want to go.

The only problem is, I'm worried? I'd be doing it alone, and I've never really gone that far from home on my own before. Should I just suck it up and see Paris or would you guys advice against going it alone.


Cheers guys.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

Go. Everyone should take some time to themselves. Your own adventure! Don't go with the intent to make friends there either. See what you want to see, and just be yourself. If you do that, you're sure to meet people along the way.



Definitely go soon, before the Pound gets any weaker.

 

[Homercidal]

Go! But why Paris? I hear they are terribly rude there.

And Germany has better beer! (Or Belgium...)

No, I'm kidding. But go and have fun. I have never traveled in Europe, but I know a few people who did and all of them had fun backpacking/touring on the cheap.

 

[Yooper]

I've traveled alone since I was 17. I lived in Germany when I was 18/19/20, in the Army, and traveled there as well. I went to Paris alone, to Austria alone, etc. I still travel alone, but rarely out of the country these days.

I was thinking about going to Italy for 3 weeks alone this fall after my friend had to back out, but I decided not to do that this year. I may go to Croatia instead, for a shorter time.

In other words- do it! Why not?

 

[bruteforce]

Go get it! I traveled alone in Holland 10 years ago. That was easily one of the best months of my life. No one to set my schedules for me, no pressure to do stuff I didn't want to, just plenty of time to meet new people, see the museums I wanted, drink in the bars I wanted, and wander around where I wanted. Traveling with people is fun, but your time traveling by yourself will teach you more about who you are and give you some fantastic stories.

 

[juskojj]

once i graduated college i backpacked europe by myself for a little over 3 months, best time of my life! BTW i'm from the USA so i traveld over 3000 miles by my self IMHO Paris sucks, it's nothing more than a big city, the ifle is cool but that's about it....

in other words DO IT!!

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Do it! There's no reason to be afraid. Especially now with the internet in your pocket on your smartphone, you pretty much have everything you need. Especially with things like Uber/Lyft, transportation gets easier as you don't need to worry about the language barrier with a taxi driver.

I've had some travels in Asia where I had a significant amount of time alone, and unlike travel in Europe, Asia is about as different from the western world as you can get. Prior to Uber/Lyft I had a fun experience hailing a cab in Shanghai, despite not speaking Mandarin, and managed to get myself to the restaurant I was looking for. And trying to communicate with cute bartenders while you're ordering a beer despite not speaking their language (and them only having a miniscule ability to speak English) is quite fun too.

So I say do it, and do it often. You'll find it REALLY broadens your horizons and makes you appreciate the world around you. And once you do it (and realize that you CAN do it), it will make your confidence in dealing with unfamiliar situations SO much stronger.

 

[boomslang]

Thank you so much to everyone who's given me advice today. Tickets are booked and I'm off to France next month and I can't wait!

 

[boomslang]

Go! But why Paris? I hear they are terribly rude there.

And Germany has better beer! (Or Belgium...)

No, I'm kidding. But go and have fun. I have never traveled in Europe, but I know a few people who did and all of them had fun backpacking/touring on the cheap.

I want to see the Mona Lisa! Bob Dylan sang about her alot and I'm a huge fan. Jim Morrison is buried there too. It's a pilgrimage of sorts.

Belgium is on my list for sure. They're the true craftsmen of beer.

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

I love travelling single. Learn how to get lost. You're young. Make the trip yours. Sounds like you have a lot of good research you want to see. Set up a whole plan and then wander off it. Use your main plan as a backup. Don't get worried if you can't do some things wander down a street. Enjoy the adventure. I'm sure if you sat at a cafe or bar and asked the locals what should "I do?" you'd probably spend your entire weekend at that bar hearing good stories. I think the best thing is not to be afraid to just start talking to someone asking advice on what to do. Step outside your comfort zone. I bet a lot of places weren't famous before Bob Dylan or Jim Morrison made it their place. However, with Paris I'm sure you could spend an entire lifetime visiting famous places

 

[arturo7]

Paris is frikin' awesome!

Load a phrase dictionary and translation app on your phone. If you make an attempt to speak the language the Parisians will generally cut you some slack. I spent 5 days there and only encountered a few stereotypical jackasses.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON THE MONA LISA!!! It will take half a day, its tiny, and you can't get close to it. The rest of the Louvre is awesome. Also consider the d'Orsay for the impressionists, and the Pompidou for the moderns.

The food is incredible. One of the best things I've ever eaten was a humble ham and cheese omelet from a random brasserie. Stop in a patasserie for a croissant.

Bon voyage!

 

[Anon111]

Very good! I assume you booked an hotel or b&b? Staff (possibly receptionist) can help you with where to eat well, what to sightsee and where NOT to go.
AFAIK the underground is good, use it. Hint: "sortie" is not a place, it means exit. Eat and drink your way through Paris, try to find the local pubs and establishments, that's where the people are. Avoid most tourist traps. Make pictures of the Eiffel Tower and stuff like that, but don't waste half days in a line to see a nice but overrated painting.


Source: lived 2 years abroad.