First Timers

Tips for Traveling Alone in Europe – For All Types of Travelers

So you’re finally making your life-long dream of seeing Europe come true. Only you’re going it alone. That may put a damper on how excited you are about the trip, but it really shouldn’t. In order to make sure that you have the best possible trip across the Old World, we’ve scoured the Internet high and low. We looked at advice dispensed by the best travel bloggers out there. We asked friends with experience in this field. And for all those planning to travel around the world, we put together a list of tips for the second best travel experience after that – a journey across Europe. Here’s our concise list of tips for traveling alone in Europe, no matter who you are or what your traveling style is.

Tips for women traveling alone across Europe

Be street-smart. This doesn’t have anything to do with where you usually live, but a lot to do with self-confidence and flexibility. Carry cash, a map, and a phrase guide. Take out money from ATMs in broad daylight. Look confident. Approach women or families for help. Avoid dark, shady areas.
Use mass transit wisely. Ask the hotel/hostel owner about how safe the local train station is, if you need to wait there at night. Ask for a female compartment companion (this will work in Spain, or even in France, where fulfilling such demands comes at a cost; in others, however, this is impossible). Avoid sleeping alone on the train.
Know how to handle men. If you want to avoid unwanted attention, there’s no reason you can’t wear a fake wedding ring. Know that in the south, especially in the Mediterranean, you will receive unwanted attention from men – particularly in countries like Italy, Turkey, Spain, etc.. Be forthright about your boundaries and don’t hesitate to act up if you feel endangered.

Tips for solo students traveling in Europe

Bring your student ID along. You have no idea how much money you’ll be saving. From free entrances to museums in most countries, to travel discounts, and even cheaper accommodation, your student ID card is basically your free meal ticket (unfortunately, that’s just a manner of speaking). There are extra perks if you’re under 26, but you can still save some money as an adult post-grad student, for instance.
Book wisely. Since you’re probably going to choose a hostel or B&B, be savvy about it. Avoid the fancy ones, since they’re not likely to help you make new friends. Go for those with a kitchen and plenty of lounging areas. PS: free breakfasts are always a nice bonus.
Make friends, but be smart about it. Of course you’re going to go out and party, but before you get absolutely smashed with people you barely know, it’s wise to form a bit of a bond with them and see what kind of people they are. Lounge around with them one evening at the hostel – have a few drinks, too, it’ll allow you to gauge their resistance to alcohol. Explore the city. Form trust.
Be flexible. You are going to like some places and enjoy others far less. What’s the point of feeling trapped someplace you’re not enjoying, when this is supposed to be the time of your life, right? But I need to plan a trip like this one, alone across Europe, you might say. You can, but you should probably book a Eurail pass, which will allow you to travel flexibly to 24 countries on the continent, all with a single ticket.
Shop for food. If you paid heed to the second item on our list of tips for traveling alone in Europe, you’ve already booked a hostel with a kitchen. You can take full advantage of this by spending your cash on food at the closest grocery store nearby.

Solo Europe travel tips for backpackers

1. Please pack light. Yes, we know you’ve heard this one a million times before, but it is crucial. Here are a few useful pointers:

Keep your backpack small. You may find that a larger one won’t fit on all the different types of trains, ferries, and buses in Europe.
Abide by this travel items checklist: an appropriate outfit for visiting holy places (they don’t allow skin to be exposed, as a general rule); plenty of socks and underwear (not all hostels have washing machines); copies of your ID stored in different places

2. Know thy train schedule. Here’s the deal – while some countries in Europe, such as those up north or, say, Germany, have very reliable train systems, most of them don’t. Likewise, most staff members at the train station don’t speak English. Make a point of taking down train numbers, stops before you need to get off and all the scheduling details. For travel plans international backpackers can check out Route Planner, which is basically a comprehensive directory of most train schedules in Europe.

3. Avoid camping. Not only is it somewhat unsafe to camp when traveling solo, but you’d also be missing out on all the fun at meeting new people at the hostel.

4. Hostels are not home. Yes, you may have found your hostel room empty when you checked in. Or perhaps you’ve made friends with your roommates. This is no excuse to leave valuable goods or money unattended when you’re not around, because you still don’t know these people, nor do you know if there’s going to be 12 of them there when you get back.

5. Talk to people. Yes, it does go without saying, but it’s about more than just socializing. If you don’t know how to decide where to travel, you can be sure that fellow backpackers you meet at the hostel will be dying to let you know about this awesome city you didn’t know about. Roughly map out the biggest destinations on your route, but stay flexible for the most part. If you talk to other people and get great hints, you never know where you might end up next.

solo backpacker europe tips

The Ultimate List of Traveling Alone Tips

There used to be quite the massive stigma attached to solo travel. However, as socially accepted coupling patterns and other social norms change, so is people’s attitude toward traveling alone. According to the U.S. Travel Association, 2009 alone saw 22.2 million Americans (out of a total of 170 million) take a trip by themselves for leisure purposes. There are numerous travel companies and tour operators out there who have caught on to this shift in attitudes and are trying to cater to this relatively underexplored segment of solo journeymen and women. And some of the world’s most acclaimed travel bloggers explain that the appeal of undertaking a solo journey is nearly too intense to put into words. The one linked above first had this experience at 22 and ended up seeing 30 countries alone, over the course of 21 years. These are some of the reasons for which today we’ve whipped up a travel items checklist for the single traveler. They’re not all about material possessions, though, as much as they are about planning, safety, and efficiency. We want your experience alone on the road to be as rewarding as possible.

Learn to like your own company

Keisuke Jinushi did. He’s a 28 year-old freelance photographer from Japan, who enjoyed his 15 minutes of Internet fame, when his hilarious series of selfies went viral. The photos depict Jinushi with an imaginary girlfriend, in a wide range of travel photos taken learn to love your own company during his journeys. While you don’t necessarily have to start snapping up pictures of your mug and plaster them all over Instagram, you can develop a sense of self-confidence and self-reliance, as you travel on your own. As Nikki Bayley writes for CNN, there’s something very empowering in knowing that not a single soul in the world can track you down. There’s also a lot to be said about incessantly tweeting, blogging, calling, emailing, and Skyping while you’re away on vacation on your own. The less you reveal and the less frequent your contact with those back home, the more pleasurable the return and reunion will be. That being said, though…

Stay safe

Yes, it’s cool to wander off to some remote beach on your own, or trek at your own pace across the countryside, or not have to wait around after someone else – and miss your connecting train. But – and this is one major “but” – nothing is important as safety. Here are some tips to bear in mind, while exploring foreign destinations on your own:

Leave a trace. Register with your local embassy on arrival, especially if you plan to visit remote areas, with no phone signal. Provide them with a route of your travel plans. International solo tourists from the U.S. can actually enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for free, which ensures you’ll receive assistance from the State Department, in the case of an emergency. You can also do the same for family and friends before you depart: send them a Google Maps course for your journey, so they know where you are, at least roughly.
Blend in. Don’ts: standing on a corner, looking puzzled, with a map or traveling guide; wearing tourist-y clothing; being clueless as to local transport schedules and routes, hotel check-in times, etc.. You need to look local, which is easier to do when you’re not part of a big group. You also need to come prepared, because cab drivers, for instance, are more likely to try and dupe a solo traveler than a group/couple.
Protect your privacy. This is all a matter of fine lines: there’s a fine line between making new friends while traveling and disclosing too much about yourself. For instance, if you don’t want to let on that you’re on your own, mention that you’re meeting a friend there, when asking for directions to a certain place. Don’t disclose that you’ll be up in your room alone to locals you’ve just met, no matter how friendly they seem. Hint: some of the biggest conmen in history were particularly charming and agreeable.

Choose the right tour operator

It doesn’t make much sense to have to pay more when you’re traveling alone, does it? However, as most of you already know, there’s such a thing as a single supplement, or single surcharge for people who travel on their own. What can you do to avoid this? Here’s a list of suggestions:

Find a company with a lower single surcharge. Some tour operators will offer a discount of 60 to 80 per cent for the single supplement. Some of them will match you up with like-minded solo travelers, based on preferences, age, background, etc.
Find a company that organizes solo travelers’ tours. Some travel companies organize singles-only trips, which can actually be a great way to meet someone new and fun. And if you’re a straight female who’s not looking to date, you can join a women’s only tour, too.
Go it alone but ask for a match–up. If groups and tours are not your thing but you still find yourself thinking “I need to plan a trip for myself”, you can ask your regular travel operator if there’s any way they could match you up with someone taking the same journey around the same time. This way, you can avoid the singles’ supplement.

Take yourself to town

Do you suffer from the dreaded solomangarephobia? You’re not alone, that’s for sure. Yes, that right there is the clinical name of the fear of eating alone. However, the experience can be pleasurable in and of itself. And if you’re completely alone in a new town, but want to meet people and explore the local single’s scene, the prestigious Zagat guides will help you understand how to decide where to travel on your own, since they include a dedicated section on the Singles Scene in many cities. And, besides, when you go out on your own, there are plenty of options at your disposal, designed to make you feel less awkward. You can sit at the bar, take up a table at an outdoor café, bring a book to keep you company. And female travelers can check out Invite for a Bite, which helps women meet up with other women for lunch, dinner, or brunch, both at home and while traveling.

Your First Trip Overseas: Honing the Right Mindset in 7 Easy Steps

Excited about your first trip across the border? You should be, because it’s going to be the kind of experience you remember for the rest of your life. However, you should bear in mind that there’s a right and a wrong way to travel abroad and it’s all about your mindset. Lucky for you, we’re here with tips on how to achieve the right attitude while traveling. first trip overseas - Istanbul Grand Bazaar

1. Things are nothing like at home

This bears repeating into infinity: your first time traveling overseas is going to cause culture shock. It’s going to have you discover realities and cultures you’ve never seen before. It will amaze, scare, and tire you but, at the end of the day, you will love it for this. Don’t take this lightly: there are customs around the world that will come as a major surprise – did you know, for instance, that in parts of Asia, passing gas after a meal is considered the supreme compliment? There are plenty more ‘weird’ habits such as this one out there, so the key is to be prepared to meet them all without judgment.

2. Bargain, but do it cleverly

In some parts of the world, not bargaining for souvenirs or other purchases is considered an offense. Yes, that’s right: if you’re heading to Turkey or parts of the Middle East, you need to understand that the local vendors do expect you to bargain. It’s a social practice very deeply ingrained in their culture – only if you consider the over 3,000 shops in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, you’ll get a feel of what we mean. There is, of course, an art to bargaining, from the time of the day you choose (11:00 to 13:00 works best at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar), to how you play into the seller’s power plays. But, at the end of the day, it’s also an exercise in flexibility, and a skill that’s likely to help you get better deals back home, too.

3. Always try the food

Trying out local cuisines is probably one of the best parts about traveling overseas. From the amazing array of wines and cheeses in France, to some seriously weird street food in Singapore, Thailand, or China, it’s worth trying everything once (unless, of course, you have an allergy). The point is not to act reckless in order to look cool, but to stay open-minded and try to create as authentic an experience as possible. If you’re visiting Tuscany or Sicily, steer clear of the high-end fancy tourist trap restaurants. Invest in a visit to a restaurant with Michelin stars, if you can (but be warned that you probably need to book well in advance). Or, better yet, follow some locals and check out their favorite eateries: they will have you eating pasta and pizza like you never even knew existed!

4. Make friends

Go out to the public square with a bottle of the preferred local beverage: you’re guaranteed to meet interesting new people within minutes, and end up discovering new attractions, sharing tips and tales, and just soaking in the atmosphere. Alternatively, if you’re technologically inclined and bring along a mobile device while you travel, you can use an app like Trippal. This app will allow you to create and tag your own route and search for international travelers with the same route, or for local users of the app. You can share details of your trip with them, ask for advice, or even arrange to meet up, for socializing and making new friends during your first international trip.

5. Have insurance, will travel

No, we’re not trying to sell you anything here, except, perhaps a bit of common sense. No, no one wants to think about accidents, health hazards, and death risks when traveling abroad – especially if it’s their first time. However, you wouldn’t want to be faced with an exorbitant healthcare bill, if push comes to shove, would you? And the worst part is that you can’t even foretell and budget for those costs, according to industry analyses. In the United States, for instance, health care costs vary widely across areas. A routine dentist visit may cost you around $100, but it can go all the way up to $300. Get travel health insurance, because, let’s face it, you’d much rather spend the kind of money healthcare requires on more fun things.

6. Don’t try to see the whole world in one go

Since this is your first time overseas, you might be tempted to take a month, or even a gap year off, and spend six months in eighty different places on the world map. However, the best and most memorable travel experiences are never these, but the ones which allow you to spend a lot of time in fewer places. Think about it: the more destinations you try to cram into a single journey, the more bus terminals, airports, customs checks and visas you will require. And it’s not that you can’t pull off all these things, but, at the end of the journey, they will leave you feeling depleted of energy and zombie-like.

Why not try an approach like ethical traveling, which is partly based on eco-tourism? This can give you the jolt of excitement that multiple destinations can provide, but you would actually be spending a lot of time in one or a handful of places, working toward restoring the economical welfare of an area. Research says integrated ecotourism can generate up to 95 per cent in revenue for local economies.

7. Forget the comfort zone

The comfort zone is all well and good, for, well, comfort – but staying resolutely inside it at all times will do nothing for enriching your experiences. Ever though rice wine (which is 50 per cent alcohol, by the way) could be a good idea in the morning? In some parts of Asia, for instance, you’ll be hard-pressed to turn down an offer of the beverage, no matter how early in the day it may be for you, as this tale from Lintao, County Gansu, China, will tell you. No matter how convinced you are that you know what will happen, give everything a shot once. You never know what’s going to happen.

The Ultimate Guide to Your First Trip Abroad

Planning

Planning for a first time traveling overseas may seem like a daunting task, but it’s not, once you break it all down to a few very basic questions and possible answers. Here are all the essentials you will need to consider:

Where do you want to go?

· Africa

Great for: wildlife tours, the most ancient cultural heritage in the world (think ‘cradle of civilization’), incredibly rich cultural diversity.

Watch out for: endemic violence, horrible infrastructure, diseases.

· Asia

Great for: awesome exotic food, spectacular landscapes, rich and diverse cultures, shopping for affordable electronics, great prices, friendly locals.

Watch out for: cultural clashes, remote areas, energy consumption (there’s a lot of walking and general traveling you’ll need to be doing in Asia).

· Europe

Great for: cultural, historical, and nightlife attractions; some remote areas of untouched natural beauty.

Watch out for: the poorer areas in the East, complex infrastructure, expensive ‘tourist traps’ in the West.

· The Middle East

Great for: superbly exotic landscapes and cultures; beautiful historic sites in countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine; great beaches.

Watch out for: cultural clashes, misconceptions on your part, areas with international conflicts.

· Australia

Great for: nature explorations and very diverse flora and fauna; friendly and relaxed atmosphere; perfect beaches and beach-weather.

Watch out for: expensive bigger cities, very remote areas in the Outback.

· North America

Great for: urban explorations, once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences, rich diversity of cultures and landscapes from one end to the next.

Watch out for: expensive cities, remoter areas with exclusive communities, some violence and risk.

· South America

Great for: ancient historical sites, incredibly diverse cultures, spectacular virgin landscapes, friendly locals.

Watch out for: violence, language barriers (do learn a spot of Spanish before you travel), poverty.

How much are you willing to spend?

· Budget trip

If this is your first time overseas and you’re still in school, early on in your career, or simply a bit strapped for cash, you can still travel abroad, provided you pick the right destination. Some parts of Asia (especially India and China) are great for spending up to $50 per day, as are South America and the Middle East, for the most part. You can even spring for the more affordable destinations in Europe, like the central and eastern parts.

· Mid-range

Having access to a mid-sized budgets basically opens up the entire world for you, from the whole of Europe (including its more expensive northern part) to North America, popular destinations in Asia and South America, as well as Australia.

· Full-on luxury

If you have a budget of $100 to $500 per day at your disposal, well… lucky you. In some parts of the world, like South America, parts of Europe and North America, as well as Asia, $100 per day will provide a stay in the lap of luxury. If you’re looking for luxury in expensive places, like Australia, New York, or Switzerland, you can expect to spend $500 per day, or even far more.

How will you get there?

· By plane

PROS: It will get you anywhere in the world fast. If you’re traveling overseas, it’s unavoidable to fly (unless you’re considering a cruise). Book well in advance for cheaper tickets and try out a service like Skyscanner, which provides access to all the flights in the world.

CONS: Internal flights are not recommended, since they’re expensive – in fact all air travel is expensive and it’s also the least flexible solution.

· By public transport

PROS: It’s a cheap and flexible option for your first international trip and will get you almost anywhere in your country of choice.

CONS: It does require some planning in advance, like purchasing a map of the local mass transit system and being informed on schedules, pricing, and purchase options. It can be slow and unreliable in some parts of the world.

· By car

PROS: It’s by far the most flexible traveling option, which allows you the most autonomy. You can bring your own car or rent as you go along.

CONS: It’s highly expensive, requires an international driving license, and a lot of experience and versatility in many areas of the world with different rules. Also, it’s entirely not recommended in areas with poor road infrastructure, such as Africa, parts of Asia and some areas in South America.

Where do you want to stay?

· Hostel

No, hostels don’t have to be like that horror movie we’ve all seen. On the upside, they’re incredibly affordable and can even be booked at the last minute nowadays. They usually boast great locations and are always filled with likeminded travelers from around the world.

How to book: HostelWorld

· Hotel

There’s a very wide range of options at your disposal, from regular hotels to quaint little B&Bs, to luxury hotels and resorts. They’re more expensive, but are diverse and flexible enough to be the recommended option for most first-time travelers.

How to book: Booking

· Rental

It’s usually cheaper to rent out a studio, apartment or home at your destination of choice (though not always). But by far the biggest boon of choosing rentals is that you get a very authentic local experience, unmatched by that of any hotel or resort.

How to book: Airbnb airbnb

Preparing

Packing

Know thy luggage weight limit. The point is not to meet it, but stay below it. If you can’t carry your own luggage up the stairs, time to start unpacking some things.

More socks and underwear, less shoes. It’s a golden rule.

Earplugs and sleep masks are lifesavers. Especially if you’ll be flying for 10+ hours.

More memory for your camera. Yes, you will be taking lots of pictures – bring an extra card.

Some health precautions are advisable. Nothing too fancy: Imodium, aspirin and Band-Aids are perfect.

For safety

Get a medical checkup and see if you require any vaccines before heading out to a remote corner of the world.
Have several copies of your identification documents handy (passport and/or ID), but keep them in different locations.
Register with your embassy on arrival, especially when traveling to riskier areas.

Traveling

Planes and airports

Arrive early. Yes, airports are boring, but missing flights isn’t that much fun either.

Eat at home. We can’t decide if the worst thing about airport food is the taste or the price.

Don’t get drunk. Yes, it’s fun to travel a bit buzzed, but hangovers on arrival are hell.

Entertain yourself. iPad, book, portable music player – anything that can divert your attention for a few hours is a god-send in flight.

When in…

Money

Know the local conversion rate.

Always have local currency in cash.

Find out before you travel if you can use your credit card.

Electronics

Bring a travel adapter.

Check and double check that you have your charger.

Activate roaming services if you can afford them, or purchase a pre-paid international calling card.

Fun

Research events for your first trip, like local festivals or special performances before departure.

Leave your comfort zone: stray off the beaten paths, make local friends, ask for guidance, try out local cuisines and street food.

Be polite and respectful of local cultures. Don’t scoff, struggle to know at least a few words in the local language, and learn a bit about local customs in terms of traveling, dining, and socializing.

My First International Trip

Languages

My first trip overseas. My first trip to a country that doesn’t speak English. My first time abroad. My first time to see what I’ve been missing all my life. My first trip out of my home state. My first time finding adventure in travel and languages and new cultures and ways of seeing my country from other’s perspective.

My first international trip was to France, Switzerland and Italy. In Switzerland everyone spoke English. In Italy my high school Spanish was close enough. And then there was France.

Parisians are renowned for their antipathy for anyone who speaks French imperfectly, and have an even greater disdain for Americans (and possibly the British) who know no language but their own. So I tried Spanish, with apologies for not speaking French. It worked beautifully – the local would suggest English, we would have a conversation, and no one expressed the usual displeasure at my ignorance of French.

But now, everything is different. English is the international language and, while it is convenient for the English-speaking world, it also removes much of the mystery and fun from travel. You should not assume from the above statement that the whole world speaks English. You are likely to find English speakers in major cities, tourist destinations, and among the educated. The further you get from those areas, the less likely you will find English.

If we will be in a country for some weeks, we make an effort to learn a few key words and phrases because it shows some respect for host country. People (other than French speakers) are usually delighted to help and pleased that you tried their language. We usually learn:

Please, Thank You, Hello, Goodbye, How are You?
The numbers 1-10,
Open, Closed, Left, Right, Straight (for the taxis),
Train Station, Airport, Taxi,
Restaurant, Hotel, Room, bathroom
When, Where, Who, (you’ll won’t like the long answers you get to Why), How Much, How Far,
Rain, Snow,
I like it very much,
Help.

With that set of words, and maybe a few more, you can get by, and impress your hosts with your willingness to try.

Beyond the basic set of words above, the next most important set of words are menu items. You have to eat and non-tourist restaurants offer a unique glimpse of the local culture. However, they will not likely have an English language menu, so you might want to learn (or have a cheat sheet for)

Meats: Beef, steak, chicken (breast, dark or white meat), fish pork, liver (and any food you really do NOT want)
Vegetarian, if that’s important to you
Vegetables: potatoes, carrots, broccoli, etc.,
Methods of preparation: fried, poached, braised, baked, grilled,
And pasta, rice, water, drinks, wine, and of course, any of the regional specialties.
Plus any meal you are in search of.

First Trip Abroad: What to Expect

If you haven’t experienced the joys of overseas travel you may be somewhat apprehensive about what you are expected to do and when during the trip. This is primer.

#1. Visas. To determine whether or not you will need a visa go to the website of consulate of the destination country. You can usually access it through the country’s embassy. Or you can call the consulate.
The website will give you all of the information and forms you require. Typically, you fill out a form, print it, attach one or more visa (passport) sized photos and sent the package along with your passport to the consulate. However, read the instructions carefully: some countries (Russia comes to mind) have other requirements and failure to meet all of them will cost you time – possibly a lot of time. Send your passport and documents in some form of mail which can be tracked. I always require a signature as well. At some point your passport will be returned to you with the visa pasted to one of the pages. If you live near a consulate, you can usually drop off the documents and passport and pick it up at the designated time. In some cases, they will offer one day service. The are some countries which allow US passport holders to get a visa at the airport on arrival. This sounds convenient, but remember you will arrive exhausted and have to wait in yet another line for the visa. I don’t do it.

#2. On the day of departure you will need to arrive two hours (possibly more) prior to the flight. The airline will require your passport at check-in.

#3. During the flight you will be given some kind of entry form to fill out. The form may also tell you what items you must declare to the Customs official.

#4. Upon arrival in another country (whether or not they require a visa) you will first go through immigration or passport control (or some similar name) where you will spend a long time waiting in line for some indifferent official to put an illegible smear in your passport. Next stop: baggage. You will retrieve your bags and proceed to Customs and make a decision about whether you have anything to declare (see above). Travelers rarely have anything they are required to declare so you will proceed to the exit marked “Nothing to Declare” or something similar. It is often marked with a green light or symbol. Once through that door you are free!

If your itinerary includes other countries, you will go through the same process in each country with a few exceptions: The European Union allows you to go from one country to another without border controls. This is also true within the United Kingdom.

When you return to the US you have the same rigmarole: passport Control, baggage pick up, Customs. However, sometimes the Passport Officers send you off with a “Welcome Home” and that’s very nice indeed.