Hello all-
Fifty-two yo female traveling solo at the end of May. Paris (4 days) then Brussels for a day and night then off to Amsterdam (5 days).
I'm terribly excited about my trip but just a bit nervous as well. I have traveled solo in the past- to Ireland and Scotland. I know my bit of nervousness will go away once I start my trip. Hopefully!
Just asking for any solid advice anyone may offer up.
Thanks!
Don't worry. Seriously, that's the only advice you need. Train transportation will get you to your destinations and public transportation will work when you're in towns.
I have yet to visit Brussels.
The Dutch speak English amazingly well so that will be easy.
With the French it's important to be perceived as polite. For the most part that means always beginning any conversation with a fairly formal greeting (Hello madam, excuse me sir) before asking a question and ending with a thank you and goodbye - even if the conversation is with a store clerk. It's much better to be overly formal than overly familiar. I've had way more Parisians go out of their way to help (well beyond what I would expect) than treat me rudely. In my experience, I'd put the numbers about 60 percent are fine, 38 percent are wonderful and 2 percent are jerks. I'd expect you will be treated even better as a woman.
Having traveled solo quite a lot (and being a woman), I'll offer some tips which you may already be doing.
Dress and carry your belongings in a style that will blend in with locals so you don't stand out as a tourist, especially an American tourist. As in any big city, it's not rude to avoid eye contact with strangers, it's quite normal.
If someone asks you where you are going, don't give them a straight answer. "Oh, well, I have a lot of places on my list for today!" is a useful response. Naturally there will be situations where you need to ask directions, and if so try to ask a woman or a family.
On the train, if you leave your seat to use the lavatory or something, take all of your bags with you.
If you want to visit bars/pubs, it's better to find a "pub crawl" walking tour to go as a group than to go alone. Overall, trust your instincts. If a situation feels dicey, better to turn around and leave than to risk it.
All of that said, the vast majority of people you'll encounter are perfectly nice and trustworthy. You may meet another solo tourist and enjoy hanging out together for a day. I've even shared a hotel room with a stranger on occasion, with no ill effects-- one of those shares turned into a years-long friendship!
Aside from London, Paris is where I saw the most single female travelers. My suggestion is to take a couple Paris Walks tour www.pariswalks.com. They explore different neighborhoods and you can often chat and meet other Americans/Anglo-phones. Since I'm not a night owl, I usually eat my main meal in the afternoon/lunches where I don't feel as conspicuous sitting alone. As for the evenings, look to see if there are any concerts or plays you are interested in. As for Brussels, it's relatively compact and you can see most of the big attractions in a day. Don't miss the many waffle stands and chocolate stores with free samples.
While traveling solo can be lonely, it's also liberating since you have no one asking why you want to go to that museum or doesn't like that restaurant.
Have a wonderful time! I love Paris and have been there solo a number of times. I second the Paris Walks suggestion. I managed to fit in 4 over 11 days last Fall, lol! Really interesting!
I did get pickpocketed last April but they only got my small pouch with OTC meds, etc. I do suggest you have a money belt and keep your extra money and CC/DC in there. After this experience I tried to go to the ATM first thing in the AM, then head back to my hotel to re-stow my Debit card and my extra Euro.
Since I'm on my own I also carry 2 debit cards (one from my local credit union and one from my money market acct) and 2 credit cards. I've had my CU debit card not work in UK (even after going in to do a travel notification) and had to have my brother back home contact them.
If I were staying in Brussels on my own I would stay near the Grand Place. The area around Gare du Midi makes me a little nervous but I am NOT from a big city! I've stayed at the Ibis near the Grand Place before and would feel comfortable there on my own.
Since you are doing train travel, you'll want to make sure your bag is manageable so that you can get it onboard yourself. Your train transfers will work fine as long as you are aware of the France rail strike dates.
I'd love to read a Trip Report when you get back (well, you couldn't really do one before you left, now, could you??)!
Have a terrific time!
Pam mentioned the French train strikes -- the good part is that strike dates have been set and, at least at this date, SNCF is not selling seats on those days so you won't have the will-I-won't-I angst of those of us who booked trains before the strike was announced. If you book a train, it will run.
Wow! Thank you all for the sound advice. You guys are great!
I will definitely book a Paris Walk. I briefly looked at website and noticed the Hemingway walk- but alas it's on Friday and I'm heading to Brussels Friday. My son and I did a food walking tour of the Lower East Side in NYC and it was awesome. The same for a walking tour I found for book lovers in Edinborough Scotland.
Thanks for the info on stashing money/CC/DC- and having two debit cards as I was only going to take one.
Concerning the rail strike- I have already purchased tickets. Months ago! When I checked it looks as though the days I'm traveling are "good" days.
While in Brussels- staying in a Hostel (private room).
After reading all of your wonderful responses I'm getting more excited. And yes, I'm going to enjoy every moment.
Again, thanks bunches!
(this a great site- glad I found it- I love Rick Steves)
CTB, most of the Paris Walks you don't have to reserve, you just show up at the stated meeting spot. It's usually easy to tell if someone else is also going on the Walk, then easy enough to ask or just wait nearby.
We've had such excellent tours that I'm hoping to plan my 2019 trip around some of the specific walks!
I always advise new visitors to Paris to use ATM's inside a bank lobby during the day. That way, you have access to bank personnel if the machine keeps your card (which happened to a friend) or something else goes wrong. Also the lobby ATM machines are less likely to be tampered with and you have a little more privacy when imputing information.
I have been a few times to Paris; some alone, once with a friend and it's one of my favorite places
The usual advice to make an attempt at the language. I thought most people were very friendly and helpful.
The hotel desk or Air Bnb hosts are always great for tips on where to go. My favorite though is just wine and onion soup at a cafe and people watching. Was up early one morning and went up to Montmarte and found a cute cafe for breakfast and watched a little event in the little square across the street get set up. Dali museum up there is kind of cool too
My tip... if you go to Versailles take the short train trip and do it yourself as opposed to a tour that will cost the earth and cattle prod you through the palace and leave you only about 30 minutes to see the gift shoppe, grounds and make it back to search for your tour bus in the sea of busses in the parking lot. Plus...the short walk from the train station to the palace gives you a chance to see a little of the town and there will be a boulangerie on the left side of the street as you are walking towards the palace that has IMO one of the best chocolate almond croissants I have ever had :-)
Oh one more...best hot chocolate ever... Angelinas by the Louvre :-) It's almost like drinking a melted chocolate bar ! Boat ride at night around the Seine is pretty cool too.
I hope you have a great trip!
Elise
Plastic money: Yes, have two ATM/debit cards and two credit cards, from different institutions. I never carry all the cards in the same wallet, keeping several in an under-the-shirt neck purse or in the hotel safe. Depending on the fees your banks charge for foreign transactions (maybe not the same as using them at home) it can be more economical to withdraw a large sum of cash and pay for most things the old-fashioned way.
Paris is particularly known for its pickpockets in tourist areas, although not muggers. A favorite ploy is to talk fast and push a petition in your face as a distraction. Politeness is not an issue. Ignore approaching strangers; no talking whatsoever.
Persistence, or any physical touching, should spark a very loud response, then walk faster.
Despite all that, Paris is wonderful, and not dangerous. The centre of my evenings is an elaborate meal. The Fork is a website with resto guides and reservation functions. A single diner wanting a table in a small place can benefit from its service. It's part of TripAdvisor: https://www.thefork.com/
All dining places in Paris must post their menus so it is easy to window-shop. I think it is common in the other cities you mention. Over many trips to all those cities, only once did I suspect I had been turned away for being alone in favour of a couple buying two meals instead of one. Don't worry; you will be fine.
I'm 53 and getting ready to make my 7th solo trip to Europe next month--the only part of my travels that creates a small bit of anxiety is being completely alone and responsible for myself, no one to lean on or ask advice or sort out a travel dilemma--or watch my bag when I'm on a train and want to use the restroom! But I always go with plenty of research under my belt and each trip has gone perfectly--and each successful trip adds to my confidence. I find solo travel to be quite liberating and truly prefer to just do my own thing.
