Solo travel safety

Your fears sound like your typical low-level "out of practice" anxiety with no concrete evidence that risk levels of traveling alone have increased in the past 10 years to warrant the anxiety. Here's what you can do: 1) travel light so you can be in command of your things at all times 2) don't bring any valuables if theft worries are an issue, and keep your money/credit cards/passport safely stowed away 3) be willing to trade-off some of your budget for safer lodging 4) be alert, but not anxious and 5) stay in touch with someone over text/email so that you don't feel isolated and they know where you are. I haven't stayed at an Airbnb but if you're really worried, then just pick reasonably-priced lodging with a 24/7 front desk. You can always do Google Street view and a virtual walk to confirm you're comfortable with the lodging locations.

Consider staying in a low budget hotel. Look at Motel One, Ibis, etc. though staying in a hostel is cheap, you have to share your space with people that snore, smell, etc. I' rather be in a small hotel and save money on other things.

Places like Berlin are very budget friendly when it comes to food, tours, etc.

Where do you live? Are you frightened there in your city or worried about your safety? I am 61 and travel everywhere by myself in Germany and Spain. It never even crosses my mind that it might be unsafe.

Is it safe to do an air bnb?

I had great experiences with airbnb, in the US and abroad. After browsing and identifying a few properties in a neighborhood I am interested in, I look for ads meeting these requirements.

• The host has very few properties listed (preferably only one). A good hint that the host is an owner, and not an agent. By cutting out an agent, the cost can be lower, and I can communicate with the owner directly.

• The ad has clear description of the owner, the property and the rules, with good photos.

• The ads with unreasonable security deposits, or cleaning fees, etc. are eliminated.

• The ads have good number of positive and recent reviews, by renters similar to myself.

• The price is at the upper percentile of similar properties in the same neighborhood. It suggests that the host knows his/her property is worth the higher price, as do the other renters.

Then I contact the host with questions. Those who don't respond or have problem communicating are eliminated.

Yes, it takes some work. But better safe than sorry.

My biggest gripe with airbnb is their lack of a forum for the renters.

I prefer an hotel. Like Agnes, I like having a reception desk. The front desk can assist with a myriad of items, including illness or emergency. I have never stayed in an apartment, as I don't want to make my meals, clean the place before I leave, etc. I choose basic hotels. My requirements are safe and clean, so I read all reviews by booking.com, hotels.com and TripAdvisor.

I travel solo 95% of the time. I stayed at a couple of lovely hotels in Germany which were really B&Bs, that is, no 24/7 front desk, so make sure that is in your search. I also prefer hotels - booking.com has listings in all price ranges and locations.

Post again with more questions about specific cities and neighborhoods.

I like apartments but in your case a hotel with a front desk may be better. Less anxiety and a local person you can ask for help if needed

The pros to an Airbnb or other apartment are more space for the money (less relevant to solo travel), access to kitchen to cook or just store refrigerated items for snacks, and often interesting locations outside the standard hotel zones. You can get the good location in a small bnb, and some hotels have kitchen facilities so it's a matter of priority.

I would not do a shared Airbnb, where you stay in a spare room or couch while the owner is there. However if you prefer it an Airbnb where you have the whole place is ok. Good reviews, ask questions, standard precautions.

I've just completed my 7th solo trip and I also prefer staying at hotels, I like having a 24 hr front desk and someone to assist if needed, and if I'm on vacation I really don't want to spend time cooking and cleaning.

Agnes's first sentence is spot-on. I think you're feeling anxious mostly because you haven't traveled in a while. Nothing has really changed in 10 years that would apply to your situation. Ten years ago, you were probably taking precautions like not bringing irreplaceable valuables on the trip, taking taxis if you were alone late at night, not telling strangers your hotel location, etc. Keep the same practices now.

I agree that the key to "safe accommodations" is lots of research. I also agree that for your situation, you'll probably feel more comfortable with a hotel, and that as a solo traveler, you don't save that much money with Airbnb (for a family it can be different).

If you tell us where you're going in Germany and Italy, and a budget in euros ("shoestring" means different things to different people), people can give specific lodging recommendations. You can also look at the online reviews; while Tripadvisor has the most, I also look at Booking dot com and Hotels dot com, as only people who have booked through them can post a review (Tripadvisor reviews can be fakes, positive ones posted by the owner's friend or negative ones posted by a competitor, although sheer numbers can help weed these out). Many reviews will comment on safety issues, like marginal neighborhoods or doors that don't lock properly.

Here are Rick's tips for solo travelers: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/tips-for-traveling-solo

And another post on solo women travelers: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/tips-for-solo-women-travelers

...".though staying in a hostel is cheap, you have to share your space with people that snore, smell, etc. I' rather be in a small hotel and save money on other things." Amen.

I also travel solo and feel safe. I have stayed at airbnb or VRBO with family or friends but when traveling alone, I prefer hotels or B&B. I completely understand your concerns about the airbnb alone-even with a well meaning host with good reviews, there are a lot more variables when it comes to security. But there are other budget options. Some hostels have private room options that still end up being cheaper than hotels. Some universities rent out their dorm rooms in the summer if you are traveling in the summer months.

Other tips: pack what you can easily carry and bring something to do at dinner. Dinners are usually a time where I chat and rehash my day with friends and family (on vacation or at home) so that is the time where I would get a little lonely and I have a limit on people watching. So I would read, journal, review/edit photos and sometimes upload to social media if there was wifi. And I would people watch- but in a restaurant, people watching easily turns into creepily staring at people eating their food.

Thank you for the excellent replies. It's true, I am probably more out of practice than anything. I attributed it to my lower tolerance level for risk because I used to be fearless (recklessly so probably). These are all excellent point to keep in mind. If I did stay at a hostel, it would certainly not be a dorm - I can agree wholeheartedly that sharing a room with a bunch of strangers again is not on my list of desirable things to do.

I am thinking Berlin for 4 days and Munich for 3 days, then I'll probably end up in Bologna, Italy for a day waiting for my ride.

I usually travel solo, although my experience as a male traveller is no doubt a bit different.

For lodgings you might have a look at the RS guidebooks for the places you'll be staying, as they have numerous listings for reliable and safe hotels in various price ranges. I like having desk staff to help out with sightseeing or transportation tips, and also like the full breakfast that is normally provided.

I've also stayed in Hostels on occasion, normally in a dorm room. If you want cheap accommodations, that's always a good option but you'll have to tolerate "communal living". I've found that private rooms in Hostels are often about the same price as a budget hotel.

On the topic of theft, you'll have to be vigilant to avoid pickpockets and scammers where ever you are. Wear a money belt and don't access it where others can see. Keep some daily expense cash in an accessible pocket or other location, and only use the money belt for "deep storage".

In my experience lately, one of the most useful and practical items for solo travellers is a cell phone (preferably a smart phone).

I thought airbnb were outlawed in Germany, maybe it was only in Berlin. Check on that. I would not stay in a airbnb anyway. That's not an option for me.

Staying at private, independent hostels is all right, generally don't mind it as solo traveler, whether I am in a dorm room (which is the cheapest) or a private room, which obviously is the most expensive, since you're paying for the luxury of privacy.

Staying at hostels is still an option and I'm twenty years your senior but normally I stay at Pensionen or small hotels. You get a card key (Kartenschlüssel) whether in a dorm room or a private room If the private room is a double and you're solo, keep in mind that you pay for both beds since you are occupying the room. I don't stay in HI hostels, not in Germany anyway.

I think your fears are groundless when it applies to accommodations in Germany. In Vienna at the Wombats hostel I've seen international tourists (women) in your age group. These were Koreans. Hostels are not just for college kids and millennials.

It is true that getting a private room, as I have done sometimes, ended up costing more than staying in a Pension or small hotel because you pay for both beds. The cost of the private room is per bed. That was in Vienna in the same neighborhood. I got used to staying in a dorm rooms with "strangers" in HI hostels in Germany in the early 1970s, anywhere with three other guys (I was the 4th person) in a room or 19 guys in a room with ten bunks, like in a ward. You are also a "stranger" to them too.

Clarification of 'shoestring' budget is that I'm hoping to keep the nightly hotel cost somewhere between 35 to 55 EUR, eating an on the go late breakfast and not again until dinner, mostly walking rather than paying for transport and partaking in many free activities and pay activities will be carefully chosen. So I don't know, not including transport between cities, maybe less than 80 EUR per day? Is that possible to do without sleeping in a dorm? The dorm is definitely not happening. Been there done that, not going back.

I am not too familiar with Germany but I think that will be tough without staying in a dorm. I like the hostelworld website or booking.com. Just start taking a look and seeing what's out there.

I'm hoping to keep the nightly hotel cost somewhere between 35 to 55 EUR

I think you have to keep your expectations in check - try looking into small mom and pop places in small towns in lieu of large cities (I don't think you can get a hotel room at these rates in large(er) cities, and in small towns you don't really need to stress over safety issues). One frequent contributor on this forum has had a lot of success booking with finding reasonable lodging on town websites in Germany that would fit your budget. Check out those town websites as opposed to larger consolidator sites (like booking.com which will steer you toward higher end properties).

"So I don't know, not including transport between cities, maybe less than 80 EUR per day? Is that possible to do without sleeping in a dorm? The dorm is definitely not happening." Neither is that budget, in all probability, if you're talking about Munich and Berlin. And nothing will wear you down faster than trying to walk major cities over 3-4 days.

Stay in smaller places where...
- you can get around easily on foot
- local transportation is free or cheap
- you can find cheap, private B&B's or apartments that aren't completely in the boondocks (as is the case in major cities.)

The Black Forest in southwest Germany and Franconia would be good options. Franconia is in Bavaria, north of Munich - see blue area on this map.

Details:

Free train + bus transportation around the entire Black Forest with the KONUS card when you book in certain small towns.

Cheap day pass (€19.10) for outings by train + bus between towns in Franconia (Bamberg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Bad Windhseim Iphofen.) If you buy this day pass for Saturday it's valid on Sunday too.

Neustadt-an-der Aisch (Franconia) apartment I've used - €28/night w/ multi-night stay. Owners speak English, use "contact owner" link to inquire.

Steinach (Black Forest) farm apartment w/2 br I've used - €36/night, 3-night min. They also have a "Giebelzimmer" - a small but nice enough attic room, on the floor above, which is noted on this webpage for €25/night. Info is in German but Herr Schöner speaks some English - send an email.
[email protected]
[email protected]

Both Steinach and Neustadt-an-der-Aisch are located on train lines. Both apartments have a nice outdoor balcony. You won't get breakast at the apartments but with kitchen facitilies you can pick up breakfast foods at the local grocery.

Steinach is on the scenic Black Forest Railway within easy reach of other interesting towns. The walk to the Steinach station from the apartment is easy, the walk in Neustadt longer - inquire about the bikes on hand.

Neustadt is a typical small town located mid-way between Nuremberg and Würzburg.

The price range you indicate 35 to 55 Euro is what I pay at a Pension or a small hotel (2 star) for a single room (EZ) in Germany, (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Düsseldorf), depending on the town or location. This is in the summer. If it's a two star hotel, the single room will come in between. 35 to 55 Euro, depending on the amenities. In Berlin I pay 40 Euro for the EZ, in Munich I pay 48 Euro at those Pensionen.

Only a dorm room in a hostel is cheaper but not necessarily for a private room. For a private room in a hostel, I've paid as high as 65 Euro. Had I decided to stay at a near by Pension, ca 10 mins walk, I would have only paid 45-55 Euro for a single. This was in Vienna, also in the summer.

I'm a middle-aged woman and always travel solo. I prefer hotels and like the Motel One chain - great prices, super-clean and comfy, nice public areas.

I had a good experience with Airbnb in Copenhagen where I rented a whole flat owned by a lovely woman who went off to stay with her mother whenever the flat was occupied. I would only consider renting a whole property though, not a room in a flat, so it's not cheap.

ok well I could consider alternate locations but I really had my heart set on Berlin so I will have to adjust my budget on that location.

Thanks for the alternate suggestions though, and the specific accomodation suggestions. I will definitely consider those.

For Berlin, which neighbourhoods would you recommend for a) not being too far away from major sites although I realize that they may be all over the place or at least easily accessible by transit and b) also being in an area quiet enough where I don't have to deal with all night party-ers. I really enjoy seeing how locals, eat, live so I don't mind staying somewhere that is untouristy. Also, obviously considering my budget issues.

I recommend starting a separate topic in the Germany section to get more information on Berlin. People may not realize you have asked another question. And it will be more likely to grab the attention of people who have more info to give on Berlin. Have fun on your trip!

Two websites that are helpful for solo travelers:

https://solotravelerworld.com/

http://www.women-on-the-road.com

Have fun!

Keep in mind that Berlin relative to other big cities and, especially capitals, is one of the cheapest....certainly cheaper than Oslo, Paris, London, Vienna, Stockholm, Rome, etc.

excellent, good advice, thanks everyone