Something to consider if you travel without your significant other

Unfortunately stuff happens. Personally I would never consider traveling alone but understand that some circumstances making traveling alone preferred. I think that if I had to travel alone I would find set up in advance for someone to join me if such an emergency occurred. Some of the evacuation policies provide for a caretaker to do so in an emergency. Wish her luck and hope that husband is not the "I told you so ...." type.

Thank you Patricia. Definitely something to consider. My husband does not have a passport because he refuses to travel. But emergencies and contingencies need to be addressed.

Oh, I’m so sorry for your friend.

I travel solo. I don’t have a significant other and I’m not going to wait until a friend or family member wants to go to the same place I want to go.

I do make sure I have travel insurance with a med-evac plan. I’d not actually thought about having someone fly over to help me if needed but my brother/SIL/friends all have passports. That’s a good thing to discuss with them next time I travel.

I have fallen a couple of times in Europe with no major damage. SIL fell last year on the Best of Scotland tour and although my brother and I were there she didn’t realize until she returned home that she’d fractured her elbow in 3 places.

I have slowed down my walking pace particularly when I’m in Europe and watch the ground a lot. I’m in Paris right now and walked through Pere Lachaise Cemetery today. With the combo of cobbles and fallen leaves wet from this morning’s rain I wound up watching my feet more than the graves!

Hope things work out for Mary!

Oh I am so sorry for your friend !! I hope she is able to return to Europe one day and enjoy it .

I travel alone sometimes - and I always get good medical insurance with evacuation etc -

I actually don’t have any family members or close friends who don’t have passports ! That seems so odd to me . So I guess it’s great that you posted this for others who’s family or friends are not into leaving their own country ( that is so sad )

Actually it’s likely better her friend flew out to her as her husband might have found it all too difficult ( staying in a foreign country, different language , transport etc ) plus dealing with his poor wife’s accident and injury . If friend had passport I assume she’s at least been out of country before

Yup. I remember when I was a teenager going on a study abroad school trip. My parents didn’t have passports but went and got them for just this type of incident. If you travel alone and have a close family member who would come help you in an emergency- make sure that person has a passport!

I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to your friend and I hope that not only does the surgery go well and she makes a full recovery, but that this doesn't put her off international travel in the long term (assuming she is able and has the resources to try again!)

Very rarely does the Medivac portion of trip insurance have to be used requiring private aircraft. Most of those with problems can be flown on a commercial flight in first class if needed.

So sad that Mary's first trip abroad had such an awful beginning. I've travelled solo a few times - usually because DHs work had taken him to the other side of the world. Thankfully I've never suffered an accident this severe. But if I had, fortunately I have family and friends who are well travelled and all have passports. (My now adult kids gave had passports since they were toddlers).

It's probably just as well that Mary's friend travelled instead of her DH. Since she has been abroad before, she will likely be better equipped to handle the complications of a different language, travel, accommodations, bureaucracy, etc.

Thanks for sharing. I travel alone frequently and had never really thought about the fact that no one who might need to come to me in an emergency has a passport.

Thanks for sharing, and something to always consider. But, as I look back and think of all the overseas trips that are taken by business people (solo) all the time for various meetings/conferences, etc., , I am sure not just those on vacation have issues happen.

We met two young ladies (from America) in Stockholm, and as we got chatting, seems their third friend broke her leg, could not fly, but needed to get home (so the only option was to do a cruise home). So, they were driving from I forget where thru several countries to ultimately get her to London to take the transAtlantic trip home, before then flew home. But, they were getting a quick (unplanned) glimpse at some places en route. What DEAR friends they are to help her like that and completely abort the original trip plans. Dear friends!!!

Even if someone has no interest in international travel, a passport can be used as ID as well. I don’t drive so I didn’t realize my driver’s license had expired. I used my passport as ID for a domestic flight as well as to buy alcohol. The 7/11 has a ridiculous card everyone policy. I’ve had to buy cigarettes for my 75 year old neighbor at times

I travel solo full time. I have very good travel insurance and an excellent evacuation policy. (Not just medical but also war, terrorism or anything where I may need to leave quickl)

Another thing I carry is an emergency information card in my moneybelt. It has my name, name and contact information of my emergency person, my illnesses and the medication I take. It also has my nationality so they know which embassy to contact just in case.

Also make sure your emergency contact has copies of your travel medical policy and evacuation insurance. And knows what to do in case you aren't able.

Thank you Patricia for posting something we all need to consider. I hope your friend heals quickly and can try another trip one day.

First of all, lots of support for Mary. I pray all goes well with her surgery and recovery.

The whole thing about “traveling without significant other” really threw me as a non issue. How do you think single people live, get sick, have injuries, and travel as a matter of course? They do it by themselves on a daily basis. It isn’t always easy, but it can be done.

Three cheers for Mary in having good travel insurance and a good friend. I hope she heals quickly.

Patricia, thanks for sharing this post as something to think about when traveling.

It also made me realize that when my niece was a teacher for two years at an international school in Italy, she could have run into this issue. She isn't married, and neither of her parents like to fly, especially overseas (& no passports). So, if she had a serious health issue, I would have needed to fly over promptly to help her.

Hope the surgery is successful, and she is able to enjoy a wonderful trip to Europe in a year or two!

This was so kind of you to post this to help those of us who may need to consider this. I’m so sorry for your friend and hope she can recover quickly.

Patricia,

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend's holiday misfortune. It's unfortunate that her first ever trip to Italy won't have pleasant memories, but hopefully she will decide to return.

Like others who have commented here I also usually travel solo, and always make sure that I have good travel medical insurance, including evacuation if necessary.

I've also spent time in an Italian hospital for a leg injury (including surgery) so I can very much relate to her situation. In my case, it never occurred to me to ask a friend or relative to travel over to help me, so I went through the experience on my own. I found that the most valuable travel accessory to have in a situation like that was my smartphone, as it allowed me to maintain contact with my family, travel agent and travel insurance company.

I'm sure the language situation is proving a bit challenging for her. Depending on the decision of the physicians treating her, she may be able to travel home via commercial flights. If that's the case, she will need to get prior approval from the medical department at the airline. The airlines & airports have wheelchair transfers figured out pretty well. If her leg needs to be elevated during transport, that will probably mean an upgrade to business class, which the travel insurance should pay for. For a leg fracture, I doubt that stretcher transport via private jet would be warranted (it wasn't in my case), but of course I don't know the specifics of her injury. Just curious, which Italian town is she hospitalized in?

If you're able to communicate with "Mary", tell her to try and remain optimistic as she will get through this.

Medical care in Italy is some of the best in the world, far better than USA.

Very discouraging for a first trip to Italy or anywhere for that matter . As others have said hope she gets another chance for a trip.
My husband has a passport but I would not ask him to come. Emotional comfort yes but otherwise it would be another thing for me to manage while recovering from an injury. He has never been with me on any of the many trips to Europe or south America or Mexico. I do have medical insurance which includes evacuation. When I have had minor illnesses/mishaps in Europe I have been impressed and grateful I was in Europe instead of the U.S. where even minor health issues can be a costly nightmare.

Posts like these are so important, and I've learned something new again. First step for me after I read about situations like this is to check my credit card and company health insurance to see what my coverage is. I've done that several times since discovering this forum, just so I have some advanced knowledge so I'm better equipped to handle a stressful situation if it happens. Even if you don't travel solo, it's a good reminder to check your coverage before a trip, what happens if both you and your partner are in an accident, is another family member back home prepared?

It's about 07:00 PDT. I hope that Mary has had her surgery by now and is doing well.

My husband opted out of European travel after our trip in 2014. When our passports came due to renew, I did mine but he didn't do his. Then I insisted that he renew for all the reasons already stated. Boeing retiree that he is, he hates flying, but he will do it in an emergency.

So, I've been a solo traveler since the next trip I took in 2016. There are lots of us out there. I always get the trip insurance with medical coverage, medevac and repatriation of remains.

And, something not mentioned so far, with more than my share of pre-existing health issues, I always buy it very shortly after I make my first payment on the trip. That's so any medical problems related to those pre-existing conditions, including having to cancel the trip, will be covered.

I also carry 2 copies of all my emergency contact info including not only the ways to contact my husband, but also a couple of other contacts, a list of my conditions, my doctors with their specialties and phone numbers, a list of my meds and a list of all my "not normal" blood test results.

One of those lists goes in my purse and one goes in my money belt. That's in case I can't communicate and somehow my purse goes AWOL. I've managed to get all that on one piece of paper and reduce the font size enough to make that piece of paper small, but still keep it legible. In fact, I carry it in my purse all the time at home, perhaps falsely believing that my purse will stay with me here.

I also make sure that I have the 911 emergency phone number equivalents for wherever I am readily accessible on my phone, so that if I am able to communicate, I can call for help.

Is it worth all this extra effort just to go to Europe. You betcha!

A great topic with lots of good advice for the rest of us. Thanks to everyone for sharing. I am sure sorry about Mary’s situation and glad Patricia thought to share. While I will mostly be traveling solo in the future, I have four daughters with passports who could fly at a moment’s notice if necessary - but even that takes time. So many of the other precautions that are for more immediate concerns are really useful.

I am sorry to hear about what your friend is enduring.

I do have a question. Exactly what is this “something to consider” when I travel without my husband? I travel using wheelchair service in airports because my spinal disks are slipping forward in a condition called Spondylolisthesis.

I travel alone weekly for business and many times for pleasure. My medical insurance covers me both at home and while traveling domestically and internationally.

What do I need to consider?

Things sometimes don't go smoothly so I am sorry for your friend. However, I think like Emma:

I suppose it depends on what you are use to. I have lived and on occasion, travelled on my own for a very long time. I don't have any expectation of having someone there for me in that type of situation. It's not out of any particular choice or wish for independence just the way life goes.

It's ridiculous in this day to think any of us should not travel solo. Nonetheless, one does have to think of potential problems.

While my family all have passports, I have made arrangements so no one has to come rescue me if something happens. I have Med Jet Assist which will send me to the hospital of my choice at home once I am stable. I also purchase medical insurance. My family can then manage everything, should I be unable to do so, from home. I would not expect anyone to interrupt their busy lives to assist me if I had a broken leg as I would still have my brain, I assume.

I believe many are misunderstanding the OP’s thread. It is NOT a warning that you shouldn’t travel alone and I do not understand some of the attitude on this thread as to being told you shouldn’t travel solo as the OP did not say that. Those who are single and/or often travel alone, prepared for that fact, this thread is really not for you.

It is a warning for couples- whom are often (but not always) used to doing things as a team. Going through life relying on each other only to find in an emergency that 1/2 of the team couldn’t back up (for lack of a better term) the injured party- no valid Passport. The OP recognizes that many spouses travel solo at times and is not arguing against that fact. The thread is just a warning with a real life example as to maybe why the stay at home spouse/partner should understand some of the basics of international travel and keep a valid passport as crap does happen. Everyone thinks “it” won’t happen to them when it can.

Travel safe,

One Fast Bob

I am used to traveling alone in Europe as a travel style, went the first time alone for 12 weeks, did it 6 times ifrom the early 1970s to 1992 as an unmarried male. Since married I have traveled with the Mrs off and on.

The post- retirement trips starting in 2009 have mostly been solo travel. I am used to solo travel, started it at 21, now at 69 still can do it no problems, just be careful, pace yourself, do the normal, usual common sense things, etc. The Mrs takes solo trips too in Europe when she wants to go over and I cannot for whatever reason at the time, etc. She has no problems going alone.

We both always keep our US passports up to date, the last renewal was in 2015.

Hi all, OP here!

Thanks for all of your well wishes for my friend! The surgery was yesterday and it was a bit nerve-wracking for those of us waiting to hear since it was delayed and took longer than expected, but thankfully all went well. It's still TBD as to when or how she'll be able to travel home.

I guess I worded my post poorly, I never meant that anyone shouldn't travel solo or with friends. In fact I traveled to Paris with a friend in April :-) Do whatever makes you happy!

The situation with my friend just made me consider whether I'm well prepared (as much as one can be) if I became ill or was injured overseas. I'm glad if it was helpful to anyone and I learned some good stuff from some of your responses.

Enjoy your travels!