Teens Traveling Alone and Backpacks

Just do a lot of reading about the safety and scams and you'll be okay. Things like no wallet and money and cards in your front pocket...

We have been all over the world and it is amazing. If you are friendly, so are others. Just appreciate people's customs. The French are quite nice if you do that. Don't look like a slob and eat only hamburgers.

Having said that keep an eye out for helpful people...in Bangkok one time, a well-dressed gentleman coming out of the Shangri-La Hotel got us a tuk-tuk (taxi thing) and argued for a good rate...but we wound up at a jewelry store, probably his cousins! Still no problems, just found our way back.

Once I let my 12 year old (well-traveled) son go out looking on his own for where he left his cap... in Copenhagen, Denmark. When I realized what I had done, I panicked and went looking for him. But he got home just fine, by asking people for directions.

Reasonable caution, but have fun!

You should each have a cheap cell phone in case you get separated. Even with phones you should arrange a meeting place and time every day just in case.

You must be remarkably independent to be making such a trip at such young ages?

I have a North Face Big Shot backpack, which I plan to use as my main pack for my upcoming trip, along with a PacSafe messenger bag as my day pack. The Big Shot is smaller than the max carry-on dimensions, but still big for a backpack. It's also got padded straps with memory foam, which are super comfortable.

I've never heard of a detachable day pack, so can't help you there, but you can get a smaller, lightweight bag that can be put into your backpack if need be.

I'm seventeen but I have yet to take such a trip, though I would like to.

I got back a couple weeks ago from traveling for about four weeks, visiting family and friends in Illinois, traveling around a bit between cities and towns, so not intensive travel but I used my High Sierra Passport (TR100X). It has backpack straps and a hip belt which are concealable if you need to hide the straps. My only complaint so far is that the front panel doesn't open all the way. It also doesn't have a detachable daypack, but I usually make sure all those items fit in my main bag (my day bag being a messenger bag also fitting in my main bag). I was able to take a variety of clothes in this bag with room for my enormous laptop and my DSLR. I really liked the look of the Osprey travel packs as well but this was just a bit cheaper.

As for mobile phones I would definitely get two, one for each of you buying SIM cards when you arrive. Even if you are taking a holiday from electronics it's a good idea to have them, for safety and ease of communication. They aren't that expensive and mine paid for itself within the first two days.

Lor
Having done what you want to do. I would for sure have a phone if not just to text home and let everyone know how you are. There are plans available from your phone company to do this.
Also have a day pack to take with you when you leave the hostel. You can get metal mesh bags that fit around your packsack and you can cable bolt them to the bed, they are at the Pacsafe web site. NEVER leave anything you don't want stolen behind this includes when you shower. Put everything like money, credit cards, ipods and passport in a plastic ziploc bag and take it into the shower with you. I know it sounds like paranoia but you can't trust all people to be honest. Get one of you parents to get a credit card in your name on their account as you will need one for emergency's. Do lots of research on each country and city you want to explore. There are always walking tours that are cheap in most cities that give you great history and entrance into museums. Have fun

In a few of the countries you will be visiting, you can drink alcohol and even in ones where the drinking age may be 18, some bars might turn a blind eye to the fact you are underage. Use common sense if you are going to drink...don't get drunk, don't leave your sister (and vice versa) alone in a bar, don't accept a drink from a stranger unless you personally see the bartender pour it and put it in front of you, watch your drink at all times to make sure no one puts something in it.

Young girls should expect a certain amount of harassment from men (especially Italy, Spain and some parts of France) - most of it is harmless, but some guys can be aggressive and try to follow or touch you. Know how to handle yourself if you run into that kind of situation. Don't be meek or quiet - be loud, make it very clear they better back off. It doesn't matter if you can't speak the language - they will understand "No!". If you like to wear mini skirts, cutoff shorts or midriff baring/low cut tops at home, you may want to dress a little more conservative and avoid unwanted attention.

Check the age requirements of any hostel you plan to stay at ahead of time by going to their website, emailing or calling. Some hostels will not let under 18's stay at all unless accompanied by an adult (private room or dorm). Websites like Hostelworld.com or bugeurope.com can also help you when booking as they often have ratings that include things like safety, cleanliness and location. It's good to see what kind of reviews a hostel gets from other travelers.

Eagle Creek makes great backpacks that have detachable day packs. They can be pricier than other packs, but they offer a lifetime guarantee & are very sturdy. Get a pack that has stow-away straps in case you do need to check your bag. Budget airlines can have very strict & low limits for carry-on bag weights.

Finally, factor some extra money into your trip budget for any unexpected emergencies.

Hi,

Your trip reminds me of my first one when I was 21 going over there for 12 weeks solo in 1971. The second and third week I was with a family in north Sweden, but the rest of the trip I was travelling alone. My suggestion: If you are in the big cities. Paris, Berlin, London, Vienna, Frankfurt, etc. aside from having phone cards to access the public phones, another cheaper way to call back here is to call from the Internet cafes, in Germany they're called Call Shops. These places allow very cheap international calls, much cheaper than using a phone card. I use both...making calls at an Internet Cafe and also buying the local phone card.

If a Call Shop is near your hostel, you're in luck, as is the case in Munich. Right next to the Wombat's Hostel is a call shop for making cheap international calls. I never ran into a call shop/internet cafe where they did not speak English. Just ask at the hostel where the nearest call shop is.

Old enough to be your Pop Pop:

1. Take some sort of cell phone.
2. Never split up.No single nights out.
3. Call your folks every third day.
4. Try everything.
5. Go everywhere.

Have a great time!

You're going to be using your bags for many years so look for quality construction and a full suspension system (padded shoulder straps and waist belt). A good example is the MEI Voyageur. Read about it here on the OneBag site. The author also gives high marks to the Rick Steves Civita day pack.

However, since you specifically asked about bags with detachable day packs, the MEI Silver Streak just might be perfect.

Another good site with unbiased reviews is www.hostelz.com.

Other positive guidance on what bags are good have been posted, so I'm just going to weigh in on the bag-with-detachable-daypack idea. Don't do it :-).

The first bag I traveled with had one, and the problem is that when the daypack is attached, it really unbalances the bag and makes it uncomfortable and awkward to wear. Because, of course, when you have a detachable bag added to your bag, you will fill it up. It just happens. Also, the daypack often makes these bags too large for carry on.

So I'll second the suggestion here to buy a good carry-on sized backpack, maybe a convertible one like the RS bag, the MEI Voyager, or similar, and bring a lightweight daypack that you pack inside it, only taking it out and filling it with essentials for your day's touring.

I would also recommend going to the OneBag.com website for a great exploration of what you will want to take in your one bag and what you can skip.

With regard to culture shock and easing yourself in, it's a great idea to start in the UK. It will be different, but some things will be familiar enough that you can get your traveling feet wet without being too uncomfortable.

And, if you are starting in the UK, I'd make your first stop a CarPhone Warehouse store, as has been recommended elsewhere, where you can buy VERY inexpensive cell phones (3-15 pounds) and get help choosing which pay as you go SIM to use for your calls or texts home. Aside from being able to contact each other if you get separated, your family will have numbers where they can call you and you can probably call home almost as cheaply as with a calling card. Some companies have coverage throughout Europe, so you can probably stick with the same SIM card you get in the UK even, although it might cost a little more to call from the other countries. I'm not a cell phone junkie, but since I'm traveling alone, I plan to get one, even though I am (egads!) more than twice your age. And it is possible, that despite your best intentions, you or your sister might find yourself alone at some point. Make sure that you know what number to call in each country for emergency services. It's better to be prepared and have it have been unnecessary rather than the reverse.

When I first traveled to Europe this safety precaution was not possible, but since it is now, I really would recommend it, and your family will probably appreciate being able to contact you if they are worried (take pity on them, especially since they are being brave enough to let you go by yourselves!).

Another bit of advice is that if you feel uncomfortable in a place, glom on to an older respectably dressed woman. When I was traveling alone in Italy as a much younger woman, I found that men did not pester me so much when I was sitting next to someone who looked like their mothers or grandmothers.

I travel with a convertible pack with a foldable daypack inside. It's easy to find a pack with a detachable daypack, just check REI or MEC. The problem I've had is putting the daypack back on if it has anything in it. Also, someone may unzip it for you (steal it) in your travels.Good luck and have fun.

In terms of backpacks, I would also recommend taking a convertible carryon as your luggage and taking a foldable/collapsable bag as your daypack to put inside as opposed to having a detachable one. That way, it would take up less space, it would all certainly fit on the plane as a carryon, and would be much lighter for you to carry around. Rick's Civita Day Pack and Pocket Pack are good ones. You can also check out REI's Flash 18, which is like the Pocket Pack, but a little larger and with much much better straps for carrying it around.

But enjoy your travels!

Lor, be careful out there! Europe's crime rate has, unbeknownst to me, gone up. In some ways, it is almost worse than cities here in America (and I realize that the USA has a bad rep with other nations
as far as violent crime is concerned). Have you considered riding with Busabout rather than rails? Of course, the trains are faster but Busabout may be safer, especially since they drop one off and pick one up at the centrally located hostels they use. I am going Busabout this September and am very excited
because this will be my first truly independent trip (I have always gone AESU or Contiki before). As for backpacks, I'm having the same thought you have about using one and not checking it, I'd rather take it onboard with me. I'll use travel locks but of course, good thieves can get in despite those. As for safety, look to Let's Go for good info on that. I would say, be particularly vigilant in Italy, Spain
and the South of France. All large cities require caution, especially since you are very young women alone. I went to Brussels after my Contiki trip in 2001 and felt okay, even when I had to take the Metro
to the airport very early in the morning and it was dark out still. I have only felt wary in a few cities, namely Amsterdam's Red Light District, Florence, Rome, and Berlin (because of skinheads, as I am a women of color). If you have further questions, don't hesitate to email me. Bon voyage!

I just got back from a 3 week trip with two others who both have the RS convertable packs, I have a MEI Voyageur by far my bag was the easiest to carry full and heavy. You have to get packing cubes to organize your bag they will be a big help. Also my 23 year old daughter liked the cross body bag rather than the day pack.
We carried an extra duffle bag for all of our purchases which was nice.

Michelle, Winston Salem: Could you please document your claim that the crime rate in Europe (where in Europe, for instance) has gone up and is greater than in some U.S. cities? Also, are we comparing non-violent crimes?

Lor the trips sounds like it will be fun. I'm sure you'll have a great time. I'm 18 and love to travel, I've been traveling with my family for a while and have found a couple backpacks I really like using. I'm a guy so my comfort with these may be different as our builds will be different but I can't imagine anyone finding them uncomfortable. The two backpacks I use are the High Sierra 22" Passport, and the Kelty Range. Both of these backpacks are under $100. I've carried both on to a plane without any issues. I'm not sure which one I like better as I alternate between them. I find that I've been using the Kelty a lot more recently though I'm not sure why. If you want to know more about either of them you can ask here or direct message me. I hope this helps. Good luck on your trip! --Addition--
When I first read your post I didn't see that you wanted it to have a detachable daypack. Neither of these backpacks have that. I prefere messenger bags as I can move them to the front if I need to and it can hold a bit more respectability if I need to not look super-touristy. I usually fold up a canvas messenger bag and put it in my backpack.

I think there is nothing like travel to give you incredible insight into the world and yourself, but am I the only one who wonders how your parents fit into this? You have never traveled and at age 16 and 17 you are asking a bunch of strangers if you should take a cell phone? And the answer is a definite YES. Buying phone cards every so often is not a very reasonable alternative for your safety. That's great when you can find a phone and want an extensive call home, but if is definitely not any sort of security. I absolutely do not want to discourage adventure and travel, but there are times when age does matter. Maybe you can connect with some people your age in the countries you are going to (foreign exchange students that may have been at your school)

Michelle, I was going to ask the exact same question that Norma asked you... where is your proof to back up what you wrote? I do not believe it is true. Europe is far, far safer than anywhere here in the US.

I guess no one noticed that this is an old thread? The person who dug it back up also posted on it last year!

As a resident of Netherlands with some (personal) expertise on these matters, I'd like to stress out: travelling as a minor (below age 18) will bring some hassles. They do not impede a trip, but you might consider postponing it one year until everybody is 18+. Among possible nuisances: - in some countries (no EU standard on that), hostels and hotels are required to take extended checks and documents to lodge unaccompanied minors (due to child traffic prevention laws). Some hotels will not check-in unaccompanied minors without dully notarized letters from parents. Hostels will usually not admit minors in shared rooms without some authorization forms - check before. - there might be some trouble on travel. Make sure you the minors have proper travel authorization documents. This applies to both rail and air travel. - customs and border control (entering/exiting Schengen) for unaccompanied minors in your situation might be hell-ish nowadays, out of concerns about child trafficking. Triple-check the special requirements. - most clubs and pubs, places you might want to visit even if you are not planning to drink, will be off-limits.

Nancy, I totally missed that... thanks for pointing it out.