Female solo traveler to UK - first timer

Liza, I think that's great!! If you are confidant, and don't mind doing things solo, I say go for it!!

Is there any reason your hubby doesn't want to go? Or you want to do it solo for personal reasons??

If you use common sense,pack light, travel during the day, and have things all organized, there's no reason why this trip would be "unsafe".

You'll be going when tourist season is low... so you'll actually find it more refreshing. Less crowded and better prices (ie: air and hotel)

I've traveled solo and there's pros and cons.

The pro is you are on your own schedule. You do what you want, and when. Plus you can find this as an excuse to meet new local people... esp if you stay at a B+B or hostal.

The con is you can't share the excitement with someone instantly. Sure you can call or email, but its not the same.

What you can also do on your journey is blog your trip. There's many free blog sites (ie: blogger.com) and you can "keep in touch" that way with family. They an see your trip and posts messages. Internet cafes are everywhere and dirt cheap... as low as 1 pound to use.

If its piece of mind for your family, get a cell. Verizon, for example, will rent you a cell where you use your Peoria number, making it free for family. Your incoming calls in the UK are free, so its free for you. The only time you pay is making outgoing calls (calling home, checking on reservatins, etc.).
I did that last October when I left hubby at home.

Liza, I've traveled alone, too, and I love it!
The UK will be perfectly safe as long as you use common sense just like you would at home. There are parts of Peoria that are a WHOLE lot scarier and more dangerous, believe me.

Although I am a male, I love traveling by myself. I've run into many females traveling solo.

Solo travelers seem to find each other. Perhaps they're looking for company. I've found many over the years with whom I've sometimes shared the day visiting sites we both wanted to see, getting together later for a meal or a drink. Or even traveling to another town because their schedule was the same as mine.

Two suggestions are taking walking tours and chatting with others while waiting in line at a tourist attraction, monument, site, etc. (You'll very quickly figure out who is traveling alone and who is traveling as a pair.)

Hi Liza. If your husband and family think traveling in England is dangerous, perhaps their reason for that is because they saw the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Jamaica Inn" (made in approximately the year 1938). That movie is about a gang of pirates (murderers) at the sea coast of Cornwall in England, in the 1800s. That kind of behavior does not exist in England now. Go to England. Southern England is pleasant. If you have time for it, walking on the ISLE OF WIGHT can be a peaceful and pleasant experience. A quick ferry boat ride from Portsmouth harbor to the Isle of wight at Ryde, and ride in a train from the pier at Ryde to Sandown at the east side of the island, and walk to a beach at the English channel. A small Hostel is in a quiet residential neighborhood in Sandown. Walking from the train station to the beach is pleasant : inhaling the good fresh ocean air that flows across that island. The English people on the isle of Wight do not see Americans frequently, and when they meet an American visitor, they are likely to feel delighted. I like to hear their beautiful English speech. Osborne House EH : the seaside home of Queen Victoria during her last 19 years, is located to the west of RYDE. Furniture in that house was restored recently. A railroad passenger train goes around the island. At the west side of the island is a small coastal fortress : Yarmouth Castle built in the 1500s and permanent exhibit of coastal fortresses. At the sea coast of that island are tall white chalk cliffs, I think they are a better white color than the white cliffs of Dover. An open top bus for sightseeing goes to the white cliffs. The isle of Wight has many interesting places for tourists. At Portsmouth Harbor the major attractions for tourists are three old British Navy sailing ships. You might like to see the beautifully rebuilt "Mary Rose" (originally made during the 1500s), it is in a building at the old Navy Harbor.

Go, go, go!!!

I doubt you will find anyone on this board who thinks you shouldn't go. I can't fathom why anyone would think you are insane for wanting to do this. I think it's very cool, and you will be glad you did it. It might even encourage your husband to accompany you on a future trip (if you want him to, that is).

Like the others have said, just have common sense about where you're going and what you're doing, and you'll be just fine.

Go ! Life's short, go while you are healthy and able to get around.
I went on my first solo trip 2 weeks after I graduated from high school. I flew from LA to Miami on a red eye flight by myself and went on a 10 day cruise and shared a room with roommates I did not know. It was an adeventure but I'm glad I went! I've been on many Las Vegas trips and two Europe trips by myself.

I'd think you were insane if you listen to your family and husband and let them stop you from doing something you've wanted to do for probably a long time.

I heard the same concerns before I took off on a one year round the world solo trip - and I'm so glad I ignored friends and family and did what I wanted. Once I got back I heard a lot of "You're so brave, I could NEVER do what you did! I would be too scared!". So I think your family and husband are just projecting their own feelings onto you about this trip when they keep harping on the "dangerous", "insane" comments.

The UK is very safe and extremely easy for a solo female. It is probably one of the top places for a first timer like yourself...no language barriers, good public transit - even a decent healthcare system (should you find yourself ill in a foreign country needing medical attention).

How long is your trip? If you need any specific advice on solo female travel, budget, hostelling/accommodations, etc., you can send me a private message.

I've made ten trips to the UK. One was with my sister and one with my folks and the others were all solo. My age has ranged from 19 to 50 plus. You'll be fine. As has already been pointed out there are pros and cons. I decided that I wasn't going to wait for other people to decide to go see things. If I had taken that course, I'd still be sitting at home! So, that said, i would recommend signing up for some tours once you're there. I took day tours, or evening walking tours and some years signed up for 4-day tours. That way I was able to really make my own decisions, but also spend some time with people who were sharing my interests. Do go out to eat, don't sit in your room. Pubs, cafes and fine restaurants all can take single travelers. I always travel with my reading material. i like mysteries that are based in the place I'm visiting. I like smaller hotels as they often have small friendly pubs where you can sit at night and write in a journal or chat with other residents. Go and have a wonderful time. You can be the guide for your husband the next time!

Pam

Liza -
GO GO GO GO!!! I went to London for my first time alne when I was 29 and I don't regret it. It was awesome. If you're going in hostels - I'd recommend Earl's Court. Its in a nice, quiet neighborhood and close to the tube.

Why doesn't your DH want to go? You'd have an amazing time! Feel free to post any other questions - that's why wer'e here!

Another vote for GO GO GO!!!! I went to Europe for 6 weeks last summer and for the last 3, I was all by myself (through Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Vienna, and Italy), and I was 100% fine. My parents were nervous (I was 25) and probably didn't want me to go either, but I still went and it was so amazing that it was life-changing. I actually would recommend staying in either private hostel rooms or inexpensive hotel rooms (if it interests you, the UK is a treasure trove of FANTASTIC B&Bs which are sometimes not much more expensive than a hostel but are a fantastic "English" experience), but other than that, I say go and have a great time and when you get back and show the others your pictures and tell them your experiences, they'll be jealous :) Have a great time!!

Liza, I think you've posted on a board that would probably not forgive you if you don't go. I've never, ever regretted my solo adventures overseas, and I was freaked out the first time I did it. It's all in the attitude! Keep your head about you, don't try to do too much (which causes me to lose my head), and stay in safe places (post questions on this board and do TripAdvisor research). Your husband and family's concern shows their great love and affection for you. You can provide them assurances that will minimize their anxiety but allow you freedom - like giving them a detailed itinerary with hotels & phone numbers, or promising a specific schedule of check-ins (although this would infringe on my space issues, but maybe not yours). Do your research, have ideas about what you want to do so you're not alone in your hotel room at a loss - you're on an adventure, get out and have one! I agree with prior posts that pubs, cafes, etc. are all single friendly, although I personally have found it more difficult to dine out solo in the evenings (call me old fashioned). But nothing is more fun to me than a grocery store picnic in a public square - people watching is just fantastic. Keep a journal so you don't forget the memorable stuff. And most of all, have fun! It's liberating to get outside yourself and your life and see who you really are.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far with such great advice and encouragement - I'm sitting here reading it all with a huge grin on my face. I really think I'm going to do this!!

More than likely I'll be PMing several of you for more questions/advice/etc. so I'll also thank you ahead of time for taking the time and energy to help a newbie traveler find her wings. :)

Liza : If you decide to go to ENGLAND, the first and most important task to do (if you have a U.S.A. Passport) is to reserve a seat in an airplane flying to an airport of LONDON. For the trip to be a pleasant experience, I recommend going on a Daytime flight. AMERICAN AIRLINES has a flight departing from the Chicago OHare airport (ORD) at 9:10 A.M. every day. It is A.A. Flight number 90 to London Heathrow airport (LHR). The airplane arrives at London Heathrow airport at 10:40 P.M. (England Time).
That is much better than being in an airplane all night and arriving at the London airport in the morning. At that time of the night, I guess getting out of the Heathrow airport will not take a very long time. Transportation from the airport to the city London is quick. (going to a hotel located near the airport is not important). The airplane is a Boeing 777. (that is the biggest and most beautiful and best airplane for flying across the Atlantic Ocean).
You did not say what month you will travel. For flying to London in September, the airline tickets are not very expensive. - Cheerio !

Hi Liza,
A year and 1 week ago I spent 4 days by myself in London, I'm in my late 50's. My husband is terrified of flying and will not go, even though he is a stonemason and I've pleaded with him how much he would love it. He also felt very comfortable letting me go by myself stating I'm very intelligent and knows I have good judgement. You have to understand my philosophy is the world is round, you can't get lost, you just take the scenic route. The thing I liked about solo traveling is I didn't have to worry about getting someone else upset if I was lost, one night it took me 2 hours to find my hotel but I fortified myself with a pint at a pub and made better notes the next morning. I sat at Trafalgar Square, had a port at Gordon's Wine Bar, saw the British Museum, found the London Museum while I was lost (remember my philosophy, lol), saw the V&A and The Science Museum and on my way to LHR stopped off to see Kennsington Palace. While at a pub I overheard 2 locals talking and the woman who was older than me admitted to her male friend she has never been to any of those sights, I was horrified a local never has taken advantage of free museums. Goes to show you. I had the time of my life, even though it was one of the rainest times in England and I didn't see some of the gardens I had hoped to see (Physic Garden, Kew Garden) but saw many sites related to my families geneology, seems most of my family is English and left in the 1600's. Anyway, go, enjoy, wear a money belt, pay attention to your surroundings and you'll be fine. Oh yeah, I recommend you keep a travel journal, one that fits in your bag so you can write in it throughout the day vs waiting till the end of the day. I really enjoy reading mine and when I do it reminds me of events I forgot or didn't bother writing down. I plan on returning in 2009. Enjoy and thank your husband for believing in you. Pam

If that something you've always dreamed of doing,I'd say GO FOR IT!..that's what I did. I'm 27 shorty (5 ft),& I did independent travel to UK just 2 months ago (April 13th). I'd tell you-- I had a blast! even though it was a short trip (6 days). That was my very first trip abroad & solo.Because my trip was so sudden & most of my family or friends were busy at work that I had no one to travel with, My family was very supportive of my decision & always remind me to be careful. I stayed at two different hostels. It's inexpensive plus breakfast is included, and you'll meet new people, too. I visited London, Salisbury and Oxford. I met loads of fellow travelers and locals. The people that I met are friendly and helpful. If your going to take tube(subway) you won't get lost- if you already know where you going & theres a map/directions in every rail stations. If you're still confused,don't hesitate to ask the person who works at the rail station because she/he will help you. When I got home, my friends & relatives were startled when they found out that I traveled on my own. Then they were a bit jealous,too. I told them, it's now or never! My only advise like everyone here said, just use common sense, and you'll be fine. I recommend London for first time solo traveler!..If I could do it, you can too.

Liza by all means GO!!!! As someone else said "Life is too short". I have been many times, but went alone for the first time this past March. I had a wonderful time! I stayed at a B&B in London which I had never done before. It was a perfect choice since my hostess was a wealth of information. In fact, I had such a great time I leave Tuesday for another week in London! Have a great trip :)

I offer you just one caution: Solo travel can be addictive!
It opens up a whole new world of discovery and exploration!

Hi Liza,

as a (Welsh) Brit I'd just like to say - go for it!

It is perfectly safe here in the UK, just follow the tips for big cities (moneybelts etc.). I can empathise with first trips abroad alone, it was the same when I went to Paris on my own let alone California! Just make sure you don't stay in your room! In most big cities there will be places like Wagamamas at which people sit togther on benches to eat so you will naturally meet people.

Lastly it's great to see you are going to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Cardiff is getting more and more popular today with series like the new Dr. Who and especially Torchwood being filmed there. As the Lonely Planet guide says "Cardiff is the epitome of cool" (according to BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6684419.stm)!

Cheers
Steve.

Ron,

Correction! The Boeing 747, NOT the Boeing 777, is the biggest and most comfortable airplane for flying anywhere, not just over the Pacific. They are getting less common lately though having 4 engines instead of just two.

Wife and I are flying Seattle-London Heathrow in September on a BA 747-400 and I can't wait. I last flew in a 747 in 1986, with plenty of 777 flights since then.

You go girl. I have always wanted to England alone. Mostly because there are places I want to see in which none of my traveling partners have any interest. I'm 64 now and tho my mother is no longer here to worry about me, my daughters are. As I previously posted I am planning to go the East Anglia alone..we'll see if I make it.. One daughter has said she will go with me. Wear your money belt. Keep ahold of your purse, backpack or luggage. And most important, DO talk to strangers.

Absolutely go! I've not gone to England solo, but my mom and I went about 10 years ago. We rented a car, and I did all the driving, all over Southern England, with almost no problems. People couldn't have been more friendly or helpful, and we had a wonderful time.

My mom's health wasn't the best at the time; she was weak and tired easily. So some of the time, she'd stay in the hotels resting, while I wandered. I never felt less than perfectly safe.

Recommended stops - Woodstock to see the village itself, and Blenheim Palace; Bath; Penzance on the coast, which also has ferry trips to the Scilly Isles.

People will want to help you, and they'll be so impressed that you're an American and are doing this by yourself.

You'll have a great time!