Solo traveler - Best of Germany Sept 13-25

My husband is staying home and is concerned about safety, especially if I'm by myself on the free days.

You'll be safer in Germany than in Los Angeles - and claims of LA being unsafe are greatly exaggerated.

The RS tour office will send you information on how to get from the airport to your hotel. Then learn how to use the public transportion system. Everything is available online.

I also suggest perusing this webiste. It has lots of information on where you are going plus general information on visiting Europe.

As stated, Hamburg is much safer than Los Angeles. In fact, much of Europe is safer than much of the US. (At least the cities.)

While tour participants are mostly couples, there are usually a few singles on the tour. You'll also find people are welcoming and don't be surprised if some of the couples ask you to join them for some sightseeing and meals.

While it's nice to learn some German, you will find that many Germans speak some English. I spend quite a bit of time in Germany and speak only a few words of German. I've never had a problem.

There is plenty to see and do in Hamburg. My favorite is Miniature Wunderland.

Arriving early is a great idea and Rick Steves tours are usually very friendly to solo travelers, so you likely won't feel out of place. Just use normal safety precautions while exploring on your own and enjoy the experience. Oktoberfest is a nice bonus too.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned after traveling on 5 RS tours as a solo.

1. Speak up! If you are hoping to go to dinner with others, let it be known. Just don’t wait around hoping someone will invite you.
2. Have some ideas for what you might want to do for free time. Then, as people are discussing plans you have something to offer.
3. Be confident in doing some activities by yourself. This is a learned skill, but you don’t learn without practice. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but your confidence will grow as you go.

I’ve never felt like the odd person out. There are usually other solos and at least several friendly couples that make for a very congenial group of traveling companions.

Since this is a trip of many “firsts”, go ahead and make life easier for yourself and take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. Have the name and address of the hotel written on a card you can hand the driver.

Hamburg. I was there just last week. You mentioned you were taking a day tour to orient yourself. Great idea! Two activities I really enjoyed were a harbor boat tour and Minature Wonderland.. (I first heard about Minature Wonderland on this forum). You need to purchase Minature Wonderland tickets in advance. https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/

Public transport works well in Hamburg. When I am going to a new city I usually go to You Tube and put “How to ride public transport in ………..” in the search engine. I watch a few how to videos to help me visualize the process in advance. The City Mapper App is a great resource for travel. It will work for you in every major city you visit in Germany telling you how to get places by public transport. RS guides will also teach some basic travel skills as you go along. Your guide will be a great resource for you. Another resource is Uber. If you find yourself a little “lost”, it will use the location feature to bring a ride to you to get yourself back to the hotel.

You will have a great time. These “firsts” can feel a little intimidating at times, but rest assured this will be a good experience. Don’t be surprised if just before your trip you think to yourself, “ What have I done?”. That is a pretty common experience. You have already taken the first big step and each step forward becomes a little easier.

I'll echo what Carol now retired has posted.
I am another solo participant and have enjoyed more than a dozen RS tours, I bet you will too!
As a dog person, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I, too, will recommend what Carol Now has said. I'm taking my 10th Rick tour next spring; most of them solo. You will have a great time. When you get your Germany travel guide, go through and study the places you will visit, so you will have ideas on what to do in your free time. Your guide will provide ideas too as you travel on the bus to your next destination.

We just got back from a river cruise in Germany, and loved the people and places. We felt very safe, and I had no problem walking alone, using normal precautions (look before you walk down a small street, etc.) A couple of suggestions to augment the flood of good advice you'll receive:

1. Card-only vs cash: you can indeed use tap and pay for almost everything, but a little local money is helpful for things like coin op laundry, bathrooms that still don't take cards (yes, they exist,) little shops that prefer cash, etc. Go to a bank ATM when you get there, and take out a small amount of euros. Finding ways to break those bills into coins is fun, too.

2. Yes, almost everyone speaks English, but learn a few words in German and the locals will appreciate it. Also have Google translate handy. We met some vendors in small shops that didn't know enough English to help us.

Have a wonderful time! What adventures you will have.

We just did this tour, you’ll be able to see how many other singles there are when you get your tour participants list 30 days out. Nevertheless, everyone is generally very friendly to everyone else. At your group meeting when you introduce yourself, tell them you’re new to RS tours, this is your first time traveling solo. We took a cab from the airport to the hotel, just go out to the taxi line, have your hotel name and it’s address written down on a piece of paper to give to driver….very easy, not stressful and not that expensive. For your free days, look at the guidebook and plan some places that you would like to see before you leave home. Your tour guide is going to give you lessons on how to use public transport but besides Hamburg and Berlin, the towns are very walkable. The first place you might use it is Hamburg after your Port cruise. We wanted to walk back and go thru the Portuguese neighborhood so we used Google Maps on our phones to guide us (something you might want to be familiar with). We had Barbara as our guide, Dominik was shadowing her and Jim was our local guide in Berlin, all three lead tours and are personable and excellent. Have a great time!

Very sorry for your loss. Pets are our family.

Did you feel the 4.4 quake that happened just before 10 this morning?

I’ve traveled solo on 2 RS tours and have traveled solo for decades. First Euro trip was in college when Nixon was President. Last solo trip was another London visit and stay in the Fall of 2024.

As noted you’ll be safer there than in LA.

Welcome to the forum & an exciting tour coming up! Losing a loving pet is so hard - sending you a big hug!

I have done RS tours as a couple and also as a solo traveler, plus I travel independently a lot as a solo. Here’s things I find helpful besides the great info already shared:

• Wear a money belt under your clothes. The Rick Steves site has them. I prefer the silk one that’s lighter fabric. I always carry my passport, ATM card, credit card and any large Euros I’m not planning to use that day. (You only open your money belt in your hotel or in a bathroom - not in public.)
• Load your credit card onto ApplePay and your phone, if you don’t already use it, and practice using it at home this month. During a recent month trip in Europe, I didn’t need to pull out my physical credit card at all & stores and restaurants are used to having people pay with ApplePay.
• Have something set up to have some fun video conversations with your husband. My husband & I used FaceTime when I was in the hotel room at night to catch up and share the excitement.
• Check your phone plan. I have T-Mobile, so I had the international data plan when I’m traveling to be able to use data anytime.
• Carry a paper with your tour hotels’ names in your purse. If you get disoriented, you always have the current hotel name.
• If your tour guide has a day’s itinerary posted in the hotel lobby, take a photo of it with your phone.

There’s a wonderful excitement when you’re on the plane on the way to Europe! As a solo traveler, take advantage of the opportunity to do something that’s special to you. Yes, you can do things with others from the tour, but also don’t miss this opportunity to really get inside your head as a traveler with free time given during the tour. Want to stay in a museum during a free afternoon for hours? Stroll through beautiful gardens? Sit in a fancy cafe for a specialty item for an afternoon refresher? Embrace those chances, too. : ). If you happen to sketch or like to journal, this is a great time to do a little quick one each day.

Hi mymammoth (I love mammoth too!) from a fellow LA solo traveler. All the above advice is great. I've been traveling for 20 years now as a solo and it was a bit intimidating the first time, but you'll do great. My little piece of advice to add to the above is to go to your bank and order some euros in advance. I know a lot of people pooh-pooh this, but I like to have a bit of the currency before I arrive so I don't have to look for an ATM when I'm tired on arrival. I get mine from Wells Fargo and ask for small bills. I just get $200. Who cares what the rate I'm getting for those euros! If you use the wrong kind of ATM in Europe, you get big fees anyway. Peace of mind! (And if you don't use them all, you have them for arrival on your next trip!)

And yes! use your money belt. Who cares if it makes your tummy a little lumpier. I don't think you're looking to get picked up anyway! Lots of people don't, but I carry my passport and credit cards in my moneybelt all the time.

Also, when using your credit card (and I now tap to pay with my phone almost all the time vs cash) DO NOT pick USD as your payment. Always pick euros! (Or whatever the local currency is in other countries). Another way they add fees you don't need. If you need any euro coins for the toilet or such, just buy a water or something to get those.

I love to take a food tour the first full day I'm in a city before my tour starts, it gets me in the mood and I always learn a lot and eat yummy local food. I just looked and Secret Food Tours has a food tour there. You can PM me for a discount code that may work for them.

Lastly, get a leash for your phone. You don't want to have to worry about getting it snatched or leaving it somewhere or dropping it. I'm so glad you're taking the leap - it is very addictive to travel. I'm sure it'll help your grieving heart.

Great advice so far, pretty much everything I would have said. I've done 5 RS tours solo and never felt lonely and never felt like the odd person out. Since you are a coupled person, make sure you have a phone plan that works overseas so you can keep in touch with your husband to alleviate his fears. Many ways to do this and plenty of suggestions in this forum on how.

And sympathies on the loss of your fur friend.

...but I like to have a bit of the currency before I arrive so I don't have to look for an ATM when I'm tired on arrival.

Here in Los Angeles you have the advantage of using the LA Currency change desk. They have locations strategically placed around the city. I find their rates to be quite fair given the convenience - they are available online so you can comparison shop vs your bank - and they usually have some small bills. They require cash for the purchase. One less thing to be concerned with upon arrival in Germany.

In addition to a money belt, you might find a neck wallet more convenient to use, and almost as secure.

About money belts: you may already be aware that as part of your included tour kit, you can choose a money belt, a neck wallet, or a hidden pocket (that attaches to your belt). These will be the Civita version sold on the website. If you don't like the version you get, you could order the silk one that Jean mentions later. (On the other hand, if you order it along with the tour kit, shipping will be free, otherwise $6.)

Personally, I've tried money belts and neck wallets and I just don't find them comfortable. Instead I use crossbody purses that are reinforced so the straps and bodies can't be cut, and the zippers have clasps so they can't be opened too easily. I have a couple of different sizes, and use them as my regular purses at home. Not as secure as "deep storage" under your clothes, but better than a regular purse. Baggalini, Travelon, and Pacsafe are some of the brands. If you have a AAA office near you, they may sell them.

Here's one I use: https://www.travelonbags.com/shop-the-look/crossbody-bags/best-sellers/anti-theft-classic-crossbody-bucket-bag/42757.html?dwvar_42757_color=teal&quantity=1&catid=Classic-Collection (may be cheaper on amazon)

Great advice & welcome to the Forum! I was surprised I needed cash at all in Germany last spring, after cash-less Sweden. The cathedral had no way for me to buy postcards, sadly, and a few smaller cafes only accepted cash, in addition to the mention of perhaps pay toilets in train stations.

Here are some ideas about packing light, which might be useful. Being responsible for your own bag means wanting it to work for you. Lots of info on the RS website-
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/packing-skills. (If you use the tool bar on the home page, you can type a specific question for information, then filter by 'Forum' and time.) Forum packing posts from the past year here: https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Packing+light&utf8=%E2%9C%93. Have a great trip!!!

"first time outside US"
Forgive me if these are too basic:

Bring a face cloth if you use them; not all European hotels provide them.
Bring hair conditioner; ditto.
Bring travel adapter with European plug (a multi country adapter including USB ports is nice.)
Read/watch videos explaining EES process. You will go through Immigration (Passport Control) when you first enter Schengen zone. You will go through Customs in destination country (usually you'll just walk through the "Nothing to Declare" doors.)
You may or may not also have to go through Security (not the same as Passport Control) and/or luggage claim-then-recheck if you have European connection before your final destination, depends on connection airport.

If you have TSA PreCheck, that is a US benefit; it doesn't work for leaving Europe (Dublin might be the exception.)
Global Entry really speeds up re-entry to the US; if you don't already have it but plan future overseas travels, then consider applying now.
If you have a US connection before returning to LA, you will go through Immigration and Customs (CBP, Customs and Border Patrol) at your first airport of entry into US. You will claim-then-recheck your luggage for Customs (if you checked luggage.) Unless you bring back over your Customs limit, again you usually just walk through the "Nothing to Declare" door.

I wouldn't be worried about traveling to Western Europe. But these days I always read the entries at travel.state.gov for the countries I'm visiting and sign up for STEP for my trips. You (and your hubby) can also read the articles on this website about travel safety and solo travel. Get travel insurance! Decide how you will communicate with hubby back home (I use my carrier's travel pass sparingly and WhatsApp when wifi available.) When I travel solo, I split my cash, credit cards, passport/paper copy between carrying on my person and locked in my luggage at the hotel. I 'm back at the hotel before dark, unless I'm with other group members (but that's me being overly cautious.) Enjoy!

Guten Morgen, mymammoth!

I just returned from the Best of Germany tour with guide Jim McDonough—my first Rick Steves tour and my first solo trip outside the U.S.

It was wonderful!

Even during Europe's heatwave a couple of weeks ago!

I also arrived in Hamburg three days early to acclimate—and I'm glad I did. We had about six solo travelers in our group who quickly bonded with one another and with the couples/families on the tour. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, creating a wonderful sense of community. During free time, people often shared their plans and invited anyone who wanted to join.

Like you, I had some fears before leaving. Those worries faded quickly once our group gathered for orientation. I was surprised to meet so many travelers who had taken multiple Rick Steves tours—some had been on 10 or 12! That immediately gave me confidence that these tours are thoughtfully run, and my experience absolutely confirmed it.

It's perfectly normal to feel nervous. Having just returned from the Best of Germany tour, I can honestly say most of my fears never materialized. I never felt unsafe traveling on my own or with the group. Our guide and fellow travelers created such a welcoming environment that it felt like a little traveling family.

My tour ranks among the best experiences of my life.

Wishing you an unforgettable adventure—I hope you love it as much as I did!

Hamburg is a very safe city. I wandered around on my own for a full day; there are many things of interest to see.

I traveled solo (female) to Italy to join a RS Tour last October, and I felt safe the entire time. I had plenty of people on tour to spend time with, everyone was very welcoming.

I have not been on the Best of Germany tour, but Rick Steves' tours are great; you will have a wonderful experience. Your guide will have plenty of advice for you on what to do with your free time.

A note about free time activities: use the guide book they'll send you in your tour kit to figure out the sights you most want to see in your free time. As mentioned above about the Miniature Wonderland, you may need to reserve in advance to get into some of the most popular sights -- sometimes weeks or even months in advance, and the guide book should note this. If you're wondering about timing (some sights will have timed entries), supposedly the RS office can give you some guidance on when your free time should actually start -- the itinerary may just say "you have the rest of the afternoon free...".

If you don't want to take the whole guide book with you, do what Rick recommends and tear out the sections for the places on the tour. An unnatural act for me but I did it anyway for our RS tours of Ireland and Scotland!