Do You Travel Alone?

Hong Kong
March 11, 2008 7:12am CST
Do you go travel alone or do you wait for friends to travel together? These days, I am thinking about traveling alone to France - one of the places on my dream place to go. I think if my friends have holidays to travel with me, that would be great. If not, I am thinking of the possibility of going there all by myself. What about you? Have you traveled alone? How was your experiences?
6 people like this
24 responses
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I would wait for friends. Sorry but the world is not the safest place. And there is safety in numbers. If problems arise you have someone there to have your back. I have not traveled extensively, ans still not alonw, unless you count flying to destinations.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
11 Mar 08
sorry for the typos.
2 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I don't mind traveling alone. If I had the money to travel, it wouldn't bother me to venture out on my own. I'm pretty independent. I don't mind doing things with friends or family, but I don't like to be tied to someone else's schedule all the time. I walk faster and may have different interests.
2 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Well I don't know about knowing things you don't. When I went through boot camp, the girls were still treated like girls for the most part. We didn't learn any self defense or have to fire the rifle/pistol (I did later, though and I can shoot!). It did make me less afraid of the world, and I suppose that would be a plus.
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
22 Mar 08
Great, yes it could be disappointing if we have to be tied to another person's schedule all the time. That would really annoy me.
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
12 Mar 08
I can travel alone but I like to travel with freinds coz it makes the travel more fun and with color since we get the chance to enjoy with someone making it a more worthwhile experience.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 08
My first trip alone was traveling around Europe when I was 18. When I was 20 I went around the world also on my own. Since then I did many other trips by myself and apart from one time when I was on a lonely beach I have stayed safe. France is a lovely country and deserves its popularity with travelers from all over the world. I have been there on day trips and longer holidays since I can remember. I learned to speak French between the ages of 11 and 16. Paris is such beautiful and interesting city. I like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame. Normandy and Brittany have a lovely coastline. Strasbourg is pretty and the Alps are stunning. The French Riviera is really picturesque. La Rochelle is a charming place by the sea. There is an excellent train system in France with fast TGV trains being the best that it offers. I would say whether you go alone or with friends you will have a wonderful time in France.
2 people like this
• Hong Kong
22 Mar 08
Wow, thanks for all the descriptions! So you have traveled alone around the world? Great. That's really interesting. I wish I could save enough to do that someday, but my first place would definitely be France.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I have, but not without incident. I was cautious and prepared, but I did learn that what people say is true that there are people who essentially lie in ambush waiting and watching for a chance to harm or take advantage of people who travel alone. I enjoyed traveling alone despite the perils, but that was a long time ago and the world was different then. It is better to go alone than with a stupid friend (not that you have any of those!), but if you can find a smart friend with like interests it is much safer to go in pairs. Even then, one wants to be well-prepared and very, very careful.
2 people like this
• Hong Kong
22 Mar 08
To be honest, I have one stupid friend and I have been avoiding her invitation to go anywhere because I know I will go nuts on her. So I totally agree that I would rather go somewhere alone if I know that I won't enjoy the company.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
11 Mar 08
When I've traveled alone places, someone has usually tried to attack me. Places where I would be out at night that aren't well lit and well traveled. So be aware of lighting and foot traffic. Stay in populated areas, be safe.
• Hong Kong
22 Mar 08
Wow, I am sorry about that! Yes some people are just out of their minds and try to take advantages of the tourists.
• India
11 Mar 08
I dont like to travel alone and i always like the company of some friends.Along with friends make the journey totally different.
2 people like this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I don't think I'd make a good solo traveler, esp. to another country: I tend to not be very good at striking up conversations with strangers. I'd prefer to go to a country with someone, or to go to a country where I know someone, but the places I'd like to go I don't have those options. So I may end up going to some other countries by myself, or maybe with a tour if I could find a group that's not too much like the traditional group tour.
1 person likes this
@as2006 (5040)
• Israel
12 Mar 08
Never! Always with my wife or with my wife and friends or with my wife and children, family.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
14 Mar 08
I love to travel but i have never travel abroad alone since the company that i worked for before saw to it that all new employees have company when travelling... but if it is just traveling here in my country... i can manage all by myself... i have done it a couple of times before... but i found traveling alone quite pleasant... there is nobody to worry about... and i can do anything at my own pace...
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
11 Mar 08
I've never traveled alone before, unless it's for business trips. My parents would never let me travel alone haha! And i probably am too scared to do that, I need some companion! I love to travel with both family and friends. With friends you can do just about anything haha. But with family most of your expenses will be covered lol. Both make great companions and you can have incredible experiences together.
2 people like this
@Alfie1970 (257)
12 Mar 08
I went travelling some years ago now with a friend, our first port of call was India and after only a few weeks it was apparent that we both wanted different things out of the whole travelling experience so went our seperate ways. But this was a positive thing as it forced me,almost, to meet and mix with other travellers, so travelling alone from my experience that was a bonus, travelling inst just about seeing historical sites and eating the local food its about interacting with like minded people and different cultures. But alot of people prefer the security of knowing the people thay are travelling with and wouldnt necessarilly have the confidence to do it alone, either way travelling is a huge education no matter how old you are and I would encourage anyone to travel as much as they can. As for my friend! I bumped into him ,literally, 3 months later in Indonesia and spent xmas together and flew to Sydney together for new year before we said our goodbyes again - next time i saw him was in my local in sunny Somerset, England lol. Enjoy France, whether you go alone or in a party :)
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
22 Mar 08
Yes I have been investigating the idea and I am like, "why not?" I think without company, sometimes it enables us to explore and experience the places a little better. I am saving for it and I will definitely visit my dream place one day.
• United States
11 Mar 08
to travel alone is not good..it's boring.i've experienced it 3 times already.if you travel alone,make sure that you can handle it.think of the pros and cons.
2 people like this
@qpkl007 (10)
• China
22 Mar 08
I ever travelled with my friends.It's a amazing journey.I don't like travelling alone.There are two reasons:not safe and not happy.France is a beautiful country-I would like to travel there.Wish you a happy journey.
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
12 Mar 08
nope havent do that yet..i mean travelling alone..i dont like to travel alone..i like to be with someone..friends or spouse/family...
@youless (112113)
• Guangzhou, China
12 Mar 08
I don't like traveling alone and I like traveling with a friend. It will be happier and besides you need someone to take photos for you. But there is an exception. Long time ago after a breakup, I did travel alone for a week. I needed to go to a place that nobody knew me and therefore I might feel calm. It was a sad experience. After that, I never travel alone.
1 person likes this
@aidenw (632)
• United States
12 Mar 08
i used to travel alone when i was single 'cos i could not always find a friend who wanted to go places with me all the time. for the most part i enjoyed it, i could do whatever and whenever i wanted. the only times i would feel a bit 'funny' was when i had to eat in a restaurant by myself. now i'm married, so i never have to travel alone anymore :) btw, i only travelled alone within the US which i'm very familiar with and pretty much similar all over. as others have mentioned, you should be very cautious about travelling alone to places you're not familiar with.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
12 Mar 08
i prefer to travel with my friends. because i will feel lonely if i travel alone~~~ i am scared of lonely~~
@playsafe (115)
• India
12 Mar 08
Travelling alone is a good idea but the fun is not there. Friends if have money and holidays then its a fun. Usually new places means knowing about trasport system, places, history, and all other preparations but being alone , you tend to remain lazy. With 2 or more, there is rush in blood to see all
@reejane (293)
• Philippines
12 Mar 08
It will be more fun if you have someone who can go travelling with you. I like mostly going into places I've never been to with my friends and hubby.