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Thread: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

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    Veteran Member SweetPinkCupcake's Avatar
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    Default How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    So, I am at the time in my life where I can basically travel as much as I want, and I don't want the opportunity to slip away while it is still here.

    I am very interested in backpacking Europe fr 50 days, but I have nobody to go with. Anybody I know either has a family, a career, or not enough money. I don't mind going alone, I tend to get along with others very well.

    I am just a little concerned because I primarily speak English, and only know Spanish a little fluently. I am a slim 24 year old American girl, and I am a little worried about my safety. . .

    Any thoughts?

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    Featured Member glitzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    doooooo itttttt!!! you'll be fine, just use common sense, be aware, and keep your guard up. i was in spain, france, and holland and never felt unsafe. the worst was probably spain, you have a higher chance of being ripped off on the street but not so much violence.

    don't give strangers too much info and steer clear of italy unless you wanna wear a burka or be harassed by dudes 24/7. [no offense to italians, they just come on soooooo strong and i could see how it could make a girl traveling alone feel unsafe]

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    why the fuck are americans such pussys about leaving the country?

    anyway, just do it. and then you will be wondering the exact same thing that i just did.

    if you need buddies, join couchsurfing. or stay in hostels. its not hard to find fellow backpackers.

    -signed someone who has traveled all over the fucking world often by myself and is still mostly in one piece. except for a burn from a motorcycle mishap in vietnam and a spider bite that appears to be getting infected in Turkey. So yea, dont get bitten by spiders or drop a motorcycle on your leg and you should be ok.

    p.s. english is like the universal second language. if you only know one language, it is BY FAR the easiest language to travel with. another reason why americans refusing to travel frustrates me. We have the language, the resources, and the passport to easily get visas. yet for some reason we think that as soon as we leave american soil we are going to get kidnapped, raped, and bombed by terrorists. Never mind that american cities tend to have a MUCH higher violence rate than other "first world" countries and quite a few "third world countries."

    /rant
    The best thing i have heard in a strip club to date:
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    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Everyone I know of who has traveled extensively has loved it, even when they go alone. Well, except for one girl who was stabbed forty-something times and then dismembered in Germany... Yeah, not kidding. But besides that one, everyone has loved it. Just to be safe, maybe you should brush up on some weaponless self-defense techniques beforehand? I think that you should definitely keep your wits about you, but I would say the same for anyone in a WalMart parking lot in Houston. Do it!

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    SPC if you are a social person you should have no problem meeting people in hostels and going on day trips with them. Just do your research on the hostels beforehand to make sure they attract the type of crowd you'd like. There are also travel forums specifically set up to meet up with people wherever you'll be traveling so you can have company to backpack with.

    Quote Originally Posted by Athenathefabulous View Post
    why the fuck are americans such pussys about leaving the country?

    anyway, just do it. and then you will be wondering the exact same thing that i just did.


    p.s. english is like the universal second language. if you only know one language, it is BY FAR the easiest language to travel with. another reason why americans refusing to travel frustrates me. We have the language, the resources, and the passport to easily get visas. yet for some reason we think that as soon as we leave american soil we are going to get kidnapped, raped, and bombed by terrorists. Never mind that american cities tend to have a MUCH higher violence rate than other "first world" countries and quite a few "third world countries."

    /rant
    She has reason to be cautious traveling through countries by herself as a tourist. I traveled through Europe mostly by myself two summers ago. I was doing some sightseeing with a girl I had met in a hostel and almost got raped in the middle of the day in Barcelona. Some dude rushed up behind me like a wild animal held me by my hips and tried to feel me up and I wasn't even alone by myself. Tripadvisor is a great forum to research areas where there's pick pocketers and to look out for strategies people will use to screw you over (this definitely came in handy when I was in Barcy and Rome). Also in Madrid people looked at me funny when I tried to speak English so English won't be accepted everywhere you go.

    I agree with Glitzy on the common sense part but do check out Italy, the history and architecture there will blow your mind--and so will all the hot and tall Italian Stallions!!!
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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Goooooooooooo! I am sooooooo jealous. You are right. You won't always be able to do this. So please go while you can!!!

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Go and have fun. Check out reviews for a couple hostels ahead of time and go see them when you get there. Second the couchsurfing bit; it's such a great resource.
    "You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories -Stainslaw J. Lec

    Confuscius say: "Man who pull bra stap get bust in face"


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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Quote Originally Posted by LaurenAus View Post
    SPC if you are a social person you should have no problem meeting people in hostels and going on day trips with them. Just do your research on the hostels beforehand to make sure they attract the type of crowd you'd like. There are also travel forums specifically set up to meet up with people wherever you'll be traveling so you can have company to backpack with.



    She has reason to be cautious traveling through countries by herself as a tourist. I traveled through Europe mostly by myself two summers ago. I was doing some sightseeing with a girl I had met in a hostel and almost got raped in the middle of the day in Barcelona. Some dude rushed up behind me like a wild animal held me by my hips and tried to feel me up and I wasn't even alone by myself. Tripadvisor is a great forum to research areas where there's pick pocketers and to look out for strategies people will use to screw you over (this definitely came in handy when I was in Barcy and Rome). Also in Madrid people looked at me funny when I tried to speak English so English won't be accepted everywhere you go.

    I agree with Glitzy on the common sense part but do check out Italy, the history and architecture there will blow your mind--and so will all the hot and tall Italian Stallions!!!
    im sorry that happened to you, but my point is this stuff can happen anywhere. i dont think you need particularly more caution in western europe than you do in the states.

    esp considering many of the girls on here work in clubs where champagne rooms have no cameras. or live in cities with a high crime rate. heck, i live in New Orleans. Im much more likely to get murdered there than most the places i have been to.

    but i second being careful in italy. i recommend couchsurfing *usually* but italy is notoriously bad with guys creeping on you. i went to italy when i was like 15 and was hit on incessantly by old dudes. I looked mayyybe 13 at the time. It was my first experience being hit on by older men. maybe i should blame the italians for my later stint as a stripper...
    The best thing i have heard in a strip club to date:
    customer: we should get married right now! we should get a shotgun marriage!
    me: uhh... i think you are misunderstanding what a shotgun marriage means. A shotgun marriage means you knock me up and my daddy shows up at your door with a gun and forces you to marry me and raise the baby. You mean elope.
    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    When I was in Italy guys were bad. Strangely, Germany (munich) was worse in my experience.
    "You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories -Stainslaw J. Lec

    Confuscius say: "Man who pull bra stap get bust in face"


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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Germany, Austria, Czech Repub., Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Finland, Sweden and Norway a couple of times alone when I was in my 20s. Germany, Netherlands and Belgium with just me and an infant also in my 20s. All three trips, no problems. I took four years of German in high school, all I can do is read street signs and ask some real simple questions. I got along fine. Just be aware. Don't carry too much money. Use credit cards for most purchases. Don't get silly drunk and hook up with a cute Italian guy, like I did. (Sober and hooking up with cute Italian guys is way more fun.)

    XOXO
    Z

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    I would go..

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    hiya, backpacking around europe or any other place for that matter can be lots of fun! however you are right to think about your personal safety. it would be lovely to just breeze around the world without anything happening to us but the reality is there are people out there who do nasty things to people. it's your job to make sure you aren't one of the people they choose.

    a friend of mine is very well versed in the world of self defence and personal safety and he recommended that you read the following books.

    geoff thompson - dead or alive. the choice is yours.
    this book is considered to be the bible of personal safety. geoff thompson is a world renowned martial artists, teacher and mentor (even chuck norris sought him out to teach him some stuff!)
    http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Alive-cho...+dead+or+alive

    peter consterdine - travel safe.
    Peter is geoff's training partner and this is a top book
    http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Safe-Co...er+consterdine

    Most people would be alarmed at the subject matter of these books, however the reality is this. their are people in the world who do despicable things, mostly they select people who are not alert and switched on to the environment around them, therefore you have the power, with your actions to determine whether you will be safe or not. these books will teach you to how to do this but without becoming so paranoid you never enjoy your travels.

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Quote Originally Posted by Athenathefabulous View Post
    why the fuck are americans such pussys about leaving the country?

    anyway, just do it. and then you will be wondering the exact same thing that i just did.

    if you need buddies, join couchsurfing. or stay in hostels. its not hard to find fellow backpackers.

    -signed someone who has traveled all over the fucking world often by myself and is still mostly in one piece. except for a burn from a motorcycle mishap in vietnam and a spider bite that appears to be getting infected in Turkey. So yea, dont get bitten by spiders or drop a motorcycle on your leg and you should be ok.

    p.s. english is like the universal second language. if you only know one language, it is BY FAR the easiest language to travel with. another reason why americans refusing to travel frustrates me. We have the language, the resources, and the passport to easily get visas. yet for some reason we think that as soon as we leave american soil we are going to get kidnapped, raped, and bombed by terrorists. Never mind that american cities tend to have a MUCH higher violence rate than other "first world" countries and quite a few "third world countries."

    /rant
    I think she's worried about her safety, and that's a valid concern. Europeans wonder the same thing about the States. Stop hating on her and just help her. She wants to go, she just needs reassurance.

    OP, you'll be fine in the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, the low countries, Germany, the Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Austria, and most of Italy (the further south you get in Italy, the, ummmm....sketchier it gets). Eastern Europe is mostly ok but just avoid sketchy areas at night. Keep a decent awareness of your surroundings and you'll be fine.

    English is sort of the universal language of Europe. Learn a few simple phrases in the languages of the countries you want to visit (at the minimum, learn "please" and "thank you"....you'll be surprised how much that helps) and then ask people if it's ok to speak to them in English. That is pretty much how everyone does stuff there if both people don't speak the same language.

    Avoid "creeper" situations....being alone in a train car with a guy, for example. That's the one thing that I've noticed that European guys are known for...they'll creepily work attractive single women who are alone. This is especially true in Italy and Germany, and some of the Eastern countries.

    Avoid carrying lots of cash, and use credit cards instead as much as you can.

    Have fun, Europe is awesome.

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    I am from Eastern Europe and I always find it so funny when I'm abroad and Western people ask stuff like 'so is it like really dangerous to live where you're from?'. And then at home people tell me they heard it's really dangerous to travel/work in Australia/UK,etc.

    Sooo many people are stuck in silly stereotypes.. I would suggest watching less TV because they profit from drama, crisis and always stir up shit about stuff. You can get in trouble in your home town.. If you have your shit together, you'll be fine anywhere. I wouldn't overthink and worry too much. Travelling and experiencing new cultures is too awesome to miss out on because of silly fears.
    "Unless it's mad, passionate, extraordinary love, it's a waste of your time. There are too many mediocre things in life. Love shouldn't be one of them." - Dream for an Insomniac

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Hey,

    I just wanted to thank you all for the feedback and advice. And the reccomendation of the books, they were really helpful.
    Luckily, I now have a really close girlfriend travelling with me. We decided to hit up Southeast Asia first for a month, take a break, and then hit up Europe for a month. Woot!

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Check out Cambodia! (I spent a month there solo, met plenty of travelers) you can get a clean basic room in a guesthouse for $5 a night. The food is amazing & the people are really really nice. You can find a basic English/Khmer dictionary on the street for cheap to learn basic local phrases. Hit the night markets, ancient ruins (siem riep) & ride a damn elephant!! Man, I miss tuk tuks. You will have an awesome time!

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    FYI - if you use credit cards, just keep an eye on your account to make sure you don't get over or double-charged. The bigger danger is actually ATMs - it's easy to get your card # ripped off or charged for multiple withdrawals. US banks are usually good about crediting your account for the fraudulent charges, but why take the chance. Instead, if you need more cash, go to banks, international currency exchanges, etc.

    Also - money belt. I know it's dorky, I know it's fucking ugly and feels like a damn fanny pack, but I highly recommend it. Keep your passport in it and all vital documents. On my last trip, one of my friends got her purse pick-pocketed while the woman was talking to her. Another dude got his wallet lifted in the tube in London. Tourists stand out - hence, they make easy marks.

    For your Europe travels, check our Rick Steves's books. Very, very helpful to maximize your time for not a whole lot of cash. He also has helpful hotel recommendations, cheap eats, transportation tips, etc.

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    Featured Member Jessica1001's Avatar
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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Sew one of these onto your backpack, and you're set:

    http://www.souvenirpatch.com/Canada-...B002529FUW.htm


    :-P


    (Also, seconding the advice about being EXTREMELY careful what you drink, and who you drink it with. Have fun!)
    Quote Originally Posted by sugarmouse0707 View Post
    What I DO have issues with, is that this was a couple of years ago And Judas is still in the freezer.

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    ^despite the fact that the US has done a shitload of horrible things to Vietnam/Laos and was partially responsible for the Kmer rouge commiting genocide in Cambodia, you wont recieve any animosity in SE Asia for being an american.
    The best thing i have heard in a strip club to date:
    customer: we should get married right now! we should get a shotgun marriage!
    me: uhh... i think you are misunderstanding what a shotgun marriage means. A shotgun marriage means you knock me up and my daddy shows up at your door with a gun and forces you to marry me and raise the baby. You mean elope.
    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Do it do it do it!
    Just use your common sense and you'll be fine. Carry a fake wallet with about a tenner in it and if you get robbed give them that instead. Wear a fake wedding band too.
    Pm me if you head through the french alps.

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    I'd like to utter a great big woohoo fuck yeah for this thread!

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Quote Originally Posted by Athenathefabulous View Post
    why the fuck are americans such pussys about leaving the country?
    plenty of other people are too, from other countries. i was born canadian, and there are people up there who won't DARE go down to the states because they are terrified they won't have health insurance in case of accidents, as they are all covered up in canada by socialized health care of course ( which, by the way, i fully support). but just saying, its not only americans.
    Last edited by simone87; 03-15-2013 at 08:08 PM. Reason: typo

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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    totally safe as long as you're not an idiot and don't do anything you wouldn't do in any major city you're unfamiliar with. I've back-packed around Europe by myself a lot, the only city I ever really felt unsafe in was Athens - outside the downtown area after dark gets kind of scary.

    Do it!
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    Default Re: How safe do you think it is to backpack Europe alone?

    Use a money belt for all valuables, cash, passport, credit cards. Keep your gear in hand at all times. Professional thieves thrive on the unwary. Buy your own drinks, watch those drinks as they are mixed. Plan ahead. Share your itinerary with friends.
    And check this out http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...tion_4789.html.

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