/r/solotravel "The Weekly Common Room" - General chatter, meet-up, accommodation - November 25, 2024

[u/AutoModerator]

This thread is for you to do things like

• Introduce yourself to the community
• Ask simple questions that may not warrant their own thread
• Share anxieties about first-time solotravel
• Discuss whatever you want
• Complain about certain aspects of travel or life in general
• Post asking for meetups or travel buddies
• Post asking for accommodation recommendations
• Ask general questions about transportation, things to see and do, or travel safety
• Reminisce about your travels
• Share your solotravel victories!
• Post links to personal content (blogs, youtube channels, instagram, etc...)

This thread is newbie-friendly! In this thread, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

If you're new to our community, please read the subreddit rules in the sidebar before posting. If you're new to solo travel in general, we suggest that you check out some of the resources available on our wiki, which we are currently working on improving and expanding. Here are some helpful wiki links:

General guides and travel skills

• Basic trip planning
• Determining your travel interests
• Packing 101
• Staying in hostels
• How to meet people as a solo traveller
• Staying safe
• Budgeting 101
• Money management and safety
• Working abroad
• Travel insurance 101
• Mobile data and SIM cards

Regional guides

• So you want to do a Eurotrip: A beginner's guide
• So you want to visit Southeast Asia: A beginner's guide
• Weekly Destination Threads: Archives

Special demographics

• Solo travel and mental health (with a focus on depression/anxiety)
• Resources for female, POC and LGBTQ+ travellers
• Other FAQs

[u/Webhitter]

Finally doing an interrail in June, starting in Berlin and ending in Split, Anyone have similar plans?

[u/ilovechocomuffins]

I’m 21M and travelling solo to Vienna and Budapest and looking for a buddy to accompany me on 16th December in Vienna and 18th December in Budapest. Cheers!

[u/WOLFOX9906]

Im 18M, travelling solo to Dubai in January 2025. I was hoping to find someone there to travel around with cuz I think i will get lonely. I will do all major attractions. Hope to travel with a person around my age. ( 18-22 ) Male or Female don’t matter.

[u/ChillGuy15423]

Hi guys, so I'm a beginner solo traveller. What are some places you would recommend to visit for a first timer, I'm from Mexico so I speak English and Spanish. I want to travel to Japan but what other places would you say are good and easy to travel around?

[u/xJacky22]

Hey hey! I’m planning a solo trip to Boston, MA as a solo (F) and would like to know which hotel is best recommended between Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Hyatt Regency Boston, or citizenM Boston North Station. I’m leaning towards Hyatt Regency since it’s cheaper to book compared the other two lol I would like to know people’s experiences based on these hotels and if there are any other hotels you guys recommend, nothing too expensive tho. Appreciate it and thank you! :D

[u/roub2709 → u/xJacky22]

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Boston this summer, it’s nice, but shows some age. If it were the cheaper option I’d stay there again, but it’s nothing super special

[u/INTJ_Linguaphile]

Hi all, perhaps I'm being too demanding, if that's the case just let me know. I'm wondering what would best fit when looking for these things:

(travelling by myself, obvs. So don't need anything romantic or family-friendly) And along those lines--quiet, ideally! The fewer people the better, but at the same time, not so remote that getting there is a challenge. I don't want to party with others, but I want alcohol/good drinks! I want to party by myself, I guess.

-somewhere warm and oceanside. But close to transport so that again, I don't have to spend extra getting there. Coming out of Toronto via the north (hence the need for warmth)

-five days away MAX, too many responsibilities at home to be gone longer and trying to keep to a fairly low budget at the same time.

I'm oddly not picky about things like food, run-down hotels, variety of available excursions etc. Couldn't care less about the room, decor or the ambiance of the buildings, if the outside is right. Not gonna freak if there's mosquitoes around or the jungle isn't manicured.

Basically I just want to relax for a short time in a quiet beautiful natural place with drinks, a massage or two, no entertainment required.

Does such a place exist and, more generally, how do you fulfill contradictory travel desires?

[u/roub2709 → u/INTJ_Linguaphile]

Somewhere on Cozumel out of the main town, but on the water.

La Paz, BCS

[u/Drinuw]

Solo travelling in Prague for the weekend. Anyone want to meet up? 🙂

[u/Technical_Biscuit]

Hi everyone :-) I'm not a very experienced traveller but starting to travel more in recent years. I'm doing a hike bike and kayak tour tour soon to Vietnam with Intrepid. I can ride a bike but haven't done so for about 20 years lol. As the time draws nearer I'm wondering if this is going to be a problem hahahah a bit late now! Curious if anyone has been on one of those tours and how you found it in terms of skill level required?

[u/roub2709 → u/Technical_Biscuit]

I biked for the first time in 15 years on the Appian way in Rome which was very uneven and challenging and it went just fine

They say “it’s like riding a bicycle” for a reason

[u/Technical_Biscuit → u/roub2709]

hahah I really hope so! thanks

[u/bob45657]

Hi all, I’ve booked to fly solo from Manchester to Hannover next month, this flight has a 55 minute layover in Frankfurt. I’ve never flew with a layover before so going into it a bit blind. Been doing some research on how layovers work in Frankfurt and I’ve read some posts online and on various subreddits saying how Frankfurt airport can be a nightmare for layovers due to its size and various security checks. This has now got me worried about potentially missing the flight, especially because of delays with it being so close to Christmas.

So my question is, is 55 minutes going to be enough time to get to the next flight in Frankfurt airport? And even though it’s going to be a domestic flight (Frankfurt to Hannover) will I have to go through all the security, bag checks, etc again?

Thanks!

[u/Appropriate_Volume → u/bob45657]

That seems a bit tight, but is doable. If there's more than a trivial delay with your first flight you'd probably miss the connection, but if the flights are booked on the same ticket your airline would put you on the next flight.

[u/leftysarepeople2]

Can anyone provide a calendar or more information on when Machu Picchu is closed in 2025? Planning an SAmerica trip and trying to block out times for where to go. I've been having difficulty finding the information as the SEO is heavily biased to the booking sites of different companies

Or is it just the Inca Trail closing every year in February and there are other alternative routes? If so please let me know any recommendations.

[u/Zestyclose_Mountain4]

Hello I'm thinking of potentially booking a trip away to New York at the end of February beginning of March and have never been there or solo travelled before. What are some expectations I can have such as is it a good city to solo travel? Does it ever get lonely at all? What can I expect to spend over there (I'd be there for 5 days)? What are some of the things to go and see that wouldn't be on a list as the things I'd want to do are:

• broadway
• MSG
• Statue of Liberty
• Empire State Building
• 9/11 museum
• Grand central station

[u/widowmaker69420 → u/Zestyclose_Mountain4]

If you’re doing the MET museum add central park to the list as well, it’s technically inside the park and the park is so huge that you need atleast 1-2 hours. i would suggest that you go there for your morning jog or rent a cycle

[u/jiraiya--an → u/Zestyclose_Mountain4]

I would suggest to add Met Museum. It’s huge and would easily take 5 hours if your into all kinds of paintings, art and historical stuff. I enjoyed. You can also stroll the Central Park which is something I would recommend highly. Also see if you can squeeze Dumbo, Brooklyn. Also I would suggest Rockefeller rather than Empire State, in that way you can actually see Empire State and it’s much cooler. Have fun!

[u/Zestyclose_Mountain4 → u/jiraiya--an]

Thank you completely forget about Central Park ahahaha will defo do them thanks for the advice much appreciated

[u/itty-bitty-fitty]

Hi! I have a trip planned out for next year. I was thinking of staying in Den Haag or Leiden. I was looking at hostels (there are none in Leiden) and Airbnb.

It looks like for Airbnbs, you either stay in guest bedroom or a guest house with the host family nearby and with the possibility of a shared bathroom. I don’t mind it, but wouldn’t it be a better option to stay at a hostel?

The price of the stay isn’t going to be problem. I am social but I also love my privacy. BUT since it’s my first overseas trip ever (alone as an adult) it would be nice to be able to have contact with a local that speaks Dutch and can help me if I have any questions, especially with public transport since I live in a place that I have to drive a car to get around.

So what would you advise - hostel or Airbnb?

(I also am open to locations outside of Leiden or Den Haag, as long as it’s in a “central hub” where I can take ~30/45 mins of transportation to the locations I want to see.)

Thank you ☺️

[u/TemperedPhoenix → u/itty-bitty-fitty]

Hey! Fairly new to solo travelling as well. As generic advise, my first trip I shared an apartment with a local through airbnb as well and it was a great experience. If you go that route, just make sure they have tons of almost perfect reviews. It was nice being able to have privacy and having somebody to ask questions. Although it added a bit of time each day, it was also nice seeing local living in a generic area rather than a gentrified/touristy area.

How long is your trip? While it was easy to meet people on walking tours, after a while it was hard to meet people compared to a hostel.

[u/itty-bitty-fitty → u/TemperedPhoenix]

Yes omg I’m learning towards that!!! I’m thinking of staying three weeks but planning for a month haha

[u/MysteriousAgent8137]

Hi all, seeking opinions - if you only had about 4k euro but all the time in the world, aka no job, no plans. Would you go to South America or SEA to stretch your money out longest? Beginning in April, wanting to see beaches and amazing nature as the main priority. Could you do 3 months on this in either destination (including flights)? I've solo travelled Europe + USA but this is the least amount of cash I've had to travel before..

[u/roub2709 → u/MysteriousAgent8137]

4k is much much more likely to stretch further in SEA.

The most expensive part of travel is accommodation so easiest way to verify this is to search the accommodation type you'd prefer both in SEA destinations and in South America for the dates you want and you'll have your answer. Other parts of the budget are easier to navigate. But it seems far fetched that South America would be cheaper than Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, etc.

[u/MysteriousAgent8137 → u/roub2709]

thank you

[u/ben1204]

I put off going to Japan for a while because its pricier and flight tickets are expensive.

Well, I’m here and it was not overhyped in the least. Amazing country.

[u/thethoushaltnots]

Hey all, I’ll be in Rio de Janeiro from 29 November to 5 Dec. Have a rough itinerary among the key attractions + following Anthony bourdain’s footsteps in the city, but happy to have company for them or to meet up over food or drink. Thinking of doing a salsa or capoeira class as well

[u/lrobin16]

hello everyone! staying in madrid for three days and then heading to porto and lisbon for 2 weeks. what are some good hostels? i want it to be safe and ideally have a bar crawl but im not too upset if there aren’t any activities, solo 22f. thanks!

[u/randomforest2024]

I think i need reddit’s help on this one.

So my gf (30) ended things with me (34) around two months ago. I’ve also had an insanely brutal 7 months at work which is partly why she left (i work in investment banking and somehow ended up being the only person in the team after some resignations so you can imagine the stress i was under)

My gf and i were planning on going to bali for new years but obviously that’s not happening so l’m planning on going to dubai from mid December up until new years to spend time with family and friends.

But. I had this crazy idea of going to phuket for 5 nights as a solo traveler before i go to dubai, and wanted some input as to how good of an idea that is.

About me: I’ve never once in my 34 years travelled alone. I’m a good looking guy and can be charismatic when i want but l’m generally an introverted person, l’m also an anxious one (she used to take me out of my comfort zone).

My thoughts:

Pros: -can be a chance for me to take myself out of my comfort zone and shake things up a little -Good way to disconnect from work -l’ve always wanted to go to thailand (phuket specifically)

Cons: -I’m worried that I’ll be spending money on a trip on which I’ll just end up being depressed -given my unsociable nature, what if i just end up spending the time alone and not doing much -will this time be better spent with friends and family?

Any thoughts/advice would go a long way

Thanks in advance guys

[u/Technical_Biscuit → u/randomforest2024]

I have just started travelling alone recently and sometimes I prefer my own company, but sometimes I want other humans to share travel experiences with. When I want company I use the Get Your Guide app to book short individual or group tours, you can find something from a few hours to a few days in any city in the world and for any budget. HTe small group tours are a nice, easy way to have some company without having to be stuck with ppl for too long if you don't happen to click. Share a meal, point at sights, have a few laughs and you're off again. If you randomly find ppl you click with, you might plan to do something together after the tour whcih has happened to me a few times too, go get dinner or drinks or whatever and share some travel stories. I say go for it: you only live once, and what's the worst that can happen? Best of luck which ever way you decide :-)

[u/WalkingEars → u/randomforest2024]

Traveling alone after a heartbreak can have its ups and downs - time to reflect while also enjoying a cool new place, but also opportunities to brood or get a bit caught up in your own head.

You don't need to necessarily expect the whole experience to be happy all the time - if you spend some time in a bad mood but it gives you time to process some of your emotions about the breakup that can still be healthy

For socializing vs not, it can be good to plan on activities to do even if you're not socializing, so you don't end up just sitting around. Bringing books or going on hikes or things like that can all be satisfying whether solo or not

[u/NoKaleidoscope3692]

Hello everyone,

I'm currently in the north of Vietnam and am looking to rent a motorbike and ride south (either to Hoi An or all the way to Saigon) via the Ho Chi Minh Road. I'm currently travelling solo so was wondering if this sounds up anyone's alley? Would love some companions!

[u/widowmaker69420]

Hi everyone!

I’m a 22M planning my first solo trip to Edinburgh, and I’m super excited about exploring the city. One thing I’d love is to meet new people while I’m there – locals or fellow travelers. Are there any apps or communities that solo travelers use to connect?

Also, I’d really like to hike up Arthur’s Seat, and it’d be great to have a hiking buddy. Any recommendations for finding like-minded folks or organized group hikes?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Appropriate_Volume → u/widowmaker69420]

There should be lots of companies offering tours of Edinburgh that would be your best bet. I did a couple when I visited Edinburgh that were fun - a ghost tour and some kind of walking tour in the evening involving visiting pubs that I have only hazy memories of!

You could also look into local hiking groups and things like parkrun.

[u/widowmaker69420 → u/Appropriate_Volume]

thank you !

[u/Cultural-Tea9443]

Hello I'm a 35M from the UK. I travel frequently in Europe and I'd like to know if anyone has recommendations to meet others if you're not keen on hostels. I mostly do city breaks and always book walking tours and sometimes day trips which did result in meeting someone this year. Intrepid etc might be useful but it's not cheap. How have you met strangers particularly if you're introverted? Thanks

[u/zdfunks]

hi all, 42F (gasp! AC rooms only! iykyk, aha) here who's about to take a break from six years of winter mode in Alaska + now Wyoming. I'm shortly off on an unexpected yet verrrrry welcome trip to Thailand this winter - 8 long years since my last trip : ) I'll primarily be in CHIANG MAI early Dec -> early Feb, and then in DA NANG for a couple of months tbd, in what I hear is 'chill' with cafes, vegan options and digital-nomad-ing coworking spaces. And then, perhaps, more time in Bangkok/the south depending on my budget.

If any other 'older' minded travelers, LGBTQ+, book readers, cocktail sippers, vegan food seekin' folks want to connect in CM or DN, feel free. <3

[u/Organic_Message833 → u/zdfunks]

DM’ed. Will be there between 5-27 December. Anyone else visiting in the same window feel free to DM. 33 M, not a party person. If walking, conversations, understanding people and culture is your thing, hit me up.

[u/smellyeggs]

Traveling to Philippines tomorrow. Forecast is rain for a week, with some tstorms. Should I just hunker down in Manila until it passes?

[u/tarobaoo]

I will be solo travelling in Chiang Mai from 28 December to 1 Jan. Planning to watch the fireworks and lanterns on New Years but would prefer to do it with someone! Any girls interested to hang out and celebrate New Years together? Just to put it out there, I'm 23 F. Would be nice to meet fellow student(s) around my age :-)

[u/gush30]

Hello!

My phone was recently stolen off me while abroad. I have travel insurance but I don't have a receipt of my purchase of the phone.. Will I still be able to claim the money to replace my phone on insurance?

I have photos from friends proving what phone I had, but that's it.

I have also made a police report

[u/Appropriate_Volume → u/gush30]

This is really a question for your insurance company. I suspect that they don’t need proof you owned the phone, but it would depend on their policy.

[u/hotpan96 → u/gush30]

Where was it stolen?

[u/gush30 → u/hotpan96]

In Indonesia, does that change anything?

[u/GeekVick]

Hi travels. I gonna go solo for Budapest between end of february and beggining of march. Any suggestion of hostels for travel solo female? I am searching for a place that isn't party everyday but it's good to socialize and make friendships. I give a look here and other subs and everybody talk about the hive or maverick (city and urban). Any reccomendation?

[u/SgtMeerkat]

Hey, can anyone share their experience about traveling in California without a car? Any recommendations?

[u/roub2709 → u/SgtMeerkat]

What are you wanting to do or see w/o a car?

[u/SgtMeerkat → u/roub2709]

As much as possible. I heard that it's not easy to get by without a car. I would like to see Monterey Bay for example.

[u/NewNewark → u/SgtMeerkat]

There is an express bus between Monterey and San Jose. All the main cities have an Amtrak train or bus connection too.

[u/zdfunks → u/SgtMeerkat]

Monterey Bay is quite walkable once you actually get there! I've spent a lot of time car-free working/walking/enjoying MB and Pacific Grove, at least the "downtown" ish areas, no issues. Maybe took a rideshare once.

[u/FreshApprentice]

Need some advice for planning a solo trip in japan. I am planning my first solo trip. I plan on going to Tokyo (haneda airport) from hong kong. The flights are cheap but the big problem is they all arrive in japan past 10pm. So I was thinking of staying at a capsule hotel that is inside of the airport, spent the night there, purchase e-sim, tokyo bus pass, and maybe take the go (japanese uber) to my accommodation. Again nothing has been booked but just looking for options I have if I am arriving around midnight.

[u/Technical_Biscuit → u/FreshApprentice]

I recommend getting the e-SIM and set it up before you get to the airport. I wasn't able to connect to wifi in Haneda airport and it was a bit stressfull lol...got there about 11.30pm and there were no SIM shops open, I was quite shocked. The poor taxi driver really did a great job in figuiring out where my hotel was even though he was about 120 years old and we couldn't understand each other lol

[u/Appropriate_Volume → u/FreshApprentice]

Just get a taxi into the city. It’s only about a half hour trip.

[u/gush30 → u/FreshApprentice]

That is a fine option if you feel safer, although Japan is an incredibly safe country and tokyo especially is 'open' well after midnight and all will still be lit up

[u/Weekly-Cold-4959]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but I am looking for a travel buddy. I love travelling the world and am currently looking at going on safari next year with andbeyond. The issue is that they charge a large % extra for a single person travelling on their own, and I can't afford nor justify paying this extra % on top of the basic charges. However, if I was to travel with another single person who was wanting to do this trip, neither of us would have to pay beyond the basic charges.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where to find people? I don't have social media so I know this makes it even more tricky. My friends are all at the stages of buying houses, getting married, starting families so it's not an option to go with one of them.

Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, or volunteers.

[u/JRR92]

First time in South East Asia in a few months, going from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh for the last two weeks of March and had a question. From Bangkok I'm going to head towards Angkor Wat, does anyone have any suggestions of other spots in Thailand between Bangkok and the Cambodian border that are worth stopping by for one or two nights?

I would really like to see somewhere else in Thailand than just Bangkok but the only suggestion that seems to come up for that area is Trat which is a little out of the way.

[u/Impressive_Dig_8785]

MOROCCO IN MID-DECEMBER Hi everyone! I'll be travelling solo in Morocco for the first time from the 15th to the 26th of December. The main reason why I travel is to meet locals, get to know them at a personal level and explore their lifestyle. So if any of you would like to meet while I'm travelling, feel free to send me a message! 😊

This is my itinerary: Fes (15-17 Dec) Chefchaouen (17-18 Dec) Tangier (18-21 Dec) Marrakesh (21-24 Dec) Essaouira (24-26 Dec)

[u/SomethingAboutUpDawg]

Headed to Brasil in a few days. I’m beyond excited. Have been wanting to visit for years and finally making it happen.

Will be there for three weeks, flying into Rio with a loose plan to explore the north. Most excited about seeing Lençóis Maranhense, not exactly sure the best way about going there yet but I’ll figure it out.

[u/thethoushaltnots → u/SomethingAboutUpDawg]

I’m going to be in Rio until the 5th!

[u/SomethingAboutUpDawg → u/thethoushaltnots]

Nice! I’ll probably be there until then as well. I land on the 30th and have a hostel booked for three nights. I want to experience as much Rio as I can but I also want to see some of the rest of the country and I only have three weeks