Solo travel advice & recommendations
- Thread starter YetAnotherObsessionx
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Megansnarkle
VIP Member
Loads of times, it's great.Has anyone been on the Eurostar to Brussels?
I've been reading reviews and there's loads that are 1 star for the journey
Any recommendations for a hotel near Brussels station?
And is it an easy ride to Bruges?
Thanks x
I wouldn't recommend staying near the station in Brussels though, it's not the nicest part of Brussels. You want to be somewhere near the Grand Place.
The train ride to Bruges is super easy.
Has anyone been on the Eurostar to Brussels?
I've been reading reviews and there's loads that are 1 star for the journey
Any recommendations for a hotel near Brussels station?
And is it an easy ride to Bruges?
Thanks x
I'm doing it in a couple of weeks. Hope it isn't 1*
Will report back---
Any Brussels tips v welcome!
Megansnarkle
VIP Member
I must admit I've mostly been for work but there was a cartoon mural trail that I've followed around the city centre a bit and that was fun. Bruges is more of a tourist place than Brussels is and is lovely.I'm doing it in a couple of weeks. Hope it isn't 1*
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Any Brussels tips v welcome!
OnlyHereForTheLolz
VIP Member
I dont understand how the journey is 1 star, it’s a train ride?!? Am I missing something?Has anyone been on the Eurostar to Brussels?
I've been reading reviews and there's loads that are 1 star for the journey
Any recommendations for a hotel near Brussels station?
And is it an easy ride to Bruges?
Thanks x
We went to Bruges and the journey was fine. On the way back we stayed in Brussels for one night to make the return easier. We stayed by the station and I agree it’s not the nicest area but I felt safe. It was just so much more convenient
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Roobarb
Well-known member
The poor reviews were for poor customer service, excessive delays, trains cancelled while people were already on them, overcrowding, dirty trains, lack of staff etc.
I only know two people who have been on it, and they both said it was easy, but whilst researching I found these poor reviews and thought Tattlers would tell it how it is! The other issue is getting a train to London in the first place due to strikes et c so just weighing up my options.
I only know two people who have been on it, and they both said it was easy, but whilst researching I found these poor reviews and thought Tattlers would tell it how it is! The other issue is getting a train to London in the first place due to strikes et c so just weighing up my options.
DrNooo
Well-known member
I've been a couple of times on package holidays with tui as a solo traveller, have had no problems.
Megansnarkle
VIP Member
I feel like anyone who suffers delays on a train they don't regularly take is going to whinge a bit.
If you're getting a train to London to go onwards, get a CIV ticket. I've never had to do it as I'm London-based but it helps in the event of a delay to your initial leg. You'd have to read up on it though.
randomuser2468
Member
Has anyone on here ever solo travelled to New York? I’d really love to do it
futbolista
VIP Member
I have explored a lot alone and stayed in hotels for work but not since pre pandy, but I used to live there eons ago but now stay with friends so if you have specific questions, feel free to drop them.
NYC is a great place to visit solo. So much to do, easy to get around and honestly it’s quite safe. Just like all places you just have to be mindful and plan where you’re going and what times etc.
So much good food to eat!!
I did a few solo days in NY last year on my way home from visiting friends elsewhere in the US. I had been a few times before so felt pretty confident about wandering around on my own, but it’s a reallly easy city to find your way around!
Loads to do to keep yourself busy obviously! I did visits to the Met and the 911 museum this time, plus nice walks through Central Park, along the Highline and round Greenwich Village which is my favourite part of the city. I love musicals so also did a couple of theatre trips, one planned in advance and one where I got tickets on the day. And a bit of shopping too of course!
If you’ve never been before an open top bus tour is not a bad idea. They do tv and film location themed ones which can be fun. I did a Sex and the City one a few years ago which was brilliant!
I get SO anxious about travelling solo abroad. I even cry at airports when my bag got searched and I was still with a group of people then lol
BUT I've decided at turning 34 next month, I need to adventure out and challenge myself.
So I'm thinking about doing a day trip to Dublin first, just so I can get use to being in airport alone, navigating cities alone? Then next trip to Edinborough and stay overnight.
Then go abroad somewhere in Europe like Amsterdam/Paris.
What do people think?!
BUT I've decided at turning 34 next month, I need to adventure out and challenge myself.
So I'm thinking about doing a day trip to Dublin first, just so I can get use to being in airport alone, navigating cities alone? Then next trip to Edinborough and stay overnight.
Then go abroad somewhere in Europe like Amsterdam/Paris.
What do people think?!
Mooordgirl
VIP Member
Go for it! I've found it worth it to push through the cold feet I've gotten in the days leading up to EVERY SINGLE solo trip I've taken!!I get SO anxious about travelling solo abroad. I even cry at airports when my bag got searched and I was still with a group of people then lol
BUT I've decided at turning 34 next month, I need to adventure out and challenge myself.
So I'm thinking about doing a day trip to Dublin first, just so I can get use to being in airport alone, navigating cities alone? Then next trip to Edinborough and stay overnight.
Then go abroad somewhere in Europe like Amsterdam/Paris.
What do people think?!
OK thank you!! It's just the nightime that freaks me out too, going out alone!
I'll check when my passport expires and I'll book the flights so I can't back out! x
Megansnarkle
VIP Member
Why not book somewhere with a kitchen or kitchenette? Like a serviced apartment? That was if you don't want to go out, you don't have to, either get a takeaway or cook. I highly recommend looking for places to eat that offer bar seating if alone if the prospect of dining at a table alone is intimidating.
That’s a very good point!
I’ve just checked my passport and it expires in March ‘25 so looks like I’ve only got next month to travel anywhere abroad! Haha
I spent six weeks there and absolutely loved it! Partly work and partly a holiday. So much to do and I never felt unsafe. Obviously it pays to be sensible in big cities but I never felt that being a woman alone made me stand out.
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I get SO anxious about travelling solo abroad. I even cry at airports when my bag got searched and I was still with a group of people then lol
BUT I've decided at turning 34 next month, I need to adventure out and challenge myself.
So I'm thinking about doing a day trip to Dublin first, just so I can get use to being in airport alone, navigating cities alone? Then next trip to Edinborough and stay overnight.
Then go abroad somewhere in Europe like Amsterdam/Paris.
What do people think?!
Once you start you can’t stop! Re going out to eat, earlier dinners or family friendly restaurants are much less intimidating than ‘proper’ dinner out, I find. Or hotels with a restaurant so you’ve not far to go, or can even have room service if it gets a bit much.
For dinner I would suggest just bringing a book or (maybe this is a faux pa's but I don't mind tbh) listening to podcasts if you feel self conscious
Roobarb
Well-known member
My hand luggage has been searched so many times it became a standing joke!
This is because you score a point in the security risk profile if you are on your own.
Strangely, since I went to New York (and got searched twice, as did fellow solo travellers) I've not been stopped since! Just stay calm and let them get on with it. Learn from anything they question you about (I don't carry powder foundation anymore as this seems to show up on the scanner as dodgy
).New York is fab on your own. Walking was safe, subway was safe. Plenty of take out food etc. Take care like you would anywhere else.
OnlyHereForTheLolz
VIP Member
Really? I've travelled alone a fair few times and have never been searched. Apart from when I had an actual pair of scissors in my hand luggage which I forgot aboutMy hand luggage has been searched so many times it became a standing joke!
This is because you score a point in the security risk profile if you are on your own.
Strangely, since I went to New York (and got searched twice, as did fellow solo travellers) I've not been stopped since! Just stay calm and let them get on with it. Learn from anything they question you about (I don't carry powder foundation anymore as this seems to show up on the scanner as dodgy
New York is fab on your own. Walking was safe, subway was safe. Plenty of take out food etc. Take care like you would anywhere else.
fun times