Going on holidays solo

LegacyUser

I started a new job in January and have decided I should organise a holiday for myself as I think I need one. The problem is I have nobody to go with. I am 35 and single, I have only about three close friends who I would not or cannot ask to go with me (one is married, the other two have just been on their hols).
I really would like a break but I am reluctant to go on my own for two reasons:
1. I don't want people to know I went on my own ("Billy-no-mates")
2. Going on holiday on your own isn't much fun is it? I dread that I will get lonely and decide to come home in the middle of it.

I suppose I'm posting this as a way of asking if anyone of you have gone on holidays on your own? No big deal for someone in their early twenties I suppose but a bit sad for someone in their thirties.
I suppose it's my own fault for not having more friends but that's a different story altogether.

RedXIV

There is a website where you can join a group of people, nobody knows each other and you all go off together, seen stories of great friendships and romances spring up from it. Be damned if i can remember the site. will come back when i have it!

Peachy123

What kind of holiday do you want to go on? I've been away in Sth America on my own... one of those organised tour things - of the group I ended up with of 16, 7 arrived on their own - had a great time & would def recommend... try trailfinders or somewhere they'll advise - they sorted me out anyway!

impr0v

There's nothing to stop you doing it, the age thing is only really an excuse. Loads of people do backpacking, and other holidays, on their own and in their 30s.

Before you go though, have a good think about and be sure you'll be able to embrace it. If you go and then spend all the time thinking how alone you are and how everyone is looking and thinking that you're Billy-no-mates, then it won't be a holiday at all. You'll come back more down than when you went.

There are also specific packages available for single travellers, I wouldn't know where to point you in order to find them but google is your friend.

elmyra

By all means if you don't want to go on your own then try to work something else out - but if you'd like to try it and are just a bit hesitant because it's new and you're worried about what people will think, go for it. There's loads of great things about holidaying on your own. The destination is entirely up to you and you can go exactly where you want to. You can see all the sites you want to see. You can definitely entertain yourself - beach, all the must-see spots, eating out, just relaxing with room service and books and tv. If you go to a city rather than a resort there'll probably be shows to see and local events. You don't even have to mention to people that you're travelling alone if it really bothers you - but I personally wouldn't be worried at all. If you need a break, have one!

PurpleBerry

I'm going away on my own too. There are advantages to it. Like not having to worry about entertaining a companion.

SnowMonkey

i lost my job once and with the money i had left, I left the country and went travelling on my own.... :)best thing i ever did, ut i mean as in its ok to go away on your own...

go treking in the himla's or on th einca thing white water rafting hoilday loads of people do that on there own... and i think its perfectly exceptable... any way its good to get away on your own...:)

LegacyUser

I thought someone might suggest a website where you can meet people and go on holidays with them. Not slagging it, thanks for the suggestion. Funnily enough I've always wanted to go to South America, around the Mexican border or somewhere like that would be fascinating.
I hate the beach so that's out.

Tuesday_Girl

I went on a sun holiday on my own 2 years ago when I was 34, it was November so no-one else wanted to go then or had the holidays/money, so off I went. I had a really nice time, enjoyed the sun, read loads, saw the sights, went snorkelling, shopping, etc. the only thing I didn't do much was go out at night, but I would go to the hotel bar for a few drinks cos I met other holidaymakers during the week and would meet up with them there.

So what if people know you are there on your own or went on your own, if it's not a problem for you then it certainly shouldn't be for them.

Enjoy

lainypops

Hi there,

I went travelling on my own for 16 weeks a couple of years ago. Went all over the place, Sth America, Oz, Thailand. I can honestly say it was the best holiday I've ever had and trust me, I've done the couples holidays, girly holidays etc. I'm hitting 30 now and was planning on heading back to Sth America this year on my own for a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure what kind of holiday you are planning but if it's not a resorty kind of holiday, you should definitely consider staying in hostels. I stayed in some fantastic hostels (and you can book a private bedroom in most if you want). I met so many other solo travellers of all ages this way (18 to 65!) and I was only ever on my own if I wanted to be.

In an ideal world we would all have loads of available friends and/or be coupled off with Mr/Mrs right but for many of us this isn't the case...yet. The most important thing however, is not to let this stop you from doing what you want to do and living your life to the fullest!

ntlbell

Alone wrote: »

The problem is I have nobody to go with. I am 35 and single, I have only about three close friends who I would not or cannot ask to go with me (one is married, the other two have just been on their hols).
I really would like a break but I am reluctant to go on my own for two reasons:
1. I don't want people to know I went on my own ("Billy-no-mates")
2. Going on holiday on your own isn't much fun is it? I dread that I will get lonely and decide to come home in the middle of it.

I would of thought by 35 a person would be well past the stage of worrying what strangers might think of them, your not billy no mates you have friends they can't go with you so what? put your life on hold untill one of them is available?

on the second point it will be as fun as you make it, go somewhere you're interested in and actually want to see do a bit of planning befre you go to make sure you have something to do each day.

go with an open mind and relax and enjoy yourself.

Delfina

A friend of mine recently went on hols on her own for 2 weeks & had a great time. TBH, I thought of it as quite an independant thing to do, not sad at all. I'd say to go for it - its more common nowadays than you may think!

MJOR

Go for it two weeks of pleasing yourself! how fab would that be?

How Strange

companies like exodus and explore specialise in organised trips, treks etc around the world and a significant percentage of their client bases are single people travelling alone. Google them for their websites.

I would recommend them if you want to go on certain trips in Europe i.e. Turkey, Greece or maybe a South African safari. Basically trips where you wouldn't be staying in hostels so you wouldn't have the opportunity to meet people.

However, if you're thinking of Asia or South America then I'd just plan it yourself as these companies charge a huge premium to organise these trips that can be organised yourself over the internet.

1. I don't want people to know I went on my own ("Billy-no-mates")

Why not? I'm sure most people would envy and respect you for heading off on your own.

No big deal for someone in their early twenties I suppose but a bit sad for someone in their thirties.

Nothing sad about it. I've travelled on my own quite a lot. I'm quite proud of it; I have some very interesting dinner party stories. The only sad thing is if you're too scared or worried what people will say to actually do it yourself even though you'd like to.
The most interesting people I've met were people in their 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's travelling the world alone. They most definitely didn't worry about what people thought about them.

fits

Alone wrote: »

I thought someone might suggest a website where you can meet people and go on holidays with them. Not slagging it, thanks for the suggestion. Funnily enough I've always wanted to go to South America, around the Mexican border or somewhere like that would be fascinating.
I hate the beach so that's out.

I'm just back from South America and I met loads of solo travellers, many of them in their mid 30s. Backpacking and hostelling is ideal for meeting other people and you'd have no problem finding people to team up with. Go for it.

Id definitely recommend that sort of holiday for a solo traveller, especially in comparison to a package one.

LegacyUser

Hi There,

I have travelled twice solo.. once on my year away and did the regular south east asia, oz, new zealand and figi... best year of my life...
Then last October, i took 3 weeks off work and went to Central America, again alone.. I'm 31 and found that all my friends were either in relationships and would rather go on holidays with their partner.. or they were just too broke to go away.. so rather than go nowhere I decided to go alone!
I booked a tour with intrepidtravel.com
They're an Australian based company so of the 11 on the tour 6 were from Australia, 3 were English and 2 of us were Irish. 5 of us were single women in our early 30's travelling alone. 2 young guys of about 21/22 and 4 who were in their 50's..
The trips are basic in accomodation.. and you cover an awful lot of ground very quickly.. which means a lot of time in buses... a lot... but it was a fantastic experience and met some great people!
as for my friends at home.. they thought me very brave to head off alone.. but you're not really, cause if you plan it properly you can land the same day as the tour group meets up.. and so you spend very little time alone (if you're worried from a safety aspect of travelling alone!)
anyhow.. after all that.. go for it!

couerdelion

I went on hols by myself for my 30th birthday. My brother told me I was a saddo, but i didn't care.
I organise a trip now every year, for motorcyclists to the nurburgring. Nobody knows each other usually and it's a great laugh. Made a few good friends through it.

Go for it. You won't want to go on hols with people you know again! :-)

LegacyUser

http://www.kumuka.com/
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/

Lots of people go on tours on their own - try these links. Only thing you need to do is organise your own flights and get to the meeting place. Rest you dont have to think about, just enjoy!

Only person stopping you is you!

Karen_*

Oh go for it OP. I think it sound great and was thinking of doing a solo hol myself at some stage. It doesn't look like Billy no mates at all. It looks like a person comfortable with themself and with self confidence. If you think you'll enjoy it then go for it!

jt_dublin

Maybe take a look here

http://www.thepattclub.ie/

I heard of them thru a friend who travelled with them a few years ago and found it really good.

Here's a bit from their website.

Group Holidays for People Alone Travelling Together (PATT)

Our Aim...
is to provide a confidential and professional service for people who want to travel on holiday, but have no one to travel with.

The new service is for people who are single, separated, divorced, widowed, or whose partner cannot or will not travel with them on holiday.

The service is not a dating agency nor is it a senior citizens club. It is a facility for people of all ages who want to see the world, or have a wonderful holiday in the company of other people.

Darby OGill

Went cycling around Scotland in 1991 for two weeks on my own- absolutely brilliant. Met people in hostels, pubs, on Ben Nevis etc.

Went to Australia in 2004 on my own to see my two brothers who live in Sydney. They were not free to travel so one of them gave me his pick-up and I drove up the Gold Coast with no idea what I was doing- came back after two weeks to worried looks!!.
Also went on a flying visit to Melbourne and ended up in a pub with three young ladies (Irish, American and Brazilian!!!!). Alas, being old and married they probably felt sorry for me

Do it.

sunnyside

Lots of people go on Spa breaks or yoga holidays on their own if your into that sort of thing.

drusk

Go for it! There are NO restrictions! You can go where YOU want, see what YOU want, eat what YOU want, eat where YOU want, get up when YOU want, spend what YOU want....the list is endless!!

The major downside of going on holidays with a family/group is that everyone is different and you end up having to compromise on EVERYTHING!! When you're on your own, there are NO restrictions!

God, I'd love to go on hollyers with meself!

Maggie Simpson

Toucan Tours - did a trip with them a few years back - Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico & Belize.......they go all over Central & Sth America. About 8 of the group were travelling solo too. No biggy. Lots of people hooked up though!

beer enigma

Alone wrote: »

I started a new job in January and have decided I should organise a holiday for myself as I think I need one. The problem is I have nobody to go with. I am 35 and single, I have only about three close friends who I would not or cannot ask to go with me (one is married, the other two have just been on their hols).
I really would like a break but I am reluctant to go on my own for two reasons:
1. I don't want people to know I went on my own ("Billy-no-mates")
2. Going on holiday on your own isn't much fun is it? I dread that I will get lonely and decide to come home in the middle of it.

I suppose I'm posting this as a way of asking if anyone of you have gone on holidays on your own? No big deal for someone in their early twenties I suppose but a bit sad for someone in their thirties.
I suppose it's my own fault for not having more friends but that's a different story altogether.

One of the best holidays I ever had was when I went away on my own at the ripe old age of 31............

I chose Tunisia as it was cheap and somewhere I hadn't been.

I spent a week of walking the surfline, doing some touristy things, meeting new friends and just clearing the head.

Seriously, do it, relax, takle an MP3 player, a few good books, rest up in the afternoon & enjoy the evenings......

castie

Im so jealous OP. Ive been away on an intrepid tour and loved it.
If i had the freedom this Summer you might bump into me in Sth America but sadly i have to stay home and earn money for College .

I fully recommend it though. Met loads of people. Including a French couple that i have already been over to paris to visit twice .

MagicMarker

I went to New York last year on my own... Spent my time in a hostel and had probably the best holiday of my life... Met lots of random people, all like me, spent days and evenings drinking with randomers from all parts of the world and basically had a great time.

LegacyUser

Thanks to those who posted links. Maybe I should go somewhere where I can just relax with the option of seeing a few sights IF I want to. If I go on some kind of back-packing trip it could be tiring and I definitely need a rest.
I'll check out those links for sure.

LegacyUser

Here you go! There is a whole list of single/solo type holiday options here:
http://www.travel-quest.co.uk/tqsingles2.htm

I'm not long back from a yoga holiday I went to on my own and I had a great time! Like you, I had been feeling very negative about going away on my own, but the thought of another grey summer here just drove me to seek out some sun! I made some really nice friends and we are hopefully going to meet up somewhere for a weekend later in the year.

The thing to do is to go on something like a group trek or any activity based holiday. Because you will be in a group, you won't be feeling lonely and you will probably make some friends.

I have heard good reports about this company: http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/ and if you are into holistic hippy dippy stuff, this place is supposed to be great: http://www.skyros.com/

MissThing

I'm spitting with envy here.

I went on two holidays on my own, one to Jordan and one in Japan - had the time of my life. Would defo do it all again. Not to frighten you but regardsless of which gender you are exercise some street smarts, and be safe, aside from that, travelling "alone" is the most enriching experience ever. The truth is you're not alone unless you choose to be.

Would love to take another solo holiday, no mon no fun though.

TheDriver

OP, go for it! You only live once! DOn't mind anyone saying your wrong for going on your own as 100% of them are actually jealous that a) your going away b) you have the balls to go on your own!
If you do the sightseeing on your own, beware that some days you may meet no one to talk to but if thats ok, then go for it. Otherwise join up with tours while you are there, its a great way to meet up with people and basically everyone latches onto each other to make friends. Gapadventures is another crowd I heard good things about and cheap too. Maybe it would be a nice Sticky mods to have a list of links to companies worldwide that the solo traveller could join up on as theres lots from this thread appearing already?

LegacyUser

Hi ho OP,

Dont be cringing because you are in your 30's and going on hols alone. Loads of people are in this position, in the 30's all the friends are married with kids so its a mare trying to findd someone to go with!

Anyway, I went to Thailand on my own and it was a mixed experience.

Be careful about the destination when you are a woman on your own, I didn't meet anyone at all in Thailand in 3 weeks there alone, the only other single travellers there (contrary to what I was told before I went) were male sex tourists.

A woman in her 30's alone there is a total oddity, I couldn't go out alone at night as it was too dangerous to be in any kind of compromised state (drinking) with the male hassle.

Anyway, I enjoyed it during the day, it was brilliant going on tours etc but it was all families and couples everywhere and I felt like a right spare one! lol

Just dont believe everything travel agents tell you as they will say mass just to get your money. I got "yeh yeh yeh of course there are LOADS of single women travelling alone in Thailand you will meet LOADS of people" which was not true at all.

I would be more inclined to believe the ppl on the boards here, their advice is real at least!

Anyway have a great time no matter what you do!

Tony Broke

Im going alone too

21 year old male, all friends are working and I could only get first 1 week in August off.Going too Egypt Sharm El Sheikh, plan to go diving for a day, see the pyramids etc.I have been too Costa Del Sol on my own too for 2 weeks, friend and his cousion had to pull out ( they're grandfather died day before flight ) and I wasnt going to throw good money away.

You wont be bored, keep active, look around and chill.But dont get drunk on your own

Aurora Borealis

I traveled around South America last summer by myself and had an absolute blast. You meet far more people when by yourself. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!

dade

not much but went to Bristol a few years ago with friends, things didn't work out and spent two weeks on my own. stayed in a hostel etc had a blast

LegacyUser

How along are you thinking of going for OP and what type of destination & budget?

I've travelled on my own many times for long periods and holidayed for a week or two in sun destinations also.

Never had any problems although it depends on the type of holiday you're looking for.

The main problem with being on your own is the very quiet hours so stay somewhere where you've a pool or a balcony so you're not always stuck in your room or forced to go to out a cafe / restaurant/ bar.

Obviously, if you're staying in a more luxurious place you'll have a tv to keep you company.

I did a surf holiday last year (to learn) and I was busy during the days and went out with some of the people at night times.... other times I'd just go for a couple of quiet drinks. Off again soon on my own.... friends are all hooked up or busy.

I'm in my mid 30s btw and it never comes into the equation.

Go to bars where backpackers hang out and sit at the bar - you'll always get chatting to someone...... the bar people are usually travellers too.

Always bring a book out with you if you feel awkward being on your own in a restaurant.

castie

All of the tours have the option to sign off.

So if you want to do something else or nothing at all you can sign off and come back to them later. Two lads on mine signed off for a week and joined back with us afterwards.

HJL

In the past year and a half ive been to Barcelona, Rome and Prague, and on each of thoes holidays ive always went on tours of the city etc. And there have been loads of people holidaying on their own. All ages too. And I would imagine loads of other European cities are the same.

I would recommend www.hostelworld.com if your thinking about a hostel/budget accomindation, even if money isnt an issue, these places usually attract fellow travellers/site seeers so you likely to meet people more easily.

Look for a place with a bar in it too, its great for getting to chat to people and finding out what to see and do etc. Its very likely that they will be taking a tour as well (as some places organise them/or promote certain ones) so can arange to go on the same day etc.

RandomDave

One of my friends went on a tour on his own and said he had a great time. Go for it. And good luck.

John368

Holidaying alone is fine as long as you obey the golden rule :

Go prepared to be on your own.

It seems a silly thing to say. I have been on holiday alone and it has been a learning experience. When people see you as someone who is prepared to be alone and that you do not expect other people to make your holiday then they are at ease in your company. If they see you as a loner who has come looking for company or friendship they are entirely put off you.

Being prepared to be on your own might mean lots of things. It is entirely up to you. All I know is that when I have not been prepared to be on my own people ran a mile from me and when I have been prepared to be on my own, people have been friendly and I have had a good holiday.

Besy wishes

John

LegacyUser

my aunt is in her mid 40s and goes on 3 or 4 holidays alone a year...she sees no problem with it at all and really enjoys herself on them...she went on loads of those group holidays and has made a good few friends on them so i think go for the it, shur u only live once!!!

magic roundabou

i have gone on many holidays on my own and there are lots of advantages to it , you can do what you want when you want, you dont have to worry about other peoples budget , i have used a company called travel bag http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/ or http://www.expedia.co.uk/daily/service/sitemap.asp?error=404 both are great with amazing trips. i have also gone skiing on my own and would highly recommnd that.
the one thing i would say is that you have to make an effort to meet people - be the one that says "hi" to group of people and be prepared to make the first move. i have met some amazing people over the years that if i had gone in a couple or group i would neve have got to meet as you tend to stay in your "click" when travelling with friends or partners
the world is a huge amazing place and if you wait for someone to go with you you will miss soooo much