Solo Travel - Any Advice?

VonLuck

I am planning a trip to Berlin at the end of this month. I will be going alone - first time ever. None of my friends had the money/interest/time to go, so I said I wasn't going to wait around and decided to go off on my own.

Is there any advice you guys can give me? I am a guy in my mid-twenties. I am planning on staying in a hostel because I hear that's where you get to meet a lot of people. I am a bit worried about staying in a dorm with strangers. Has anyone done that and what was it like?

Also, what is there to do at night? During the day I will have no problem filling the hours sight seeing, but at night I can't imagine going to a bar or night club alone!

Thanks.

MadsL

VonLuck wrote: »

I am planning a trip to Berlin at the end of this month. I will be going alone - first time ever. None of my friends had the money/interest/time to go, so I said I wasn't going to wait around and decided to go off on my own.

Is there any advice you guys can give me? I am a guy in my mid-twenties. I am planning on staying in a hostel because I hear that's where you get to meet a lot of people. I am a bit worried about staying in a dorm with strangers. Has anyone done that and what was it like?

Also, what is there to do at night? During the day I will have no problem filling the hours sight seeing, but at night I can't imagine going to a bar or night club alone!

Thanks.

You'll find a bunch of people at the hostel to go for beers with, relax and enjoy. Travelling alone is one of the best experiences you can give yourself - you'll see why when you travel with a buddy, the bickering can get ridiculous when you are tired, hungry or drunk.

Try to pick a hostel based on it's review for fun. They are usually the ones to hand you an beer when you arrive and introduce you around.

VonLuck

MadsL wrote: »

You'll find a bunch of people at the hostel to go for beers with, relax and enjoy. Travelling alone is one of the best experiences you can give yourself - you'll see why when you travel with a buddy, the bickering can get ridiculous when you are tired, hungry or drunk.

Try to pick a hostel based on it's review for fun. They are usually the ones to hand you an beer when you arrive and introduce you around.

Thanks for the reply. I always hear great things about travelling alone (although everyone else thinks it's odd!). What is it like staying in a dorm with strangers?

shoos

I've found staying in a dorm is absolutely fine.

I stayed in one (in Berlin actually) which had something like 15 beds - ones those size, I wouldn't recommend. I felt completely safe there, there were lockers provided for valuables, the only snag was that there seemed to always be someone sleeping no matter what time of day so you're really conscience of making noise and can't really relax. Also bigger risk of there being a snorer or two if you're a light sleeper.

But for only a few more euro a night you can get dorms with 4/5/6 people and they are much much better. Easier to get chatting to people and make friends. Generally brighter rooms, no nappers, much more privacy.

I'd always rather stay in a small dorm like that then a private hotel room. Save so much money and it's nice to have some company.

shoos

Also, Berlin night life is absolutely incredible.

Like the other poster said, just hang out in the hostel bars and you'll meet people no problem. I was there with a group of friends when I went but even so every time we'd hang out in the hostel you'd automatically get talking to plenty of people. There's so many solo travellers (so many!), especially in Berlin, so just remember you're all in the same boat so don't at all be afraid to start conversations.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

VonLuck wrote: »

I am planning a trip to Berlin at the end of this month. I will be going alone - first time ever. None of my friends had the money/interest/time to go, so I said I wasn't going to wait around and decided to go off on my own.

Is there any advice you guys can give me? I am a guy in my mid-twenties. I am planning on staying in a hostel because I hear that's where you get to meet a lot of people. I am a bit worried about staying in a dorm with strangers. Has anyone done that and what was it like?

Also, what is there to do at night? During the day I will have no problem filling the hours sight seeing, but at night I can't imagine going to a bar or night club alone!

Thanks.

Hi, Germany is class one of the best and most fun countries ive ever been to and I went on my own too. Learn a bit of german before you go the usual stuff like wheres this? how much? do you speak english?, I noticed locals like if you even ask them do they speak english in german a lot of the germans speak english anyway and they are dead nice. I met a load of people there and went to amsterdam, prague and strasbourg with them also stayed in dorms with strangers for the first time was a bit uneasy at first but when I got used to it it was a good laugh and got to meet loads of people too. didnt go to berlin though so cant give you any advice there, but it will be a great experience for you nice short flight too. And if you go out at night on your own youll meet people anyway so do it and enjoy, even though youll probably meet them at the hostel anyway best of luck!!

MadsL

VonLuck wrote: »

What is it like staying in a dorm with strangers?

Not nearly as much fun as mixed showers

Don't worry so much, take nothing with you that you can't replace and have fun. Likely you will be so drunk you won't even notice.

Franticfrank

Mixed showers? Haven't had to fortune to come across that before. Staying with strangers is fun and exciting. Probably, there'll be a few people in the same boat as you so I'm sure you'll all manage.

Naid23

If you want to go out in the evening but worried bout being on your own, Go on a pub crawl. I've been to Berlin several times with my BF and always go on one and meet loads of people, alot travelling alone.

People are so friendly there that it wouldbt be an issue if you went into a bar on your own!...

Enjoy as much as you can. I adore Berlin, raging I cant go back this year!!:(

VonLuck

Naid23 wrote: »

If you want to go out in the evening but worried bout being on your own, Go on a pub crawl. I've been to Berlin several times with my BF and always go on one and meet loads of people, alot travelling alone.

People are so friendly there that it wouldbt be an issue if you went into a bar on your own!...

Enjoy as much as you can. I adore Berlin, raging I cant go back this year!!:(

I've heard good things about the pub crawls alright. I will have to try one.

Currently brushing up on my German and trying to figure out what to do. Seems like there is a lot to do!

Can anyone recommend some maybe lesser known attractions/locations that may not be in travel books? Maybe some interesting restaurants or shops. Anything really!

Thanks.

Fuinseog

VonLuck wrote: »

I am planning a trip to Berlin at the end of this month. I will be going alone - first time ever. None of my friends had the money/interest/time to go, so I said I wasn't going to wait around and decided to go off on my own.

Is there any advice you guys can give me? I am a guy in my mid-twenties. I am planning on staying in a hostel because I hear that's where you get to meet a lot of people. I am a bit worried about staying in a dorm with strangers. Has anyone done that and what was it like?

Also, what is there to do at night? During the day I will have no problem filling the hours sight seeing, but at night I can't imagine going to a bar or night club alone!

Thanks.

hostels are good as you might be able to hang out with fellow travellers.
berliners are easy going and welcoming. east Berliners are less materialistic. maybe you should google festivals and events before you go?

go to an irish pub and sit at the bar. it will be full of berliners who are looking for contact. best place to met people. in german pubs you sit at big tables with your friends and do not mix.

Naid23

VonLuck wrote: »

I've heard good things about the pub crawls alright. I will have to try one.

Currently brushing up on my German and trying to figure out what to do. Seems like there is a lot to do!

Can anyone recommend some maybe lesser known attractions/locations that may not be in travel books? Maybe some interesting restaurants or shops. Anything really!

Thanks.

You should look up a restaurant called 'The Bird'. Cant remember what area its in but its easy enough to get to. Gorgeous food, Most of the staff and american, Aussies etc and its all round good craic, def a place to sit at the bar n chat with people.

You should try do a Fat Tire tour aswel, they are very very good and take a few hours to do.
Also i've done bunker tours and they are very interesting. Most train stations etc would have leaflets on different tours

Franticfrank

go to an irish pub and sit at the bar. it will be full of berliners who are looking for contact. best place to met people. in german pubs you sit at big tables with your friends and do not mix.

I've done that before and only met Irish people - ended up drinking with a Gard all night...it was good craic though. If you're trying to get away from home for a while, really avoid the Irish pub. Its usually full of more expats than locals. However, I know exactly what you mean about Germans not mixing in pubs but in Berlin you can find a lot of locations to meet people when you're out for a few beers. Depends on the place, try somewhere like Möbel Olfe near Kottbuser Tor or the pubs on nearby Oranienstr.

Papa_Lazarou

I would advise doing the "free" sandemans new Berlin tours. It's usually run by young folk who make the tours very interesting. You pay a tip at the end of the tour based on how good you felt the tour was. The one i did was like 4/5 hours long but was done at a nice pace. Covered all the major spots of the city including where Hitlers bunker is buried and where they burned his body. It's somewhere that you would easily pass yourself and dismiss as just rough ground.

I also went to Sachsenhausen concentration camp with the above group. You head out there by train with the guide, very interesting and gloomy place. Well worth the visit. You should rent yourself a bike too, the city is very flat and it's a great way to get about. The museum quarter is also a great spot to just chill and you can easily get a few days from the various museums.

madrabui

Have a look at couchsurfing.org. Each city have regular meet ups. I've used it and recommend it. It's not just about finding accommodation.

VonLuck

I've heard good things about the free tours in Berlin. And I also plan on going to the concentration camp.

I have already signed up on couch surfing. I may join one of the get togethers people usually plan while I'm there. Thanks.

lc180

When I travel alone I always try to book a hostel that has a bar in it. It makes it a little easier to meet fellow backpackers and also if you get talking to someone in your dorm you can always say 'Hey you wanna get a beer downstairs'

As mentioned in other replies, take part in walking tours or pub crawls organised by the hostel, its a great way to see the city and meet people. I've heard great thing about the Sandemans tour of Berlin.

I've never been to Berlin, its high on my list of cities to see. Please fill us in on how your trip goes. Best of luck!

Civilian_Target

Berlin alone is still one of the most fun weekends I've ever had - count me as jealous!

Skuxx

Just gonna jump in OP and pretty much echo what everyone else has said!! I have done a bit of travelling by myself and at this stage I'm starting to enjoy it more than with a group, especially if you want to go explore a new city, your not trying to do things just to please others!!
Most recently I did some travelling on the east coast USA, staying in hostels.
I stayed in a 16 bed all male dorm and found it fine, although a group of lads coming in drunk can be a bit noisy if your trying to get an early night!!
Another hostel I stayed in was a 6 bed mixed dorm and it was great, a lot smaller obviously, no groups coming in pissed, a lot easier to get talking to people.....
As others have said, hostels with bars are great, there will always be someone having a pint alone who is delighted with someone to talk to!
I met a Spanish girl and we traveled together for a few days, it was nice as I'm trying to learn spanish, after a few days we were heading on to different cities, but its nice to make new friends, something I think is unlikely to happen when travelling with a group!!

Your going to have a ball OP, you won't regret it!!

Wicklowleaid

Mate another good website is travbuddy.com. It allows you to see what other people will be in or around Berlin when you are, might be a good way to maybe have a chat to people who might be there same time as you and make some contacts

funky penguin

Papa_Lazarou wrote: »

I also went to Sachsenhausen concentration camp with the above group. You head out there by train with the guide, very interesting and gloomy place. Well worth the visit.

As everyone has said, Berlin is a fantastic city, with lots to do and see.....but I highly recommend seeing Sachsenhausen if you can. Incredibly interesting and sad place, plus the tour guide I had was very good at recreating the mood.