Traveling solo to Dublin

meliselis

I'm a 29y old woman from Belgium.
I'm planning a trip to Dublin, and i want to travel alone.

Any recommendations or tips?
Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Dublin?

X

Locker10a

Hi there, 
Yes it is safe for women to travel alone in Dublin, of course you apply the necessary precautions to your personal safety you would in any city. But its certainly not a dangerous place for women, the same as any european city.
Without knowing what you wish to achieve from your visit its hard to know what to recommend! Do you want shopping? Nighlife? Pub scene ? Outdoors ?
I would say if you like scenery and the outdoors defiantly go to Howth and do the walk around Howth head. At night there are some great places in the south inner city to go for live music and drinks, lonely planet offer a great guide on Dublin

odyssey06

Trust your instincts. Don't walk down any streets that look like the kind of streets you would avoid if in a Belgian city.
Enjoy the trip, and try to take advantage of the coastal DART train line to Howth (as noted), Malahide, Dun Laoghaire.

MrMorooka

Personally I think Dublin is not a great city to visit alone. I live here alone and it really feels like everywhere is more interested in catering for couples and families. It's just a general feeling I get off of people. Of course, you're a girl, so it will be different, people will probably approach your or talk to you if you're alone, so maybe it's better.

Ferrari3600

meliselis wrote: »

I'm a 29y old woman from Belgium.
I'm planning a trip to Dublin, and i want to travel alone.

Any recommendations or tips?
Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Dublin?

X

In my opinion, unfortunately parts of Dublin are not safe for a woman travelling alone. Avoid Dublin 1 and most of Dublin 7.

Atlantic Dawn

In Dublin City Centre the area along the river Liffey has a boardwalk on it, this is normally loaded with junkies strung off their faces at all hours of the day, best avoided. If you smoke do so in a beer garden of a pub or some quiet area or you will be harrassed constantly by unsavoury individuals looking for "a lend of a smoke" (a spare cigarette).

listermint

MrMorooka wrote: »

Personally I think Dublin is not a great city to visit alone. I live here alone and it really feels like everywhere is more interested in catering for couples and families. It's just a general feeling I get off of people. Of course, you're a girl, so it will be different, people will probably approach your or talk to you if you're alone, so maybe it's better.

You are living here. This person is a tourist your interests may not be Alligned tbf

Ferrari3600

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

In my opinion, unfortunately parts of Dublin are not safe for a woman travelling alone. Avoid Dublin 1 and most of Dublin 7.

Ah come on. As long as you keep your wits about you, and aren't wandering around alone in the wee hours of the morning, this is really being unfair to both areas.

Knex*

A guy I work with, from India, came over to Dublin for two or three weeks, and was fine. He was largely on his own, and did a bunch of travelling and touristy stuff when he was here, without any issue or ever feeling the place was unsafe.

I think if you're relatively smart about where you go, travelling Dublin is just fine.

Also, if you want to go out at night and are worried about perhaps being on your own, perhaps look at going on one of the many pub crawls around the city. Some of them end up with 50+ people travelling from pub to pub, listening to music and so on, so you'll have more than enough people to keep you safe and company!

Enjoy your travels.

Ferrari3600

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah come on. As long as you keep your wits about you, and aren't wandering around alone in the wee hours of the morning, this is really being unfair to both areas.

I disagree. I have seen fights between junkies on the Luas in broad daylight, at nine in the morning in fact. Also some of them target tourists.

nkav86

Ferrari3600 wrote:

In my opinion, unfortunately parts of Dublin are not safe for a woman travelling alone. Avoid Dublin 1 and most of Dublin 7.

Bit harsh on Dublin 7 IMO, I've lived in the area most of my life. I've never felt unsafe, yeah there are some oddballs but no more than any other working class area.

Obviously avoid dark alleys and drunk gangs late at night, but that's true of anywhere

Ferrari3600

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

In my opinion, unfortunately parts of Dublin are not safe for a woman travelling alone. Avoid Dublin 1 and most of Dublin 7.

We where exactly in d7?
Im female, live alone in Dublin 7 & have never had any problems

uck51js9zml2yt

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I disagree. I have seen fights between junkies on the Luas in broad daylight, at nine in the morning in fact. Also some of them target tourists.

I travel on the Luas regularly and have never seen a fight on it!

artemis268

As a non irish non white person living in ireland for years, You cant let your guard down in Dublin. Top tips include not dressing too fancy, keep your phone close to you, avoid people/groups wearing uniform colour tracksuits especially if they are young and white (the term here for them is skangers) and areas near social housings (flats). If you keep to that, chances are you should have a grand time here.

Advise you to avoid dublin tho, its a grimy small town essentially. If you want an actual city, then go to london. If you are in ireland, might as well go to Killarney or somewhere and see the amazing countryside scenery.

Ferrari3600

bubblypop wrote: »

We where exactly in d7?
Im female, live alone in Dublin 7 & have never had any problems

Ok possibly I exaggerated a bit in saying 'most of Dublin 7'. Parts of North Cabra are definitely dodgy though.

Ferrari3600

artemis268 wrote: »

Advise you to avoid dublin tho, its a grimy small town essentially. If you want an actual city, then go to london. If you are in ireland, might as well go to Killarney or somewhere and see the amazing countryside scenery.

I agree with this.

humberklog

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

Ok possibly I exaggerated a bit in saying 'most of Dublin 7'. Parts of North Cabra are definitely dodgy though.

What on earth would a tourist be doing visiting north Cabra?


OP- Dublin is as safe as you'll get. Safer than Brussels for a solo travelling female.

unkel

artemis268 wrote: »

avoid dublin tho, its a grimy small town

Way to go to make yourself popular in this forum!

nkav86

Ferrari3600 wrote:

Ok possibly I exaggerated a bit in saying 'most of Dublin 7'. Parts of North Cabra are definitely dodgy though.

Can't deny ya there

Conchir

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

In my opinion, unfortunately parts of Dublin are not safe for a woman travelling alone. Avoid Dublin 1 and most of Dublin 7.

Sorry, the entirety of Dublin 1?

O'Connell St and the GPO? The Gate and Abbey Theatres? These are places you'd tell a tourist to avoid, with no explanation or context? Certainly parts of Dublin 1 are not the nicest and you wouldn't want to be alone there, but to tar the entire place with the same brush would be to cut off some pretty significant (and safe) parts of the city.

nkav86

artemis268 wrote:

Advise you to avoid dublin tho, its a grimy small town essentially. If you want an actual city, then go to london. If you are in ireland, might as well go to Killarney or somewhere and see the amazing countryside scenery.

Trying not to feel triggered

Jodotman

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I disagree. I have seen fights between junkies on the Luas in broad daylight, at nine in the morning in fact. Also some of them target tourists.

Yes junkies, yes scumbags but you will get them in any city in the World. I lived in Phibsboro for 3 years, regularly walked through Cabra and never had a problem. If your flashing cash, your phone etc, walking down dodgy lanes, on your own late at night then you could run into problems.

Dublin 1 is unsafe hahaha

Just be street smart OP and you'll be fine. I'd recommend Kilkenny or Kerry over Dublin any day. It really is a kip there.

Ferrari3600

humberklog wrote: »

OP- Dublin is as safe as you'll get.

This is just factually inaccurate, and demonstrably so.

Jodotman

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

This is just factually inaccurate, and demonstrably so.

Can't tell if trolling or actually thinks dublin is unsafe. It's as safe as it comes.

listermint

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I disagree. I have seen fights between junkies on the Luas in broad daylight, at nine in the morning in fact. Also some of them target tourists.

Oh wow.

Crazy...



Clearly never been to any other European country.


Sometimes people fight. It's not Regular it's not the norm it happens.

Ferrari3600

Jodotman wrote: »

Can't tell if trolling or actually thinks dublin is unsafe. It's as safe as it comes.

I am not trolling at all, and I can only guess from your post that you have not done much international travel. Dublin has a high crime rate. The junkie element may exist in other cities, but rarely in areas so close to the city centre, such as the boardwalk that another poster mentioned.

It is simply factually false to state that Dublin is 'as safe as it comes.'

Ferrari3600

listermint wrote: »

Oh wow.

Crazy...



Clearly never been to any other European country.


Sometimes people fight. It's not Regular it's not the norm it happens.

I have been to most European capitals, and lived in several.
I have never seen junkies fighting on public transport in broad daylight in any other.

HivemindXX

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I am not trolling at all, and I can only guess from your post that you have not done much international travel. Dublin has a high crime rate. The junkie element may exist in other cities, but rarely in areas so close to the city centre, such as the boardwalk that another poster mentioned.

It is simply factually false to state that Dublin is 'as safe as it comes.'

Dublin is no more dangerous than any other city. You seeing junkies fighting on the Luas one time means nothing.

The person making hysterical and baseless assertions here is you.

humberklog

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

This is just factually inaccurate, and demonstrably so.

I just did a quick google on the safest/best european destinations for solo traveller and Dublin pops up in a few of them.

A quick google on Europe's unsafest cities and Dublin's not ranked highly.


Could you link to or point in a direction that demonstrates your notion?

harr

I have been to Brussels on a number of occasions and I can safely say Dublin is a hell of a lot safer...Paris,London or any other capital city all has its no go areas.
Barcelona is another city more crime ridden than Dublin or it definitely feels that way...OP just keep your wits about you like any major city..as others have said keep your phone out of site and don't flash cash around.
Another poster above suggested an organised pub crawl this is a great idea and you have quite a few to choose from...

tricky D

Knock the scaremongering and exaggeration off. Dublin is nowhere near as bad as some here would have you believe. More helpful posts please from now on.

@meliselis
Dublin is a great city with lots for you to see and do. It, like most cities of its size, does have issues but a bit of commonsense and you will be fine.

Let us know what kind of stuff you are into; nightlife, museums cultural, types of places and things you like doing (walking, mountains, seaside, etc.) and the good posters of DC will provide you with some great tips. And do visit Howth, it's a lovely day out unless the weather is bad like today.

harr

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I have been too most European capitals, and lived in several.
I have never seen junkies fighting on public transport in broad daylight in any other.

Just because you didn't see it does not mean it's doesn't happen...I have been to many if not most capitals in Europe..as well as a lot of the major us city's and I have seen junkies or drunks in most if not all of them..

J Mysterio

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I have been to most European capitals, and lived in several.
I have never seen junkies fighting on public transport in broad daylight in any other.

I'm getting a mental image of a spotty lad who doesnt like going out in public.

You are talking complete tripe.

listermint

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

I have been to most European capitals, and lived in several.
I have never seen junkies fighting on public transport in broad daylight in any other.

Well I have in Brussels and Milan.

So is this a game of top trumps.?

J Mysterio

meliselis wrote: »

I'm a 29y old woman from Belgium.
I'm planning a trip to Dublin, and i want to travel alone.

Any recommendations or tips?
Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Dublin?

X

You have to give more information to get decent reccomendations. How long are you staying? What are your interests/ intentions?

If you're visiting Ireland, of course you should spend time in Dublin, but you should also consider visiting other parts too.

Oops69

Please don't go to Malahide on the DART , There's nothing to see there.

Atlantic Dawn

Oops69 wrote: »

Please don't go to Malahide on the DART , There's nothing to see there.

Howth is Las Vegas compared to it

Oops69

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Howth is Las Vegas compared to it

and Bray is like Atlantic city.

odyssey06

Oops69 wrote: »

Please don't go to Malahide on the DART , There's nothing to see there.

Malahide castle grounds?
Then lunch in the village aftetwards.

There are more and more tourists who disagree with your assessmemt.

Oops69

odyssey06 wrote: »

Malahide castle grounds?
Then lunch in the village aftetwards.

There are more and more tourists who disagree with your assessmemt.

I presume the poster's on here to get suggestions on things that are not in the 'top 10 things to do on a weekend in DUBLIN ' guide book , I left out my own suggestion poster , I do recommend a visit to Bull Island and Marsh's library if open.

Birneybau

Ferrari3600 wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah come on. As long as you keep your wits about you, and aren't wandering around alone in the wee hours of the morning, this is really being unfair to both areas.

I disagree. I have seen fights between junkies on the Luas in broad daylight, at nine in the morning in fact. Also some of them target tourists.

Grow a pair

Buckfast W

artemis268 wrote: »

As a non irish non white person living in ireland for years, You cant let your guard down in Dublin. Top tips include not dressing too fancy, keep your phone close to you, avoid people/groups wearing uniform colour tracksuits especially if they are young and white (the term here for them is skangers) and areas near social housings (flats). If you keep to that, chances are you should have a grand time here.

Advise you to avoid dublin tho, its a grimy small town essentially. If you want an actual city, then go to london. If you are in ireland, might as well go to Killarney or somewhere and see the amazing countryside scenery.

Hate to burst your bubble but Dublin is an actual city and not a small grimy town as you describe. There's actually lots to see and do here for any tourist or visitor. As for not dressing too fancy thats a load of balls you'd swear people in Dublin need to dress in rags to blend in.

There's plenty of places for the lady to go, Dublin castle, Christ church etc.....

And as for people complaining about D1, I work in D1 and it's grand for the most part, you'd swear from the comments that anywhere outside of Ireland is a Utopia, I once saw a man take a **** in the city centre in Budapest.

pilly

Guys, after reading this thread I wouldn't come to Ireland because it's full of silly men fighting over whether Dublin is great or not! Seriously, give constructive advice or get off the stage.

OP, I've visited most European capitals alone and Dublin doesn't feel any more dangerous than any of them. There are so many attractions to see and things to do, a lot of them for free.

My advice on staying safe would be to not have your phone carelessly in your hand when walking along and look confident, like you know where you're going.

Stick to main thoroughfares and you will be fine.

As others have said let us know what your interests are and we can give more specific recommendations.

Carlos Orange

nkav86 wrote: »

Bit harsh on Dublin 7 IMO, I've lived in the area most of my life. I've never felt unsafe, yeah there are some oddballs but no more than any other working class area.

I have lived in D7 for 17 years and never felt physically unsafe. Once there was a bit of verbal hassle but that is it. Maybe a post to the ladies' lounge would help clarify it from a female perspective since I sometimes see women mention stuff I never come across in my life.

nkav86

psinno wrote:

I have lived in D7 for 17 years and never felt physically unsafe. Once there was a bit of verbal hassle but that is it. Maybe a post to the ladies' lounge would help clarify it from a female perspective since I sometimes see women mention stuff I never come across in my life.

I'm female lol From my point of view its grand, never felt unsafe at all

Diane Selwyn

psinno wrote: »

I have lived in D7 for 17 years and never felt physically unsafe. Once there was a bit of verbal hassle but that is it. Maybe a post to the ladies' lounge would help clarify it from a female perspective since I sometimes see women mention stuff I never come across in my life.

As a female who lives alone in Cabra I can confirm that it's perfectly safe but unlikely in itself to appeal to international visitors in a short stay unless it's as a base convenient to the likes of Phoenix Park, Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin Cemetery, Croke Park, Jameson Distillery, National Museum at Collins Barracks and etc.

Dublin is not a particularly unsafe city and no more dangerous for females than for males.