Would you go travelling on your own?

Hammer89 · 19-03-2016 2:34am #1

Is it weird that I wouldn't go to the cinema on my own in a million years, but I'm seriously considering travelling the world on my own? I'm not a loner or anything; I have friends, but none of them would accompany me on my big adventure. They're either angling for promotions, impregnating women or buying houses. Either way, they're stuck in Dublin for the forseeable future.

I feel quite fortunate that I don't have the same ties. I'm free, which sounds lovely in theory, but I don't want people to think I'm some sort of weirdo who scours the earth on his Toblerone. One part of me cares massively what people think, whereas another part is like 'f*ck them. Travelling the world is a f*cking ballsy move, one to be applauded rather than mocked'. And that's the part I'm more leaning toward.

I'm young, but I'm old and wise enough to know that I won't be forever, and the idea of not taking these chances, knowing I'll almost certainly regret them, frightens the f*ck out of me to be truthful. I'd like to have kids and move into houses one day too, like the lads are doing, but before that I'd love to make memories and see things which you just won't see in Dun Laoghaire.

What say you? Would you travel the world completely on your own initially?

Ice Maiden · 19-03-2016 2:40am

Hammer89 wrote: »

I wouldn't go to the cinema on my own in a million years, but I'm seriously considering travelling the world on my own

I'm the exact opposite, but some people seem to love going travelling alone (doesn't seem to be that unusual) so go for it if you want to do it, I think.

TheHillOfDoom · 19-03-2016 2:40am

If you do venture further than the port please put the phrase 'impregnating women' in your back pocket.

maryishere · 19-03-2016 2:42am

Yes, I did once, for a short while, but had old friends / relatives / acquaintances to meet up with here and there. Go for it, even if just for a short while. You meet some great locals that way. Be careful though.

Mesrine65 · 19-03-2016 2:43am

Frequently in my glory days & many times more, Inshallah, until the day I die

"Every journey starts with the first step" (addendum) "& is only enriched by your fledgling wanderings"

fatknacker · 19-03-2016 2:47am

It's not weird travelling alone at all, but the beauty of it is you get to make it as weird as you like

But you meet more people when you're alone, it's a lot easier to approach and be approached as a single unit. If you want.

R.D. aka MR.D · 19-03-2016 2:48am

I left on my own and I'm coming back with a husband. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, there are a lot of reasons why being on your own is better. The biggest one is that you tend to meet more people and you get to do exactly what you want.

There is absolutely no stigma to it these days and if there is then it's only very small minded people and sure who cares anyway. It's your life, live it for you not other people.

maudgonner · 19-03-2016 2:48am

I did it, it was great!

Go for it. If you're backpacking and staying in hostels you'll meet up with plenty of people in the same boat as you. And it's great not to have to adapt your plans to suit someone else's schedule.

Why would anyone think you were weird for traveling alone? It's really common, not at all unusual.

JackieBauer · 19-03-2016 2:48am

Go for it. Amsterdam, Berlin, whatever. Get out of you're comfort zone, go to museums or some sh!t. I would never even think of going to a museum in Ireland!

timthumbni · 19-03-2016 2:52am

I would but I wouldn't want my kids to when they are older. I think you are really risking things when you go travelling on your own. (assuming you are talking about very foreign travel and not just a weekend to Paris)

No one to check if you are missing, etc. I will follow my kids like the fecking golem...

actuar90 · 19-03-2016 3:11am

Went travelling by myself for the first time recently. I was a bit unsure about it too, but after my experience of it, I'll certainly be doing it again so I'd encourage you to go for it!
Getting to do exactly what you want, at your pace and the ability to change your plans as you go along is not to be underestimated...

maudgonner · 19-03-2016 3:11am

timthumbni wrote: »

I would but I wouldn't want my kids to when they are older. I think you are really risking things when you go travelling on your own. (assuming you are talking about very foreign travel and not just a weekend to Paris)

No one to check if you are missing, etc. I will follow my kids like the fecking golem...

Ah now, the OP can go far further afield than Paris and be perfectly safe, come on! As long as you're sensible and take a few precautions, you'll be pretty unlucky to get into trouble in most of the places on the backpackers routes, and many places that are off the usual routes too.

(Also, given events of the past week and the previous months, you could have picked a better example of a 'safe' city than Paris :pac:)

Hammer89 · 19-03-2016 3:28am

Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of places like Thailand and Vietnam and whatnot. Sure what kind of adventures can I get up to in Paris that I can't in Dublin? I've got the rest of my life to see Paris and other parts of Europe. The same, I don't think, can be said for places like Bangkok, which you're more likely to see when you're young I reckon. Places like this are seedy and a bit dangerous, which makes them quite interesting and exciting. The closest I'd get to that in Paris is most probably Space Mountain at Disneyworld.

timthumbni · 19-03-2016 3:28am

Hammer89 wrote: »

Is it weird that I wouldn't go to the cinema on my own in a million years, but I'm seriously considering travelling the world on my own? I'm not a loner or anything; I have friends, but none of them would accompany me on my big adventure. They're either angling for promotions, impregnating women or buying houses. Either way, they're stuck in Dublin for the forseeable future.

I feel quite fortunate that I don't have the same ties. I'm free, which sounds lovely in theory, but I don't want people to think I'm some sort of weirdo who scours the earth on his Toblerone. One part of me cares massively what people think, whereas another part is like 'f*ck them. Travelling the world is a f*cking ballsy move, one to be applauded rather than mocked'. And that's the part I'm more leaning toward.

I'm young, but I'm old and wise enough to know that I won't be forever, and the idea of not taking these chances, knowing I'll almost certainly regret them, frightens the f*ck out of me to be truthful. I'd like to have kids and move into houses one day too, like the lads are doing, but before that I'd love to make memories and see things which you just won't see in Dun Laoghaire.

What say you? Would you travel the world completely on your own initially?

Are you a male or a female op?

Hammer89 · 19-03-2016 3:29am

Male.

diomed · 19-03-2016 3:36am

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

I left on my own and I'm coming back with a husband. :rolleyes:

Someone else's?

timthumbni · 19-03-2016 3:37am

Hammer89 wrote: »

Male.

Well then I would say go for it. It's very unlikely you will be raped, no matter how good looking you are. The alternative is that you stay here, get a boring monotonous job and marry Deirdre with the buck teeth from the centra..

I know which I would choose. Sure you will still find an Irish bar no matter where you go. (And when you do you should walk on by... Just like the song))) lol.

Esel · 19-03-2016 4:55am

Hammer89 wrote: »

Is it weird that I wouldn't go to the cinema on my own in a million years, but I'm seriously considering travelling the world on my own?

Seriously weird, maybe.

Cinema (presumably a film you want to see) is a 2-3 hour round trip. World is 48 hours plus. How often have you gone to a bar on your own, and stayed there for say 3 hours? Burying your head in a book not allowed...

Go for it!

19-03-2016 7:54am

Hammer89 wrote: »

I wouldn't
on my own
I'm seriously
on my own?
I'm not a loner
I have friends
accompany me
my big adventure.
I feel quite
I don't have
I'm free
I'm some sort of weirdo
on his Toblerone
One part of me

I'm young, but I'm old and wise enough to know that I won't be forever, and the idea of not taking these chances, knowing I'll almost certainly regret them, frightens the f*ck out of me to be truthful. I'd like to have kids and move into houses one day too, like the lads are doing, but before that I'd love to make memories and see things which you just won't see in Dun Laoghaire.

Wow, lot of stuff about the self there!

stefanovich · 19-03-2016 8:03am

You seems to worry a bit about how people see you. Go travelling on your own. I love it. You will too, if not next time you'll bring a friend.

19-03-2016 9:29am

Screw waiting on someone else to be free to do what you want to do. You could be still waiting on your death bed.

Go travel. Go on adventures! Make new friends!

Hammer89 · 19-03-2016 9:35am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Wow, lot of stuff about the self there!

It's about me?

turnikett1 · 19-03-2016 9:40am

I've travelled by myself alone loads. The first time I went travelling I was 17, completely by myself, hitch-hiked from Norway to Spain with nothing but a bag of clothes and a €5er in my pocket!

I've also travelled with an ex, and friends. It's a different experience, and I wouldn't say one is better than the other. When you travel by yourself you have complete freedom, you can do whatever you want hang out with whoever you want and it's just generally a really nice liberating feel being all by yourself in a foreign country - not having ANY links to home and not having to worry about it! Travelling with friends though you get to share the experience and the craic. A lot of the times when travelling by myself I do recall telling myself "Ahh, how I wish X was here with me to see that!". It's also nice when you get a bit tired and burnt out, to have a friend there with you. But that said, travelling with someone else does mean you have to make compromises for one another, and if you spend too long with each other you will get sick of each other no matter how good friends you are! At that point, it's best to take a little break and meet up again later.

looksee · 19-03-2016 9:41am

Deleted User wrote: »

Wow, lot of stuff about the self there!

You sound like its a problem - who else would he talk about considering he is looking at travelling alone?

Riverireland · 19-03-2016 9:57am

Hammer89 wrote: »

It's about me?

I think he was just pointing out that you seem very influenced by others opinions of you, this is exactly toy why I think it's essential that you go travel on your own. You will return (hopefully) far more confident in yourself and less caught up in the tiny clique that is south Dublin. I'm a lot older than you and am waiting for a gap in work for 6 months to do Cambodia and Vietnam, every year it's next year. I'll do it but wish I could just go like you. Good luck and let us know about your travels.

Richard Hillman · 19-03-2016 10:03am

I went away on my own last year and had a wonderful time. I spent nearly a week travelling around France. There is a great sense of adventure about it.

Buona Fortuna · 19-03-2016 10:06am

Go for it OP.

And remember you're never alone when you've After Hours on your phone.

Oh and learn "impregnate women" in at least 10 languages

magicmushroom · 19-03-2016 10:12am

I wouldn't travel the world alone, I'd be too scared as a single female, but I have booked a week to Rome by myself later in the year.

Like you, everyone else is busy and I really want to go, so I said feck it I'll go by myself.

Everyone I've said it to has just said 'fair play to you why not' - some people have said they're jealous at the freedom I have to do something like that.

If all goes well which I'm sure it will, I'll book another trip.
I have an ambition to see every capital city in Europe, so hopefully this will be the start of achieving that goal.

Do it OP, life is too short - it will be the most amazing experience of your life

Liberosis · 19-03-2016 10:12am

Hammer89 wrote: »

Is it weird that I wouldn't go to the cinema on my own in a million years, but I'm seriously considering travelling the world on my own? I'm not a loner or anything; I have friends, but none of them would accompany me on my big adventure. They're either angling for promotions, impregnating women or buying houses. Either way, they're stuck in Dublin for the forseeable future.

I feel quite fortunate that I don't have the same ties. I'm free, which sounds lovely in theory, but I don't want people to think I'm some sort of weirdo who scours the earth on his Toblerone. One part of me cares massively what people think, whereas another part is like 'f*ck them. Travelling the world is a f*cking ballsy move, one to be applauded rather than mocked'. And that's the part I'm more leaning toward.

I'm young, but I'm old and wise enough to know that I won't be forever, and the idea of not taking these chances, knowing I'll almost certainly regret them, frightens the f*ck out of me to be truthful. I'd like to have kids and move into houses one day too, like the lads are doing, but before that I'd love to make memories and see things which you just won't see in Dun Laoghaire.

What say you? Would you travel the world completely on your own initially?

I'd say go for it!

If you sit around worrying about what others would think, then you may miss out on what could potentially be one of the best experiences of your life.

I myself want to take 6 months to a year at some stage to go travelling before I have ties. I'd love to go on my own.

Mint Aero · 19-03-2016 10:14am

I went travelling alone around the world for 3 years. Forgot to tell anyone so friends and family thought I was missing presumed dead.

Olishi4 · 19-03-2016 10:21am

I personally would not travel alone. I am very much a home bird and I think being without friends or family that I would get homesick. OH and I plan to travel a bit more around Europe in a couple of years when we are in the position to do it but not away from home for too long.

I love history, learning about other cultures and stuff but travelling is just not in my blood. I think if it is though, then it is something you have to do.

There's a good travel blogger from Ireland, that I've been reading lately, can't remember his name but if you Google "no hanging around", he writes about his experiences and his own personal benefits and enlightment.

07Lapierre · 19-03-2016 10:27am

Hammer89 wrote: »

What say you? Would you travel the world completely on your own initially?

I think the only way to travel the world is on your own! Now if you were going to Spain for a week, then bring a friend,

Menas · 19-03-2016 10:30am

I would prefer to travel alone. You get to do your own thing. Go where you want. Be more flexible.
I would love to be planning a solo trip now.

lc180 · 19-03-2016 10:42am

The best bit about travelling on your own is doing whatever the f**k you want without having to compromise.

Sounds like I was in the same situation as you OP. Was impossible to get my mates to go anywhere for a night away let alone abroad for a few days. It just got to the stage where I said f**k it and I booked flights. My first solo trip was Barcelona and I've been hooked since. That was 5 years ago and I've probably been to 20 countries on my own since.

My recommendation would be book yourself a weekend away on your tobler first. Somewhere cheap in Europe and just test out if solo travel is for you before booking mad expensive flights to Asia. Best of luck.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 19-03-2016 10:43am

I prefer travelling by myself. You go where you want. Do what you want. Get up when you want. You're not being dragged around to boring places. It's perfect.

steddyeddy · 19-03-2016 10:57am

I went to Africa alone. It was a fantastic experience. I was also amazed at the amount of single women who go travelling alone.

Elessar · 19-03-2016 12:23pm

If it's what you want, try one trip abroad on your own to see if you like it. I never travelled but honestly I just don't have any interest in it. If I was to go, I'd feel a bit weird going on my own, I dunno I just see it as a bit sad. Experiences are better when they're shared I feel.

sryanbruen · 19-03-2016 12:27pm

I would like to go on me own as I would be able to do whatever the heck I want but I don't think I would manage all the responsibility well, so no I wouldn't go travelling on me own.

Wanderer2010 · 19-03-2016 12:28pm

I often travel alone because both I don't have a lot of friends and the ones I have are tied in to contracts/children etc and cant commit. I would say though most people as they reach their 30s and beyond would have trouble finding a few people to go on long haul holidays so for the people who say they need people to travel with, I feel sorry for you as you are missing out on different experiences and a sense of independence.

I have travelled to Asia, America and Australia alone and it has many advantages like dictating your own itinerary, meeting new people and enriching your experience.

RobertKK · 19-03-2016 12:36pm

I was not going to go on a holiday this year but changed my mind. I will be going on my own because I want to do my own thing and not expect others to want to go by my schedule.
It will be my first time and I am not concerned about what people think or whatever else.
I will be off to Austin, Texas for the F1 race which comes with a Taylor Swift concert, and I will probably spend anther week traveling around.
It is good to be independent, I don't see that as being weird. If you were afraid to do stuff on your own and as an adult needed someone to hold your hand when perfectly capable of doing it yourself, that would be weird.
I plan on going to the US next year again on my own to see the solar eclipse, this time part of a tour for lots of sightseeing and adventure.
There is so much stuff to miss out on if you expect others to dance to your tune.

CelticRambler · 19-03-2016 12:48pm

turnikett1 wrote: »

I've travelled by myself alone loads. The first time I went travelling I was 17, completely by myself, hitch-hiked from Norway to Spain with nothing but a bag of clothes and a €5er in my pocket!

Amongst continental craftsmen, particularly in Germany, there is the "journeyman" tradition where trainees finish their apprenticeship by setting off on a three-year adventure. They are not allowed return to within 50km of their hometown for any reason other than a dire family emergency, they're not allowed carry mobile phones, and (if they stick rigidly to the tradition), they must leave with 5€ to their name and return with not more than 5€ to their name. They live from day-to-day, are allowed collect contacts en route and do any work that comes their way, but they're not supposed to make definite plans.

From what I've read 10% of German journeymen these days are young women. I've met three of them wandering the byways of France - a tailor, a flute-maker and a baker, and listening to their stories, it makes young Irish emigrants seem like a bunch of molly-coddled softies! :pac:

Riverireland · 19-03-2016 1:29pm

CelticRambler wrote: »

Amongst continental craftsmen, particularly in Germany, there is the "journeyman" tradition where trainees finish their apprenticeship by setting off on a three-year adventure. They are not allowed return to within 50km of their hometown for any reason other than a dire family emergency, they're not allowed carry mobile phones, and (if they stick rigidly to the tradition), they must leave with 5€ to their name and return with not more than 5€ to their name. They live from day-to-day, are allowed collect contacts en route and do any work that comes their way, but they're not supposed to make definite plans.

From what I've read 10% of German journeymen these days are young women. I've met three of them wandering the byways of France - a tailor, a flute-maker and a baker, and listening to their stories, it makes young Irish emigrants seem like a bunch of molly-coddled softies! :pac:

Now that's what you call a character building trip of a lifetime.

CelticRambler · 19-03-2016 1:52pm

There's something in that, but it's not always the case that "it only lasts the night and the following day". I picked up a couple of hitch-hikers a few years ago (Germans again) and brought them home for the Easter Weekend. They were trying to warm up after a month in the frozen wastelands of Scotland and northern England (the year of the bad snow) and SonNo.1 needed to practise speaking German for his oral, so it suited everyone. They've kept in touch, irregularly, but it's still more than a one-off.

The flute-maker mentionned above was another hitch-hiker. We might cross paths again in July as I'm on the organising committee of a instrument-makers' festival so I told her when and where it'll take place. When you're in a couple/group, your focus is inevitably on the shared experience - which is great for reminiscing about - but it does mean you can be distracted/dissuaded from taking a chance on something that might be nothing ... or a great opportunity.

Edit: I combine working away with solo travel. The weekend before last, I finished an hour later than I should have, so abandonned my plan to go to one event and went west to a dance instead. There, I met a Swiss girl who I'd met for the first time over a couple of weekends last autumn in a completely different part of France. Great dancer (former ballerina). She's got engaged since last year ...

You'd be surprised at how often one-off encounters don't stay one-off ...

Liberosis · 19-03-2016 2:05pm

crooked_feet wrote: »

you have no one to reminisce with about your experiences when you travel alone either

I think having no one to reminisce with about your experiences is better than not having, and ultimately missing out on those experiences, if that makes sense.

Menas · 19-03-2016 2:12pm

Liberosis wrote: »

I think having no one to reminisce with about your experiences is better than not having, and ultimately missing out on those experiences, if that makes sense.

It does. No point in not going somewhere just because there is no one to share the experience with.

AnonoBoy · 19-03-2016 2:15pm

I honestly worry about people who won't go to the cinema on their own.

Agricola · 19-03-2016 2:20pm

I'd certainly like to try it as I'm very comfortable with my own company and many people really sell it to you, but I wonder if it's not something more suited to a people person ironically enough!
I wouldn't relish constantly meeting new people and having to do that simply to have another human being to chat to. I've read enough travel books to know that solo adventures can be quite lonely experiences for the more naturally introverted person. Of course it would get you out of your shell and new experiences, new places and all that but I would much prefer to do it with long time friends. The craic would be 100% mightier for me personally. But as for many people just on the wrong side of 30, it's a bit of a pipe dream now.

salmocab · 19-03-2016 2:29pm

I went twice on my own once for 6 months traveling and then back to Australia for a year on my own. Your never alone its easy to meet people and easy to leave them again. I have a friend who has done 7 months in India on his own 23 months in asia on his own and recently 15 months in central America. The upside is you can change your plans on a whim and don't need to justify it.

Rubberchikken · 19-03-2016 2:30pm

op how narrow minded you are to consider people who like travelling alone as losers or imply they have no friends.
with that sort of attitude maybe you should stay put.

dasdog · 19-03-2016 2:43pm

Love it, great learning experience. Go in to that museum? No, the weathers too nice I'll go this direction instead because it looks interesting. I especially like cities, just blending in and seeing how things operate. Did a whistle-stop tour of Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain last Autumn, easy countries to traverse and I met up with friends along the way, but I would happily have kept on going only for work commitments.

cjmc11 · 19-03-2016 3:01pm

OP I'm kind of in the same boat as you, as regards wanting to travel but with no one to go with.
I have no experience of travelling, alone or otherwise, but from what I have read online in different forums and websites, including this one, that travelling alone does not mark a person out as being weird or without friends.
I'm a bit apprehensive about going alone as well, but the way in looking at it is, I want to go, I don't have anyone else to go with, so that leaves me with 2 options:
1. Go and give it my best shot and see how it goes, I will either not like it, in which case I can just come home whenever, or, it could be the best thing i ever do and could be the making of me.
or option 2. Don't go and always wonder what might have been if I had just been a little bit braver and taken the plunge.
for me I more or less have made up mind I'm going to go with option no.1.
I'm by no means a very outgoing person, but I try my best to fit in wherever I am and sometimes that means taking a bit of a leap and hoping for the best.
anyway that's my 2 cents worth.
I might have 2 possible candidates to go with but honestly either of those 2 would be very different type of people to me, and I'd rather go I alone than be playing second fiddle to someone else's plans, not to mention it would more than likely put a massive strain on the friendship being around each other 24/7.
Hope this helps

Would you go travelling on your own?

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