Would you go travelling on your own?

There's also degrees of 'traveling alone'. Just because you get on the plane from Ireland alone, doesn't mean you have to do your whole trip on your own.

New Zealand is a great example. Most backpackers who go there will end up on one of the backpackers' bus tours as it's one of the easiest & cheapest ways to see the country. They're hop-on-hop-off buses that let you travel at your own pace and pick up/drop off at a selection of hostels in each town. So people tend to end up staying in the same place and form natural groups if their schedules coincide. If you end up with a group of people you get on with you can stick together, if not you can do your own thing.

If you want even more of a structured holiday there are plenty of companies that do group tours for solo travelers. A friend of mine goes with Intrepid Travel* when she wants to travel to locations that are a bit off the beaten track and she wouldn't feel confident going on her own.

(*Beware, that sight is pure travel porn and I will not be held responsible for anyone blowing their life savings on a trek through the Sahara :pac:)

Go for it.do a small trip of a couple of days away to try it out first. I often go on holidays on my own. I do a mixture of on my own or with a few friends but in my 30s friends are becoming less of a option
if u are uncertain about solo travel check out the likes of g adventures/interpid etc..might be a bit dearer but u have some company of like minded people

I’m a single male of the baby boomer generation.

I prefer solo travel. As an academic, my work life is regimented into 1-hour time slots. Getting away by myself is the only time I can do exactly what I want whenever I want to do it. Decide to sleep late? Sure. Rent a car and just go exploring? Check. It’s the most relaxing and refreshing way to go for me.

That said, I understand the reasonable concern one might have with safety and having to deal with any unforeseen problems entirely on one’s own. Here are a few common sense suggestions. Others may have others.

(1) Carry more than one credit card, issued from different banks or companies. This way if there’s a problem with one you’ll have a backup. Carry photocopies of your cards and leave these where you’re staying.

(2) Have at least two bank accounts with different banks accessible electronically from an ATM. Again, make photocopies of the cards, and be sure you know how to contact the issuers should you need to.

(3) Depending on the nature of your accommodations, it might be possible to let your hosts know your general plans for the day. If so it can’t hurt.

(4) Never carry all your cash in one place.

Cheers,

Ac

Went to Australia for a year backpacking on my own in '97. Was not the original plan but worked out that way.

I was very nervous about going but turned out to be the best thing ever. I had a great time, saw more, did what I want and met some great like minded people. Had a great craic.

Met so many people travelling alone. Many of whom started out with travel partners but who eventually went their separate ways as it didn't work out.

Also, met a woman who I had what I thought was a holiday fling with but 20 years later we're still together and very happily married.

So go for it.

Finally, you should try going to the cinema on your own, it's fine, nobody really notices you, especially in a dark room. I go often as I have my own taste in films and sometimes times don't suit other people. I don't get why people would find it a strange thing to do at all.

I travelled through Canada and the states for a year on my own. Made some great friends that I'm still in contact with years later.