Solo Travel - International Tips - "The Sky is the Limit!"

I've only traveled to Europe and Great Britain so far, but this information will work for any country.

Solo Travel - International Tips:

Tip 1 – Use all the General Tips, the Solo Travel Tips.

Tip 2 – Flights can be very long, depending on where you start from, so be prepared to fly up to 11 hours. I enjoy flights with individual monitors so I can choose what to watch when, or play games, or I especially like to see the route maps.

Before you book your flight, you can research the plane, seating arrangements, and amenities, usually available at the airlines website.

Tip 3 – When you arrive after an international flight, know you will have to go through customs, so plan for the time.

On flights to Paris via Amsterdam, I've gone through customs in Amsterdam, not Paris, so also be aware of this when scheduling connecting flights.

Leaving Paris and Amsterdam I've had to go through security at both airports. So again it is important to allow for this when planning your connections.

Recently I talked to a gentleman who flew from St Petersburg Russia, to Frankfurt, Germany and then to the USA. He had to go through security in Russia and again in Frankfurt, even though he never left the terminal.

Tip 4 – Carry a phrase book, and know how to get help in an emergency. Know that many people speak some English, and in an emergency will help you. This is especially true in the larger cities. Out in the country, it may not be as easy to find someone who knows English.

(I was surprised by a scorpion crawling across my bedroom floor when I came back from the restroom (toilet), barefoot! They are found in southern Europe. I hit it with my shoe, and then had my brother-in-law take it away. We asked at the Pharmacy and found they weren't deadly, except to a small child or someone with allergic reactions to bees and the like. Whew! Still pretty scary!)

Tip 5 – Again, know the weather conditions and hazards you may encounter for the area, and what to do. Have a plan!

Tip 6 – Do at least some research, especially if you have never been to a country before. Even on a tour, I learned the basic phrases, and carried a phrase book, for times when I was by myself.

Tip 7 – Learn at least a few words of the language and carry a phrase book. My experience with Europeans, is that they are very formal, so say hello, please, thank you and goodbye when you have any conversation. Wouldn't it be nice if we did this everywhere! For more information and a few phrases and suggested formalities, visit the Travel Planning page for the countries listed.

Tip 8 – Ach, that dratted phrase book is suggested again? Sorry, but instead of trying to remember all the words for all the foods you like, I suggest remembering the ones you really don't like. Escargot is an easy one. (I'm not going to try a plate of snails, when I'm alone, if I don't like them, I waste food and money.)

Tip 9 – Eat a big lunch and make it your main meal of the day, much less expensive and the food is great and portions are large. I'm usually back in my room or apartment for a light dinner of bread, cheese and wine. Helps you avoid sitting in a restaurant alone at dinner, if that makes you uncomfortable.

Tip 10 – European hotel rooms can be small, especially for the solo traveler, so be prepared. But remember, that you probably will spend very little time there, and make do. Also, you may receive a room with twin beds. If you want to try to change them, give it a try, communication may be more of an issue then it is worth.

Tip 11 – Speaking of small, you may hear about the "coffin" sized elevators, I'm not kidding! Sometimes room for 2 people and no luggage, or you and your 1 small bag. So be prepared to take the stairs if you have issues with small spaces.

Tip 12 – Most of Europe uses the 24 hour clock.

Tip 13 – The boulangerie and patisseries may open early, but most shops don't open until 9 or 10, take a 1-1/2 to 2 hour midday break between 12:00 and 13:00 and then open again at 14:00 or so until 18:00 or 19:00. This can vary from shop to shop and town to town.

Tip 14 – When I stay at a house, I usually get gas and general groceries at the Inter Marche or Hyper Marche, they carry a little bit of everything. For convenience I have bought wine (you can get a great bottle of wine for 2 to 4 Euros) and cheese there. If you are not good with numbers in French, try to keep a little running total, so you know about how much to give the checker, not all registers have price displays. Grocery bags are not given away here, buy one or two and keep them with you in the car. Carts will cost you as well, so if you have a bag, use it to hold your purchases, then empty it at the register and fill it up again to leave. (Buying one sack works for me, I usually have a bottle of wine, cheese, fruit and such, enough to last a couple of days.

Tip 15 - If you are going outside the USA, purchase a world phone or a sim card that works world wide for your cell phone. Verify with your carrier that the sim card will work in the country you are visiting. International phone calls are not cheap, you may be charged anywhere from $1 per MINUTE to $5 per MINUTE, and it adds up fast.

(I purchased a world phone and pay only for actual use. I use it only when absolutely necessary.)

Tip 16 – Get an International Drivers License if you plan to rent a car.

Tip 17 – I recommend purchasing Travel Insurance if you are traveling internationally. I had purchased it and never used it though I was wasting money, but then there was the one time I used it. You will have to decide what is right for you. I include it in my travel budget and definitely buy it when my trip costs are greater than $3000.00.

Tip 18 – Also, if you are renting an apartment or house. There are still some places that don't have elevators. Check accessability before you book.

Tip 19 - There are several travel websites and other sites that sell "paper" laundry detergent, hand soap, and shaving cream. They come in small plastic containers, to use a "sheet" at a time. The containers are small enough to fit in a purse or backpack. The work in salt water as well.

They suggest using the laundry "sheets" for underwear, but I will be ordering some for my next trip, and I can let you know what I think of the products. In the past, I have just bought what I needed on arrival and left it in the house, or carried it to the next one, leaving it in my final destination (if acceptable to the Owner), or threw left overs away.

These products could be much less wasteful. However, it is one more thing I have to pack.

Tip 20 – Speaking of packing, and I mention this in my General Solo Travel Tips, pack light. This becomes much easier if you stay in a rental with a laundry.

Don't assume you will have a washer and dryer. Be sure to check that you will have at least a washer. You can always air dry your clothes.

Of course you could always try to find a laundramat. Although I have seen some, I prefer sitting in my apartment or house in the evening and doing my laundry, rather then sitting in a laundramat.

Tip 21 – Get travel type clothes, especially those that are wrinkle free, if you can. There is lots of good advice available about what to pack, the type of clothes, etc. I think that is really up to the individual and what they are comfortable wearing.

I personally, wear travel pants that are lightweight, a couple of pairs I have convert to shorts by unzipping the legs. Some people don't care for this casual look. Pack what you like to wear, but pack as light as you can. If you are in a place where you can do laundry every 3 or 4 days, then only take enough to get by for that long, and wash and wear again.

Tip 22 – Save room for purchases! I have a little backpack that folds to the size of a deck of cards. I can move clothes to it, put my purchases in my regular carry on, and check it at the airport, and carry on the 2 backpacks.

My luggage is a backpack for under the seat and another carry on that goes in the overhead. That's it! Even after 5 trips in 3 years, I still carry one or two things I never wear. I have also disposed of some shirts to make room for purchases made along the way. I do dress casually though, no party frock in my bags.

You can always ship things home, especially very perishable items. But, be sure to insure them!

Tip 23 - Catching the train or bus from Charles de Gaulle to Paris.

Train - After you have left customs and baggage claim, exit the baggage claim area and follow the signs to "Gare". This will take you to the commuter train into Paris. If you have Euros or a charge card you can purchase your ticket from a kiosk, otherwise you will have to stand in line to by a ticket to Gare du Nord. Trains leave often, so you should not have to wait long, except late at night when trains typically stop. Once at Gare du Nord you have easy access to the Metro or a much cheaper taxi.

Bus - I take the Roissy bus into Paris. The bus stop is near the rental car area. Again watch for the signs. I typically ride the bus to Opera and either walk or catch the Metro to wherever I'm staying.