London by myself?

[Nebraska_Liberal]

I am thinking of going to London for spring break. The catch is all of my friends have backed out on me, so I would be flying solo. I haven't bought tickets yet. Should I go, or wait and go sometime when the weather is better, and I can go with a friend. I am a single 21 year old male if that makes a difference. Oh yeah, I would be there for St. Paddy's day, if that makes a difference... Thanks for the input.

Ned

[CottonBear]

1. I'd go for it!

I traveled across Europe by myself. You always meet lots of interesting people. London is a great city. For the best weather and fewest crowds, late September - early October is the best. I spent an entire sunny, rain-free week in London then.

[Justitia]

2. Go and have a great time! Don't wait around on other people.

I have a friend who is going to Spain by herself for 2 wks soon. Same as you, tired of waiting around for a travel partner.

I once traveled to NYC by myself and had the time of my life! I lingered wherever I felt like spending time, no one to coordinate with. Ate at fabulous restaurants all by myself, everyone was great to me.

Of course, goes without saying, take all the necessary safety precautions anytime you go out alone (i.e., no back alley shortcuts after dark).

Enjoy the experience without being held down by anyone else's schedule. And don't forget to e-mail the folks back home! :hi:

[Nebraska_Liberal]

5. Thats what I was thinking.

I dont have to be stuck on what other people want to do, or dont want to do. But i just checked the 10 day forecast and it is looking worse than Omaha right now.

[Justitia]

7. Ah, but the rainy, foggy weather is part of London's charms!

What atmospherics! And when you are wandering around that great, historical city, you will have a moment when you say to yourself, "Holy Shit! I'm in London!" and it will be great.

And you will regale everyone with your adventures for yrs to come.

Be sure to file a report here!

[dutchdemocrat]

3. Go for IT!

London is a great city! I lived there as an expatriate for two years and there's so much to do and so little time to do it all in. The weather always sucks so chances are it could be lousy in July even. There are TONS of Aussies and Kiwis (Australians and New Zealanders) as well as South Africans and Canadians in the city so you won't have much of a problem meeting new people from elsewhere in the world.

Travelling alone is sometimes more rewarding because you are forced to meet people... and you get to make your OWN decisions on what you want to do. It's pressure free.

For sorting yourself out in London TNT is the source for independent, young travellers.

http://www.tntmagazine.com/uk/

Time Out London is also a great read and has tons of data!

http://www.timeout.com/london/

Enjoy!

DD
A Dutch Canadian in Holland..

[leftofthedial]

4. definitely go

definitely

[eyepaddle]

6. I highly recommend traveling solo

That way you HAVE to go out oan meet people and places on their terms. I've never had any problems in any of the countries I've visited.

Good Luck have a great trip! :hi:

[skygazer]

8. I highly recommend going by yourself

I love to travel alone - I've been doing so since I was in my teens and I'm now in my 40's. Though I've had many good trips with others, the best and most memorable were those I took on my own. I could do whatever I wanted to do when I wanted to do it and in that way, I really got to know myself as well as had a terrific time.

It all boils down to whether you're a person who needs the company of others or if you're comfortable with just your own company.

[Nebraska_Liberal]

10. I was thinking about that too...

I do a lot of stuff on my own anyway, why not travel? I want to stay somewhere around Hyde park probably in the Bayswater, or West End area. Any suggestions on specific hotel or hostel? I have been reading my "Lets Go: London" book. It is a pretty good guide, but nothing is like personal experience.

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Have a lovely time!!!!

[carpediem]

9. I went by myself as a 21 yr old female

It was great. I did most everything during daylight hours except for the walking tours (jack the ripper, pub crawl etc) those are great when travelling by yourself. I think this is the company who did the walks I went on. I loved being by myself. People were very kind and helpful and actually approached me to initiate conversation - I don't think that would have happened if I had been with others. Plus I got to see what I wanted to see.

I tried the hostel route, but ended up staying in a nice hotel - I think it was around 25-30 a night and I was only 2 tube stops from trafalgar square (where I ate a bag breakfast every morning). The room had a private shower, but the bathroom was down the hall.

Definitely do it, you won't regret it.

[Lady President]

11. I spent St. Paddy's in London once

I say go and have a wonderful time. Are you a fairly outgoing person? If so, I'm sure you'll meet people. My advice would be to stay at a hostel where your bound to meet other college age people.

When I went to England in Mid-March, the weather was pleasant. You'll want to bring some sweaters and a jacket, but it's not very cold. (At least not Nebraska, or in my case Ohio, cold.) However, St. Paddy's isn't a big deal in England, so you might want to see if you could swing a day trip to Ireland.

Again, go, go, go! :)

[Guy Fawkes]

12. What, not going for Guy Fawkes' Day?

I'm hurt :-)

Have fun, though.

[Nebraska_Liberal]

13. Its official...

IM GOING! WOO! 6 nights in the Wake Up London Hostel. Just booked it and a plane. Should be awesome!

[miss_kitty]

14. Should you stay or should you go?

hell yeah! London is kick ass fun. I'd live there if I could. Go to the UK forum and make friends there. Try to get to Manchester too. totally excellent city, too.

[jonnyblitz]

16. I took leave when stationed in Bahrain and flew to London

by myself, spent about 5 days and had a great time. I also took a train from amsterdam to paris by myself last year and spent the day at the Louvre then returned later that night. I always do stuff by myself, some people wont. if you wait for a friend you might keep postponing it and the "friend" will never materialize. who knows.

[SW FL Dem]

17. Go for it! I went to Europe by myself when I was 23.

I was going to meet up with a friend from high school who was stationed in Germany. Turns out he was a real jerk so I went off on my own. Best time I ever had. I met lots of wonderful people, I stayed in hostels and bought a train pass. It was the chance of a lifetime and I would have regretted it if I didn't go