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I recently booked a trip to Madrid from nyc. It was last minute, so nobody can accompany me. Everyone I know is warning me not to go alone and since I am female, I will be targeted by criminals. I'm staying in a 5 star hotel in the best part of the city. I planned on doing some group day trips and evening tapas tours so I'm not alone all the time, but I'm beginning to feel discouraged by everyone's negativity.
Any solo travellers here that can offer me some encouragement? I have travelled quite a bit, but never alone.
I have lived and traveled solo internationally. I've been to Central and South America, the Caribbean, East and Southeast Asia, Eastern Africa, and Europe. It's fine. Just as people should practice certain precautions in the U.S., so should they when they are anywhere else.
You'll be fine in Europe. Remember, women in Madrid go to work on their own, live on their own, go shopping on their own, eat on their own, visit museums on their own, and these women all manage to survive just fine without being targeted by criminals. It's not Saudi Arabia.
As with any touristy area, there is always the possibility that you can be taken advantage of. This is true whether one visits NYC or Madrid or Montego Bay or Tokyo or any place in the world. This is probably the most pressing concern you'll experience on your trip.
You'll be fine and you'll return with stories to make your friends envious. Y
The biggest problem there is theft - pickpocketing and purse snatching, breaking into cars. If you keep anything, I mean anything, unguarded for a second it will be stolen. Keep in mind unemployment there is like 30%.
Violent crime is relatively rare.
It's my parents and certain friends who barely travel. I was in Lisbon last fall with my friend and never once felt unsafe or in danger. I work in NYC every day and always make sure to keep my eyes on my possessions, but always feel perfectly safe walking to and from work alone and dining alone. I can't imagine Madrid being much different. Us New Yorkers are very street smart. I don't plan on going out late and getting drunk in strange bars, so I'm assuming I will be fine. Maybe a little lonely though...
My sister lived in Salamanca, Spain for about a year and traveled quite a bit as a "solo" traveller. Spain is quite safe and probably safer the the entirety of the United States. The only place I heard had some shadiness in Spain was in Barcelona and that was in relation to pick pockets. I've only been to France and the UK and I didn't once feel unsafe during the trip. Just be smart as you would be anywhere else and you'll be fine.
Central Madrid is about as safe as it gets as long as you keep your eyes on your bag... But even pickpockets aren't half as bad as people on here seem to think as long as you use some common sense.
Going out late shouldn't be a problem at all. There are tons of people around you and most well known places are centrally located...
Personally, I thought that Lisbon was a lot more sketchier than Madrid, so you should feel totally safe.
You will be fine. I travel solo sometimes when my husband does not feel like going, especially if I'll be visiting ruins and museums a lot (not his thing).
Wear a fake wedding band when you go out alone so you don't get hit on my unwanted men. They generally leave you alone when you're with a group though. I find this especially true in certain parts of Italy and Spain.
Wear a money belt at all times, no matter how well traveled you are. That is the only protection you have against pick pockets. KMART / Walmart / Target has it.
Regarding your fear of being lonely when traveling solo, be extroverted and fake it if you have too. Of course, language may be a barrier but even a smile, or an offer to take pictures may lead to a pleasant conversation. Obviously, use your common sense regarding whom you approach.
I recently booked a trip to Madrid from nyc. It was last minute, so nobody can accompany me. Everyone I know is warning me not to go alone and since I am female, I will be targeted by criminals. I'm staying in a 5 star hotel in the best part of the city. I planned on doing some group day trips and evening tapas tours so I'm not alone all the time, but I'm beginning to feel discouraged by everyone's negativity.
Any solo travellers here that can offer me some encouragement? I have travelled quite a bit, but never alone.
Go & have a great time. The negative nancies are just jealous because they don't have the chutzpah to travel alone.
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