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First Time Flyer and International Traveler

Statesville, North...
2 posts
First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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Hey guys!

I am a 21 year old female and am interested in going on an international trip for the first time. Not only would this be my first time out of the USA, but it would also be my first time on a plane. I would be traveling solo and was leaning towards the destination of London (for possibly 7-10 days) as it would have enough similarities (language, some food, etc) that I would hopefully not be overwhelmed. Wanted some opinions on this idea overall and on these details:

- Is it safe to visit London solo as a young female?

- Is it crazy to have my first flight ever be an international flight?

- Is 7-10 days too long/short a time for London and surrounding areas

- For this time duration trip, what would the necessary budget be? At first estimate I am guessing $3000-$4000?

- Can you get by without having to rent a car? And would you fellow travelers consider the public transportation safe enough for me to rely on?

- No dates picked yet, what is everyone's recommended time of year to visit London?

- Tips, hints, help in general for my first flight/international trip?

- Top things to see while in the London area?

Appreciate everyone's insight! Thanks :)

Seattle, Washington
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1. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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Yes it's safe. No, it's not crazy. No, don't rent a car, use the underground, it's perfectly safe. Read and post in the London forum for your other questions.

Vancouver, Canada
Destination Expert
for London
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2. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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'Is it safe to visit London solo as a young female?' Why would it not be? With a population of about 8 million there are plenty of people your age and younger making their way through the capital every day, and very few come to harm. What is it you expect might be unsafe? (the answer to your question is yes, it's safe).

'Is it crazy to have my first flight ever be an international flight?' No, not at all. However, you may wish to fly with BA if possible to make the experience one in which the holiday will start from the time of boarding.

'Is 7-10 days too long/short a time for London and surrounding areas' Some may say that seven days is too long, for others 10 weeks will be a good start. If you visit for 10 days including arrival and departure days you will have just eight days on the ground, and a day trip out of London would be a very good addition to the trip.

'For this time duration trip, what would the necessary budget be? At first estimate I am guessing $3000-$4000?' The only part of your trip where the price will be shown and charged in $US is the airfare. For the rest, for your own benefit, please think in sterling. Use http://www.oanda.com to calculate the exchange rate. At a very rough estimate, goods that cost $US1 may cost £1 in London, bearing in mind that all taxes will be included, so the price at the shelf is the price you will pay at the till.

'Can you get by without having to rent a car? And would you fellow travelers consider the public transportation safe enough for me to rely on?' Yes and yes. Thousands of people who speak lilttle or no English manage on transport in London every day, so you will have one advantage before setting foot on a bus or into the Underground station. Paying for transport can be very easy as well, but that can wait for now.

'No dates picked yet, what is everyone's recommended time of year to visit London?' May is usually quite nice as is September, although there will be the first hints of autumn in the air at that time. June is also quite a nice time to visit, with very long days.

'Tips, hints, help in general for my first flight/international trip?' Do your homework as you've already started. London is a very large, crowded, busy city, but despite that there are areas where peace and quiet are attainable as well as plenty of things to see and do. In terms of your first flights, ensure you arrive at the airport in good time before departure, don't overpack and (if you haven't done this already) apply for a passport.

'Top things to see while in the London area?' Ultiimately that will be up to you. Guidebooks still have their uses, with the Rough Guides and Eyewitness Guides worthy of consideration. No two travellers will have the same wish list so you will have to seek out what appeals to you rather than follow someone else's plans.

Sydney, Australia
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3. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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I visited London in September and found the weather pretty nice - a couple of wet days but not too cold. Used the underground to get around and booked a hotel right near a station. Found the train system easy to navigate and never felt unsafe even at night.

This trip was only 7 days, although I had visited once before, and I managed to pack heaps in, including a day trip to Oxford and Stratford, and another day trip to Paris on the Eurostar (train.) Day one, arriving after a night flight, I rode around on the hop-on, hop-off bus getting a feel for the city and the layout. Found that a really decent orientation which helped the next couple of days when I walked and walked and walked.

Melbourne, Australia
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4. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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You could look at something like a Contiki Tour if you wanted to meet with some like minded young people. It is fun and organised, but with free time. You might want to look at their London and Paris tour. Have a read of the reviews and see if it interests you:

http://www.contiki.com/destinations/europe/tours/133-london-paris

Happy Travels!

Perth, Australia
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5. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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London is as safe as any other big city, I travelled there solo alone at 21, as long as you use common sense you will be fine and if you are staying in a hostel you will meet some great people. I wouldn't hire a car, the tube is so easy to use.

Hockley, United...
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for Seoul, Rothenburg
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6. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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Renting a car combined with the cost of parking, and the difficulty of finding a place to park far outweighs the cost and convenience of public transport. Ask on London forum for transport advice, but I commend the Travelcard option.

A really good cheap sightseeing ride is normal bus no. 11 from Liverpool St station. It passes Bank of England, Mansion House, St Pauls, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall,Downing St, Parliament, Westminster Abbey. Get ofv at Victoria and salk 5 to 10 min to Buckingham Palace.

Statesville, North...
2 posts
7. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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Thanks for everyones responses and tips! I will keep doing my research and may look into trying to plan something for May of 2016, which will give me plenty of time to prepare and plan!

Windhoek, Namibia
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8. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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I would do everything possible to avoid London between late May and early September. It just is too busy - too many tourists, hotels are more expensive, etc. I've been to London in every month, and the only time I would avoid would be mid-November to late-February. mid to late-September and October, along with April, are probably my favorite.

Wales, United...
Destination Expert
for Bargain Travel, Cruises, Swansea, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Neath, Port Talbot
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9. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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May and June are my favourite months, but really, there is no bad time to visit London.

Alyssa, look at flight prices and hotels and come and enjoy London whenever it suits you!

Windhoek, Namibia
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1,061 posts
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10. Re: First Time Flyer and International Traveler
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I will amend my statement - I would avoid summer for crowds, and I would avoid winter for weather. Weather is never all that bad in London, so I would choose winter over summer, but that's because I prefer cool/rainy weather to large crowds. You may be the opposite.

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