Is it safe for a youngish female tourist to backpack through

bregalad5

One question I have: how do you plan to get from city to city? Are you going to rent a car? Our public transportation is pretty crappy in most places, and where it is available, trains and buses can be pricey compared to other places in the world.

livnlite

Sad but true .. A lone female travelling anywhere in North America is a potential victim...hitch hiking increases your chances exponentially. Drug related crime is extremely high not to mention that there are all kinds of predators out there. There is such a large population of street people in any major city - truly desperate people. Desperate people do desperate things. Carjackings, abductions, assaults, robbery are rampant. A large percentage of people who live here carry guns and/or pepper spray at any given time, for any one of these reasons.

You haven't got a chance! Spend your money elsewhere, or find a better plan. Please do NOT hitch hike at all costs!

rml_16

I don't know what anyone else has said, but I wouldn't camp and hike on trails alone. No way, no how.

It's likely that you would be perfectly safe, but you just never know.

And I wouldn't do it alone ANYWHERE in the world. There are rapists and murderers in every country.

juliecat1

One question I have: how do you plan to get from city to city? Are you going to rent a car? Our public transportation is pretty crappy in most places, and where it is available, trains and buses can be pricey compared to other places in the world.

I was wondering this myself. Im not so much concerned with her safety doing the hostel, work farms, couch swap stuff as I am the point a to point b thing. If youre hitching - NO WAY would I recommend this! If you cant rent a car for your trip, then Id pay the extra for the tour or wait until someone can come with you. And Ill second the pepper spray! Maybe a self defense class too. I doubt youd need it but itll be invaluable information here in the US or at home if you ever did.

kapeluza

I traveled alone for 1 month in Europe when I was 22 ( back in 2002). I went to several countries and many cities.( Personally, I had moments when I was scared and also had "WTF was I thinking traveling alone"moments). After watching "Taken", I would never travel alone again. Yes it's just a movie, but I am sure there are organized crime dangers that you have no idea existed. Anyways, a woman traveling alone just sends a red flag for people trying to do harm. Mind you, I travel a lot and just the dangers you can run into, I wouldn't do it.

Unless you plan on renting a car, find someone to accompany you. It's not safe.

bregalad5

I traveled alone for 1 month in Europe when I was 22( back in 2002). I went to several countries and many cities. After watching "Taken", I would never travel alone again. Mind you, I travel a lot and just the dangers you can run into, I wouldn't do it.

Unless you plan on renting a car, find someone to accompany you. It's not safe.

Yeah I've traveled TO places alone, but always meet up with local friends when I get there. I'm alright being on a train in Europe by myself, as long as I have someone meeting me at the train station when I arrive.

livnlite

I traveled alone for 1 month in Europe when I was 22( back in 2002). I went to several countries and many cities. After watching "Taken", I would never travel alone again. Mind you, I travel a lot and just the dangers you can run into, I wouldn't do it.

Unless you plan on renting a car, find someone to accompany you. It's not safe.

Yeah I've traveled TO places alone, but always meet up with local friends when I get there. I'm alright being on a train in Europe by myself, as long as I have someone meeting me at the train station when I arrive.

Yea, travelling by public transportation (by air, bus or train) is less of a risk .. because you are in amongst numerous other travellers. Getting in a car alone with a stranger is a different thing entirely.

kapeluza

I traveled alone for 1 month in Europe when I was 22( back in 2002). I went to several countries and many cities. After watching "Taken", I would never travel alone again. Mind you, I travel a lot and just the dangers you can run into, I wouldn't do it.

Unless you plan on renting a car, find someone to accompany you. It's not safe.

Yeah I've traveled TO places alone, but always meet up with local friends when I get there. I'm alright being on a train in Europe by myself, as long as I have someone meeting me at the train station when I arrive.

I wasn't meeting anyone nor did I know anyone. I did have a cousin in Barcelona but I was there only a few days.
The only way I could see this being safer for her is renting a vehicle (which is not that expensive) and knowing where she is staying at all times.

And yes, it's doable but I think leaving it up in the air where she will be staying and how she is getting from one city to another is asking for trouble.

I don't know if this is her first trip and what kind of traveling experience she has. But if this is her first major trip I would do some serious planning and not take the "backpack" route. Like someone else posted, I've been to more than 13 countries and traveled extensively so if you have the experience and know what you are doing, then it's doable.

swordsmith

I think you would be completely safe. And if you do the east coast and want to couch surf my wife and I could put you up for the night if you come anywhere near the western border of Connecticut.

juliecat1

^ and theres another possibility. Connect with some MFP folks and you may be able to fill up any gaps in your travel.

kapeluza

^ and theres another possibility. Connect with some MFP folks and you may be able to fill up any gaps in your travel.

what she said. If we don't hear from you, then we know you got turned into a dashing leather coat...

MisterDubs303

As someone mentioned above, the U.S. doesn't have a very good nationwide public transportation system (though the east coast has trains all over it). I'd rent a car. It would address several of the concerns listed, especially safety. The biggest reason I would recommend this, though, is that you can go anywhere you want, at your own convenience. No schedules, no fixed routes, etc. Because this may be the only time you get to come, see the U.S. for all it's worth. That's not going to happen sticking solely to the coasts. That would be like one of us taking our dream trip to Australia and only seeing Melbourne. Yeah, it would be great, but quite incomplete. It's also not going to happen if you are bound to train routes and schedules, etc.

rml_16

As someone mentioned above, the U.S. doesn't have a very good nationwide public transportation system (though the east coast has trains all over it). I'd rent a car. It would address several of the concerns listed, especially safety. The biggest reason I would recommend this, though, is that you can go anywhere you want, at your own convenience. No schedules, no fixed routes, etc. Because this may be the only time you get to come, see the U.S. for all it's worth. That's not going to happen sticking solely to the coasts. That would be like one of us taking our dream trip to Australia and only seeing Melbourne. Yeah, it would be great, but quite incomplete. It's also not going to happen if you are bound to train routes and schedules, etc.

Greyhound buses go everywhere. There's a station in almost every town, large or small. Unfortunately, many are not in the best neighborhoods, though.

I still think this is a trip best taken NOT alone. Not for a woman, anyway. Unless you carry a gun and are a blackbelt.

Trains are expensive.

tameko2

I think it is safe if you are careful and you stick to populated areas. It would not be safe to walk down a lonely freeway in the middle of the night by yourself, but it would certainly be safe to take buses/trains around. Just be smart and use good judgement.

If you don't drive then renting a car is out but most cities have decent public transportation (yes people, even LA). And I'm not going to say bad things NEVER happen but they are outliers and you can stay pretty safe making good choices like I said above - stay away from deserted looking areas.

I don't know when you are planning to come over but you can sometimes get cheaper air fare than the train or bus (or only a bit more) on hte bargain carriers by flying wierd times like super early in the morning or late in the day.

Couchsurfing will probably be BETTER if you are very fastidious than a hostel - hostels can be a mixed bag and involve room sharing, but couchsurfing you will be able to ask the person about your needs.

CreativeRedhead

Sadly I live here in the US and I'd say it's the last place on earth that I'd try a solo camp along the coast. I think you'd be much better suited to pick a city or a few cities close to each other and just enjoy exploring that way. There are plenty of lovely coastal towns that have hiking nearby. Traveling through states and sleeping on strangers sofas is not the way to go here for someone on their first visit. I wouldn't even do that unless I knew the people who I would be staying with.

rml_16

I wish I could remember the name of the website and I CANNOT find the story on the website, but NPR last weekend ran a story about a website that hooks up people looking for cheap places to stay with people who are renting out rooms or guest cottages or something like that in their homes.

It's like eBay where the people who have stayed in one of the places can rate it and say what happened. It would be a good place to find a safe "couch" to sleep on a little cheaper than a hotel. That would be safer than random couches or camping alone.

Just FYI, but there are things you just don't hear about and it's not as safe as people might think. A few years ago, they arrested a guy in Buffalo who had been raping and murdering women along a bike trail for TWENTY YEARS. Basically, a serial killer. It barely made national news. I can only imagine how many others are out there and they prey on women alone in desserted areas.

photo_kyla

If it's possible, I'd join some travel networks and see if another woman out there is going to be traveling in the same area at the same time. Even if you found 2 travel buddies for different parts of your trip it might be safer. Also, most cheap hotels here (like Motel 6) only charge about $5 for a second person (not double like Europe), so it could split the cost of any nights that you don't have other arrangements.

As for transportation, If you're on the West Coast cheap transportation sucks. The train is *almost* as much as a plane ticket and if you do buses, all you'll get to see is bus stations and the interstate. I would heartily recommend renting a car (again, a travel buddy could help split the cost). I'm not sure of the cost for a long term rental like that. My boyfriend and I did a 1 1/2 week roadtrip this summer from Seattle->Portland->San Fransisco->LA->Las Vegas->back to Seattle. We stayed with a friend one night and were in hotels for the other 9. The cost INCLUDING gas came to $1000, total. (I own my car, so you would have to add rental costs.) I would expect to pay $25 (hostel) - $50 (motel 6) per night for lodging, minimum.

The transportation is going to be the big question. If you are just going to go to a few cities, flying in might be better. Get a central location to stay at and walk a lot. If you're going to stay in the suburbs, a car will probably be a must for most cities. And if you're going to be hopping cities a lot, it will probably be cheaper to drive than fly. Distances between cities are much bigger than most people from other countries expect and cities are more spread out. For example, from San Francisco to LA is considered "close" and it's 6 hours of highway driving. If you're on a bus that makes a lot of stops, I'd double that. The outskirts of each probably reach an hour's drive outside of downtown. So if you were on the Greyhound (that's the long distance bus) leaving San Fran at noon, you might not get to LA until after dark, and then still have to get from the bus station to wherever you were staying. The east coast is closer together. There 6-8 hours driving or bus could get you through several states.

About renting a car, the US does not recognize international drivers licenses, but you CAN drive just using your Australian license for up to 90 days. One thing to check if you're renting a car, some agencies charge WAY more if you're under 25. And we do drive on the right side of the road

So I guess the short answer is it's possible to stay safe as long as you use your street smarts and stay out of shady situations, but logistically it might be difficult.
Good Luck!

messyinthekitchen

Noo way, I would not do it. I know the cost is a lot better. But it is dangerous. There are horrible people everywhere. And no savings is worth it to me.

livnlite

^ and theres another possibility. Connect with some MFP folks and you may be able to fill up any gaps in your travel.

If you do THIS .. I would use EXTREME caution. Don't be fooled into thinking that everyone who joins an anonymous internet site is deemed to be safe. Predators are everywhere .. even on the internet they say!

kapeluza

^ and theres another possibility. Connect with some MFP folks and you may be able to fill up any gaps in your travel.

If you do THIS .. I would use EXTREME caution. Don't be fooled into thinking that everyone who joins an anonymous internet site is deemed to be safe. Predators are everywhere .. even on the internet they say!

what she said. If we don't hear from you, then we know you got turned into a dashing leather coat...

gem975

Im sorry guys, but who said she would be in deserted areas? If she is travelling i'd have to assume she'd be seeing the usual touristy things.. im not sure a bike trail is really that exciting - at least not enough so to travel from the other side of the world?

Personally I've found that as long as your being safe - as you would even in your home town. Your usually pretty safe.
- dont walk alone at night
- dont stay with strangers
- also email or call someone you know to let them know where you are and make sure you check in when you safe
- research where the embassy is
- research on review sites where you plan to stay

Be SMART, be aware, not alarmed, have fun.

joehempel

Im sorry guys, but who said she would be in deserted areas? If she is travelling i'd have to assume she'd be seeing the usual touristy things.. im not sure a bike trail is really that exciting - at least not enough so to travel from the other side of the world?

Personally I've found that as long as your being safe - as you would even in your home town. Your usually pretty safe.
- dont walk alone at night
- dont stay with strangers
- also email or call someone you know to let them know where you are and make sure you check in when you safe
- research where the embassy is
- research on review sites where you plan to stay

Be SMART, be aware, not alarmed, have fun.

MOST crimes happen in heavily populated areas....this mean nothing. I mean, staying on a strangers couch because they are on a website?? That's just asking for it...you gotta take some personal responisbility

Pebble321

I say go for it, but be cautious and stay safe. Travelling on your own is a fantastic life experience and very liberating as a single woman.

I've travelled a LOT on my own over the years, though its more than 10 years since I was in the US and I'm sure things have changed since then. Personally I wouldn't do the couchsurfing thing - I have a pretty good opinion of the kindness of strangers generally but not to this extent.

Have a look at the Thorntree on Lonely Planet - you will get lots of hints and ideas. One thing I found in the US is that youth hostels/backpackers aren't as common and often not as nice/safe as you will find in some other parts of the world.

But just start reading about budget trips through US and you will be fine. Often you will meet up with others travellers and you can share plans/transport with them if you judge it to be safe - there are always others travelling alone.

The other option that I've used in quite a few of my trips is to do a short tour for the first week or two of my trip - that gets you used to the culture, the money, the transport etc and then I would go off and do my own thing. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

And I think the US is relatively easy to travel in - they speak a similar language, the money isn't too hard (apart from all being the same colour... what's with that?) and culturally they aren't so far removed as a lot of other places from Australia. You do have to safety concious in every single part of the world, but if you are educated about the possible risks then you should be OK.

rml_16

Im sorry guys, but who said she would be in deserted areas? If she is travelling i'd have to assume she'd be seeing the usual touristy things.. im not sure a bike trail is really that exciting - at least not enough so to travel from the other side of the world?

Personally I've found that as long as your being safe - as you would even in your home town. Your usually pretty safe.
- dont walk alone at night
- dont stay with strangers
- also email or call someone you know to let them know where you are and make sure you check in when you safe
- research where the embassy is
- research on review sites where you plan to stay

Be SMART, be aware, not alarmed, have fun.

She asked about camping. That's usually not done in Grand Central Station.

livnlite

Im sorry guys, but who said she would be in deserted areas? If she is travelling i'd have to assume she'd be seeing the usual touristy things.. im not sure a bike trail is really that exciting - at least not enough so to travel from the other side of the world?

Personally I've found that as long as your being safe - as you would even in your home town. Your usually pretty safe.
- dont walk alone at night
- dont stay with strangers
- also email or call someone you know to let them know where you are and make sure you check in when you safe
- research where the embassy is
- research on review sites where you plan to stay

Be SMART, be aware, not alarmed, have fun.

"Usually" pretty safe is not good enough.

Not EVERY person who wonders the streets or hwys gets mugged, murdered, raped, or abducted. Sure, you CAN travel and have a perfectly 'safe' trip...even amongst our snake pit in the open public. We are talking about an elevated risk involved. Would you gamble with YOUR life?

She said she thought about hitch hiking...which adds an even higher level of risk. I would never gamble with anyone's life, nor would I advise them to do it either.