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Original poster

Scared of going to Paris Alone

142 replies

Aquarius1234 · 16/05/2024 15:40

I have booked a short trip to Paris for two nights, to go to the French Open Tennis for one day.
There is no one close to me that likes Tennis enough to join me, so I randomly booked solo and a single ticket.
But now I am worried about going there alone. Unable to get refunds.

OP posts:
NoAprilFool · 16/05/2024 20:04

I’ve done a lot of solo travel and I ALWAYS have a wobble where I decide it’s the stupidest idea ever/I’ll be murdered/insert random doom scenario of choice.

by the time I’m at the airport it’s turned into excitement. Have fun!!!

BeaRF75 · 16/05/2024 19:45

It will be fine, and lots of lovely tennis fans to hang out with! Going alone is often easier than with someone, coz you can just do your own thing and not squabble with anyone over maps/tickets/loo breaks or whatever.
You must go - the tickets were like gold dust this year.

Iamnotalemming · 16/05/2024 19:42

I find the Eurostar security a breeze compared to airports. Never had to take my shoes off or laptops or liquids out.
Eurostar terminals at both gare du Nord and St Pancras can feel a bit crowded but the staff are plentiful and helpful and organise the queues well.
Unless you've paid extra for the standard premier or business (which includes a meal) I would recommend taking something to eat on board. There are a few places after security to buy a sandwich and a coffee etc but see above re queues. There is a cafe carriage on the Eurostar but it can be a bit of a walk depending on your seat and again, queues.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 16/05/2024 19:40

eurochick · 16/05/2024 19:32

When I went it was airport security minus the liquids rule, so belts and shoes off, through a metal detector, etc.

Show quote history

I assume hats off them?
Need those in the 🌞

OP posts:
StatelyBouquet · 16/05/2024 19:36

YANBU to be scared. YABU not to go. I always get scared before I go away myself but it’s fine once I’m off! Navigating is so much easier now with smartphones, and yi will be fine! Honest.

eurochick · 16/05/2024 19:32

Aquarius1234 · 16/05/2024 18:54

What's the EuroStar security like these days?
Just bag searches, or belts, hats off ? body searches?

Edited

When I went it was airport security minus the liquids rule, so belts and shoes off, through a metal detector, etc.

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/05/2024 19:27

@Aquarius1234 ha ha. What I mean is there is no nice separate bit for the Eurostar like at St Pancras. You just walk off the platform straight in to the madness of Gare du Nord.

SometimesMaybe · 16/05/2024 19:25

Roland Garros is really easy to find from the metro - and remember there will be thousands of people heading there and leaving at the same time as you so your won’t be alone anywhere in the vicinity the venue.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 16/05/2024 19:24

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/05/2024 18:45

Paris is fine. Have you been to London or any other big UK city on your own? If so you can more than do Paris! You've got this.

The Metro is easy to navigate and safe. Gare du Nord is a bit busy and you get chucked out of the Eurostar in the thick of things but plan your route ahead and it will be fine.

As others have said there are some annoying types that hang around outside Gare du Nord offering cheap cigarettes or to help find you a taxi. Ignore them and go to the official rank - it is well signposted.

For the price shouldn't be chucked out!
I hope I avoid those fake taxi people beggers!
One of the last times I went to Paris I was 17 and lost my passport!! With a college group. Probably ended up in the red light district or something !

OP posts:
Famfirst · 16/05/2024 19:23

Paris is a horrible, horrible place with extremely unpleasant people. Ordinarily I’d say lose the money as it’s the last place on earth I’d ever want to return to, but since it’s for a specific event that will take up most of your time, then it should be ok.

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/05/2024 19:20

@Aquarius1234 All bags scanned, empty your pockets of change etc.. and you walk through a scan arch. You only get a pat down if you are flagged as dodgy.

The security isn't as tight as planes.

Lipolio · 16/05/2024 18:55

I travelled to Paris multiple times by myself, never had a problem.

Go and have fun, OP! Xx

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 16/05/2024 18:54

What's the EuroStar security like these days?
Just bag searches, or belts, hats off ? body searches?

OP posts:
Threebutterflies24 · 16/05/2024 18:53

sugarhockeyicedtea · 16/05/2024 15:52

What you need to keep you safe in Paris is a man with a particular set of skills..

Ha ha this made me laugh ! Very clever 😆

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/05/2024 18:45

Paris is fine. Have you been to London or any other big UK city on your own? If so you can more than do Paris! You've got this.

The Metro is easy to navigate and safe. Gare du Nord is a bit busy and you get chucked out of the Eurostar in the thick of things but plan your route ahead and it will be fine.

As others have said there are some annoying types that hang around outside Gare du Nord offering cheap cigarettes or to help find you a taxi. Ignore them and go to the official rank - it is well signposted.

OutingPosts · 16/05/2024 18:38

I go alone about three times a year, never had a problem.

MariaLuna · 16/05/2024 18:03

Late check in times at hotel etc.

Well, just let them know what time to expect you. All will be fine. Paris is great. I spent a whole day - was there for 2 nights going by Eurostar - walking for ever, and took a taxi back to the hotel. Absolutely fab trip.

SophiaElise · 16/05/2024 17:58

The metro is fine, and the French Open now has day and night sessions so if your ticket is a day one, you'll be leaving before it's dark anyway.

For Roland Garros I recommend taking something to eat and drink with you (there's a Carrefour a 10 minute walk away) as the food and drink sold there is rather expensive. Take something to entertain yourself in case it rains!

OneTC · 16/05/2024 17:54

There are some utterly terrifying bits of paris but they're not places a tourist is likely to find themselves.

You'll be fine, solo trips are awesome ime

StMarieforme · 16/05/2024 17:52

Aquarius1234 · 16/05/2024 15:57

I think it will be fine getting a taxi from the station to hotel. But from hotel to destination and back more options.

Edited

I travelled round on the metro with no problems. Do it! You'll be fine!

user1471538283 · 16/05/2024 17:50

Paris is fairly small and I've found the tubes to be safe but you could always book Ubers if you are nervous later in the day.

StarlightLady · 16/05/2024 17:29

I lived there for a number of years. Please PM me if you have specific queries or concerns.

eurochick · 16/05/2024 17:11

I was there on my own a few weeks ago for work and had a fab time. Uber works well there but the traffic was so bad because of all the pre-Olympic works I gave up and walked everywhere.

They are doing works on the taxi rank at GdN (or they were when I was there) but the temporary rank was well signposted. Come off the Eurostar and head to the right. There are lots of signs for taxis. Just follow them round.

RookieMa · 16/05/2024 17:03

Paris is one of the best cities to do alone like London

So much to do and people work there so tons of people are doing things on their own

alpinia · 16/05/2024 17:02

It's a super nice area of Paris where the tournament is held.

I am frequently in Paris on my own and it is not dodgy in any of the main areas, busy though, like London. Don't let being on your own stop you from seeing the sights outside of the tennis!

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