Scared of going to Paris Alone

[Aquarius1234]

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.

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.

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

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.

Ha ha this made me laugh ! Very clever 😆

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

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

Go and have fun, OP! Xx

@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.

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.

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 !

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.

@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.

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

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.

I assume hats off them?
Need those in the 🌞

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.

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.

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!!!

Put “visiting Paris alone” into YouTube. There are 20 year old girls doing it. You’ll feel better if you see it.

Do you have a credit card with a reasonable limit? whenever I have travel wobbles I remind myself there is little that I can't sort out with a credit card. OK so paying it off might be a problem but that is a problem for another day.

No I don't actually. Hope debit card works fine.

To put things into perspective: I have walked right through the centre of Area 1 at 11.00pm 2 years ago and, yes, although there were loads of young men out on the streets socialising in a pretty loud way, they completely ignored me.

Then last year, I walked right through the middle of area 2 with the kids at midnight (delayed train)- I was expecting it to be dodgy, but it felt absolutely normal, aside from a homeless encampment under the Peripherique flyover.

And that was the worst of the worst, apparently. So I wouldn't fret too much.

I was 16. It was wild! (And a hell of a lot more dangerous then than it is now).

How early should I get to the Eurostar?
I'm normally a few mins if that for trains.

I was going to post and tell @Aquarius1234 not to stay in Porte de la Chappelle - and see it’s #2 on that list.

Where is your hotel?

Eurostar usually advises 90 minutes, but check your ticket- it will say. Remember it's more like an airport check in- you have to go through EU passport control, have your bags scanned etc- and it can get very busy. Going much earlier than recommended doesn't work either, unless you want to stock up with food for the train- they only open the check in lines for given trains a certain period in advance.