As a traveling couple we’re almost always together when we’re on the road. This makes it hard for us to evaluate if it’s safe to travel somewhere alone. However, we were able to talk to a fellow traveler that does travel solo to get his experience. We reached out and asked him is Ireland safe to travel alone.
Below is a summary of his answer.
Is Ireland Safe to Travel Alone?
Ireland is one of the safest countries in all of Europe and the world as shown through the low crime rate. Galway and Dublin both have highly rated hostels that host lots of solo travelers who rarely report major issues. Additionally, pretty much everyone speaks English so if you need help there shouldn’t be a language barrier.
Even so, it’s still important to always remain aware of your environment and make smart decisions. Unfortunately, even in a safe country bad things happen. If you’re alone, consider not drinking too much at the pub, especially if you’re socializing with new people for the first time. Also, try to avoid long walks late at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods. If you’re walking home alone from the pub late at night, you might look like an easy target.
If you’re staying in a hostel be careful not to leave out any valuables like your phone, wallet, or laptop. Also, we always bring locks for our backpacks to make sure our valuables are locked up. An unfortunate part of travel is that there are bumps in the road. At some point you will have an item get stolen, damaged, or lost. For this reason, we recommend not bringing items that you can’t replace.
Verdict
Is Ireland safe to travel alone?
Yes, Ireland is one of the safest countries to travel alone. While it’s always possible that bad things can happen, as long as you remain aware of your surroundings and practice safe habits you should have a safe trip.
Both the rural and urban areas of the country are generally considered safe. While the cities are relatively safe when compared to other European cities, it’s still best to practice safe habits if you’re alone.
Things to remember for any city:
- Don’t drink too much alone
- Remain aware of your surroundings
- Try to avoid unfamiliar areas late at night
- Keep your valuables tucked away to avoid tempting muggers and pickpockets – And if someone tries to take your phone or wallet just let them. Physical possessions are not worth risking your life if the thief becomes violent.
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