My mother (age:60s) and I (age:20s) will be traveling together throughout Europe and England soon in the off-season. We are going to be staying in Rome, Paris, Munich, and London.
I thought about getting a hotel in the center of each city (which I thought was close to train stations), yet I read a review of some woman and her female friend getting scared venturing out at night because of witnessing crime and prying eyes near the train station.
Were they just foolish to be near public transportation late at night or is this something I should worry about? Where are some safe and moderately priced hotels in these cities, yet we can travel easily and safely to local attractions?
Central London is generally very safe.
Lancaster Gate is a nice, central area, with moderately priced hotels. Is right by Hyde Park, and has good access to Tube lines and Buses.
It is also walking distance to Paddington Station for trains to Heathrow.
Check out the Novotel and Ibis hotels. They are a chain like motel 8 in the states. Nothing special but clean and safe in addition to being moderately priced.
My husband and I just stayed at Hotel Am Markt in Munich.
Right in the center. Breakfast included. Really nice area of town (right next to a small open aired market). The room was a bit small but it sufficed.
I really recommend it.
there are quite a few sites that you can search that will likely show you great hotels at the best prices available. check out the website BookMe and you will be able to compare prices on all the reputable travel sites in just a couple minutes. it’s very convenient and will save you a bunch of time and money. Also, make sure you buy them online… otherwise they charge much higher fees for phone orders. good luck.
I don’t know Munich so can’t help with that, but know the other three cities relatively well and have travelled to all of them as a single woman (now in my mid-fifties but have travelled from my 20s).
Firstly, just use common sense. Don’t walk down unlit, empty roads after dark. Do keep your handbags across your body, not over your shoulder. Leave your passports and most of your money in the hotel safe, just take what you will need for that day. Also leave a spare credit card in the safe so you’ll know you’ve got it just in case others are stolen.
Station areas in cities do tend to be a bit ‘seedy’ at night but you just have to take these kind of precautions.
Be particularly careful of public transport in all these cities. Crowded buses and trains are a favourite place for pickpockets.
In terms of hotels, in Rome try somewhere near the Spanish Steps. It’s a lovely area, very buzzy, very central, and there are some well priced hotels. I don’t really know what you mean by moderately priced, but have a look at : Hotel dei Borgognoni, Hotel Regnano (Via del Corso) or Hotel Valadier (near Piazza del Popolo). I’ve stayed in them all – they’re all lovely and in very safe areas.
In Paris try Hotel Paris France in the rue Turbigo. It’s convenient for restaurants, bars, a supermarket and the Metro and it’s well priced. The staff are lovely and ultra-helpful.
In London, I always stay at the Premier Inn at Kings Cross St Pancras (York Way). It has a good restaurant, it’s clean, quiet, the staff are very helpful and it’s a couple of minutes’ walk from the Underground.
For a really good travel site to help you choose, look at http://www.tripadvisor.com which has honest, down to earth reviews from travellers – I use it all the time. It also has tips on things to do, and you can post questions which will be answered by people who know the cities well.
But let me also say, don’t allow scare stories about violence in cities put you off. I’ve travelled extensively all over Europe, America and Africa by myself. As long as you take sensible precautions, you’ll be fine.
Hope you enjoy your holiday.