Can anyone give me info on travelling in the USA as a lone
female traveller. Are Greyhound coaches safe for me to use,
because the way some of mates are acting my lfe is at risk!
Also are there any do's and don'ts for menotice of when I
visit New York. Plus if anyone wants to meet up with me
while I'm there ( second week in August) please e-mail me.
Thanks.
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You are going to have to be careful that's for sure, but I
have met some interesting people on the bus, and some real
losers too. The thing to rememeber is that the bus stops are
often in pretty dodgy neighborhoods with lots of people with
nothing better to do than hang out at the bus station and
slime on to solitary travelers, male or female. If you meet
someone going the same direction as you then travel
together. Make sure you know how much time you are going to
have to spend waiting to catch a connecting bus while at a
bus station located in the clum of some city in nowhere USA.
America is an interesting and wonderful country, but you
do have to be extra careful sometimes. You are going to
be traveling the cheapest way possible in the states, so
be prepared for all sorts of characters. Look out for cons
as you would anywhere and always keep your valuablse and
essential documents on your person ( I keep mine inside my
pants/trousers) or attached to you somehow (I sleep with my
camera bag strap wrapped around my foot and foot on top of
the bag). Sit next to an old lady if the others on the bus
look shady, you might not get any sleep from her chattering,
but you won't get hit on by some lonely slimeball either.
DOn't pass up possible interesting situations, but follow
your intuition and if it doesn't feel right, then don't do
it. You have an opportunity to see a part of America that
other tourists would never see- maybe for a reason. If all
else fails, take the train instead, much cooler, more
comfortable and better views...Good luck!
Yes, greyhound is safe.
Not neccessarily comfortable, or clean, but it is safe.
I've traveled all over the USA alone and with friends and in
very remote locations (I live in Utah now). Never had a
problem. I even camped out in the desert alone. More
afraid of a stray hunter's bullet than anything.
Always carry yourself like you know exactly where you're
going. I don't know where you're from, but I used to live
in a tourist town and we could pick out Europeans a mile
away (we would make bets on which country the person was
from, then talk to the tourist and find out if we were wrong
or right). If you're worried about those unscrupulous folks
who prey on forieners (and I haven't heard of any such
incidents in Utah in the 7 years I've lived here--the big
city may be a different story), you could consider, say
wearing white socks to blend in a bit more ;)
Have fun!
Hi, I agree with #3 - that the most important thing is to
look as if you know where you're going even if you're
totally lost. I've lived in New York city for 3 years and
it can seem a bit intimidating at first but it's very easy
to get around - most of the streets and avenues are numbered
(except for down town Manhattan) and there will usually be a
subway within 6 blocks or so of where you want to go. Get
one of the laminated "Streetwise" maps of Manhattan (they're
a handy size) and you won't look so obviously touristy when
you open it up. I've had no problems since I've been here -
just be aware of what's going on around you. Try not to
travel on the subways after 11pm - there are always taxis
around - it's a lot safer. And lastly - New Yorkers are
sometimes given a bad name as being unfriendly - but
everyone I've ever asked for help has helped me. I hope you
have a wonderful trip - this is an amazing city!
Greyhound is kind of ucky. Try Shortline if available. Much
nicer. Have movies. Cleaner. Yes, buses are safe-just be
careful with your belongings.
I travelled the US on my own (I'm a girl)for 4 months with
Greyhound. Make sure that when you arrive s'where that it's
not too late and dark...Memphis bus station is suppose to be
the most awful place and Chigago bus station isn't any
better. But good luck and take some common sense with you.