First time flying alone -- any tips?
Jun 14, 2013, 12:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 743
Welcome to FT!
Ensure you get an aisle or window seat, long haul on your own in the middle is no fun. This was major learning from my first time in your situation.
Make sure you have your plan to get from GDC to wherever you are staying in Paris (no-one in Europe uses the France bit) before you leave as getting to a strange country after a long flight can be daunting, especially if you dont speak the language. Like any city Paris can be a bit rough in places so its best to look confident like you know where you are heading to.
Ensure you get an aisle or window seat, long haul on your own in the middle is no fun. This was major learning from my first time in your situation.
Make sure you have your plan to get from GDC to wherever you are staying in Paris (no-one in Europe uses the France bit) before you leave as getting to a strange country after a long flight can be daunting, especially if you dont speak the language. Like any city Paris can be a bit rough in places so its best to look confident like you know where you are heading to.
Jun 14, 2013, 6:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
Be prepared but don't worry. Paris is generally an easy going, amazing, and beatifull city.
Concerning the flights I have nothing to ad. Enjoy!
Concerning the flights I have nothing to ad. Enjoy!
Jun 15, 2013, 9:22 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
Beware of the groups of gypsy looking girls in the underground or in the streets. They are thieves. If you confront them, they will fight back and scream that you hit one of them in order to destabilise you. Better avoid being close to them. They mean trouble.
Jun 15, 2013, 5:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
Seriously? Never noticed that in my years in Paris!?
Jun 16, 2013, 2:30 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
Yes. It's a very serious problem in Paris for many years (and in other big touristic cities like Barcelona) but it's becoming more and more difficult to handle. But we don't have to fall into paranoia and just take standard precautions.
Jun 16, 2013, 2:49 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
But don't be frightened, best thing to do is pretend they are invisible and you'll probably be left alone. Paris is very safe, as long as you exercise the same caution you would anywhere you should be fine.
Jun 16, 2013, 4:13 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
Jun 16, 2013, 7:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Staffordshire UK
Programs: Mucci, BA Silver, HON, EK Gold
Posts: 242
Jun 16, 2013, 8:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
Stay aware of your surroundings just as you would anywhere (even at home) and you'll be fine. You're only going to hear the horror stories, nobody ever writes to Rick Steves and says "I just got back from Paris, I didn't get robbed on the metro or have my bag snatched by gypsies. Very disappointing trip".
Jun 17, 2013, 4:24 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
No. Roaming through the city on weekends is a favorit hobby of mine.
Unless of course everybody means the gypsy looking beggars. Them I see, also in the poshest areas. But them I also ignore. I've really never been hassled or something.
Unless of course everybody means the gypsy looking beggars. Them I see, also in the poshest areas. But them I also ignore. I've really never been hassled or something.
