Solo Travel Safety: Tips
Brief Overview
The thrill of going it alone on a trip isn’t without its dangers. As a solo traveller, you should always put your safety first and take all the essential measures to guarantee a risk-free journey. You can trust the advice in this article to keep you safe when exploring the world on your own.
1. Research your solo travel destination
You should read up on your travel destination before leaving. Learn as much as you can about the area culture, laws, and threats. The ability to speak and understand the language and customs of the area’s locals is a significant asset while travelling to a new place.
The official Foreign Office or equivalent website in your nation is a good place to start. When I need to find information about a travel destination and its safety, as a British citizen, I go to the website of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and US citizen’s can visit the website of the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs.
The above websites give you detailed and up to date information about how to enter countries, whether you need a visa, and how to travel onwards etc.
2. Get your first night's accommodation booked in advance
Make sure you have a somewhere to stay for the first night of your trip even if the rest of your arrangements are still up in the air. Also, think about transportation from the airport or railway station. Uber is a safe way to travel to your accommodation, or use official taxis and buses.
Always make sure you know the route to your accommodation before heading there.
3. Share your itinerary
Sharing your travel plans with a trusted person back home is a smart idea. This will allow them to keep track of your whereabouts and notify the proper authorities of any trouble.
Don’t lose contact while you’re away. There are a lot of people who update their social media accounts and send messages while travelling to let their friends and family back home know what they’re up to.
4. Stay aware of your surroundings
When exploring a new city or country on your own, it’s crucial to maintain a high level of vigilance. If you want to keep your belongings safe, you should avoid going out at night, go to well-lit places, and not venture into unfamiliar districts.
Should I walk down the street flashing my money? Not in my opinion. And similarly, you shouldn’t show off your fancy camera or smartphone. Take caution when taking them out in search of that perfect Instagram photo.
It’s best to act like a local whenever possible.
Dress sensibly and respectfully for the local culture. In many Islamic countries, for instance, shorts and vest tops are never appropriate attire for either gender and, for women, will draw unwanted attention.
Don’t look at maps as you stroll about town. Alternatively, feel free to explore at your own pace, or to make discreet use of a map or phone app to help you find your way.
5. Keep your valuables safe
Pretty obvious, but make sure you have a secure location for your money, passport, and other valuables. You should think about purchasing a money belt or lockable rucksack to protect your valuables.
6. Have Travel Insurance
Be sure you’re covered in case something happens while you’re away from home by getting travel insurance before you leave. You should purchase travel insurance well in advance of your trip.
The length of time for which a traveller is covered by their policy can range from just a few days up to a whole year, depending on the insurance provider. Countries like Costa Rica check at customs to make sure all visitors have obtained travel insurance.
Several travel insurance providers won’t cover you if you’re at a high altitude when you travel to places like Nepal. This means that high-altitude travellers need to take extra precautions by purchasing appropriate insurance.
It’s worth noting that while some countries have dropped their COVID-19 admission criteria, others have not. Be sure you have the correct documentation for entry into your chosen country by checking their entry requirements beforehand.
7. Safety Devices
While going somewhere unfamiliar, it’s a good idea to bring along some form of personal protection, such pepper spray or a keychain alarm.
Keychain alarms are lanyard-mounted, lightweight, and compliant with all Airport regulations. These alarms can be easily separated with a tug and sound off at a very loud volume.
If the size of your pepper spray is less than 100ml, you can put it in your checked bag. A can of pepper spray is a fantastic way to protect oneself from harm while remaining at a safe distance.
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8. Utilise useful Maps and Apps
If your phone ever stops working or if you travel to a country where a different mapping programme is utilised, having a backup plan for figuring out where you need to go is invaluable.
It may seem archaic to learn how to read a map, but being able to do so can save your life in a pinch. It is not necessary to be familiar with navigational jargon in order to use a map.
You may easily navigate around unfamiliar territory by learning to recognise familiar landmarks and the approximate direction in which they are located. In the event that you misplace your phone or find yourself in an area without service, having a map on hand will help you find your way back to familiar ground.
Some nations’ primary mapping systems differ from others’. Waze is the primary navigational tool for many people in countries like Costa Rica that don’t utilise street addresses. NAVITIME and Google Maps are extremely popular in other nations like Japan.
Before departing, make sure you have access to the most popular online mapping service in your target country.
Make use of Google Maps even without cellular service by downloading offline maps in advance, that way if you lose signal you can still view the map of the city you are in.
9. Print Copies, Photocopy or scan key documents
Typically, I will carry a photocopy of the identification page from my passport, because if you lose your passport you can quickly get a replacement sent if needed. This, along with my travel insurance documents, have been scanned and are available for download through email or Cloud storage.
It is also best to have printouts of any documents you might need, as well as the ones on your phone or device.
10. Never tell strangers that you are travelling alone
If you overshare with strangers, you risk becoming a target. Strangers have repeatedly asked me over the years and in a variety of settings if I am alone on my travels.
I’ve told them that I’ll be meeting my friend/partner later. Even while I’d like to believe that the vast majority of these questions have had honest answers, I figure it’s best to play it safe.
The hotel staff might be especially helpful if they know you are travelling alone. Smaller hotels, in particular, are more likely to keep an eye on you and provide you tips on how to stay safe.
Female solo travellers should wear a ring on their finger if they want to avoid being hassled.
Other safety tips
- Be slow to trust people
- Go easy on the booze
- Learn basic words for the country you are visiting
- Arrive at your destination during the day where possible
- Avoid going out at night
- Stay confident
Final Thoughts
Finally, when exploring on your own, go with your gut. If you have a bad feeling about anything, it’s probably not good. Don’t be reluctant to alter your course or ask for assistance if you feel you need it.
These tried-and-true suggestions will help you avoid danger on your solo travels without sacrificing any of the fun. Keep in mind that exploring the world on your own can be an enriching and formative experience, but safety should always come first.
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