Solo traveling has been on the rise in recent years. And why not? It can be freeing to travel at your own pace, seeing what you want to see, skipping what you don’t, and having unique experiences that you might not otherwise.
Traveling alone can be highly rewarding and alluring. Safety, however, is a common concern and even a reason that many people avoid booking that single-seat ticket.
If you’ve found yourself hesitating to take the leap, follow these 7 solo travel tips to ensure you’re safe and secure when it comes to how to travel solo.
1. Do Your Research
Travel safety begins before you leave home.
Research the area that you’re planning to visit before you go. Make sure you’re familiar with local safety tips, what areas you might want to avoid, and the safest areas to stay.
2. Be Vigilant
Travel hubs such as train stations and airports are the most likely place to encounter pickpockets or scammers, but it can happen anywhere. Solo travelers might be more likely to be targeted.
Pay attention to your surrounding and follow common tips to avoid being an easy target.
3. Keep Your Valuables Safe
Many accommodations have safes or lockers available for valuables. It’s a good idea to keep your passport, spare cash, and an emergency credit card in these when you go out. Just make sure to carry a photocopy of your passport’s info page on you in case you need it.
With the valuables you do carry, keep them in separate pockets on your person (not in a bag). You even might consider carrying a decoy wallet on you in the unlikely event that you get held up.
When traveling on your own, it also might not be the best time to wear your nicest jewelry or fanciest watch.
4. Be Confident
Even if you’re not sure where you’re going, try to make it look like you belong there. Walk with confidence rather than meandering along and squinting at every street sign.
Boost your confidence by checking maps ahead of time or finding a secure spot to open up Google Maps. While it isn’t advisable ever to pull a weapon on an assailant, carrying one can improve your sense of confidence. Check out what makes the best OTF knife for travel.
5. Get Travel Insurance
Whether to get insurance tends to be a significant question when it comes up. For travel, however, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
Travel insurance is often quite reasonably priced and can go a long way to covering your needs if your plans go awry. There are many sites available to help you figure out what you need and compare plans.
6. Check In Regularly
Let friends or family know what your plans are and touch base with them daily or even more often. If you can give them your itinerary in advance with lodging, flight numbers, and dates, that’s a good idea, too.
7. Trust Your Instincts
Odds are that if you feel something is off, you’re correct. Operate within your comfort zone and leave situations that don’t feel right to you, even if it might be “rude” to a friendly stranger. Your gut feeling is one of your best safety tools.
Solo Traveling With Confidence
Solo traveling is exciting and fulfilling. Follow these 7 tips and you’ll be set up to do it enjoyably and without incident. Check out some solo travel ideas and get going!
If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out the World Travel section on this site.
