Travelling alone can be a rewarding and empowering experience but its important to prioritize your safety. Staying safe while traveling alone involves a mix of preparation and awareness. The more you understand where you’re going, the better you can plan to stay safe. Here are some tips to help solo travelers to stay secure on their journeys:
1. Research Your Destination
Before you even travel, make sure you make a thorough research on where you’re going. Make sure you understand the culture, the common scams and the areas to totally avoid. Having basic knowledge about the local customs will help you blend in and avoid unwanted attention.
2. Stay Connected: Share Your Itinerary
Share your plans with someone you can trust. Let your friends and family know your travel plans. Give them copies of your:
Emergency contacts.
Detailed itinerary, including accommodation contacts
Passport
Visas
Travel insurance policy
Plan regular check-ins with people back home. Tell your family and friends when you may be out of contact, so they don’t worry.
3.Keep Valuables Secure
Use a money belt or anti-theft backpack or even hidden pouches to store essential items and avoid displaying expensive valuables. Avoid flaunting expensive gadgets, jewelry, or large sums of money.
4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Stay alert, especially in crowded places, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, no matter how slight it may seems, trust your guts. Its better to leave a situation you can avoid than to risk your safety. Don’t hesitate to change plans or seek help.
5. Use Reputable Transportation
You should opt for trusted taxis or rideshare services rather than hailing a cab off the street. Only use official, licensed and reputable taxis. Refuse drivers that approach you uninvited. Be cautious on crowded public transport. Keep a close hold of your valuables and stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid overnight travel on public transport or choose a seat that offers some protection. You’re vulnerable to theft or assault when you’re asleep. Never hitchhike. Hitchhiking is not safe in any country.
6. Choose Accommodations Wisely: Plan your accommodation
Stay in well-reviewed places with good security. Look into local accommodation options. Research your choices on review sites to see if travelers raise any safety issues. Booking your accommodation ahead of time is the safest option. But if you want to keep your plans flexible, shortlist safe options and choose while you’re there. Never leave yourself in a position where you don’t have somewhere safe to stay. Avoid sharing accommodation with strangers. Couch-surfing websites and hostels are popular ways to save money. But shared accommodation can pose a risk to solo travelers, particularly women.
7. Learn the local language
Learning some key phrases in the local language can help if you’re travelling where people don’t speak English. Make a list of the most helpful phrases. Things that can be useful are:
- “do you speak English” and “I don’t understand”
- basic terms about accommodation and transport
- how to ask for essential facilities like toilets, banks or places to eat
- emergency phrases so you can ask for help, including the local words for police, doctor and hospital.
Learn how to say “no” firmly in the local language and the nonverbal gesture for no. It can help if you’re getting unwanted attention.
8. Blend In
Dress like a local and avoid looking overly touristy to reduce attention. Being inconspicuous can help you avoid drawing attention from potential pickpockets or scammers.
9. Avoid Sharing Too Much: Socialize safely
Be cautious about sharing your travel plans or personal information with strangers. Making new friends can be part of the fun of solo travel. Just use common sense and stay in control.
- Don’t advertise you’re travelling alone.
- Keep your wits about you. Be sensible with alcohol, and don’t do drugs.
- Make sure you stay in control of your transport options moving from place to place.
Be careful with holiday flings. Taking a relaxing holiday doesn’t mean you should relax your standards for safety and security.
10. Learn Basic Self-Defense
Knowing a few tricks of protecting yourself from harm isn’t a bad thing. A few self-defense techniques can assure you a sense of calmness and peace of mind. Knowing how to defend yourself in case of an emergency can increase and boost your confidence and security.
Conclusion
As much as solo travel offers incredible freedom, your safety should always come first no matter what. By staying alert, planning ahead and trusting your instincts, you have an incredible opportunity to enjoy your adventure with peace of mind as you make it memorable.
