Whether you’re visiting family, traveling to a business convention, or backpacking through Europe, there will inevitably come times when you need to travel alone. 5 Tips For Staying Safe When Traveling Solo
Whether it’s by car, train, or plane, solo travel can present its own unique set of challenges and dangers.
To avoid getting into trouble when on the road alone, use these five tips for staying safe when traveling solo.
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1) Have a plan
You’ll be more likely to feel safe and have a good time if you’ve done some planning before heading out. Spend a few minutes considering how far you’re willing to travel, where your comfort zone is and how much cash you want to carry on you.
How many places are you willing to visit? Have at least one backup option in mind, whether it’s a restaurant or friend’s place nearby where you can sleep if things get too uncomfortable. If possible, leave any valuable jewelry or items at home; they can make great souvenirs but they’re easily lost (or stolen).
Don’t invite trouble by walking around late at night when others may perceive that as an invitation for things to go bad.
2) Set boundaries
Most of us like to think we’re a take charge sort of person. But when you’re traveling solo, there’s no one else but you to make sure you get where you need to go and that your wallet stays where it should be. To keep yourself safe from pickpockets and thieves, set up boundaries.
Inform your family and friends about your itinerary; let them know when and how often they can expect to hear from you.
3) Avoid Getting Lost in Space and Time
One of the most obvious ways to get lost is to forget what time it is or how long you’ve been walking. Before leaving for your trip, memorize a few key times, like when sunset occurs during that time of year and how long it takes to walk between different places.
Write them down if you have to—just make sure you stick them in your pocket or somewhere they won’t get lost.
And don’t rely on your phone as a timepiece—devices with GPS are great until they run out of battery, which can be an unfortunate situation if there isn’t an outlet nearby.
4) Trust Your Gut
If you’re traveling solo, it can be easy to convince yourself that nothing bad will happen to you. However, staying alert and trusting your gut is paramount. If something doesn’t feel right—even if it isn’t explicitly dangerous—move on to a different location or just take a different route home.
Your inner voice will keep you safe. And don’t forget: your hotel room or Airbnb could be compromised by criminals who look for opportunity in new places.
You might not know anyone in town, but try to find other people to travel with; even a stranger can help you stay safe!
5) Use Technology Wisely
Travelling solo can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of risks. If you plan to travel alone, make sure that you protect yourself by downloading a few helpful travel apps and researching common scams in your destination city.
And don’t forget to give your friends and family regular updates about your trip—it’s easy to get caught up exploring new places and not think about safety for a minute.
Checking in every so often helps keep everyone at home aware of where you are and what you’re doing, which can be very useful in case of an emergency.