I haven’t ever really had the opportunity to travel alone. I can tell you lots of things about couples traveling together, and family travel. But not a lot about solo travel. I know there area lot of people interested in the subject. So, I thought I would share these tips on safe solo travel that I got from Jean with you, with permission.
10 Tips for Safe Solo Travel
Traveling the world on your own is a really positive experience that opens you up to new cultures and people. However, it can also be pretty intimidating, especially if you’re not used to solo travel.
Beyond the practicalities of booking flights and hotels, here is a quick 10 point guide to help you keep safe during your time overseas.
Give someone your itinerary
Before you head to the airport to start your adventure, give someone you can trust, such as your parents or a partner, a copy of your travel itinerary. This is so that they know where you should be at any given time and can get in touch with you if need be.
Schedule regular phone calls
Keeping in touch with people back home (especially your mom!) is great, but never underestimate how reassuring a phone call can be. Make sure you stick to a regular day and time for a phone call, and you can tell them all about your adventures.
Don’t put all your money in one place
If you’re going out during the day, don’t take all your money with you; leave some of it behind in your hotel room. Many hotel rooms have safes, but if yours doesn’t put the money with your toiletries, because no one will think to look there.
Write your address down
When you’re out, make sure you have the name and the address of your accommodation written down. If you get lost, you can then show to taxi drivers if you get lost or if there is a language barrier.
Take your bag with you at all times
Don’t trust other people with your belongings. They’re your responsibility. Take your bag with you everywhere, even to the toilet.
Don’t pack too much
In a similar vein, it pays to pack light when you travel. You don’t have to take too much with you, and you can always buy supplies when you’re away. Too many belongings make for a heavy bag and you’ll you stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Get a selfie stick
This one might not be too popular, but if you’re travelling alone, a selfie stick can be really useful for taking pictures, especially if you’re somewhere very quiet.
Get travel insurance
It’s not just a gimmick, it can literally help save your life and let you access better medical care, if you should need it. Get health insurance. Now.
Have copies of important documents
Make copies of your passport, travel documents, bookings, everything you can. Save them on your phone or your tablet, so you don’t encounter problems later if you lose the originals.
Make friends
When you travel alone, it’s easy to make friends with the people around you, because you are travelling at your own pace. Spark up a conversation and ask for recommendations. Travel new paths.
Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy a safe and pleasurable travel adventure, and you’ll feel even more confident when you step on the plane. Travelling solo — what was all the worry about!
Images by kooklanekookla and Marco Zanferrari, used under Creative Commons license
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Yes, definitely make copies of your important documents – this is so important. When you are out there solo, you have to be your own backup plan! Still, I love going solo from time to time – so many more opportunities to be spontaneous!
Such great advice for those traveling alone. I know firsthand how scary it can be and I know it made me feel better knowing that someone at least knew my schedule besides myself.
I always share my itinerary with my husband and mother in law when I’m traveling alone (which happens 2-3 times a year). I like the idea of stashing money in my makeup bag!
These are such good ideas. I need to keep them in mind when I go overseas! I’d be quite nervous going alone.
These are really great tips, I travelled alone for the first time in my 27 years last year and this year i did it again 3 times and I feel like a pro lol. I need to remember to copy my important documents though
Great tips! I almost became a flight attendant, traveling alone would have been my career, but a last minute phone interview got me into journalism. I still would love to travel more with or without people.
These are great tips for staying safe when traveling alone. I agree with trying to pack light. It’s something I agree with, but not necessarily something I always follow! lol
I’ve done solo traveling in the past and I would say, it has many advantages. I have done some of the tips you’ve mention and I would share some of them to my friends. 🙂
These are definitely great tips for traveling solo! I traveled alone to Miami last year for business and while I was nervous at first, I LOVED it! I think everyone should take a solo trip (or two) once in their lives. Scheduling regular phone calls home definitely helped <3
This is something I would have loved to do in my 20s. Great tips.
You can never be that careful when traveling alone. Those are some great tips. Thanks for sharing them.
I would be nervous traveling alone, but these are good things to consider to make it a much safer adventure!
I think this is such an important post! You can become so excited about a trip and forget about your safety. We live in such a crazy world that it can dangerous if we don’t let others know what our plans are. I think this is such a great post with a lot of valuable information.
I haven’t tried travelling alone, except in some short trips. It is important to be mindful of your belongings, especially your money as you enjoy the trip 🙂
These are great tips to keep safe when traveling alone. I’m not sure I could ever do it.
Be cautious with all strangers even friendly ones.
Traveling alone would be cool but also scary! I love these safety tips! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My aunt has been traveling the country alone for years. She loves it! I don’t think I would so much.
Its so important to do these things to keep safe. Otherwise something bad could happen to you and no one would ever know!