Staying Safe on Solo Travels

How to Stay Safe on Solo Travels

It's quite normal to feel worried or uncomfortable about traveling alone, especially in a foreign country where you may not know anyone.

However, solo travel has several advantages, such as the freedom to explore new locations and not having to keep up with others' schedules. Plus, you have time to enjoy everything at your destination, all by yourself.

Solo travel can be rewarding, but it requires extra safety precautions. We have compiled a guide with tips on how to stay safe on solo travels.

Planning your trip

Destination research

Knowing where you're going helps you plan your trip safely. Research the destination that you are planning your trip to and read the travel tips.

Discover whether there are neighbourhoods in your destination that you should try to avoid. Determine the safest routes and best public transit. This might help you to choose the safest hotels to stay at.

Accommodation

When you book your accommodation first check traveller reviews. It is always a safe option to book your hotel ahead of time. Never arrive at your destination and start looking for accommodation then. Rather shortlist safe possibilities and book ahead. Never be without a safe place to stay.

Try and reserve a room above ground floor but near the entrance and hotel facilities.

Avoid staying or sharing with strangers. Hostels are a popular budget option, but shared housing can be dangerous for solo travellers, especially women.

Transport

When booking your flights try to arrive at your destination during the day. It's less stressful and a much safer option. Pre-arrange your airport transportation.

Examine the security of the nearby public transportation systems. This information might be included in the travel advisory for your trip. Travel forums and guidebooks can also provide helpful guidance.

Inform someone about your plans.

It is very important that your family or a friend knows about your travelling plans. Provide a relative or friend back home with your trip schedule, hotel reservation information, and specifics on any activities you have planned. It is a good idea to give them copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance and emergency contacts.

Set up routine check-ins with family members back home. Notify your loved ones when you might not be in contact so they won't be concerned if they can’t reach you.

In order to maintain some level of connectivity with friends, family, or job when traveling solo, find out from your smartphone carrier what features will be needed where you are going. When connected to Wi-Fi, checking in via social media or email is also effective.

Additionally, before going on any solo adventures, inform the hotel personnel of your plans and your anticipated return time.

Have an emergency plan

Planning ahead can save you a lot of trouble when things go wrong. Research the travel safety tips of your destination, what dangers to expect and how to handle them.

Be sure to save the necessary emergency contacts on your mobile phone and print a list as well in case your mobile fails.

When traveling, you hope to avoid medical issues, accidents, and robberies. However, knowing where to turn in an emergency is wise. Before traveling, research local hospitals, police stations, and other emergency facilities. Learn local emergency phrases to use in case of an emergency when traveling abroad.

Check your inoculations with your doctor or travel clinic before leaving. Include prescription medications, hand sanitizer, and insect repellent when packing. To avoid travel-related diseases, investigate the safety of drinking water and fresh food.

Travel Insurance

Protect yourself and your vacation investment from unforeseen circumstances. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance covers weather, natural disasters, some illnesses, and other losses. Some travel insurance coverage can cover medical, evacuation, baggage delay, theft, and other damages.

On your travels

Safety at your accommodation

When you check in at your accommodation, ask to see the room before you take it. Check if there is a peephole in the door as well as a chain lock. Also check if there is a telephone and if it works.

After checking in, lock your door with the security chain and don't answer until you are sure it is either hotel staff or visitors you expect. If you were out, return with caution and if you find your door unlocked, don’t go in but contact reception or the police immediately. Don’t be a hero!

Where you are staying is personal information, so don’t share it with strangers.

Transport

It’s important to stay alert and keep your belongings close when using any kind of public transport.

If you must take public transportation at night, find a seat that provides some kind of protection. If you fall asleep, you're vulnerable to attack or theft.

Call only official, licensed, and trustworthy cabs and rather decline an unsolicited driver's approach.

On overcrowded public transportation, exercise caution. Maintain vigilance and a tight grip on all your valuables.

And don’t hitchhike!

When you leave the hotel

Tourists are spotted from afar so avoid looking like a tourist. Rather try to follow how the locals dress and behave.

Walk with confidence and don’t carry a lot of cash with you. Leave your important documents and passport at the hotel, preferable in the safe. Bring only what you need when you leave the hotel, such as your mobile, a copy of your passport and ID and your credit card.

Avoid wandering around isolated areas, especially at night. Being solo can attract scammers so overly nice or unwelcome visitors should be avoided. Stay public if strangers approach. Don’t let them isolate you. If you feel unsafe, shout or make a scene.

Before you leave the hotel, ask your tour guide or accommodation manager for local safety tips.

eSim

Make use of eSim technology to stay connected to family and friends. This makes switching between carriers so much easier. Instead of purchasing a SIM card in the country you are visiting you simply make a switch on your mobile phone by entering information from your carrier or scanning a QR code. You will be able to instantly connect with everyone back home.

KnowRoaming eSIM plans keep you and your devices seamlessly connected in more than 200 international destinations.

Socially safe

Solo travel might be fun for making new friends, but use common sense and stay in control. Don’t announce that you are traveling alone. If asked if you're traveling alone, say you're meeting a spouse, relative, or friend. Keep a watchful eye on those around you when walking or driving.

Be responsible with drinking and avoid drugs. Do not go alone with strangers. Enter a restaurant or catch up with a large group if you feel uncomfortable.