Safe ways to travel solo
Travelling solo can be very thrilling, empowering and fun. You do not have to worry about what other people want to do and can focus on your own interests. It is also a great way to get to know yourself better, meet new people and to experience a new way of travelling. Although you may be excited, I feel that there are more pre-cautions you have to take when travelling solo, that you may not need to take if you are with another person or in a group. I have travelled alone several times now and here are some of my suggestions on safe ways to travel solo.
1) Let family/friends know where you are going and when you are home
If you have someone close to you who you talk to nearly everyday, then let them know your plans for the day. You don’t need to be in constant contact with them, but it’s a good idea to let them know what you are planning to do and when you are back at your accommodation. Whenever I travel alone, I always let my mum know when i’m home. If I feel a bit unsure about a situation, I will send my friends my location (if I have enough data).
2) Provide details on where you are staying
Similarly to the point above, provide exact details on where you are staying. The name of the accommodation, the address etc. If you are staying in an airbnb or something similar, then provide the details of the owner too.
3) Phone charger
This one might be obvious, but make sure your phone is always charged and bring a power bank wherever you go. If you are travelling, you are most likely going to be taking pictures or spending time away from your accommodation for a long period of time. Even if you have 100% on your phone when you start the day, anything can happen. If you decide to share your location with friends and family, this will also eat at your phones battery life. So, make sure your phone is charged and that you invest in a power bank to carry around.
In addition to this, have a phone case / lanyard for your phone. Breaking your phone whilst travelling is the worst. I have broken my phone multiple times and it is a major inconvenience.
4) NEVER tell anyone you are travelling alone
Sometimes you may meet people who seem friendly and you may feel like telling them that you’re travelling alone is harmless, but you never know peoples intentions. This is not to scare you, but just because someone may appear friendly and trustworthy, it does not mean they are. Usually I tell people I am visiting family or I am with friends and meeting them later.
5) Always trust your gut
If you feel uneasy about a situation, then get yourself out of it. Don’t do anything you do not feel comfortable doing, just because other people have told you to do it, or because you feel like you’re being boring if you say no. You would rather trust your gut and say no to someone or a situation instead of regretting saying yes. There are so many ways to enjoy yourself whilst travelling solo in a safe way. I think a lot of people say yes to things they may not usually say yes to, just because they’re out of their normal environment and feel like they are wasting their time if they don’t.
6) Beware of your surroundings
When you are at home, you may not be as aware of what is around you or who is around you. When travelling alone (and in general) beware of your surroundings. By this I mean pay attention to where you are in case you get lost. Most importantly, pay attention to who is around you. There are a lot of petty thefts on public transport, so make sure you hold onto your belongings and have it where you can see it all the time. You may see a lot of people wear their bags at the front of them when in busy environments. I would also suggest doing this as it is very easy to steal things out of bags and pockets.
7) Tours
If you are planning on doing activities, book tours. This could be from the accommodation you are staying in or online. If you decide to book online, make sure you read the reviews. I think tours are a great and safe way of travelling. Not only do you discover a lot more information about the place, but being in a group feels a lot more safe (for me anyway). Of course, you do not have to do this all the time, but if you are new to solo travelling and feeling a bit nervous, it is a great way to feel a bit more comfortable.
Remember that these are just tips. There are so many more ways to make sure you are safe whilst travelling alone. Please also try not to stress. Travelling is a privilege and you can meet some amazing people whilst doing it. Remember to have fun and enjoy the experience.
