How to Stay Safe While You Enjoy Your Solo Vacation

Traveling the world on your own is an empowering experience. Knowing that you’re ultimately responsible for getting yourself from point A to point B is a great reminder of just how capable you are. It’s also enjoyable, as you don’t have to worry about anyone else’s dietary choices, places they want to go, what time they want to go to bed, and more.

While there’s certainly nothing wrong with traveling with another person, there are plenty of benefits associated with taking off on your own and seeing the places that you’ve always wanted to see.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to solo travel. Since you’re responsible for yourself, it’s important that you know how to keep yourself safe. Fortunately, we have some solo travel tips that will help you stay safe while you enjoy your trip on your own terms.

Research Your Destination

Before you set off on your solo trip, you should spend some time researching some possible destinations. Unfortunately, you may need to avoid some places for the sake of your own safety.

However, that principle doesn’t only apply to international travel, as there are places in the United States where it’s not always safe for someone to be alone in an unfamiliar area.

This not only ensures that you’re keeping yourself physically safe, but it’s also a good idea to look for areas that are prone to locals who look for ways to scam tourists.

When you’re alone, you’re automatically a more desirable target for these scams, so knowing what sort of tricks people use and where you can go to avoid them is a great idea.

Finally, it’s a good idea to spend some time researching local customs and traditions. This is a good idea anytime you’ll be visiting a foreign land, but is even more important when you’re on your own. If you do something that locals consider disrespectful, you may find yourself in a bad situation.

Even worse, if you unknowingly do something that’s illegal, being completely alone in a foreign country is a terrifying and dangerous experience.

Finally, it’s a good idea to spend some time learning the primary language that’s spoken in the area (or areas) that you’ll be traveling to. While you certainly don’t need to become fluent, knowing a few phrases can help keep you safe.

Ultimately, the best way to keep yourself safe is to be informed. Putting in some work to research possible destinations and choosing the one that will be the safest for you is the most important step that you can take to be safe while traveling solo.

Plan Your Itinerary

Once you decide where you’re going to go on your solo trip, put together a plan that covers when you’ll go see some sights that you’ve been wanting to visit for a while. While you don’t have to plan every detail of your trip, it’s a good idea to go into it with a plan.

This becomes incredibly important if you use public transportation when visiting another country. Speaking of that, try to use trains or buses to get from one place to another.

If you do use a cab, try to do some research on cab companies in the area, and choose one that’s reviewed favorably online.

Unfortunately, using rideshare platforms in other countries, especially if you’re not familiar with the language, can be a recipe for disaster.

Having an itinerary in place is not only important because it lets you plan the best way to get from one place to another, but also because sharing your plans with others is our next tip for traveling solo.

Share Your Plans

Even though you’re going to be traveling on your own, it’s a good idea to let others know as much about your plans as possible.

While you don’t need to tell them the coffee shop that you’re going to visit each morning, giving them a general outline of where you’ll be going and when you plan on going to those places is a great plan.

In the same way that you shouldn’t hike into the mountains without letting someone know what trail you’re going to be on and when they can expect you to be back, it’s a bad idea to go to other countries without anyone knowing where you’ll be going.

Sharing where you’ll be staying and what days you plan on touring your destination allows you to have someone back home who has at least a general idea of where you’re at.

Stay Connected

Just because you’re traveling solo doesn’t mean that you need to sever connection to people back home. Fortunately, in our modern world, it’s easier than ever to stay connected around the clock.

Something as simple as a text every 60-90 minutes to someone back home letting them know that you’re OK is a great way to keep yourself safe.

Regular phone calls or video chats with people who know where you’re supposed to be and when you plan on being back in your room can ensure that there’s someone to alert others if something goes wrong.

We have access to more technology that keeps us connected than we’ve ever had before. While traveling alone is a great chance to spread your wings a bit and embrace your own independence, it doesn’t mean that you need to disconnect from the people who love you.

Stay Aware

When you’re traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to stay aware and trust your instincts. Through evolutionary processes, humans have the ability to recognize trouble, even before it makes itself apparent.

While no one wants to think about the worst-case scenarios unfolding when they’re on a trip on their own, being aware is a powerful way to keep yourself safe.

For instance, if you feel like someone is following you, try to get into a public, crowded place. Spend some time there and see if it looks like someone there is monitoring your movements.

It’s an absolute nightmare to consider, but terrible things happen to tourists around the globe every year. Being aware of your surroundings at all times and getting yourself out of situations where you’re completely isolated is crucial.

If you have reason to believe that you're in danger, get back to where you’re staying as quickly as possible.

Choose Accommodations Carefully

Finally, choose your accommodations carefully when traveling alone. Try to avoid staying in places that are isolated.

Also, spend some time reading reviews of places before booking a stay there. Researching hotels, motels, hostels, or other accommodations in your destination city.

If possible, look for reviews from people who traveled alone. Find a place that has good security and is close to busy areas of the city that you’ll be visiting.

Tips for Traveling Solo

Traveling alone is a wonderful opportunity to see the world at your own pace and according to your own terms.

However, nothing matters more than getting home safely when your trip is over. By implementing these tips and taking the extra steps to keep yourself safe while you’re traveling abroad, you can explore the world in a brand-new way.

Enjoy your trip, embrace local culture, and have safe travels!