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As a solo traveler who has explored 29 countries, I completely understand how nerve-wracking it can be to start traveling on your own! It’s important to know how to prioritize your safety while still enjoying the thrill and adventure of solo travel. During my time on the road, I’ve learned valuable lessons that will help others who are planning to embark on their solo trips! No matter your budget, there are multiple ways to make your solo trip not only memorable, but safe. In this article, I’ll share my top 10 solo travel tips to help you make the most of your time on the road.
One of the most important things to consider before you head off on your solo journey is to thoroughly research your chosen destination. It’s incredibly important to understand the culture, customs, and laws of the countries that you’ll be visiting. Countries vary vastly in terms of what is culturally appropriate, and this is especially important if you are a woman, or part of the LGBTQ+ community. As a person of a minority group (or oppressed group) in another country, it’s crucial to be aware of potential safety concerns, and to take appropriate precautions.
When it comes to solo travel, it’s really important to choose a destination that is within your level of comfort. I highly encourage you to do your research before choosing a country, and decide if you feel it is safe for you to visit. All countries have risks – don’t let this prevent you from traveling! Some countries have higher risk for certain demographics than others – just make sure you’re going somewhere you’ll feel safe.
Our top 10 tips for first-time solo travelers:
- Research your destination ahead of time to understand any cultural or social norms that may impact your safety.
There may be cultural norms that are different than your home country’s. Some countries are not LGBTQ+ friendly, some don’t allow women to partake in certain activities. It’s important to know what is culturally acceptable, and what you are personally comfortable with before heading to your destination. - Dress appropriately for the local culture and avoid drawing unwanted attention to yourself.
You may be expected to dress differently than what you’re used to in other countries. Look up cultural norms of your chosen destination so there are no surprises. - Avoid walking alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas or poorly lit areas.
Always make sure you’re with someone for your first time walking at night, and get a lay of the land during the day so you know where you are, even when it’s dark. - Stay in accommodation with good reviews, and good security measures and try to avoid staying in ground floor rooms or rooms with windows facing dark alleys or streets.
Hostels may not always have locks on the doors to shared rooms! Although this isn’t initially a major reason for concern, it might be worth checking what safety or security measures they have in place for after hours entrances. - Use reputable transportation services and avoid hitchhiking or accepting rides from strangers.
If you’re getting in a taxi, always ensure it’s a licensed taxi with a reputable number. “Taxis” will often wait outside airports, train stations, and other major travel destinations to try and scam unsuspecting tourists. In Asia, your best bet is to use 12Go, or hire a local Tuk-Tuk to avoid scams. - Be cautious when using dating apps or meeting people online and always meet in a public place.
As always, have fun, but be safe! If you’re planning on meeting up with people, make sure you do so in a public place. - Keep your valuables hidden and secure, and carry only what you need for the day in a cross-body bag or even a money belt.
This will depend greatly on where you are – in Brazil, you’ll want a money belt to keep everything hidden, but in Indonesia, you’re okay to walk around with a bag – just make sure to keep an eye on it! Again, it’s important to research your destination and know what to expect before you arrive. - Always trust your instincts – if a situation or person feels unsafe, remove yourself from the situation immediately.
Trust your gut. Your intuition knows more than it gets credit for. - Stay connected with family and friends back home and let them know your itinerary and when you plan to check in with them.
Having someone who knows your travel plans and itinerary is a preventative measure in the very unlikely event that something did go wrong – they’ll know who you were with, where you were, and what your plans were. - Learn some basic self-defense techniques and carry a personal safety device, such as pepper spray or a loud alarm
Just in case, it’s always good to know a bit of self-defense, or have a personal safety device.
Making the decision to solo travel changed my life!
Although solo travel can seem daunting at first, it’s an incredible opportunity to take risks, get out of your comfort zone, and learn to love spending time with yourself. Solo travel helped me discover myself in ways I could’ve never imagined, and it allowed me to meet some of my best friends!
When I was volunteering in Northern Italy, I was traveling solo, and I formed an incredible community of friends. One of those friends ended up traveling with me for almost four months (hi, Annelise!) and another joined me in a 6-week adventure around Southeast Asia (hi, Fran!). It’s not unlikely to meet other travelers who don’t have plans, and to form plans together. Stay open to the possibilities that exist within each interaction.
And remember, always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust yourself and remove yourself from any situation that feels unsafe.
On a final note, have a blast! Traveling alone is an incredible opportunity to understand yourself better, dive into new cultures, and meet incredible people along the way. Stay open to the possibilities that lie ahead, challenge yourself, and book your first solo trip (or 100th)!