21 safety tips for traveling solo

This may seem obvious, but many solo travelers have been caught off guard by not being fully aware of what they’ve booked. Do at least a basic Google search of your destination and tips for solo travelers there. That way you’ll be well-informed on arrival day!

Awareness is always important when traveling, particularly if you plan to do so alone. No one else is there to watch your stuff or be a second pair of eyes when navigating a new place. So, you’ll need to be a bit more vigilant, especially if you’re somewhere known for pickpockets or scams.

If you want to take a trip alone, that doesn’t mean you need to be the only one in the loop. Send a copy to your roommate, partner, sibling, travel-obsessed coworker, or whoever! It doesn’t need to be extremely detailed, just the dates for each location. That way, if something goes seriously wrong, friends and family members can alert necessary authorities to your location.

Similar to the above, it’s also possible to register with the State Department and Embassies and Consulates abroad. If you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), you’ll receive up-to-date safety information on your destination(s) and help the Embassy contact you during a natural disaster or other emergency.

Albeit, temporarily, as the 24/7 sharing with all your friends has gotten out of hand. However, if you’re going to be traveling solo for a few days or weeks, it could be a good idea to share your location with a few people in case something goes awry. This is also a great alternative if you forget to share your itinerary before departure.

If you plan to use Uber or another ride-share app, consider sharing the ride (or rides) with a trusted friend. That way, someone knows you’ve made it to your destination but doesn’t have your location for the entire trip.

Whether it’s a rideshare or a regular taxi, it’s a good idea not to give the exact address of where you’re staying. You never know a stranger’s intentions, and we’ve all had less-than-comfortable rides that we couldn’t wait to get out of. Thus, consider giving an address that’s just a digit or two off of your actual accommodation, if you feel comfortable walking after.

Copy your passport, I.D., confirmations, and any other important documents. Leave copies with trusted friends or family. That way, should you lose all your bags or have another unfortunate occurrence, someone has backups.

This implies that you aren’t staying alone to staff and anyone eavesdropping on your check-in. It might sound a little paranoid, but it makes you less of a target to people with less-than-kind intentions.

This is especially true on your first day when you have little to no knowledge of your destination. Try to arrive during daylight. That way, you can begin to get your bearings immediately. I always go for a walk as soon as I land somewhere to explore, get my bearings, and familiarize myself with the area.

Particularly in transit. You don’t want your wallet, visa, or other important documentation stuck in your checked bag. Similarly, if you’re on a train and need to use the bathroom, bring your purse or small bag with everything important with you.

Once you’ve checked in, use the room safe (or alternatively, luggage locks on a bag) to store your passport and other valuable but unnecessary day-to-day use items. It’s a good practice to not bring all your money or entire wallet with you. Just take a single card and some cash and leave the rest locked up.

Hopefully, you uncovered some information about local customs and dress in your pre-departure research. Depending on what’s available back home, you should try and mirror those as much as possible. This is just polite to the people whose home you’re visiting but also makes you stand out less.

Learning a few basic words and phrases in the local language is always polite. This also makes people more willing to help you, even if they don’t speak much English.

Unfortunately, every year, there are spiked beverage incidents across the US and the world. So, keep an eye on your beverage at all times while out. Also, drink less than you would back home or with friends. This will ensure you’re in a clear headspace to return to the hotel safely.

Make sure to pre-fill any prescriptions you’ll need during your trip and also take anything useful, like allergy pills. Before packing, look up what is and isn’t allowed in your destination. Always make sure everything is in original, labeled bottles with the prescription, if applicable. A small first-aid kit is a good idea, too, so you’ll have bandaids and other small materials for minor cuts and bruises.

Meeting people is one of the best parts of traveling. But that also means you’ll need to rely on initial impressions. Don’t immediately trust a new friend to watch your wallet at the beach or drive you back late. Take your time until you’re sure they can be trusted.

Particularly for women, it’s still unusual in a lot of the world to be catching flights on your own. This can lead to a lot of questioning, sometimes friendly, sometimes not by locals and fellow travelers. If something gets uncomfortable, it’s good to have a “story” in mind, whether that’s “Oh, I need to meet my husband later” to the guy who can’t take a hint or “Friends are waiting for me” as you leave the bar.

If it’s dark and the metro seems a bit scarier, splurge for a taxi. If you arrive at your accommodation, and it’s nothing like you envisioned, spend extra to change rooms or even hotels. Budget for last-minute changes when planning so you’re never stuck in a potentially less-than-safe situation.

Buy travel insurance. Even if you’re gone for just a week, it could save your life — or, at the very least, get you some shopping cash if your bag arrives later than expected.

I get it. You saved and splurged for your dream trip. Obviously, you want to share that all over social media. Just do so mindfully. Post after you’ve left a location, especially if your accounts are public. You never know who's watching stories.