It requires tenacity and an open mind to travel alone. Solo travel is something that everyone should experience at least once. It’s natural to be worried or uncomfortable traveling alone, especially if you’re going to a foreign place where you may know no one. Fortunately, there are a few practical strategies to keep yourself secure while traveling alone. Here are tips to help you feel more at ease while traveling alone:
Things To Know Before Traveling Alone
Packing
Think about how long you intend to remain away from home. Knowing how many days you’ll be exploring saves you time and space because you’ll only need to pack a few bags with days’ worth of clothes and other essentials. When planning a solo trip, packing small is the ideal option because you can only carry so much on your own. Investing in a durable yet comfortable travel backpack and carry-on bag will save you a lot of headaches and stress from worrying about lugging around a lot of gear.
Emergency Situation
In an ideal world, you’ll never have to cope with a medical emergency, an accident, or a robbery while traveling. However, knowing where to go in an awful situation is prudent before traveling, research surrounding hospitals, police stations, and other emergency services. Learn emergency phrases in the local language if you’re traveling internationally so you can ask for assistance if you need it.
Safeguard Your Belongings
When a traveler is alone, they are responsible for his belongings. As a result, it is critical for the solitary traveler to take the best possible care of his goods. It is recommended to keep all of your things in one bag, including your passport, wallet, camera, phone, and cash, and that you take special care of it.
Keep Duplicates Of Documents
Keeping your passport, visa, health documents, vaccines, travel itinerary, bookings, e-tickets, and credit card information in a secure location is a good idea. If your credit card is lost (and you know it isn’t stolen, as in you dropped it in the middle of the ocean or left it behind and it is being kept secure), you can make travel reservations online until you can acquire a new card.
Keep Cash Handy
Even though credit cards are routinely accepted these days, you don’t want to be caught without cash while you’re alone. While the actual amount depends on your comfort level, it’s a good idea to distribute your money across your luggage’s many compartments. Consider getting a money belt to keep your cash and important documents safe while you’re out and about.
Never Trust Blindly
As your journey progresses, you will meet an increasing number of people. Some of you may find it enjoyable and want to do it again. There’s nothing wrong with this other than that you shouldn’t trust anyone right away. Many people steal items or cause trouble under the guise of friendship, so it’s best to wait until you’ve let your guard down a little.
Safety
Another obvious travel tip is to remain aware of your surroundings. This is necessary if you are going alone or to a foreign nation. While you are abroad, sharing your location on your phone with family and friends will give both parties peace of mind. Even if you’re traveling alone, it’s good to walk in crowds or with a walking companion while in public locations. This is especially critical at night, when your vision and access to cabs or public transit may be limited.
Safety
Take Away
While choosing your destination for your first solo trip, you should do considerable research on that location because the destination can make or break your first solo trip. First and foremost, safety should be your top consideration when selecting a destination for your first solo trip, followed by your personal preferences.