The Solo Traveler Blog

Is Solo Travel Dangerous?
20 Tips to Keep You Safe

Published April 2, 2010 | By Janice

There’s no doubt about it;  solo travel requires a bit more attention to safety than group travel.

If you’re alone, your safety is all up to you. But you can be in control. Where you choose to travel, where you stay, what you do…  all affects how safe you are.

Ultimately, solo travel need not be dangerous. At least, not if you’re smart about it. Here are some tips:

      1. Choose a destination that is appropriate for your travel experience. If this is your first solo travel adventure, go some place where you speak the language and the culture is familiar.

      2. Ensure that your accommodation is in a safe part of town. Check it out on sites like TripAdvisor.com and use Google  Maps Street View (if available) to see what the area looks like around your accommodation.

      3. When you’re out stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

      4. Trust your intuition. If it doesn’t feel right leave.

      5. Stay in public. A taxi should not be shared with a stranger as it is not truly a public place.

      6. Don’t tell strangers where you’re staying either in words or actions. Your accommodation should be your safe haven.

      7. Sleep well so that you are at your best.

      8. Stay sober.

      9. Walk with confidence. Walk like you absolutely know what you’re doing. Read the post on 10 Ways to Look Confident.

      10. Be aware of cultural differences so that you can blend in better. Try not to look like a tourist. Read 10 Tips to Avoid Culture Shock.

      11. Be polite. But don’t let being polite compromise your safety. Be rude if necessary.

      12. Don’t wear jewelery or flashy clothes/accessories that will attract attention to yourself.

      13. Hold your wallet, camera, cell phone/mobile… close to you.

      14. Keep your passport, plane ticket and extra money hidden on your body. Read: Have a back-up Plan for Your Travel Documents.

      15. Carry the address of your accommodation in the local language.

      16. Take a break once in a while and join a group or tour.

      17. If you see someone suddenly in need of help, find help for them. Don’t go to their aid alone.

      18. Always carry a map.

      19. Ensure that your cell phone will work where you’re traveling and add important phone numbers like your hotel, family numbers with country codes, your embassy… in advance.

      20. Know how to access your government’s help in case of an emergency: UK Emergency services, UK Foreign offices, US Emergency services, American offices overseas, Canadian Emergency Services, Canadian Offices Abroad


    Please add your tips in the comments…

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Posted in Solo travel safety
  • http://solotravelerblog.com Janice Waugh

    Good points about extreme weather, disasters, etc. Last year my trip to Chile was postponed because the earthquake happened just a few days before I was to leave. I could have still gone but waited 10 months. I think it was the right call.

  • http://www.saferecreation.com Maksym

    Hello, Solotraveler! Thank you for your usefull tips. It is really very important to be prepared for any dangers during travel. I just want to add one more travel safety tip. Do not forget about such sources of dangers as extreme weather, natural and man-made disasters, ecological and epidemiological problems etc. If you want to be in safety you should prepare for above mentioned dangers before travel. Learn the current state of travel places and create your own list of dangers. Thereafter prepare for dangers that may affect you during your travel. Ensure your safety and enjoy your travel!

  • http://culinaryschoolnewyorkny.com pastry chef

    Thanks for these really useful tips, I’ve been planning a solo trip for the summer and these ideas will definitely help me.

  • Pingback: Solo Travel Reasons and Resources | Brilliant Tips from BrilliantTrips.com

  • http://www.ciaosheila.com Sheila

    These are great tips! Solo travel can be a lot of fun. You just have to be smart about it :) /

  • http://www.europe-autos.com/ Europeeno

    Agree – Be polite AND learn some basic graces in the language – it has to help

  • http://delhibedandbreakfast.org Delhi Bed And BreakFast

    The wonderful thing about travel: it provides you with experiences that will remain locked forever in the scar tissue of your mind – Dave Barry. Solo travel can be a daunting experience but well-worth the effort. When women travel alone, an entire world of new opportunities opens it’s doors! Unaccompanied women travelers have the gift of being able to focus on their travel needs instead of focusing on everyone else’s.

  • http://www.awanderingsole.com Laura

    These are all great tips that I follow regularly. I also make an effort to meet other travelers along the way that would be happy to tour places together. If you stay flexible in your travel plans, you can usually join up with other people from your hostel/hotel. I’m currently meeting some retired U.S. schoolteachers who are taking me to a reserve in Jordan tomorrow that can’t be accessed by public transport. Great opportunity and unexpected!

  • http://www.baconismagic.ca ayngelina

    Number 9 is a great tip. My mindset is to always walk as if I live there rather than visiting. I find if people think I know what I’m doing they leave me alone.

  • http://www.theroamingear.wordpress.com Victoria Fenner

    .. good collection of tips. Here’s another tip I’d add .. ask the people in your social network if they know anybody in the city you’re visiting. (In these days of globalization, you’d be surprised at how vast your extended network is). And let your friends of friends know you’ll be in their city. I had a wonderful afternoon with a woman who was a friend of someone I knew .. and she gave me a good realistic appraisal of what to look out for, etc. And we had a great time. Use your network!

About Janice Waugh

I'm known as the solo traveler. I traveled solo in my twenties and I'm doing so again. Here's the backstory...Continue Reading >>

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