Solo Travel Mistakes to Avoid

Published August 17, 2011 | By solotraveler

This is my hotel in Havana. Nice! But when I arrived at night the doors were closed and it was unlit. Plus, being on a pedestrian mall, my taxi couldn't drop me at the door.

Traveling alone leaves less room for error. A solo traveler doesn’t have a back-up person. Two sets of eyes and double the instinct are not operating as you navigate a new city or country. Most of the time this is just fine as long as you avoid making some basic mistakes.

Solo Travel Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Don’t leave the public sphere with new acquaintances.

My number one safety rule is “stay in a public”. Read why in: Caught in a Con Game in Paris. The social contract that keeps most of us playing nicely is enforced by people watching. Therefore, simply by staying in a public place you are protected. If you go into a private space with someone you don’t know well, there are no longer people watching and protecting you. Public is safer than private.

2. Don’t arrive in a new location after dark.

A new city always looks more challenging in the dark than in daylight – especially as a solo traveler. Arrive early in the day at a new location so that you can check out your accommodation to ensure that you are happy with it and it’s location. If you’re not, you’ll have time to change the situation.

Unless you in the fashion biz, packing too much is the sign of a travel rookie.

3. Don’t pack too much.

Dragging around a large suitcase, or worse, more than one suitcase is a hassle, expensive (you may spend a lot tipping people to carry it for you) and not particularly safe – you don’t look like a seasoned traveler and therefore you may be more of a target. Solo travelers don’t need this extra attention. Trim down your packing to one carry-on or a reasonably sized backpack to enjoy more freedom and ease when traveling. Read: Hiking Boots to High Heels in 1 Carry-on: Here’s Your Packing List

4. Don’t rush into a new city.

It’s important to take time as a solo traveler – to take time and relax into a new location so that you can enjoy what it has to offer. The goal is to work the city as a local, to blend in as much as possible so that you are safe at all times. Start by sitting back and watching. Take in lunch on a park bench. Spend the afternoon in a coffee shop. Pick up a few groceries if just to get the local shopping bag. Take your time and ease into the city.

5. Don’t leave without travel insurance

Things can happen when you travel. Inconvenient things and, sometimes, terrible things. That’s why having travel insurance is a good idea. Travel insurance can cover cancellations, delayed departures, personal articles, medical emergencies, accidents and more. There are usually multiple options so review your purchase carefully. Any situation where you need the insurance will likely be stressful and, as a solo traveler, you have no one advocating for you. It’s best to keep a copy of your insurance on you as well as in your luggage and always keep it in the same two places on every trip.

6. Don’t travel without a reliable credit card.

Bank machines are everywhere in the world now but, what if a machine won’t accept your card? I had this situation in Jordan. I had three debit cards from two different banks and none would work. Thank goodness I had my VISA card. (This is NOT a promo for VISA though I do recommend carrying one because it is so widely accepted.) If possible, just pay with your card. In my situation I needed cash so I got a cash advance. Cash advances are a last resort because of the way interest is charged on them but sometimes they are a necessity.

7. Don’t travel completely alone.

It’s good to know that you have backup if you need it. Carry a cell phone with your emergency contact numbers and the local emergency numbers programmed in. Also carry a piece of paper with information on where you’re staying written in the language of the country you’re in. Depending on where you are and how long you’re staying, you may also want the number of your consulate or embassy with you. Know how to get in touch with the help you need should you need it.

First Time Solo

What's Your Solo Travel Narrative?

Solo Travel Destination: St. Petersburg, Russia

Posted in Solo travel safety

Grammietravels

Last week I was in Paris, and for the two weeks prior, I had been in the UK. My USA debit card was no problem until I was in Paris and there I ran into problems since my card didn’t have the new pin system. I withdrew cash to help the situation. But just wanted to share that I when paying for lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant, when my card wouldn’t work, the owner put my card into a plastic bag, smoothed it down, ran it through the machine again and, Voila! It worked.
JR – the Worldtraveller

Very good Article. I am a solo traveller myself. And yes I agree you can travel alone but still be in touch with people. More less it makes you more open to the community.
Check my thoughts at my site
http://www.excitingworldtravels.com
and leave me a kind comment
http://www.facebook.com/brendon.knight.75 Brendon Knight

I was in the Netherlands 3 months ago and had no problems with my VISA card.I bought train tickets and also got cash from atms.
Pingback: » Travel Carousel (II) Travel on a Budget
Pingback: How to Travel Safe and Fun
http://solotravelerblog.com Janice Waugh

Thanks Jitka. Yes, having more than one card is a really good idea. I didn’t know the the Netherlands don’t accept Visa often.
Jitka Kuratko

6. Well I thought so and that’s why I chose a “reliable card”. BIG problem if you don’t have Maestro card or Master card in the Netherlands!!! VISA’s are useless there especially when you want to buy tickets for a train.
Pingback: Partir seule: la meilleure décision de ma vie | Taxi-brousse
Pingback: Even if You Go Solo, You are Not Alone « simply three cents
Rafael

Great tips! Just found your blog and has valuable advices for all kinds of solo travellers. Congrats!
http://www.facebook.com/fiala.l Fiala L

I never get travel insurance but it’s probably a good idea. It could give some people peace of mind.
Banana Adventure Tours

Great advice. The most important! do not leave the public sphere with new acquintances!!! http://www.bananaadventuretours.com
Angela

I live in Toronto and I have started registering with the Canadian Government whenever I travel. On the form they ask for the name of two friends, your destination, etc. I put down my two Power of Attorney’s names. They also ask for your travel insurance numbers. I have two, so I put them down. One covers my medical, etc., from work. In this way, I feel that the Canadian Governent knows my movements, where I am staying, how long I am going to be away. If anything happens, they would know exactly what to do.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=619793302 Zaina Brown

Wow! I follow NONE of these rules it’s good advice though..
Ronin Abhi

i would suggest keep a scanned copy of your passport , travel insurance and visa on your email , that way you can access it , plus also check which sort of mobile operators support in the area your going, mostly Gsm is there but Cdma is also used at some places. I also carry my ID in which it has my blood group details and allergies details you know just in case. i may sound over cautious but it helps, one my friends is allergic to peanuts and he ate some food in which they had peanuts , he couldnt speak due to swelling but he showed them his allergic to information card and received immediate treatment.
Solo traveller since 2005 kudos to Janice
Junemoonchild63

I wish I would have done #4 on my first solo trip but will make sure to do so subsequent trips.
http://www.architecturetravelwriter.com/ Nichole L. Reber

Indeed having a photocopy of your passport is key. That’s what helped me secure a replacement visa when my purse, money, iPhone, and passport were stolen in India. Also, were it not for staying at the same guest house for an extended time and having made instant friends there, who knows how I would have secured lodging.
Cheers to all solo travelers.
@NicholeLReber:twitter
http://www.architecturetravelwriter.com/ Nichole L. Reber

Concur! Once while waiting for a friend in mid-morning outside an in-city Mumbai train station, I noticed three men talking clandestinely to themselves and giving me furtive glances. For the first couple of times I thought it was just Indians starting at my gori (white) skin. Then they made their way closer to me. This time they were keeping a watch out to the side. Fortunately they weren’t watching anything else closely. A occupied police truck was parked not 20 feet to my right. I looked back and forth between it and the men before the men finally saw what I was looking at. Immediately, they turned back and left me in peace. That was a scary moment.
@NicholeLReber:disqus
http://florine-foulon-portfolio.weebly.com/ Flotravel

Another hard way to learn the lesson is when you realize that you need to seat on your luggage to zip it!
Travel_and_Escape_Community

Traveling solo can be such a wonderful experience. Sometimes journey’s are meant to take alone rather than with a partner. For example, the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain is said to be most enjoyable when done alone: http://www.travelandescape.ca/2012/05/alone-on-the-camino-de-santiago/

These are great tips! Thank you for sharing.
Bikebloke

Learn to listen to your intuition. Whether it be an area of a city you’re exploring (if you like to go walkabout, like me) or with someone you meet.
Samadhi67

All points well noted! thanks
Summi S

Very useful post for solo travelers. Having traveled solo I find every point listed here is true!
solotraveler

Yes, confidence is a very big factor in being safe. I have a post on that in the archives. I’ll bring it forward on Facebook tomorrow.
VacayGirl

Very good blog on solo travel indeed. I just recently took a solo trip to Cabo and I feel exuding confidence is helpful too. And with that I mean walk with your head up and not down staring at your feet or acting nervous. Perception is key when traveling alone and you want surrounding people to believe that you aren’t a frightened tourist but a confident tourist. They might even be under the impression that you live there.
http://solomatetravel.com/ SoloMate Travel

This is a fantastic article with some really great advice for traveling solo. In addition to the tips you have, I would also make sure to read up on the area’s local customs and mannerisms so that you don’t offend any locals while you are traveling. For example, it may be disrespectful to look directly in someone’s eyes or to wear a sleeveless shirt inside a church. These are good things to learn before you visit so that you don’t do anything to compromise your safety.
Pingback: Slinking Toward Retirement | Five joys of traveling solo – CNN.com | News, Travel, Opinion and Just Odd and Funny Things...
Dan

if anyone ever pulls a knife on you, toss your money/purse/wallet at the feet of the assailant then run like hell. never hand it to them. the thief will be more interested in the loot than grabbing you which will give you time to get away
Pingback: 5 joys of traveling solo | Bussiness Tree
Pingback: 5 joys of traveling solo
Pingback: 5 joys of traveling solo | 9BreakingNews.com
Pingback: Travel | Ripple's Web » 5 joys of traveling solo
Pingback: 5 joys of traveling solo « traveling
Pingback: Five joys of traveling solo « traveling
Pingback: Five joys of traveling solo |
Pingback: Moneymentos » Blog Archive » 5 joys of traveling solo » Moneymentos
Pingback: Top 10 Travel blogs in August
Pingback: Expert Safety Tips for Solo Travelers | Inside the Mist
solotraveler

Good for you! Less is definitely more on the road.
Thetravellingfool

#6 is always a must I would also suggest contacting your credit card company and telling them where you will be traveling so they don’t deny the cash advance or purchase thinking the card is being misused.
http://nomadicsamuel.com Nomadic Samuel

Point 3 really resonates with me. I remember on my first backpacking trip feeling I needed to take everything with me – especially WAY too many toiletries. Now I’m a minimalist.
http://twitter.com/latinAbroad Maria Alexandra

As a solo traveler myself, I believe this article speaks truth. Great post!
http://whywelovegreen.blogspot.com Christine at Why We Love Green

Thanks for the advice! It’s always important to stay safe when you’re traveling! –Christine at http://whywelovegreen.blogspot.com, visiting from Triberr
ruth kozak

Very good advice from a long-time solo traveler.
http://www.fangirlconfessions.com Robin Burks

I would like to add that most airlines now offer travel insurance through a third party when you purchase your airfare, and as you said, it is inexpensive. Definitely worth it to have peace of mind to know you’re covered in the event of an unforeseen circumstance!

I would also add registering your trip with the US Embassy and emailing a copy of your passport to yourself (as well as having a copy on you).
http://twitter.com/travelphant Travelphant

Great article on solo travel and mistakes to avoid – point 5 is critical. Do not under estimate the value of travel insurance. Sadly I had a friend who tragically died out in Spain in a moped accident and did not have travel insurance. It cost his parents thousands of pounds to have his body flown back, they had to remortgage their house. Depressing story I know…but just don’t want anyone else to make that same mistake. The cost of travel insurance is cheap nowadays and i’m glad you linked to the Post Office as they are one of the best providers. Keep up the great work with your site, keep safe

Solo Travel Mistakes to Avoid

Solo Travel Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Don’t leave the public sphere with new acquaintances.

2. Don’t arrive in a new location after dark.

3. Don’t pack too much.

4. Don’t rush into a new city.

5. Don’t leave without travel insurance

6. Don’t travel without a reliable credit card.

7. Don’t travel completely alone.

Related posts:

Search Solo Traveler

About Janice Waugh and Tracey Nesbitt

Get the Solo Traveler Newsletter…

Subscribe Now!

As Seen In…

2nd edition of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook

Follow Solo Traveler

Popular Posts

Archives

RESULTS MAY VARY (The disclaimer.)