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Travel Safety: 50 Tips for Solo Travelers

Published May 18, 2009 | By solotraveler

Going solo requires special attention to travel safety so I added a question on safety to my solo travel survey. I received 73 responses and lots of great ideas. Here are the top 50 recommendations on how to stay  safe when going solo.
(They still apply if you’re traveling with a companion.)

Solo travel safety: before your leave.

  1. Travel safety begins with research before you leave. Knowledge protects you from the danger of misinformation, unsavory individuals or innocently wandering into an unsafe area.
  2. Choose your destination carefully. Make sure its safety level meets your personal travel safety needs.
  3. Schedule your fight to arrive during daylight hours.
  4. Study the layout of the city and its neighbourhoods – especially the area around your accommodation – before you go.
  5. Check your government’s travel sites for information on travel document requirements, travel advisories and other recommendations. UK: travel alerts. US:  Travel alerts.  Canada, travel alerts.
  6. Register with your government as a citizen traveling abroad. UK,  US , Canada

Solo travel safety: when you’re out and about.

  1. Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
  2. Trust your intuition. If it doesn’t feel right leave.
  3. Stay in public. A taxi should not be shared with a stranger as it is not truly a public place.
  4. Don’t tell strangers where you’re staying either in words or actions. Your accommodation should be your safe haven.
  5. Sleep well so that you are at your best.
  6. Stay sober.
  7. Walk with confidence – like you absolutely know what you’re doing.
  8. Be aware of cultural differences so that you can blend in better. Try not to look like a tourist.
  9. Be polite. But don’t let being polite compromise your safety.
  10. Don’t wear jewellery or flashy clothes/accessories that will attract attention to yourself.
  11. Hold your wallet, camera, cell phone/mobile… close to you.
  12. Keep your passport, plane ticket and extra money hidden on your body.
  13. Carry the address of your accommodation in the local language.
  14. Take a break once in a while and join a group or tour.
  15. If you see someone suddenly in need of help, get someone else to go their aid with you.
  16. Always carry a map.
  17. 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.

Solo travel safety: Accommodation

  1. Ask for a room on an upper floor.
  2. If you are a woman ask if there is a women only floor and get a room there if possible.
  3. Be aware of the alternative exits.
  4. When you return at night, ask for an escort to your room if you are nervous.
  5. Use the security lock.
  6. Lock important items in the room safe.
  7. When you leave your room, leave the TV and a light on if possible – put out the do not disturb sign.
  8. Check TripAdvisor.com for a review of your accommodation in case travel safety is highlighted as an issue.

Solo travel safety: Getting around

  1. Arrive during the day so you don’t have to find your way to your accommodation after dark.
  2. Study the layout of the city and its neighborhoods.
  3. Have a small map that you can refer to. Make sure the map is current
  4. Understand the city transit system, how safe it is, fares, passes and basic routes before you arrive.
  5. If you are out at night, return by taxi.
  6. Ask your hotel/hostel/guest home manager about safety.

Solo travel safety: technology

  1. Keep desirable technology out of sight as much as possible.
  2. Keep your cell phone on you.
  3. If possible, have a GPS on your phone.
  4. Pre-program numbers like your accommodation phone number, your government’s consulate office and 911 if you are in North America.

Solo travel safety: managing your money.

  1. Use debit cards to acquire money at ATMs internationally.
  2. Take out small amounts frequently rather than carrying large amounts of cash on you.
  3. Choose pre-paid debit cards rather than credit cards as they better protect your personal information.
  4. Leave credit cards for when debit cards or cash are not an option.
  5. Travelers cheques are still a good standby.
  6. Keep emergency cash hidden on your body.

Solo travel safety: luggage

  1. Use a distinctive mark on your luggage other than a name and address tag
  2. Keep your name and address inside your bag for proper identification if needed.
  3. Pack light so that you can manage your luggage yourself with ease. One carry-on will make your life much easier.

I was thrilled with the number and range of safety tips offered through the survey. Please use the comments to add more.

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Posted in Solo travel safety

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  • Lettie

    Sturdy footware is a must. Especially if you have to run or get away from something. Also with sturdy footware you walk more confidently than flimsy sandals, heels etc.

  • solotraveler

    All good points Angela. Thanks for contributing.

  • Angela

    Thanks to everyone for the tips that will be useful to me in the future.

    I would like to add the following:

    1. Don’t allow anyone into your hotel room or go to anyone’s room. Use the public lobbies, etc., for socializing

    2. Never allow any hotel staff into your room unless you have requested something to be done. If in doubt, call the front desk.

    3. Don’t accept any rides in any cars with people you have met locally. You don’t know where that ride will lead to.

    4. To prevent theft in your room by staff, keep everything that you think is really tempting under lock and key. A friend of mine just had a $200.00 new pair of sandal stolen from her room. But on the other hand, do you want to lock up even your shoes. I don’t think so. This was done at a very reputable hotel.

    5. I had money stolen from my safe because I was in a rush to meet the tour guide. I forgot the card/key on the bathroom counter – the safe was in the closet in the bathroom. Since then, I have bought a bag with a lock that is made for this purpose. So even if a person gets into the safe, they would need a key to open the bag. And if they walk away with it, they will need a sharp tool to cut all the wires that encloses it. Then for sure the hotel management would probably know who had a key to the room.

    6. Be always aware of what is going on around you and don’t think that only hotel staff steal. Some hotel guests are dishonest in many ways.

  • solotraveler

    All good tips Mark. Thank you.

  • http://www.merimbula.com.au Mark

    Fantastic advice, however, if I am arriving in a country or city where I have not been before, I always book accommodation prior to arrival. I will often select a four star just for the first night or two. This provides some confidence and it allows me to settle into surroundings without too much concern for my safety. I always catch a taxi and only carry local currency when out sightseeing. I too agree with arriving in daylight hours.

  • Robert

    Some very good tips here, thanks!
    I will be sure to pass them on to my kids and travel clients.

  • half century

    Dont put luggage tags with your name or other details such as tour operator logo, hotel destination etc on – a friend was ‘greeted’ in Lima by name and assumed the guy was her tour operator. The guy had sneaked a look at her luggage label and used it to hook her. She got in his car and only realised her error when someone else got behind her in and started rifling through her bag. Somehow she escaped this situation but it could have ended far worse.

  • elladavis

    Really useful tips. Thanks for sharing the info. Traveling to a new location, especially a new country can be a stimulating experience, especially for a solo traveler. But to be sure that it does not end up being a nightmare, one needs to plan well, and well in advance. mysafetravel.com is offered by a splendid website that provides up-to-date information on safety travel tips.

  • http://maiden-voyage-travel.com Emily @ Maiden Voyage

    Love these tips! I never thought about asking for a second-floor window or floor for women only.

    I did my first solo trip last year in Paris for 3 nights. My hotel and neighborhood felt very safe, but it got a little quiet and dark in the area at night. I wanted to go roam around and see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night since it was only a 5 minute walk away, but I felt paranoid the whole way there and back since it was so dark and not many people around. I didn’t know what to do otherwise – didn’t want to take a cab for a one to two minute drive (I had a cabbie turn me down the day before because the ride was too short). Looking back, I probably should have brought a flashlight :)

  • admin

    Fortunately, we usually learn these things in time. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://www.ouicoach.com Gwen McCauley

    Very important tips. One reason I have selected The Algarve, Portugal as the location for my women’s retreats is the safety factor. Women travelling alone, many for the first time in their lives, have lots of safety concerns and this is one of the safest places I’ve found. …safe for your physical being, safe for your ‘stuff’, safe food, safe water, safe beaches, safe roads, safe cops. I could go on.

    Thanks for addressing this hugely important subject head on.

    I remember one time in Mexico being totally stunned at how quickly things can get out of hand. Was with my 12 & 14 yr old blond & gorgeous step-daughters. We were walking down the street in broad daylight and I turned around to ask one of them a question and some guy had taken her by the hand and was drawing her away from us! Freaky. So here’s my tip, that I didn’t even think of before:

    If travelling with children, have them walk in front of you where you can watch them at all times. That trip my husband led the way, the girls followed him and I brought up the rear.

    Gwen McCauley
    http://www.ouicoach.com
    follow me at http://www.twitter.com/gwenmccauley

  • http://www.madafan.com saveoursmile

    always have your useful papers/money with your hand-luggage when travelling by plane… Some luggage doesn’t arrive when you at the airport

  • Rosalie

    Very comprehensive article; here are a couple of my tips. I love to travel and about half the time, I am solo. Along the way, I’ve learned to
    1) Always carry sunglasses – they’re good for every season and sometimes give privacy when on a long train or bus ride.
    2) Research the public restroom situation in advance of the trip; in many places like Paris, you pay to use public restrooms.
    3) Bring along added protection, such as a personal alarm that can double as a door alarm and also a self defense item like a stun gun or TASER, depending on the laws of your destination.
    4) Regularly call a designated person and check in with details of where you are and where you are headed.
    5) Remember that safety and fun go hand in hand!

  • http://www.myonlinesafe.com Martin

    Following a near fatal incident whilst trekking in Africa, I set up the http://www.myonlinesafe.com service.

    I see people mention backing up documents to USB’s however they are easy to loose and can also get corrupted.

    We specialise in providing an ultra-secure managed storage facility that was initially started for travellers.

    All information stored is encrypted and also backed up, servers are monitored and managed 24/7 to maintain uptime and continuity of access.

    Documents can be accessed from any internet cafe without leaving a trace on an internet cafe.

    The site also allows members to create a Police report of lost or stolen valuables (currently in 4 languages) at the click of a mouse, send SMS texts in an emergency, useful date reminder service for both documents and anniversary dates plus offers useful links to aid the traveller e.g. freephone contact numbers for credit card co’s, A-Z embassy locators and ATM finders.

    The site is a member of both the British & Australian safe travel campaigns and was recently listed in WHICH? magazines 10 things you should do prior to travel.

    Please feel free to contact me should you require any further information.

    Wishing you all safe travels

    Martin
    CEO
    http://www.myonlinesafe.com

  • admin

    These are all thoughtful additions. Thank you so much for contributing.

  • Roberta

    1. I always carry taxi money in the local currency, just in case.
    2. At night, I sit at the bus, near the driver.
    3. Don’t listen to your iPod while you are walking down the street – be aware of the sounds around you, and appear to be aware.
    4. Cross the street if you see someone or a group that causes you concern; you can always cross back again.
    5. Always trust your gut, it’s usually right, and it does no harm to get off a subway, or leave an establishment that makes you feel uncomfortable.
    6. Don’t study your map standing on the street, do it while you are in a cafe.
    7. When you first get to a city, scope out safe (and clean!) toilets… and use facilities when they are available; you don’t want to find yourself in need and jeopardize your safety just to find the loo.
    8. I avoid giving to the homeless while I’m travelling; I watch for opportunities to donate to local charities instead.
    9. If you are shopping, don’t buy more than you can juggle and carry safely back to your hotel. If you do, take a taxi back.
    10. Don’t let yourself get exhausted when out sightseeing as you’ll be less aware of your surroundings. Take breaks and stay hydrated.

  • Claudia

    A great list of what to do and not do. Some very good reminders to someone who is going soon.

  • admin

    Now that’s one I hadn’t heard of. Good idea!

  • admin

    Really valuable contribution Julie. Thanks!

  • Julie

    Also, be especially aware of your luggage’s safety while travelling from one place to the next. Never leave your bags unattended when you’re in a train station or airport – even leaving them on the ground next to you isn’t safe. I’ve heard many horror stories from travelers who were distracted for a split second and turned around to find their bags had gone missing.

    When using crowded public transportation, always keep your daypack and valuables in front of you. You have no idea who could be looking through your bag while it’s on your back.

    And when onboard a long-distance train, make sure you can always see your luggage. Keep your valuables very close to you, especially if you think you’ll fall asleep. In many countries, people are just waiting for an excuse to steal tourists’ belongings. A girl I met had put her backpack’s straps through her legs and fell asleep. When she woke up, someone had cut the bottom of the pack and emptied it.

    Don’t be paranoid, but be smart.

  • Julie

    I usually carry a door-stopper in my luggage. I’ve stayed in accomodations where the door to my room didn’t have a proper lock, and I’ve used it to block the door from the inside. It doesn’t take up much space and can help you sleep more soundly!

  • Adam

    There are so many helpful tips – thanks for publishing this list. Lots of great ideas to think about when traveling!

  • admin

    All fabulous points. More like this and I’ll be posting 100 safety tips in the near future. Thanks!

  • Michelle Sydney

    1. If women wear skirts in the local culture, wear a skirt.
    2. Taxi drivers and children make great tour guides and escorts for very little money.
    3. Tell your host what time you are expected to return.
    4. While on excursions, carry a photocopy of your passport and license; leave the originals in a safe place.
    5. Darken name brand logos with a permanent market.
    6. Scuff and tape your camera body (won’t damage the mechanics). “Uglify” your electronics.

About Janice Waugh and Tracey Nesbitt

I'm an author, blogger, speaker and traveler. I became a widow and empty-nester at about the same time. And then, I became Solo Traveler... Here's the full story. >>

Tracey Nesbitt I’m a writer, editor, food and wine fanatic, and traveler. On my very first trip abroad I learned that solo travel was for me. Here's the full story. >>

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