Follow these tips to stay sound and safe. Travel alone signifies you should have the wits about you. You are responsible for your own coping, safety, and money management with culture shock. But solo travel need not be a test! Approached intelligently and safely, solo travel becomes an adventure that makes you new buds the world over.
Prepare to Leave
Left a copy of the full itinerary and all applicable contact info with at least one human you trust. You want to let at least one human understand where you would be at all times. Setting a time to get in touch as well, let them understand the easy pathway to get to you in the emergency, along with the day or days you would have the potential to check in with them.
Make a list of all activities, must-see foods and locations you have to see while traveling. Traveling alone serves you incredible freedom to do what you need to do. Don’t spend the complete day on a weak Wi-Fi signal trying to figure out what to see — making a list in advance. The solo travel is that you aren’t beholden to stick to the schedule, but you do have a wider range of alternatives worth exploring if you aren’t certain what to do next. Some great manners to explore activities included.
Book accommodations in advance whenever possible. Whether you stay at 5-star hotels, camping and hostels, look into the sleeping arrangements before leaving. When you’re alone, especially if you’re in a foreign nation, the last thing you need is a campsite to be the hostel to be booked and full. If you’re intent on figuring it out on the fly, jot down 2-3 potential spaces to stay every night, along with mobile numbers, to make life easy.
Grasp as much background about the destination as possible. This could make conversing with locals easy, and do clue you in to potential hazards and risks. If you do, picking up as much of the language as much possible — even making an effort to speak out a native tongue makes a big difference. Some spaces to aim on learning included.
Pack lightly, take only essentials. You’re going to require your wits about you when you land in a strange space and have to figure out what to do next. Making life much easier by only packing one light bag. You have sufficient to deal with without keeping luggage track, and you do not need to be caught dealing with the lost baggage by yourself. While the following list should adapt for the exact destination, it is a great initial point for solo travelers.
• A waterproof jacket
• Flashlight or headlamp.
Make copies of the visas, passport, itineraries and tickets before departing out. Making a physical one and electronic copy, whenever possible. If something were to occur these copies would make it much easier to get replacements fast. Email the electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them anywhere.
Keep the valuables in the strong box at the hotel. The lesser of value you carried on you, the better. This signifies taking off expensive jewellery and watches and limiting the amount of dollars on you at any one time. There is no reason to flaunt wealth and flashy things. Depending on the destination, you would probably look enough like a tourist as it is. Leaving the valuables at a sweet home or at the hotel to take undue attention off of you.
Walk confidently to blend into the crowds. There is no requirement to draw attention to yourself when traveling. Blend in is not only a safe way, it would generally lead to a lesser touristy experience. Keeping your posture upright and head high. Printing directions in advance so that you don’t constantly require an expensive phone out and whip a map. The more you look out like you’re in control, the less of a target you become.
Be judicious when giving out personal info. Being a smart traveler might mean utilizing certain creative lies. There is no reason, for example, to broadcast the fact that you travel alone. Instead, asking for directions by saying you are meeting a buddy. If someone asks you where you’re staying at night, let them understand that you aren’t certain yet, you’re just discovering. Being a good traveler doesn’t mean exposing yourself to danger unnecessarily.
Ask families, the women and elderly for advice if you are in trouble. Of course, scam artists come up in many sizes and shapes. That said, your odds of being hurt or robbed by the family, group of women and older citizens is far lower than the random man on a street. If you are stuck and want assistance and directions, these are your good bets for support.
