It ’s fun to travel with other hoi polloi , but rifle unaccompanied can be an exciting and enriching traveling experience . When you ’re on your own , you may ready your own schedule , pursue your own interests ( rather than follow the crowd ) , and set aside clip for case-by-case expression .
But without a change of location pal , you also become more of a mark . All solo travelers , but particularly womanhood , should keep additional safety precautions in mind when in a extraneous place . We asked traveling experts and writers how to stay dependable when you trip alone .
1. BLEND IN.
You want to fit in as much as potential when you travel , and that ’s especially rightful when you ’re traveling by yourself . change of location writer andbloggerAshley Christensen , who has been on multiple solo trip-up , let in to New Orleans and Cambodia , tellsmental_floss , “ For safety gadget ’s sake while traveling alone , I judge to be as invisible as potential . I raiment modestly — that have in mind no short shorts , no segmentation , no high heels . " She also avoids wearing jewelry and expensive detail .
But fitting in is about how you act as well as how you look . " I talk in my indoor voice at all times , " Christensen says . " I do n’t run around , represent a jester , or behave in a way that would make masses look at me . In all satinpod , this means I do n’t get intoxicated . ” In fact , Christensen say she seldom drinks at all while traveling , and most of the travel experts we talked to echoed this advice .
2. RESEARCH WHERENOTTO GO.
You require to deal a fair amount of research before any tripper , and when you ’re traveling alone , that means make out which areas might be off - limits . “ When I check into a hotel , the first thing I expect is what neighborhoods I should avoid and what the area ’s safety is like , ” saystravel expert andForbescorrespondentKatie Lara . “ I ask what time I should n’t be on the street alone after . Cities vary widely on this . I have been in hotel where the desk faculty told me to never really wander alone after dark in neighborhood that I would have never opine [ were dicey ] . ”
3. BOOK YOUR HOTEL STRATEGICALLY.
Speaking of hotel , you want to vet carefully , aver travel writerSuzanne Wolko . Depending on your locating , some hotels or living accommodations host will take care of coordinating intimately every aspect of your stumble , from transferral to activities . “ I like to book hotels or stay in the center of township so I can walk to attractions , ” Wolko says . “ I have the hotel book airport transference in various country so I do n’t have to apportion with language barrier or late nighttime vexation … I take the hotel concern card and take photos of the hotel and landmarks in the surface area so I can easily find the location or the cab can . ”
Beth Santos , father and CEO ofWanderful , suggest book a elbow room on the hotel ’s third floor . “ This style it ’s easy to evacuate in cause of emergency brake but difficult to climb up from the exterior . ”
4. MAKE SURE SOMEONE KNOWS YOUR PLANS.
You want to outride connected to friends or family back abode , and that means more than just Instagramming the sights . Keep a point soul apprised of your travelling plan so they have intercourse where to discover you in casing of an pinch . In the U.S. , the State Department makes it easy to do this with theSmart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) . You record your trip with your nearest Embassy or Consulate , and STEP not only assist friends and family accomplish you , but will also keep you up - to - date on travel alarum and advisories for your terminus .
And before you manoeuver out to research on your own , “ make certain someone always knows where you ’re going , ” Santos tellsmental_floss . “ If you ’re accept a walk by yourself , distinguish your hostelry or hotel concierge , specially if it ’s at night . Give them an estimated meter of when you ’ll generate . Never take the air around at night to happen upon an area — make certain to search it on foot during the day to get a smell for your novel vicinity . ”
5. TRUST YOUR GUT.
If you get a sense that something is n’t right during your solo travel , it ’s best to err on the side of caution and follow your intuition , says Diana Edelman , a travelbloggerwho has visit more than 30 countries alone . “ If a place does n’t finger right , remove yourself from it , ” she pronounce . “ Your gut instinct is something you should bank … Keep your eyes open and remember that generally mass are kind and desire to help ; but fend off put yourself in office that can be avoided , like walk alone at night . " Edelman also recommends taking the time to understand up oncommon local scams , and what you’re able to do to foil them .
Lara agrees that it ’s important to keep your wits about you . It ’s easygoing to get catch up in the excitement of visiting a new , unfamiliar place , but “ common sensation is always the most authoritative thing to convey with you on any trip , ” she says .
6. SPLURGE ON SAFETY.
We all wish saving money on travel , but one area you should n’t be afraid to spend a bit extra on is safety , Wolko says . If you feel significantly safer at a pricier hotel , for example , it ’s worth it to beat out more for your living accommodations . Or , instead of pick out the subway at Nox , you might consider lease a driver .
Wolko enjoin she also book private guide to show her around unfamiliar domain . “ It ’s nice to have a driver and meet locals , ” she adds .
7. BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST.
“ The first thing I do before any trip-up is Prepare for the speculative , ” Lara add . “ Make trusted you have copies of your passport or ID card , citation batting order , and any other important documents . Also place yourself electronic copies , so even if your bags are lost , your lifespan line is only an internet coffee shop off . ”
She suggests save hand brake contacts on hand , too , as well as bank and quotation notice information in case your billfold is lose or stolen . “ I keep this in my email as well . That way , even if I fall back everything , I ’m just one internet connection away from have all the information I involve . ”
