Although many people, men, and women of all ages, avoid traveling alone at all costs, traveling solo can have its advantages and perks.
It is important to remember that personal safety does not begin (or end) with a small can of pepper spray. For many, it is either traveling alone or staying at home.
Personal safety in travel is about being aware of your surroundings and practicing basic techniques. The rest is about having fun and enjoying your trip. Of course, you can easily spare all these worries if you get yourself a motorhome(to save money, you can even get a used motorhome for sale ). That way you will enjoy a home-like solo trip.
We have compiled the top safety tips for solo travelers.
Find out more about the culture.
Although the rules of dressing appropriately may vary from one country to country, they are universally applicable to women. Some cultures consider it offensive or even an embarrassment for women to wear shorts, shorts, or bathing suits. However, there are also few countries that strictly enforce the rules regarding men’s bathing suits and shorts. There are dress codes that apply to religious sites like St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Visitors will be refused entry if they have bare legs or shoulders.
Do your research to learn about the culture and dress properly. This will help you avoid harassment, violence and even arrest. You will need to be able to communicate in the language, which is essential for meeting people and asking for help. Also, you should know what prohibited gestures are. The well-known OK’ finger sign can have a different meaning in Brazil than in Germany, while the more traditional ‘V’ sign could get you into a fight in Italy and England.
Take control of your belongings.
Travelers are easy targets for criminals when times are tough economically.
- Your bags and cross-the-body purses should always be with you.
- You can place your bag or backpack on the ground, but you are not recommended to do so.
- You can load your bags on a bus, train, or taxi by placing them in the hull or secure on top.
- Be careful when crossing the street – this is a common spot for pickpockets. You may be tempted to let others behind you or to your side take your belongings with you.
Take care when choosing your transport and be watchful
Nearly every airport and train station have a bunch of people waiting to assist you with the bags you have. While many of these people are legitimate, it is important to verify their authenticity.
Don’t fall asleep in your taxi, bus or other vehicles once you are on the journey. You could wake up empty-handed, no matter how tempting it may be, to party all night and catch up with your sleep on the journey. If you still need to get some sleep, you must secure your belonging as best as you can
Disperse your valuable stuff
Spreading out valuables – cash, bank cards and electronics – will make it less likely that you lose everything in a robbery.
A spare fake wallet and coins are good to have. The fake wallet should look worn so that it appears used. You can also put small bills and expired cards in your fake wallet. Hand over your decoy wallet and any coins in your pocket if you are robbed. You may lose a lot of your stuff if your assailant is speeding. Experienced travelers will often have a few bills in their socks. Remember, most criminals won’t bother to take even your last coin.
Be careful when you interact with others.
While many people will be kind and helpful, some may try to make money off of you. Keep your travel plans for you, where are you staying, and where you’re going next. Keep the fact that your travels are solo to yourself, as well. If asked, tell a story about a companion traveler (a spouse, sibling, or another family member).
However, it is great to meet locals and share your experiences with them. Sometimes, it’s better to have someone else’s back than a stranger. Be sure to share your experiences, but be careful.
Be wise when you drink.
Many travel horror stories involve the teller drinking too much before realizing their error. Driving after drinking even one drop of alcohol can be illegal in certain countries. However, any public display of excessive alcohol consumption is considered a flag for criminals.
Travel insurance plans do not cover losses due to injuries, accidents, or other mishaps that occur while you are over the legal limit. You should avoid heavy drinking, especially if you aren’t accompanied by a travel buddy.
When you are faced with a problem, try to join some people
Anyone who has ever seen television knows it’s harder to find and exploit a single entity when traveling with a group. A solo traveler may not have a group to help them, so they might have to go to one.
Join a group if you feel fearful or in a dangerous situation. Engage them in conversation by sitting near them. Ask a question and stand near them to dispel any notion that you are unprotected and alone.
If you are unable to join a group, follow the trail of others who are going in the same direction as you. For solo hiking, you can wait at the trailhead to allow another group to begin. You can tag along with them to have some group security but still respect their privacy.
You should look like you know where you are going.
It’s a good idea, at the very least, to pretend you know where you are going when you travel to unfamiliar places. You can be a tourist by stopping on the street to look through your guidebook.
You can spend some time in your own room, on the train or bus to learn about the route to your destination. Count the blocks as you travel so that you can count them and not have to go back to the map.
Your smartphone’s navigation system is often more discreet than a large folding map. However, you should still check it frequently and continue to move like you know where you are. You can refer to your map in a hotel lobby or pub if you get lost.
You can trust someone to tell him or her where you are going and when you will be back.
Solo travellers are free to travel wherever they please. You can let a local proprietor know what your plans are for the day if you’re staying with them. Sometimes, it’s possible to have a trusted travel companion fill in for you.
Let someone back home know that you are returning and let them know by text or email. It is a good idea to check in with someone back home every now and again. This is one way to do both.
Regularly trust your intuition.
This may be something you’ve heard before, but your intuition is your best guide. Turn around and leave if something isn’t right. You can move on from someone who is making you feel uncomfortable. If someone insists on making unwanted advances or getting your attention, be loud and make a complaint. It’s not embarrassing to anyone except the person you are trying to get rid of – it works.
And finally, Get adequate travel insurance.
Last but not least, make sure you have sufficient travel insurance for your trip. This is something we cannot stress enough. This is especially true if your trip is costly and you don’t want to have serious problems. Trip cancellation and disruption coverage will protect you before and after you return.
It’s not about getting reimbursed for lost travel costs. Having adequate medical coverage is a must-have to avoid high-cost medical care.