Congratulations! You’ve booked yourself a fun vacation worthy of an intrepid solo traveler. Armed with your passport, duffle bag and sturdy walking shoes, there’s (almost) nothing standing in your way.
Before you embark on your journey, you’ll want to make sure your trip will be safe and enjoyable. A little prep work goes a long way to ensuring this is a trip you’ll always remember (for good reasons, not bad). Use these tips for safe solo travel!
Plan and communicate your itinerary
Whenever possible, make your schedule in advance. This not only helps you reserve hotels and transportation ahead of time, but also lets you research the area and get acquainted with a map. Once you have a solid itinerary, send it to a family member or friend so they know where you’ll be each day of your vacay.
To be extra safe while traveling abroad, register your trip with your government’s travel program. If you’re a U.S. citizen, that’s the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. which helps the U.S. Embassy reach you in an emergency. Similarly, citizens of Canada can sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad.
Research your route
If you’re traveling stateside, look for an official state website to learn about the location you’re visiting and fun things to do there. A website like visittheusa.com can also help you discover must-see attractions on your route.
If you want to see the world but you’re not sure where to start, check out this list of top global destinations. Explore resources on travel.state.gov to research your international destination and check for any travel advisories. You can also learn about driving regulations (if you plan on renting a vehicle) and choosing safe lodging, among other travel tips.
Get advice on the best places to solo travel by reading travel blogs and surfing social media — but remember that influencers often filter out negative aspects, so take their advice with a grain of salt.
Keep track of your valuables
When visiting popular tourist sites, wear a money belt to safely store credit and debit cards, cash, your identification and your passport (if traveling internationally). If you lose your passport while visiting another country, you won’t be able to return home until you replace it. Learn more about replacing a passport here.
Be aware of common scams, especially if you’re traveling to an uber-popular tourist spot — knowing the risk may help you keep a tighter grip on your wallet and other valuables. Consider wearing a cross-body bag or a bag with anti-theft features, such as hidden zippers and reinforced straps.
Pro tip: Pack a copy of your passport photo and a photocopy of your passport — this can expedite replacing your passport. If your hotel offers a room safe, use it to stow your passport, photocopies and other important items you don’t need that day.
Find a travel group or tour guide
If you’d like to travel with other people, look into tour group opportunities or hire a guide. You can find bus tours, boat tours or walking tours in many cities. Or, download a tour app to show you around town at your own pace (that’s the beauty of solo travel, after all). For larger cities and destinations, guide books from seasoned travelers are invaluable resources.
Try staying in hostels, not only for the budget accommodations but also for the new friends you can meet there. As far as safe solo travel for women goes, know that many hostels have rooms exclusively for female guests.
Learn the language
You don’t need to master the language of every country you’re visiting, but a spending a few minutes on Duolingo each day before your trip can prepare you to be a better traveler. Memorize a few critical phrases and learn when to use them. When communicating with others who may speak very little English, use simple, clearly enunciated words (and remember that increasing your volume doesn’t necessarily increase their understanding).
And finally: Live in the moment
The advice is twofold. Be aware of your surroundings so you can drink in the experiences and stay safe. Don’t bury your nose in your phone (you didn’t travel all that way to scroll Instagram). Unplug, be confident and stay alert. And have fun! Solo traveling is a time to discover more about the world and yourself — and you might be surprised at what you find!
The list doesn’t stop here. Do your research and explore other trusted travel blogs and websites for more tips. And remember to bring a Scentsy Go (for instant fragrance in hotel rooms), a Travel Twist (just right for rental cars that have carried a thousand passengers) or a Scent Pak (nestle it near the dirty laundry in your suitcase) for a touch of portable fragrance that reminds you of home.
Tell us your top travel tips in the comments!
