Traveling on your own can be beneficial by allowing you to separate from an otherwise hyperconnected life. However, maintaining safety can be a challenge when traveling alone. Considering some of the safety hazards before a trip, and making a few extra preparations can help ensure your travels are worry free and relaxed.
While it is nice to be disconnected from your normal day to day routine, it is still wise to make sure you have an emergency means of communication while traveling alone. If traveling where your cell phone will not have service, consider renting a cell phone with GPS capabilities when you arrive to assist with exploring new terrain. It is important to keep your lodging information accessible at all times when wandering around new cities in case you end up further away than intended. Checking in with someone regularly, whether it is a friend or a family member, to let them know where you will be daily and when you will be returning from any expeditions is a great way to remain safe in case an emergency arises. If this contact does not hear from you they will know to notify local authorities that there may be something wrong.
If traveling to a country with a foreign language, it can be useful to learn a few important phrases in the new language. Learning how to ask where the bathroom is, how to order food, and most importantly how to ask or yell for help can be useful if found in an awkward or dangerous situation. Going a step further to learn about the culture of the region you will be traveling will also help ensure you are respectful of their customs, and may even gain you respect and a few friends while traveling abroad by oneself.
When traveling alone, it’s important to keep valuables such as your passport, credit cards, and cash, locked up in the hotel room’s safe. If the lodging has not provided a safe, store your valuables in separate places so that in the event something is stolen you can still have some of your forms of identification and monetary funds available. Making a copy of your identification and credit cards is another good safety measure. This will offer protection and a back up in the event they are stolen.
Most importantly, be alert and always trust your gut. Staying observant and appearing confident even if you are lost can deter criminals who are most interested in an easy target. If you have a sneaking suspicion someone is following you or you are in an environment that doesn’t feel safe, take action and notify authorities or seek help from someone in charge at the hotel or a nearby establishment. Even if your suspicions are wrong, it won’t hurt to trust your own instincts, especially when traveling solo.