Traveling on your own can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.  You don’t need a significant other (which, let’s be honest, can be more hard work than getting your passport renewed), you don’t need friends that you might have a falling out with during your trip, and you don’t need family who may get on your nerves.  You only need yourself.  And, that extra “me time” means you really get to know yourself.  To enjoy yourself without the need to compromise or miss out on things you really want to do.

But, solo travel means you trade the stress of traveling with others for the stress of having to handle everything on your own.  There’s no one watching your back or helping you along the way.  It’s all up to you, and only you.

So, how do you ease that stress?  By being prepared!

Before venturing out on your next big solo adventure, make sure you follow these simple tips when traveling alone:

Use A Portable Travel Safe

Every hotel room should have a safe… theoretically.  But, that’s not always the case in hostels, Airbnb’s, sleeper trains, or some more economical hotel establishments.  And, oftentimes hotels will charge you to use the safe.  Or, at the very least, ask you for a deposit.  So, how can you keep your passport, money, and other valuables secure?

Invest in a small portable travel safe!

It’s a simple solution that will give you one less thing to worry about.

Have A Portable Door Lock

Now your valuables are safe, but what about you?  Sometimes you can find yourself in a shady establishment or simply feel the staff may be less than trustworthy.  If your gut is ever telling you to be concerned, listen to that feeling.

Locked doors don’t mean someone doesn’t have access to a room key.  So, I suggest buying a portable lock that physically blocks the door from opening.  That way, you never have to worry about someone sneaking in while you’re catching some Z’s.

Get Travel Insurance

Safety away begins at home.  When booking your trip, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance along with it.  Travel insurance can cover you for medical expenses, lost or stolen luggage, canceled or shortened trips (which is especially important in this new COVID era), and lots more!  So, travel misfortunes that may have otherwise been a disaster can simply turn into a minor annoyance.

Use A Travel Agent

The booking process itself can be stressful.  The destination, the flights, the accommodations, the transfers, the activities…  there’s so much to consider!  And, trying to pull everything together can become a daunting journey in and of itself.  If you find the process to be a bit overwhelming, consider using a travel agent to sort it all out.

In addition to helping you organize your itinerary and travel details, a travel agent can also help you if something goes awry on your trip (like canceled flights, which is a big concern nowadays).  Having someone to step in and help you figure it out while you’re away can alleviate a ton of stress.

Utilize A Private Transfer

Whether you use a travel agent or not, you’ll want to prep your transfer to and from the airport beforehand.  There’s a common scam that taxi drivers (or people posing as taxi drivers) will wait outside the airport for unsuspecting tourists.  At best, these taxi drivers will simply take the long route and upcharge you.  But, at worst, they could be headed for nowhere near your hotel.  So, avoid taxis outside the airport and get into a prebooked car you’ve ordered from a company you trust.

Use Common Sense

And, more than anything, just use common sense.  Don’t tell anyone that you’re traveling alone, let friends and family know where you are and when you’ll return, don’t accept drinks from strangers, and always be aware of your surroundings.  If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.  And, as much as you want to brag about where you are, don’t post the location of where you’re traveling alone on social media until you’re home (or at least until you’re in a new location).  You don’t want to make it easy for someone to track you.

Solo travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.  And, by using these best practices, you can ensure your journey is memorable for all the right reasons.

What are some of your own solo travel safety tips?  Comment below, I’d love to hear them!

You May Also Like:

» 10 Reasons To Travel Solo (And Why It’s The Best!)
» 10 Travel Safety Tips Everyone Should Know
» Tips For Taking Solo Travel Selfies That Don’t Suck