Safety Tips for Solo Travel

Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this feature with our Safety Tips for Solo Travel.

The world is a beautiful place, but there is no denying that some areas are safer than others, and ensuring your safety can sometimes slip down the list of things you are taking care of when you are soaking up everything that is around you. 

There is also a lot of controversy, as many people can’t understand why someone may want to solo travel.  But, the truth is that solo travel is incredible for us in so many ways. These breaks are allowing us peace and calm to find out a bit more about ourselves. 

It’s an excellent opportunity to become more independent and to learn how to rely on yourself. It can change you, help you to grow and learn more about who you are and what you want from your life.

How solo travel is good for us

Solo travel is an amazing experience, but how does solo travel make you grow as a person?  

Learning

Not only do you need to learn your travel itinerary, but you also need to learn the quickest paths back to your hotel, some words that can help you order a morning coffee and more. 

Aside from all of that, you learn a lot about yourself too. During the first few days, you might be glued to your mobile phone and taking selfies, but the rest of your time will most likely be exploring and leaning into the stuff you want to do. 

Freedom

When you travel with friends and family, you need to have a little bit of negotiation skills and be willing to make compromises. 

What you want to do might not be what they want to do – with only limited time on vacation, it can be hard to fit everything in. 

With solo travel you have complete freedom to choose where to go, what to do, what to eat…..

Travel friends

As you travel, you will begin to find it easier to make friends. If you crave conversation, you can find many people who also want to hang out. 

There are plenty of options to meet people in most countries. Hostels, hotels, apps, and tours can all help you meet new people. 

Comfort zone

Once you are alone in a country you don’t know; you have little option but to blossom and step out of your comfort zone.  

Having (or trying to have) conversations in a new language, getting lost in the city or trying new cuisine will all cause you to take a step outside your comfort zone.

Creativity

You get to explore your own creativity for a while. It might be trying out a new camera or editing a range of photos on your phone and writing about your time away. 

You will have some time to try these things out at your leisure, if you’re not too busy exploring!

Safety tips for Solo Travel

When travelling alone, you are naturally more in tune with what is going on, which can be great because it gives you that edge over your surroundings. 

Although the first few times it is a learning curve, over time, you become more adept at it. 

Here are some safety tips for solo travel to help you have the best solo travel experiences so that you can maximise the perks of solo travel. 

Research

Before you travel, you will be researching things like if you need a visa (get more information here), where are the safest places to be alone and places to avoid. You will maybe also want to book a few tours and experiences and so on. 

It’s so much easier to research your destination than it’s ever been before. Look online, do as much research as you can. Look at maps, learn about the public transport systems and how to get around. Make sure you know where any unsafe areas are, as well as hospitals and police stations.

Spending time reading reviews ahead of travelling will give you a clear idea of where you will be the most comfortable and confident and make sure you get the maximum benefit from your experience.

If you’re touring Italy, for example, carrying all of your belongings on you can be a risky choice. Researching ahead of time and finding luggage storage Termini Station or other local areas so you can explore without risk (or backache) is going to help keep you safe and happy while travelling.

Be confident

Walk with your back straight, make eye contact with people and keep your head held high. Many travellers are nervous, and this can cause them to look worried, which makes them an easy target for pickpockets. 

So, practice looking confident and comfortable, and avoid obvious “tourist gestures” such as consistently checking a map.

Make sure you have proper insurance

The last thing that you want is to find yourself needing medical care or emergency help and not having the insurance, or money to cover it. Make sure to take out travel insurance that will look after your health and protect you financially when you are away.

Dealing with Unforeseen Incidents

When you’re traveling solo, it’s even more important to be prepared for the unexpected. Whether it’s a minor mishap or a more serious incident like a car accident, being on your own means you need to know how to handle things quickly. If you find yourself in such a situation, reaching out to a car accident lawyer can help guide you through the legal process, ensuring you’re supported while you navigate unfamiliar territory. Staying prepared and informed will allow you to focus on enjoying your solo adventure with peace of mind.

Local information

You can get a lot of valuable local information from your hotel staff. When you arrive, have a chat with those on the desk, and ask if they have any recommendations. 

This can help you skip the tourist trap, overpriced eating areas and get you to the heart of delicious food. 

While you are there, make sure you pick up a business card for the hotel. It will have the name and address. This is perfect for asking for directions or asking for a taxi to take you there. 

Public transport

When possible, skip taking public transport at night unless you have people with you. It is easier to get lost, miss your stop, or other sinister things. 

It is possible to get a sim card and a cheaper phone so that you can use Uber in unfamiliar areas. 

Travelling to new areas in the day time is also a smart idea. You are more aware of your surroundings during the day. 

Fake it

Have a fake wallet with fake money on you. This decoy dummy wallet will mean if you are the victim of a pickpocket, they’re going to take the dummy wallet and be on their way, leaving you with the money, you have hidden elsewhere on your person.  

Put bills and change in various places on your body, and it is also worthwhile to have money hidden in the safe in your hotel room too. 

Flashing your cash, or failing to look after your valuables can put you in danger. Pack your bags sensibly, keep valuables out of sight or locked away, and don’t make the mistake of leaving your bags anywhere.  

Tours

Many people wish to avoid tours altogether. However, they are a great way to meet people who are also travelling.

But more importantly, a tour will give you more information about the location. That information can improve your knowledge, and in a pinch, you might remember something useful.

Comfort

Do you need to wear all of your fancy jewellery on holiday? Not really. And the same goes for those new heels that you have. They look stunning but aren’t that practical. 

Make sure that you are comfortable. The easiest way to travel is by wearing layers, with a slash-proof backpack and comfortable trainers or shoes that are perfect for travel. 

Travelling alone is one of the most exciting things to do, as well as being the perfect opportunity for personal development. 

The only question left is, where will you go on your next trip (when we can!). I have so many places on my bucketlist!  

I hope you enjoyed this post about safety tips for solo travel, and you may also want to look at this post for staying safe on your first big trip.