Exciting, challenging, empowering- few things are more pleasing than a solo trip- and studies show that it’s rising, mainly among females. Sure, you might have to ask a stranger to click a picture of yours or ask somebody for a route when you are lost, but these are pretty small prices to pay against the freedom of planning a trip alone. That being said, solo travel is not always easy though with a few important solo travel tips, and by choosing the safest places to travel, you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
4 Safest Places to Travel
Japan
First on the list of safest places to travel is Japan. No matter whether you prefer hiking trails, popular UNESCO sites, or the best meal you have eaten to date, Japan has everything to offer. No doubt, why Japan is the best place for solo travelers. Yes, the language barrier might be a daunting task, but the efficient public transportation system of the country is simple to navigate, and the minimal crime rate leaves will leave you to feel at ease to discover as much as you want.
Lombok, Indonesia
The next on the list of safest places to travel is Lombok. Many are tired of the overcrowded roads in Bali, bad traffic, unclean beaches, and long queues for clicking photos at popular spots. So, where should you go in Indonesia where you can enjoy beautiful waterfalls, serene beaches, and a relaxing atmosphere, like Bali had earlier? The place is Lombok. Not only is this place a great alternative to Bali, but it is way cheaper too. As a solo traveler, you will find it easy to socialize and connect with other travelers in Lombok, as individuals tend to stay at the same place, like Kuta, or visit the same beaches.
Galapagos
If you are looking for the safest places to travel, then you cannot miss Galapagos. A few places in the world give visitors the chance to be so near to reptiles, birds, and sea creatures without hurting them. As most travelers visit Galápagos for animals, meeting tourists who have the same interest becomes easy. Whether on a dive trip or an island cruise, you are bound to come across like-minded people and have a great time together! The best part of traveling to the Galapagos is it is a budget-friendly destination.
Maui, Hawaii
Usually, this place does not come to mind when people think of the safest places to travel, but with different activities ranging from hiking to surfing to driving down the road to Hana and enjoying snorkeling and boating tours- it is a great place for those who love to travel solo.
With its changing microclimates, the attractive island has huge pockets of sandy sunset beaches, charming camping spots, beautiful resorts, and hikes throughout the valley. The unique thing about the place is that it feels like a separate country, with unique Hawaiian culture and tropical weather. There are plenty of female-focused activities like Maui Surfer Girl’s camp, which is designed especially for solo female travelers who are looking for partners with whom they can learn a new sport. It is both a fun-filled and empowering experience.
Choosing the safest destination and one among the various safest places to travel is not the only thing that should be considered by a solo traveler. There are many other solo travel tips to be considered. Some of them are:
Important Solo Travel Tips
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses. If you are traveling for the first time, you will get a chance to learn many new things. If you have traveled to different places, but solo traveling is your first time, then you will come across various issues that you need to solve during your journey. There are a lot of blogs online where you can find interesting solo travel tips, the experience of solo travelers, etc. Go through them and use those tips wherever required.
Check the government’s travel site- Your government probably has information on the travel documents that are required for traveling. Also, they will be having warnings, if any, for your place. So, going through them before you start your trip will prove helpful.
Schedule your timing in such a way that you arrive at the destination during daylight. Generally, the first stop for most solo travelers in a new location is their hotel. It is better to reach by the mid-afternoon so that you can just check the area and surrounding where you are living. It is always better to check an area during the day. Apart from this, there are many other reasons why you should arrive at the destination in the daytime. You can find your accommodation easily and if you want to change it, then you have enough time to look for another option.
Know how to reach your first accommodation. Your arrival in any new place, especially where you are not aware of the local language, is important. Research about the modes that can help you to reach your hotel from the airport. You will require it as you learn how their system works. If your flight lands late in the day, you may want to avoid the transportation system and spend on a taxi to be on the safer side.
Check a map before you start your trip. Many do not like to check maps but it is advised to look at one before leaving. This is important to get an idea of the places. For instance, if you were to look at the Toronto map, you would note that the lake is in the south no matter wherever you are in the city and the CN Tower stands tall by the lakeside. If you turn around to see the tower and can’t find it, then ask someone about it. Use the same logic in other cities depending on the major landmarks.
Know the city transit system. Traveling on public transport is one of the best ways to understand a city and its culture. But, before you start, you must know how safe it is, what are the fares and how to pay, whether paying using a pass is a good idea and probably the basic routes you will take while traveling.
Enjoy a break. This goes along with being aware of your surroundings. If you are experience fatigue during traveling, then join a day tour or a cooking class that will make for a simple, relaxing, and interesting day.
USE a VPN- This is one of the most important solo travel tips, especially for female travelers. It is nearly impossible to travel without using a public Wi-Fi connection whether it is in a café or a hotel.
Feed in all-important numbers into your phone, like your accommodation phone number, government’s consulate office, and 911 if you are traveling to North America. Make sure you have these apps installed on your phone.
ü Compass
ü Flashlight
ü Climate
ü Find your Phone
ü Google Maps
Wi-Fi Finder- Safety is not just important during an emergency. Use the Wi-Fi Finder to find free Wi-Fi to call or research for the help you require.
With these solo travel tips and the list of safest places to travel, you can have a smooth trip without worrying about your safety. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, follow these tips and fly to your favorite destination! Have a happy and safe journey!
During the journey, if you develop any solo travel safety tips from your experience that we have not mentioned here, please share them with us in the comments section.