People who have not traveled alone generally define their first solo trip as a religious experience. To enjoy new surroundings unfiltered by the tastes, prejudices, or preferences of a traveling friend can be a difficult task. Solo travel provides you the chance to indulge yourself. Here, we are discussing a few solo travel tips that will make every solo traveler’s trip fuss-free and easy.
Of course, solo traveling has its risks- like loneliness, safety concerns, and the worry about a single supplement. But with a little preparation and common sense, you can manage the rough spots and save your money too.
Why Solo Travel?
Solo travel can be the best in self-indulgence; you can rest whenever you want and put it on when you feel ambitious. Another great benefit is that you are solely responsible for your own mistakes. You do not have to worry that your insistence on trekking across the town to visit a museum that was closed spoiled your partner’s day; it is your day to recover or gain a learning experience.
Also, you can do exactly whatever you want to do- every time. Wanted to try surfing for a long time? Sign up for a class and attempt it. for on the beach feeling bored while you have enough time of your life. Not interested in seeing the beautiful Niagara Falls. Just drive straight away.
Solo Travel Tips for All the Solo Travelers
The first question that strikes the mind of every single or solo traveler is “Is solo travel safe?” Without a companion to keep an eye on you, you are more susceptible to scam artists and criminals, and simple health issues. But the saying “ safety in numbers” is not always right- a solo traveler can blend more easily than a group, and not attracting attention to yourself as a tourist is one of the important solo travel tips to keep yourself safe.
The first in the list of solo travel tips is to do your homework before you reach your destination. Know what the distance is and how much it costs to reach your hotel from the airport. Most of the time, solo travelers are “taken for a ride so it is always safe to ask the taxi driver for an estimated fare before you start. If you find that it is considerably different from what you know, book another cab.
Choose the right accommodation. Book a hotel with a 24-hour front desk if you will arrive late so that you do not end up sleeping in your car. One of the most important solo travel tips is to trust yourself. If you feel something is not right, then do not do it.
Carry good proof of identity- in more than a single place. If you plan to wear a money belt, use it for storing things and not as a purse. Constantly extending under your shirt for money attracts others’ attention to it and defeats the motto. Instead, keep your passport, additional stores of money, and other necessary documents tucked away, and use a theft-resistant purse or a bag for carrying regular spending money.
Show your confidence. Whether you are on a street at home or around 7,000 miles away, walking with confidence and with direction is one of the effective techniques for preventing unwanted attention, as appearing lost or confused can make you more vulnerable. If you think you are lost, then walk into a restaurant or a shop and ask for directions.
Do not look like a tourist. Do not wear the Disney T-shirt and do not walk around with your face in a guidebook.
Leave all your valuables at home. This is one of the significant solo travel tips that you must follow. Make sure you do not wear attractive and heavy jewelry as it can attract thieves.
Say small lies. If by chance you are lost and you are asking for directions, then do not make the opposite person feel that you are alone. Instead, ask, “Can you please tell me how to reach the museum? My friend is waiting there.”
Keep checking your transportation schedules and maps before leaving your train/ tourist office/ rental car/ hotel. A solo traveler who is too absorbed in her phone can be a mark for unpleasant types.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend at home, stay in touch daily through text, phone, email, or video chat.
Arrive during the day. Areas around railway stations and bus depots can be deserted or scary, and small towns tend to close early. Many beautiful towns appear eerie at night and locals who are trying to help you can appear threatening. If you arrive during the day you will find a place to stay and get your directions before it gets dark.
Trust everybody and no one. One of the best reasons to travel alone is to meet new people, but this makes you more vulnerable. It is okay to travel and make new friends, but you might not want to ask them to hold your cash. Scammers can often be the most charming companions that you will find; you want to be open-minded but keep your guard enough to make sure you are safe.
Solo Travel Tips for Woman
Though some international travel tips are dedicated to solo travelers, women traveling alone have their own set of safety concerns that most men do not face. Here are a few solo travel tips that will protect you.
Exercise hotel safety. At check-in, ask for a room near the elevator so you do not have to walk down long, potentially poorly lit halls to reach your room. While filling in guest registration forms, always use your first initial rather than your name and skip the “Mr./Miss/Mrs.” Check box. Also, make sure the clerk writes down your room number instead of saying it loudly. This will avoid anyone in the neighborhood from knowing where to find you later. Think about packing a doorstop to squeeze under the door in case the lock is not reliable.
Dress appropriately. To avoid attracting unwanted attention, dress as conventionally as the woman you see near you. This does not necessarily mean wearing the traditional dress, but a good thumb of rule is to dress fairly. Think about long or knee-length skirts. Showing shoulders, arms, or legs are regarded as bad in some countries, so do proper research before you reach the destination. Note which are the body parts that local women cover and try to do the same.
Know when to make friends. Finding the right company can help you have an enjoyable and safer experience. Small hostels and hotels are great places to find like-minded travelers with whom you can explore new places. And even if you cannot find someone to be friends with, there are different ways to link yourself in trains and women’s waiting rooms at train stations. Staying near to families on public transportation and in unfamiliar places is another method some females prefer.
Fight Against harassment. Having a range of harassment deterrents can be as significant to female travelers as a sturdy pair of footwear and a passport. Not connecting with people who are bothering you will make you a less interesting focus. If you want to avoid being contacted during breaks in various activities, like waiting for a train, check your phone or read a novel to make yourself look busy.