Solo Travel Safety Tips
How I prepare for trips, my favorite apps, and practices I employ while traveling.
Before any trip, it’s important to consider any safety precautions required before and during travels. As a woman traveling alone, valid concerns arise. With decades of travel experience under my belt, I feel very comfortable traveling to new places, even if I don’t speak the language. Here are some tips I follow to ensure I stay safe.
Preparing for the Trip
I research any destination I plan to visit. This includes reviewing local customs. In some countries, a thumbs up might be offensive. In others, it is best to only use public transportation during daylight. It is always good to have a brief overview of how things work and how you plan to navigate this destination.
While I plan what to pack, I also determine which cards and documents I will need and make photocopies of them (front and back). I leave a set with a trusted person at home and keep a copy with me in case of loss or theft. Keep the photocopies separate from the actual documents while traveling! Notify your bank if they have any travel alerts you can establish so they won’t lock a credit card. On that note, I recommend having a card with no Foreign Transaction fees. I love my AMEX Platinum for travel benefits but my Visa is more widely accepted. Bring a debit/ATM card so you can get cash from local ATMs where you’ll get the best exchange rates. While I know I can get cash while traveling, I like to order some from my bank in advance and make sure to request small bills. Banks often give you large bills that local vendors may not be able to readily break. Keep your cash in at least two places.
Figure out how you will maintain connectivity. Several cell phone providers offer international coverage. eSim cards are popular. Some people are comfortable only having access with Wi-Fi. Review your options and pick what works best with you. I have found that international coverage through my provider is a similar price to an eSim and lets me keep my regular phone number. I have found that restaurants typically don’t have free Wi-Fi in Europe. Wi-Fi can also be slower on public networks from mass usage.
If you take any medications, even OTC ones, bringing the original bottles is best. For extended travel, I also bring the paper documents given when I collect my medications from the pharmacy. This is in case I need to get a refill abroad or deal with any potential customs issues. Be sure to check regulations that may prohibit certain items from being brought into a country. You want to spend your vacation enjoying the sites, not navigating government bureaucracy. Make sure these are in your carry-on luggage. Never put medication in a your checked luggage!
Apps to Download
I make sure I have Google Maps available. You can even use this without cell service or Wi-Fi if you are able to navigate without its step-by-step directions. Practice using it at home to familiarize yourself with how this works.
Google Translate is another helpful app. You can use it with audio, photos, or typing. I will type what I need to say in English and it translates into whatever language I select. At a restaurant, I can take a photo of the menu and it will translate automatically. I haven’t used the audio but have heard it is also helpful.
Currency Converter helps when I need to remind myself of what things cost in USD.
Local Transportation App for your destination. I find the local transit app and download it. This allows me to purchase tickets/passes for the subway and bus system without going to a kiosk and even can assist in navigation. Some systems are better than others are.
Tip- create a folder on your home screen with all travel apps. This helps you access them quickly!
While Traveling
Share your itinerary with someone at home. I make sure my mom has all my travel locations, AirBnB addresses, hotel names, etc. When I check-in, I shoot a quick text to confirm all went well and provide a room number if it is a hotel. My mom and I have an agreement that I will connect with her at least once daily. This can be as simple as a text to say good morning. Determine what your check-in cadence will be with someone at home.
Staying connected is great but you don’t want to highlight this to the public. I never share details about where I am in real time (except to my trusted people at home and never on social media). When I meet people out and about, I don’t tell them I’m traveling solo. I am always meeting up with a friend or family member. I might be alone at that moment but strangers shouldn’t know I am alone in the city.
Walk with confidence. Avoid distractions like talking on the phone, texting, etc. You want to be aware of your surroundings. Blend in with locals and avoid looking like a tourist. This can be as simple as streamlining your wardrobe. I find that in Europe, having a wardrobe with black and solid pieces tends to be less obvious. Flashy jewelry and designer logos are also good things to avoid. You don’t want to make yourself a target. Carrying a water bottle also instantly says tourist. I had to train myself to not carry mine with me at all times.
Only carry what you need with you. I prefer a crossbody bag that I can easily keep close to my body. I bring the basics with me- ID, payment, phone, extra battery, lip balm, sunglasses, and hand sanitizer. It’s also ideal to bring a reusable collapsible bag with you. Many places charge you for shopping bags and locals always carry their own with them. I love my Baggu bag since it hardly takes up any space.
I know there are countless ways to stay safe and minimize your risks while traveling. These are a few of the practices I follow to feel comfortable without having unnecessary paranoia. It may sound odd to some but I often feel safer abroad than I do in the US.
What else do you do to feel and stay safe when you travel?