Travelling solo has become a new norm for many travellers these days. Aside from being free to explore the destination on your own time, there are plenty of benefits in travelling solo like the opportunity to meet new people and pick up independent survival skills.
However, it’s also important to keep safe when you’re travelling alone. With many negative stories circling through social media, how can you be sure you’re protecting yourself to your best efforts as a solo traveller?
This post will take you through some of our top tips to keep yourself safe when travelling solo, most coming from personal experiences.
8 super tips to remember when travelling solo
As a general rule of thumb, we always think it’s best to follow your gut feeling when travelling solo. It may seem unlikely, but your instincts are rarely wrong when protecting yourself. So, if you’re feeling uneasy about a situation while exploring, it’s always best to change your course of action. Next to that, below are some of our tips to remember when travelling solo.
Tip 1: Keep your outfits simple
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To start, the key to travelling solo is to be as inconspicuous as you can. Taking pictures or videos for social media platforms is understandably on the to-do list for anyone travelling solo, so you may be tempted to dress up for “the gram”. However, nothing screams tourists more than someone who stands out amongst the locals. Whip out your tripod or selfie stick and you’d be easily tagged as a solo traveller.
Instead, what you should do to keep safe is to keep your outfits as simple as possible. Forget flashy clothes or branded accessories – those should stay far away from your travels and safely locked at home. For solo female travellers, we highly recommend leaving any valuable jewellery behind. This allows you to blend in with the locals better and you’ll have one less thing to worry about when exploring your destination cities.
Tip 2: Keep your valuables close
It probably goes without saying that you should always keep your valuables close to you when you’re travelling – and even more when you’re doing it solo. For instance, you’ll want to watch out for pickpockets trying to break into your bag. Backpack users should always wear their bags in front or consider investing in security backpacks that are cut-proof and have zippers that are flushed to your back.
When sitting at cafés, restaurants, or even public benches, it can be tempting to pop your bag on a free chair or on the ground. However, this runs the risk of attracting grab-and-dash thieves who are often on the lookout for tourists caught unaware. Instead, consider holding onto your bag when you’re on public transport. If you must put your belongings on the floor, you should always loop the straps around your ankle or a chair to deter opportunistic crooks.
Separately, it’s also worth safeguarding your phone or other electronics while travelling solo. A lanyard card attached to your phone and shoulder straps for your camera is always a good idea, as this helps to prevent snatch thieves from making away with your valuables.
Tip 3: Don’t keep everything in a single spot
Another tip to remember when travelling solo is to never keep all your money in one place. It may seem more convenient as you won’t have to dig around when you need to pay for something, but it could mean you’d lose all your cash if you misplace your bag or wallet.
As such, it’s always good to store any cash you have separate from each other. From your wallet to your bag and even coat pockets and shoes, having emergency cash will always be helpful should you be caught in a pickle. Finally, carrying a decoy wallet can also be effective in warding away pickpockets.
Tip 4: Watch out for travel scams
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Is someone trying to shove a rose in your hand or offering you something for free? Chances are it’s a travel scam so they can ask you for money! This trick has caught many holidaymakers unaware, but syndicates often target solo travellers as they’re easier to manipulate.
To keep yourself safe, it’s always best to walk away from anyone who invites you to “street games” or seeks donations from you. Occasionally, a random person may even offer to bless you or ask for a high five – another common trick to distract you as their accomplice tries to reach into your bags or pockets. In these situations, your best bet is to give them a firm no or avoid engaging.
Tip 5: Make multiple copies of your travel documents
To safeguard your travels, we’d recommend keeping multiple copies of your documents. From pictures of your passport on your phone to hard, photostatted copies that you can keep on hand, having these documents will be helpful in case you’ve misplaced your original set.
It’s worth noting that nobody should be allowed to take your passport away from your eyesight – not even hotels during check-in procedures or rental companies. This prevents your documents from being duplicated and reduces the chances of fraudulent activities. In some cities, rental companies may claim that keeping your passport is a form of insurance. If this happens, we recommend moving forward with a different establishment instead.
Tip 6: Are you travelling alone? No, you’re not!
Making new friends is undoubtedly one of the most exciting perks when travelling solo. However, this should be done with caution as you may never know the intention of the other party at the first meeting. Instead, it’s always better to lie if someone asks whether you’re travelling solo.
As a solo traveller, creating excuses such as meeting up with a friend later or that you’re waiting for your family members to arrive are great ways to keep harm at bay. This method should also be adopted in case you run into conversations with other hostel guests. And while we understand this possibly isn’t the most fun way to travel and meet people, keeping yourself safe as a solo traveller should always be a priority.
Tip 7: Read up on your hotels and hostels
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When travelling solo, it can be tempting to pick out whichever accommodation is the most affordable. And while it’s a great way to stretch your budget, it’s always best to read up on the reviews of your hotel or hostel of choice. From its location to its staff members and safety procedures, going through the reviews from previous guests is a great way for you to determine if your accommodation is perfect for solo travellers.
If you’re putting up in a hostel, it’s always a good idea to utilize their lockers for your luggage bags. Smaller lockers should also be available by your bedside so you can store more important valuables such as your wallets and electronics. However, bear in mind that some hostels may require you to bring your own padlock. Most hostels also offer gender-split rooms, so it’s best to request a female-only or male-only option if available.
As a bonus, you’ll never know if these reviews will guide you to secrets from your accommodation. Tips such as which rooms to ask for to get the best views are always great additions to complete your holiday!
Tip 8: Planning your routes will take you a long way
When you’re out exploring a new city, it’s always good to plan your routes ahead of time. This not only saves you time when you’re trying to get to your destination but also deters you from looking too lost and attracting the wrong crowd.
If you’re navigating through the city with your Maps app, it’s always helpful to memorize your routes or landmarks ahead of time. You’ll reduce the number of times you have to pull out your phone when you do risk, so there’s also less risk of it getting stolen. We also recommend investing in a smartwatch that comes with the Maps feature included so you can also find your way just by looking at your wrist.
Still feeling lost? Asking for help from storekeepers, waiters at restaurants, or even your hotel and hostel front desks will always take you a long way. It definitely helps to be proactive when it comes to seeking a hand while you’re travelling solo, but do ensure you reach out to the right people with your best interests at heart.
Best countries to visit as a solo traveller
Now that you have some of the best tips to remember when travelling solo, it’s worth noting that discovering a new city alone isn’t all about the negatives. In fact, the freedom to try local cuisines or to dip your toes in the local cultures are some of the top positives. If you plan to embark on a trip alone, below is an updated list of some of the best countries to visit as a solo traveller.
Japan
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Japan has always reigned as one of the best countries to visit as a solo traveller, and we cannot agree enough. Featuring beautiful sights wherever you turn, it often makes for an unforgettable trip especially if it’s your first time travelling alone. With safe hostel options and even solo seats in ramen restaurants, Japan is definitely a solo traveller’s haven.
Additionally, most public transportation and metro stations also feature multiple languages, so manoeuvring around major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and even Hokkaido is easy even when you don’t speak Japanese. That said, if you’re planning to visit some of Japan’s smaller prefectures such as Akita, it’s always useful to learn the basics of the language to help you get by.
Korea
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Next on our list of destination recommendations for solo travellers is Korea. Boasting a vibrant culture, fantastic café scenes, and stunning views across the country, there’s never a bad season to visit Korea when you’re travelling alone. The country’s strong and convenient infrastructure also means you can explore beyond modern Seoul. Many travellers beforehand have noted that catching glimpses of Jeju Island and Busan are some of the must-dos when you’re in Korea.
With friendly locals and scrumptious delicacies to whet any foodie’s appetite, it’s easy to see why many solo travellers have Korea in mind. If you’re planning a visit soon, don’t forget to apply for your K-ETA so you’ll have a seamless entry into Korea!
Austria
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Surrounded by breathtaking mountains and gorgeous lakes, Austria is one of the safest countries you can visit as a solo traveller. While the country is best known for its ski-perfect Alps, the cities have much more to offer to anyone looking to discover historic spots such as Schönbrunn Palace of Vienna or the Hangar-7 – Aviation Museum located in Salzburg.
If you’re a fan of the classical movie, The Sound of Music, a visit to Salzburg is a must. From here, retrace the steps taken by Julie Andrews who plays Fraulein Maria and the 7 children at the Mirabell Garden or walk along the Mozart Bridge while humming a tune. For a more in-depth tour, consider signing up for The Original Sound of Music Tour Salzburg. This 4-hour tour will take you to even more filming locations including seeing the famous gazebo where they filmed the song, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”.
However, it’s important to remember that many shopping spots and supermarkets in Austria are closed on Sundays. This is great to consider for your travels, especially if you’re hoping to get some last-minute shopping in.
The Netherlands
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Some call it the Netherlands and others call it Holland – but regardless of how you address this little country, it’s just key to know that it’s one of the safest places for solo travellers. Known to be a hub where many cultures meet, the Netherlands offers a variety of fun activities with laid-back vibes.
Central Amsterdam is where most solo travellers will start their Dutch escapade, while local excursions to neighbouring cities like Utrecht and Haarlem will offer you a more slice-of-life experience. In spring, you wouldn’t want to miss out on visiting the Keukenhof botanical garden where you can see nearly 7 million flowers blooming across the 32-hectare park.
And before you leave for home, don’t forget to try some of the popular Dutch snacks such as the stroopwafel – a thin cookie that sandwiches a sweet syrup, or ask for a portion of savoury bitterballen – a fried meat-based snack often made with meat and roux – to go along with your drinks at any traditional brown bars.
Are you an avid solo traveller or hoping to take the first step into exploring unique destinations while travelling alone? Take the doubts out of your plan and let our holiday planners do the work for you. Contact us and we’ll tailor the perfect solo travel plan for you.