What to Know When You're Traveling Alone

By Christine Ascher on July 31, 2017

Traveling on your own can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It means having complete freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without being held back by anyone else.

However, there are more dangers involved with traveling alone and, because of this, there are more precautions that you should take. To avoid any unwanted trouble on your trip, stick to these tips.

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Dress inconspicuously

If you dress differently from the locals wherever you’re going, you’re inevitably going to stand out. This can lead to an increased risk of being pick-pocketed or worse. The easiest way to blend in is by doing your research ahead of time so you know how people in that city typically dress.

In some areas, “dressing like a local” might be as simple as avoiding the gym shoes and fanny pack that will immediately identify you as an American tourist. In other areas, if you’re a woman, this could mean dressing more conservatively to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Research some wardrobe suggestions before you go so that you’re well-prepared when you reach your destination.

Stick to crowded areas

While you’ll probably be doing this anyway if you’re checking out popular tourist spots, it’s a good idea to stick to areas that are relatively crowded when you’re traveling alone. You’ll be much more vulnerable while walking on empty streets than when surrounded by people — especially at night — so stick to highly populated areas as much as you can.

Trust your intuition

Whenever you’re in a situation that doesn’t feel right, you’re always better off trusting your intuition and playing it safe. Don’t be afraid of overreacting if you find yourself in uncomfortable situations; if you suspect something suspicious, chances are the situation isn’t a great one to be in any way.

It’s a good idea to keep some extra money stored away for emergency situations — for instance if your hostel turns out to be a bit sketchy and you need to find a better place to stay.

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Pack light

Since you won’t have anyone to help you carry your bags, your travels will be infinitely easier the lighter you pack. Stick to the essentials and go for a capsule wardrobe — in other words, bring basic clothing items that you can wear all the time, and just one or two heavier garments like sweaters.

Your travels will also be improved if you use good quality luggage that is easy to carry. Backpacks and rolling bags are the easiest to transport, and you can also find some with hidden compartments for important items like your passport and extra cash for emergencies.

Make sure someone knows where you are and where you’re staying

Even if you don’t have a set plan for your travels and intend to set your itinerary as you go, make sure that you keep someone from home informed of what city you’re in and where you’re staying. If anything goes wrong, it’s essential that someone knows where you last were; it will also give you and your friends and family some peace of mind knowing that someone is aware of where you should be at all times.

Bring some books or start a travel journal

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Since you’ll be on your own a lot of the time, it’s a good idea to bring a couple of books along so you have something to keep yourself entertained on train and plane rides.

You might also want to consider bringing a travel journal with you; in addition to being a source of entertainment, this will help you keep track of your experiences and how you’re feeling along the way.

It can be difficult to stay entertained and upbeat when you’re spending so much time on your own, so keeping busy during your down time is one way to combat this. It will also give you an opportunity to jot down all of the thoughts that you won’t be able to share with your friends and family until you return.

Plan ahead of time

Even if you want to keep your itinerary loose, always have an idea of what you’re going to be doing the next day. When you’re traveling alone, it can be harder to find fun activities spur-of-the-moment, so you’ll get more out of your experience if you have both a plan and a backup plan for what to do each day. In order to create a good plan, do your research ahead of time so that you know all of the places you want to visit, where they are, and how to get there.

Research common customs wherever you’re going

Another way to avoid sticking out or getting unwanted attention is by researching common customs so that you know what to expect and how to act. Look into customs for tipping, greetings, and restaurant etiquette in particular, as these tend to vary from country to country. Knowing how to act throughout your travels will help you avoid accidentally offending anyone, and might even make the locals more friendly towards you, increasing your chances of forming some new, international friendships.

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