Solo Travel Safety: Tips for Those Traveling Alone

If you are new to travel, you likely have a lot to learn. If you've travelled a lot but have never travelled solo, you have different issues to resolve. We have a lot on the site for solo travel newbies. Read First Time Solo Travel: Tips for Newbies and Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers: North America & International.

We all have different ideas of safety. Some would never consider a country like Pakistan as a destination for safety reasons but others would. Make sure the safety level of your destination meets your personal travel safety needs. This will involve checking the Destinations section of Solo Traveler, guide books, and your government's travel site.

Your government likely has information on the travel documents you require for travel as well as any warnings for your destination. 

Buy travel insurance before you go. It keeps life simple and safe to buy insurance. Read Going Alone? A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers or Best Travel Insurance for Senior Solo Travelers.

The first stop for most travellers in a new destination is their hotel or hostel. Arrive in the mid-afternoon so that you can really see what kind of area you're staying in. A safe area will always look better in daylight. An unsafe area is more obviously so in daylight. But there are more very practical reasons to arrive during daylight. You will be able to find your accommodation more easily and if you don't like it, you will have time to make other arrangements.

Your arrival in any new country, especially one where you don't know the language or the local transit system, is important. Research how you'll get from the airport to your hotel or hostel and give yourself lots of time. You will need it as you learn how their system works. If your flight arrives late in the day, you may want to avoid the transit system and splurge on a taxi to be on the safe side.

Even those who do not like maps are advised to look at one and get the lay of the land. For example, if you were to look at a map of Toronto you'd note that the lake is south no matter where you are in the city and the CN Tower stands high near the lake. If you get turned around looking for the tower. If you can't see it, ask someone which way the lake is. Not everyone knows north and south but locals know where the lake is. The same logic can be applied in New York City and many other cities based on major landmarks.

• Masks: N95 or Ecan95 mask is recommended
• Vaccinations and proof: If you have been double vaccinated, ensure that you have the paperwork to prove it
• Pre-departure: Face masks and a ticket for a same-day flight are required to enter the airport
• Airports require face masks along with all requirements for destination countries
• France and Germany’s requirements: Proof of approved vaccination within appropriate time frames and attestation to the absence of COVID-19 symptoms
• Upon return: Antigen tests are not accepted

When buying products for travel, try to buy ones that will increase the safety of yourself and your things

• Antitheft day pack
• Extra place to stash cash
• Pickpocket-proof clothing
• Face masks
• Basic Band-Aids or more colorful bandages
• Acetaminophen
• Benadryl® Itch Relief Spray
• Any medications recommended by the travel clinic
• The right wallet
• RFID-blocking products
• A doorstop
• Whistle
• VPN on all your devices

• Use debit cards wisely
• Carry a spare credit card
• Keep emergency cash hidden
• Don’t take unnecessary documents with you
• Have multiple copies of your documents
• Use a VPN.

Basic apps for your phone:

• Flashlight
• Compass
• Google Maps
• Weather

• Trust your intuition and leave if it doesn’t feel right.
• Familiarize yourself with the common con games of your destination.
• Stay alert and stay sober - it’s best to stay sober as you travel.
• Walk with confidence - blend in as well as possible.
• Be polite - being impolite can get you into trouble.
• Know when and how to make a lot of noise and attract attention to yourself and the person bothering you.
• Pack right - use a distinctive mark on your luggage other than a name and address tag.
• Keep your luggage tags with your flight ticket.
• Where you are staying is personal information.