Traveling is a pastime for many people. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect ourselves, especially when traveling. While traveling, we find people traveling in groups as well as alone. We hope to give you safety tips for traveling alone through this article.
Why Put a Mirror on Your Bag When Traveling Alone
Have you ever wondered why you put a mirror in your bag when you travel alone? There are several reasons for that. When you travel alone, you can get lost. Mirror is important to send a message to someone far away if you get lost in such a situation. It also helps someone else know where you are in the event of an accident. And this mirror is essential to have in your bag to show it when you need help. Finally, one of the safety tips for traveling alone is to put a mirror in your bag.
Among the travelers, solo female travelers should be more careful than other group travelers and solo male travelers. Here are the top 10 safety tips for solo female travelers.
1. Check your destination.
This first hint is quite clear. Before leaving, check your destination thoroughly. Find out which areas to visit, where to stay and how local transport works. Get to know the local culture and customs, learn a few key phrases in the local language, and learn about common tourist scams in the area so you can avoid them.
Basically, the more knowledge you have, the more prepared you’ll be for your trip and the less likely you’ll encounter unpleasant surprises or safety hazards.
2. Blend in with the locals.
Blend in with the locals and dress modestly as you research your destination. If you’re traveling to a country where women dress very modestly, it’s best to cover up as well.
Even in conservative countries in Europe and South America, there are many places where women don’t wear shorts or tops even in summer. As long as you don’t call yourself a “tourist” you’ll be fine.
3. Have a calm and confident face.
If you walk around looking dazed and confused, you’re likely to be targeted. Walk with confidence and purpose, even if you don’t really know where you’re going.
4. Be careful around you.
Always be careful and aware of your surroundings. Don’t use headphones to listen to music or look at your phone while walking, especially if you’re walking alone at night. If you are in a crowded place or on public transport, be considerate of others and keep your belongings safe.
5. Stay connected
You don’t have to call, text, email, or post on social media every hour of the day while traveling, but it’s important to keep in touch with family and friends at home you are safe.
Share your general travel plans with your family and loved ones before you leave, and update them regularly during your trip so they know where you are.
6. Spend a little more money to be safe
I love walking everywhere when I travel, but if I’m walking home alone late at night and don’t feel safe, I’ll spend a little extra money on a taxi. Don’t hesitate to spend a little more money for a nicer hotel in the center instead of a fancy hostel or guest house that makes you feel sick.
I once spent over $100 to get back in the middle of the night from a very remote area of Guatemala. It’s worth paying a little more for peace of mind when traveling.
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7. Drink in moderation (or don’t drink at all)
Drinking in moderation is always a good idea, but it’s even more important if you’re traveling alone and don’t have friends to look after you. If you drink too much alcohol, you can easily get lost, hurt or assaulted. If you’re traveling alone and drinking alcohol, always be careful about what you’re drinking and don’t accept drinks you can’t see how they’re made.
8. Do not be afraid of rudeness
Many women tend to be overly polite, and some try to take advantage of this, especially when you’re alone. If you feel uncomfortable or insecure, don’t be afraid to be rude.
If someone talks scary to you, ignore them or tell them to leave them alone. Or if someone invades your personal space or tries to grab or touch you, don’t be afraid to yell. When your safety is at stake, politeness goes out the window.
You are never alone
Even if you travel alone, you are never alone. If you need help, are lost, or feel overwhelmed, talk to someone. Usually when you stop near a hotel or restaurant, there is someone who can speak English to help you. Also, when I travel alone, I find that other women, older couples, and family members are always looking out for me and helping me!
Trust your instincts
Trusting your instincts can keep women traveling alone safe. Whenever you hear that little voice in the back of your head telling you something is wrong, you need to listen. If you’re traveling and something about that person feels “weird” or makes you feel uneasy about a certain place, listen to that intuition and stay away! Again, don’t worry about being rude. Just trust yourself
However, solo female travel is not dangerous.
9. Storage of valuables during transportation
Truth. You should not bring family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, birth certificates, or anything you fear losing.
Today, people move with safe technology that was unfathomable a decade ago. Most travelers carry at least one smart phone. Many people carry laptops, tablets, Kindles or other e-readers and DSLR cameras with expensive lenses. Given the cost to replace any of these items, they are definitely considered valuable items.
You need a day bag that can hold all your essentials like your passport, camera, medicine, jewelry, credit cards, smart phones, other technology, photos, and other valuable gear. Spend a lot of money on this. This is one of my top travel safety tips.
Do not put these items in your general backpack. Do not put these items in the luggage compartment of the bus. Do not put these items in your checked baggage on the plane. If you keep them out of your sight, chances are they will be taken from you forever.
10. Take only what you need and lock the rest
No need to walk around town with all your credit cards, passport and $500 in cash. Bring what you need for the day: maybe $50 or more, a top, a spare debit card (get one from Transfer wise if you don’t have one), and leave the rest at your accommodation.
Most reputable hostels have lockers for guests. Use them if you have them. In guesthouses, hotel rooms, or other places where lockers and safes are not available, use portable safes instead. A full review of what I use and love. An essential tool for safe travels.
While risk cannot be 100% eliminated (if a professional criminal decides to steal, he will commit), most criminals are opportunistic. Remove the odds and they will go after someone else who has left their valuables out in the open and they have much easier access.
Do you want to know about safety tips for solo female travelers: Here