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I’m asked on a regular basis whether or not solo travel is safe. The truth is, if I felt it was particularly dangerous, I wouldn’t do it. Something that needs to be understood is that all forms of travel come with certain risks, these being associate with being out of your element, unfamiliar surroundings and not understanding the languages. Like all travellers, if you are going anywhere alone you need to plan well, be aware of your surroundings, make the right choices and follow all safety precautions.
Is Solo Travel Safe?
The reason I started travelling solo is that I was finding myself in the annoying situation of wanting to go on a trip but not having anyone to go with.
So, is solo travel safe? The answer is yes and no. It completely depends on how you travel, where you go, and what you do in your destination. The truth is that travelling by yourself is no more dangerous than travelling with family, friends or as part of a group.
Is Solo Travel Safe for Women?
This is always the question I’m asked when the topic of solo travel is raised. My answer is always the same: it depends. Travel is always about being respectful, open-minded, and using common sense.
You will never find me blaming victims of assault or robbery on this blog, however it is important to remember that as a solo traveller you are ultimately responsible for your own belongings and personal safety. Covering yourself and behaving correctly in conservative countries will help to avoid unwanted attention and adverse reactions. If at any point you do find yourself in uncomfortable situations it important then being firm but polite is usually enough.
Using your common sense is vital, you may be on holiday but that doesn’t mean you should switch off completely, if you wouldn’t consider leaving your belongings unattended in your own hometown then you shouldn’t when travelling. There is no such thing as a crime free country, so regardless of the friendly people and beautiful scenery you should always be aware of your surroundings.
However, it’s really important to remember that the potential risks are not a reason to avoid travelling completely. Think about your hometown, do you refuse to leave your house because there is a risk of crime or accident? No, you live your life as normal and just deal with different situations as they arise. This is what to do whilst travelling.
How to Travel Solo Safely
Consider Your Destination
Start small. If you have never travelled solo before then you might be wondering where you go. I would always recommend going somewhere that has a good proportion of people who speak your native language. Of course, you don’t even have to go that far, travel to your country’s capital city for a relaxing weekend.
Do Your Research
Head to your government website and make yourself aware of the important information that you need to know. Do you need a VISA? Will you need vaccinations? What is the terrorism threat? Are there any specific local laws and customs that you need to know?
Leave Travel Details
I always leave my travel details with my Dad, he gets my flight numbers and times and accommodation details typed out. Not only does he feel better about knowing that flights have left and arrived but he can also watch them on the app on his phone, which he finds strangely enjoyable.
Stay in Touch
I always send a quick message home to say that I’ve checked in to my accommodation. Then I tend to post a couple of photos each day to my personal Facebook page so friends and family can see what I’m up to.
Join a Group Tour
A good way of meeting people and reducing the anxiety of solo travel is to head off on a group tour. This way you don’t have to do any planning or navigating as it is up to the organiser or guide. I love finding free walking tours as they are a fantastic way of learning about a new city and might even help you get your bearings, if it involves food then even better.
Speak to Locals
If you’re looking for recommendations for places to eat or things to do, the best option is always to ask locals. If you’re enjoying a coffee and it isn’t too busy then chat to the staff about what they enjoy in their neighbourhood.
While it’s great to make friends, this is never actually my intention when I’m travelling and whilst I would encourage you to meet new people as you visit new places I would suggest that you embrace those moments of peace and quiet. Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely, it means having time for yourself.
Some people would never dream of traveling on their own, I’ve spoken to some people who won’t even sit in a restaurant by themselves. That’s fine, perhaps traveling solo simply isn’t for them.
Solo travel is certainly not something to be afraid of, and it’s not something which only lonely people do. Solo travel is a fantastic experience, and something that I believe everyone should do at least once in their lives. The original question was, is solo travel safe? – and the answer is, it depends and it’s up to you to experience and decide for yourself.
Do you travel solo?
Let me know in the comments.
