Safety Tips For Solo Travellers

The ability to travel somewhere new is incredibly exciting. Being able to experience a new country, city or town on your own terms, in your own time, is indeed something to be thankful for. However, for many of us solo travellers, other small anxieties start to creep in and crowd our minds. One of the biggest causes of this is the thought of one’s personal safety while travelling somewhere you are not yet all too familiar with.

There are several quick, convenient measures that you can take to help bring you peace of mind when it comes to staying safe, allowing you to thoroughly enjoy yourself instead of worrying. Below are a few of our favourite tips to remember for the next time you start packing your bag for another whirlwind adventure.

Trust your instincts

One of the best things that you can do to help ensure your own safety is to make sure that you trust your gut. Now this may seem like a bit of a stretch but listening to and trusting your instincts will carry you far. If it feels like something is off, it probably is. Avoid scenarios that don’t sit well with you and only go places where you feel comfortable and interact with those you feel most comfortable with.

Don’t be a target

One of the easiest ways to spot a tourist is to look out for someone walking around with their mobile phones out, looking at a digital map, with their cameras on full display. Try not to flaunt your valuables, as this will immediately turn you into a target. Keep them hidden, or better yet, keep them at home. Not only will this reduce any threat to your security, it will also make the load that you are carrying around significantly lighter.

Be present

It is very easy to get swept up in the magic of travelling, but it is of utmost importance that you remain present and pay attention to everything going on around you. Try and avoid listening to music too loudly in your headphones, for example, as this tends to make us less aware of our surroundings and also signifies to a would-be mugger that you likely have a smartphone in your pocket that you are using to listen to your music from.

Familiarise yourself with your destination

Try to familiarise yourself with your destination as best as you can and as quickly as you can. Make sure that you take note of important landmarks close to your accommodation, as well as community service centres, such as police stations or neighbourhood watch booths. Having these little snippets of information in your mind will go a long way in helping you in the event that you get lost. You can easily ask for help when and if you need it. One of the best ways to get quickly and efficiently acquainted with your destination is by going on a walking tour. Ask your hostel or hotel if there is one held close to where you are – they are informative, full of interesting information about your destination and are often available at very reasonable prices.

Use apps for commuting

There are a host of apps available that can go a long way in helping you on your travels. One of these specific kinds of apps is the kind used for hailing rides. This may vary, depending on where you are travelling to, so be sure to do a bit of research into this wherever possible. By commuting using apps, it is easy to track both the driver and you, keeping both of your information in the system from the start of your trip with them right to the end. Furthermore, most apps give you the option to pay via credit or debit card, which completely eliminates the need for you exchange cash with anyone.

Have your address handy

One of the easiest ways to help ensure your safety is to ask the front desk for a business card or to write down the address of the hotel in the local language. This is particularly useful if the characters of the language aren’t ones that you are too familiar with.

By keeping your address handy at all times, you will make it easier for people to show you how to get back there if you get lost. It will also make it a lot more convenient when catching a taxi, as you can simply show them the address or business card of where you need to get to, thus eliminating any limitations that a language barrier may bring.

Invest in a SIM card

One of the most stressful parts of travelling is worrying about whether or not you will have a solid Wi-Fi connection and access to any apps, sites like onlinebetting.xyz, maps, and communication with loved ones. Investing in a SIM card is never a waste of money, as it gives you the peace of mind and security of knowing that you are always connected when need be. Furthermore, there are often kiosks at airports selling short-term SIM cards at reasonable prices to help you stay connected throughout your trip.

Avoid carrying cash

When travelling in previous years, cash was always seen as king, and for good reason. For one, it makes for a tangible object that will help you keep track of spending, which is particularly helpful when it comes to foreign currencies. However, in this day and age, most attractions all over the world accept major credit and debit cards, thus eliminating the need for keeping cash on you. Where possible, avoid carrying cash, as it could potentially turn you into a target.

Furthermore, it is fairly easy to misplace – something which is a very real possibility while you are travelling and away from home comforts. Another great perk of choosing card payments over cash ones is the fact that some travel insurance companies allow for a certain percentage of credit card insurance to cover unorthodox payments that could result from a cloned card or fraudulent transaction.