(Collaborative post) With the world opening up again, those who enjoy solo travel will soon be strapping on their backpacks and going off on a new adventure. Visiting a country, or countries, on your own can be an amazing experience. It boosts confidence, letting you move at your own pace, and experience exactly what you want to. I thought it might be an idea for those tempted but new to solo travel so share my Top Tips to Follow when Travelling Alone
Travelling alone can be scary . A 2020 survey by Tourlane found that 46% of women saw personal safety as a barrier to travelling alone. Thoughts felt by 20% of men too. To help you stay safe when exploring solo, here are five useful tips to bear in mind.
Top Tips to Follow when Travelling Alone
Understand Rules and Customs
If exploring an area of the world you’re unaccustomed to, ensure you know of any necessary cultural customs or legal rules that will impact you. You may need to act in a certain way or dress more conservatively, to avoid unwanted attention or risks to your personal safety. Be sure to research your chosen destination well ahead of time.
Plan Your Travel Arrangements
Whether you’re in a new country or exploring the UK, it’s important you know where you’re going, at what time, and which tickets you need to purchase. If you were travelling to the capital for the first time, for instance, solving this can be as simple as searching for train times to London, looking up your options well ahead of time, and getting your tickets booked.
If planning a longer trip, get a folder to organise all your tickets and timings. Take pictures of them on your phone too. Keep these close to hand so you can reference them when needed.
Learn Key Phrases
In a new country, it can be tough to communicate with the people you meet, especially when conversing with sources of information and help such as tourism bureau staff, doctors, and police. To make sure you can properly get help where needed, spend the months leading up to your trip learning crucial phrases you’ll likely need or more. It may also help to get hold of a quality phrasebook you can refer back to if you’re unsure.
Be Inconspicuous
Sometimes, it’s easy to spot a tourist walking along with a map firmly in hand, flashing valuable photo equipment, or wearing clothes that simply stand out against the crowd. In order to not invite trouble, from thieves, scammers, etc so make sure to blend in.
Pin It!
Don’t tell Strangers That You’re Alone
Meeting new people abroad, it can be easy to share details of why and how we’re travelling as a means of striking up a conversation. Chatting is great, but make sure not to tell others that you’re on your own as this can make you an easy target. We’ve all seen the Film Taken (with Liam Neeson) not everyone has a gun-toting dad capable of tracking them down if need be. If asked, say that you’ll soon be meeting friends and they’re currently elsewhere. Don’t forget your safety is a priority.
Have you travelled alone? If so what other Top Tips to Follow when Travelling Alone would you suggest?
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to Melanie’s Fab Finds RSS feed to see my latest posts. Emails will include recipes, reviews etc. and as a result, you will hear about my new posts and competitions first!
Watch our fab product reviews on YouTube x
Discover more from Melanie's Fab Finds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I have always found something like this daunting. I have never managed to travel along, but if I ever do I will definitely take these tips on board.
It is quite a brave thing to do. I like to travel with friends and family personally.
Yup, I agree. It’s best to blend in especially when you’re visiting a place for the first time and you’re solo traveling. These are great tips for solo travellers.
Thanks Viano. Attracting unnecessary attention is never a good idea.
This is such great advice. I have never travelled alone but would find this really reassuring.
I’m glad you found the post helpful.
I have traveled alone once and it was a short trip to China years ago. I have some knowledge about Mandarin but to be sure, I bought myself a handheld language translator. Traveling solo has its perks but we must still practice vigilance and look out for our own safety.
It is supposed to be great, so many love to do it.
These are great tips, as someone who travels alone often, I still worry about my safety but I take many precautions and never tell people I am alone plus I wear a pretend wedding ring too.
It’s good to hear you are careful. It’s shocking how many don’t take precautions.
When I use to travel alone, I would always tell front desk where I was going and when I’d be back, if I was traveling out late at night. If I felt particularly unsafe, I would often tell front desk at the hotel as well.
It’s good to make sure people know where you will be just in case x
I have never travelled alone, I honestly do not think I would be brave enough to be able to do it, but for those who are looking to get away alone this is a great post full of advice
Thanks Samantha. Neither have I but I have loads of friends that have and loooove it!!!
Great tips. I know lots of people who have explored the world on their own. I don’t think I would be brave enough.
It is a pretty big thing to go it alone.
I don’t have experience also, always with someone. And agree to that if ever you’re alone. Do not tell or else you will put yourself at risk.
I’m with you, I’d be keeping that a secret.
I’ve only ever travelled alone to either English speaking countries or to places I’ve been before so I feel comfortable. Usually I join onto group tours if I’m on my own x
Group tours can be fun. It’s great to meet new people.
These are great tips to follow when planning to go on a solo travel trip. I have contemplated the idea as it is something I have not done yet. Perhaps when my children are slightly older.
Thanks Ash. If you get to do it, have a wonderful time x
These are some really good tips – I used to go off across the UK on my own when I was younger and not really think twice about it, not something I would do now I don’t think though and couldn’t imagine being brave enough to go abroad!
I know what you mean. Going to another country makes it even scarier.
Traveling alone can be intimidating and scary at first but this is a great checklist. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Catherine. Loads do it and have an amazing time.
Funny, due to the nature of my business, I have often travelled alone–mostly international. Never had a fear but then you had to mention the movie Taken LOL.
Ha, sorry about that. It’s a great movie though and highlights the importance of being careful x
I did travel solo when I was younger and made lots of mistakes that I wouldn’t want to make again.
It can be a great way for people to learn about themselves and other things.
I have travelled alone so many times and it was great because I didn’t need to wait on anyone to go somewhere and I could easily change my mind about going to a place. The most important tip is to let someone know where each today.
There are so many bonuses to travelling alone.
I don’t think I’ve ever traveled alone, even in my college days. I don’t think that I would have as much fun just traveling myself, but people who do it are so cool and brave. Thanks for sharing!
They do seem to get a lot out of it although I am with you. Not sure I’d be brave enough.
I have not traveled alone, and I think I would be nervous about it. It is good to be prepared and take precautions.
It is better to be safe. I don’t think I could do it myself.
very useful tips. I rarely travel solo and I would love to get more info on that. it is a very refreshing experience I don’t mind having again
I have a few friends that have done it abroad and said it was an amazing experience.
These are some good tips. I have never travelled alone holiday wise yet , only on day trips into London as I am a little scared to!
It’s meant to be really good fun and you can do what you want to do and see what you want.
I normally travel with my husband. I think as a woman we do need to be especially aware of safety when travelling alone
That is very true and I honestly feel the same as you Mellissa.
Good tips! I travel alone all the time and I agree with not telling people you are alone in the beginning unless you feel you can trust them.
Oh wow, I do admire your bravery. I’m not sure I could do it myself x
I will keep these tips in mind if I travel alone. I would love to do this one day. It sounds so peaceful.
It can be far more relaxing not to have to worry about what others want to do.
I can’t recall a time when I traveled alone, though as I get older, I do like the sound of it. Thanks for the tips!
No problem Heather. It’s important to be safe when so many do this.
Since I have been married I only travel in groups or to a conference where I will be around a lot of people. I would never travel alone to a strange place unfortunately.
It works well for some but not so much for others. It all depends on what you would prefer and enjoy.
I’m just not ready for that experience. I have a daughter, a sister and a husband that can travel with me, so I think I will always do that. But, I’d rather travel alone than not travel at all.
I’m more a group traveller. I do enjoy going on trips with my family and sharing the experience.
Traveling alone can definitely be stressful. These are good points to keep in mind. So important to stay safe!
It can also be fun if you are careful x
I agree with all your tips, I will keep this in mind when I can travel freely again.
Have a lovely trip Richelle.
I’ve been so used to traveling with my wife so that I don’t know how it feels to travel alone. Maybe I’ll try it, so I’ll remember these tips when I finally have the courage to do it.
It seems to be something that many do before settling down. Although with that being said some still do it later in life too.
That is true. I have friends who are in a relationship and each of them would allot one occasion in a year to travel alone. They say it breaks the monotony and make them miss each other even more.
I traveled alone when I was younger. And I was always very careful, and I didn’t give confident to any stranger.
That’s good to hear. I bet you had an amazing time.
These are truly helpful tips. I agree with you that it’s best to be inconspicuous and we just have to learn how to blend in.
I have never traveled alone. It terrifies me yet I can see how empowering it would be too.
I think it is but I’m not sure I’d be able to do it.
THese are great tips for sure. I think not telling anyone you’re traveling alone is very important.
It’s shocking how many give out the info freely to strangers.
Although I rarely travel solo, these tips will definitely come in handy when I need to. Especially blending in and learning a phrase. Thanks for sharing
No problem Louisa. Blending is always good x
These are such great tips! It is important to take different considerations when you travel alone.
It makes a big difference to our safety and enjoyment.
Great advice! I used to travel alone all the time when I was in my late teens/ early 20s because I was on tour as an Irish dancer.
These are indeed great travel tips for solo travellers! Loved the post, so helpful ❤️Thanks for sharing🙂
It’s important o be prepared before you go it alone.
Great tips, I have a habit of looking like a tourist so this is definitely a tip to take notice of as you dont want to appear as an easy target.
Oh dear. It might be an idea to use these tips to help keep you safe x