Safety Tips
Staying safe is one of the biggest concerns people have about traveling, especially when traveling solo. But there are some very simple things you can do to stay safe and have a great time on your trip. Some of these tips seem obvious, but they can also be easy to forget.
- Stay in touch. Let friends and family know where you’re going next. Check in every few days.
- Arrive in a new place during the day.
- Take a copy of the hotel business card in the local language, so you can show it to a taxi driver. This is particularly important with languages that use a different alphabet from your language.
- Check your maps / itinerary before you leave the hotel. Nothing screams “tourist” more than a person with a large map wandering around looking lost.
- If you don’t feel comfortable in an area, leave. Trust your gut instinct.
- If someone keeps bothering you, walk away. Ignore the person, avoid eye contact and move quickly. Go into a store if need be.
- Make copies of your passport, credit cards, driver’s license, and other important documents. Keep a copy with you and give a copy to someone at home. Always carry your copies separate from the real thing. And / or email yourself the copies along with your bank account numbers.
- Call your credit card companies to let them know you’ll be gone.
- Get cash from ATMs as you travel. Some banks or countries have limit the amount of cash you can take out in a single transaction. Only use ATMs at banks, not stand-alone ATMs. Some American banks have partners overseas. When you use these partners’ ATMs, you’re not charged a fee. Some countries are “cash societies” where credit cards aren’t used often.
- Know the currency. Before venturing out learn which coins are which.
- Learn about local scams.
- Research body language and culture.
- Dress conservatively. Follow what the locals are wearing. Blend in. Solo travelers can blend in more than a group. Use this to your advantage.
- Do not leave valuables lying around in your room. Put them in a safe or hide them. Use a padlock on a hostels’ locker.
- Don’t wear flashy expensive jewelry.
- Always watch your bag. Store your luggage at your hostel or hotel while you go out. If you place your bag down anywhere, stick your arm or leg through a strap. When I sleep, particularly in a hostel or on a train, I have my small daypack with all my important documents and electronics by my head.
- Get travel insurance.
- Don’t drink too much.
- Lie a little. If someone is bothering you, explain you are waiting for someone.
- Be nice; learn a few phrases in the local language.
- Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Never be rushed into a decision.
- Don’t tell people exactly where you’re staying. Instead say, I’m at a hotel in the ____ area.
- Act confident!
- Use common sense!
