Solo Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

We all make mistakes. But solo travel mistakes? Well, it would be preferable not to make any at all.

I've been traveling solo how many years? More than 15! And yet, I still make the occasional travel mistake.

When you travel alone, a mistake can take on greater significance. Without a partner to lean on, the resolution of your mistake is all up to you. That's fine, when it's a missed train–you'll figure out when the next one is. But if it's a safety mistake, being on your own could make a greater difference.

Read on for a short story of one of my mistakes and tips on how to avoid others.

Solo Travel Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Them

When I was in Scotland a few years ago, I spent five days solo on the Isle of Sky. To get home required a daylong bus ride to Glasgow Airport, one overnight there in a hotel, and a flight the next day. The problem was my hotel.

My mistake: I didn't check out the hotel on Google's Street View before booking.

The hotel itself was fine but the neighborhood was sketchy–so much so that my dinner was chips and a chocolate bar from the snack machine in the lobby. Despite the fact that there was a restaurant down the street, I had no intention of wandering around an unknown neighborhood with no foot traffic in the dark.

So yes, there are solo travel mistakes to be made, even by those of us who have put on many miles traveling alone. I thought it worth taking a moment to review solo travel from the perspective of what one should not do rather than what one should do.

1. Not enough planning. To some, planning is almost as much fun as traveling. Not so for me. I like traveling without a plan. However, there is a certain amount of planning that is important. Do your research and know the risks of your destination before you arrive by checking your government's travel advisory page. Know what documents you'll need to enter your destination (here's a great resource for international document requirements), how you'll get there, where you'll spend the first night, and how you'll pay for things. These are the very basics of planning required.
2. Arriving at a new destination after dark. This is a mistake I made in Havana in 2006. I have not made it since as it can be really unnerving. Schedule your arrival in a new location early–well before dark–so you can find your accommodation in daylight and have time to change it if you're not happy.
3. Traveling without insurance. I never travel without travel insurance and it's a good thing. Thanks to insurance I’ve had a pair of glasses replaced that were lost in the UK: $300. I had a crown fixed that had come off a tooth in Sydney: $272. I was refunded for a flight to Peru that I couldn’t take due to my mother’s ill health: $1,100. In the grand scheme of things, these are relatively minor expenses compared to what a serious accident could cost. Not having travel insurance can be a very expensive solo travel mistake. Read: Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers: How to Make Sure You’re Protected.
4. Ignoring maps. Studying a map to get a sense of your destination before you go is time really well spent. Knowing what's north vs. south and east vs. west will help you navigate a city with greater ease. Knowing areas you may want to avoid will help keep you safe. See How to Navigate a New City Solo: Stay Safe and Don’t Get Lost.
5. Being too polite. We are trained to be polite and to keep our voices down in public, but if you are being bothered by someone your best defence is to speak up. Yell, if necessary. Drawing the attention of others usually resolves such problems quickly. Before leaving home, take some time in your basement or some other appropriate place to find your loud voice. Practice yelling.
6. Using public Wi-Fi without security. Public Wi-Fi is just that: public. As a result, personal data can be stolen when you use it. In some cases, the data is not that important, but if you are booking a room with your credit card or signing into a website, you could be giving away crucial information. The solution is to use a VPN which is an app that can be added to your phone, tablet, and/or computer. Read: VPN for Travel: What, Why, How and New Recommendations.
7. Becoming too friendly with a new acquaintance. The behavior and intentions of a new friend in a new land cannot be read the same way as someone from home. They may seem great but you're in a different culture, you don't really know them, and you don't have the same back-up resources you would at home. It's really important to always stay in a public place with a new acquaintance.
8. Being out of touch. Traveling untethered is a great feeling. But if something were to go wrong, it would be good if others knew where to find you. Stay in touch with home one way or another, on a regular basis. Read: Using Your Phone When Traveling: The Best, Affordable Option I’ve Found.
9. Looking lost. If you're feeling lost or unsure of something, don't stand around looking vulnerable. Look around with purpose and draw on the support of strangers that you choose, not ones who choose you. I tend to look for a family.
10. Flashing expensive items or jewelry. This is a big solo travel mistake. Don't attract the attention of pickpockets and thieves. Read: How to Avoid Pickpockets and Protect Your Valuables.
11. Distorted priorities. Money is more important than your expensive camera, your documents are more important than money, and your person, your body is more important than anything else. Try to keep everything safe, but if something has to go, make sure it's the right thing.The hierarchy of safety priorities is:
    • Your person.
    • Your documents.
    • Your money.
    • Your stuff.
12. Too little sleep or too much to drink. Exhaustion or being even a little drunk can compromise your judgment. Being alert is important. Always be aware of your surroundings, where the exits are, who is with you, and various landmarks to orient yourself. Don’t walk in unfamiliar areas listening to music through earphones or talking on your phone so that you are–and look–distracted. It makes you a mark.
13. Being lax about security. This is an obvious point. Lock your room carefully. Make sure that the door actually closes behind you. Use your room safe for your valuables when possible.
14. Traveling without a net. You're traveling solo but that doesn't mean that no one should know where you are. Let the desk clerk or some other trusted person know where you're off to when you leave your hotel. You needn't make a big deal out of it. Just a casual comment about how excited you are to see this or that could be valuable information should something go wrong. Also, grab the business card of your hotel so that you have its name and address on you in the local language.
15. Going too solo. Be trackable. If you’re going far and for a while, make sure you register with your government as a citizen abroad.
16. Ignoring your instincts. This is likely the biggest mistake you can make as a solo traveler. If your instincts are telling you that something or someone is not right, trust them. Leave the person or the situation.
17. Not checking your hotel location on Google Street view. And, of course, this one. I think this solo travel mistake is clearly described in the story above. It says it all.

Traveling solo is a wonderful experience but you alone are responsible for your safety. Take good care.