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You are here: Home / How to Travel Alone / Solo Travel Safety / Solo Travel Safety: 20 Common Sense Tips

Solo Travel Safety: 20 Common Sense Tips

October 23, 2010 by Janice Waugh

havana street

This Havana street was vibrant during the day. But when I arrived at midnight, it was intimidating.

To use common sense is to act in ways that most people would consider prudent. It is to use good judgment.

However, what is prudent in an unfamiliar culture is not necessarily the same as what is prudent at home. Common sense in one country is not necessarily common in another. Therefore, travelers must have travel common sense. You need to follow certain guidelines that will protect you regardless of where you are. Here are a number of safety tips that are, really, just good common sense.

Table of Contents

  • Solo Travel Safety – Preparation Before You Leave
  • Solo Travel Safety – In an Unfamiliar Location
  • Solo Travel Safety – Technology Can Help

Solo Travel Safety – Preparation Before You Leave

  1. Do your research and know the risks of your destination before you arrive.
  2. Schedule your arrival in a new location early  — well before dark.
  3. We are trained to be polite and to keep our voices down in public. Before leaving, take some time in your basement or some other appropriate place to yell – loudly. Find your voice so that you can use it if needed.
  4. Practice a few basic self-defense moves before leaving. Have a read of this post: Six Tips for Common Sense Self Defence
  5. If you're going far and for a while, make sure you register with your government as a citizen abroad.

Solo Travel Safety – In an Unfamiliar Location

  1. Always stay in public. This is what saved me in my situation in Paris.
  2. Stay in touch with home on a regular basis.
  3. Draw in the support of total strangers – people of your choice – if you feel unsafe.
  4. Carry the name and address of the place you're staying in the local language on a card.
  5. Don't flash expensive items or jewelery.
  6. Keep your passport and other important documents secure in a money belt and have backup copies.
  7. Be aware of your surroundings, where the exits are, who is with you, land marks to orient yourself… don't wear an ipod so that you are and look distracted. It makes you a mark.
  8. Stay sober and well rested.
  9. Lock your room carefully and use a safe for your valuables when possible.
  10. Let the desk clerk or some other trusted person know where you are going.

Solo Travel Safety – Technology Can Help

  1. Keep copies of your documents using cloud computing or simply by emailing basic information to yourself in several distinct emails.
  2. Keep your cell phone handy so that you can call for help if necessary.
  3. Down-load a GPS to your phone if possible and also a translator.
  4. Use ATMs to get money and don't take out large sums at one time. You can also consider prepaid credit card.

And, the greatest common sense safety tip of all: trust your instincts. Listen to them. If something doesn't feel right, get out of there.

Last updated: 24th April, 2018

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The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers. Please see our Privacy Policy here.

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RESULTS MAY VARY (THE DISCLAIMER)

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

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