Being a woman who thrives on independence and reckless acts of adventure, traveling alone is just something I do. I like to create my own agenda, go where I want to go, and do it all when I want to do it. Sure, it’s nice to have company, but only if you want to resign every decision to a group vote. And someone always gets screwed on the team vote – that someone typically turning out to be me.
Traveling alone is not for the faint of heart – particularly if you’re already averse to eating alone in your own neighborhood, or making small talk with friendly strangers. If that’s the case, you may want to brush up on your people skills before you embark on a solo journey. Otherwise, you might find yourself locked up in your hotel for days, ordering room service and watching UK Law and Order because you’re too afraid to treat yourself to tea and crumpets at the corner café. Not only does that sound epically boring, but it would be a colossal waste of your money and time. After all, why “get out” if you’re not going to, well, get out?
For most would-be travelers, it’s the fear of “being alone” that holds them back – the fear of being in “unsafe” situations, or being “that creep who hangs out at the restaurant alone.” Really the only way to conquer this fear is to experience solo travel yourself. You’ll soon realize that most places aren’t as dangerous as you thought (if you’re smart about where and how you go), and that all those foreigners you think are judging you could really care less.
Traveling alone doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming; there are plenty of ways to reduce your chances of being mugged or kidnapped.
If and when you decide you’re up for the challenge, here are some tips to keep in the back of your mind:
Take baby steps.
For your first trip, go to a destination where most people speak your language. Traveling solo becomes far riskier when you’re heading to a place that you’ve never been, not to mention a country where you don’t speak the local language. If nothing else, at least drive to a neighboring state to “practice” getting around alone.
Language matters.
If you insist on traveling alone to a strange land where English isn’t the primary language, at least make sure you know a few basic phrases in the native tongue. It’s also a good idea to memorize or write down emergency phone numbers, as well as addresses and areas where English is spoken, like the local US Embassy.
Don’t forget to use your greatest asset – common sense.
Don’t look like a tourist.
Pulling out a guidebook in public is a great way of announcing you have no idea where you’re going, and a surefire way to increase your chances of getting mugged. Instead, tuck your map into a book or magazine, or, better yet, download maps to your smartphone ahead of time for quick and easy consultation.
Check in at a large, reputable hotel.
While booking a room at the Four Seasons won’t completely guarantee your safety, you will at least benefit from the increased on-site security, as well as the complimentary WiFi.
Don’t get hammered
…At least not outside the confines of your hotel room. Sure, we all like a cocktail here and there, but it isn’t the brightest idea to be strolling around the dark streets of Amsterdam alone, incoherent and unaware. Plus, if you make a new friend, it’s nice to be able to remember them the next morning.
Stay alert at all times, or: constant vigilance!
This doesn’t mean you need to be paranoid; there’s no fun in traveling if you’re always looking over your shoulder for potential predators. Just try to exude an air of confidence while walking around so you don’t look like a lost puppy.
Study your surroundings.
Research your destination and where you’ll be staying weeks before the trip. That way, you’ll feel right at home and know just what to expect when you actually arrive there. “Winging it” or “faking” your way around town can be a little more challenging than you might anticipate.
Don’t forget about home.
Seriously. You may be traveling alone, but tell at least one person at home about your plans (and no, your dog doesn’t count). If you get lost or if an emergency arises, it’s good to know that someone else has a handle on where you are. Plus, you don’t need the local police knocking on your door because you forgot to tell mom you landed safely.
Beware of creepy parking lots.
If your hotel has no valet service, make sure you park in a very well-lit and secure lot. If no such space is on hand, choose another hotel. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Send the right message.
When you leave your room, hang the Do Not Disturb Sign to give the impression that somebody is inside, or that you’re not traveling alone. And dress conservatively. I hate to say this, because women should be able to dress however they want, but… don’t wear your sexy miniskirt or cleavage-baring tops when you’re traveling alone. Wear practical clothing that doesn’t show off your sexy bits so you’re less likely to get unwanted admirers following you.
While none of these tips can guarantee you won’t get a hangnail or lose your passport in the airport bathroom, hopefully they’ll help you remember the importance of using common sense. You can be just as social, fun and charming as you always are – just stay smart. And remember, this trip is all about you; don’t ever feel pressured to do something you think is unsafe. Just do what makes you happy!
Want more? Here are 50 Travel Safety Tips!
You might be tempted to live on fast food just to avoid awkward restaurant situations. Don’t. In fact, fancy establishments are fantastic places to dine alone. Waiters are happy to help solo diners who smile and say, “I made a special trip just to eat here. What do you recommend?” Social folks might want to eat at the bar, but there’s no shame in taking a table for two.
True. You can dine alone for all they care! Just enjoy the food and the place!
Solo trips remind all your senses that you are the leader of your journey. Live the present moment. It teaches you things that you wouldn’t have learned if traveled in a group or with a friend. Also, solo travel fits anyone, whether you’re single, in a relationship, extroverted, or introverted. I do a lot of traveling and I’m happy to do it on my own!
You have to learn how to survive — when and what to trust, how to make buddies, how to find your way around alone. That’s the biggest reward of solo travel.
Sometimes, especially in more hospitable and foreigner-fascinated cultures, the attention you get traveling solo can be a little intense. Learn how to say “no, thank you” in the local language, as well as “absolutely not”, plus the local nonverbal gesture for “no”, which is often more effective than both. Also have local help numbers, such as the tourist police, programmed in your phone. You’ll probably never need them, but just knowing you have them can give you the confidence to deal with awkward situations.
I have heard a lot of people talking about solo travel and the positive impact it brings to one’s life. I was never a fan of it until I took my first solo trip. I wanted to see how it feels to go crazy alone. The results were mind blowing.
It truly is. You won’t even feel alone! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions.
One of the best things about traveling alone is that you have “HI, COME TALK TO ME” written all over your forehead. There’s no wall of defense in the form of friends who might block you from having an incredible and engaging conversation with a local or fellow traveler. People are curious, and when you look foreign, they want to know your story. In turn, you learn theirs. All you have to do is show the world you’re open to new connections. The best way to meet people while traveling solo is to hang out in places where people can easily approach you: Coffee shops, public squares, museums, the hostel bar… Take a book with you, rather than looking at your phone, it’s much more likely to spark a conversation.
Being alone for large quantities of time can be daunting! But just roll with it. You might learn to love your own company along the way. And if you’re feeling particularly social, you can always try to make new friends. Show off your free-agent status by offering to take a family’s photo at a big sight, for instance, or by sitting near a chatty gang at a bar. Travelling alone doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the time and you don’t have to socialize with anyone else.
It’ll either be a good time or a good story, but either way it’s one of the secrets of how to travel alone. Say yes to the coffee. Say yes to the hike. Say yes to leaping so far outside your comfort zone, that you’d feel like a foreigner if you ever went back. Say yes to adventure. The advantage of not being with a group is that you’re more likely to say “yes” to whatever serendipitous encounter that comes your way.
Serendipity is so nice when you travel alone.
Solo travel is a skill, and one I’m constantly honing in order to get the very best out of my experiences abroad. I’ve traveled through 45 countries, more than half of them solo, and it’s taught me so much about myself and the universe. I highly recommend solo travel to anybody and everybody whether you’re 18 or 80, male or female, introvert or extrovert.
Are you a sociable person who wants to be in the middle of everything? You might go crazy if you can’t communicate, so head somewhere you speak the language. If you’re more of an introvert, forget the language barrier. Vibrant cities are perfect for people watching, especially if they have a fantastic café culture.