Travelling solo is a great way to live life on your own terms and learn about yourself. You’ll be rewarded with rich experiences and great stories to take home. But going it alone brings an element of risk. So we asked our female travel experts what they do to feel safe on the road.
Research, research, research
Take the time to check out your destination. It’s worth finding out where the safest places to stay are, how you’ll get around, what areas are best avoided and how you should dress. Online forums are a useful way to get info about your destination. Sites such as TripAdvisor have reviews of various accommodations and neighbourhoods. Don’t forget to give someone at home your itinerary and contact details.
Have fun sensibly
Be careful what you eat and drink. It’s a good idea to stick to bottled water in some countries. If you’re planning a big night out, go with people you know and stick together. Beware of strangers who appear overly friendly. Know what you’re drinking, eat first, and take drinks only from the bartender. Don’t try and keep up with others who can drink more than you.
Do as the locals do
Dress modestly to minimise attention, especially in countries where the sexes are not treated equally. Take your cues from the locals. If you don’t look like a tourist, you won’t be as easy a target for swindlers or pickpockets. Even if you’re not confident, act as though you are. Walk purposefully with your head up, even if you don’t know where you’re going. Pretend you have somewhere important to be.
Be careful on the road
Take a pic of a taxi’s number plate before you get into it. En route, fake a phone call to tell someone you’re on your way so the driver thinks you’re meeting someone, and track the cab via Google Maps so you’ll know if you’re going off-route. Get a GPS if you’re renting a car; looking at a map or your phone in an unfamiliar place can be dangerous.
Fill up your gas tank when it’s half-full to avoid running out in a dodgy area. If you’re taking public transport at night, wait in a café or at your accommodation until you need to go to the station. On trains, avoid sleeping in empty compartments. Consider asking for a female roommate on overnight trains.
Safety first
Keep two room keys with you — one in your bag and one on you. That way if your bag is stolen you won’t be locked out. If you order room service, never say you’re alone. Leave the do not disturb sign on your door and the TV on when you leave your room. Befriend female hotel/hostel employees and ask them for tips about getting around and where not to go. Have the address of your hotel or hostel written down to give taxi drivers. If you’re arriving somewhere late at night, splash out on a hotel that provides airport or bus/train station transfers. You can’t put a price on safety. Use taxis at night and pay more to stay in a busy, central area.
Guard against theft
Pack lightly. You’ll be an obvious target for thieves if you have a lot of bags. You’ll also be more mobile with a smaller bag. Take your bag with you to the bathroom. If you stop to buy tickets or are otherwise distracted, put your bag between your legs or keep hold of it. Most reputable hotels and hostels have lockers or room safes for guest use. Failing that, use a slash-proof bag that can be locked to something sturdy in the room. Don’t keep all your money in one place. Carry a day bag big enough for all your important items. Never put these items into luggage holds or in checked baggage. If you’re just getting to know someone, don’t trust him or her to guard your valuables while you’re in the bathroom.
Keep in touch
Check in regularly with someone at home. Plan in advance how you’ll check in and how often, and stick to the schedule. Carry a hard copy of your itinerary and important phone numbers with you at all times.
Be street smart
Don’t tell people you’re traveling alone. If you’re arranging to meet someone, choose a public place. Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Stay around people when you’re exploring and don’t walk alone at night, particularly in unlit areas. If you get lost, duck into a café or shop to look at a map or your phone rather than doing it on the street. Use cash machines on busy streets and in daylight, not at night when it’s quiet.
