Major improvements to global travel networks and facilities over recent years have made it much easier to visit many different parts of the world more easily, but if you are a lone female traveler, you might still have some reservations about flying solo.
There are plenty of reasons not be so fearful about the prospect of traveling alone, and if you read a recent Chase Sapphire review for example, you will see that it is relatively easy to get some help and advice if and when you need it.
Reasons not to be fearful
It is never bad advice to be cautious and security-conscious when you are making travel plans that involve visiting places on your own, but there are reasons why women don’t have to be fearful about the prospect of going it alone.
One of the main things that will really help is to have a fair degree of confidence in your own ability to look after yourself. If you are independent enough to arrange solo travel plans you will should not perturbed by the prospect of tackling even something like a backpacking trip.
It would be wrong to suggest that being alone in a foreign environment does not pose any threats at all to your personal security, but if you treat safety as a priority consideration in your planning, it should allow you to manage risk effectively, whilst still enjoying your travel experience.
Do your research
One of the most important things you can do in order to improve your odds of having a safe and enjoyable trip, is to thoroughly research your intended destination before you travel.
Planning and researching where you might want to go and reading trusted reviews of which bars, beaches and places of interest are good to visit, will not only help you to make the most of your time there, but it will also help you to assist in pinpointing some places that you should avoid.
The internet is full of reviews for most places, so you should be able to gauge from feedback, which neighborhoods are considered safe and which hotels score well for looking after their customers and their possessions.
Searching out local advice on what an official taxi looks like and other useful local knowledge, will make a bid difference to your confidence levels when you arrive in the area.
Keep your valuables with you at all times
The best advice is to try and avoid traveling without any valuables if possible, but even if you leave the jewelry at home, you will still have to look after essentials like your money, passport and phone.
Many of us also travel around with a lot more technology than ever before and you will probably have a tablet or some other device to keep in touch with emails and access the internet, as well as maybe carrying a camera.
These are all valuable items and you wouldn’t want to lose them, especially your passport and your money.
Try to find a day bag which is comfortable and secure that accommodates all of your valuables and avoid putting anything of value into a basic backpack, as it is far too easy for someone to open it without you being aware, especially in a crowded environment.
Keep your guard up
Part of the fun about traveling is to meet new people and maybe make some new friends, but no matter how friendly a person or group of people seem when you first meet them, it is important that you keep your guard up and trust people too quickly.
There are plenty of really nice and trustworthy people who you could make a real connection with, but sadly, there are also a number of people who are particularly adept at befriending, but for sinister purposes such as robbing you when you are off guard, or threatening your personal security.
Just remember that it is not rude to be cautious and a genuine person will understand this. It would also be a good idea to limit your drinking, so that you can remain in control at all times.
Drinking is part of the holiday experience for many of us, but again a bit of common sense such as only taking drinks from the bartender that you have seen them pour, and knowing when to call a halt to your drinking, will help keep you safe without ruining your enjoyment.
There are actually many benefits of traveling alone, such as having the freedom of being able to set your own agenda. You can enjoy these benefits safely if you plan your trip and take sensible precautions along the way.
This is a great post Audrey,
I think another important tip is to book into a hotel for at least a couple of nights when you first arrive somewhere new. This way, you have chance to get your bearings and also, if something should happen to delay a flight for example, you’re not going to end up in an unfamiliar country in the middle of the night with no where to stay.
Price comparison sites are really good for ensuring you get a great deal and therefore you don’t need to part with too much cash even for hotels. i’ve recently been involved with the launch of Triporia.com which allows users to compare accommodation using street view on the site which is good for safety too, as it gives you an idea of what to expect when you arrive and ensures you don’t end up in a questionable area just because it looks like you’re getting a good deal.
If you get chance to check it out please let me know 🙂 Best wishes.
If you travel alone, you can say that you are independent kind of person and I travel alone sometimes to do my projects.