Going solo? Tips for safe travelling alone

Before you set off, here are some top tips to make your trip tip top

Going on holiday with only yourself for company isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re considering going it alone, I’ve put together some useful safe travelling tips for those going it alone, to bear in mind before you go. Use them wisely.

I travelled to Italy on my own last year. At the time I booked it I thought it was the best idea I’d ever had. By the time I was choosing seat 9A and working out if I could wear all my clothes instead of paying £659 (almost) to take them on board, I’d changed my mind.

Pesonal experience

My own company had suddenly lost its appeal. What I like to do on holiday is point at stuff and say stuff like, “Holy cheese balls! That lion just ate that monkey!” Or “You want HOW much for this bag, my friend? It’s not even trying to be leather!” while my companion enthuses beside me. This also goes for gasping at sunsets and enjoying decent food.

I booked my solo trip on a whim and didn’t take a moment to plan it. It turned out that my Airbnb was miles from the centre of town. On the map I’d mistaken what looked busy for what was basically busy outskirts. It took me 35 minutes to walk to anything (in 38-degree heat – bravo).

…I didn’t think to download maps of the area, and nor did I remember to tell anyone where I was going…

I didn’t go to a tourist destination, so on one hand it was lovely because I didn’t hear anything but Italian all week. But this also meant I couldn’t rely on anyone speaking English to help me when confused/lost/trying to buy a sandwich.

I hadn’t written down enough useful phrases, hadn’t practiced those that I had written down, didn’t think to download maps of the area, and nor did I remember to tell anyone where I was going, other than, ‘Pescara’. All in all, it could have been a disaster, but luckily for me it wasn’t. It could, however, have been a lot better with some forward planning, which is what normal folk do.

So here goes with my solo traveller tips. I cocked this all up so you don’t have to…

Use your phone on holiday

Your phone is your best friend now. Pin your accommodation on the map so you always know where you’re staying, and in theory at least, won’t get lost. It sounds basic, but also write down the address on a bit of paper (yes, paper!) and keep that in your pocket with ‘please take me to’ also scribbled on it in whatever the native language is (unless you’re in Russia or Korea, that might be tricky).

You don’t want everyone to know you’re travelling alone. Post photos and locations as you leave them, rather than whilst you’re still sitting there with a cocktail. Or better still, do a photo dump once you’re home and safe. I was in Egypt a while ago, tagged the hotel in my Instagram pictures and had a DM from a fellow guest asking: “Are you still here, pretty lady?” Eek.

I was in Egypt a while ago, tagged the hotel in my Instagram pictures and had a DM from a fellow guest asking: “Are you still here, pretty lady?”

Don’t wing it when it comes to getting to and from the airport to wherever you’re staying, especially if you arrive on a late flight. Have a solid plan. Could the hotel or Airbnb owner call a taxi for you to ensure you don’t get ripped off? If you’re relying on public transport, know which train/bus you need to get before you arrive. You’ll be tired, it might be dark, and you’ll be glad you researched it.

Try to memorise where you’re going, or refer to hand-written notes/maps. I found that taking a photo of the part of town I was heading for helped. I’d only look at it occasionally, and not while walking. Don’t wear headphones at night, especially if traffic is somewhat ‘erratic’ (I’m thinking Italy, India, Thailand, Paris…).

Read more: travelling with your pets?

What to remember

Keep your passport/ID separate from your bag or wallet. The best place for them is in a slim crossbody bag that you can hide under your clothes or jacket. Take photocopies of travel insurance and ID documents, and keep those in the safe in your room, along with some emergency cash. Send a pic of your ID to a friend so they can send it to you if you have yours stolen.

Send a copy of your travel details/schedule to someone at home and share your whereabouts with Google Maps location app or tracker. Do it via email so they can’t misplace it. Also write down two or three phone numbers of people you can call in an emergency. Again, keep them separate from your phone/cash.

There are SOS settings on phones these days, so configure yours to be able to contact emergency services without taking your phone out of your bag.

Here’s a good one: if you’re travelling somewhere a bit edgy, stay in places where your room is inside a building. That means no motels (trust me on that), because it’s way more secure to have a concierge or receptionist that an intruder would need to get past to get to your room.

And on that note, stick a door stopper under your door just to be super safe. They don’t take up any space and will help you sleep soundly!

Travelling solo can be exciting, terrifying, lonely and wonderful. It can also be dangerous if you’re not prepared, and scary if you’re left vulnerable. Planning and preparation are key here. Get everything sorted out properly and embrace the open road. Just keep one eye on all the things that connect you back to safety.