Are you planning to travel alone to any of the countries in the world? If yes, then you should not miss reading this guide till the end. Safe travel is essential, especially in countries far from your comfort zone. The most experienced travelers, from what they have lived, seen, or heard, can foresee when a situation can lead to bad experiences. Although relying on your overconfidence can also lead you to danger. We want to point out that things can always happen to you while traveling, no matter how careful you are.

Here are some great safety tips for those who travel alone.

1. Get vaccinated:

Most countries do not have mandatory vaccinations. But there are recommended vaccines, they depend on:

- Your country of origin

- Destination place

- Type of trip

For this, before a trip to some "exotic" place, it is always advisable to go to a vaccination center and get advice from a doctor. Do not blindly trust what you read on the internet, each case is different, although it can serve as a reference. Don't forget to bring your vaccination card, or at least have a digital copy in your mail or somewhere online.

2. Keep a digital and physical copy of documents:

Has your passport ever been lost or stolen? A copy will not help you to travel back home but it will help you explain to the police, or help you get to the next city or the embassy.

In addition, use a copy (color laminated) to show the documentation in unofficial places: to check-in in hostels, rent a motorcycle, or do other random things.

Then there is the issue of carrying your passport with you or leaving it at a hostel. Legally, you should always carry it, but that implies the possibility of losing it or getting robbed. This depends on the country, the area, and how safe you consider the hostel to be. So, evaluate your situation and decide what’s better.

3. Money for Emergencies:

Carry some cash in a strong currency such as the dollar, euro, yuan or Australian dollar - depending on your destination. In case you lose all or part of your things, carrying money in a hidden place can help you in the first moments or even days.

This money can go:

- In the double bottom of the backpack

- Under the shoe insole (beware in countries with temples where shoes are left at the entrance),

- In the passport (be careful when handing over the passport to a policeman or similar official since putting money between the pages means that you want to bribe them with that money),

- Something more creative like inside an empty bottle of cream, shampoo, Vaseline, etc.

- Other places such as an integrated pocket belt or secret pockets...

In this light, you need to be extra careful with your personal documents, as losing them might cause legal problems. Keeping a digital and physical copy of the documents when traveling to a foreign country and staying there for an extended period for leisure or business is wise.

Whenever you’re going to a foreign country, take good care of your visa and other legal documents. You can also get advice from professionals, like the ones from flynnhodkinson.com, to learn how to keep them safe during travel.

4. A Second Credit Card:

Traveling to strange places you never know when you might lose your wallet or purse. An extra card will help you so that you are able to withdraw money in case of loss or theft. If you are traveling with more people, this is not necessary if everyone else carries their card.

Another issue to take into account is if your card works or if, for whatever reason, it is not compatible with the bank where you want to withdraw it. The worst is if due to “suspicious movements”, your bank decides to block your card “for your safety”.

Keep in mind that suddenly withdrawing the maximum amount allowed at an ATM is viewed by your bank as suspicious activity and grounds for account closure.

5. Always get travel insurance:

Many people still travel without travel insurance, because nothing has ever happened to them and they are happy. However, many other experienced travelers always wander with health insurance, especially to distant places.

Every once in a while, in Facebook travel groups or on other social networks, there is a case of a person who is trapped in a hospital, who needs express treatment, and who needs money.

Health treatments can become very expensive, and you never know what can happen to you. The most typical cases are intestinal viruses, ear infections, and othedr diseases.

6. Avoid alcohol:

It sounds obvious but it is worth remembering - alcohol or drugs do not allow you to have your senses 100% active. Remember that when traveling alone, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and wellbeing. This means that you must be aware of everything that happens around you because no one else will do it for you.

If you are not fully aware of thesurroundings, as happens with the effect of the drink or psychotropics, it will be more difficult to identify nearby risks. So, for your own safety, avoid this type of situation.

Do not get too close to someone you just met even when you are not drunk. We recommend checking their identity on PhoneHistory. This website uncovers contact details, home, and email addresses, work histories, family details, and much more.

7. Active Security:

Under active security, we mean things or factors to be taken into account at all times during the trip. Common sense is the most important one.

Popular wisdom taught us: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Bring 2 wallets with money, one for the case of robbery and another one to spend the day with. Keep them in separate places.

Find out BEFORE you arrive in a new place what neighborhoods or areas you should avoid, especially at night. In your hostel or accommodation, they can help you with this.

8. Seek help if needed:

Whether for an address or any concern you have during your stay, do not hesitate to consult the local inhabitants of the place you visit, they will help you to find yourself and get to the place you want to know. You can also rely on the people who work at the points where you stay.

Knowing this, learning a little of the language before the trip is helpful. The ability to communicate with the local inhabitants makes traveling more relaxed, enriching, and safer. This is especially true if you’re traveling to a place that isn’t heavily touristed.

9. Research your travel destination:

It’s helpful to research the place and find out if there are safety concerns that you should be wary of. For instance, check whether your travel destination is a hotspot for crime, including tourist scams. 

Also, it’s essential to know if the place has internal conflicts or terrorist threats. Some good sources for this information include news sites, travel blogs, and people who have visited the area.   

By knowing the safety concerns and issues about your destination, you can figure out whether traveling to that place alone is worth it.

Conclusion:

The idea of ​​this article is: you should enjoy your experience to the fullest, and at the same time avoid being easy prey for thieves or whoever wants to take advantage of you.

That’s it for this guide. Traveling alone is always fun and a whole new experience. Just keep these tips in mind and the risk will be reduced for those of us who love freedom.