Female solo travel has become a popular pastime. That’s because women want to see the world -- and they sure as heck don’t want to wait for the perfect opportunity to do so.
That said, there’s an art to going it alone. Check out these 12 tips for safe international solo travel. You’ll be checking off your bucket list destinations in no time.
Do your research.
When it comes to solo travel, research is key. While we often think of the requisite Google search as that perfect first resource, there’s an even better way to start this process.
"Get in touch with the tourism bureau and let them know that you are coming alone,” says Theresa St. John, a seasoned solo traveler and contributor to Vacation Rental Travels magazine. “They will have suggestions of safe places in general as well as safe hotels. They want you to come visit, so they will do whatever they can to make your planning process feel comfortable, inviting and welcoming.”
After you’ve done this, you can use the information you’ve compiled to venture out into a general Google search. And guess what? You won’t be blindsided by misleading data that may or may not be correct (thanks to your friends at the tourism bureau).
Consider booking a tour.
No one ever said that solo travel has to be isolating. In fact, some of life’s greatest trips come by way of a joining a tour.
If you’re up for a group adventure, look for a reputable tour company. To do this, seek out testimonials other than those provided by way of the tour operator’s website. This smart step will help to protect you from fraud.
See if the tour you’re looking into charges a fee for solo travel. That way you know exactly what you’re getting into in the way of cost. Hidden fees can be a solo traveler’s greatest saboteur.
Find a hotel with a 24-hour front desk.
There’s nothing scarier than being in unfamiliar terrain with no one to talk to in the event of an emergency. That’s why it’s important to find a hotel with a 24-hour front desk -- especially when you’re traveling to international locations.
If an actual hotel isn’t your style, find a bed and breakfast or shared vacation rental. Not only will you have the safety of knowing a local, but they also just might drive you to preferred day locations. And you’ll meet some great people in the process.
Plan where you’ll exchange currency ahead of time.
If you’re traveling abroad, getting money for things that can’t be paid for by credit card can be a challenge. It also can single you out for robbery if thieves are scouting out fresh meat.
To avoid this mishap, make a plan before you leave the United States. “Find out ahead of time where you’ll exchange money,” St. John says. “For example, when I was in Ireland, I changed some money at the airport -- but not enough. And their banks aren’t open all the time. I couldn’t do anything because no one would take American money.”
St. John says that the best way to do this is to plan your itinerary based on where you’re going to go. Google money exchanges and figure out what the approximate exchange amount is for that sum of money. This will keep you from getting ripped off.
Watch it with ATMs.
Sure, ATMs can be convenient. But they also can be a female traveler’s worst nightmare. That’s because thieves linger near ATMs to prey on solo female travelers.
To protect yourself from potential disaster, go to ATMs located inside banks. This increases your level of visibility. Be aware of your surroundings before and after you make a withdrawal.
Further, be cautious when carrying a purse. Robbers will often appear when you are opening or closing your purse because you are distracted. Consider going into the actual bank while you’re doing this to keep from becoming a target.
Tell others where you’re going to be and on what days.
When you travel alone, you’re off the radar and might not have reliable cell service. And even if you do, minutes can be astronomically expensive. So let people know exactly where you’re going to be and when.
“I always let my son know my flight information, where I’m going to be, and when I’m going to leave to go somewhere different,” St. John says. “It’s important because what if something did happen? I could be abducted, killed or in an accident.”
To do this, begin with flight numbers and the names of airports you’ll pass through. Then list all hotels or vacation rentals where you’ll be staying with both phone numbers and times when you’ll arrive and depart. Further, itemize any day trips that you’ve planned ahead of time. This takes the mystery out of where you’ll be in the event of an emergency.
Carry a copy of your passport at all times.
Always have a copy of your passport in hand. But don’t bring your actual passport with you on day trips in which you don’t need it.
That’s because losing a passport can make it very difficult to come home. You’d have to find a U.S. embassy or consulate and wait for a new passport to arrive.
So leave your passport in a safe at your hotel. This way you’ll never lose it or face the risk of theft. And know where the consulate is before you leave the United States. This will make the process of replacement easier in the event of theft.
Make sure taxi cabs are legitimate.
In foreign countries, people have been known to pose as taxi cab drivers to rob or abduct tourists. To avoid this situation, research the safest, most popular taxi cab companies before you leave the country.
The best way to do this is to ask that country’s tourism bureau which cabs to use. Know what taxi license plates look like and what types of identification the driver should carry. And don’t forget to ask for ID when you get in the cab. (Note that you may need to write this down in that country’s language so that you can hand your request to the driver.)
Be aware of crowd schemes.
Crowd schemes can be huge when it comes to international travel. For example, a group of people may pose as a volunteer organization and ask you to fill out a survey. Then when you fill out the survey, they will take your purse and run. Or they may create a distraction by bumping into you. Then when you turn to look, they snatch your purse and take off.
To avoid this situation, don’t get distracted. Do not stop to talk to groups of people or to fill out any information. And if someone does “bump into you,” hold your purse tightly and keep walking.
Dress the part.
It’s important to remember to dress conservatively when traveling solo. The last thing you want to do is look “too sexy” and call attention to yourself.
Know what the traditional dress is in the country to which you’ll be traveling. For example, in countries like Ecuador, locals tend to dress up more. T-shirts and jeans might call attention to you. And if it’s a Muslim country, know whether or not you’ll need to cover your head.
Enroll in STEP.
Step is the government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Not only will it let the government know where you’re going, but it will also send you alerts in the event of an emergency in the country where you’re traveling. So take the time to enroll before you leave the United States.
Get vaccinations.
Vaccinations can be an important part of international travel. Visit your local health department to find out which vaccinations you need. You’ll be glad you did.