Despite the numerous solo travel advantages, many backpackers in the making are still frightened by the drawbacks of travelling alone and how to stay safe while doing it. After you have determined your traveller profile, chosen the best backpacker accommodation and learned how to handle your budget travelling, what could be missing?
Well, my friends, if thinking about starting your own adventure gives you goosebumps, you are at the right place. Lower your heartbeat and flip open your Backpacker Starter Pack in Chapter 7, where we will equip ourselves with a treasure trove of solo travel safety tips, ensuring your security and a smooth adventure.
So listen carefully as the following could help you to detect and avoid shitty ending situations, save you money or even life. Do I have your whole attention? Then, let’s start this lesson together!
The 20 essential tips to solo travel safe
I could spend days talking to you about how to safely travel abroad. There are many bad situations easy to avoid before they start, and even more tips and tricks to safeguard your belongings and your well-being, physical and emotional. However, I believe our attention capacity is limited, and I have condensed this knowledge into a digestive guide.
Within these 20 essential tips for safe travel lies the keys to unlock a world of adventure without (almost) any troubles. Following and applying them will drastically increase your chances of having a great experience without dealing with major accidents! So, equip your compass, and let’s engage in this topic.
Want to craft the perfect travel list tailored to your needs?
Before Anything: Equip Yourself and Do Your Homework
Even before launching on your adventure, there are preparatory measures worth taking. The following tips are invaluable for enhancing your safety abroad if conducted correctly. I strongly advise you not to overlook them but to give them your whole attention, as a well-informed traveller is often a backpacker able to avoid certain concerns.
1 - Research Before leaving about
Destinations
Conducting thorough research about your destination is a wise move, young fella. You don’t want to land in a country where the strike is raging or on the brink of civil unrest, do you? A simple search for “your destination: current situation” can provide vital information about staying with your initial choice or considering a switch.
Needed documents
Depending on your nationality and destination, customs officials may require specific documents upon arrival. A quick look to know which ones are mandatory is way better than a few hours spent in detention (although it can be a unique travel experience).
Vaccines
In the same vein, you wouldn’t want to bring home malaria or yellow fever as souvenirs from your African journey. Although exotic and original, your family will surely prefer a traditional gift despite the lack of originality. Check which vaccines are mandatory depending on where you will be to avoid unwanted surprises.
Crime frequency & tourist scams
Some countries have a higher crime rate and tourist scams than others. While it shouldn’t restrict you from going there, being aware of potential risks allows you to adjust your behaviour and plans accordingly.
2 - Invest in travel insurance
If you have never considered the possibility that something could happen to you while travelling, you are making a big mistake my friend. Travel insurance is a must-have in any backpacker preparation. It could save your life, your bank account and sometimes even both. Be proactive in selecting the right backpacker travel insurance to mitigate any unpleasant surprises, whether an unexpected accident or illness threatening to stop your journey.
3 - Where are you gonna sleep for your first night?
You would be wise to have an accommodation book for the first day so you are not wandering around looking for a shelter and ending up sleeping outside or breaking your savings. Your choice of accommodation should align with your travel preferences, budget, and purpose. If you’re unsure, take the time to determine what type of backpacker accommodation suits you best. Securing a comfortable bed for your arrival is the best way to set the tone for your journey ahead.
4 - Equip Yourself Properly
Pack right – Pack light
Your trusty backpack is your ultimate companion in the backpacking world. First, you want to pack “light”, just in case you quickly need to move away from a place. There is nothing easier to target and trap than a traveller with 25kg on his back. Craft a meticulous backpacking checklist with the essential items making your life easier or helping you to get out of a shitty situation.
Keep your valuables secure
Safeguard your belongings by keeping them close. A discreet but comfortable bumbag is indispensable for safeguarding your wallet, phone, cash, and passport. Having your essentials out of sight, significantly reduces the risk of loss or theft, ensuring to bring them back home.
5 - Choose wisely your credit card
Or how to stay safe from high bank fees that could stop your travel sooner than expected. Selecting the perfect travel bank for backpackers could save you a lot of money, depending on where you are going and your spending habits. It’s also wise to carry a backup card in case of loss, preventing potential weeks of immobilisation while awaiting a replacement with no possibility to withdraw cash or pay, a scenario I’ve witnessed several times.
6 - Learn local language
If you ever find yourself in a situation where words are your unique exit and self-defence, having learned a few words and sentences in the local language could be determinant. While no one asks you to become bilingual (even though it opens you to Slow Travel’s incredible experiences), mastering simple words like “No,” “Stop,” “Help,” or “Hospital” and “Police” can serve as vital signals in distress. By doing so, you are more likely to gather help if needed.
7 - Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t mind losing
You would have guessed that if you don’t want to lose something, the best way is still to not bring it with you, little brainy. Create a list of these precious items, weighing their utility against the associated risks. Think twice because once an item accompanies you on your journey, it’s a commitment until the end, unlike a wedding where returns are an option. Choose wisely and ensure your belongings enhance rather than encumber your travels.
While on the road: how to stay safe?
Congrats young fella! You have assessed your destination correctly, passed official customs, got vaccines, and your backpack is ready with all the necessary travel items. You even have arrived at your first accommodation to enjoy a well-deserved first night. So far, so good! However, as the sun rises in this foreign land, your adventure truly begins. So, How do you stay safe?
8 - Know the common scams (bracelet in Paris, roses in Barcelona)
Nowadays, with our technology and interconnectivity, information about your destination is just a click away. Try to look for common tourist scams, as being informed could definitely save you some coins and prevent pitfalls. Infamous scams are renowned worldwide now. One or two I can already give you are the following. In Paris, vendors approach unsuspecting tourists into trying on handmade bracelets, only to demand payment afterwards (which is hard to escape). Similarly, in Barcelona, rose sellers may attempt to divert your attention while their accomplice plunders your belongings in your backpack and back pockets, or pressure you into purchasing a flower using malicious tactics. So be vigilant! An informed backpacker can foil even the vilest practice.
9 - Ensure your safety and belongings
In a Hostel
Adhering to the hostel’s holy guide can safeguard your belongings, granting peace of mind even when leaving your backpack in the dorm (which is helpful to entering a nightclub).
In Private accommodation
Invest in security measures like door wedges to ensure a peaceful rest without worrying about unwanted night disturbances.
10 - Ask staff or locals which areas are unsafe
Whether the staff of your accommodation or the locals, they are the person who probably knows the best about the surroundings. Most of them are genuinely eager to help a backpacker, so display your best smile and politely ask which areas you should avoid. In addition to potentially creating great immersion and bonds with new people, you can now equip a virtual map with red zones to avoid.
11 - Share your itinerary with trusted people
Inform only trusted individuals of your whereabouts, whether it’s family, friends, or fellow travellers. This applies only to trusted people. Of course, this applies if you venture alone in nature or in areas you are not confident about. There is no need to let the world know that you are going grocery shopping to buy carrots and chicken. No one cares about this.
12 - Use only officially licensed taxis and refuse uninvited drivers
I have heard weird stories in Mexico about girls getting kidnapped by shady drivers. Getting into taxis you haven’t asked for is the same as giving your child to the care of a paedophile. While this comparison can seem extreme, it contains some truth. Only trusting the official licensed taxi and pushing away unwanted drivers will eliminate a significant risk.
"Don't be scared to travel alone. Don't be scared to like it."
13 - Don’t tell strangers personal info
By personal info, I mean where you are staying. Many creepies could wait for you on a late-night return to your shelter. So, if you don’t particularly enjoy an undesired fan club gathering below your window, keep such personal information between you and your travel companions. Your night will be more peaceful.
14 - Don't answer insistent queries about solo travel
This is another piece of information you shouldn’t share easily. Of course, it’s a frequent question asked by backpackers in hostels, so in that case, the eventuality that leads to a bad scenario is minimal. However, if an external person seems insistent about knowing whether you are adventuring alone or not, respond confidently, stating you’re meeting friends or awaiting your boyfriend/girlfriend’s imminent arrival. Usually, the baddies are less likely to proceed if you have convinced them a crew will soon join you.
15 - Be polite, but know when to switch
Maintaining polite behaviour is sometimes crucial to not aggravate things, yet knowing when to defend your ground is equally important. While remaining calm can relax certain opponents, some prey on perceived vulnerability, interpreting staying chill as a weakness and easy target.
When you judge it necessary, protect yourself by showing you will not make it easy for them. It could be really effective against some people.
16 - Try to not look like a tourist
Blending in with the local environment can enhance your safety by minimising your tourist profile, draining less attention on you. However, you cannot alter inherent physical traits, and being blond with blue eyes in Latin America is almost a free ticket to being spotted as a foreigner. Nevertheless, you can adopt a few travel safety tips to look slightly less touristy:
Dress like locals
By getting dressed following local trends and norms, you are increasing your chances to easily blend in with the crowd. So spending a few coins in a local clothes shop could be a worthwhile investment.
Learn polite and disrespectful gestures
Furthermore, familiarising yourself with cultural norms and gestures helps navigate social interactions respectfully. Learning the nuances of polite and disrespectful behaviours reduces the risk of unconsciously causing offence and avoiding public drama.
17 - Don’t flash wealth
You might venture into areas that are way poorer than your home country. Poverty can sometimes lead people to do what they need to survive, and displaying wealth when passing in front of them is not the best idea. While I cannot caution such actions, I see ostentatious displays of wealth in such environments as an insult.
I just cannot imagine what it’s like to be in survival mode daily. So by avoiding this behaviour, you not only show respect for others but also prioritise your own safety. Therefore, don’t flash wealth or carry extra cash with you and reduce the likelihood of attracting unwanted attention or inciting potential incidents.
18 - Stay sober
Accidents and unfortunate events often take place when the sun goes down. There are certain precautions to take when partying in unknown places you should try to respect. First, if you have to come back home alone, are far away from your bed, or go out with a lot of unknown people, limit your alcohol consumption. You want to be in possession of your capacities and lucid if ever needed. Moreover, be vigilant when accepting beverages from strangers, ensuring they remain unopened to prevent the possibility of undesired products poured into them.
The same applies to drugs, if experimenting, do so in a secure environment with trusted companions who have experienced effects and know how to handle bad trips.
19 - Be confident
A confident backpacker possesses the power to wave off troubles before they happen. Remember what we said about malicious people looking for victims? By walking confidently and not showing fear, you are not displaying the target they are looking for. Even if confidence doesn’t come naturally at first, it could seamlessly be part of your character with time. Who knows what you could become?
20 - Trust your guts
Finally, maybe the most important travel safety tip I can give you: trust your instinct. Humans possess a sixth sense overlooked. To me, this is a grave mistake! Our body is able to sense danger before it occurs thanks to some mechanism I cannot explain. However, what I can say is that this intuition barely fails you.
Ever feel that you should go there or do this and then have the confirmation it was the right choice to make?
Exactly what I am talking about! So if you ever feel weird about an exploration offer or encounter someone who triggers unease, heed that intuition—it may just spare you from undesirable situations.
Travel safe young explorer!
And there you have it, intrepid wanderers, the ultimate solo travel safety guide crafted just for you from your cherished chapter 7 of the Backpacker ultimate guide. As you embark on your solitary or accompanied odyssey armed with our 20 essential tips, remember: a well-prepared adventure is a long-lasting one.
In the spirit of laughter and exploration, don’t let malicious events be the end of your travel quest. Embrace the unpredictability of a solo journey, with its quirks and beauty, and who knows which anecdote you might live. Safe travel my friend!
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
