SAFETY TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS

5. Be a Planner
Make your itinerary and leave a copy with a friend or family member. Plus, plan your transportation from the airport to your hotel in advance. One of the most stressful times for me is when I first land in a different country. I am typically tired and not having transportation planned from the airport to the hotel would be stressful and possible lead to bad choices. It’s the one thing that I ALWAYS plan in advance.

6. Research the Transportation
Understand the transportation system in each city, so you are not caught in the bad section of town without a way to get out. You can ask the hotel concierge about buses, subways and other public transportation. Plus, have them recommend reputable taxi companies, ones that won’t overcharge because you are a tourist.

7. Make Reservations in Advance
Make your hotel reservations in advance, so you don’t get stuck at the last minute without a place to sleep. Plus for extra safety, stay in a centrally located hotel with a twenty-four-hour reception.

8. Book Group Tours
When you feel lonely or a little nervous about traveling around solo, book a group tour. You will not only meet other travelers, but may feel safer with other people and a local guide.

9. Know the Cultural Norms
Know the cultural norms of the country you are visiting and act respectfully. In some countries shoulders and knees must be covered to enter a religious site and in places like Japan it’s respectful to remove your shoes before entering a building.

No matter how many safety measures you take, you may still get sick. Most of these ailments will be easily cured with common medications, but some will need a trip to the doctor. You may be afraid that you will be unable to get the same type of health-care you can at home and in some cases this may be true. But, believe it or not, most countries have a very good medical system that is not inferior to the United States. In fact, many countries are known for their medical tourism and accredited facilities. Plus, some medications are less regulated overseas and can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY ON YOUR JOURNEY

16. Be Safe When Eating Street Food
If your plan is to snack on street food, choose a stall with the longest line of locals. This is almost always a guarantee that it will be tasty as well as fresh since their product is being turned over quickly. Also select whatever is deep-fried and cooked right in front of you instead of opting for anything precooked that may have been hanging out and unrefrigerated for hours.

17. Bring Medications
Equip yourself with common medications prior to leaving, so you can avoid a doctor’s visit or having to try to find a pharmacy. I always carry an over-the-counter pain medicine (such as aspirin), anti-diarrheal medication, nose spray, antibiotic ointment, cold medicine, and allergy tablets. This travel first-aid kit has much of what you would need and this single dose medicine refill kit can be added to it for the perfect combination or protection!

18. Have the Proper Health Insurance
Check with your health care provider to see what sort of International Insurance you receive while traveling. If necessary, get travel health insurance to be protected in case a visit to the doctor is in order. You can check out pricing are Travelex Insurance who protects for medical emergencies and trip cancellations.

19. Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize
Wash your hands frequently, but also be aware that many public restrooms around the world will be out of soap and/or paper towels, so always carry handy wipes and sanitizer. I like to travel with the Germ-X sanitizer!

20. Be Safe with the Water
If it is recommended to not drink the water, also be careful when it comes to the ice cubes in your cocktails and salads, as they are probably rinsed in water. Stop by a market to load up on bottled water or bring water sanitizer tablets or a filtered water bottle.

Fear of Getting Robbed

There is something about going abroad that leads travelers to believe that there are con artists on every corner scoping out your valuables, which is just not true. Of course in rare cases it can happen, so you should be aware that most crooks on the streets are looking for an easy target. Don’t be one of them.

Targets of robberies are typically those who are distracted, carrying expensive equipment, or who leave their belongings unattended, which is why tourists are at a higher risk. Crime can happen anywhere, but pickpockets are statistically known to be more likely to take place in the crowded touristy sections of town; these are the areas you need to be the most cautious. You can go out and purchase expensive anti-theft pants and money belts, but by using common sense and taking simple safeguards, your odds of being a target will severely lessen.

TIPS TO HAVE A SAFE TRIP

21. Be Alert
Stay alert, most petty crimes happen when people are distracted. Let’s face it, as tourists we can easily be distracted by beautiful attractions or the smell of street food. Enjoy the local sites, but try to stay aware of who and what are around you.

22. Have Backup Money
Keep emergency cash and a credit card in a separate location. This way if your purse or wallet gets stolen you will have backup. I always hide a little cash and a backup card at the hotel just in case! Thank goodness I’ve never had to use it.

23. Limit the Cash You Carry
Don’t carry a lot of money with you, just take what you need for the day.

24. Store Valuables Properly
Keep your valuables in zippered, hard-to-reach pockets. Many cell phones are stolen because women will keep them in an unzipped part of their handbag.

25. Be Careful with Jewelry
Flashy diamonds can draw the attention of thieves, so think twice about what you wear when on a trip. I always wear a simple gold band that I bought in Japan for $50, instead of my diamond wedding ring. Etsy has some really cute and economical bands.

26. No Back Pockets
Don’t keep your phone or wallet in your back pocket. This is an easy target for someone!

27. Use the Hotel Safe
Use the hotel safe for your valuables instead of leaving them lying around in the hotel room. It is there for your protection and there is definitely no guarantee that your accommodations will take any responsibility for stolen property.

28. Be Cautious in Restaurants
Don’t put your purse on the back of your chair or leave your cell phone lying visible on a table while dining at a restaurant. This is especially true if you are eating on the patio of a street-side café where someone passing by could easily swipe your valuables.

29. Keep Your Purse in View
When you are walking the streets, wear your purse in front of you.

30. Be Confident
Walk confidently and stay focused. When you need to look at a map, find a safe location away from the crowd.

31. Make Copies of Your Passport
Leave one at home and take one with you, storing it in a different location than the original. You can also take a photo of it to keep on your phone. If you lose your passport, you will want to make sure to be able to prove your citizenship.

32. Record All Valuables
Make a list and take photos of the valuables (include make, model, and serial numbers) that you are bringing in case they need to be given to the police or your insurance company. It’s also helpful to take a photo of your luggage in case it gets lost at the airport.

MORE TRAVEL SAFE TIPS

33. Buckle Up
When a seatbelt is provided use it! I buckle up whenever there is an opportunity to do so, even when I’m on a bus.

34. Carry the Hotel Business Card
Either grab your hotels business card or record the address on your phone for taxi drivers. If there is a language barrier it will be much easier to show the driver an address then to speak it.

35. Set Credit Card Alerts
Inform your bank and credit cards where you’ll be traveling, so they are aware of what charges may occur.