Solo adventures are a rite of passage for many travelers.
Videos by TravelAwaits
Setting off into the sunset all by your lonesome can positively impact your self-development and worldview.
Personally, I like solo journeys because I’m one for long bouts of quiet introspection while people-watching. There’s also a strong emphasis on freedom; you can create your own tailored itineraries without making concessions for travel buddies.
Aside from self-reflection and autonomy, solo travel also opens us up to new experiences. We’re pushed to look out for ourselves in every way, letting us develop a sense of independence and self-reliance while pursuing personal interests.
That being said, solo travel comes with a few catches.
First, you need to think about safety, especially in big cities. While even quiet, rural outposts are no strangers to danger, there are more opportunities for things to go awry in a major hub like Miami, London, or Bangkok.
Want to know my tried-and-true tips for staying safe when traveling solo in a big city? They’re more straightforward than you might think. First up, though, let’s cover how to set yourself up for success before you board any planes.
Before you leave: Tips for booking
- Don’t swap safety for savings. You can save a lot of money on hotels and hostels by avoiding touristy areas. That being said, don’t book the first cheap option you find. Do a little research into the area to make sure it’s safe.
- Read the hotel/hostel/rental reviews carefully. Along with looking into the neighborhood, comb through those reviews, too. Use a keyword search to find topics that are important, including safety, crime, and more. If you want to know more, call the hotel and ask a few questions—they should have straightforward answers about what types of guests normally stay there and whether or not the stay will work for you.
- Pay for travel insurance. I’m usually not a huge proponent of travel insurance, but you need backup (and then some) when you’re traveling solo. Focus on policies that include financial and medical coverage. You might even consider opting for a more comprehensive medical insurance policy just in case.
- Arrive and leave during the day. Whether or not you’ve stayed at a certain location before, I highly recommend arriving and leaving during the daylight hours. This makes getting to your hotel a little bit safer—and it’s also easier to navigate the surroundings to find food.
- Have a water-proof packet for documents. Don’t rely solely on digital documents. I highly recommend printing out your reservations and other important information, then storing these documents in a plastic-sealed folder or packet.
Once you arrive: Tips when traveling solo in a big city
- Don’t post real-time updates on social media. I don’t use social media, so this has never been a problem for me—but I’m seeing more and more travelers stagger their updates as they vacation. This makes it hard for any potential Bad Guys to track your movements and figure out where you’re staying.
- No ground-floor rooms. This tip might sound a little over the top, but if you’re concerned about security in the neighborhood where you’re staying, avoid booking ground-floor rentals and hotel rooms. They tend to be less secure.
- No getting drunk—unless it’s in your room. Every travel safety topic should include this gold-star advice: don’t get drunk. I think it’s important to add another caveat for young solo travelers: don’t get too twisted on any substance. Staying sober is the best way to stay alert.
- Stay in public places. The further away from the public you drift, the more you become a target for the Bad Guys. While there’s no need to keep yourself packed into a crowd, try not to drift too far off the path when you’re traveling solo in a big city. If you notice eerie silence, perk those ears up.
- Know how you’re getting where you’re going before leaving. Don’t ever leave your lodging without a clear plan of getting to your next destination. That’s doubly true if you’re switching hotels or rentals and have your luggage with you.
- Trust your intuition—and be rude about it, if necessary. If a certain person or situation is giving you the heebie-jeebies, high-tail it out of there. And if someone is trying to make you feel guilty about wanting to leave, get out of there even faster. No need to be polite if you’re feeling backed into a corner.
- If someone is rushing you, walk away. Similarly to trusting your instinct, I recommend avoiding anyone who’s trying to rush you. Maybe they want to sell you a souvenir, a museum ticket, or a ride home—just know that rushing is one of those cheap sales tricks that usually portends a scam.
- No headphones or earbuds at night. Just in case you forgot.
- Don’t wear anything flashy—even if it’s a fake. I don’t care if it’s fake Cartier or vintage Cartier. You’re a walking target in most big cities around the world when you wear flashy jewelry and accessories.
