10 Essential Tips to Keep in Mind When Planning Solo Travel

Solo travel offers the advantage of freedom to roam without worrying about anyone else. You can plan your itinerary, locations, and time according to your preferences without needing to consult with others.

10 Essential Tips to Keep in Mind When Planning Solo Travel

However, solo travel also means you have to be self-reliant, especially when it comes to solving problems and handling emergencies. Therefore, to ensure a comfortable and safe trip, you need to prepare both your belongings and mindset.

Always Inform Family Members of Your Whereabouts

In this age of abundant communication, it's easy to let people know where you are. Informing others of your location or intended destinations not only ensures safety but also serves as a heads-up. Who knows, someone you know might be planning to visit the same place, or they might already be there and could assist you during your journey.

Secure a sturdy crossbody bag

Pickpocketing is prevalent in many areas, especially in crowded tourist destinations and cities. Therefore, prevent it by using a secure crossbody bag or investing in specially designed ones to protect your important documents and money.

Leave valuables at home

Bringing high-value items on a trip is ill-advised, especially for long journeys. If necessary, bring a cheap laptop specifically for travel purposes to avoid potential damage during the trip.

Arrive at new destinations during daylight

Arriving at tourist destinations at night increases the risk of encountering dangers, and public transportation often ceases operation. If daytime arrival isn't feasible, opt for a reputable taxi to take you to a pre-booked hotel, or try to join forces with other travelers you meet along the way.

Be cautious with contact information

Always carry a piece of paper in English stating essential information such as: who you are, where you're from, the phone number of your current hotel,... If you're extra cautious, you can provide your family's contact number to the hotel so they can notify them in case of emergencies.

Connect and inquire with locals

Seek opportunities to engage with locals about everything related to the place you're visiting. Don't assume you know everything from the internet, friends, or elders who've been there before; there's always more to learn.

Although locals may be knowledgeable about the area you're visiting, not everyone knows everything. Cross-check important information for your journey by asking multiple people about the same thing.

Avoid sharing too much personal information with strangers

Providing information to others is necessary, but sharing too much personal information with complete strangers can pose many dangers. Especially regarding your travel itinerary or spending intentions,...

Always portray confidence and knowledge

Maintain a confident demeanor when asking questions or when someone asks you. Lack of confidence from the outset does not leave a good impression. Moreover, being particularly unsure, especially in front of malicious individuals, makes it easier for you to become passive.

Avoid using unfamiliar services

When approached by strangers offering you things or asking you to try something, quoting cheap prices with the hope of taking you to places they know,... be cautious. Politely or firmly declining such invitations is always necessary to avoid future complications.

Dress appropriately

Dressing modestly, without flaunting wealth, is the best choice when traveling solo. It's advisable to thoroughly understand the local culture of your destination to choose appropriate attire. Particularly, avoid wearing too much expensive jewelry as you may attract the attention of thieves.

As recommended by Tiểu Lam (Source: Lifehack)

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Reference: Travel Handbook from Mytour