Safety Tips for Solo Travel

I've been traveling on short mission trips since 1995, at first with my entire family, then with our young son and now by myself since 2005.

I've been very careful about where I go and how I go. The suggestions I have listed below are the ones I follow on every trip. Every one of these points has been a conscious and deliberate decision on my part. I've come back safely on every trip. These are some of my guidelines for safe solo travel:

Research Destination:

I do an internet and guidebook search of every new destination or new part of a familiar destination that I'm going to. I cut and paste or copy the relevant information and assemble my own personal guides. Then I send these out to our partners for any feedback that they may have, then present them to our local meeting. I, then, incorporate all added suggestions with my own, print them off and take them with me, to review on the way and during the trip, so that I don't miss anything.

This started as a means of preventing my getting lost and also finding out what is available at a particular place. The result has been that I get a lot done in a minimum amount of time and keep getting misplaced to a minimum. Which means keeping safe.

Study Maps of Area, Mark Them for Planned Routes and Take Them on Trip:

I've acquired maps while on the road, from the internet, from guidebooks and have been sent maps from my friends in the areas that I'm going to. I will study the maps while I'm en-route to my destination.

I study the maps, mark them and make detailed directions from the maps which I carry when out and about. I carry a map out and about as back-up in case there's a problem with the directions, it will be a small one that's easy to conceal. But I usually rely on my written directions because that's what I'd do at home where I'm not a
stranger.

Make Lists of Activities and Destinations:

I make a list of all planned activities, destinations and locations so that I have a framework to plug in whatever other activities may come up when I arrive. I usually have a list of people who're expecting to see me when I arrive, so I have that list which I call when I land and plug them into appointment slots. Then I know whatever flex-time I may have for the other activities I may have on my list. I'm not just wandering around. I keep my projects directed and organized.

I originally started this because my husband and I would go for a weekend or week's trip to a place we would not be returning to. So, I would research the location to get as much benefit out of the trip that I could get while we were there. This really helped when the pleasure trips gave way to business trips.

On the business trips I usually go out on a trip with one to two weeks and sometimes with just an overnight time allotment with work that could easily take several days to a month to do. The byproduct has been my consistent safety

Go in Areas Already Mapped Out Ahead of Time:

I try to stick to the areas that I've already researched, unless I'm going with a trusted friend or have been carefully mapped out by them, if I'm going into areas that are new to me. I also take out the previous maps and directions to places that I go to every time I return to the area, to make sure that I don't get lost and don't miss anything.

Don't go Anywhere That I Know is Unsafe:

If I've been warned about an area or I've inadvertently strayed into a location that's not feeling too safe, I make a mental note to go in another direction the next time I'm in the area. If it's complicated, I'll mark the Safe direction on a map and in my directions.

We used to work with a certain group of people. But that was when my son went with me. When he chose another direction, I went back, alone, to work among them and found that even though I came safely out, that it would be asking for trouble to go back by myself. I found myself in a situation that could become compromising for me. I've not been back since. If the situation doesn't feel safe, don't go. It's better to be safe since you may only have one opportunity to choose to be safe.

Stay With Trusted People or in Trusted Places:

I prefer to stay with family and friends. But when I can't do that I return to the same motel/hotel or bed and breakfast every time if they have proven to be in a safe location, watch out for their guests, are convenient to my work and are friendly to my travel budget.

Keep Doors and Luggage Locked:

I don't live there, so I really don't know how safe the area is. Plus, it only takes one time be in the middle of a disaster. I prefer to prevent that before it can happen. Also, if I'm traveling out of the country, the airport security personnel often ask where my luggage was and if I had the doors locked from the other occupants of the facility I stayed in.

For some locations, I also carry a cable and lock to connect all of my suitcases together. I haven't done this in a while since I haven't been staying an unfamiliar places among strangers. I usually just do this in unfamiliar places or places I'm not too sure about.

Walk in Lighted Areas Among Other People:

When I'm out on foot I make a point of being back at my lodgings by nightfall, unless I'm with a local. When I'm driving I only go to places, that in my experience, have been safe or I'm with a resident in areas that are familiar to them. Otherwise I'm usually back before dark.

If I'm out past dark, or am in an unfamiliar area I walk where there are other people and in the well lit areas.

Be Careful to Wear Clothing That Helps Me to Blend into the Crowd:

I've learned early that it is a good thing to wear clothing that the local residents are likely to wear. Wearing clothing that is inappropriate to the area or the season is going to mark you as a tourist and therefore possible easy pickings for thieves or other criminal types. For example: In Hawaii, loud Aloha shirts and socks worn with
sandals are definitely a tourist thing. Their dress code, otherwise is casual and laid back. In San Fransisco I've yet to see a single person, except a tourist, wearing shorts and sleeveless tops. Other than the fact that you're going to become one huge goose bump, San Fransisco is more conservative in their dress. Pants or a skirt with a sleeved top and a sweater or jacket work. Comfortable walking shoes are also a must.

In Europe, the dress tends to be a bit more conservative than in the states. Jeans or dressy pants are often a safe choice, so are skirts with knee length or longer hems. Quiet solid colors are also a safer choice.

Behave as if This is My Home and Not Like a Visitor:

Because of the groundwork I put in before I go on a trip, I'm able to go to the places I need to go without being or looking confused or lost. I also remind myself to behave like I would when I'm home. I behave with the same confidence I would at home. That communicates itself to others. I often have local residents stop and ask me
for directions.

On one of our earlier trips to Belgium. My son and I were waiting in the Amsterdam Airport for the puddle jumper that would be taking us to Brussels. We had the opportunity to see through European eyes the behavior of some American tourists who were being loud and rude. We've also seen other rude and loud tourists in our own country from other countries. It causes them to stand out from the crowd and to be obvious to any attacker. Their behavior also doesn't help if they are attacked. Others are less likely to want to help someone who's been loud or rude. This isn't just my opinion. I've seen this happen.

Source:

http://www.petergreenberg.com/2007/01/24/solo-travel-safety/