How often do you like traveling alone? If you went on an overseas experience, you probably encountered lots of youth traveling alone. It’s pretty common in Europe, actually. Public transportation and youth hostels are both affordable and well populated. Often, you can connect with others in your situation and travel with them.
Traveling alone doesn’t need to be intimidating, but it does mean you’ll need to have a few considerations, especially if you’re a woman, at the front of your mind. Tenon Tours offers these ten tips if you’re traveling alone.
- Consider wearing distinctive clothes if you’re traveling alone to remote, underpopulated areas. You will be sure to be remembered. One avid hiker we know opts for tie-dye while she’s in the mountains. Everyone spots her on the trail. Otherwise, dress very discreetly and modestly. We cannot emphasize this enough. If you would not wear it to Grandma’s house, you should not wear it for traveling alone.
- Don’t engage in drunken banter. While Ireland is very safe, locals and tourists enjoying Irish drinks may not be on their best behavior or able to make the smartest decisions. Do not over engage with people you don’t know. We all have trigger points where good fun turns to a good brawl. Women traveling alone in Ireland means a bit of machismo will always come into play. Even if you politely reject that cute lad, it’s still a rejection.
- Mind your P’s and Q’s means mind your pints and quarts. Don’t drink too much. Enjoy the craic, just enjoy it responsibly while traveling alone.
- How about a whistle? Another good measure for less populated areas. Your goal is to startle the person and run away. The best method is short, loud blows, alternated by longer breaths.
- Know the emergency numbers. When traveling alone in Ireland, for example, you’ll want to know 999 or 112. They are the US equivalent of 911. Also, keep a cab company number handy.
- Don’t be an obvious tourist. That means no maps at night when you’re traveling alone. Be weary of asking for directions in a less than favorable area. Call a cab at the bar if you need to.
- Opt for high traffic hotels and hostels. You’ll want to be polite to the staff, too. They will remember you and often tell you traveling alone tidbits to keep you in good areas after dark.
- Never get in a car with a stranger. Anyone you wouldn’t introduce to your mom is a stranger. You do not know them, even if you shared craic all night.
- Consider a scheduled tour for added safety.
- Don’t wear flashy jewelry and always carry your ID. Traveling alone it is very important not to attract attention in a negative way. Keep your passport on your person, if possible, and tucked into a hidden pocket of some sort. Absolutely no signs that you might have money should be visible, even if you always wear your Tiffany ring.
Traveling alone is actually more common abroad than in the US. The majority of crime is petty theft. You won’t need to be overly concerned about violence. However, there are lots of beggars, thieves and questionable characters. Know the top ten tips for traveling alone. Now follow them, always.
