Here are a few solo travel tips:
1. Use Google maps as a GPS by listening to instructions
As a tourist, you always need road instructions on where to go, but by constantly looking down on your phone, you easily get flagged as a tourist and potential target. This is something you would want to avoid especially as a solo traveler. Tourist are easy to take advantage of and rob, that's why you need to be careful. By listening to your instructions in your headphones you look more confident and sure of where are you going. But as a woman you must be aware of your surroundings when wearing headphones as they can target someone who they think doesn't hear them. So, keep the sound on a medium level so you still can hear your surroundings.
2. Share location
If something were to happen or if you somehow get lost, you should always share location with your family or very trusted friends. They could also take the extra step to check your location once or twice a day, or call you multiple times if they haven't heard from you that day. They should have access to your travel plan to know if you're in the right city at the right time.
3. Don't post your location
Oftentimes when we travel we like to post our beautiful photos and sometimes show off our fun adventures. But that could also have a down side. Posting our locations on a social media platform where anyone could visit your account, makes you a potential target. Especially if they know you travel alone. But that doesn't mean you should wait to post those beautiful pictures, but wait to post your location until after you leave. Also, be careful when posting famous landmarks. Take the Eiffel tower in Paris as an example. If you share a picture of the Eiffel Tower, you could be anywhere in France. But if you share a picture from your hotel room, where you could see the Eiffel tower in the background, you shared that you are living close by. It all might seem excessive, but you could never be too careful when traveling alone.
4. Read about the hostel you book
If you're planning to stay at a hostel which sometimes is a bit cheaper than a hotel, read the reviews. Are there any reviews about the people who work there? Have they made a good or bad impression? Have they made them feel safe? Some hostels also offer female dorms, meaning only women are living in these dorms. A great way to meet likeminded female solo travelers and feel a little bit safer.
5. Transportation should be booked beforehand
A lot of people take taxis, uber or similar transportation from the airport. A lot of new people who aren't familiar with the destination are an easy place for fraud. To make your trip safer, book your transportation to your hotel, hostel or other accommodation beforehand.
Here are 5 other solo travel tips