As a solo traveller, four simple rules keep me safe and thriving

As more people than ever are unwilling to postpone their travel plans to wait for a partner or travel buddy to join them, interest in solo travel has exploded. Yet despite this, tackling a first solo trip can seem intimidating. Founder of the Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell, knew a thing or two about self-reliance. Beyond “be prepared”, add these tips to your solo travel toolkit.

Find one’s way by night and by day

Working your way through the Medina, Marrakesh.Credit: iStock

On a recent trip to Morocco, I had a few days on my own before joining a tour. On my first morning, the hotel manager brought me some mint tea and pulled out a copy of a hand-drawn map. “This is a map I have created for guests,” he said, “because I want everyone to know how to safely explore the Medina, and most importantly, how to find their way back to us.” Mohamed set me a task: on my first excursion into Marrakesh’s thousand-year-old maze, he wanted me to ignore temptation and focus exclusively on finding specific landmarks. He showed me all the places on the map I needed to recognise so I wouldn’t get lost. It was a fun game, and it worked. This exercise set me up to explore the rest of the city with confidence. No matter where I was, and even if I was temporarily lost, I knew that I’d be able to find my way home. It’s a strategy that’s useful for any new destination. Add in local taxi or rideshare and public transport apps on your phone (enable global roaming or buy a local e-sim), pre-book transport for late arrivals into new destinations, and you’ll feel confident getting around alone.

Notice things rapidly and at a distance

The Medina from above.Credit: iStock

This is where solo travellers often have an advantage over people travelling in pairs or groups. If you’re travelling alone, you’re always aware of your belongings, who’s nearby, and what’s happening around you. Implementing the orienteering tip above will make sure you’re not always looking at your phone for guidance, too. Keep your luggage light. Every time I take a large suitcase with me on a trip, I regret it. A small bag means you can move around easily, and there’s no reason for opportunists to offer unwelcome “help”. If your gut tells you you’re not in a great area, backtrack until you feel comfortable or duck into a cafe or shop to recalibrate. My Marrakesh experience reminded me that hotel managers and rental hosts are a goldmine of local information and destination safety advice. Make the most of their knowledge.

Use resources wisely

In Naples, a local told me he never carries a wallet. Dario just keeps enough euros in his pocket to pay for basic needs. It’s a good tip for tourists, too. If you need more than lunch money, stash a card in a money belt. I use a WISE currency card instead of a credit card. Not only is it cheaper than a normal credit card, but you can easily control how much money is on the card at any time, and it’s not linked to any bank accounts. Although I always travel with multiple cards, I leave them in my room or hotel safe for emergencies only and keep digital versions on my phone. If cards are lost or stolen, cancel them as soon as possible and request a new, digital card for your phone. They are usually issued immediately.

Face challenges with courage

Be open to new connections.Credit: iStock

Even more than “be prepared”, this might be the best possible motto for the solo traveller. Remember, if things do go awry, there are people who can help, and not just officials. In my stubborn desire to do everything by myself, I often forget that most people will gladly offer assistance when asked. I’ve never had anyone turn me away when I’ve needed help, and the generosity of strangers renews my faith in humanity again and again.

Not everyone has the temperament of a Jessica Watson or a Cheryl Strayed, who travelled alone for weeks and months on end. Sign up for group experiences, like walking tours, cooking classes, or language lessons, where meeting other travellers comes naturally. Longer group tours, alternated with time on your own, are a good compromise.

In many countries, solo travellers are singled out for special treatment. A friend travelling alone in Italy recently was thoroughly embraced by the family running a local restaurant. They were so welcoming that she returned several times during her stay. At a brief low point in her trip, when everything seemed to be going wrong, this memorable moment of connection meant everything.