Tips for Solo Travelers

Leave your itinerary with friends and family

Sometimes the unexpected happens, either on vacation or back at home, so it's important to give your friends and family a clear picture of your travel arrangements in case of emergencies. Before you leave, create a detailed roadmap of the hotels, venues and events you plan to attend with a few "just-in-case" contact numbers.

Carry a list of emergency contacts

Another easy way to stay safe on a solo adventure is to carry a list of emergency contacts at all times, as this can help medical professionals and Good Samaritans get in touch with your loved ones if you fall sick or suffer an injury. Your emergency contact list should also include phone numbers for the local U.S. Embassy, your primary doctor and your insurance carrier just to be safe.

Bring along an external power bank

Keeping your cellphone fully charged can be difficult on the go, which is why you should always carry an external battery pack when traveling alone. This can prevent you from having to hunt down an outlet at local shops and restaurants when you need to make an urgent (or not-so-urgent) call home. More importantly, a fully charged smartphone can act as your navigator, translator and personal safety device.

Book a guided group tour

One of the best ways to meet fellow travelers on your solo escapades is to sign up for guided tours that are open to the public. This can allow you to interact with other tourists, many of whom likely hail from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Making new friends in a foreign land can be an exhilarating experience, as today’s strangers can be tomorrow’s life-long friends.