The minute you mention you’re going on a solo travel trip – the concerns and comments usually come flooding in – “It’s not safe to go alone!” “What will you do by yourself?!” “Who will look out for you?!”
There are a million different safety tips we could share, probably enough to scare you into not going! So we’re not going to do that, but we do want to share just a few, super simple little sneaky ones which we swear by!
1. Full disclosure is a 'no no'
At least at first. Basically don’t tell everyone you meet that you’re travelling alone! Even when chatting in hostels to new people, you don’t have to fabricate an elaborate tale, but a simple “I have friends in the city” is always a good shout. This immediately makes you appear less invisible even though you’re in a foreign place, it implies people close by have awareness of your presence!
2. Dollar Decoy
One of our best tips is to always carry a “decoy wallet” …Basically a super old little purse/wallet with an out of date card or even just an old library/student card, some coins and maybe like a €5 note in it, no more. (All your actual cards and cash are safely stashed in your real wallet somewhere else!)
So, if anyone ever stops you and either verbally or physically DEMANDS your wallet, you can just give them or throw them the decoy one and leave quickly! The same goes for a phone – carry an old / cheap burner phone and don’t use your iPhone X / Pixel / Samsung etc in obvious broad daylight.
3. Drunk in Love
For a lot of us, the nightlife of a new place is as important as the day-time activities – it might be salsa clubs in Guatemala, wine tasting in Paris or listening to live Fado in Lisbon. But if partying at night, let’s all be sensible here sisters. I admit, I feel it myself, the minute someone tells you to be sensible on a night out I feel like it’s my mother saying this to me at 17 when I was allowed to go to my first nightclub (that she knew about! haha), and I want to say “oh please, I’ve been going to clubs for 10 years, I know how to be safe!” But doing this abroad is genuinely a lot more of a risk. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t party – just means, actually listen to your mother/bff/this blog (haha!) and be sensible.
- Don’t get too wasted – this wont ruin your night, this will prevent you from losing your belongings, your new friends, your way home, your ability to be rational!
- Stay alert and watch your drinks! Oldest one ever but PLEASE beg of you – don’t leave them unattended. This goes for anywhere, a friend of hours had her cocktail spiked in London and another friend in New York. No one is immune from this happening to them!
- Don’t take any illicit substances that are offered to you – even if you’re a wild one who has navigated the ‘white’ side of substances before… just remember some countries carry harsh penalties for possession of drugs, including the death penalty. Just not worth it yo!
4. Keep it Public
Wandering and exploring is always super fun of course, but try and stick to public places when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings and if you ever do start to feel uncomfortable at any time, try and redirect your route via areas with more people around, local businesses, shops, restaurants, bars etc.
5. Got Baggage?
Cross-body handbags are a girls best friend! And PRAISE THE FASHION GODS – bum bags – which thanks to 90’s comeback fashion trends, now come fashion-faux-pas-free! No longer something just your dad wears when hiking, these are the perfect bags to use for wallet, phone, passports and keys, keeping them close to the body and out of reach!
Gonna say it again – stay alert! Distraction is the most common tactic for theft and pickpocketing in busy streets.
6. Own it, girl!
One sneaky trick to being less of a target is confidence! Look like you’ve been there for five years and know your way around – even if you don’t! Be keep those instincts close to the surface and if something doesn’t feel right – trust your judgement!
