Solo travelling can be amazing. You move at your own pace and can make friends as you go with locals and other travellers. But there are some downsides too – solo travelling can be lonely, and if you’re a woman then it can be more dangerous to go at it alone.
Solo traveller Lydia Swinscone has travelled alone to more than 30 countries, and she wrote in Marie Claire about all her tips and tricks for having the best time, and staying safe while you do it. Lydia said the one thing she will never do while solo travelling is turn up to a location without accommodation.
She wrote: “When backpacking with a companion, I rarely had a plan and hopped from town to town without so much as a bedroom booking for the night. When going it alone, however, you have to be much smarter. I’ll never arrive in a new destination without having booked accommodation first, and I’ll always plan my arrival time during daylight.”
She added that she always booked her travel to arrive at her destination during the day. However, sometimes arriving at night is unavoidable, especially if your flight gets delayed, so Lydia urged any solo traveller to book a registered taxi company to take them to their accommodation.
She said: “Wandering unknown streets alone at night with a backpack or carry-on is not a smart idea, whatever country you’re in.”
Another seasoned solo traveller, Fiona Spinks, the founder of Following Fiona, told Express.co.uk there are certain things she will always leave behind when she travels alone.
“Expensive jewelry is one thing I always leave behind,” Fiona said. “Losing it or worrying about theft isn’t worth it.”
She also makes sure she is prepared for anything that may come up by packing a small first aid kit on her trips.
She said: “Nothing fancy, just basics like pain relievers and plasters. You never know when you’ll need them.”