30 of the Best Solo Travel Tips From our Readers (July 2024)

Expert Advice from Our Community: Safety, Packing, and Practical Tips

Curated from our Facebook Group and Email Tips 

This month, we’re highlighting reader tips centred on safety, light packing, and practical travel strategies—ideal for avoiding those costly checked bag fees. Gathered from incoming emails and our private Solo Travel Wisdom Facebook group, we’re thrilled to present these firsthand solo travel tips. These recommendations aim to help you travel securely and efficiently. Have your own solo travel tip? We’d love to hear from you! (You can do that here!)

Tip: You can download these tips as a PDF or print them using the icons above!

Safety and solo travel tips

1. My travel tip is to always let people know where I am. When you make it through safely, you’ll be grateful that at least a few people were aware and waiting to hear that you made it safely. — Amy A.

2. Save the address of where you are staying in Google Maps. That way you’ll always know where you are in relation to your accommodation. Makes it easy to figure out how to get home! — Martha T.

3. When you get to your hotel, pick up some brochures and book the tours that you want to go on. Also, hotel concierge can be your best friend. — Susan K.

4. One can learn pickpocketing and scammer ploys. In Budapest, you have the lady with what looks like a baby hanging around churches begging. Often they only have a bundle of rags. I avoid all beggars and watch for kiddy groups in Bratislava. The women begging and children are common. — Nancy H.

5. If you blend in, you’re unlikely to attract much attention from pickpockets. Someone once advised me to get a bag from a local store and carry your camera in it! — Paula L.

6. For first-time solo travellers, ‘practice travel’ close to home. Eat alone in a restaurant or cafe. Take public transit to an unfamiliar neighbourhood. Use your GPS or a map to find your way around. Spend a weekend in a hotel or hostel close to home. Be a tourist first in your own community. — Jackie H.

7. Better to leave expectations at home and be open to how things are one day at a time. There is so much to learn about a new place and culture. Be excited about what you will learn. — Mary A.

8. It’s important to stay safe while you’re traveling. This means being aware of your surroundings, avoiding walking alone at night, and not flashing your valuables. — Karen N.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you’re ever feeling lost or overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many people who are willing to help solo travelers, and there are many resources available to you. — Maura G.