Solo Travel Tips

So I did it! I traveled solo for 10 days :). What an awesome experience. If you are thinking about traveling solo, I'm here to give you some tips to make for a safe and enjoyable experience.

1. Make lots of friends! This seems to be pretty easy while you are traveling in Europe since there are many people traveling alone. The best place to make friends, in my opinion, is at hostels! People staying in hostels are generally so so nice. I met many incredible people there. And making a buddy or two is great for having someone to tag along if you get lonely and/or want to go on an adventure with another person.

2. Learn a few common words/phrases of the language spoken in the country you are going to. This is a necessity. Even if you aren't very good at it, people will appreciate you trying to communicate in their own language! Downloading offline apps like Nemo Languages and an offline dictionary is a great tool!

3. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Let's be realistic. There will be times when you get lost or don't know what train to get on at the train station. Just ask! Most people are so helpful and friendly. There was one time, I was waiting for a tram in Berlin and all of a sudden there was an announcement in German that had my tram number on it. People started to walk away. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew it probably wasn't good. I waited a while to see if the tram would come. It never did and more people started walking away. I finally decided to ask a lady if she spoke English, she said she did a little bit and I asked her what the announcement said. She had a little difficulty translating it into English, but was so helpful and never gave up! She went out of her way to explain what happened and what to do.

4. Sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). This program alerts you if there is any safety concern in the country you are traveling to and also notifies the nearest U.S. embassy if anything bad were to happen to you. You can sign up here: https://step.state.gov/step/

5. Stay in crowds. Safety in numbers is a good thing to remember when you are alone. Don't ever find yourself alone in a sketchy area.

6. Go with the flow. Nine times out of ten if you aren't quite sure which way to go, just follow the crowd. Chances are you are most likely going to a place that other people are going to also. It's much safer to do that rather than going the opposite way where there are no people.

7. Let a loved one from back home know where you are going. One of the advantages of modern technology is that it is pretty easy to get in touch with people when you are thousands of miles away. Checking in with someone every day to let them know you are safe is always a good idea - and one that your loved ones will greatly appreciate.

8. Keep your valuables close to you. There are all sorts of things out there like money belts, secret pockets, waist bands, etc. where you can keep your money away from prying eyes. I brought both a money belt and waist belt. I used the waist belt a couple times and really liked it. They are definitely useful at times but I'm not sure if they are completely necessary. The important thing is that if you have a purse, make sure to have your valuables in an inside pocket zipped shut and to keep your hand on your purse while in crowded areas. Having a purse with a strap that goes across your body is essential. Never wear your purse just on your shoulder as it can be easily nabbed. Guys, keep your wallet in your FRONT pocket with your hand over it. Either that or invest in a satchel :). I never had any issues or even suspicions of being pick pocketed, but you just never know.

9. Dress to blend in. You may have heard the famous Dr. Seuss quote, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out." I would not recommend living by this quote when going to a foreign country by yourself. One of the easiest ways to not appear like a total tourist is by the way you dress. Look up the current styles and pack accordingly. Europe tends to be more modest than America. Leggings are very rarely ever seen. (I did pack a pair of leggings just for some comfy clothes to wear every once in a while). Tights and a nice dress are very common and so are scarves. This doesn't mean you need to buy a whole new wardrobe, but just keep in mind that the fashion is more modest, so keep those crop tops and shorty-shorts at home. Chances are you will probably stand out as a tourist in some ways, so why draw more attention to your self? The more you can blend into the culture the better.

10. Don't flaunt your worth. Leave the flashy name brand stuff at home. New, flashy, name-brand things show that you have money and thus attract thieving eyes. Is bringing your new Gucci purse to Europe really worth it if it gets stolen?

11. Be aware of your surroundings. The number one way pick-pocketers operate is through the element of distraction. Often there is more than one perpetrator; one will distract you with a map or asking you to sign something, or simply asking you a question, while the other person will nab your valuables. In any sort of circumstances like these, just make sure to keep a hand on your personal items and keep them close to you. Again, I never had any issues with this, but there is always the possibility of it happening.

12. Don't be afraid to find a temporary "buddy." If you ever happen to feel like something isn't right or that someone is trying to follow you, try finding a nice looking person or family and tell them your situation and ask to tag along with them for a bit until you feel more comfortable. Most people in this world are so nice and would be happy to help out.

So there you have my solo travel tips :). Hopefully you never find yourself in a predicament, but as long as you use your head and are aware of your surroundings, you should be 100% fine. Europe is generally a very safe place to travel solo. Most everything comes down to common sense. Obviously you are not going to go wandering into a dark alley when there is no one else around. Or have your purse unzipped in a crowded metro station. Or leave your wallet out on the table at a restaurant. These are things you shouldn't need to be told, it's just plain common sense. Of course, there are things that can happen, but those things can happen anywhere! Even the towns we live in in America. The main thing is that you use your brain. :)