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Summary
- Traveling solo is not as dangerous as many think. The world is safer than people realize, and locals provide valuable safety information.
- Staying in hostels is beneficial for solo travelers. They offer company, local travel ideas, and cheap accommodation.
- To gain confidence in solo travel, just do it. Overthinking and excessive caution can hinder the experience. Mistakes are learning opportunities that lead to growth.
One of the greatest drivers of fear in this world is the unknown. Facing the unknown seems all the more scary if one needs to face it alone. These are parts of the reasons why many people may consider traveling solo around the world to be dangerous. But traveling solo is not nearly as dangerous or difficult as many might think - especially when travelers take common sense safety precautions while traveling.
In some ways, it is better to travel solo - not only is traveling solo so much more flexible, but it is also much easier to connect with local people.
The World Is Much Safer Than Many People Might Think
One of the amusing things for experienced travelers who are used to traveling is just how much many people are worried about traveling outside of their familiar comfort zone.
It is common for a traveler to go to Country A and be welcomed and feel safe there, and for the local people to caution the traveler not to travel to neighboring Country B as it is 'dangerous'. The traveler then goes to Country B, is welcomed there, and feels safe, and for the local people to caution him not to go to Country A.
Those who are worried about traveling to other countries can first check current information like official Travel Advisories. Still, much of the best advice is gotten from the locals after reaching the destination (they know if it is safe to walk on the streets at night or not).
Sources Of Local Safety Information:
- Travel Advisories
- Local People
- Reception At Hostels Or Hotels
- Asking Locals On Couchsurfing
- Travel Blogs
After visiting many countries, experienced solo travelers are often at home and at ease just about wherever they go.
Solo Travelers Should Start With Staying In Hostels
Hostels are excellent for solo travelers. They are full of other like-minded solo travelers, and it is common to meet up and travel around the place for the day and maybe go out for the night. Hostels are one of the best ways for solo travelers to get used to traveling and to be inspired by other solo travelers. In hostels, solo traveling is just the norm.
Benefits Of Hostels:
- Company With Other Solo Travelers
- Source Of Local Travel Ideas
- Cheap Accommodation
Hotels and private accommodations can be a bad idea for first-time solo travelers who lack confidence. It can be easy to feel tempted to hide in the hotel and be worried about going out in an unknown city. This can also foster a lonely and homesick feeling.
Hostels are also generally safe for solo female travelers (after all, normally half of the people in the hostel are other female travelers). Those worried about mixed dormitory accommodation can often stay in female-only dormitory accommodation.
It is true that some countries are safer than others for solo female travelers. It can be a good idea to start with safe countries (Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Canada, etc. are typically good places to start). It can also be helpful to hear insights from experienced solo female travelers.
Just Get Out There & Do It
There is no better way to get confident in solo traveling than by just getting out there and traveling. While there are some things that first-time travelers can do to prepare before traveling, no one should overthink it. Too much reading and caution-taking can create imaginary ghosts and monsters.
Don't overthink or create imaginary demons before solo traveling
Typically, travelers will find friendly people going about life, just like wherever the traveler hails from.
It is common to find that the most cautious travelers who are carefully locking up their belongings and getting hidden pockets for their passports are also the new travelers. Long-term travelers are typically much more chill - often not even bothering to lock their stuff up at all. Conversely, another mistake first-timers make is to be enamored with a place and be too relaxed. To be experienced requires experience.
But while long-term travelers may be confident and chill, they are typically also street smart, knowing when to have their guard up and when to have it down (the vast majority of the time, travelers can let their guard down). They know the tell-tale signs of scamsters, and pickpockets, and how to identify the dangerous parts of a strange city.
Mistakes are learning experiences - not things to be ashamed of
At some point, solo traveling requires a leap of faith. It should be expected to make mistakes at first (expect to be scammed by dishonest taxis, vendors, and perhaps even pickpocketed). When mistakes are made, travelers should accept it as a life lesson and not make the same mistake again. Some things can be mitigated as well - e.g., only carry a minimal amount of cash in the wallet and keep extra credit cards in other bags.