7 Tips every solo traveller should know

Whether you are exploring local gems or jetting off to an exotic location abroad, travelling alone can be intimidating.

Don't let the fear and stress of being a solo traveller get in the way of having fun.

Here are a few must-know tips that will help ease your anxiety and help you have the time of your life. 

Thoroughly check user ratings and online reviews

We’ve all heard the horror stories of the photoshopped images and exotic destination descriptions that turn out to be a far cry from reality.   The last thing you want is to walk into a dodgy dive when you’re miles away from home, and on your own.  Make use of online travel platforms to get honest reviews from travellers who have been there and can provide first-hand experience.   

Understand social and local customs

Savour the local cuisine, visit the historical sites and immerse yourself in the culture, but also take the time to research local and social customs. While it’s true that most tourist destinations are forgiving of minor transgressions, it’s always good to know what the accepted behaviours and norms are.  Religious and customary beliefs will also influence aspects such as dress code, manner of address and greeting, consumption of alcohol and so on.   Find out before your find yourself in an awkward situation.  

Safety first

Research the local environment in terms of crime and safety.  Lone travellers are often easy targets for pick-pockets and scam artists, so it’s best to know upfront what the situation is and what to look out for.  There are various apps available that can tell you more about the specific country you are travelling in.  It’s also a good idea to make a list of local emergency numbers as well as your own information that contains your medical details, next of kin, allergies and travel insurance agent in the event of an emergency. 

Embrace technology 

Many places offer free-wi-fi so your smart-phone or tablet will be an absolute travel-must to take photos and videos and stay in touch with family and friends via Skype and Whatsapp.   Remember that data roaming can be very expensive, so make sure your phone is unlocked for the country you’re visiting and rather buy a local SIM card with a data plan. Another great idea is to scan and save all your vital documents to the cloud so you can access copies from anywhere – Dropbox is a great cloud solution for this purpose and can be easily linked to your phone or tablet.

Ensure that your passport is in good condition 

Ensure Lamination is intact, pages are not torn or missing and the dates are valid for at least a few weeks after your planned return. A passport that appears to have been tampered with could cause you a great deal of inconvenience, including refusal of entry at a foreign airport.

Protect your vital travel documents and cash 

Take all necessary precautions to safeguard your passport and other ID documents, travel tickets, money, credit cards and insurance documents.  Avoid carrying these items together, as a loss or theft could leave you entirely without any identification and funds. Leave copies of your documentation and itinerary with someone at home to be safe. Many hotels also have a locked safe in which you can keep passports. The added benefit of taking out travel insurance is that in the event of your travel documents being lost or stolen, assistance can be provided by directing you to the nearest embassy or consulate or getting in touch with your bank if you require a replacement card.

Get covered for any medical emergency 

A medical mishap while travelling abroad could be a serious spanner in the works – and a very expensive exercise.  To ensure the costs for any unexpected emergency medical treatment and possibly medical evacuation can be paid upfront and won’t be added to your travel budget, it is essential to have travel insurance in place that covers any medical emergencies and provides support and on-the-ground assistance in a time of crisis.

Travel tips courtesy of Chubb Insurance Travel.

 ALSO READ: 10 Visa-free countries to visit in 2018