How to Remain Safe While Traveling

Solo travel can be an amazing experience. Not only are you free from ties to anyone else, but you also get to enjoy quality time by yourself and do some much-needed soul searching. However, news channels paint the world as if it is entirely unsafe, which makes many people worry about traveling alone. Some may not even know that there are travel blogs out there such as CTOC Adventures to help people prepare for traveling as well as give tips to those who have not been before, however, the media on television can have a lot of sway.

While you can never truly predict what’s going to happen in life, there’s no reason to feel like you’re any less safe abroad than you are in your own country. It’s important to take precautions when you’re traveling alone, but don’t let fear ruin your enjoyment of the experience. Here are three top tips on how to remain safe while traveling.

Take Your Push Bike

Having your own method of transport will mean you’re less likely to be walking alone in the dark or have to use cabs to get around. Just be sure to wear reflective gear and stay vigilant against theft. If you don’t own a secure bike lock, now is the time to invest.

Traveling with a bike is surprisingly easy. These days, most cyclists take their vehicles overseas so they have a way to get around without having to pay for public transport. Invest in a bike bag and familiarize yourself with your airline’s conditions on traveling with bikes, and you shouldn’t have a problem checking it in as extra baggage.

If you do decide to take your bike overseas, make sure you get it insured against loss, damage and theft. If you’re taking out an insurance policy for the first time, click here to get a free bike valuation to find out what your bike is worth.

Don’t Be Flashy

If you’ve bought a new digital camera or iPhone for your travels, keep it out of sight when you’re traveling outside of public spaces. Although it may be tempting to keep snapping, be careful about flashing your goods in front of others, especially in less developed countries.

Sadly, criminals usually target tourists because they have expensive gadgets and aren’t paying attention to what’s going on around them. Keep your head up, stay vigilant against pickpockets and avoid areas where crime is particularly rife.

Be Prepared

It may sound pessimistic, but it’s sensible to be prepared for the worst when you’re traveling alone, just in case. Keep a spare phone card and enough money for a cab somewhere on you, and make sure you have the details of your hotel close to hand. It’s also a good idea to keep copies of your passport and travel documents locked in a safe, just incase your hotel room gets broken in to. If you want to be super careful, you could also leave copies with a trusted person back home. It’s also advisable to learn the language basics as best you can, including the words for “danger” or “help” in case of emergencies.

Traveling alone can be daunting, but as long as you’re prepare and you exercise caution, there’s no real reason to fear. Get out there on your own and start building life experience. When you look back, you’ll be glad you didn’t let fear get in the way.