Are you preparing for a solo trip, local or abroad? I have traveled solo around the world for over 9 years, and here are the top 10 mistakes I wish all solo travelers would avoid, most of them were learnt the hard way!
What are some of the mistakes you’ve made on your solo travels? Comment down below!
More tips on solo traveling:
10 best places to travel solo in the USA: https://youtu.be/sQ6ttdXKoOk
Why every woman should travel solo: https://youtu.be/PMBqLmXiLis
How to take travel selfies when you travel alone: https://youtu.be/A4lXQLchrek
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50 Comments
Don't walk alone with earbuds
As a man got to be much easier; sad but true, or no?
i'm sorry that guy groped you. it is a real shame ppl can't be safe in this world, especially when they are not even doing anything to anyone else
Hi thanks for this,
Has a guy I can't say I need all your advice, this will be my first time traveling abroad on my own, so some of your tips will come in handy, your very brave traveling to all those places on your own, x
I'm desperate to travel but im so scared!
Male in my early 60s. I am totally spontaneous – with the occasional reserved lodging. I have been doing solo trips forever. Hikers and climbers are friendly and safe (anywhere it takes a little effort to get to is good) I have only had two scary situations that I backed away from. Yes trust your intuition. Camping, car camping and the occasional hotel / airbnb is a nice mix. I almost always don’t drink or one drink. Nicer restaurants are a good choice in the evening. Women certainly have more concerns.
I am more concerned about the wildlife, weathe and landscape (bolders, falls, etc)
Another tip: if you need a taxi, ask your hotel or airbnb owner to call one for you. They have companies they trust and use regularly.
I would never travel alone, there is safety in numbers.
I’m 19 years old (male), I’ve been to 9 countries so far. (I’m from Hungary) For the first time my dad and his wife took me to Spain when I was 7. Since that we’ve been to Spain and Mallorca like 6 times.
My first solo travel experience happened this March when I travelled to London all by myself! It was such a great feeling! Feeling the independence is just invaluable! I’ve been to New York too. Although I was staying at my friends there, I was exploring New York City completely alone. I never felt that I was in danger at all… (Idk if I should’ve felt some kind of danger…😅🤣)
Now I’m going to Dubai on 25th December alone. I’m staying at a hostel. I can’t wait to meet new people, to gain new experiences and see what the UAE has to offer😍
Edit: I’ve to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The UAE is full of incredible things! If you have the chance to travel there, do it! You won’t regret!
For self defense, if you can't carry a weapon, just find the nearest, sturdiest rock that can fit comfortably in your hand and carry that around. You can simply discard it back to the earth when you no longer need it. I do this while I'm hiking.
And there it is “60 countries”
Whether traveling or just in your local bar always watch your drink. That's a great tip! There's nail polish out now that changes colors if something has been slipped in your drink. I was roofied in my 30s and something really bad happened so please be careful!
Is it not boring to travel solo? I’m single and never Magine my self travel solo.
A life long single, I have been doing international travel since college for weeks to months at a time every year (before Covid). I do not like alcohol, party, and staying out at night. Love sight seeing, nature, and museums. Used to dislike beach and hot weather (didn’t know how to swim and a bug magnet). Now I am retired and just learned free style swimming. Hopefully I can do water related travel in the future.
I wonder if it is safer as you age. I hope so😅 A benefit of aging!
Great advice, took notes, decoy wallet, excellent!!! Thanks
Assume nothing. I found out the hard way that Octoberfest is not in October.
I'd love to solo travel but I'm not talkative and not good at making friends. Can one still enjoy oneself despite these shortcomings?
omg the advice with the dummh bag was so good, thanks
Wow 60 countries solo travel respect👊🏻 I love the dummy wallet, great advice
Just to add to this re alcohol. Some places free pour (USA) and some don’t (Australia) so you don’t always know how much you’re getting. Made the mistake of switching to spirits from beer in San Francisco. Somehow made it to where I was staying and had the mother of all bruises on my upper leg. I think I was lucky.
Each time I see your yt channel, I sometimes neglect to take my foodstuff.
I only would like to point out that this video was wonderful definitely liked it. .
I feel you previously produced similar vid. (Although simply no compliant)
T hank you so much for sharing! This is the first time I saw someone on YouTube who has visited Zambia, I bought a package after someone took my wallet in Holland. Lessons learned
You can use a SIM card on an iPhone??
Thanks,ciao
Highly suggest getting a travelon brand bag
#9 & 8 The Truth has dropped!!
Go you!
Helpful video, thank you.
I arrived at a beach town of Goa, India after dusk after a day-long trip by changing 4 buses. There was a blackout and it was pitch dark. I wanted to go to my hostel ASAP, so I checked with Google maps on the phone and it was sort of a walkable distance. And being the cheap penny pincher I am, I started off right away, not bothering with autorickshaws. I did not spot any anyway. Little did I know that it would be a deserted route among fields…with my batteries dying. I was juggling between my phone's flashlight (my manual one was inside my backpack) and Google maps in darkness with barking dogs all around me. There were a zillion dogs running to me barking their tails off and then instantly backing up. That night I was so lucky to be not mauled by those dogs.
Lots of good info here, thanks! 👍 Now some additional tips from my own knowledge & experience base. Including very recently:
I've been getting lots of telemarketing/scam calls pretending to be from a particular high profile cruise line about "your recently booked cruise with us." Obviously it's a phishing scam because I've never booked a cruise with that company/cruise line, but a lot of people who have may fall for it. If you have booked with a particular cruise line, and you later get a call, text or email about some problem with your booking, call them back ONLY with the verified phone number you trust as their actual number. Not what you got from a text or call. Sounds kinda paranoid, but there are a LOT of sophisticated scam operations out there, and if they got your private information off the Dark Web, they may have your SSN, phone #, etc which will make them sound convincing.
Speaking of the Dark Web, you need to use the credit monitoring services of the credit monitoring and information security companies like Experian & LifeLock.
Also, pay attention when walking around and be situational aware at all times. Don't keep your head buried in your phone screen and/or with ear buds on. You need to be aware of what's going on around you at all times.
If you think you're being followed on the street, step into a store or pretend to be window shopping and look at the reflections of those windows. Is some shady looking dude staring at you behind you you or across the street or looking away every time you look at him? Or walk into a store, say a children's or baby clothing store. Is he(or they)following you?
If you're in a restaurant, bar or club, try to sit where you can see the entrance & exits and also to see who's walking into that place. And do some What Ifs while you're in there. Look around and figure out "How can I get out of here fast if I need to? What if some crazy person comes in here and starts shooting up the place? Where's the closest exit or door to the kitchen or back door in this place?"
And yeah, as you alluded to a couple times already, watch your alcohol 🍸 intake or don't drink at all. And don't do stupid, reckless sh#t. You might be thinking, "Hey I just wa n t to blow off some steam, some tension while I'm here, but the more you draw attention to yourself by getting kinda wild & crazy, the more you put a target on your back.
Oh, and one other thing. Always carry a small, compact flashlight in addition to your phone. If you lose your smartphone, then you can't use your flashlight app. Always carry a bright little flashlight capable of 300-400+ lumens along with your phone. And a strong, sturdy pen you can use as a self defense weapon. Get a tactical pen for instance, but one that's low profile and doesn't completely scream "tactical" or "tacticool."
You can carry a knife in Europe. And if you are a normal person. You will have no problems .You can carry a knife 8cm , blade or less. Nothing automatic of course. I carry EDC knife 7 cm blade 20 years. No problem. Just don’t carry a knife to be visible.
Hide in socks….
Thank you for these tips! Want to travel myself and YES to Rule #1! I lost count of how many times I've been saved by my gut! Plus, LOVE your simple but EFFECTIVE ideas for staying in a hotel room alone!
DO NOT TRAVEL ALONE!!!!!!
Here is a universal tip: If you are still a dumbass past your teenage years, stay home
You don't always have to buy a SIM card, check with your provider before you travel
This is a very informative video thank you
Great tips.
This is a great video for young people especially. As a 47 year old I am like duh this is what I tell my kids, but they will probably listen to you lol
VIATOR has fabulous day trips in just about every major city in the world. I use them to get out and away sometimes if I'm tired, as a solo traveler, of navigating the system. It's like a day off from your mostly solo experience. Going to Cadeques from Barcelona is fabulous!!
Even my little kids had Swiss knife. And it’s acceptable. Do not every knife considered as weapon.
I would say do not go out the first night while your still jet lagged. It is far far worse than being drunk.
Thanks for the video!
When you travel with a one way ticket I’ve heard you need to provide proof of onward destination?
THANKS DEAR
Love this! but regarding "not booking everything " I think it depends on the time of the year i.e for april in europe the best-cheaper hotels are fully book almost all month so keep that in mind.
I stumbled on your video and enjoyed it! The one tip that I may have trouble with is the going by myself at night since I love stargazing. But if I have a rental car and pull into a turnout or trailhead away from civilization and step out of the car and turn all lights off, then I would love to see what’s called a class one Bortles sky on a new moon night. That’s the darkest sky possible. Do you have any special advice for stargazing enthusiasts who travel solo?
Thanks, but I felt like most of these tips are more geared towards women and protection. As a man I felt like these didn’t really apply to me, except tips 3 & 2.
very helpful <3
what is your alcohol story?
2 Likes For your Video and BlueTooth Hug from Me: Very very Helpful Tips….Thank Thank. Loved especially the Fake-Cancelled Card Tip never new that one, will be using it from now on.