Traveling alone can be an exciting experience. However, the thrilling experience can soon turn into a daunting task if you have not planned well before.

People traveling alone or traveling for the first time without the supervision of a guide are vulnerable to making mistakes that can turn their experience sour. Regardless of how well you research about the place you are looking to visit, not planning the trip can cause you to run into unavoidable circumstances.

Getting in touch with trip planners will help in organizing the trip for you but if you want to experience traveling alone and by yourself, without having to depend too much on external sources it is imperative to be aware of the hazards of traveling.

We know that traveling alone can be a challenging experience; for all, you know you could end up in a situation with no one to contact and ask for help in a country, not your home, amongst locals not aware of the language you speak.

This can be a nightmarish scenario for all first-time travelers. So to ensure that you don’t get into such situations we have compiled a list of factors that you should be aware of

• Dos

Traveling is all about being proactive rather than reactive. Taking measures which will help you in unfavorable circumstances is one way that you can go about handling things.

·      Planning

The first part that should be a routine for all your traveling experiences, regardless of how you travel or with whom you visit is the planning of your tour.  Read blogs and posts about the locations you intend on going to and find out about the locals and the culture of your travel destination.

Reserving hotel rooms beforehand and getting in contact with local service providers will help you in setting a schedule for your tour. A plan helps you in staying ahead of time and is an excellent way to limit your expenses.

·      Avoid Taking Too Much Cash Along

Excess cash can become a source of unwanted attention; this is the last thing you need at a remote location. Regardless of how impervious you are to the surroundings, it would help if you were cautious.

In the modern world, no place is safe to visit. To ensure your safety, it is necessary to take pre-emptive measures, not taking too much cash is one such measure.

It is preferable to use other sources such as the travelers’ check or credit card.

·      Note the Details

When traveling alone, you need to be ready for any situation. We have all heard stories of travelers finding themselves in a fix after losing their credit card or passport id.

Although losing a credit card or your passport id epitomizes the level of carelessness a traveler can show, you still need to be proactive. Noting down the digits of these cards will help you considerably in case you lose any of them.

The digits of your lost passport will be used for issuing a new visa, as once you lose one your passport cannot leave a country without it.

·      Dress Appropriately

One thing that all tourists should be aware of is the dress they wear. Respecting the local community and their culture should be of utmost priority.

In addition to showing your respect for the culture of the locals, dressing appropriately prevents you from standing out in the crowd. Looking like a complete alien is never good for a tourist traveling alone as it is an indication of you not belonging to a place and thus making you vulnerable to the nefarious designs of criminals.

·      Avoid Crowds

Always be alert as many tourists have been subject to pickpocketing or other such crimes when they go about meddling in the business of the locals.

It would be best if you also were wary of staged directions and avoid needless interaction with the locals. Many tourists have complained about locals getting very friendly and then tricking the tourist into losing all the money.

Large crowds are usually an indication of the presence of unwanted elements. Therefore, until or unless it is necessary you should avoid large crowds.

Don’ts

Here is a list of activities that you should avoid at all cost.

·      Never Leave Your Luggage Unattended

One common mistake which is the root of all failed trips is that of leaving your luggage unattended. Always be protective of your luggage and always ensure that even in your absence the luggage is safe.

Your luggage has all the things you need during the vacation so you should pay special attention to the safety of the bags.

·      Dangerous Locations

Avoid going to hazardous locations during your travel. It is better to be safe than sorry.

There are very few tourist destinations which are immune to all sorts of crime and brutalities; most places have areas and locations which are notorious for criminal activity and the presence of criminals.

Avoid going to areas where there is high crime, a place which is not safe for the locals will not be safe for you. Research thoroughly before leaving for a trip

·      Rental Car

Since during your stay you need the liberty to move from one place to another, it is imperative to have a rental car around.

However, ensure that it does not become evident that you drive a rental car. The more discrete the agreement for the vehicle is the better.

Lastly, ensure that you take good care of the rental car. Try parking your car in an area which is well lit and has a considerable population around it.

Staying alert at all times during your trip is the key to traveling alone. Those who have the experience of roaming the streets of a foreign country say that the experience of traveling alone is second to none.

However, to ensure that you have the experience of a lifetime, you need to plan your trip well and ensure that you follow the tips that we have suggested.