Solo travel is the kind of thing that we all look back on with proud memories of how we got out there and did it, alone, without any help from anyone. It’s also one of the things we were most scared to do at the time of doing it, because being in a strange place with no backup can be as daunting as it sounds. So, are there things we can do to make travelling alone more safe at night? Well, yes there are. We’ll get to those in a moment.
First, before you jet off to foreign climes with your passport at your side and your face pressed to the airplane window with excitement, we should really take a moment to consider how the pandemic has affected travel. Restrictions on arrivals and departures can happen fast, which is why you should always pay close attention to the news when travelling – also, check out this Coronavirus travel info if you are affected by cancellations.
You may know how to get there, but can you get back?
Not so long ago, I was travelling in Oslo, where I made friends with some people staying in my hotel. I wasn’t travelling alone, for the record, I was with a buddy of mine. We were invited to a private party in the upstairs of a club on the edge of town, and we were told not to reveal our accents to the door staff because the strict guest list was limited to workers from a certain company, all of whom were known to be Norwegian. This was terribly exciting. Sneaking into a private party above a club? Oh, go on then.
We kept our mouths shut as we walked in, letting our friends do the talking. The night was great fun, but then we were left with no way to get back to our hotel. There were no cabs, no trains, and the snow was up to our knees. We had to walk. For over an hour. Make sure you have a plan to get back to your hotel – cabs and trains aren’t guaranteed.
Flashy jewellery attracts attention
This tip isn’t too much of a hard concept to grasp. Expensive watches, rings, necklaces … it’s all going to attract attention, and not all of it from people you want to be noticing your expensive items.
Don’t get too drunk
All of us can get swept up in the moment while travelling. Drinks lead to more drinks. Shots lead to more shots. Before you know it, your blood alcohol level could rival a whiskey barrel. This is where the risk comes in. Being drunk and alone in a strange place is no way to stay safe. It’s your choice, but perhaps keep the drinking to a low or medium level if you want to make sure you’ve got your wits about you.
Last tip…
Don’t tell people you’ve just met where you’re staying – if you try to make a quick getaway from people you don’t trust, they will know in which direction you’ve headed. Keep those details private.
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