If you travel alone you can have a great time, but you can also be more susceptible to crime. There are some important things you should do when traveling solo to ensure your safety. Keep reading for some great advice on staying safe when you travel.
Once you have picked a destination, learn everything you can about the area. Pick up a map of the location you’re going to, so you can locate all the fun things to do, and how best to go about visiting them. If you have a basic idea of where you are going and what you are doing, you will find that your trip goes more smoothly.
Make sure you don’t pack too much stuff, and also do a checklist for your major essentials. You’re more likely to have your things stolen or become lost if you do not have too much. Limit how many shoes you bring since they sometimes take up a lot of space and weigh more than your other clothing items.
Before packing, make a list. Create this list either a few months to a week before your trip. Even if you won’t have time to pack until the last minute, having a list will keep you organized.
Take a doorstop if you are staying at a hotel. They don’t take up a lot of space, but they are great for keeping doors shut.
It is a good idea to register with a site that watches travel prices. This is offered by several websites and lets you input your most traveled destinations, and it keeps an eye on them for you. When the prices of the hotel or airfares drop to the level of your choosing, the website will alert you with an email about the change. This helps you avoid the hassle of daily checks.
When traveling through smaller airports, check their websites to discover every airline that offers service there. Many small airports offer charter airlines; they may not show up as you search for rates, and sometimes can offer a better deal than major airlines.
Free Parking
Before getting off the cruise in a port city find yourself a hotel with free parking. Even if they don’t publicize the service, it can’t hurt to ask about free parking deals at your hotel.
Before booking any hotel, do your research. Find websites offering lots of reviews and information about the destinations you want to explore. Talk to people who have visited there before. Research will ensure you don’t end up in over your head.
Don’t forget to check the actual flight carriers’ website for deals before booking your flight. Yes, Booking Buddy and Expedia claim to have cheap flights, but by ignoring the official airline’s websites, you can miss out on some better deals.
If you cannot bear to leave your pet home, consider taking her along on your vacation. Pet-friendly vacations are becoming popular, with many accommodations offering special deals for “pet parents.” There are even pet day cares and spas. Some cruises also allow pets. Just make sure that where ever you go, your pal is allowed.
When you’re traveling, know where your most important belongings are at all times. If you have a purse, keep it close to your body with your arm on it at all times. Also, pick travel bags with secured flaps that conceal zippers and pockets, so that access is not easy in crowded or dangerous areas. Take these things into consideration when searching for a reliable travel bag.
Taking a trip no matter how far from home may cause you to want to bring pieces of your home along for the vacation. Be certain you don’t bring too much; just bring what you need. List those toiletries you typically use every day and really cannot live without. Pack those that are most valuable to you.
Always pay attention to your surroundings when traveling and keep track of your belongings. Carry your handbag tucked securely under your arm. Do not purchase bags that have easy open zippers and compartments. The easier the bag is to open, the more likely someone can slip away with something while you are distracted. Select a travel bag that will help you keep your belongings safe.
A motorcycle is a great way to go on a road trip. Not only will you enjoy the experience, but it will cost you less in gas. It can be great fun to travel by motorcycle.
You may find yourself at an unsavory hotel at some point since not everyone is able to live in the lap of luxury. If the area in which you are staying seems a bit seedy, bring along a rubber doorstop. In addition to locking and chaining your door, you can wedge the doorstop under the door for an extra measure of safety. It is relatively easy for an intruder to compromise a chain or lock, but it will be almost impossible to get into a room that is secured with a doorstop.
If you use traveler’s checks, try cashing them before eating or shopping. Although traveler’s checks are accepted in most places, they’re hard to deal with. You don’t want to lose out, so go ahead and get local currency as soon as possible.
Carry your hotel’s business card or matchbook with its logo on it when you’re tooling around the city. If you are out on the streets of a foreign city and find yourself lost, this small item will be very useful when trying to get directions from a taxi driver or a local on the street. This simple precaution goes a long way to make up for whatever you lack in speaking the local language.
Look up currency rates before traveling in order to budget your expenditures. Knowing the spending power of each dollar before you arrive will give you a better picture of what is affordable and help you draft an itinerary. This prevents too much spending and increases the fun you will have.
Visit the websites of major airlines, and sign up for their email newsletters. E-newsletters show you any special discounts or last-minute offers they have available. Once you have completed your travel, you will probably want to unsubscribe to these e-newsletters as they may clutter you inbox. However, the savings you may receive will far outweigh any clutter.
As mentioned earlier, traveling alone may be something you want to do, but you could be a victim of crime. However, you don’t have to travel in groups. There are other options. Use the advice that you have learned to your advantage.
Avoid driving in rush hour traffic when setting out on your trip. This will help to reduce the time that it takes to get there. This is a good time to eat or relax.