Traveling alone entails benefits that traveling in a group does not. You can become more open to new experiences, have the opportunity to make friends, and do not face any restrictions on your itinerary. However, traveling solo can be a risky business if you do not take certain precautions while on the road. Following are some important safety tips to keep in mind before planning your next solo trip.

Study the culture
Before going anywhere new, read up on the culture of the place you are visiting. This will help you blend in and avoid trouble. For instance, in certain Arab countries, crop tops and micro shorts violate the local dress code and should be avoided. Certain religious sites like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome do not permit bare legs or arms for both men and women. Research about permissible gestures as well. Even hand gestures vary from place to place; for example, flashing the “V” sign (peace sign) with your fingers can land you in a fight in Britain.

Choose safe lodgings
Getting great deals on cheap airfare and cheap hotels is amazing, yet safety should always come first. When traveling solo, make sure to check the location of your hotel; it should be close to a populated area. This is preferable over a quite homestay in the countryside. Keep your room door locked at all times as well. Avoid answering the doorbell if you are not expecting anyone. Moreover, do not tell people you meet while you are traveling that you are staying alone.

Stay connected
It is never a good idea to go completely off the grid. Always keep in touch with someone back home while traveling. You can share your location through any mobile application, so you may feel reassured no matter what. Never make the mistake of sharing your entire itinerary with strangers you meet while traveling. Moreover, check if your network provider offers reliable connectivity where you are headed. If it does not, purchase a local SIM card for safe measure.

Stash your valuables well
Traveling alone could make you a victim of theft. Therefore, it is best to be prepared. Never store your wallet, passport, and credit cards all in one place. Distribute them across your luggage. Cheap hotels often lack reliable storage facilities, but paying a little more will get you a room with an electronic locker to store valuables. In the unfortunate situation that you get robbed or burgled, you will not be left stranded.

Connect cautiously
Making new friends is one of the perks of traveling alone. However, you must always keep your wits around you. Avoid mentioning upfront that you are traveling alone. If you feel uncertain about someone’s intentions, it is absolutely fine to lie that a spouse or friend is waiting for you back at the hotel. Try to not to go stranger’s homes or get intoxicated with people you have just met. If you need to trust someone locally with where you are headed, your best bet is the hotel concierge or the landlord of the place you have rented.

Be aware of current affairs
Finally, read the news before planning a holiday. Check if there is local unrest or any kind of epidemic that might make you want to avoid a particular destination. You can simply get this information online. For instance, if you are headed to Istanbul, simply search “is Turkey safe for solo travel?” Taking a simple yet important precaution can help you make an informed decision of whether you should be traveling solo to a particular destination not.