How to Stay Safe When Traveling Alone

Independent travel is liberating. You can go where you please and eat what you like, conforming to no one’s schedule but your own. However, being out there by yourself can present some risks, especially for women. Take these steps to stay safe on your next solo trek.

Things You'll Need

• Map
• Water
• Emergency blanket
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Pepper spray
• Cell phone

Tips

1. Make sure your car is in good working order before you leave. Check your oil, transmission fluid, and tire pressure. Fill up the gas tank, and pack a gallon of water, an emergency blanket, and a flashlight.
2. Study your map before you head out. This important bit of planning can help you avoid getting lost and ending up in an unsafe situation. If you do need to check your map again on the way, pull over in a populated, well-lit area or duck into a store—reading your map on the street makes you look like a distracted tourist, and therefore, a target.
3. Create an itinerary and give it to friends and family. Let them know your driving route as well. If you make changes to these plans, let them know. In case you go missing, someone should know where to begin looking.
4. Keep your cell phone charged up, and call home regularly. It’s nice to hear familiar voices, and this helps your loved ones keep up with your travels.
5. Carry a pocket knife and pepper spray. A pocket knife has innumerable uses, and pepper spray gives you a non-lethal way to defend yourself.
6. Let someone at your hotel, hostel, or campground know where you are going, especially if you are going to be out late at night. If you are going out with someone that you don’t know well, leave information about that person in your room.
7. Don’t walk alone at night. If leaving an event, quietly tag along with a bigger group for the walk back to the hotel. Always have cash on hand for a cab.

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How to Avoid Extra Fees When Travelling

Travelling can create valuable memories or enhance valuable business relationships. Flights, hotels and car rentals can be costly, however, and consumers are sometimes burdened with extra fees that increase the overall travelling tab. Learning how to avoid extra fees when travelling can help conserve additional dollars. In some cases, extra time planning can result in substantial savings.

Airlines

• Although charging for checked luggage has become quite commonplace, not all airlines charge extra for your first suitcase, according to the 2013 "Kiplinger's" article, “9 Ways to Avoid Airline Fees.” Weighing your suitcase before arriving at the airport can help you avoid surcharges for overweight luggage. Booking your airline ticket in advance can result in lower ticket prices, and you’ll have a better selection of seats. Try to have travel plans solidified before booking, though, since ticket changes can result in additional fees.

Banking

• International banking fees can accumulate if you’re traveling outside the country. Foreign banks and ATMs sometimes charge extra for banking with their institutions, according to the 2012 Fox News article, “Traveling Abroad this Summer? Watch Out for Bank Fees." Some online banking platforms don’t charge more for out-of-network ATMs, though. In some cases, credit cards that offer travel rewards will not charge extra fees for international use. Alerting your bank of international travel plans can reduce the chances that your account will be frozen for perceived suspicious activity.
• Cell Phones

• Cell phone companies can assess extra roaming fees for usage while traveling, according to the 2011 "New York Times" article, “How to Beat Roaming Fees While Traveling Abroad.” Some cell phone companies have online travel planner services that allow you to estimate how much data or texts might cost while traveling. Using wireless Internet when it is available can help lower your cell phone bill while traveling. It’s possible to rent a wi-fi “bubble” that can create online access while traveling to reduce roaming. Some cell phone companies also offer special international travel data packages to help avoid additional fees on your typical plan.

Rental Cars

• Rental car contracts can be confusing, creating opportunities for hidden fees and surcharges. Your standard auto insurance coverage might cover car rentals, making additional coverage unnecessary, according to the Money Crashers.com article “32 Hidden Travel Fees and How to Avoid Them.” Sticking with one driver can eliminate extra fees for additional drivers behind the wheel. If you’re not driving the rental car while traveling, leave the key in your hotel room in case you’re pick-pocketed. Replacing lost keys can be costly. Choose the option to refuel your own vehicle rather than paying per-gallon for the car rental company refill; the latter is usually more expensive.

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