How to Travel the World Solo

People have asked me if I really travel solo to foreign countries, and the answer is yes. I have traveled in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe alone. It is not as daunting as it sounds. For one, airports are some of the safest places in the world. With people in transit from all over the world, I don’t ever feel endangered. Second, English speakers are spoiled. Almost every airport I’ve traveled to in the world has English signs. Even if it doesn’t, I can look for pictures that indicate Baggage Claim or Taxi.

Still, with those reassurances, one has to be smart and cautious. I will tell you what’s worked well for me.

1. Make sure you have international coverage on your cell phone before you leave.
2. Buy a purse or bag with a crossover strap and carry your bag in FRONT of you, not behind you. Do NOT carry a backpack. That will deter pickpockets. So far, I have not been pickpocketed. 🙂
3. Buy TWO universal adapters, where you can plug in your electronics anywhere in the world. You want two in case you need to plug in more than one item at once AND in case one does not work.
4. Take a travel fan. Many foreign hotels do not have A/C, and you will sleep much better.
5. Buy a travel hair dryer and/or curling iron that allows you to switch the voltage from 125 W (US voltage) to 250 W (most other countries).
6. Buy a power bank to use in case your cell phone runs out of power, and you have no way to charge it. To conserve your power and make your phone last longer, you can switch it to Airplane mode AND Low Power mode.
7. Don’t bring or wear expensive jewelry or anything it would be hard to lose.
8. Wear compression socks or sleeves during your flight. Otherwise, your legs will swell into balloons.
9. Install What’s App on your phone and make sure friends and family in the US do as well. That way, you can always call home if you need something. I went to Zanzibar, Tanzania once and had no cell signal to call anyone. However, I had internet signal and was able to use What’s App to call home.
10. Print paper copies of all your travel documents and carry them with you. This includes itineraries, boarding passes, reservations, baggage claim tickets, immunization card, passport, and visa. Even having electronic versions on my phone, I have been to foreign airports, like the one in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I could not get a signal to access them. I was saved having paper copies.
11. Download the XE currency converter app on your phone. Know the exchange rate of US dollars to local currency by the time you travel. If you don’t, vendors may take advantage of you.
12. Make sure you travel with plenty of cash. I usually take $200 – $300. While some vendors accept credit cards, many of them do not. You do NOT need to bring local currency. Most vendors accept US dollars, even prefer them. Also, ATMs often do not work or are out of cash, and you do not want to be stuck without cash. If you need local currency, the best way to get it is to pay a vendor in US dollars and get change back in the local currency. Again, KNOW the exchange rate, so the vendor does not shortchange you.
13. Make sure you book safe lodging. I like to use hotels.com, where I can read the customer reviews and know I am staying at a nice, safe place.
14. After I collect my bags, I take a taxi to the hotel. Go to the Taxi area and make sure you get in a vehicle that says “TAXI” with a posted registration, not an unmarked vehicle. That way you know it’s legitimate.
15. Show the taxi driver the address and ask how much it will cost. By doing so, you are not surprised when you arrive at the hotel. If the driver has a meter, make sure they turn it on when they start driving. I turn on the GPS on my phone to make sure they take the most direct route. Again, have cash for the taxi because most of them don’t take credit cards. And KNOW the exchange rate. I have had taxi drivers try to overcharge me.
16. Sometimes a shuttle to the hotel is available. Even if there is, I prefer to take a taxi. When I flew into Zanzibar at night, I waited for a shuttle for 45 minutes and got hounded by locals to assist me. By taking a taxi that is available immediately, I am not standing around by myself for prolonged periods attracting attention. 
17. Try to speak the local language as much as possible. You may feel inept, but it’s good practice, and the locals appreciate the effort. Have the Google translator on your phone ready, in case the driver or other vendors don’t speak any English.
18. If it’s before 3:00 PM when you arrive at your hotel, ask if you can check in early. If you can’t, leave your luggage with the front desk. They will safeguard it until your room is ready. Often, they can check you in once the room is ready, even if it’s before 3:00 PM.
19. Ask the hotel owner or concierge about fun, safe things to do.
20. Carry tissue in your bag at all times. Many public restrooms will be out of toilet paper. Also, carry coins of local currency. You will have to pay to use most public restrooms.
21. Drink bottled water only and avoid fruits and vegetables rinsed in local water. Otherwise, your stomach could pay for it later! I suffered for a week after visiting the Peruvian Amazon. However, you can use the local water to brush your teeth and shower.
22. Take a loofa or wash cloth. I have stayed in many hotels that don’t have them.
23. Take basic over-the-counter medications like Tums, ibuprofen, allergy medicine, and/or pseudoephedrine in case you need them. I have reacted badly to local allergens and sudden climate changes and had to take them.
24. Even in the summer, take a light jacket to cover your shoulders and arms. You are often required to cover them if you enter churches or shrines, or they won’t let you in.
25. Don’t get loud and sloppy drunk. Most of the locals don’t appreciate it, and you will stereotype yourself as an American. 🙂

As many times I have done this, I still feel uncomfortable doing it, which is the point. It’s important for me to experience being the foreigner, the outsider, the one who doesn’t speak the language, the one who doesn’t look like everyone else. For one, it gives me greater empathy for the foreigners and minorities in my own country. Best of all, it gives me confidence that I can handle myself in unfamiliar situations. I know it will do the same for you!